This document provides an overview of research and the research process. It discusses that research involves asking questions and finding answers through systematic procedures. Research can be qualitative, involving more subjective methods, or quantitative, using more objective methods. The goal of research is to describe phenomena, determine causes of behavior, predict behavior, and explain behavior. Strong research is theory-driven, testable, replicable, and seeks to minimize bias. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are important in social science research about communication. The research process involves developing research questions or hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.