<P> Artistic research, also seen as' practice - based research', can take form when creative works are considered both the research and the object of research itself . It is the debatable body of thought which offers an alternative to purely scientific methods in research in its search for knowledge and truth . </P> <P> Generally, research is understood to follow a certain structural process . Though step order may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher, the following steps are usually part of most formal research, both basic and applied: </P> <Ol> <Li> Observations and formation of the topic: Consists of the subject area of one's interest and following that subject area to conduct subject related research . The subject area should not be randomly chosen since it requires reading a vast amount of literature on the topic to determine the gap in the literature the researcher intends to narrow . A keen interest in the chosen subject area is advisable . The research will have to be justified by linking its importance to already existing knowledge about the topic . </Li> <Li> Hypothesis: A testable prediction which designates the relationship between two or more variables . </Li> <Li> Conceptual definition: Description of a concept by relating it to other concepts . </Li> <Li> Operational definition: Details in regards to defining the variables and how they will be measured / assessed in the study . </Li> <Li> Gathering of data: Consists of identifying a population and selecting samples, gathering information from and / or about these samples by using specific research instruments . The instruments used for data collection must be valid and reliable . </Li> <Li> Analysis of data: Involves breaking down the individual pieces of data to draw conclusions about it . </Li> <Li> Data Interpretation: This can be represented through tables, figures, and pictures, and then described in words . </Li> <Li> Test, revising of hypothesis </Li> <Li> Conclusion, reiteration if necessary </Li> </Ol> <Li> Observations and formation of the topic: Consists of the subject area of one's interest and following that subject area to conduct subject related research . The subject area should not be randomly chosen since it requires reading a vast amount of literature on the topic to determine the gap in the literature the researcher intends to narrow . A keen interest in the chosen subject area is advisable . The research will have to be justified by linking its importance to already existing knowledge about the topic . </Li>

List the eight basic steps of the scientific method (8 points)