Research and Development or Research and Development (R & D) is a strategy or method powerful enough research to improve practice. The definition of Research and Development or Research and Development (R & D) is a series of processes or steps in order to develop a new product or improving an existing product can be accounted for. These products are not always shaped object or device (hardware), such as books, modules, learning tools in the classroom or in the laboratory, but could also software (software), such as computer programs for data processing, learning in the classroom, library or laboratory , or models of education, learning, training, guidance, evaluation, management systems, and others.
Research in education in general is rarely directed towards developing a product, but is intended to discover new knowledge with regard to phenomena that are fundamental, and educational practices. Research and development is a method of connecting or disconnecting the gap between basic research with applied research. Often facing the gap between basic research results which are theoretical with applied research that is practical. This gap can be removed or connected with the research and development. In the implementation of research and development, there are several methods used, which is the method: descriptive, evaluative, and experimental.
Descriptive research is used in initial studies to gather data about existing conditions. Existing conditions include: (1) The condition of the products that already exist as a comparison material or base material (embryos) products will be developed, (2) The condition of the user (in the field of education such as schools, teachers, principals, students, and other users), (3) The condition of the factors supporting and inhibiting the development and use of products that will be generated, include elements of educators and education personnel, infrastructure, cost, management, and educational environment in which the product will be applied.
Evaluative methods, are used to evaluate the product in the process of testing a product development. Products developed through a series of research trials and on each activity evaluation trials are held, whether the evaluation results and the evaluation process. Based on the findings of the trial results was held refinement (revised models.)
Experimental method used to test the efficacy of the product. Although in the test phase has been no evaluation (measurement), but the measurement is still in the framework of product development, there is no comparison group. In the experiments have been conducted measurements in addition to the experimental group was also in the comparison group or control group. Selection of the experimental group and control group was randomly or random. Comparing the experimental results in both groups may indicate the level of efficacy and the resulting product.
