DITR 111– Research Issues in IT
Module 1: Introduction to Research
Lesson 1: The Research Process
September 2, 2023 via GMeet
Lesson Objectives
▪ By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and comprehension by effectively
explaining the research process and the significance of each phase in
producing reliable and actionable outcomes.
▪ "Research draws parallelism between the social process and
the scientific process in our daily life. It includes systematic
observations, classification, and interpretation of data."
Lundberg(1942)
What is
▪ "Scientific research is a systematic, controlled empirical and
Research? critical investigation of propositions about the presumed
relationships about various phenomena." Kerlinger(1986)
▪ "Research is a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable
scientific methodologies to solve problems and creates new
knowledge that is generally acceptable." Grinnel(1993)
▪ "Research as a systematic investigation to find answer to a
problem." Burns(1997)
▪ “Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge
and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative
way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and
understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of
previous research to the extent that it leads to new and
creative outcomes.” Western Sydney University (2021)
▪ "Research draws parallelism between the social process and
the scientific process in our daily life. It includes systematic
observations, classification, and interpretation of data."
Lundberg(1942)
What is
▪ "Scientific research is a systematic, controlled, empirical and
Research? critical investigation of propositions about the presumed
relationships about various phenomena." Kerlinger(1986)
▪ "Research is a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable
scientific methodologies to solve problems and creates new
knowledge that is generally acceptable." Grinnel(1993)
▪ "Research as a systematic investigation to find answer to a
problem." Burns(1997)
▪ “Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge
and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative
way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and
understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of
previous research to the extent that it leads to new and
creative outcomes.” Western Sydney University (2021)
What is Research?
Hourglass Notion of Research[1]
Begin with broad questions
Narrow down, focus to specific question
Operationalize
Observe
Analyze
Example text
Discuss implications
Generalize back to questions
Why Research?
Why do Research?
Research is
EDUCATIONAL
Research is a
DECISION-MAKING
tool
Research gives
OPPORTUNITIES
Research is FUN
What makes a quality research?
Systematic
Controlled Rigorous
Valid and
Critical
Verifiable
Empirical
Paradigm
Methodology
The Research Pyramid
Methods
A Framework for Design - Interconnection of
Philosophical Worldview, Designs and Research
Methods
Philosophical Inquiry
Worldviews Strategies/Methodology
Quantitative (e.g.,
Postpositivist RESEARCH DESIGNS Experiments)
Constructivist Qualitative Qualitative(e.g.,
Transformative Quantitative Ethnographies)
Pragmatic Mixed Methods Mixed Methods (e.g.,
Explanatory Sequential)
Research Methods
Questions
Data Collections
Data Analysis
Interpretation
Validation
Paradigm
➢ Researcher’s Paradigm
• Philosophical view
• Basic set of beliefs that guide action
• Shaped by discipline area of
Methodology researcher, and past research
experiences
• Often leads to what approach to use
in research
Methods
Four Worldviews
Reading: Worldviews, Research Methods and their Relationship to Validity in Empirical
Software Engineering Research [4]
Paradigm
➢ Methodology
• System of Methods and Principles
• Main outline of approach to
research
Methodology
➢ Methods/Techniques
• Data Collection
• Data Analysis
• Interpretation, etc.
Methods
The Research Onion [2]
Positivism
Philosophy
Deductive
Experiment Approach
Mono Method Survey
Cross-sectional Strategy
Case
study
Data Collection Mixed
and Data Method Choices
Analysis Longi-
Action research Interpretivism
tudinal
Multi
Time Horizon
Method
Grounded
Theory
Ethnography Inductive
Techniques and Procedures
Pragmatism
Classification
Classification
Salkind’s(2020)
Classification
Kumar’s(2011)
Classification
Type Description Example
Basic research theory development and determine the principles of
refinement reinforcement and their effect on
learning, like Skinner's Operant
Conditioning [3]
Applied apply or test theory and test the principles of reinforcement to
Research evaluate usefulness in determine their effectiveness in
educational problems improving learning (e.g., programmed
instruction and behavior
modification)
Classification
Type Description Example
Evaluation facilitate decision-making Compare impacts of 2 medical
research regarding the relative intervention (e.g., 2 Covid Drugs)
worth of two or more
alternative actions
Historical generate descriptions, and Document the evolution of teacher
research attempt explanations of training programs since the turn of the
conditions, situations, and century, to explain the historical
events that have occurred origins of the content and processes of
in the past current programs
Classification
Type Description Example
Descriptive provides information about investigate the variables
research conditions, situations, that affect the mental health
and events that occur in the of women aged 20-60 years
present old, during COVID-19
pandemic, using Google
Forms
Correlational provide more than a picture relationship between
research of events in descriptive and temperament and
historical research attachment behavior in
infants
Classification
Type Description Example
Explanatory research conducted where little
is known about a
situation or
phenomenon
Experimental used in settings where an investigation of the effectiveness of
research variables defining one artificial intelligent(AI)-based
or more "causes' can instruction on learning using random
be manipulated assignment of students to the two
systematically to groups- one group for AI-based
discern 'effects‘ on approach(‘experimental’ group), and
other variables one group as a 'control' group to use
the flexible learning approach.
Classification
Type Description Example
Quasi-experimental where participants are pre-
research assigned to groups based on
some characteristics or quality,
such as differences in
sex, race, age, etc.
Developmental systematic study of designing, Instructional Materials
research developing, and evaluating Development,
programs, processes, and Software Development
products that must meet criteria
of internal consistency and
effectiveness [4].
The Research Process
Kumar(2011)
The Research Process
▪ Phase 1. Deciding what to research
Step 1. Formulating a research problem
• Identify what you intend to research
• Problem statement should be clear and concise
• Evaluate a problem in light of the financial resources at your
disposal, time available, expertise and knowledge
The Research Process
▪ Phase 2. Planning a research study
Step 2. Conceptualizing a research design
• Research design explains how you will find answers to your
research questions
• includes study design, logistical arrangements that you propose to
undertake, measurement procedures, sampling strategy, how data will be
analyzed and time frame
The Research Process
▪ Phase 2. Planning a research study
Step 3. Constructing instrument for data collection
▪ Includes anything that you use as a means for collecting information
• may need to construct own tool or use an existing tool to extract primary data
• If using information secondary data → need to develop a mechanism to extract the required
data
• Must address issues of validity and reliability; hence, instruments are subjected to expert’s
validation and reliability tests, if not already standardized.
The Research Process
▪ Phase 2. Planning a research study
Step 4. Selecting a sample
• Accuracy of estimates largely depends upon the way you select your sample.
The basic objective is to minimize the gap between what you obtain from
your data and what is prevalent in the population.
• Characteristics of the sample need to match the population as possible
closely, so the results are generalizable to the larger population.
• Extremely dependent on resources available
• Important: (1) to look at sampling design to know if research applies to
your population, and (2) to avoid bias.
The Research Process
▪ Phase 2. Planning a research study
Step 5. Writing a research proposal
• An overall plan that tells a reader about your research problem and how you are
planning to investigate.
• The main function is to detail the operational plan for obtaining answers to your
research questions.
• Serves as the contract between you and your committee, to protect the student
and the committee from the student
• Institutions will have varying requirements regarding style and content
Step 5. Writing a research proposal
▪ Ingredients of a research proposal
• Issue: What problem does your research address?
• Research Design: How will the research achieve its objective?
• Benefit: What will the research contribute?
▪ Research Proposal
• OUTLINE steps in your proposed research
• Provide yourself with intellectual CONTEXT
• JUSTIFY your research
• Be CREATIVE
• Anticipate potential PROBLEMS
• Anticipate a realistic TIMETABLE
The Research Process
▪ Phase 3. Undertaking the research
Step 6. Collecting data
• Your research design determines the collection procedure you
wish to adopt
• May involve consideration of some ethical issues
• Need to ensure confidentiality, etc.
The Research Process
▪ Phase 3. Undertaking the research
Step 7. Processing/analyzing data
• The way you analyze the information you collect largely depends upon
the type of data (descriptive, quantitative, qualitative), and the way you
want to write your report.
• Some studies will involve a combination of both qualitative and
quantitative methodology and data collection.
The Research Process
▪ Phase 3. Undertaking the research
Step 8. Writing a research report
• Usually written as an academic paper divided into chapters based
on the main themes of the study.
Considerations and Research design Methods and tools Sampling theory Methods of data Principles of
steps in formulating a functions of data collection and designs processing; use of Scientific writing
research problem computing tools and
statistics
Literature
Review
Formulating Constructing Selecting a Writing a Writing a
Conceptualizing Collecting Processing
a research a research design data collection sample research proposal research report
data data
problem instruments
Field test Data
Study of research Editing Coding
designs tool
Developing
Variable and hypothesis Validity and Contents of the code book
definition and typology reliability of research
tool proposal
Legend:
Operational steps Required theoretical Required intermediary
knowledge knowledge
1. Set a timeline
2. Focus on realistic goals
3. Find your time spot
4. Establish a habit
5. Find a conducive workspace
Supplementary Materials
[1] Structure of Research. [Link]
research/#:~:text=At%20the%20narrowest%20point%20of,in%20a%20variety%20of%20wa
ys.
[2] Saunders,M.N.K., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A.(2019). Research Methods for Business
Students, 8th Edition, Pearson Education Unlimited. ISBN: 978-1-292-20878-7
[3] Staddon, J. E. R. and Cerutti D. [Link] Rev Psychol. Author manuscript; available in
PMC 2006 Jun 1. Published in final edited form as: Annu Rev Psychol. 2003; 54: 115–
144. Published online 2002 Jun 10. Link:
[Link]
[4] Petersen, K., and Gencel, C. (2013). Worldviews, Research Methods and their
Relationship to Validity in Empirical Software Engineering Research. Available at
ResearchGate