Does the perfect research exist?

Cecile Gagnon

January 12, 2011

“…there is no hope for doing a perfect research”.

(Griffith’s 1998, p.97) Do you agree?

           

Research is a compilation of many thoughts and theories combined together to formulate one working idea.  To conduct a perfect research, would leave no room for further understanding or future advancements.  Searching, finding and creating on any level is vital to our evolution.  Making mistakes and re-designing is what turns a simple idea into actuality.  “…the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge.” (Definition of research)

The need to expand on ideas furthers our society to reach a clearer understanding of our evolution while pushing the limits of our imagination.  Expanding on something simple such as using fire to keep warm or for cooking, escalating to more complicated ideas such as sending man to the moon. 

From the first mega computer to the notebook and hand held devices.  Such advances would not have been possible without extensive continuous research on the part of many dedicated individuals.  Computer technology and information connects our world.  The first computer stemmed from a simple idea, to create something that could easily store and organize data.  It “…was unveiled in 1946 at the University of Pennsylvania.  Conceived and designed by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert” (Wikipedia), along with a team of engineers to assist in the development.  The “Eniac” was designed to “…be reprogrammed to solve a full range of computing problems.”(Wikipedia)  The development of this first computer gave way to rapid technological advancements.  Telecommunications, scientific and medical advancements, weather predictions, planetary discovery and earth watching in general; have all been affected by the ideology behind the first computer.  Without continuous research, trial and error, these advancements would not have been possible.

Even the greatest minds of our time, constantly searched and re-designed their own inventions and theories in search of perfection.  Galileo for example, proved many theories with experimentation and changed the perception of how the Universe works.  However, he was never truly satisfied by his own work.  Galileo is well known for many things.  Nevertheless his invention of the telescope is by far the finest one.  He was never truly satisfied with his creation.  Galileo was continuously re-designing it in hopes of a clearer picture of the Universe.  With the use of his telescope, Galileo was able to see the craters on the moon.  Proving that the moon’s surface was not flat and smooth as previously thought.  He also made a striking revelation that the earth was not the center of the Universe.  Which led him to realize that the planets rotated around the sun, not the other way around as was the common belief of that time. This discovery opened the doors to many great scientific researchers into understanding how our surrounding world works.  Scientists such as Newton for example, expanded on Galileo’s theory of gravity.  Newton developed three laws of motion, backed by extensive research and mathematical calculation on the forces of nature and its motions due to those forces.

            Even with extensive research there are always unexplained variables to take into account.  A concept that is unexplainable due to lack of understanding.  This will baffle scientists or researchers for years, until a new theory or concept can be added to enlighten the unexplained variable.  “We may improve the quality and quantity of a research process but that doesn’t necessarily imply that we have done the perfect job.” (by Umardaud)  The endless search for the perfect research is what has redefined our understanding of the world around us and beyond.

References

Definition of research, experiment-resources.com, 7 January, 2011

Wikipedia-the free encyclopedia, 7 January, 2011

Unardaud, http://expertscolumn.com/, 8 January, 2011