research methodology :
what is research ? 🤔
DEFINITION :
research has been defined differently by different scholars .
In its basic definition , research refers to the process of investigation about a certain phenomenon , action , event ,
behaviour or a state .
The word research is comprises of two words ( re+search) ; it means to search again . So researhc means a systematic
invesigation or activity to gain knowledgeof the already existing facts .
Research is an intelectual activity that is responsible for bringing to light new knowledge ; it is also resonsible of
correcting the present mistakes , removing existing misconceptions and adding new learning to the existing fund of
knowledge .
CHARACTERISTICS :
research is directed towards the solution of the problem .
research requires expertise(expert skills or knowledge in a particular fiels).
research is based upon observable experience or impericale evidences .
research demand accurate observation and description .
research also involves collecting data from primary or first hand sources or using existing data for new purpose.
research involves the quest for answers to un-solved problems .
research is characterised by carefully designed the procedures that apply strict analysis .
research strives to be objective and logical , applying every test possible to validate the procedures employed , the
data collected and the conclusions reached .
research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity .
research is carefully collected and corrected .
research sometimes requires courage .
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH :
the main aim of reseach is to find outthe truth that is hidden or has not been discovered yet . EACH RESEARCH STUDY HAS
ITS OWN SPECIFIC PURPOSE 😀 HERE4S SOME GENERAL OBJECTIVES FO RESEARCH :
to gain familiarity with a phenomenon and to achieve new insightsinto it .
to test hypotheses of a causal relationship beteween variables .
to determine the frequency with which something occures or with which it is associated with something else .
exploration : nvestigate new topics , identify patterns and generate ideas .
description : document facts , behaviors and characteristics systematically .
explanation : understand causes , realtionships and underlying mechanisms ;
TYPES OF RESEARCH :
1. on the basis of the nature of information :
QUALITATIVE (non numerical , focuses on meaning and experiences ).
QUANTITATIVE (numerical , using statistical analysis).
2. on the basis of utility of content and nature of subject matter of the research :
BASIC , THEORITICAL ,FUNDAMENTL,PURE (its utility is universal ).
EXPIRIMENTAL OR APPLIED RESEARCH (its utility is limited).
3. on the basis of approach of research :
EXPLORATORY :
DESCRIPTIVE :
EXPLANATORY :
CORRELATIONAL:
4. on the basis of method of research :
philosophical research : purely qualitative in nature (focus on thevision of others on the content of research )
Historical research : both qualitative and quantitative in the nature (deals with past events).
SURVEY RESEARCH : it deals with present event and it is quantitative in nature .
CASE STUDY RESEARCH : It deals with unusual events it can be qualitative as well as quantitative in narure depends on
content .
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH : this is purely quantitative in nature it deals with future events .
TYPES OF RESEARCH :
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH : is a type of research that provides an accurate portrayal of the characteristics of a
particular individual , situation or group .
ANALYTICAL RESEARCH : is a type of research in which the researcher uses existing information , analyzes it and
explains it to provide a critical account related to the research being conducted .
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH : it explores non numerical data , focusing on meanings , concepts and experiences . It is used
to explain scial phenomena through methods like : interviews , case study , observation...
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH : involves numerical data and statistical analysis . it focuses on testing hypotheses ,
measuringvariables and identifying patterns using methods like survey , experiments ...
CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH : is related to abstract ideas or theories , it is used to develop new concepts or reinterpret
existed ones .
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH : studies the connection between two variables .
BASIC RESEARCH: it expands the person’s knowledge , it attempts to broaden one’s understanding and expand
theories .
DEDACTIVE RESEARCH : is known as theory testing research, researchers choose a hypothesis and test its accuracy
throught observation or experimentations .
INDUCTIVE RESEARCH : is known as theory building , it collects datat that may help develop a new theory about a
process or a phenomenon .
COMPARATIVE RESEARCH : helps the researcher explore and identify the similarities and the difference between 2
chosen phenomena or groups .
what is research design ? 🤔
DEFINITION : research design is the arrangement of condition of collection ana analysis of data in a manner that aims to
generalize the findings of the sample on the population .
AIM :
1. define objectives
ensure accurancy
guide data collection
establish structure
enhance validity and reliability
optimize resources
CHARACTERISTICS :
objectivity
reliability
validity
generalizability
adequate information
other important features of a good research design are flexibility , adaptability , effeciency . a good resarch design should
minimize biasand maximize reliability and generalization .
what is research problem ? 🤔
STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED TO IDENTIFY A RESEARCH PROBLEM :
determin the field of research
the researcher should review the research conducted in the area to know the recent trendsand studies that have been
conducted in the area .
he should pin point specific aspect of the problem which is to be investigated
STEPS TO BE CONSIDERED BEFOREWRITINGA RESEARCH QUESTION :
identify the problem
preliminary research
narrow the problem
make the problem clear / specific
identify the target population
so-what factor
interpretative so-what
drafting
literature review
the research question is fundamental because everything relieson it .
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD RESEARCH QUESTION :
Appropriate
relevant
specific
manageable
interessting
answerable
substatianal
legitable
PROBLEM STATEMENT :
main parts of the problem statement :
CONTEXT : what do i already know about the problem
ISSUE : whta is the problem and what do i need to know ( highlight the gaps )
RELEVANCE : provide justification of the problem ( disucuss significance)
OBJECTIVE : what you intend , discover , confirm (how you’re gonna accomplish your study )
what is a hypothesis ? 🤔
DEFINITION :
a testable prediction , guess , tentative or assemption that discribes what you expect . Often used in a scientific research(
expirimrnts to study the relationship between variables )
✅ a good hypothesis should be : clear , understandable , it has to explain what it’s expected to happen , it uses experiement
to study the relationship between variables
VARIABLES : are elements that can change and be measured or controlled to examine relationships .
Independent : The factor that the researcher manipulates or selects to see its effect ; it is the cause in the study .
dependent : the factor that is measureded to observe the effect of the independent variable ; it is the outcome of the
study .
TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS :
NULL hypothesis (H°): a negative statement that is going to show that there is no effect or relationship between
variables
ALTERNATIVE hypothesis: a positive statement that is going to show that there’s an effect or relationship between
variables .
SIMPLE hypothesis : A hypothesis that involves only one independent variable and one dependent variable .
COMPLEX hypothesis : a hypothesisthat involves multiple independent and dependent variables .
DIRECTIONAL hypothesis : a hypothesis that predicts the specific direction of the relationship between variables
(increase , decrease , positive , negative ).
NON DIRECTIONAL hypothesis : a hypothesis that states that there’s a relationship between variablesbut does’t
specify the direction of the effect .
CAUSAL hypothesis : a hypothesis suggests that one variable causes a change in another
ASSOCIATIVE hypothesis : a hypothesis that suggests that two variables are related but does not prove causation
HOW TO FORMULATE A GOOD HYPOTHESIS :
a good research question
do a background research
formulate the hypothesis
define the hypothesis
write the hypothesis
what is literature review ? 🤔
DEFINITION :
“a published collection of written knowledgge related to a specific topic ” .
a literature review is a survey scholarly sources (such as books , journal articles , and theses) related to a specefic topic or
research question . it is often written as part of a thesis , dissertation or research paper in order to situate my work in relation
to existing knowledge .
STEPS IN CONDUCTING A LITERATURE REVIEW :
summarise the state of existing knowledge .
identify the gaps
provide theoritical foundation
siuate your own work with existing body knowledge
cite, compare ,contrast , critique connect
KEY COMPONENTS / ELEMENTS :
provide a historical bacground
contextualize ur research problem
define relevant theories and context
provide relevant terminology
provide supporting evidence
TYPES CONSIDERED BEFORE WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW :
define your topic and audience
read many literature reviews and articles
focus on relevant or current sources
taking notes while reading literature
DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE REVIEW :
demonstrate your knowledge as a researcher ( state of argument)
justify your research gaps
inform methodology