New questions are always being sought, or new ways to answer old questions. Methods are creative, because each study answers unique questions and poses unique problems to be solved. When replicated, the reseach project should get the same results again. Researchers should think through the potential problems with a project, and develop a plan to eliminate them. Researchers must try to catch problems and plan each project strategically, so the work is credible.
Scholarly research is meant to be public, to increase public knowledge.
Proprietary research is intended to confer a private advantage, on the other hand, not conntribute to public knowledge. Research is cumulative because each study adds to a body of knowledge, makes advances in one area or another. Research is also self-correcting because others notice any flaws, challenge the research, and conduct their own research to either disprove or confirm others' findings. Research does not proceed in a straight-line path, but starts with questions, and ends with new questions. One study can contribute important information, and also send the researcher circling back to get additional information.