RESEARCH METHODS

Course Notes Writer: Prof. Dr. Abdul Razak Habib

Course Leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr Abdullah Mohd Noor

TOPIC 1: OVERVIEW OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

1.1 INTRODUCTION
This topic will give you the overview of research, research in education and
research report. After completing this topic, you should be able to: (a) define
research and educational research; (b) explain stages in research; (c) explain
research as a problem-solving model; (d) explain the chapters/sections and
contents of a research report; and (e) identify stages of research in a research
article (Figure 1.1).
Overview of Educational
Research

Research & Educational

Research

Defining Research
Defining Educational Research
Examples of Educational

Stages of Research

Research as a Problem
Solving Process

Select a Problem
Understand the Problem
Plan for Solution
Carry Out the Plan
Check the Solution

Research Problem
Review of the Literature
Research Method
Research Findings
Conclusions

Chapters/Sections of a
Research Report

Selecting a Problem
Reviewing the Literature
Designing the Research
Collecting the Data
Analyzing the Data
Interpreting the Results and
Stating the Findings
Making Conclusions and
Reporting the Research

Figure 1.1: Topic Contents

1.2 DEFINITION OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

This section will explain the basic meanings of research and educational
research, and examples will be given to reinforce your understanding of
educational research in with respect to educational fact and educational
theories (Figure 1.2). Stages of research and research as a problem-solving
process will be explained in later sections.
Research and Educational Research
Defining Research
Defining Educational Research
Examples of Educational Research

Figure 1.2: Research and Educational Research

Research generally can be defined as a process of searching again the truth
about certain facts or existing theories in a particular area which is guided by
intellectual curiosity and systematic planning of data collection and analyses
that ends up with a research report about the research and also the new facts,
new theories or verification of the existing theories.
Educational research can be defined as a process of searching again the truth
about educational facts or existing educational theories which is guided by
intellectual curiosity and systematic planning of data collection and analyses
that ends up with a research report about the research and the new educational
facts, educational theories or verification of the existing educational theories.
An example of educational fact is the number of students who cannot read
and/or write after completing primary school education in Malaysia. An
example of an existing educational theory is the Expectancy Theory of
Motivation, i.e. Students who are satisfied with their work and will continue to
work hard, if they believe their work will lead to things that are highly valued
(Hanson, 2003).
1.3 STAGES OF RESEARCH
Typically there are seven (7) stages of a research regardless of the research
methodology used to conduct it (AJR, 29): (a) selecting a problem; (b) reviewing
the literature on the problem; (c) designing the research; (d) collecting the data;
(e) analyzing the data, (f) interpreting the results and stating the findings; and (g)
making conclusions and reporting the research (Figure 1.3). The brief
explanation of each stage is given below (AJR, 29-30):

Stages of Research
Selecting a Problem
Reviewing the Literature
Designing the Research
Collecting the Data
Analyzing the Data
Interpreting the Results and Stating the Findings
Making Conclusions and Reporting the
Research

Figure 1.3: Stages of Research

Selecting a Problem: The first stage is to select a suitable/relevant research
problem, which is important for a researcher to embark on, bearing in mind the
time, efforts and money required to carry out the research. The researcher also
must make sure the answer to the problem is not already available, the research
methodology is available, and the answer can be used to solve a problem.
Reviewing the Literature: The second stage is to review relevant literature on
the problem which will help the researcher to understand the research problem
deeper (e.g. concepts, theories, models & principles involved) and to gain
knowledge about the past research on the problem and their findings, research
methodology (design, instruments & analysis) used, recommended further
research, and related references.
Designing the Research: The third stage is to design the research, that is, to
plan how the research to be conducted to answer the research questions
(converted from research problem). For a quantitative research, the design will
include research population and sample, type of research (survey, experiment,
etc.), treatment(s) to be given to respondents, research instrument(s) and
procedures for data collection and analysis.
Collecting the Data: The fourth stage is to collect data, that is, to implement the
planned procedure for data collection to answer the research question(s). A
quantitative researcher may use a test, questionnaire or inventory to collect data;
while a qualitative researcher may use in-depth interview, participant
observation or document analysis to collect data.
Analyzing the Data: The fifth stage is to analyse the data, that is, to implement
the planned procedure for data analysis to answer the research question(s). A
quantitative researcher may use graphics, descriptive or inferential statistics to
analyse the collected data; while a qualitative researcher may use explanations
in words (descriptions, observations, impressions) or to code the large mass of
collected data in the analyses.

 Interpreting the Results and Stating the Findings: The sixth stage is to
interpret the results of data analyses and stating the findings based on research
questions. A quantitative researcher may describe the current status, accept a
hypothesis, or reject a hypothesis, and make conclusion(s); while a qualitative
researcher may present the interpretations, conclusions and credibility of
findings in narrative form.
Making Conclusions and Reporting the Research: The seventh and final
stage is to make conclusions and to report the research. The research report will
include the research problem, the literature review, the research methodology,
research findings, conclusions and discussions. Usually a researcher will explain
each stage of the research clearly such that other researchers can later replicate
the research. The researcher may also present the report in a seminar or publish
it in a journal.
1.4 RESEARCH AS A PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS
George Polya (1962) proposed a problem-solving model which involves four
stages, namely: (a) understand the problem; (b) plan for solution; (c) carry out
the plan; and (d) check the solution (Figure 1.4). In Polyas model, the problem
is given to a person (e.g. a student) to solve. However, in research, the problem
is not given to the researcher, but he/she has to find/identify the problem.
Research as a Problem-Solving Process
Select a Problem
Understand the Problem
Plan for Solution
Carry Out the Plan
Check the Solution

Figure 1.4: Research as a Problem-Solving Process

Since research involves identifying research problem and solving it, we can use
Polyas problem-solving model to better understand the process of research.
Using this model, we may simplify the seven (7) research stages into five (5)
problem-identifying and problem-solving stages, namely: (a) identify problem;
(b) understand the problem; (c) plan for solution; (d) carry out the plan; and (e)
check the solution.
We can map the seven (7) stages of research to five (5), namely: (a) selecting
research problem (identify the problem); (b) reviewing the literature
(understand the problem); (c) designing the research (plan for solution); (d)
collecting data, analyzing data, interpreting the results, and stating the findings
(carry out the plan); and (e) making conclusions and reporting the research
(check the solution) as shown in Table 1.1.

1.5 CHAPTERS/SECTIONS OF A RESEARCH REPORT

This section will explain the typical chapters/sections and contents of a research
report. If your research report is in the thesis form, you may report in five (5)
chapters. If your research report is in the article form, you may report your
research in five (5) sections (Figure 1.5). The five (5) chapters/sections
correspond to the five (5) problem-identifying and problem-solving stages as
previously explained in Section 1.4. The brief explanations are given below:

Chapters/Sections of a Research Report

Research Problem
Review of the Literature
Research Method
Research Findings
Conclusions

Figure 1.5: Chapters/Sections of a Research Report

Chapter/Section Titles: Based on the problem-identifying and problem-solving
stages and the research stages, the five (5) chapters/sections of a research report
may have the following titles: (a) Research Problem; (b) Literature Review; (c)
Research Method; (d) Research Findings; and (e) Conclusions. The mappings
between the stages and section/chapter titles are given in Table 1.1 below:
Table 1.1: The mappings between problem-identifying and problemsolving stages, research stages and chapter/section titles
Problem-Solving
Stages
Identify problem
Understand the
problem
Plan for solution
Carry out the plan

Check the solution

Research Stages
Selecting problem
Reviewing the
literature on the
problem
Designing the
research
Collecting data
Analyzing data
Interpreting results
Stating findings
Making conclusions
Reporting Research

Chapter/Section Title
1. Research Problem
2. Literature Review

3. Research Method
4. Research Findings

5. Conclusions

 Chapter/Section Contents: Research Problem includes research problem

identified by researcher. Review of the Literature includes related literature and
related research. Research Method includes research design and procedures.
Research Findings includes background of respondents and research findings.
Conclusions include conclusions and related discussions. Details are given in
Table 1.2:
Table 1.2: The subtopics of chapters/section of a research report
Chapter/Section
1. Research Problem
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Background of
Research
1.3 Statement of Research
Problem
1.4 Purpose of Research
1.5 Importance of
Research
1.6 Limitations of
Research
1.7 Definition of Terms
1.8 Summary
2. Literature Review
Introduction
Related Literature
Related Research

Summary
3. Research Method

Contents
Explain research problem identified by
researcher
State the purpose of research and explain the
brief contents/subtopics of section/chapter.
Explain the motivation for carrying out this
research in terms of theoretical issues or
practical problems.
Explain the factors/variables to be included in
this research, show the conceptual/theoretical
framework of research, and state the research
problem.
Explain the purpose of research, research
objectives, research questions and research
hypotheses (if any).
Explain the importance of research findings in
terms of theory confirmation/building or their
implications to practitioners.
Explain the restrictions of research in terms of
population, sample, instruments, data analyses or
other problems based on the availability of
resources.
Give the constitutive (conceptual) and
operational (measurement) definitions of the
terms/variables used in the research.
Give a summary of important aspects explained
in this section/chapter.
Bring in related literature and related research.
Explain the brief contents of section/chapter.
Explain concepts, theories, principles or models
that are related to the research problem.
Explain and comment about previous/past
research/ studies that are related to the research
problem in terms of population, sample,
instruments, analyses, findings and limitations.
Give a summary of important aspects explained
in this section/chapter.
Explain research design and procedures.

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design

Explain the brief contents of section/chapter.

Restate the purpose of research and explain
suitable/ appropriate research design to be used
in the research.
3.3 Population and Sample Explain the scope/limitation of research in terms
of population and sample & how respondents are
selected.
3.4 Research Instruments
Explain research instruments to be used and how
they are developed/ constructed.
3.5 Procedure for Data
Explain step-by-step of the procedure for data
Collection
collection from obtaining the permission to do
research to how the data were collected.
3.6 Procedure for Data
Explain step-by-step of the procedure for data
Analyses
analyses from marking the test(s) to how the
data were analyzed to answer each research
question.
3.7 Pilot Study
Explain how you carried out the pilot study and
improvements you made on your research after
the pilot study.
3.8 Summary
Give a summary of important aspects explained
in this section/chapter.
4. Research Findings
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Backgrounds of
Respondents
4.3 Research Question 1
4.4 Research Question 2
4.5 .
4.6
Summary
5. Conclusions
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary of Research
5.3 Conclusions
5.4 Discussion of the
Findings

Explain the background of respondents and

research findings.
Explain the brief contents of section/chapter.
Explain the background of the research
respondents, e.g. their gender, age, family
income, etc.
Explain the results of data analysis with together
with a table and write the finding(s) for Research
Question 1
Explain the results of data analysis with together
with a table and write the finding(s) for Research
Question 2

Give a summary of important aspects explained

in this section/chapter.
Write the conclusions and provide related
discussions
Explain the brief contents of section/chapter.
Briefly explain again the research purpose,
design, population, sample, instruments and
procedures for data collection and analysis.
List the conclusions based on research questions
and findings.
Discuss the findings separately in terms of
whether the each finding supports or does not
support the finding of previous research.
7

5.5 Implications of the

Findings
5.6 Recommendations for
Further Research
5.7 Summary
References
Appendices

Discuss the implications of the findings to theory

verification/building or to practitioners.
Recommend what future researchers should do
to improve the findings of this research.
Give a summary of important aspects explained
in this section/chapter.
List the references that were quoted in your
report.
You may include documents, such as
questionnaire or details of the results of data
analyses in the appendices.

1.6 SUMMARY
This topic maps the seven (7) research stages into five (5) topics of a research
report: (a) Research Problem (selecting a problem); (b) Literature Review
(reviewing the literature on the problem); (c) Research Method (designing the
research), (d) Research Findings (collecting data & analyzing data), (e)
Conclusions (interpreting findings, stating conclusions & reporting findings)
1.7 TUTORIAL ACTIVITY
Find a short research article from a journal [around five (5) pages]. Identify and
discuss the information on the five (5) sections of a research report: (a) Research
Problem; (b) Literature Review; (c) Research Method, (d) Research Findings),
(e) Conclusions. Does the article include appendices? Does the list of references
cover exactly those cited in the article?
1.8 REFERENCES
Ary, D., Jacobs, L.C. & Razavieh, A. (2012). Introduction to Research in
Education. U.S.: Wadsworth Thomson Learning.
Hanson, E.M. (2013). Educational Administration and Organizational Behaviour
(5th edition). New York: Allyn and Bacon.
Polya, G. (1962). How to solve it. New York: Doubleday.