The Evidence Gathered

Research is a mind opener. One significant thing we learn from it is that each one of us – they, you and I – sense and perceive the world around us in varied different ways. These different points of view give form to the type of information each researcher can bring to light. “The time will come when diligent research over long periods will bring to light things which now lie hidden."

For instance, a researcher may see something and scrutinize it not having a clear explanation as to what it is. How the researcher construes it may develop well along in the search after more information is gathered.

The questions asked - or not asked - to lead the quest for information will rely substantially on each researcher's perspective. In turn this perspective may guide the way to find certain kind of evidence. Hypotheses do not randomly appear but could derive from beliefs and ideas the researcher has and holds on to.

A researcher needs to be - however - as unbiased as possible when searching for evidence. Thus, in their research, each researcher must strive to be neutral, to not take sides. Particularly because the evidence gathered in research relies on the questions asked and the ones that aren't. And that makes each research led - in some way or another - by personal values and life experiences, which tend to be - as we know - not neutral and one-sided.

That’s why researchers agree in acknowledging the need to reflect about their part in the research process – a part which involves continuous inquiry of one’s thoughts, perspectives, and biases. Meaning, questioning what assumptions we have about the topic we are researching, keeping a record of how our opinions and experiences lead our search for certain information about it, and how we react to – for example – what we are hearing, seeing or reading … and how we come to interpret it. "There will come a time when our descendants will be amazed that we did not know things that are so plain to them." Research is an eye opener.