By Associate Professor Dr Adrian Lee Yuen Beng, Head of Department of Film and Performing Arts, School of Arts, Sunway University
How many of us genuinely enjoy doing research? Do we see research as something that is purely academic? And how many truly understand why there is a need to carry out research?
Phrases like there’s not enough research done; research should only be done by researchers or PhD candidates; research is boring, tedious and isn’t fun are certainly familiar.
Research is often seen as an academic process that is laborious and time-consuming or entails the need for funding and a whole team. To many, research should only belong in universities.
But in universities, the word research often receives an adverse reaction from students and academics. Of course, some individuals genuinely appreciate the value and importance of research.
While research isn’t necessarily the most fun, the issues and subject matters discussed can be exciting. This includes research on the discovery of new knowledge and information and those that challenge or reinforce theories and ideas.
Growing up, I’ve watched television commercials featuring products claimed to be backed by a researcher or expert. Such commercials often feature a team of scientists carrying out what seems to be research in the background.
In school, however, it was never impressed upon me why research is essential or how research should be done. I was taught to look for the answers in textbooks, or the answers were readily given. It was about passing exams. And hence, the spoon-feeding culture.
When I entered university, it was a shock to the system to realise that answers were not readily available in textbooks. That was also when the World Wide Web was still gaining popularity, with dial-up modems of not-so-breath-taking speeds. The search for answers meant laboriously searching through newspapers, films, magazines, encyclopaedias, and journal articles. Google still wasn’t a household name.
Nonetheless, it was assumed that undergraduates understood the need to and how to research and without being informed why research was crucial. Most of the time, assessments were completed for a good grade. Here again, completing assessments wasn’t about the quest for knowledge or learning a skill. Assignments were done merely to pass or excel in a particular course.
Specific assignments must be completed according to “what the lecturer wanted”. It wasn’t about challenging oneself intellectually or seeking knowledge, challenging theories or existing ideas for fear of making mistakes and “offending” said lecturer.
As a result, many assignments were completed without much research, for it was not about searching and presenting the best answers. Assignments weren’t done to seek new knowledge or challenge ideas. It was about conformity.
The chase for rankings has led universities to focus on how much research is done, available funding, and how many publications are produced.
While universities are where academic research occurs, one shouldn’t lose sight of the purpose of research. We must remember that academic research benefits society and contributes to academia and scholarship.
Importance should be given to the quality and not the quantity of research. The same is said about the quality of publications, not how many papers are generated. While the importance of research is stressed in universities, many still require coaxing and persuasion on the necessity of research.
Many do not realise how important research is at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Many assessments are written based on assumptions and imagination. Hence, arguments remain assertive without critical discussions about theories, facts, and contexts.
Such forms of inaptitude are seen when a graduate enter the workforce. A lack of preparation and ability to research is shown during interviews, and an inability to search for answers from various resources becomes a severe lack at the workplace.
The ability to conduct research independently, objectively, and accurately is an essential skill employer require. This skill is needed, whether in the fields of filmmaking, medical, media, engineering, finance, or creative industries.
With information literally a click of the mouse away, the inability to search for adequately verified and validated sources of information should no longer be an excuse. Rather than looking at research from a negative perspective, perhaps view how research could help enhance and enrich the quality of our daily lives.
Even the best filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and politicians research before embarking on their projects. Proper research would determine success or failure.
Research isn’t meant to be fun; education isn’t entertainment. But a well-researched topic and issue would give us a sense of gratification and joy upon discovering new knowledge or information. The importance of research needs to begin at the school level.
Research remains an integral part of our daily lives. Whether we want to apply for a new job, visit a place, buy something, get to know someone, or dine at a new restaurant. All of these involve research and proper planning.
