4. Desk Research
How to ask questions, search, organize and tell their own stories using research that has already been done
Research
What is Research?
"Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes." - Western Sydney University
💡 Research is a systematic investigation aimed at enhancing understanding of a specific topic.
A “systematic investigation” is an activity that involves a prospective plan that incorporates data collection, either quantitative or qualitative, and data analysis to answer a question. - Definition of Human Subjects Research
The purpose of research?
The purpose of research is to explore, understand, and generate new knowledge about a specific topic or question.
Exploratory: To help generate questions for further inquiries. This also helps to set a clear goal for the whole research.
Understand: Analyze data to gain insights, clarify concepts, and build a clear picture.
Generate: Create new knowledge or solutions based on findings.
Type of research
Pure research
Basic research, also called pure research, fundamental research, basic science, or pure science, is a type of scientific research with the aim of improving scientific theories for better understanding and prediction of natural or other phenomena. - wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_research
Primary research
The primary research definition refers to research that has involved the collection of original data specific to a particular research project (Gratton & Jones, 2010).
When doing primary research, the researcher gathers information first-hand rather than relying on available information in databases and other publications.
Desk research/Applied research/Secondary research
While primary research involves active participation from the researcher themselves, secondary research involves the summary or synthesis of data and literature that has been organized and published by others. - Imed Bouchrika, Phd, Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist - Primary Research vs Secondary Research in 2024
When doing secondary research, researchers use and analyze data from primary research sources.
Research Methods
Qualitative research
Qualitative research focuses on descriptive information, such as people’s beliefs and emotional responses. Researchers often use focus groups, interviews, and surveys to gather qualitative data.
Quantitative research
Quantitative research methods focus on numerical data like statistics, units of time, or percentages. Researchers use quantitative methods to determine concrete things, like how many customers purchased a product.
Type of Research Question
When conducting research, there are many ways to approach questioning, but the simplest method is to focus on the 5W1H: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.
💡 The 5W1H method provides a thorough analysis of the problem, helping to identify opportunities for improvement.
Desk Research
Desk Research
📊 Desk research isn't about data collection; it's about reviewing previous research to understand the field broadly.
Why do desk research?
Desk research is essential because:
It helps you recognize new discoveries.
It ensures credibility when interacting with users and stakeholders.
It respects participants' time by avoiding redundant questions.
⌛ It's cost-effective, time-efficient, and accessible.
Desk Research Framework
💡 From the Research Problem to a Research Report!
Research Questions
Break down the big question into smaller and more manageable questions. This approach ensures that your research efforts are directed toward obtaining relevant and useful information. It prevents any information overload and helps in maintaining focus and throughout the research process.
🎯 Define the right questions and identify the goals of your research.
Synthesis
🪙 Collect a wide range of relevant and reliable materials from various resources.
This provides a holistic view of the research topic and helps in drawing meaningful conclusions from diverse sources of information.
Skim & Scan
Scan through the collected material to identify key points and extract specific information that directly addresses your research questions or objectives.
Start by reading abstracts to understand the research goals before diving into the full content. Use tools to refine your search for better abstracts if needed.
⌛ This method saves time and helps you prioritize materials for deeper review while setting aside those less relevant.
Mapping
Organize and visualize the relationships between different pieces of information relevant to the research question.
Use tools to map the connections between information, and identify where more details are needed or where relationships are unclear.
🗑️ Filter out irrelevant or unnecessary information and data that don’t address the research questions.
Read
Conduct an in-depth review of the most relevant materials, summarizing key findings.
📖 Carefully read these resources to extract detailed insights and evidence that address your research questions.
Report
Compile and present your findings in a clear, organized report.
💡 This should include summaries, key insights, and answers to the research questions.
