Research is the act of collecting information about a particular topic, organizing it, and analyzing it. When you conduct research, you're doing more than just opening a book or website and looking at details of a specific subject. Research involves approaching an issue or topic systematically and carefully documenting what you observe or study. When you take part in research, you may not always find the answers to the questions you're seeking to solve; in fact, you might even open up more questions, which leads to more research. In that way, research can become a multilayered quest for answers and meaning.‎
Research is more than an educational tool. For generations, research has proven theories, led to breakthroughs, and helped people learn about the world around them. Diligent work in research has led to the development of new technologies, medications, and innovations that make the world a better place. You can bring public awareness to an issue or subject with your research, or you can sow the seeds for new ideas that no one has ever discussed before. Don't just think of research as a way to learn—think of it as a way to make the world around you better.‎
Research is a broad field that touches a wide range of disciplines, so you can find a career in research in any number of subjects, including in academia or in social science fields like history, archaeology, and sociology. Research is key in the medical and bioscience disciplines, especially when it comes to developing new medications and cures for disease. You may also find jobs as a forensic researcher in the criminal justice world or as a computer science researcher in the information technology sector. The possibilities for research careers are wide, and chances are you can find a research job that suits your interests.‎
When you take research courses on Coursera, you can learn about research methods and techniques or dig deeper into specific topics like clinical research, research for social work, or market research and consumer behavior. You can learn about how to write and publish a scientific paper, understand concepts of research design, explore data analysis and interpretation, and more.‎
Anyone, regardless of skill level or experience, can learn about health research. But it helps to have a background and interest in this field of study so you can understand the results and are capable of accurately interpreting the data. Beginner courses are a great place to start if you are new to the field and want to start exploring medical research.‎
Health care workers and especially those with a background in clinical research are best suited for roles in health research. People with an understanding of fieldwork and clinical research and who have a background in chemistry, biology, public health, or anthropology are great candidates for roles in health research. Health research is about innovative thinking that can benefit a society today and for years to come. It requires a person to be meticulous, forward-thinking, and dedicated to the task at hand. People best suited for roles in research should also desire to read and interpret the research of other professionals in their field.‎
People in research can pursue a career path for research organizations including universities, governmental bodies, and health policy organizations. Health researchers not only work in laboratories but also write and manage government grants for teams of researchers. For those with a background in computer science, medical researchers may also work solely on analyzing data and presenting findings to management teams.‎
An important topic to study in medical research is the interpretation of data obtained during clinical trials. These topics explore how to read, organize, and share the data. They also explain various types of trial design. If you are interested in public health as it relates to health research, topics like epidemiology in public health on the local and national level may be of interest to you. You can also explore specific medical research topics, including neuroscience, drug development, and precision medicine. Topics surrounding mindfulness and how it relates to health care can help learners understand how pain management, stress, and sleep issues can be alleviated. If you’re interested in how to think about data, topics that explain how to perform systematic reviews will help you learn how to describe the process used to collect data and how to interpret the end results.‎
Online Research courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Research skills. Choose from a wide range of Research courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎
When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Research, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎