Formal research is the process by which we learn new information to better understand ourselves, each other, and the world with which we interact. It has the following characteristics:
Systematic: It is a predictable and consistent set of steps that are used to provide reliable results.
Organizational: It has a highly organized structure that allows the researcher to integrate and make sense of all the information gathered.
Questions: It seeks to ask questions to better understand people or their environment. The questions drive each research study.
Finding answers: This is the expected outcome of formal research - answering important questions about our world.