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Research generally means a systematic way of gathering information to reveal about the truth. For example, if one wants to find out about the risk factors of cancer or how effective a certain drug is, s/he is likely to collect data from the right subjects with the right method, and then later make conclusions based on the guiding problem (research problem/question). The emphasis on the systematic approach is based on the fact that, mostly, we draw information from a sample (a proportion) of the population, hence the approaches should ensure representativeness. You would liken research very much to experiments (in fact, they are similar)!
Development requires true information for successful distribution of resources. You cannot construct school blocks, for example, in places where they are not needed! Development may also require priortizing. For example, where do we need health centres more urgently than other regions/districts? Likewise, the government cannot, in such cases, start constructing more health centres in urban areas, for instance, while the rurals have none! The same may apply in education where distribution of exercise books, pencils and pencils is of interest. For sustainable development to be achieved and flourish, proper research should be conducted to reveal truth about "developmental needs"
In addition to your answer, research also helps us to identify gaps in existing publications by reviewing what is currently written with regards to a specific status, diseasse status or health disparity. Research helps us to justify why certain interventions may or may not be necessary and research helps us to improve the design of interventions that may need to be improved. Research can also be used as a form of evaluating current existing programs and policies in order to make changes if necessary.
In health care, community based participatory research can be very effective in improving health outcomes through effective interventions.
