There Is More To The Word "Research"

I am sure that almost every student have done research paper of some kind for their school assignments and everyone are most likely use the same research method known as the internet. Search engines such as Google and Yahoo are so convenient that all there is to be done is to type up the topic in the search box and hit enter. This method allows people to get millions of result within seconds versus the intensive searching and time that needs to be wasted at the library. I was one of those that preferred to utilize the modern technique rather than the old fashion way of research, but then I should really reconsider after reading chapter six of CDA. I had always though that research papers were very simple, where you can just “google up” something and then summarize what you found, but there is actually a much longer process than that. In the books, it mentions that there are five crucial steps in writing a research paper that involves developing a question, using the question to figure out what to write about, perform the actual research, produce a design plan and then start writing the paper. It is surprising how there are so many little tasks that needs to be done in each procedure. Like when developing an initial question, a person would have to also consider the facts, definitions, interpretations, consequences, values and policies of the topic; the same considerations would also have to be made when performing the actual research. Another thing that is pointed out in this chapter is the various research methods that are available. Although I initially thought that going to the library would be a waste of time when everything can be done online, it is actually not. There are special sources that can only be found at the library and many other “riches” that are yet to be discovered from the librarian. Interestingly enough, special organizations and close neighborhoods can also serve as aids to research papers. Lastly, the author also mentions that “research is only worth doing if you learn something from it-and research papers are only worth writing if your audience learns something as well.” This is a statement that I would definitely agree on because there really isn’t a point to write about a known fact. For a successful paper, it has got to entertain and be worthwhile to read and this is why so much work is needed to be put into it.