Benefits of Preliminary Study
William Asher said: "If man is not aware of what has been learned in history, it is said he is bound to repeat the experiences". It is true what he said. Educational problems that we face today are not entirely new problems, or may even be said the old problems that often reappear in other uniqueness. It is very beneficial for prospective researchers to explore more about what would be disputed.
Prof. Dr Winarno Surakhmad mentioned about preliminary study with exploratory as two steps, and the differences between the first and the second steps are the discovery and experience. Choosing the problem is going deep into the subject, so it must be done systematically and intensively.
In conducting preliminary study, it may be found that other people might have solved the problem which he submits; so it is no point if he takes pains to investigate. Perhaps he knows the things that are relevant to the problem, so it strengthens his desire to examine because the others still concern about it. If there are other people who are investigating a similar problem or unsolved problems, prospective researchers can determine what method used, what result has been achieved, which part of the research that has not been resolved, the factors that support and what efforts taken to overcome the barriers.
By conducting a preliminary study, it may be able to save a lot of effort and cost; besides the prospective researchers become more open eyes, the problem becomes more configurable and clear.
Furthermore, Prof. Dr Winarno said that after this exploratory study, researcher becomes clear to the problems encountered, from the historical aspect, the relationship with the wider science, the current situation and the possibilities that will come and others.
The benefits of preliminary study more succinctly are as follows:
1. Knowing certainly what will be studied
2. Knowing where or to whom the information may be obtained
3. Knowing how to obtain data or information
4. Determining the proper way to analyze the data
5. Knowing how to draw conclusions and use the results.
