How would you define formal research?

• A. Research that includes libraries, books, internet, magazines, articles, governmental reports, and publications.
• B. A casual discussion with a professional.
• C. An informal talk with someone who works in a career.
• D. A short-term job placement.

Answer: (A)

Formal research is a systematic, organized way of investigating a question, using a defined plan and credible, published sources to gather and evaluate evidence. The choice describing libraries, books, internet, magazines, articles, governmental reports, and other publications fits this idea because it points to consulting established, citable materials as the basis for conclusions, rather than relying on casual talk or personal experience. Casual discussions, informal talks, and short-term placements are informal in nature and do not imply a structured method or documented sources, so they don’t meet the criteria of formal research.