Chapter 1

Introduction to the Process of Research

 Definition of research
• Research is “Search of knowledge”- It is a scientific and
systematic search for relevant information on specific topic”.

• Research is a diligent search, studious inquiry, investigation or

experimentation aimed at the discovery of new facts and findings;
or, broadly, it may relate to any subject of inquiry with regard to
collection of information, interpretation of facts, and revision of
existing theories or laws in the light of new facts or evidence.

• Research is a scientific process systematically conducted to

solve problems, revise current knowledge or discovering new
facts
What is Research?

• The researcher asks a question

• The researcher collects data
• The researcher indicates how the data
answered the question
 Key words in definition of Research
Research: Is a process: Meaning that it goes through steps.
Research: Solve problems: That is, without any problem to be solved,
there is no need for research.
Research is:
* Systematic * Scientific Control * Empirical
Systematic: means step by step;
Scientific: means logical steps to follow
Control: covers lt’s scope/coverage
- E.g. Time-scope, geographical coverage/area;
- Respondents;
-Content-variable (variable the concept you investigated)
-Empirical: Evidence (data) based information
 Importance and Purpose of research
Importance of research
Research helps to:
 Generate knowledge - new knowledge/facts which never been existing.
 Validate knowledge - helps to prove existing knowledge or Check on the
existing knowledge to prove or disprove.
 Refine knowledge- Improve on the existing knowledge.
Purpose of research
 To discover new information, or knowledge
 To describe phenomena/event-identify it can be size, shape, weight,
perception, attitude etc.
 Predict phenomena-estimate
 Explain phenomena-accurate observation & measurement of a given
phenomena
 Explores or enables theory development: this is involves formulating laws
concepts and generalization about a given phenomena.
 To expand and verify existing knowledge.
 Importance of Research

• Reason 1: Research Adds Knowledge About

Educational Issues
– Addresses gaps in knowledge
– Expands knowledge
– Adds voices of individuals to knowledge
Importance of Research

• Reason 2: Research Helps Improve Practice

– Educators gain new ideas
– Educators gain new insight into methods
– Educators gain new insight into students
Importance of Research

• Reason 3: Research Informs Policy Debates

– Research helps people weigh different
perspectives on issues
– Research helps people make informed
decisions regarding policy
Importance of Research

• Reason 4: Research Builds Student

Research Skills
– Organizational skills
– Analytical skills
– Writing skills
– Presentation skills
 Classification of Research:
According to subject;
 Natural science/Pure Science research e.g. physics, math, chemistry
 Social Science/behavioral research e.g. history, business, mgt.
According to Scope (Unit of analysis);
 Micro research : The researcher examine individual(small) units but not a
group
 Macro research: The researcher examine in group (big units) but not
individual units.
According to purpose;
 Applied (Action): The researcher intends to use the findings immediately after
the study or Solution to immediate problem.
 Pure/Basic/ Academic: The researcher does not intend to utilize findings
immediately after the study.
Classification of Research:

According to approach;
 Quantitative research: are those researches which
based on variables, measured using numbers.
 Qualitative research: based on ideas presented using
words.
 Qualitative research use INTERVIEW.
 Quantitative research use QUESTIONNAIRE and set
the question
 Attributes of Good Research Study

• OBJECTIVE: A good research must answer the research

question.
• CONTROL: A good research must be able to control all variables.
• GENERALISABILITY: Generate similar result when used other
method.
• BIAS FREE: Research should be free from personal bias. It
should be based on objective and not on subjective matter.
• SYSTEMATIC: A good research study must have various well
planned steps, i.e. all steps must be interrelated and one step
should lead to another step.
Five major phases of the research process

 Conceptual phase: -Research Title

 Design & planning phase:- Proposal phase
 Empirical phase:- Data collection phase
 Analytical phase:- Data analysis phase
 Dissemination phase:- Report writing/final thesis.
 Conceptual phase: Research Title

 Is a thinking phase: is the phase you design what you want, it is the
most important phase of your research, it needs a critical thinking.
 Select an area of interest : must be related to area of specialization e.g.
course;
 Identify specific problem with in your area of interest;
 Identify the possible causes of that problem;
 Link the cause to the problem;(get one or more causes)
 Modify your statement further add the context & unit of analysis
Context: area of the study;
Unit of Analysis: Respondents/units to be studied
Three major characteristics research title

 Variables: two types of variables

i. Independent Variables(IV) - causes
ii. Dependent Variable (DV) -problem
 Unit of Analysis: respondents or units to be studied
 Context-environment or area of study
Define your variables:
i. Standard definition from text books/internet
ii. Operational definition you will use/involve the
specific components/indicators, or From your own
understanding.
 The Unit of Analysis

• The unit of analysis refers to the level of aggregation of the data

collected during the subsequent data analysis stage. If, for
instance, the problem statement focuses on how to raise the
motivational levels of employees in general, the unit of analysis
is the individual. We will be looking at the data gathered from
each individual and treating each employee’s response as an
individual data source.
• If the problem statement is related to group effectiveness, the unit
of analysis would be at group level. In other words, even though
we may gather relevant data from all individuals comprising, say
six groups, we would aggregate the individual data into group
data so as to see the differences among six groups.
 The Research Spiral

Identify the
Research Problem
Evaluate Data
and Review the
Write Report Literature

Analyze and Specify a

Interpret Research
Data Purpose
Collect Data
Research Spiral:
Identify the Research Problem
• Specify a problem
• Justify a problem
• Suggest a need to study it for
audiences
 Research Spiral:
Reviewing the Literature
• Locate the Resources
– Books
– Journals
– Electronic Resources
• Select Resources
– Determine the relevant resources for the topic
– Organize the resources by developing a
“Literature Map”
• Summarize the resources in a Literature Review
Research Spiral: Specify a
Purpose for the Research

• Identify the purpose statement

• Narrow the purpose statement to
research
– Quantitative: Research Questions and or
hypothesis
– Qualitative: Central Phenomenon and sub-
questions
Research Spiral:
Collecting Data
• Determine the data collection method
• Select the individuals to study
• Design data collection instruments and
outline procedures
• Obtain permissions
• Gather information
Research Spiral:
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• Breaking down the data
• Representing the data
• Explaining the data
Research Spiral:
Reporting and Evaluating Research

• Determine the audience for the report

• Structure the report
• Write the report sensitively and
accurately
 Ethical Considerations in
Research
• Respect the rights of the participants
• Honor the requests and restrictions of
the research site
• Report the research fully and honestly
Skills Needed for Research

• Curiosity to solve puzzles

• Lengthen your attention span
• Using the library and computer
resources
• Writing and editing
THANK YOU