BES 104 – RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Introduction to Research LESSON 1

Methods
Introduction

Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are

used for the conduct of research. In this lesson, we are going to emphasize the details in
the first three processes involved in the research.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this lesson, you shall be able to:

1. Fully understand the meaning of research methods;

2. Differentiate methods from techniques;
3. Understand the research processes as a whole; and
4. Understand the details of the first three steps in the research process.

Let’s Get Started

Identify at least one activity in each process involved in the diagram below.

Identify the Review Analyze Draw

Collect data
problem information data conclusions

Activity:
___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ __________
___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ __________

Let’s Think About it!

In the diagram above, what do you think the most critical step in the research
process. Why?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

1|Page
 BES 104 – RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Let’s Explore!

The Research Methods

Research methods or techniques refer to the methods the researchers use in

performing research operations. At times, a distinction is also made between research
techniques and research methods. Research techniques refer to the behavior and
instruments we use in performing research operations such as making observations,
recording data, techniques of processing data, and the like. Research methods refer to
the behavior and instruments used in selecting and constructing research techniques. For
instance, the difference between methods and techniques of data collection can better be
understood from the details given in the table below.

In other words, all those methods which are used by the researcher during studying
his research problem are termed as research methods. Since the object of research, is to
solve a given problem, the available data and the unknown aspects of the problem have
to be related to each other to make a solution possible. Keeping this in view, research
methods can be put into the following three groups:

1. In the first group we include those methods which are concerned with the collection of
data. These methods will be used where the data already available are not sufficient to
arrive at the required solution;
2. The second group consists of those statistical techniques which are used for
establishing relationships between the data and the unknowns;
3. The third group consists of those methods which are used to evaluate the accuracy of
the results obtained.

2|Page
 BES 104 – RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Figure 1. The research process

Figure 1 above indicates that the research process consists of several closely
related activities, as shown through I to VII. But such activities overlap continuously rather
than following a strictly prescribed sequence. At times, the first step determines the nature
of the last step to be undertaken. If subsequent procedures have not been taken into
account in the early stages, serious difficulties may arise which may even prevent the
completion of the study. One should remember that the various steps involved in a
research process are not mutually exclusive, nor they are separate and distinct. They do
not necessarily follow each other in any specific order and the researcher has to be
constantly anticipating at each step in the research process the requirements of the
subsequent steps. However, the following order concerning various steps provides a
useful procedural guideline regarding the research process: (1) formulating the research
problem; (2) extensive literature survey; (3) developing the hypothesis; (4) preparing the
research design; (5) determining sample design; (6) collecting the data; (7) execution of
the project; (8) analysis of data; (9) hypothesis testing; (10) generalizations and
interpretation, and (11) preparation of the report or presentation of the results, i.e., formal
write-up of conclusions reached.

Step 1 – Identify the problem

The first and most important step of research is the formulation of research
problems. It is like the foundation of a building to be constructed. To solve a problem

3|Page
 BES 104 – RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

someone has to know about the problem. So, problem identification and formulation is
very crucial for the researcher before conducting research.
A problem can be regarded as a difference between the actual situation and
the desired situation. It can be an area of concern, a condition to be improved, a difficulty
to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in
practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation.

Step 2 – Review Information

The literature review surveys scholarly articles, books, and other sources
relevant to a particular area of research. The review should enumerate, describe,
summarize, objectively evaluate, and clarify the previous researches. It should give a
theoretical base for the research and help the author determine the nature of
research. The literature review acknowledges the work of previous researchers, and in so
doing, assures the reader that the work has been well-conceived. A literature review
creates a "landscape" giving a full understanding of the developments in the field. It is
assumed that by mentioning a previous work in the field of study, that the author has read,
evaluated, and assimilate that work into the work at hand.

Development of working hypotheses.

After an extensive literature survey, the researcher should state in clear terms the
working hypothesis or hypotheses. A working hypothesis is a tentative assumption made
to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. As such how research
hypotheses are developed is particularly important since they provide the focal point for
research. They also affect how tests must be conducted in the analysis of data and
indirectly the quality of data that is required for the analysis.
A hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand
because it has to be tested. The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by
delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track. It also indicates the type
of data required and the type of methods of data analysis to be used.
How does one go about developing working hypotheses? The answer is by using
the following approach:
(a) Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin, and the
objectives in seeking a solution;

4|Page
 BES 104 – RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

(b) Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for possible
trends, peculiarities, and other clues;
(c) Review of similar studies in the area of the studies on similar problems; and
(d) Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews on a limited
scale with interested parties and individuals to secure greater insight into the practical
aspects of the problem.
Thus, working hypotheses arise as a result of a priori thinking about the subject,
examination of the available data and material including related studies, and the counsel
of experts and interested parties.

Let’s Do It!

Review two theses in the field of agricultural and biosystems engineering if possible
related to your future thesis ( see attached pdf in the link). In your review, identify the
problem in the study and the objectives of the study. Layout the review of related literature
in an outline format showing how it is connected with the problem involved in the study.

Closure
How did you find the connectivity of the problem and the review of related literature
in research? Indeed you are right, it should be connected since all processes is an input
to the next step to come up with good scientific research. The continuation of the process
will be discussed in the next lesson.

5|Page