Chapter 1

Introduction to Research
Methods

1 Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University March 07/2017

 Chapter Outline
1) Meaning of research

2) Motivation of doing research

3) Research process

4) Types of research

5) Defining research problems

6) Research question/ formulation of

hypothesis

7) Developing research proposal

2 Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University -07/2017

 Meaning of Research
Research in common parlance refers to a search for
knowledge
 Research is simply the process of thoroughly studying
and analysing the situational factors surrounding a
problem in order to seek out solutions to it

The process of problem solving

 It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study,

observation, Comparison and experiment

3 Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

 Meaning of research cont…
 Research=Re+ Search,
 Re= anew, over again
 Search=to test and to probe
 Together, Research=a carefully, systematic study and
investigation in some flied of knowledge
 Basically, research is a scientific and systematic search
for pertinent information on a specific topic
 It is an art of scientific investigation
 Is a careful investigation or inquiry specially through
search for new facts in any branch of knowledge
 It is a voyage of discovery

4 Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

 Meaning of research cont…
Research is the systematic and objective of
 identification
 collection
 analysis
 dissemination
 and use of information

For the purpose of improving decision making related to

the
 identification and
 solution of problems and opportunities in business
decisions
Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017
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 Motivation of doing research

 What makes people to undertake research?

 What is the purpose to do Research

Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

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 Research Process

 Formulation the research problem

 Extensive Literature Review
 Developing or working hypothesis
 Preparing research design
-Determining Sample and Design
-Collecting the data( observation, interview,
questionnaire)
 Execution of the study
 Analysis of the data
 Generalization and Interpretation
 Preparing Research Report

7 Dr. Habtamu, Department of Management, Diredawa University 07/ 2017

 Stages in the Research Process
Define
Problem

Development of an approach Conclusions

to the problem and Report

Planning Processing and

Research design Analysing the Data

Gathering
the Data
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Dr. Habtamu, Department of Management, Diredawa University 07, 2017
 Types of Research
1. Basic / pure Research / Fundamental Research:
 Developing and testing theories and hypotheses that are
intellectually challenging to the researcher but may or may not
have practical application at the present time or in the future.

 The knowledge produced through pure research is sought in

order to add to the existing body of research methods.

 Mainly concerned with generalizations and with the

formulation of a theory
 Attempts to expand the limits of knowledge.
 Not directly involved in the solution to a pragmatic problem.
Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University Oct-16/2016
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 Basic Research Example
Research concerning some natural phenomenon or
relating to pure mathematics
concerning human behavior carried on with a view to
make generalizations about human behavior

Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

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 Applied Research/Action Research

 A current problem facing to the manager in the work setting and

demanding a timely solution is called applied research.

 Aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a

society or an industrial/business organization

 Conducted when a decision must be made about a specific real-life

problem

 This is an applied research which involves the researcher

diagnosing a local problem and finding solution to it in a local
setting

Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

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 Applied Research Examples
Research to identify social, economic or political

marketing research
 Should McDonald’s add Italian pasta dinners to its
menu?

Should Procter & Gamble add a high-priced home

teeth bleaching kit to its product line?

Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

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 Descriptive Research:
Includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different
kinds including correlational & comparative methods

The purpose of descriptive research is description of the

state of affairs as it exists at present

 Ex post facto research- the researcher has no control over

the variables

Examples:
Frequency of shopping, preferences of people

Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

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 Analytical Research:

The researcher has to use facts or information already

available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation
of the material

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 Quantitative Research: is based on the measurement of
quantity or amount
It is applicable in phenomena that can be expressed in
terms of quantity
Helps to quantify the variations
E.g. correlation, regressions, time series analysis, etc.

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 Qualitative Research:
Is concerned with qualitative phenomena. E.g. What make
people lazy?
E.g. Motivational Research : It is important in
behavioral science
This type of research aims at discovering the underlying
motives and desires of human beings, using in-depth
interviews

. Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

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 Conceptual Research: is related to some abstract
ideas/theory.
 It is generally used by philosophers to develop new concept
and interpret existing ones.
Empirical Research: Relies on experience or observation
alone, often without due regard for system and theory
 It is data based research
 It can be also called experimental research
 In this research it is necessary to get fact first hand at their
source, to prove/disprove the hypothesis
 Depend up on experience or observation of phenomena or
events
17 Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017
 Causal Research:
undertaken with the aim of identifying cause and effect
relationships amongst variables
Often difficult to determine because of the influence of
other variables (concomitant Variation and the presence
of other hidden variables)
Example: Higher ice-cream consumption causes more
people to drown (indicative of a causal relationship ?

18 Dr. Habtamu, School of Post graduate , Diredawa University 07/2017

 Defining Research Problem
 A broad statement of the general problem and
identification of the specific components of the
research problem
some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the
context of either a theoretical or practical situation and
wants to obtain a solution for the same
 Defining a research problem is a pre-requisite for any
study

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 Defining Research problem…
 It is crucial part of a research

 Formulation of Research problem is often more essential

than its solution

 when the problem is clearly defined ,answer for the

following and the like questions will be found

-what data are to be collected?

-what relations are to be explored?

-What techniques are to be used? etc.

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 Selecting the problem
Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen
Controversial subject should not become the choice of an
average researcher
Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided

The subject selected for research should be familiar and

feasible so that the related research material or sources of
research are within one’s reach

The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the

training of a researcher, the costs involved & the time
factor
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 TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A
PROBLEM
Statement of the problem in a general way
o undertake some sort of preliminary survey or pilot survey
o may contain various ambiguities (cool thinking and
rethinking over the problem is required

• Understanding the nature of the problem

o understand its origin and nature clearly
o discussion with those who have a good knowledge of the
problem concerned or similar other problems
o keep in view the environment

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 Cont…
Surveying the available literature
 literature concerning the problem at hand
 relevant theories in the field, reports and records
 “Knowing what data are available often serves to narrow
the problem itself as well as the technique that might be
used.” Help to know if there are certain gaps in the theories
Developing the ideas through discussions

 discussing the problem with colleagues and others who

have enough experience in the same area
 This is quite often known as an experience survey

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 Cont…
Rephrasing the research problem
 rephrase the research problem into a working
proposition.
 may help in the development of working hypotheses

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