There are two ways to look at research and perfect research. Conceptually these two are an oxymoron. Research is carried out to understand the unknown or clarify doubts about the known. Perfect research is only possible when you have full knowledge of the subject of the investigation, so leave no room for error or bias in planning, formulating and executing the research and drawing conclusions from it. If you know everything about the topic and have no doubts, perfect research is not necessary. From an operational perspective, perfect research could be seen as that which is best organised, formulated and executed and whose result is interpreted without error and bias. I will therefore focus on the operational side of the research. Many of the inventions and discoveries that have revolutionized the world have been the product of rudimentary experiments or chance discoveries rather than perfect research. Airplanes, penicillin, pacemaker, rubber and plastic are some of the examples. A perfect search may yield nothing useful. My goal in this article, therefore, is to demonstrate that, although there is no hope of conducting perfect research, only research offers hope of perfecting life.1. What is research? There is no consensus on the definition of research. It might mean different things to different people and disciplines. For example, one organization defines research as something that “must define a set of research questions. . . specify a research context for the questions, questions or problems to be addressed. . . specify search methods. . .” (AHRC). Another states that research is “a detailed study of a topic, especially with the aim of discovering (new) information or achieving a (new) understanding” (CUP). H...... middle of paper ......relieves, improves their health and prolongs their longevity.4. ConclusionWhile conceptually research cannot be perfect, operationally it can be better organised, executed and interpreted. Therefore, perfect research in the sense of improving research should be an ideal to strive for, it should not prevent us from carrying out research, even if imperfect, that can help us acquire new knowledge and find solutions to our problems. The perfect must not be the enemy of the good. Works Cited AHRC, “Definition of Research.” Arts and Humanities Research Council, January 2009. Web. 30 July 2011. CDO (Cambridge Dictionary Online), Cambridge University Press. nd. Network. July 30, 2011.SIA (Smithsonian Institute Archives), The Write Brothers: Pioneers in Aviation. nd Web. 29 July 2011. "The History of Penicillin." About.com. nd Web. 29 July 2011.