Research is defined is a process in which you engage in a small set of logical steps. The three steps in the research are pose a question, collect data to answer the question, and present an answer to the question. Research is important because it adds to our knowledge. Educators undertake research to contribute to existing information about issues. Research also improves practice. It offers practicing educators new ideas to consider as they go about their jobs. Another reason why research is important is it informs policy debates. It provides information to policy makers when they research and debate educational topics. There are two types of research quantitative and qualitative. In quantitative research investigators identify a research problem based on trends in the field or on the need to explain why something occurs. Qualitative research is suited to address a research problem in which you do not need to explore. In qualitative research how one variable affects another, variables are an attribute or characteristic of individuals that researchers study. In qualitative research the variables are not known and need to be explored. Although they differ they are similar as well. Both forms follow the six steps in the process of research introduction, research problem section, and establish the importance of the central idea. Another step in the research process is Data Collection. Data collection includes set responses, open ended responses, and general questions. The different forms of data collection are called the research designs. Research designs are the specific procedures involved in the research process: data collection, data analysis, and report writing. According to Arroyo there are for basic types of knowledge; intuitive, authoritative, logical, and empirical. Intuitive knowledge is based on personal belief. Authoritative is knowledge that you
gain from someone who is superior to you. Logical knowledge is based on opinion. The type of knowledge is empirical which comes from observation (after the fact), experienced with five senses.