RESEARCH

RESEARCH METHODS
METHODS
Code
Code 3686
3686

Lecture
Lecture One
One

PROF. DR. NOMANA ANJUM

Introduction

This course introduces students to a number of research

methods useful for academic and professional investigations of
information practices, texts and technologies. By examining the
applications, strengths and major criticisms of methodologies
drawn from both the qualitative and quantitative traditions, this
course permits an understanding of the various decisions and
steps involved in crafting (and executing) a research
methodology, as well as a critically informed assessment of
published research.
Introduction
Objectives:
 
The objectives of this course are:
 
1.To provide students with the tools and skills required to
understand published research.
2.To identify the types of methods best suited for investigating
different types of problems and questions;
3.To enable students to write the research proposal of their
project/thesis.
Unit One

RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

 
1.1 The Research Approach
1.2 Starting the Research
1.3 Finding of Research Problem Area
1.4 Checklist of Activities that will progress the research
 Unit Two

GATHERING INFROMATION
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Finding the Information
2.3 Dealing with Information
2.4 Doing a Literature Review
 Unit Three

TYPES OF RESEARCH

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Concepts and Theory
3.3 Types of Research
 Unit Four

NATURE AND USE OF ARGUMENT

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Use of Language
4.3 Components of Argument
 Unit Five

PHILOSOPHY OF RESEARCH

5.1 Introduction
5.2 Positivism and Scientific Enquiry
5.3 Structure of Science and the Nature of Knowledge
5.4 Hypothesis
 Unit Six

RESEARCH QUALITY AND PLANNING

6.1 Introduction
6.2 Good Research
6.3 Planning a Research Project
 Unit Seven

RESEARCH METHODS

7.1 Introduction
7.2 Collecting Secondary Data
7.3 Collecting Primary Data
7.4 Combined Data Generation and Analysis
7.5 Analyzing Data
 Unit Eight

HONESTY AND RESEARCH ETHICS

8.1 Introduction
8.2 Honesty in the Work
8.3 Situations That Raise Ethical Issues
8.4 Ethics, Policies, Permissions and Committees
 Unit Nine

PREPARING THE RESEARCH PROPSAL AND STARTING

TO WRITE

9.1 Introduction
9.2 The successful research proposal
9.3 Writing process of research
Unit One
RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
1.1 The Research Approach

Research approaches are plans and the procedures for

research that span the steps from broad assumptions to
detailed methods of data collection, analysis, and
interpretation. This plan involves several decisions.

The overall decision involves which approach should be used

to study a topic. Informing this decision should be the
philosophical assumptions the researcher brings to the study;
procedures of inquiry (called research designs); and specific
research methods of data collection, analysis, and
interpretation.
Unit One
RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
1.1 The Research Approach

The selection of a research approach is also based on the

nature of the research problem or issue being addressed, the
researchers’ personal experiences, and the audiences for the
study.
THE THREE APPROACHES TO RESEARCH
(a)qualitative, (b) quantitative, and (c) mixed methods.

The three approaches are not as discrete as they first appear.

Qualitative and quantitative approaches should not be viewed
as rigid, distinct categories, polar opposites, or dichotomies.
Instead, they represent different ends on a continuum
(Newman & Benz, 1998).
Unit One
RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
1.1 The Research Approach

Qualitative research is an approach for exploring and

understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a
social or human problem. The process of research involves
emerging questions and procedures, data typically collected in
the participant’s setting, data analysis inductively building from
particulars to general themes, and the researcher making
interpretations of the meaning of the data.
Unit One
RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
1.1 The Research Approach

Quantitative research is an approach for testing objective

theories by examining the relationship among variables. These
variables, in turn, can be measured, typically on instruments,
so that numbered data can be analyzed using statistical
procedures. The final written report has a set structure
consisting of introduction, literature and theory, methods,
results, and discussion.
Unit One
RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
1.1 The Research Approach

Mixed methods research is an approach to inquiry involving

collecting both quantitative and qualitative data, integrating the
two forms of data, and using distinct designs that may involve
philosophical assumptions and theoretical frameworks. The
core assumption of this form of inquiry is that the combination
of qualitative and quantitative approaches provides a more
complete understanding of a research problem than either
approach alone.
Unit One

RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

 
1.2 Starting the Research

Select a topic that Interest you

Do background reading of earlier research

Narrow down you topic to specific manageable task

Identify the research approach, research design

Unit One

RESEARCH AND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

 
1.3 Finding of Research Problem Area

•The research problem

•Sources of research problem
•Steps in formulation of a research problem
•The formulation of objectives
Formulating a research problem
The research problem
It is essential for the problem you formulate to be
able to withstand scientific scrutiny in terms of
the procedures required to be undertaken.

Potential research questions may occur to us on a

regular basis, but the process of formulating
them on in a meaningful way is not at all an easy
task”
Importance of formulating a research
problem

 It is like identification of destination before a journey

 A research problem is also like a foundation of a
building
Sources of Research Problems

Most Research In humanities revolve around four ‘P’s:

People;
Problems
Programs; and
Phenomenon
 Sources of a Research Problem

Aspects of About Study of

a study
Study People Individuals, organization, groups,
Population communities
Subject area Problem Issues, situations, associations,
needs
Programme Contents, structure, outcomes,
attributes, satisfaction
Phenomenon Cause and effect relationship, the
study of phenomenon itself
Formulating a research problem

Generally, research in the field of Interior Architecture and

Interior Design is concerned with evaluating the designed
setting in socio-behavioural context.
Buildings and interiors are designed for people to
accommodate their particular needs, desires and
aspirations.
Individuals and groups act and interact within the designed
surroundings to fulfil their needs.
Formulating a research problem

The researcher may be interested in understanding behavioural

patterns along with forces that govern particular kinds of
behaviour and attitude and try to analyse how design
influences these.
How do people react to new concepts in design? Do they want
modifications to the existing design? Why do they like one type
of design better than another? and so on and so forth. These
type of research questions need individual and group
assessment in the broader context.
1.4Checklist/Considerations in formulating a
research problem
Number of Considerations to be remembered:
 Interest
 Magnitude
 Measurement of Concepts
 Level of Expertise
 Relevance
 Availability of Data
 Ethical Issues
 Steps in Formulating a research
problem
1. Identify
2. Dissect
3. Select
4. Raise Research Questions
5. Formulate Objectives
6. Assess
7. Double Check
Discussion