Skip main navigation

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 to generate new concepts etc.

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.

Business research focuses on topics related to business and management and covers such disciplines as the social sciences, economics, accounting, logistics, law, and marketing. Research isn’t just data-gathering.

Data-gathering is a vital part of research, but it doesn’t lead to new knowledge without some analysis, some further work. Just collecting the data doesn’t count unless you do something else with it. Research isn’t just about methodology.

This article is from the free online

Understanding Research Methods in Business

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now