CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHOD

Objectives
 At the end of studying this chapter the students should be able to:
 Define Research
 Explain purposes of research
 Discuss characteristics of research
 Describe classifications research/types of research
 Discuss qualities of research
 Explain approaches of research
 Discuss the research process
1.1 Meanings of research

What is a research?

Why we do a research?

Research is a search for knowledge through objective and systematic methods of finding
solution to a problem

Major sources of knowledge

People have long strived to understand their environment the phenomena it presents through
experience, reasoning and scientific method.

Everyday Experience
a. Personal experience: getting access to new information through our senses organs

Activity: do you think your senses provide a perfect means of observation or information?

• Does the sun really move across the sky?

b. Experience of others : use the opinion of others as sources of knowledge

Do you think that a majority opinion defines what is true?

c. Authoritative sources: accepting information stated by authority figure in areas about

which we know nothing, is useful and beneficial. We rely on judgment and expertise
when we consult, for example, electrician, civil engineer or chemist.

Do you think that authority can be correct and lead people in the right directions always?
Is everything published in a newspaper or book always true and accurate?

 Reasoning (deductive reasoning)

Deductive: Developing general knowledge, opinion, or belief about the world through
personal observation and drawing new and specific conclusion from this general knowledge.

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Example;

All men are tall; Alemu is a man; therefore, Alemu is tall

Ethiopia has the best long-distance runners in the world. Mossisa is an Ethiopian, therefore
… Does this conclusion always hold true?

Inductive: from simple to general

N.B EXPERIENCE and AUTHORITY are richly fertile sources of hypotheses often based on
random events and use loose and uncritical manner and hence not scientific

 Scientific Method (research)

Reliance on information that is verifiable through experience or experimentation, observation

etc…

Definitions of research (what is research)?

 Research = Re + Search, Re’ means again and again and ‘Search’ means to find out
something new or observe the phenomena again and again from different dimensions.
This implies that collecting (compiling) already existing information or data is not
research. Reading a number of books and compiling their material is yet another
book; not research. Research is always expected to be something original that
advances human knowledge.

 Research is a search for knowledge through objective and systematic methods of

finding solution to a problem or it is a movement from the unknown to known
phenomena

 Research is any intellectual investigation in search for truths, or reality through

objective verifiable methods

 Research is the process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems through the

planned and systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.

 Research is a systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of

hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena

 Research is a systematic attempt to obtain answers to meaningful questions about

phenomena or events through the application of scientific procedures

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1.2 Purpose of Research (why we do a research?)

Research is carried out for one or more of the following aims:

 To get a research degree

 To get respect or intellectual joy
 to bridge the gap between theory and practice
 to influence policymaking (e.g. policy in housing, crime, education, environment,
etc);
 To solve a problem and meet challenges of the environment,
 To improve current techniques (practice) and increase probability of success
 To serve society by increasing standard of living in case of science & Technology,
and by showing right path to society in case of social and behavioral sciences.
 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (exploratory
or formulate research).
 To describe accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a
group (descriptive research).
 To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (diagnostic research).
 To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables = (hypothesis- testing
research).
1.3 Characteristics of a research

 Research is directed towards the solution of a problem

 It gathers new knowledge or data from primary or first-hand sources.

 It emphasizes the development of generalization, principles or theories that will be

helpful in predicting future occurrences

 Research is based on observable experience or empirical evidence.

 The researcher should know what is already known about the problem and how others
have investigated it

 It uses certain valid data gathering devices or tools.

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  The researcher eliminates personal feelings and preferences.

 Research is patient and unhurried activity.

 Research is carefully recorded and reported.

 Conclusions and generalizations are arrived at carefully and cautiously

1.4 Types of Research

Research may be classified from many points of view

1. Basic (fundamental, pure) Vs Applied (action ) research

Basic research: It is usually conducted to develop theories, principles, and laws that are found in
different subjects (areas) and helps to extend the frontiers of knowledge. May or may not have
practical application at the present time or in the future.

Applied research: Mainly concerned with finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a
society or an industrial/business organization. Example, medical research or environmental
studies

2. Descriptive Vs Analytical (correlation, Explanatory and exploratory)

Descriptive: attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon, service or

programme, or provides information about, say, living condition of a community, or describes
attitudes towards an issue

Analytical: use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical
evaluation

 Correlation research: attempts to discover or establish the existence of relationship/

interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation.

 Explanatory research: attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between
two or more aspects of a situation or phenomenon.

 Exploratory research is undertaken to explore an area where little is known or to

investigate the possibilities

3. Longitudinal vs Cross-sectional (one time)research

Longitudinal: Historical research, case study, genetic comes under longitudinal approach of
research.

Cross sectional (one time): conducted in a specified period

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 4. Experimental vs Non- Experimental

5. Conceptual Vs Empirical Research

Conceptual Research: Relies to some abstract idea or theory (for philosophers and thinkers)

Empirical Research: Relies on experience or observation alone, i.e., Data-based research

Capable of being verified by observation or experiment.

6. Other type of research

 Field-setting or laboratory or simulation research

 Clinical or diagnostic research

 Historical research (greater part of it is quantitative)

 Conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented research

 Tracer study (follow-up study)

1.5 Approaches of a research

1. Qualitative research approach: Concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions

and behavior of people. Research in such a situation is a function of researcher’s insights and
impressions. Such an approach to research generates results either in non-quantitative form or in
the form which are not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis. Generally, the techniques of
focus group interviews, projective techniques and depth interviews are used.

2. Quantitative research approach: Involves the generation of data in quantitative form which
can be subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid fashion. Everything that
forms the research process- objectives, design, sample, and the questions that you plan to ask of
respondents- is predetermined. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of
quantity

3. Mixed Research approach: the combination of both qualitative and quantitative method

1.6 THE RESEARCH PROCESS

 Formulating the research problem; major Sources of problem are:

 People: group or individual,

 Problem: examining the existence of certain issues

 Programs- to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention

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 Extensive literature survey;

 Developing the hypothesis/ research questions;

 Preparing the research design (including sample design);

 Collecting the data;

 Analysis of data (hypothesis testing if any);

 Interpret and report the results.