Professional Documents
Culture Documents
What is knowledge?
about facts.
Reasoning consist of two types:
Socrates is mortal
Socrates is human being
methods are:
…………..
1. Identification and definition of the problem:
A scientific inquiry starts with the
identification of a problem that is in need of
solution.
The problem identified must be defined in
of additional knowledge.
……
Research is defined as the systematic and
objective analysis and recording of
controlled observation that may lead to the
development of :
◦ generalizations,
◦ principles or theories,
◦ resulting in predicting and
◦ possible ultimate control of events.
….
The commonly used phrases to define the
concept of research are:
◦ An inquiry to obtain dependable and useful
information
◦ A scientific approach to study a problem and arrive
at a conclusion
◦ A systematic and objective search for reliable
knowledge.
Characteristics of research
Research is directed towards the solution of
a problem.
Research emphasizes the development of
descriptions.
……
consequential benefits
…………
Desire to face the challenge in solving
unresolved problems
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some
creative work
Desire to be of service to society
Desire to get respectability
criteria of good research
One expects scientific research to satisfy the following
criteria
The purpose of the research should be clearly defied
sufficient detail.
The procedural design of the research should be
carefully planned.
The researcher should report with complete
frankness.
The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate,
Best and Khan (1998) stated that all studies fall under one, or a combination of the
following types:
i) Historical research,
ii) Descriptive(qualitative & quantitative) research, &
iii) Experimental research.
Gay, Mills & Airasian (2009) classified research types based on:
studies.
It reports the way things are
Involves collecting numerical data to test hypothesis or
population once.
In longitudinal studies, surveys are administered to a
1. Dependent variable
2. Independent variable
3. Confounding(extraneous variables)
……….
The dependent variables are the measured
performances attributable to the influence of the
independent variable.
Confounding variables are those aspects of a study
or sample that might influence the dependent
variable( outcomes) and whose effect may be
confused with the effects of the independent
variable.
……..
5) Case study
Is an intensive investigation of an individual or a certain group (a
family, a group of delinquents, drop outs etc).
While the aim of survey is to scratch the surface, the case study
searches beneath the surface some times discovering the cause of
factors exposed by surveys.
The researcher gathers data about the
Past experiences
Present status & how these factors relate to each other
Problem identification
Definition of the problem
Survey/ review of the related literature
Formulation of research hypothesis /basic questions
Selecting and defining the research design and methodology,
Deciding and validating data gathering tools
Analysis and interpretation of data,
Summarizing the findings
Drawing conclusion
Suggesting possible solutions and
Taking action.
Selection/Identification of the Research
Problems
Research starts with a question or a problem for
which the answer is not available.
Identification of a problem does not mean to
conducted on it) .
Its relevance and practical value
It should be timely (currently “live” issue)
………
b. Internal criterion:
This is possible only when you have a clear picture about your topic. To
do this:
Enter into discussions with those who you think have better exposure
and knowledge in the area.
Make observation
Think about the problem
Make additional observations
Formulate a hypothesis
ii. Reading in the area. Despite its newness, the research topic
may have some link with the already attempted research
endeavours or accumulated knowledge in the area.
Importance of Hypothesis
A well-grounded hypothesis provides the following
advantages:
Represents specific objectives, which determine the nature
of the data needed to test the propositions.
Offers basis for selecting the sample the research
procedures and the statistical analysis needed.
Keeps the study restricted in scope thereby preventing it
from becoming too broad.
Sets a framework for reporting the conclusion of the study.
Characteristics of Acceptable Hypotheses
following characteristics.
i. Researchable
ii. A hypothesis must have explanatory power,
iii. A hypothesis must state the expected relationship between variables
e.g. there is a positive relationship between self-concept and
achievement in civics education .
iv. A hypothesis must be testable.
e.g. Mechanical engineering promotes “all rounded development of
students” All rounded, development “ makes this hypothesis hard to
test.
v. A. hypothesis must be consistent with the existing body of knowledge
(known facts or theories)
2.4. Components of Research Proposal
A) Cover page
The Title of the research proposal should incorporate the
following issues.
A good research title should be short, accurate and concise
Avoid too length titles. Note that the proposed study cannot be
fully presented in the title
The title shouldn’t be too brief.
A study title should be worded in such a way that it could give
sufficient information about the nature of the study.
……..
It should make the central objectives and
variable clear to the reader (reviewer).
It should provide the key words for
classification and indexing of the project.
……
B) The Inside part
1. Introduction
The introduction section deals with
research.
Objectives could be stated in the form of general
your study
1.6. Limitation of the Study (Optional at the proposal
stage)
Author(s) ____________________________
Title of the book/article________________
Date of publication____________________
Place of publication____________________
Volume Number ______________________
Page Number ________________________
Publisher _____________________________
Edition Number _______________________
Issue Number _________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
..
On the rest of the card you can take notes which you
made while reading the book or an article in question.
If the notes require you additional page, use
supplementary card and attach it to the first.
of the study.
5. Bibliography
A bibliography is a list of all the works referred in
due course of your investigation in alphabetical
order.
At the proposal stage, you can include all the
c) Publication information:-
The year may be placed after the author's name in the bracket.
Citing a book with more than three authors, you will name only
the first author and add "and others" or etal.
For example,
Silman, S., et.al. (1993). Hysteria Beyond Freud. Berkely:
University of California.
When the authors name is not indicated, start with the title of
the book.
For example,
The Constitution of the Federal Democratic republic of
For example
Sacala, C. (1930). “Maternity care policy in United State“. Unpublished dissertation. Boston
University.
E. Books with editor (s)
Entry:
Author's name (reverse it)
Publication information (city, agency and inclusive page numbers of the article).
For example,
Marshal, J.(1986). “Women Managers." In Mumy, Ford A.(ed). Hand Book of Management
For example,
Ministry of education. (1993). Basic Education