EXPLORATION OF RESEARCH DESIGNS IN DENTISTRY

Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. Ideas for research come from people, sometimes in a discussion in a clinical setting; sometimes from students, faculty, and staff or sometimes from a quest while reading an article. One can also define research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. Research is a structured enquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and create new knowledge that is generally applicable.Scientific methods consist of systematic observation, classification and interpretation of data. Although we engage in such process in our daily life, the difference between our casual day- to-day generalization and the conclusions usually recognized as scientific method lies in the degree of formality, rigorousness, verifiability and general validity of letter. Research is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field.