Part 1: The Importance of research in decision making

This the first in a series of articles exploring the role of research in decision making.

In today's world, we are constantly bombarded with information. It can be difficult to know where to start when making a decision. That's where research comes in. Research can help you to gather information, identify options, and evaluate potential outcomes.

"The more you know the better equipped you are to make sound decisions "

Benjamin Franklin

Against that backdrop your decisions are more more informed and you are less likely to lead to negative outcomes.

Benefits of Research

There are many benefits to conducting research before making a decision. Here are a few:

• Gather information: Research can help you to gather information about the situation you are facing. This information can help you to understand the problem, identify possible solutions, and weigh the pros and cons of each option.
• Identify options: Research can help you to identify all of the possible options available to you. This can be helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed or stuck.
• Evaluate potential outcomes: Research can help you to evaluate the potential outcomes of each option. This can help you to make a decision that is most likely to achieve your desired outcome.

How to Conduct Effective Research

There are a few things you can do to conduct effective research:

1. Define your research question: What do you want to know? What is the problem you are trying to solve?
2. Identify reliable sources: Not all sources of information are created equal. Be sure to identify reliable sources of information, such as government websites, academic journals, and news organizations.
3. Gather information: Once you have identified reliable sources, gather as much information as you can. This information can come in the form of articles, reports, statistics, and interviews.
4. Analyze the information: Once you have gathered the information, analyze it to identify patterns and trends. This will help you to better understand the situation and identify the best course of action.
5. Make a decision: Once you have analyzed the information, make a decision based on the information you have gathered.

Research is an essential part of decision making. By conducting research, you can gather information, identify options, and evaluate potential outcomes. This will help you to make informed decisions that are more likely to achieve your desired outcome.

Here are a few additional tips for conducting effective research:

• Be clear about your purpose. What do you hope to achieve by conducting research?
• Narrow your focus. Don't try to do too much at once. Focus on one specific topic or question.
• Use a variety of sources. Don't rely on just one source of information. Get information from a variety of sources, including books, articles, websites, and interviews.
• Be critical of the information you find. Not all information is created equal. Be sure to evaluate the quality of the information before you use it.
• Take notes. As you gather information, take notes to keep track of what you have learned. This will help you to stay organized and make sense of the information.
• Write a report. Once you have gathered and analyzed the information, write a report that summarizes your findings. This will help you to communicate your findings to others.

This article is by David Hensley , co -founder of? Enryo Consulting who provide bespoke research solutions.