Understanding Research

Objective of research
According to NCIB, 2013, objectives define the specific aims of the study and should be clearly stated in the introduction of the research protocol. 

Objectives are the steps you take to answer your research questions or a specific list of tasks needed to accomplish the goals of the project. Objectives are used to emphasize how aims are to be accomplished and must be highly focused and feasible and precisely described. (Bryman&Bell: Research project guide, 2007)

Objectives can be clearly defined by using the SMART technique to describe them.
S - specific 
M - measurable
A - achievable
R - realistic
T - time-bound

Process in research design

1. Aims and objectives of the research
2. Solution and deliverable
3. Literature Review – Required domain research
4. Selected Data collection methods (Primary Research)
5. Selected Sampling methods
6. Selected Data analysis methods
7. Rationale for selected technical aspects
8. Selected Design approach
9. Timelines

Types of research

Academic research
this type of research is carried out using the research data gathered by others which can be taken from sources such as, books, journal articles, research papers, etc. the sources needed to carry out this kind of research is freely available in libraries.

Secondary research
This is the most common research type used in the industry currently which involves data that has been already collected by another party for a research of their own. Reports, press articles, magazines, and other research papers are used in here which gives more value and proof for your own research. The advantage of this method would be the low cost in retrieving information but a main disadvantage would be if the data used in those sources are out-dated which will make your research fail. (marketresearchworld, 2013)

Primary research
When research is conducted to collect original data it is called primary research. These kind of research is conducted through surveys, questionnaires, interviews and direct observation. The information collected through this could take a long time and be costly but it will cater to the clients needs because its specifically based on the  area or topic needed unlike extracting form some other research based on a different topic. (marketresearchworld, 2013)

References:
NCIB (2013), "" [Online] Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2912019/  Accessed on: 10th January 2013

Bryman&Bell: Research project Guide (2007), "Formulation research aims and objectives" [Online] Available from: http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199284986/01student/project_guide/project_guide/page_11.htm Accessed on: 11th January 2013

Marketresearchworld (2013), "What is secondary research" [Online] Available from: http://www.marketresearchworld.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=810 Accessed on: 12th January 2013

Marketresearchworld (2013), "What is primary research" [Online] Available from: http://www.marketresearchworld.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=802  Accessed on: 12th January 2013