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Chapter 1

1. What is a research?
Research is used to establish facts and information, to reaffirm or validate the
findings of other works or to reject them. A research study may also be an
expansion or improvement of an earlier piece of work in the field or body of
knowledge.
2. Discuss the importance of research
Research is crucial for advancing our understanding of various phenomena and
developing solutions to complex problems. It enables us to new knowledge, and
improve our lives. By conducting research, we can identify gaps in our current
knowledge and develop new theories, concepts, and methodologies to fill those
gaps.
3. Enumerate the four frameworks of the research process. Discuss how these
frameworks are related to each other.
There are four frameworks of the research process which are as follows:
• The conceptual framework outlines the researcher's understanding of the
problem being studied, including the key concepts, variables, and
relationships among them.
• The theoretical framework builds upon the conceptual framework and
provides a broader perspective on the problem being studied. It draws on
existing theories and research to guide the research design and analysis.
• The methodological framework outlines the specific procedures and
techniques that will be used to collect and analyze data. It includes details
on the research design, sampling methods, data collection instruments, and
data analysis techniques.
• The analytical framework outlines how the data will be analyzed and
interpreted. It includes the techniques that will be used to analyze the data
and the criteria that will be used to evaluate the findings.

4. Discuss the importance of having a literature review in the conduct of research.


A literature review is crucial in research as it provides a comprehensive
understanding of the existing knowledge on a topic. It identifies gaps, establishes
context, develops a theoretical framework, informs research design, and provides
evidence-based support for the research findings. By conducting a literature
review, researchers can ensure that their research is rigorous and reliable.
5. Discuss how the research process starts.
The research process starts by identifying a problem or question, developing a
proposal, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and drawing
conclusions. By following a systematic approach, researchers can ensure their
studies are rigorous and valid.
6. Discuss the importance of ethics in the conduct of research.
Ethics is crucial in research to protect participants, maintain integrity, promote
trust, comply with regulations, and consider the broader implications of the
research. By following ethical principles, researchers can ensure their studies are
conducted responsibly and benefit the public good.

7. Enumerate and elaborate at least five ethical principles in conducting a research


process.
Honesty - Researcher must not alter, fabricate or falsify information in a research
studies.Data gathering, interpretation and analysis should be reported completely
and honestly.
Objectivity - Researcher shall not be biased in any part or in any phases of the
researchstudy
Integrity - Researcher must exhibit consistency throughout the research process.
Carefulness - Researcher shall not be negligent specially when dealing with
data gathering, intepretation and analysis
Respect of Intellectual Property Rights - The author must not copy or
plagiarized thework of other researcher.
8. When can a project be deemed viable?
For a research project to be viable, it should be significant, feasible, novel, have
a sound research design, follow ethical principles, and have the potential to
generate useful results. These factors should be evaluated before starting the
project to ensure its success.
9. What are the social-science paradigm and how do they differ from each other?
The social science paradigm refers to the theoretical framework and
methodologies used by social scientists to study social phenomena. The main
paradigms include positivism, interpretivism, critical theory, and constructivism.
They differ in their assumptions about reality, methods of obtaining knowledge,
and research methodology. Understanding these paradigms is essential for
choosing the appropriate framework and methodology for research.
10. Discuss the relevance and value of research and give an example to prove
your answer.
Research is crucial for advancing knowledge and understanding in different
fields. Its relevance and value lie in providing evidence-based information that
can inform decision-making, policy development, and practice. Examples include
the development of vaccines and educational research, which have both led to
significant improvements in their respective fields.

Chapter 2
1. Enumerate and explain the five fundamental key abilities that a researcher
should possessin making research.
To conduct effective research, a researcher should possess five
fundamental key abilities: critical thinking, problem-solving,
communication, time management, and ethical awareness. These abilities
are essential for producing successful and meaningful research outcomes.

2. In making a research, you should consider the researchability of your target


study. How can you find your research as a viable one?
To ensure that your research is viable, consider factors such as significance,
feasibility, originality, research design, availability of data, ethical
considerations, and potential impact. Seeking feedback from colleagues
and experts can also help ensure that your research is relevant, original,
and feasible.

3. What should a research statement be consisting of?


A research statement should include a clear research question, background
and context, research design methodology, objectives, expected outcomes,
timeline, and required resources. These components provide a
comprehensive overview of the research project, ensuring that it is well-
planned and has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the
field.

4. Explain the differences between research aims and research objectives and
how it will help you in the process of a research study?
Research aims provide a broad statement of the research study's overall
purpose, while research objectives are specific, measurable, and achievable
goals derived from the research aims. Together, they provide a roadmap
for the research study, ensuring that it is well-defined, achievable, and
focused, and has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the
field.
5. How will the literature help the researchers in the study?
The literature helps researchers by identifying research gaps, providing
background information, developing hypotheses and research questions,
identifying appropriate research methods, analyzing results, and providing
support for arguments. By drawing on the literature, researchers can ensure
that their study is informed, well-planned, and makes a meaningful
contribution to the field.

6. What are the aspects that research should take into consideration in
searching related literature to their study?
When searching for related literature, researchers should consider the
relevance, currency, credibility, diversity, accessibility, and limitations of
the literature. By being aware of these aspects, researchers can ensure that
their study is well-informed, grounded in existing knowledge, and makes
a meaningful contribution to the field.

7. Why is important to know different approaches in research?


Knowing different research approaches is crucial as it helps researchers
choose the most appropriate methodology for their study, critically
evaluate existing research, and communicate effectively within their field.
Different approaches have unique strengths and limitations and can be used
in different contexts.

8. What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the act of using or presenting someone else's work or ideas as
one's own, without giving proper credit or attribution. This can include
copying and pasting text directly from a source without citation,
paraphrasing text without proper attribution, and using someone else's
ideas or research findings without giving credit.

9. Why it is important to compile references in the bibliography?


Compiling references in the bibliography is important for attribution,
verification, further reading, avoiding plagiarism, and transparency in the
research process. It ensures proper credit and acknowledgment of sources,
avoids plagiarism, and provides readers with additional sources for further
research.

10. What are the uses of appendices?


Appendices provide supplemental information, raw data, technical
information, visual aids, and informed consent forms that support research
findings and provide transparency in the research process. They allow
researchers to include complex or lengthy information that may be difficult
to include in the main body of the paper.

Chapter 3
1. Why is ethics valuable in research?
Ethics in research is valuable because it ensures that research is
conducted in a responsible, transparent, and ethical manner. It protects
participants, maintains integrity, builds trust, and adheres to legal and
professional standards.

2. Prepare a checklist for ethical reflection in research?


A checklist for ethical reflection in research includes informed consent,
confidentiality, risk assessment, beneficence, respect for persons, data
management, debriefing, and ethical oversight. By considering these
ethical reflections, researchers can ensure that their research is
conducted in a responsible and ethical manner, and that the rights and
welfare of research participants are protected.

3. Differentiate anonymity and confidentiality


Anonymity means that the researcher cannot link data to the
participant's identity, while confidentiality means that the researcher
will not disclose any personally identifiable information about the
participant to anyone who is not authorized to have access to that
information. Both are important for protecting the privacy and rights of
research participants.
.
4. What questions can a researcher ask during an ethical reflection on
engagement with his research participants?
During ethical reflection on engagement with research participants, a
researcher can ask questions related to informed consent, voluntary
participation, respect for autonomy, confidentiality and privacy, risk
assessment, respect for diversity and culture, compensation and
incentives, and debriefing and follow-up. By asking these questions,
researchers can ensure that their engagement with participants is ethical
and protects their well-being and rights.

5. Discuss the ethical concern on the principle of informed consent.


Informed consent is a crucial ethical concern in research as it protects
the autonomy and rights of research participants. However, obtaining
informed consent can be challenging in some research contexts, and
researchers must ensure that they protect the rights and welfare of
research participants, avoid coercion or undue influence, and provide
compelling justifications when informed consent cannot be obtained.

6. Why is power a fundamental ethical issue in research?


Power is a fundamental ethical issue in research because it involves the
ability of the researcher to control and influence the research process
and its outcomes. Researchers with more power may be able to
manipulate the data or the research design in a way that serves their
interests or biases, which can lead to unethical practices or results that
are not valid or reliable. Additionally, power imbalances can affect the
rights and autonomy of research participants, especially vulnerable
populations who may have limited resources or influence.

7. What is the impact to a research if there are suspicions of plagiarism on


it?
Suspicions of plagiarism in a research study can have serious
consequences for its credibility and validity. Plagiarism violates ethical
standards and can lead to loss of funding, retraction of the study, legal
action, and damage to reputation. It also undermines the integrity of the
research process and erodes trust in the scientific community and the
public. Thus, researchers must maintain ethical standards and avoid any
form of plagiarism or academic misconduct.

8. Discuss the potential harm of a research that is being conducted in the


field of medicine.
Medical research can bring significant benefits but also carries inherent
risks and potential harm. Testing new drugs or treatments on human
subjects may cause physical harm, psychological distress, or ethical
issues related to informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality.
Moreover, medical research can have broader social and cultural
implications that lead to discrimination or unequal access to healthcare
resources. Hence, researchers must consider potential harm, minimize
risks, and protect the welfare of participants and society.

9. What questions can a researcher ask on the planning phases of his


research process?
During the planning phase, researchers can ask several questions to
ensure feasibility, ethics, and rigor of their study. Important questions
include: research question or problem, scope and timeline, data
collection and analysis methods, participants' rights and interests,
potential risks and benefits, ethical and legal issues, limitations and
biases, and results dissemination and implications. Answering these
questions helps develop a clear and comprehensive plan that adheres to
scientific and ethical standards.

10. What are the important factors to maintain anonymization of


Qualitative Data?
Maintaining anonymization of qualitative data is crucial to protecting
the privacy and confidentiality of research participants. Important
factors to consider include removing identifying information, using
pseudonyms, storing data securely, limiting access, and obtaining
informed consent. By adhering to these factors, researchers can ensure
the anonymization of qualitative data and protect the privacy and
confidentiality of participants.

11. What are important things in managing your data?


Managing data is crucial for research, and involves organizing,
securing, backing up, documenting, and sharing data. Researchers must
organize data systematically, store it securely and back it up regularly.
Documenting data in detail ensures reproducibility, and data sharing
must be done responsibly and ethically. By adhering to these factors,
researchers can effectively manage their data and ensure its
accessibility, security, and usability for future research.

Chapter 4
1. What is the meaning of the word philosophical framework relative to
social research?
The "philosophical framework" in social research refers to the
underlying assumptions, beliefs, and values that shape the researcher's
perspective and approach to understanding the social world. It includes
the researcher's ontological and epistemological assumptions and
ethical and political commitments. Stating the philosophical framework
can enhance the rigor and validity of the research and provide
transparency and clarity about the researcher's biases and assumptions.

2. What is the three philosophical frameworks in the social research and


explain each.
• Positivism is a philosophical framework that emphasizes the use
of objective and empirical methods to understand the social
world. It assumes that the social world is objective, knowable,
and measurable, and that social phenomena can be studied using
scientific methods.
• Interpretivism is a philosophical framework that emphasizes the
importance of subjective experience, meaning, and interpretation
in understanding the social world. It assumes that the social world
is complex, dynamic, and context-dependent, and that social
phenomena can only be understood through the lived experiences
and interpretations of individuals.
• Critical theory is a philosophical framework that emphasizes the
role of power, inequality, and social change in understanding the
social world. It assumes that the social world is marked by
conflict, domination, and oppression, and that social phenomena
can only be understood by analyzing the underlying power
relations that shape them.

3. How to create a theoretical framework?


Creating a theoretical framework involves several steps. Researchers
must identify the research problem, conduct a literature review, identify
and define key concepts, develop a conceptual model, and test and
refine the framework. By following these steps, researchers can create
a valid and reliable theoretical framework that is grounded in the
existing literature and relevant to the research question.

4. Explain the difference between the qualitative and quantitative data.


Qualitative data is non-numerical and descriptive, while quantitative
data is numerical and can be measured. Qualitative data explores
complex phenomena, while quantitative data seeks patterns and
relationships. Qualitative data uses purposive sampling and methods
such as interviews and observation, while quantitative data uses random
or stratified sampling and methods such as surveys and statistical
analysis. Qualitative data is analyzed through coding and narrative
analysis, while quantitative data is analyzed using statistical methods.

5. What is methodological pyramid?


The methodological pyramid is a framework that shows the hierarchy
of research methods based on their level of control and precision. It has
four levels: experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental, and
descriptive methods. Researchers use the pyramid to select the most
appropriate method based on their research question, available
resources, and level of control needed. By selecting the appropriate
method, researchers can ensure the validity and reliability of their
findings.
6. Explain and outline the five basic elements of a research process.
The research process consists of five basic elements: research question,
literature review, research design, data collection, and data analysis.
The research question guides the study, while the literature review
informs the theoretical framework and research design. The research
design outlines the methods for collecting and analyzing data, while
data collection is the process of gathering data. Finally, data analysis
involves processing and interpreting the data to answer the research
question. By following these elements, researchers can conduct a
rigorous and valid research study.

7. Give at least three philosophical frameworks usually used in social


science research and explain.
Common philosophical frameworks used in social science research
include positivism, interpretivism, and critical theory. Positivism
emphasizes objective and empirical methods, interpretivism
emphasizes subjective experience and meaning, and critical theory
emphasizes power, inequality, and social change. Researchers choose
the most appropriate framework to their research question and context,
avoiding potential biases or limitations in their research design and
findings.

8. Explicate the statement “concept are the building blocks of theory”.


The statement "concepts are the building blocks of theory" means that
concepts are fundamental ideas that form the basis of a theory. Concepts
are identified, defined, and operationalized to guide research and
explain social phenomena. Theories are developed by linking concepts
and establishing relationships between them, providing a framework for
understanding and predicting social phenomena. By understanding the
role of concepts, researchers can develop robust theoretical frameworks
grounded in empirical evidence and relevant to the research question.

9. What is the process of developing theory and concisely explain?


The process of developing theory involves several steps. It begins with
observation and data collection, followed by the identification of
patterns and regularities in the data. From these patterns, researchers
can formulate hypotheses about the underlying causes or mechanisms
that produce the observed phenomena. These hypotheses are then tested
through further data collection and analysis.
10. Why is it important to involve the literature before making a choice
about the center of the study?
Involving the literature before making a choice about the center of the
study is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to identify the
existing body of knowledge on the topic and to understand the current
state of research. This can help to refine the research question and to
ensure that the study is relevant and contributes to the existing literature.
Secondly, it can help to identify any gaps or limitations in the current
knowledge, which can be addressed in the study. Thirdly, it can help to
identify the most appropriate theoretical framework and research
methodology for the study. Finally, it can help to ensure that the study
is original and innovative, building on the existing knowledge rather
than replicating what has already been done.

Chapter 5
1. How to elaborate idea and explain extensively the good question in
refining ideas?
When refining ideas and formulating a research question, it's important
to take a systematic approach. Start by defining the problem you want
to address. Next, identify the key variables and factors that contribute
to the problem. Then, create a clear and targeted research question that
is specific enough to guide your research but broad enough to be
relevant to the existing knowledge in the field.

2. Explain the process and the factors to consider when developing


research question.
To develop a good research question, you need to follow a systematic
process. This includes defining the problem, identifying key variables,
reviewing the literature, creating a clear and specific question, and
evaluating feasibility and potential impact. Factors to consider include
scope, available resources, ethics, impact, and existing knowledge.

3. Define and differentiate the three common research methodologies.


There are three common research methodologies: qualitative (non-
numerical data), quantitative (numerical data), and mixed methods
(both). Qualitative research focuses on experiences and perspectives,
quantitative research on patterns and relationships, and mixed methods
combine both. The choice of methodology depends on the research
question and data type.
4. Discuss briefly the importance of questions in relation to literature for
research project
Questions play a crucial role in guiding research projects. When
conducting a literature review, questions help identify relevant sources
and gaps in knowledge. Asking questions about the literature helps to
evaluate the quality and credibility of sources and formulate a well-
defined research question.

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