Writing the Third Chapter

“Research Methodology”
By:

Dr. Seyed Ali Fallahchay

 Research Methodology

• Research Methodology is one of the most important parts of a

research. It consists of set rules and procedures that require
consistent applications. It determines the statistical tools and
techniques by which you can systematically arrive at the
solution of your statement of the problem and your minor
problems.
This chapter gives an explicit presentation of the ff:
• research plan formulated,
• the research designs to be used,
• the population to be considered,

• the sampling techniques to be implemented if a sample is

desired or needed,
• the research instruments to be adopted, and
• The appropriate statistical treatments to applied.
 Research Design
Research Design refers to making decisions with regard to the
specific methods and procedures adopted by the researcher or
proponent in the conduct of the research study. The term research
design refers to the plan for the study’s methodology. The design
should include the purpose of the study, demonstrate that the plan
will answer the research question(s), and is consistent with the
study’s purpose.
 Research Design Answers These Questions
• What is the study all about?
• Why is the study being carried out?
• Where will the study be carried out?
• What tools and techniques of data collection will be used?
• How will the issue of validity and reliability be addressed?
• What type of data are required?
• How much time will the study require?
• What will be the sample design?
• What techniques of data collection will be used?
• How will the data be analyzed and interpreted?
 Importance of Research Design
• Serves as a foundation to formulate and guide the research study.
• Supports in better planning and execution of the research
methodology
• Useful in the estimation of probable research errors and handling
strategies
• Maintains necessary control over the contents of the study
• Makes the study more systematic, and effective
 Task of Research Designs

• Determine the exploratory, descriptive, or causal phases of the

research
• Determine the information needed

• Specify the measurement and scaling procedures

• Construct and pretest appropriate forms of data collection
• Specify sampling process and sample size

• Develop a plan of data analysis and presentation

• Develop a monitoring and control mechanism to facilitate the
overall research function
 Categories of Research Design
1. Exploratory research design generates basic knowledge,
clarify relevant issues, uncover variables associated with a
problem, uncover information needs, and/or define
alternatives for addressing research objectives. Exploratory
research design is considered as very flexible, open-ended
process.

2. Descriptive research design provides further insights into the

research problem by describing the variables of interest – the
who, what, where, and the how – of the research
It is used for profiling, defining, segmenting, estimating,
predicting, and examining associative relationships.
3. Causal research design is designed to provide information of
associations or impact of one variable on another.
 Three Research Approaches
Observational
Research
Gathering data by
Observing people, Survey
actions and solutions Research
Asking
(Exploratory) Experimental
individuals about
attitudes, Research
preferences or Using groups of
behaviors People to determine
(Descriptive) cause and effect
relationships
(Causal)
Most Widely Used Form
Types of Research Designs
 Research Design Process
Step 1: Define the Research Problem
Step 2: Estimate the value of the information to be provided by the
research
Step 3: Select the Data Collection Method

Step 4: Select the Measurement Techniques

Step 5: Select the Sample
Step 6: Select the Analytical Approach
Step 7: Evaluate the Ethics of the Research
Step 8: Specify the Time and Financial Cost

Step 9: Prepare the Research Proposal

 Components of a Research Proposal
1. Problem Definition

2. Study Approach and Sampling Strategies

3. Sources of Data
4. Instrumentation
5. Mechanism for Research Administration
6. Mechanism for Data Processing and Analysis
7. Confirmation of the Expertise Involved

8. Timeframe of the study

9. Cost of the study
 Variables Definition

• Known as a property of proposition being studied

• Also known as the constructs of a proposition

• A symbol to which we assign numerals or values

• Numerical value assigned to a variable is based on its

properties.
 Three General Examples of Variables

1. Dichotomous variables these variables have TWO

values, reflecting presence or absence of a property.

For example : pass or fail, exists or does not exist,

employed –unemployed, male – female, yes – no.
The dichotomous variables can be assigned with a
numerical value of “0” or “1” for analysis purpose.
2. Discrete Variables these are categorical variables.
• For example: the demographic variables race or
religion are the examples of discrete variables.
• Religion: Hindu, Islam, Buddhism and Roman Catholic
can be assigned numerical values of 1, 2, 3 and 4
respectively.
• The numerical values assigned to these variables will be
of absolute nature; not like 3.5 or 4.7.
3. Continuous Variables these variables take on values

with a given ranged or, in some cases, an infinite set.

For example, test scores may range from 0-100, age

may be 2.5 years, present income of a person could be

$4,000, you may disclose your property worth more than

$200, 000.
 Sampling Plan

• Population is the totality of all the objects, persons,

and characteristics under consideration in your

research.

• Sample is a representative subset of a population. It

should possess all the characteristics of the

population.
 Determining Sampling plan

1. Determine who your respondents are in your research

study.
2. Determine whether you wish to take into account the
entire population, or consider a representative sample.
3. Compute for the appropriate sample size.
 How to compute sample size
••  One of the formula which is popularly used to compute for
the sample size, n, is given as follows:
n=

Where N is the population size

n is the sample size
e is the degree of marginal error (1% or 5%)
4. Determine the sampling technique(s) you wish to

apply.

A probability sampling technique is a sampling

technique wherein each of the sample units has an equal

chance of being drawn. Otherwise it is considered a non-

probability sampling.
 Probability Sampling Techniques
••  Random sampling technique can very well be compared to
a lottery where all the sample units are placed in a box,
bottle or any container. Then, each of these sample units
are drawn one by one to get the needed sample size.
• Systematic sampling uses the formula:

= nth sample unit

• Stratified sampling is used when the sample units are
categorized in aggregates like units, departments or any
type of groupings.
 Probability Sampling Techniques
Example: a population of 400 college students includes 100
engineering students, 100 liberal arts students and 200
business students.
If the computed sample size is 200 at 5% significance level,
then the following proportionate sampling units are as
follows:
100/400=0.25 x 200 = 50 engineering students
100/400 = 0.25 x 200 = 50 liberal arts students
200/400 =0.50 x 200 = 100 business students
 Probability Sampling Techniques

• Multi-stage sampling the process of drawing the

desired sample is arrived at after performing a series
of selection.
• Table of Random Numbers these random numbers
can be drawn by using a scientific calculator or from a
Table of Random Numbers.
 Non - Probability Sampling Techniques
1. Convenience sampling is the least reliable. You are given a
freedom to informally choose your respondents who may
include your friends, neighbors or co-workers.

2. Purposive sampling techniques chooses a non-probability

sample that conforms to a certain desired criterion.
3. Judgmental non-probability sampling allows you to use your
discretion in selecting your sample.
4. Lastly, quota sampling is better known as the non-probability
sampling version of stratified sampling.
 Evaluation Checklists
1. Who are your respondents? Specify.
2. Having identified your responses, will you be working on.
_____a population or _____ a sample
3. If you need a sample, have you computed for the sample size? ___yes or
___no
4. If you need a sample, what sampling techniques will you use to draw your
sample units?
5. If you will use a probability sampling, what type(s) will you use?
___random ____systematic
___stratified ____multi-stage
___ table of random numbers
 Evaluation Checklist

6. If you will use a non-probability sampling, what type(s)

will you use?
____purposive _____convenience _____judgmental

7. If all items have been considered, then continue.

THE END