Occasional Paper No. 05 of 2004 on Principles of Research

Abstract

In Section 1, I introduce the subject matter of research, with a theoretical discussion of characters in a research enterprise. I do a thought experiment that expels some characters and retains others. I introduce (also in an abstract way), the proper motive for research. I argue that research and research principles are an outcome of a mental activity called "thinking." Examples of principles are given from disciplines of economics and physics. In Section 2, Einstein's definition of thinking is given, with an elaboration. A distinction is made between the world of concepts and the world of experiences and feelings (the real world). A concept is transformed into a principle when it is shown to be in accordance with the world of experience. The first remark in the presentation is introduced. A remark is a summary of the main points of an argument; it also extends an argument without the necessity of details. A remark is different from a hypothesis, a theorem, a lemma, etc. A hypothesis is a prediction flowing from a concept, whose truth content is to be verified or falsified with data; a theorem is what is demonstrated to be logically true without data; lemmas are successive steps to a theorem. In Section 3, I deal with the difficult issues of basic and applied research. I explain the role of a policy analyst in the world of concepts and define research, giving examples. I show the complementarity between the work of a policy analyst and that of a theoretical researcher. Both types of researchers help to establish the bridge between the world of concepts and the world of experience. I argue that the bridge between the worlds of concepts and experience (consisting of principles and empirical regularities) is the proper foundation for public policy. Any policy without such a foundation is bound to fail or to be harmful, except in rare cases of luck. I restate principles of research. Principles of Research In Section 4, I conclude with a vision of research and contributions to policy-making at KIPPRA. In the references list, I show the reader the materials I consulted to prepare the presentation. It is hoped that the reader too will consult these original materials, both for curiosity and to extend or criticize the ideas in the presentation.