Academic research serves various purposes. These research studies appear in multiple shapes and forms. Usually, research can be conducted through qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods depending on the questions asked. Moreover, research data can also be obtained in various ways as well.
Academic research can be useful in many ways, from student and subject analysis to help with essay writing to academic curriculum.
But what exactly makes academic research insightful? What is a quality research?
What Is Good Research and Why Is It Important?
High quality academic research provides robust, ethical evidence and stands up to scrutiny for making an informed decision.
People purchase research papers for their own educational purpose as well.
Academic research includes collecting, analysing, and interpreting information to answer questions and solve problems using these data.
But good research is very important to ensure that the data collected are qualitative.
You must be wondering what exactly makes good research. Well, it is not an undefinable, innate genius or something we need intense practice for.
Good academic researchers possess these nine qualities, making their research stand out and definite.
Characteristics of Quality Research
Before proceeding towards the qualities of good academic research, let’s view the characteristics:
- Quality research is based on the work of many individuals.
- Research data can be replicated and is doable.
- These data are applicable to others’ usage and settings.
- Each research is based on some logical theory in a way that each has the potential to suggest directions for the future research.
- Quality research intends to generate new questions or is cyclical in nature.
- They address some real problems in the world directly or indirectly.
- Each of these research serves as a medium to improve the educational quality.
So, before proceeding with the final output of the research, you might want to check out these characteristics if it’s available in your study or not!
Top 9 Qualities of Good Academic Research
Individuals with different personalities and from diverse backgrounds pursue academic research. All of them are eager to develop the qualities of a good researcher.
We all can agree that being a researcher is a challenging task as it requires a combination of skills and attributes as well as dedication, time, lots of depth research, and hard work.
Below we will be discussing the nine best effective research strategies every researcher should follow!
1. Curiosity for the Subject Matter
Above all the qualities, we have listed curiosity to be one of the most important qualities of a researcher.
A curious mind can look at things from various perspectives, which contributes to better research.
A good research study is observant and outlook around the world to come up with new ideas and possibilities.
Curious researchers tend to ask many questions and look for the answers that make their research more variable. They possess the ability to view things in the bigger picture while also being curious about the small details.
Good quality research requires curious researchers who are ready to go beyond the regular questions and answers.
2. Open Mindedness
There’s a very famous quote by Albert Einstein that states that ‘the measure of intelligence is the ability to change in mind’.
One very important characteristic of good research is open-mindedness because research has to do with finding new fats, and requires the researcher to alter previously valid facts.
If the researcher is someone who is not able to give up on their beliefs, customs, or knowledge, gathering the world’s information can be difficult.
Therefore, to have good academic research, you need to ensure that researchers understand that nothing is static and changes over time.
3. Critical Thinking
Academic research requires you to think critically about the provided information, gather the required one and read about new developments in the field.
Hence, critical thinking becomes an essential quality of academic research. Instead of accepting the given fact, researchers need to have the ability to analyse and evaluate the validity.
What is the reliability of courses, the alternative explanation to the given research, and the results needed to observe?
It seemingly builds a connection between unrelated concepts and takes research on the wider aspect.
4. Creativity
While curiosity and critical thinking might work to an extent to come up with good academic research, it is not everything. Creativity is a great skill to possess. It gives you the ability to think creatively when solving a problem.
It’s important that you’re able to nurture the ability to think outside the box and come up with unconventional solutions to the challenges you face during your research process.
This ability helps you come up with ground-breaking research studies. This not only makes your academic research precise but also addresses the issues others might have been missing out on!
5. Objectivity
We are going turn-by-turn on what makes quality academic research! So, now’s the room for objectivity! What is the reason behind your research? What do you determine to fully fill – the questions, the data through your research? The nurturing notions are determined in the research process.
It is very important to have your objective defined to build quality research.
Researchers must be able to keep their preferences and biases aside and focus on the sole objective of what this research is aimed to deliver.
6. Collaborative Attitude
To come up with quality academic research data, it’s important that you work among researchers who are doing the same job.
When you shift towards collaborative research, you’ll connect and work with peers who are innovative in their research as well.
You’ll not only gain ideas and insights but also be able to lead to breakthroughs and boost your research reputation. This is a great way to open the door for your work to reach potential benefits in a wider audience.
7. Communication Skills
Good quality research also factors in the ability of the researcher to communicate the findings clearly and effectively.
Communication is yet another important quality of academic research. It is a key contributor to success.
Communication skill is applicable when discussing plans, presenting conferences, seeking funding for your work, and in many other ways. As a researcher, you must explain your theory to a specialist and a non-specialist and ensure they understand what you mean.
8. Attention to detail
There are various reasons why an organisation or individual is performing academic research. Therefore, to bring quality research, you must be meticulous in your work, i.e., paying attention to every detail.
It can start right from the design of an experiment to its analysis, to data collection, to further writing, and everything in between.
Making a habit of providing attention to detail will help you keep your research accurate, testable, and reliable.
9. Time Management
What if it takes a year or two to prepare quality academic research when its deadline is in two months?
It’s important to understand that quality research comprises the needs of the organisation, the individual, what it has to offer, the story, and all other aspects.
Successful researchers can organise, prioritise, and optimise their time by keeping up with their responsibilities and completing compelling research on time.
Wrapping Up
This sums up the list of the nine best qualities of good academic research that can help you understand the need and what you must look for in a researcher.
Also read:
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan ─ a melting pot of quality academics and research
