4: Process in Conducting Research
Stages in research process
1. Conceptualization
2. Contextualization
3. Data collection and/or generation
4. Data analysis
5. Reporting conclusions
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Conceptualization
Conceptualization
Defining the ‘problem’
Establishing the research questions
Identifying the aims
Specifying the testable hypotheses
Deciding on the research approach
Identifying the most appropriate way of undertaking the data
collection and/or generation
This stage is the most difficult one for novice
researchers
Linking the problem and objectives of the research with
appropriate data collection method requires careful thinking
and advice from senior researchers
2
Contextualization
Putting the research in the context of
similar research that has been done in the
past
If there is similar research was done
elsewhere, looking carefully the
Methodology used
Way data collected and
Limitation of the work may help
3
Data Analysis
Data analysis
Methods to collect data and the following data
analysis technique should match
Occasionally problem may emerge as one
start to do data analysis
4
Reporting
Reporting and conclusions
Writing up and/or further dissemination
Conceptualization and contextualization have
already been covered
Data collection and/or generation
In practice, research process is intrinsically
iterative
One may move forwards and backwards between
these stages as the circumstances determine
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Data Collection and Analysis
Research is broken down into two different approaches
1. Quantitative research
Involves numerical and statistical data
Emphasis is on the quantifiable observations of the research i.e.,
numbers involved
This type of research is mainly objective
2. Qualitative research
Collect non-numerical data and related ways of analysis
Emphasis is on the qualitative results
Words and observations are used to express the reality
This type of research is mainly subjective
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Observation Studies
Observation refers to the process of observing
and recording events or situations
The technique is particularly useful for discovering
how individuals or groups of people or animals
(and in some instances inanimate objects)
behave, act or react
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Questionnaires
A questionnaire is a type of survey where respondents
write answers to questions posed by the researcher on a
question form
A number of respondents are asked identical questions, in
order to gain information that can be analyzed, patterns
found and comparisons made
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Interviews
Interviews are limited to cases where the subjects
of study are humans
Interviews are a type of survey where
questions are delivered in a face-to-face
encounter by an interviewer
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Focus Groups
Is a type of interview that involves carefully selected
individuals who usually do not know each other
They generally consist of 7-10 members alongside the
researcher
These individuals are selected as they hold particular
characteristics which the researcher believes are
necessary to the topic of focus
A group discussion is held in a permissive environment in
order to extract opinions and share ideas and perceptions
through group interaction
It is not necessary to reach a consensus
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Document Analysis
This refers to the process of using any kind of document
Films
Television programs
Photographs
Books
Papers and letters, for analysis in relation to a
particular research question
It can be used as the singular method of research or as a
supplementary form of inquiry
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Mathematical Modeling
Mathematical modeling can be used to analyze
relationships between different variables and to predict
possible outcomes, or causal effects
Experiments can be designed from models of systems,
which aim to define links between variables and outcomes
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Experimental Method
This method involves setting up an experiment in order to
test a particular theory or hypothesis
In its simplest terms experimentation is concerned with
seeing what changes occur if something new is tried out
There are two different types of experiment
1. Laboratory experiment
2. Field experiment
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