The conjecture is then exposed to criticism to find out whether or not that imagined world is anything like the real one. . . . Research is the careful, systematic, and critical evaluation of ideas and explanations about why things are the way they are. Research is impossible without writing, which allows tracing your mind's journey through imagination and experience. So what I have written for you is is this brief essay on researching through writing. You may be surprised at how broadly I define research .
Many people imagine that research is something that only scientists do.
This belief is incorrect. Authors of short-stories, novels, poems, memos, reports, articles, and scientific books all do research of some kind. In fact you may already be a writer. You may make shopping lists or jot down notes in classes or keep records of what you do. To do a good job of research, you must write well.