Final answer:
In research, the goals include describing and explaining behavior, and testing hypotheses, but not merely to prove pre-existing ideas right. Research is empirically based, aiming to build knowledge grounded in objective, replicable evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The goals of research include various objectives such as describing behavior, explaining the causes of behavior, and testing hypotheses through controlled experiments. However, the goal of research is not to prove your ideas are right; rather, the essence of scientific inquiry is to test ideas in a way that they can be proven wrong, if they are indeed incorrect. Research aims to build knowledge that is empirical, which means it is grounded in objective evidence that can be observed and replicated by others. The correct answers in science are often those which are supported by testable explanations or hypotheses that can predict future experimental outcomes. Ultimately, one goal of scientists is to understand reality and to use that understanding to intervene in causal mechanisms, such as curing a disease or improving social conditions.