Research is used to investigate a problem, idea, clinical recommendations, diseases, current research for best practice, or phenomenon in order to establish facts, develop understanding or reach new conclusions.
Research is usually undertaken for one (or more) of four purposes:
- To be able to accurately describe a phenomenon.
- To predict an occurrence. For example, does the amount of sleep a person has affect their performance at work?
- To be able to improve a process. For example, a clinic might undertake research into how it could be more effective in parasite preventative medication sales, or improve sterilisation processes.
- To be able to explain something. For example, disease pathophysiology, treatment protocols.