"Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue"
- Creswell & Creswell (2017)[1]
Recognizing questions that need answers
Understanding existing knowledge
Planning systematic investigation
Gathering and interpreting evidence
Sharing findings with the world
Documenting phenomena and establishing baseline understanding of what exists
Understanding why phenomena occur and what mechanisms drive observed patterns
Developing capacity to anticipate future outcomes based on current understanding
Determining what should be done to achieve desired outcomes
| Institution Type | Primary Focus | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Universities | Fundamental research & education | ~70% of basic research worldwide[3] |
| Government Labs | Mission-oriented research | National priorities, specialized facilities |
| Private R&D | Applied research & development | Product development, commercialization |
| Research Institutes | Specialized investigations | Interdisciplinary, focused expertise |
Top 5 countries account for ~70% of global R&D[2]:
Leading investor
Rapid growth
Tech focus
Engineering
Research hubs
Physics: Quantum mechanics, cosmology
Chemistry: Materials, pharmaceuticals
Biology: Genomics, biotechnology
Computer Science: AI, cybersecurity
Engineering: Infrastructure, systems
Digital Tech: Software, networks
Basic Medical: Disease mechanisms
Clinical: Treatment trials
Public Health: Population health
Psychology: Human behavior
Economics: Market dynamics
Sociology: Social structures
History: Cultural heritage
Philosophy: Ethics, logic
Literature: Human expression
Environmental: Climate science
Bioinformatics: Data + biology
Digital Humanities: Tech + culture
Breaking down complex problems
Identifying meaningful relationships
Creating testable explanations
Monitoring own thinking
"Traditional approaches often failed to develop the complex thinking skills and practical competencies required for effective research practice"
- Daniel (2018)[5]
Understanding controlled investigation
Variable identification and control
Minimizing bias and error
Assessing data quality
Covariation matrices interpretation
Theory-evidence coordination
Searching hypothesis space
Predictions and plausibility
Falsifiability principles
Organization and storage
Analysis and interpretation
Drawing valid inferences
49.7% of publications
Strong global networks
1.6% of publications
Significant gap
47.3% of publications
Knowledge democratization
3,099 publications
FWCI: 1.98 (98% above global average)
Strengths:
3,045 publications
FWCI: 1.75 (75% above global average)
Strengths:
3,030 publications
FWCI: 0.98 (near global average)
Strengths:
Research represents Sri Lanka's pathway to enhanced competitiveness, prosperity, and social progress. With demonstrated excellence (FWCI 1.27), strong foundations (18,936 publications), and clear opportunities for growth, strategic investment in research capabilities can transform the nation into a knowledge-based economy that benefits all citizens while contributing to global solutions for humanity's challenges.
"The future of Sri Lanka will be significantly shaped by its capacity to generate, apply, and benefit from research and innovation."
June 2025