DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

METHOD Group Seven (7)

 GROUP MEMBERS
1. Astley Masvingise R198957T
2. Anesu H Mbeva R195605M
3. Bennet Mhlanga R195861B
4. Panashe Mishoni R195895K
5. Calvin Mhongwe R195866Z
6. Kuzivakwashe Matimbe R195835X
7. Tranos Maungira R195921H
8. Munyaradzi Matindike R195344H
9. Norale Matanda R1910327
10. Matawu Shepherd T R181601B

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 QUESTION

With examples of theoretically valid and methodologically rigorous studies in your field of study, discuss
the given research methods( Descriptive Research). In your presentations you need to highlight the
following:
- Definition, theories, and purpose
- Research Design
- Protocols for data collection
- Data sources and data collection methods
- Data analysis techniques and interpretation of results
- Advantages and disadvantages

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 DEFINITION, THEORIES AND PURPOSE

• Research methods are defined as the strategies, processes or techniques used in the collection of data or
evidence for analysis in order to uncover new information or create better understanding of a topic.
There are different types of research methods which use different tools for data collection.

• Calderon (2006), defined descriptive research as a purposive process of gathering, analyzing,

classifying, and tabulating data about prevailing conditions, practices, processes, trends, and cause-
effect relationships and then making adequate and accurate interpretation about such data with or
without or sometimes minimal aid of statistical methods.

• Descriptive research aims to accurately and systematically describe a population, situation or

phenomenon. It can answer what, where, when and how questions, but not why questions. For example
it can help us know the number of students at University of Zimbabwe who owns Laptops but doesn’t
4 give us the reasons associated.
 STEPS TO CONDUCT A DESCRIPTIVE
RESEARCH DESIGN STUDY.
A research design is a method for answering research problems using data derived from reliable
measurement or observation.
Is a plan for collecting and utilizing data so that the desired information can be obtained with sufficient
precision or so that a hypothesis can be tested successfully.

1. Outline the Aim of the research problem

• The first step in descriptive research is clearly outlining the aim. Clearly determine the research
method that is best suited to give answer to the problem.

2. Outline the Objectives of the Study

• The second step is to identify the objectives of the research.
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 RESEARCH DESIGN CONTINUES-------------
3. Determine the Tools and Techniques to be used for Data Collection
• Tools that are used to collect data must be identified. These can be questionnaires, observation
schedules and interviews. They must be relevant to the research method being used.
4. Define​​ Target Population and Sample Group
• Outline your target population. This will be the group of people you are examining in your research.
5. Selecting a Method for Data Collection
• Clearly outline your intended plan on how you are going to collect data. This involves clearly outlining
the data you need, the tools that will be used to collect it, the time that will be required to collect the
data and the amount of fieldwork that will be required.
6. Analyze the Data Collected
• Evaluate the data collected from all the sources used. Based on the desired analysis, use the data to
perform various Quantitative or Qualitative analysis techniques.
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7. Write the Report
• Report writing. This is based on the findings of a research undertaken.

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 PROTOCOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION
The basic protocols of data collection include:

 keeping things as simple as possible

 setting goals and planning the entire process of data selection, collection, and analysis

 Ensuring that any data collected is valid, reliable and credible

1. Keeping things as simple as possible.
In any project, programme or organisation, basic monitoring needs to be carried out. As an example,
monitoring a project may involve simple process such as conducting regular meetings, reviewing
documents or records, discussing issues informally with staff, etc. in this case there is no need of engaging
in complex methodologies of data collection and analysis.
2. Planning the whole process
It is very important to know why information is needed before collecting it. A common encountered
among org would be to collect information before working out how it will be analysed or used
3. Ensuring reliability, credibility, and validity
Data is considered reliable when there is confidence that similar results would be obtained if the data
collection
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was repeated within the same methods.
 DATA SOURCES AND DATA COLLECTION
METHODS
There are three main data collection methods in descriptive research, namely: observational method, case study method,
and survey research.

1) Observational Method
• Allows you to gather data on behaviors and phenomena without having to rely on the honesty and accuracy of
respondence. It is the most effective method to contact Descriptive research. There are two types of observational
study method, and these are Qualitative and Quantitative Observational Research method. Advantages are that
the method is more accurate, and it is also the Simplest method to use. Disadvantages are that it is more costly
to contact, and it consumes a lot of time.
2) Case Study Method
• Defined as an intensive, and systematic study of a specific subject. The investigation may be of a single person,
business, event, or group.
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 DATA COLLECTION CONTINUES ……..

• They gather detailed data to identify the characteristics of a narrowly defined subject.
• Can be done Remotely hence time saving and cost reduction
• The disadvantage is that It takes longer to analyze the data that has been collected through case study.
3)Survey Method
• Used when you want information on a defined group to get an idea of the situation
• It is mostly administered using emails, mail, in person or over the phone
• It is standardized so that we gather the correct data that we are interested in collecting.
• The advantages are that It is quick as compared to other collection methods, Relatively easy to administer and
also It can be anonymous this means that people’s names are not exposed everything is kept confidential- There
is higher participation rate.
• The major disadvantage is that Respondents may not feel encouraged to provide accurate responses and honest
answers

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 DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES AND RESULT
PRESENTATION
• Data analysis is the process of collecting, modelling, and analysing data to extract insights that support
decision-making. There are several methods and techniques to perform analysis depending in Computer
Science.
• All these various methods are largely based on two core areas: quantitative and qualitative research.
• We are focusing on descriptive data analysis and inferential statistical analysis.

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 DATA ANALYSIS CONTINUES-------
a) Descriptive statistics
Performing descriptive analysis is essential, as it allows us to present our insights in a meaningful way.
Although it is relevant to mention that this analysis on its own will not allow you to predict future
outcomes or tell you the answer to questions like why something happened, it will leave your data
organized and ready to conduct further investigations.
The most common statistical techniques in this category are:
1. Mean – this is simply the mathematical average of a range of numbers.
2. Median – this is the midpoint in a range of numbers when the numbers are arranged in numerical order.
If the data set makes up an odd number, then the median is the number right in the middle of the set. If
the data set makes up an even number, then the median is the midpoint between the two middle
numbers.
3. Mode – this is simply the most commonly occurring number in the data set.
4. Standard deviation – this metric indicates how dispersed a range of numbers is. In other words, how
close all the numbers are to the mean (the average).
5. Skewness – As the name suggests, skewness indicates how symmetrical a range of numbers is. In other
words, do they tend to cluster into a smooth bell curve shape in the middle of the graph, or do they
skew to the left or right?
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b) Inferential Statistics

1. regression analysis – this is quite similar to correlation in that it assesses the relationship between variables, but
it goes a step further to understand cause and effect between variables, not just whether they move together. In
other words, does the one variable actually cause the other one to move, or do they just happen to move together
naturally thanks to another force? Just because two variables correlate doesn’t necessarily mean that one causes
the other.

2. Cluster analysis- The action of grouping a set of data elements in a way that said elements are more similar (in a
particular sense) to each other than to those in other groups – hence the term ‘cluster.’ Since there is no target
variable when clustering, the method is often used to find hidden patterns in the data. The approach is also used to
provide additional context to a trend or dataset.

3. Neural networks- The neural network forms the basis for the intelligent algorithms of machine learning. It is a
form of analytics that attempts, with minimal intervention, to understand how the human brain would generate
insights and predict values. Neural networks learn from each and every data transaction, meaning that they evolve
and advance over time.

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4. correlation analysis-  This type of analysis assesses the relationship between two variables. In
other words, if one variable increases, does the other variable also increase, decrease or stay the same.
For example, if the average temperature goes up, do average ice creams sales increase too? We’d
expect some sort of relationship between these two variables intuitively, but correlation analysis
allows us to measure that relationship scientifically.
5. Hypothesis test- It refers to an act in statistics whereby an analyst tests an assumption regarding a
population parameter. 
6. There are other Inferential or exploratory statistics which includes: Predictive analysis , Cross-
tabulation and many more

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 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
Advantages
1. The brevity by which descriptive investigations are carried out means that their costs are not high,
compared to other types of investigations
2. It enables both the collection of quantitative data and qualitative data.
3. They allow to formulate hypotheses, as well as provide a large amount of valuable data for the
development of future investigations.
4. You need less time for performing such types of research.
5. With descriptive research, you can get rich data that is great for future studies

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 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
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Disadvantages
1. If the questions are not well formulated, the answers obtained may not be entirely reliable, which
makes it difficult to carry out a credible investigation.
2. The types of variables that allow the study of descriptive investigations make it impossible to visualize
the causes and effects of the event.
3. The data obtained by conducting a descriptive research, being collected randomly, make it impossible
to obtain valid data that represent the entire population.
4. There are high chances of biases in the research findings.
5. Due to the observational nature, it is quite difficult to repeat the research process

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 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q &A-----------------------------------------

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THANK YOU

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