The concept of research and those who research, researchers, can apply to a variety of fields, from history to science- Any place objective study is the goal. By nature, research is supposed to be objective, grounded in the rational and logical, with no room for possible biases caused by emotion or belief, only a collection and presentation of information or data along with possible conclusions derived logically. However, researchers may unconsciously taint this data by applying their own ideas or beliefs to the information while it is under observance. While the goal may be objective study, the fact that a human being, with our complex and inexplicable natures, is in fact doing the observations, collecting the necessary information, deriving and presenting conclusions from observed patterns, it is impossible to certainly say that the end result was found with complete objectivity on the part of the researchers. This bias on the part of the researchers can, in fact, work against their final results. Due to the nature of research- the data presented is supposed to be objective and uncontaminated by the researcher- any personal values or beliefs imposed onto the material may severely diminish its credibility as pure, unfiltered, unadulterated knowledge, able to be tested and proven through only logic and rational thinking. On the other hand, the personal beliefs held by the researcher, although putting a bias onto the research, may serve to strengthen their results.- "I believed this would happen, and according to the data, it did happen." This may be yet another item of evidence as to the truth of the conclusion derived, that it was expected by the researchers that set out to prove it. Also, the personal beliefs and emotions of the researchers can help in a wholly different way. In order to find the information necessary to prove a point, a researcher may put in a large amount of time and work, which most likely would not take place unless the researcher had some sort of personal attachment to the project, some belief about what he will find, some emotion as to the success of the research.
