Research

We perform research and scenario anaylsis as needed. We can execute just about any type of research and create publication quality reports as needed. For details on what types of research we do see below.

What is research and what are scenarios?

Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict and control the observed phenomenon.

Scenarios are consistent and coherent descriptions of alternative hypothetical futures that reflect different perspectives on past, present, and future developments, which can serve as a basis for action. (Philip van Notten, 1980)

what are the purposes and types of research?

Patton (1990) pointed out the importance of identifying the purpose in a research process. He classified four types of research based on different purposes:

Basic Research: The purpose of this research is to understand and explain, i.e. the research is interested in formulating and testing theoretical construct and propositions that ideally generalize across time and space. This type of research takes the form of a theory that explains the phenomenon under investigation to give its contribution to knowledge. This research is more descriptive in nature exploring what, why and how questions.
Applied Research: The purpose of this research is to help people understand the nature of human problems so that human beings can more effectively control their environment. In other words, this type of research pursues potential solutions to human and societal problems. This research is more prescriptive in nature, focusing on how questions.
Evaluation Research (summative and formative): Evaluation research studies the processes and outcomes aimed at attempted solution. The purpose of formative research is to improve human intervention within specific conditions, such as activities, time, and groups of people; the purpose of summative evaluation is to judge the effectiveness of a program, policy, or product.
Action Research: Action research aims at solving specific problems within a program, organization, or community. Patton (1990) described that design and data collection in action research tend to be more informal, and the people in the situation are directly involved in gathering information and studying themselves.

What is the research process?

Gall, Borg, and Gall (1996) described the following stages of conducting a research study:

Identify a significant research problem: in this stage, find out the research questions that are significant and feasible to study.
Prepare a research proposal: a research proposal usually consists of the sections including introductory, literature review, research design, research method, data analysis and protection of human subject section, and timeline.
Conduct a pilot study: the purpose is to develop and try out data-collection methods and other procedures.
Conduct a main study
Prepare a report

Sources

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2015.06.006 https://www.oecd.org/site/schoolingfortomorrowknowledgebase/futuresthinking/scenarios/scenariodevelopmentatypologyofapproaches.htm https://www.personal.psu.edu/wxh139/research_talk.htm https://www.questionpro.com/blog/what-is-research/