SUBMODULE 1.

NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH

Definition of Research
Research is a systematic process of investigating problems and discovering new
knowledge.
Research refers to a careful and systematic investigation carried out to discover new
facts, solve problems, or improve existing knowledge. It is a structured process that
involves asking questions, collecting information, analysing the information, and
drawing conclusions.
Research is a systematic and organized process of collecting, analysing, and
interpreting information (data) in order to increase knowledge, solve problems, or
answer questions about a particular topic. It involves careful investigation,
observation, experimentation, and analysis to discover new facts or confirm existing
knowledge.
In simple terms, research is a scientific way of finding answers to problems or
questions. It is important in education, business, government, and science because it
helps solve problems, improve decision-making, and promote development.
Research is not just gathering information randomly; it follows scientific procedures
to ensure that the results are reliable and valid.
Key Elements of Research
Research normally involves:
1. A problem or question – something that needs explanation.
2. Systematic procedures – organized steps followed in conducting the study.
3. Collection of data – gathering information relevant to the problem.
4. Analysis of data – examining the data to find patterns or relationships.
5. Drawing conclusions – explaining what the findings mean.
For example, a researcher may conduct a study on “Factors affecting the performance
of small businesses in Kitgum Municipal.” The researcher would; identify possible
causes, collect data from business owners, analyse the data, make conclusions and
recommendations.
Purpose of Research
The purpose of research refers to the main reasons why research is conducted.
 ➢ To generate new knowledge: Research helps in discovering new facts, theories,
and ideas. For example, medical research discovering new medicines or
treatments.
➢ To solve problems: Research helps to identify the causes of problems and
suggest solutions. For example, Research on unemployment to identify causes
and possible solutions.
➢ To test existing theories: Researchers test existing ideas to see whether they
are true or false. For example: Testing a theory about how motivation affects
employee performance.
➢ To improve existing practices: Research helps improve policies, systems, and
practices. For example: Improving teaching methods in schools.
➢ To support decision making: Governments, organizations, and institutions use
research findings to make better decisions. For example: A company
researching market demand before introducing a new product.
➢ To Predict Future Trends: Research helps in forecasting future developments.
For example: Research on population growth to predict future demand for
housing.
Essentials (Characteristics) of good research
Good research must possess certain important qualities.
➢ Clear research problem: The research must focus on a specific and clearly
defined problem. For example: Instead of studying education, a good research
problem could be: “Factors affecting student dropout in rural secondary
schools.”
➢ Systematic process: Research must follow an organized procedure including;
Problem identification, Literature review, Data collection, Data analysis and
Conclusion
➢ Accuracy and Reliability: The findings should be accurate and reliable so that
other researchers can obtain similar results.
➢ Validity: The research must measure what it intends to measure.
➢ Systematic: Research follows a well-organized process or steps from beginning
to end. Each stage of research must be carefully planned and executed.
Example: Problem identification → Data collection → Data analysis →
Conclusions
 ➢ Logical: Research must follow logical reasoning and sound arguments. The
conclusions must be supported by evidence. Example: If research shows that
high prices reduce demand, the conclusion should be based on actual data
collected.
➢ Empirical: Research must rely on observable and measurable evidence, not
assumptions or guesses. Example: Instead of guessing that customers prefer a
product, a researcher collects data through surveys.
➢ Replicable: Other researchers should be able to repeat the study using the same
methods and obtain similar results. This increases the reliability of research.
➢ Objective: Research must avoid personal bias or emotions. Findings should
depend on evidence rather than personal opinions. Example: A researcher
should not manipulate results to support a personal belief.
➢ Controlled: Researchers try to control variables that may affect results to ensure
accurate findings. Example: When studying the effect of advertising on sales,
other factors like price changes should be controlled.
Types of Research
Research can be classified in different ways.
➢ Basic (Pure) Research: Basic research focuses on developing theories and
expanding knowledge without immediate practical application. For an example,
Studying theories of economic development. This type of research is useful in
increasing knowledge and developing theories.
➢ Applied Research: Applied research focuses on solving specific practical
problems. For an example; researching ways to increase sales in a
supermarket.
➢ Qualitative Research: Qualitative research focuses on understanding people's
opinions, feelings, and experiences. It uses non-numerical data and uses
methods like; interviews, focus groups, observation. For an example, studying
customer attitudes toward a product.
➢ Quantitative Research: Quantitative research involves numerical data and
statistical analysis. For an example, measuring the number of customers visiting
a shop each day. Tools used include: Tables, Graphs and Statistical analysis.
 ➢ Descriptive Research: Descriptive research describes characteristics of a
population or situation. For an example, Studying the number of businesses
operating in a town.
➢ Exploratory Research: Exploratory research is conducted when little is known
about a topic. For an example; studying the potential market for electric
motorcycles in Uganda.
Steps in the research process
Research follows several stages.
1. Identification of the research problem: The researcher identifies a problem that
requires investigation. A good research problem should be; Clear, researchable and
relevant.
2. Literature review: Literature review involves examining existing research and
publications related to the study topic. Sources include; Books, Journals, Research
reports and Internet sources.
Purpose of literature review
➢ Understand previous studies
➢ Identify research gaps
➢ Avoid duplication.
3. Formulation of Research Objectives: Research objectives describe what the
researcher intends to achieve. For example: general Objective; To examine factors
affecting small business growth.
Specific Objectives
➢ To identify challenges faced by small businesses.
➢ To examine marketing strategies used by small businesses.
4. Formulation of research questions: Research questions guide the investigation.
Example:
• What factors influence business growth?
• What challenges do small businesses face?
5. Research Design: Research design is the overall plan for conducting the research.
It specifies data collection methods, sampling techniques, and data analysis
procedures.
Types include:
➢ Descriptive design
 ➢ Experimental design
➢ Case study design.
6. Data Collection: Data collection involves gathering relevant information.
Methods include:
➢ Questionnaires
➢ Interviews
➢ Observations
➢ Document analysis.
7. Data Analysis: Data analysis involves organizing and interpreting data to answer
research questions.
Common techniques include:
➢ Tables
➢ Graphs
➢ Percentages
➢ Statistical tests.
8. Interpretation of Results: Interpretation explains the meaning of research findings.
For example, if data shows that poor management causes business failure, the
researcher explains why this occurs.
9. Conclusion and Recommendations: Conclusion summarizes the findings.
Recommendations suggest actions to solve the problem.
For example, businesses should improve financial management practices.
Qualities of a good researcher
A good researcher must possess certain personal and professional qualities.
➢ Curiosity: A researcher must have a strong desire to discover new knowledge.
➢ Objectivity: The researcher must avoid personal bias when collecting and
analysing data.
➢ Patience: Research requires time, effort, and persistence.
➢ Critical thinking: A researcher must analyse information carefully before making
conclusions.
➢ Honesty: Researchers must present findings truthfully without manipulating
data.
➢ Good observation skills: A researcher must be able to observe situations
accurately.
 ➢ Analytical Ability: The researcher must interpret data and identify patterns or
relationships.
➢ Good Communication Skills: Researchers must clearly present their findings in
reports and presentations.
How to develop research topics
➢ Developing a good research topic is the first step in conducting research.
➢ Identify an Area of Interest: Choose a subject you are interested in. For
example; Education, Business, Health and Agriculture
➢ Identify a Problem: Look for a problem within the area. For example: Low
student performance.
➢ Narrow the topic: Make the topic specific. For example: “Factors affecting
student performance in mathematics.”
➢ Conduct preliminary reading: Read books, journals, and reports to understand
the problem.
➢ Formulate the topic: Write a clear research topic. For example: “Factors
affecting academic performance of secondary school students in Kitgum
Municipal.”
Characteristics of a good research topic
A research topic is the subject or issue that a researcher wants to investigate or study.
Choosing a good research topic is very important because it determines the direction,
quality, and success of the research study. A good research topic must have certain
characteristics to make the study meaningful and manageable. Below are the main
characteristics of a good research topic explained in detail.
➢ Clarity: A good research topic must be clear and easy to understand. The
wording of the topic should not confuse readers or researchers. A clear topic
allows readers to immediately understand what the research is about. Example
of a clear topic: Factors affecting academic performance of secondary school
students in Kitgum Municipal.
➢ Specificity (Specific): A good research topic must be specific and focused on a
particular issue rather than covering a very wide subject. A specific topic makes
research easier to conduct and helps the researcher collect relevant data.
Example of a specific topic: The impact of teacher absenteeism on student
performance in government secondary schools in Kitgum District.
 ➢ Researchable: A good research topic must be researchable, meaning that it
should allow the researcher to collect information or data. The topic must have:
Available data, Respondents or participants and Sources of information such as
books, reports, or journals
➢ Relevance: A good research topic must be relevant to society, academic
studies, or professional practice. This means the research should address real
issues or problems that affect people or organizations.
➢ Feasibility: A good research topic must be feasible, meaning it can be
completed using the available: Time, Money, Resources and Skills. Researcher
should avoid topics that require very expensive equipment or large-scale data
collection.
➢ Interest to the researcher: A good research topic should be interesting to the
researcher. Research requires: time, effort and commitment. If the researcher
is not interested in the topic, they may lose motivation before completing the
study.
➢ Originality: A good research topic should be original or provide new insights.
This does not necessarily mean the topic has never been studied before.
Instead, it may; study the problem in a different location, use a different
method and focus on different respondents
➢ Manageability: A good research topic must be manageable, meaning it should
not be too large or complicated.
➢ Ethical Acceptability: A good research topic must be ethically acceptable. It
should not harm people physically, emotionally, or socially. Researchers must
respect; privacy, confidentiality and human dignity
Importance of Research
Research plays a very important role in development and knowledge creation.
➢ Expands Knowledge: Research increases understanding in various fields such
as education, medicine, and business.
➢ Supports Policy Formulation: Governments use research findings to develop
policies. For example: Education policies based on research findings.
➢ Improves quality of life: Research leads to improvements in technology,
healthcare, and living standards.
➢ Encourages innovation: Research promotes new inventions and discoveries. For
example: Development of new medicines or technologies.
➢ Helps in decision making: Organizations rely on research findings to make
informed decisions. For example: Businesses conducting market research
before launching products.
➢ Supports academic development: Research contributes to academic knowledge
and education systems.
➢ Helps Solve Problems: Research identifies causes of problems and suggests
possible solutions. Research can identify causes of business failure.
➢ Improves Decision Making: Managers rely on research findings when making
business decisions. Example: Research may guide pricing decisions.
4. Demerits (Disadvantages) of Primary Data
1. Expensive
Collecting primary data requires resources such as:
• Transport
• Printing questionnaires
• Paying research assistants
Therefore, it can be costly.

2. Time Consuming
Primary data collection can take a long time, especially when many respondents are
involved.
Example: Conducting interviews with 200 respondents may take several weeks.

3. Requires Skilled Researchers

The researcher must have skills in designing questionnaires, interviewing respondents,
and analysing data.
Without these skills, the quality of data may be poor.

4. Possibility of Bias
Respondents may:
• Give false information
• Hide some facts
• Exaggerate their answers
This may affect the accuracy of the data.

5. Limited Coverage
Due to cost and time limitations, primary data collection may involve only a small
sample of people, which may not fully represent the whole population.

5. Secondary Data
Meaning of Secondary Data
Secondary data refers to data that has already been collected, recorded, or published
by other researchers or organizations for a different purpose but is later used by
another researcher.
In other words, the researcher does not collect the data personally but uses
information that already exists.
Example
A researcher studying business growth in Uganda may use:
• Government reports
• Books
• Journals
• Census data
These sources provide secondary data.

6. Sources of Secondary Data

1. Government Publications
Governments regularly publish statistical reports and information about the country.
Examples include:
• Population census reports
• Economic surveys
• Ministry reports
These documents provide reliable statistical information.

2. Books
Books written by scholars and researchers often contain important research findings
and theoretical explanations.
Examples include textbooks on:
• Economics
• Business
• Research methods
Books help researchers understand background information about a topic.

3. Journals and Research Reports

Academic journals contain published research studies conducted by other researchers.
These articles provide:
• Research findings
• Methodologies
• Literature reviews
They are often used when preparing the literature review section of research.

4. Newspapers and Magazines

Newspapers and magazines provide current information about social, economic, and
political events.
Example:
A researcher studying inflation in Uganda may use economic news articles.

5. Internet Sources
The internet provides access to:
• Online journals
• Research databases
• Government websites
• International organization reports
Example: Information from websites of international organizations or universities.

Merits (Advantages) of Secondary Data

➢ Saves Time: Since the data has already been collected, the researcher does not
need to spend time gathering information from the field.
➢ Less expensive: Secondary data is usually cheaper because it involves fewer
costs compared to field data collection.
➢ Wide coverage: Secondary data may cover large populations and long time
periods, which would be difficult for one researcher to collect. Example:
National census data covering millions of people.
➢ Useful for background information: Secondary data helps researchers
understand previous studies and existing knowledge about a topic. This is
especially useful when writing the literature review.
Demerits (Disadvantages) of Secondary Data
➢ May be outdated: Some secondary data may be old and no longer reflect the
current situation. For example, economic data collected 10 years ago may not
represent present conditions.
➢ May not fit the research purpose: The data may have been collected for another
purpose, so it may not fully answer the researcher’s questions.
➢ Lack of control over data quality: The researcher did not collect the data
personally and therefore cannot control how it was gathered. This may affect
accuracy and reliability.
➢ Incomplete information: Sometimes secondary sources do not provide all the
information needed for the study.