What Counts As Research?

Research is a structured and purposeful process aimed at generating knowledge, solving problems, and creating new possibilities. It can take three main forms, each with its own focus and value. Exploratory research is about investigating and discovering. It involves observing the world, asking questions, and identifying patterns or trends that were previously unnoticed. This type of research is driven by curiosity and a desire to understand new or unfamiliar areas. Explanatory research goes beyond observation and focuses on understanding why things happen. It seeks to uncover relationships, causes, and mechanisms behind phenomena, turning questions into clear insights and helping us make sense of complexity. Creative or applied research is where knowledge is turned into action. It involves developing new tools, methods, processes, or solutions that address real-world problems or open up entirely new possibilities. Together these approaches capture the full range of what research can be, from initial exploration to deep understanding to tangible creation. Research requires careful thinking, persistence, and sometimes a willingness to embrace mistakes and surprises along the way. It is both a disciplined practice and a playful pursuit of curiosity. At its core, research is about asking questions, seeking answers, and turning discoveries into knowledge that can inspire, inform, and improve the world.

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- Sapience Co.