1)+What+is+Research?

What?
Research revolves around using the scientific method to generate hypotheses and provide analyzable results. All scientific research has a goal and ultimate aim, repeated and refined experimentation gradually reaching an answer. Your research must building upon previous research and scientifically accepted fundamentalsThere will be some assumptions and it must be clearly spelled out in your paper. Your research should bring new insights into the subject matter

Similiarly, practioners can engage in Action Research.Action research is inquiry or research in the context of focused efforts to improve the quality of an organization and its performance. It typically is designed and conducted by practitioners who analyze the data to improve their own practice. Action research can be done by individuals or by team.

What is not a Research?

 * Reading a few books and put them together without offering new insights (Applies to Internet Readings too)
 * Copy from other sources

Note: What is so special in our context is that you are also expected to produce a prototype/product based on your area of research

Read on => Wikipedia's write-up on Research