The difference between research and non-research activity is, in the way we find answers, the process must meet certain requirements to be called research. In other words, research is a structured enquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and create new knowledge that is generally applicable. This “scientific”method was refined in the development of research at the end of the 1800s, and historic educator John Dewey is credited with later popularizing it. The steps in Dewey’s description of the scientific method have a logical coherence that gives power to the conclusions. His formulation focuses on: a) perceiving a problem, b) stating a hypothesis as a tentative solution of the problem, c) deducing predicted consequences based on that hypothesis, d) collecting data to verify or reject that prediction, and e) drawing conclusions about the hypothesis based on an analysis of the data.
Formulating the research question is the first and most crucial step in the research process. It will decide what you want to find out about and will help you construct a working hypothesis. An extensive literature review tells you if others have used procedures and methods similar to the ones that you are proposing, which methods have worked well for them. Thus you will be better positioned to select a methodology that is capable of providing valid answer to your research questions.
The preparation of research methodology, appropriate for a particular research problem, involves the consideration of the following: subject or sample selection; research instrument, tool for data collection. Besides, find meanings in data and derive generalization to determine the hypothesis before conclusions are intelligibly made.
Although we engage in such process in our daily life, the difference between our casual day-to-day generalization and the conclusions usually recognized as scientific method lies in the degree of formality, rigorousness, verifiability and general validity of latter.