Students attend higher learning institutions to acquire professional skills and knowledge. Pursuing a particular career requires intensive academic learning to understand the dynamics of that discipline. Personally, it has been informative to learn the basic principles of research as a student. Research enables people and organizations to make sound and informed decisions. Further, through research, organizations undertake business practices as recommended in a financial report. As a student, research has promoted time management and resource allocation knowledge. Research provides an opportunity for proving facts using real-case scenarios that verify and validate a theory.
Introductory Level Lessons
Research at an introductory level has presented numerous learning lessons as an individual and a student. For instance, providing a research overview is an important skill that enhances written communication. Research overview provides a summary of the research by highlighting critical discussion points in the analysis (Russo et al., 2016). This section provides a reader with adequate information to understand the basic expectations of the research. Some research papers ensure that they integrate a thesis as a means of guiding information gathering and analysis. A thesis ensures that a research study has direction and a reader can follow through the content with ease. The introduction of the research overview has provided enough knowledge on developing summaries and abstracts.
Research objectives form an integral part of any research. These objectives are listed in the introduction section of any research study. Project or research objectives provide a reader with the expectations of the paper. Objectives ensure that research remains consistent, relevant, and valid (Kumar, 2019). A consistent research paper develops objectives that respond to a problem statement sufficiently. The research becomes relevant if the objectives are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound). Moreover, research objectives are used to ensure that the study presents realistic information, which can be implemented in a real environment. There are research studies whose information cannot aid in developing a real aspect of society such as security. The objectives of such a research are irrelevant and invalid.
The research scope is another important lesson developed by research skills and knowledge at introductory levels. Students are expected to acquire skills and knowledge on limits. Limits provide research studies with well-defined boundaries. A problem statement is usually provided before the research scope is determined. The problem statement defines the actual reason for doing research (Russo et al., 2016). Research scope aims to provide upper and lower limits on what will be included in the research. The depth of any study is important to both researchers and the target audience. The research scope identifies the likely target and sample audiences. Target audience would include individuals who are affected by the research directly. Sample audience includes people selected to provide primary data during information gathering phases.
Assumptions constitute an integral part of an introducer research paper. Research is affected by numerous externalities. Externalities are factors that have direct and indirect impacts on a research, yet they are held constant to control certain outcomes. These factors are assumed to stay constant at a given condition in order to achieve research objectives. As a student, assumptions have widened the knowledge of working with assumptions. In research, assumptions are evaluated keenly to ensure that research remains consistent and relevant to the target audience. Research is considered invalid if assumptions are ignored in research or misguided.
Research variables are developed in the introductory section of a research study. Developing research variables requires one to understand the research objectives. For instance, the effects of social media platforms for formal communication among students has different variables. They include social media, communication, and students. Students are expected to identify dependent and independent variables for a successful research study (Van Cappellen, 2017). Controlling these variables determines the level of success in research or project implementation. For instance, attributing high social media use to ease of access on smartphone devices would affect communication standards in a school. This knowledge has been promoted by the organization of content in the introductory section. Variables become imminent if the introduction of research identifies variables distinctly.
The introductory section of research provides a strong foundation for further analysis. For instance, researchers move to empirical and literature reviews after introducing objectives. The introductory paragraph of research develops knowledge of creating a foundation on academic arguments (Kumar, 2019). Most units in higher learning institutions require students to have prior knowledge. The basics of a topic are provided in the introduction section and make it possible to argue out a debate using facts. Research objectives, for instance, highlights the major topic points hence provides an adequate foundation. This foundation is critical in countering arguments that critic a particular standpoint.
Biblical Integration
Research skills have been demonstrated on numerous occasions in the Bible. Jesus, as a leader, relied on research information for providing direction. For instance, ocean currents in the sea are likely to cause water-vessels challenges of sailing. Jesus was aware that the disciples would be affected by high oceans currents when they went fishing (Ary et al., 2018). Deep sea fishing had provided enough fish for disciplines, which was used to feed the needy and poor in the community. As would be noted in any research, there are recommendations used to enhance the problem statement identified in the introductory section. Decisions made by Jesus were informed and had intended impacts.
Leadership in the Bible was based on various elements of research. Traditional knowledge had shown that dictators led people in an inhumane way. For instance, Moses encountered many challenges when he was delivering the Israelites from Egypt. As a leader, Moses was expected to liberate Israelites from Egypt where they were mistreated by the locals. According to the Bible, Moses had prior information on how to undertake the liberation process (Van Cappellen, 2017). He did as God had instructed and this led to a successful journey to Canaan. However, Moses never reached Canaan as he was overwhelmed with leadership responsibilities. Leadership provides an opportunity to experience first-hand information before making decisions that affect people.
Being a student is characterized by effective time management. As a higher learning student, there are daily activities that require time. Students have to allocate time for academic and personal studies efficiently. Academic time should be more than the personal time when any student prioritizes their needs in a school. Personal time is also important as it defines one’s social life. One would experience psychological challenges if he/she does not have a social life. The Bible has presented many instances, which show research is spiritual to Christians. Being objective in research aids in developing coherent information analysis. Recommendation depict how relevant research is and how it will affect people’s daily lives.
References
Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., Irvine, C. K. S., & Walker, D. (2018). Introduction to research in education. Cengage Learning.
Kumar, R. (2019). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications Limited.
Russo, D., Billington, G., Bontadina, F., Dekker, J., Dietz, M., Gazaryan, S., … & Ruczyński, I. (2016). Identifying key research objectives to make European forests greener for bats. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 4, 87.
Van Cappellen, P. (2017). Rethinking self-transcendent positive emotions and religion: Insights from psychological and biblical research. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 9(3), 254.