RESEARCH METHODS

CHAPTER OUTLINE

Introduction to Research
Definition of Research
 Objectives of Research.
Characteristics of Research
Research Methods and Methodology
Scientific Method
Research and Theory
 Introduction
Societies of today are often termed information
societies.
Why?
Easy to find information in connection with any
unknown concept, phenomenon or process.
What is the challenge then?
Challenge is selecting scientifically well-
grounded, ‘valid’, knowledge from an endless
and confusing stream of information.
 Introduction
Another challenge is the fast rate at which
knowledge is changing with the development
of science.
Solution ?
To acquire and maintain competitive
knowledge which is scientifically based and its
appropriate application.
How?
This leads to research methodology and the
process of scientific research
 DEFINITION

What research is not:

- online search for best place to buy

- viewer polls on topics of public interest by TV or

Radio channels

- searching for information to complete assignment

by students
 DEFINITION

What is research?

- search for potential solutions to remedy

organizational problems - etc.

“Research is to see what everybody else has seen,

and to think what nobody else has thought.”

Research must (1) contribute to a body of science,

and (2) follow the scientific method
 DEFINITION

A very general term for an activity involving finding out,

in a more or less systematic way, things you did not know
A systematic and unbiased way of solving a problem,
through generating verifiable data and resolving
previously unanswered questions
Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain,
predict and control the observed phenomenon.’
 DEFINITION

A scientific study to seek hidden knowledge

A scientific study to answer a question
A scientific study of causes and effects
 A scientific attempt towards new discoveries
A systematic method of inquiry
 A logical attempt to find answers to problems
A systematic approach to a (medical) problem A
scientific attempt to discover the truth
 DEFINITION

Research composed of two syllables, re

and search.
 “re” - again, anew or over again
“search” - examine closely and carefully,
to test and try, or to probe.
Research is repeated searching (i.e. re-
search).
Some Definitions of Research

• ‘research’ refers to a
process of
systematic inquiry
that is designed to
collect, analyze,
interpret, and use
data. (Grinnell
1993).
Some Definitions of Research

• Maylor and Blackmon

(2005) “Something
that people undertake
in order to find out
things in a systematic
way, thereby
increasing their
knowledge
• Harvey Maylor Kate Blackmon
Some Definitions of Research
• Clifford woody, research
comprises defining and
redefining problems,
formulating hypothesis or
suggested solutions
collecting, organizing and
evaluating data, making
deductions and reaching
conclusions; to determine
whether they fit the
formulating hypothesis.
Some Definitions of Research

According to
Kerlinger (1986)
Research is a
systematic,
controlled, and
critical investigation
of natural
phenomena guided
by theory and
hypotheses about
the presumed
relations among
phenomena
Some Definitions of Research

According to
Redman and
Mory, Research is
a “Systematized
effort to gain new
knowledge”
Redman and Mory
 Summary
 “Research is the systematic approach to obtaining and confirming
new and reliable knowledge”
 A logical and systematic search for new and useful information on a
particular topic and making new contributions to the existing
knowledge
It has to be an active, diligent and systematic process of inquiry
in order to discover, interpret or revise facts, events, behaviours
and theories.

 In biomedical research, it may include the description of a new

phenomenon, the definition of a new relationship, the development
of a new model, or the application of an existing principle or
procedure to a new context
WHAT IS RESEARCH

Define research in your own words?

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
1. Controlled: not be affected or
influenced by external factors
2. Rigorous: The procedures should
be relevant, appropriate and
justified.
3. Systematic: The investigation
should follow a certain logical
sequence or protocols
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

4. Valid and Verifiable: findings

should be valid and can be verified
at any time.
 5. Empirical: conclusions be based
on hard evidence.
 6. Critical: The process must be
foolproof and free from drawbacks.
7. Analytical
8. Replicability
 What are the Objectives of Research

To discover new facts, insights or formulate

new theories
To verify and test important facts
To analyze the frequency with which
something occurs
To portray accurately the characteristics of
a particular individual, situation or a group.
 What are the Objectives of Research

To identify the cause and effect relationship

To develop new scientific applications for

improvement and modification in practice

To overcome or solve the problems

occurring in our every day life
 SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH
it promotes the development of logical habits of
thinking and organization.
 Formulation of policies
Decision-making – allocation of resources
 Solving various operational and planning problems of
business and industry.
Studying social relationships and in seeking answers to
various social problems.
Class Exercise

What is the Significance of Research

to a biological scientist or the
medical profession?
RESEARCH METHODS AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methods -various procedures, schemes and set

of rules used in research.
. help in collecting samples and data
Can be put into the following three groups:
1.Methods concerned with the collection of data.
2.Statistical techniques used for establishing relationships
3.Methods used to evaluate the accuracy of the results
obtained.
RESEARCH METHODS AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methodology –
Science of studying how research is to be carried out.
the study of methods by which knowledge is gained.
 Its aim is to give the work plan of research.
Research methodology considers the logic behind the
methods used and explains why using a particular
method or technique .
 Research and Scientific Method
Scientific method ‘an objective, logical and
systematic method of analysis of phenomena
(occurrences) for the accumulation of reliable
knowledge’
Scientific method - standardized set of techniques
for building scientific knowledge: how to make
valid observations, how to interpret results, and how
to generalize those results.
Research and Scientific Method

The scientific method allows

researchers to independently and
impartially test pre-existing theories
and prior findings, and subject them
to open debate, modifications, or
improvements.
 CHARACTERISTICS SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Replicability: independently replicate or
repeat a scientific study and obtain
similar, if not identical results.
Precision: Theoretical concepts, must
be defined for others to use and test
that theory.
 CHARACTERISTICS SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Logical: Scientific inferences must be
based on logical principles of reasoning.
Critical : The procedures used and the
inferences derived must withstand
critical scrutiny (peer review) by other
scientists
 RESEARCH AND THEORY
Research is about advancing the
frontiers of knowledge
Theory is a systematic and general
attempt to explain something, eg. Why
do people commit crimes?
OR a logical set of general proposals, used
as principles to explain the relationship of
observed phenomena
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY

Guides research and organizes its ideas.

Becomes stronger as more supporting
evidence is gathered;
The capacity to generate new research.
Empirically relevant and always uncertain
ROLE OF THEORY

Theory summarizes concisely what is already

known about the object of study.

 It predicts facts

It points out gaps in knowledge

ROLE OF RESEARCH

Research initiate theory

Research lead to the rejection and reformulation

of existing theory

Research redefines and clarify theory