The Power of Research: A Journey of Discovery and Contribution

Learning to research is a gateway to understanding that no other work can match. It allows us to look beyond what is written in textbooks, to question what experts present as public knowledge, and to uncover the processes through which new ideas become accepted facts. Research is not just about finding answers—it’s about learning how to ask the right questions and navigating the pathways to uncovering truth.

I was fortunate to begin my journey in research at the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and later at the University of Baltimore. At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate the significance of those lessons. Yet, as my career unfolded, I found myself constantly drawing upon those skills. They became indispensable tools, shaping my ability to analyze, critique, and build upon existing ideas.

As I continued my education, I realized that I was forming ideas I wanted to contribute—particularly in leadership, operations, and community development. I wanted to know: How did current knowledge in these areas come to be? and What is the proper way to add to it? These questions inspired my exploration into the nature of inquiry, and eventually, the deeper craft of research.

The Lens of Research as a Solution

Research gave me the tools to better understand the gaps and cracks in systems, especially those that allow so many to be left behind. It taught me that every question we ask—and every question we avoid—shapes the knowledge we build. For example, when working in operations, I often asked: Why do certain systems fail the very people they’re designed to support?

Through research, I developed a process:

1. Formulating a Hypothesis – Begin with an informed question or observation.

2. Exploring the Landscape – Conduct background research to understand industry norms and identify gaps.

3. Testing in RealWorld Contexts – Seek first hand experiences, remaining open to new influences and challenges to my initial ideas.

This process has helped me recognize patterns and refine my perspective. It has enabled me to create frameworks that guide my work. However, it also comes with challenges:

1. Attribution: In collaborative environments, the impact of my contributions is often felt but difficult to pinpoint or attribute.

2. Preservation of Intellectual Property: As I shape and refine ideas, I strive to respect not only my own intellectual property but also that of others I collaborate with or study.

Struggles and Insights

My struggle lies in bridging the gap between personal understanding and collective recognition. The process of research has helped me embrace ambiguity and recognize that definitive targets may not always exist at the outset. Instead, I allow myself to be guided by the silhouettes of ideas, refining them as I learn and grow.

One of my guiding principles will be to approach all work with integrity, ensuring that I credit the sources, individuals, and communities that inspire or contribute to my thinking. In doing so, I strive to balance the desire to contribute meaningfully with the need to safeguard the intellectual contributions of everyone involved.

Approaching my work through the lens of research offers solutions:

1. It provides structure and credibility to my contributions, ensuring they are grounded in evidence rather than assumptions.

2. It empowers me to engage with systems critically, asking why they fail and how they can improve.

3. It fosters adaptability, allowing me to integrate new insights and reshape my frameworks over time.

4. It reinforces the importance of transparency, ensuring that all contributions—mine and others’—are properly acknowledged and respected.

Looking Forward

Now, as I deepen my study of research and its application, my current inquiry is into the relationship between research and intellectual property. How do we contribute to collective knowledge while safeguarding the integrity of our ideas and the contributions of those we work with? How can research bridge gaps in understanding and create systems that allow fewer people to fall through the cracks?

These are the questions driving my exploration. Through them, I hope not only to evolve my own work but also to contribute meaningfully to the fields of leadership, operations, and community development—always with an ethical commitment to honoring the intellectual contributions of all involved.

Sources:

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2016). The craft of research (4th ed.). University of Chicago Press.

Croxton, Calvin. “The Importance of Inquiry.” December 2020.