WHAT IS RESEARCH

Senior Lecturer A.Salad

 WHAT IS RESEARCH
Research: Is a process: Meaning that it
goes through steps.
Research: Solve problems: That is, without
any problem to be solved, there is no need for
research.
WHAT IS RESEARCH
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
-Systematic: means step by step;
-scientific: means logical steps to follow
-Control: covers lt’s scope/coverage
- E.g. Time-scope, geographical coverage/area;
- Respondents;
-Content-variable (variable ---- the concept you
investigated)
-Empirical: Evidence (data) based information
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
Importance of research
Research helps to:
1. Generate knowledge---- new knowledge/facts which never been
existing.
2. Validate knowledge---- helps to prove existing knowledge or Check on
the existing knowledge to prove or disprove.
3. Refine knowledge---- Improve on the existing knowledge.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
Purpose of research
‣ To discover new information, or knowledge
‣ To describe phenomena/event-identify it can be size,
shape, weight, perception, attitude etc.
‣ Predict phenomena-estimate
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
Purpose of research
‣ Explain phenomena-accurate observation & measurement of a
given phenomena
‣ Explores or enables theory development: this is involves
formulating laws concepts and generalization about a given
phenomena.
‣ To expand and verify existing knowledge.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
Classification of Research:
According to subject;
 Natural science/Pure Science research e.g. physics, math,
chemistry
 Social Science/behavioral research e.g. history, business,
mgt.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
Classification of Research:
According to Scope (Unit of analysis);
 Micro research --- the researcher examine
individual(small) units but not a group
 Macro research--- the researcher examine in group (big
units) but not individual units.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
Classification of Research:
According to purpose;
• Applied (Action): the researcher intends to use the
findings immediately after the study or Solution to
immediate problem.
• Pure/Basic/ Academic: the researcher does not intend to
utilize findings immediately after the study.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
Classification of Research:
According to approach;
• Quantitative research: are those researches which based on variables,
measured using numbers.
• Qualitative research: based on ideas presented using words.
---- Qualitative research use INTERVIEW. ---- Quantitative research use
QUESTIONNAIRE and set the question
 WHAT IS RESEARCH
HOW DO WE DO RESEARCH
The five major phases of the research process
1. Conceptual phase: Research Title
2. Design & planning phase: Proposal phase
3. Literature review, Critical Reading and Citation and Referencing
4. Empirical phase: Data collection phase
5. Analytical phase: Data analysis phase
6. Dissemination phase: Report writing/final thesis.
CONCEPTUAL

PHASE
PROPOSAL

STAGE
 BACKGROUND

•The best research is well planned, and a

key step in carrying out such planning is
the preparation of a research proposal.
 BACKGROUND (CONT…)

The development of the proposal can help to

reduce wasted effort and provide a more
efficient, problem-free study by encouraging
the researcher to clarify the exact nature of the
investigation.
 INTRODUCTION

A proposal is a careful description of what your

dissertation or research project will be about and
how you intend to carry out the works involved until
its completion.
 INTRODUCTION (CONT…)
It will be required in order to inform your
supervisor/sponsor /examiners of your purposes so that
he/she can judge whether:
•The subject and suggested format conforms to the requirements.
•It is a achievable project in respect to scope and practicality.
•Your suggested methods for information collection and analysis are
appropriate.
•The expected outcomes relate to the aims of the project.
 THE CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
The format of a research proposal will vary somewhat
according to;
•the purpose of the proposal and
•the institutions involved,
But the major components are generally the same and are
presented below in the order in which they usually occur.
 THE CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL (CONT…)
There is a fairly standardized format for writing
proposals that, if followed, ensures that you
cover all the important aspects that must be
included.
• THE CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
• The following are the main components of a research proposal. This helps to focus on the essential
matters.
• 1.The subject title (research problem)
• 2.The Abstract
• 3.Introduction
• 3.1. The background
• 3.2. The aims or objectives
• 3.3. The research problem/statement
• 3.4. Scope of the study
• 4.Literature review For college and university students, you might be
• 5.Materials and Methods given a general outline and a guide as to how many
• 6.Expected outcomes pages to produce. Make sure you familiarize yourself
• 7.Benefits and Beneficiaries
with structures, rules and regulations before you begin
• 8.Research work plan
your work.
• 9.References
 1. The subject title (Subject Problem)
• The subject title summarizes in a few words the entire project.
•This should be short and explanatory. the title of the proposal
should accurately reflect the contents and the scope of the
suggested study.
•A title should contain the key words of the dissertation subject,
that is, the main subjects, concepts or situations. Added to these
are normally a few words that define the scope of the study such
as the location, time, situation and extent..
 1. The subject title ..cont’d
Hence, In selecting a subject for a research project, it is useful
to begin by constructing several lists:
1: Topics of interest to the researcher.
2: Relevance- Select a topic that is of relevance to as a
professional.
3: Personal/organizational strengths and weaknesses.
4: Topics of current interest in practice.
 1. The subject title ..cont’d
5: Data required for each topic.
6: Sources of data for each topic.
7: Research limitations for each topic.
8: Having sufficient knowledge about the research process
9: Measurement of process- the researcher should make
sure to be very clear about its indicators & measurements
 1. The subject title ..cont’d
•SWOT analysis requires determination of Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats.
•Strengths and Weaknesses are features of the individual or organization
and are internal factors,
 1. The subject title ..cont’d
•whilst Opportunities and Threats are present in the
environment, so they are external factors.
•PEST factors are the Political (and legal), Economic,
Social and Technical forces in the environment.
•Consideration of the PEST factors assists analysis of
the Opportunities and Threats.
 SWOT Matrix

•S-O strategies pursue opportunities that fit well the strengths.

•W-O strategies overcome weaknesses to pursue opportunities.
•S-T strategies identify ways that the researcher can use its
strengths to reduce its vulnerability to external threats.
•W-T strategies make a defensive plan to prevent the weaknesses
from making it susceptible to external threats.
 2. The Abstract
•Most research proposals should provide a short summary or abstract
of about 200 words.
•The abstract should touch on every major component of the
proposal except the budget, if there is one.
•Some readers read only the abstract and others rely on it for a quick
overview of the proposal.
•Some sponsoring agencies use the abstract to weed out unsuitable
proposals and to disseminate information. Consequently, the writing of
the abstract should be done with care.
 2. The Abstract
•The abstract for research paper/thesis is usually written in the
past tense for the objective, the materials and methods and
the results, and in the present tense for the motivation and
justification, the interpretation of the results, and the
conclusions.
•The abstract for a research proposal is however written in
future and present tense.
 3. Introduction

•Convince the reader that you have identified a research

problem, worthy of investigating.
•Start very general – Broad Topic
•Highlight
•The concept
•Practical significance
 2. The Abstract
•Reduce it to a narrow topic by
•Raising questions, and
•Stating answers from literature for most.
•Establish Justification:
•Research is necessary questions for which there is no answer
yet.
 3.1. The background/rationale
•This section should contain a rationale for your research which
answers the following questions:
•Why are you undertaking the project?
•Why is the research needed?
•Hence, the background will illustrate;
•the context of the project and where it fits with in current thinking.
•convince your supervisor/reviewer that you have done the necessary reading
into the subject, and reviewed the literature sufficiently.
3.2. Defining the research problem/statement

Defining Terms
•Research Problem: Issue/problem in a study

•Purpose: Major intent or object of study

•Research Questions: Questions to answer or
address in a stud
3.2. Defining the research problem/statement

Why define the Research Problem?

•Defining your destination before beginning a journey.
It determines,
•what you will do,
•will it withstand scientific inspection,
•how you will do it, and
•what you may achieve!
3.2. Defining the research problem/statement

Ask yourself
To help locate your research problem for your thesis, ask yourself such
questions as:
 What was the issue/problem you want to study?
 What is the concern being addressed “behind” this study?
 Why do you want to undertake this study?
 Why is this study important to the scholarly community?
 3.3. The aims or objectives

•The aims or objectives of the project should be summarized in

three or four bullet points. This then provides a very brief summary
of the thrust of the research and provides an introduction to the
rationale that follows.
•The aim (Overall Objective) is really a statement at the strategic
level so, usefully, can be considered to be what the researcher
would like to do if resource and other constraints did not exist.
 3.3. The aims or objectives
•The (specific) objectives are statements within the strategic
statement of aim; they are statements at the tactical/operational
level.
•Objectives take the aim of the research and, given the constraints,
translate the aim into coherent, operational statements.
•These are statements which relate to each other logically but which
are, each, self-sufficient also and describe what the research hopes to
achieve or discover through the study.
 3.3. The aims or objectives
Objectives are;
•the goals Researcher set out to attain in the study
•listed under 2 headings;
1.Main (overall) objectives – An overall statement of the thrust of
the study
2. Sub (Specific) objectives –Specific aspects of the topic should
be listed numerically in three to four bullets
 3.4. Scope of the study
Delaminates your study in terms of;
•Depth/detail
•Scale
•Time
•Space/location
 4. Literature Review
Functions of literature review
•Review the main concepts and variables
•Review tools and methods
•Focuses on previous research
•Shows how your research study fills the ‘gap’
•The necessity for your study
•Sets the boundaries (delimitation) of the study
 5. Materials and Methods
•The materials and methods provide a clear and complete
description for all experimental, analytical and statistical
procedures.
•Organize the section logically, perhaps chronologically,
and use specific, informative language.
 5. Materials and Methods
•Include necessary information, and omit unnecessary
information.
•This section should include enough information so that
another researcher can repeat the procedures and expect to
get the same results.
 5. Materials and Methods
•State it explicitly
•Enough detail for the reader to follow
•First give an overall summary of your study design and
methodological approach.
•Then provide the methodology for each specific objective.
•Describe
 5. Materials and Methods
•the specific design (what will you do and how, number of
replicates, etc.),
•the materials and techniques that will be used, and
•the feasibility of these techniques.
•Use literature to support design, materials & techniques
•Need not repeat standard procedures – but give a reference.
 5. Materials and Methods
VALIDITY
‘How do we know that the method we are using is really measuring what I want
it to measure?’
• Face validity. Does your method appear appropriate to measure what you want it
to measure at first glance?
• Content validity. This is similar to face validity, except that it refers to the initial
assessment from an expert’s point of view.
• Predictive validity. Can your measures predict future behaviour?
• Construct validity. Does your data correlate with other measures?
 6. Expected outcomes
States what are the outcome/outputs from the research project
•Research findings
•Capacity building
•Benefits and beneficiaries
•Visibility; publications, presentations etc
 6. Research work schedule
•Activity scheduling;
•Resources mobilization and scheduling:
•Budgeting:
•Interaction among the above three schedules