Introduction to Research

Methods

Dr. Robert Mugabe

0782365773
kakuhanda@yahoo.com
Course Aim and objectives
Aim
To give participants an appreciation of the
research process
Objectives
At the end of the module participants will
be able to:
Describe what research is and its
importance to their work places
Prepare a research proposal
Design research instruments
Collect data, analyze it and be able to
write research reports and disseminate the
findings.
NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH

Objectives
Participants will be able to:-
Define research
Appreciate the characteristics of research
Describe the importance of research
Describe research process/scope of research
Identification of research areas/topics
Describe the philosophies and types of research
Describe basic approaches to research
INTRODUCTION
 Curiosity and inquisitiveness is a common
characteristic of every human being.
 All of us are curious to know about our
selves, our organizations, our institutions, our
homes and families, our wives, our husbands
etc.
 There are a number of questions we always
ask our selves of which some are not
answered well and thus necessitates
investigation, thus need for research .
Meaning of Research
Research simply means a search for facts
or answers to the questions we ask.
It means seeking solutions to the
problems.
 It is a purposive investigation. It is an
organized inquiry. It seeks to find
explanations to unexplained
phenomenon, to clarify the doubtful
facts and to correct the misconceived
facts.
It seeks to find explanations to
unexplained phenomenon,
It is an advanced intellectual effort in pursuit of
truth
Organized, systematic, data-based critical
inquiry or investigation into a specific problem,
undertaken with the objective of finding
answers or solutions to it.
cotd
Scientific way of gathering (collecting
data), analyzing data, interpretation of
data and presentation of information about
a particular subject to clarify the doubtful
facts and to correct the misconceived
facts.
Another name for research is
investigation
Research is guided by a framework of
philosophies, procedures, methods and
techniques already tested for their validity
and reliability.
A research philosophy is a belief about
the way in which data about a
phenomenon should be gathered, analyzed
and used.
Ordinarily, the search for answers to the
questions we pose can be obtained in
two main ways:
1. Arbitrary, crude or rudimentary
methods. This involves imaginations,
opinion, blind belief or impression. This
method of gathering facts has incurable
weaknesses. It is subjective, the findings
will vary from one person to another
depending on his or her impression
2.  Scientific, logic, systematic
methods. This involves a
systematic rational approach to
seeking facts and it eliminates the
incurable effect of the above
method. This method is objective,
precise and it arrives at conclusions
on the basis of verifiable facts or
empirical evidence.
Why do we do research?
Generate and expand knowledge
Deal with problems, attitudes and opinions
Attempt to seek answers to questions.
Draw conclusions from data
Become “research literate.”
Because we live in a society that’s driven by
research.
purpose of research is to reduce the level of risk
of a decision
Aids in forecasting and planning
cotd
Improve our critical thinking skills.
 Learn how to critically evaluate published
research.
 Learn how to conduct research in case
the need arises one day.
To understand human behaviour and
action.
Others class discussion
Characteristics of Research
Research is Systematic; it starts with a
question that needs an answer or a
problem to be solved.
Research is Logical; it needs a plan and a
specific procedure to follow.
Research is Empirical; its findings must
be based on or supported by carefully
collected and analyzed data.
Cot’d
 Research is Reductive; i.e. main research
problem is broken down into more specific
and manageable sub-problems.
5. Research is Replicable; it can be done
again or repeated.
6. Research is Transmittable; study findings
can be applied in new settings.
7. Research is Cyclical; it does not end with
finding solutions to an identified problem
What Research Is Not
Research is not mere information
gathering.
Research is not mere transportation of
facts from one location to another.
Research is not merely rummaging for
information.
Research is not a catchword used to get
attention
Summary
Research is a process through which we
attempt to achieve systematically and with
the support of data the answer to a
question, the resolution of a problem, or a
greater understanding of a phenomenon.
RESEACH BEING SCIENTIFIC
Research is said to be scientific because it
involves the following :
  Searching for new knowledge- something new
 Systematic-it follows procedures
 Empirical-evidence and truth about the
information you have
 Carefully designed-not speculation
  Based on expertise
 Objective –can be interpreted
Types of Social Research

There are many kinds of social research.

Three dimensions are particularly
important these are;
◦ Basic research
◦ Applied research
◦ Evaluation research
Basic research
Basic research is designed to understand
the underlying principles behind human
behavior..
Basic research is sometimes called pure
research, fundamental research and
theory-based research.
cotd
It is the research for academicians.
It is not intended to solve a problem but
to extend a theory.
It is undertaken out of intellectual
curiosity.
It is not problem oriented. It aims at
extension of knowledge.
The findings enrich the storehouse of
knowledge
Cot’d
Basicscience investigations probe for
answers to questions such as:
◦ How did the universe begin?
◦ What are protons, neutrons, and electrons
composed of?
Basic research lays down the foundation for the
applied science that follows.
If basic work is done first, then applied
research.
Applied research.

Applied research is designed to solve a

particular problem in a particular
circumstance
It is referred to as useful research
 its emphasis is on solving a practical
problem.
The emphasis is not on theory but solving
a problem.
Cot’d
applied researchers may investigate ways
to:
◦ improve agricultural crop production
◦ Improve participants understanding of
research
◦ improve performance of pupils in primary
schools. e.t.c
• Applied research may lead to the
development of a theory.
Evaluation Research

Evaluation involves determining the worth,

merit, or quality of an evaluation object.
It is sometimes called impact research,
assessment research or social
accountability research.
its interest is in assessing the impact of an
intervention
Steps in the Research Process


.
Research process/scope of research
1. Select your topic ( identification of
problem)
2. Refine your topic (review of existing
literature)
3. Identify objectives
4. Choose approach (methodology)
5. Explore your topic (gather Data )
6. Analyze the Data
7. Write the report
Identification of Research
Area/Topic
Sources of research topics.
From the theories
From literature review
From area of your interest
Area of future carrier
Brainstorming
Discussion from friends
Consulting the professionals in the area of
your interest
Daily problems confronted
Note books where you keep your events
Problems affecting
organizations/communities, etc.
QUALITIES OF AGOOD
TOPIC
It should meet the specification of the
awarding institution
It should fit within the available resources
It should be researchable
Should enable you access data/information
easily
It should be in a new area that has not been
researched
It should enable you get solutions to your
research problem, etc.
Philosophy of research and types of
research (Methodology).
Philosophy of research. Research is
guided by number of philosophies some
of which include:
(i) Epistemology: It is the branch of
philosophy concerned with the nature and
scope of knowledge and is also referred to
as "theory of knowledge"
It questions what knowledge is and how it
can be acquired, and the extent to which
knowledge pertinent to any given subject
or entity can be acquired.
Much of the debate in this field has
focused on analyzing the nature of
knowledge and how it relates to
connected notions such as truth, belief and
justification.
Basic epistemological questions are
To what extent can knowledge exist
before experience?
By what process does knowledge arise?
How does one separate fact from fantasy
What constitutes meaningful statement
about reality
 (ii) Axiology: Axiology is the branch of
philosophy that examines values of the researcher
and the extent to which such values enter into the
research process.
It is the science of human values that
enables us to identify the internal valuing
systems that influence our perceptions,
decisions and actions - to clearly
understand "why" we do what we do!
Three questions
Can theory be value free?
To what extent does the practice of
inquiry influence that which is studied?
To what extent should scholarship
attempt to achieve social change?
(iii) Ontology: Ontology is the philosophy
that deals with the nature of reality (Hudson
and Ozanne 1988).
Types Of Research(By methodology)

1. Quantitative research
A type of research that describes
phenomena in numbers and measures
instead of using words.
 data is expressed in numbers and analyzed

using statistical methods.

 Quantitative research is positivism in

approach
Key elements of positivism

An objective truth exits

Truth revealed through use of scientific
method
Quantification
Researcher is independent from what is
researched
Deductive reasoning ( Moving from generalized
principles that are known to be true to a true and specific conclusion)
Quantitative methodology
38
2. Qualitative Research
 It is a type of research in which phenomena
are described in words instead of numbers.
 Its used in a situation were the data to be
collected may not be represented
numerically.
 Such data can not be analyzed statistically
but descriptively.
 It is called Interpretivisim in nature
Elements of Interpretivisim

Individuals construct own version of

reality-no objective reality
Aim of research is to understand and
interpret how individuals make sense of
that constructed reality
Researcher has influence on the context
in which they study
Inductive reasoning (moving from specific instances to a
generalized conclusion)
Qualitative methodologies
40
Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Approaches…
Difference Quantitative Qualitative

Approach Scientific and formal. Scientific and neutral.

Data Reduced to scores Presented in a narrative

description
Knowledge Concrete, conceptual and contextual and best
precise. Can be tested expressed by the owners
process of Inquiry
Linear, experimental. Cyclic and sophisticated.
“ how much, how many”. patterns of occurrences
Uses a random sample. “why, who, when”.
Uses non random samples
& cases.
Mode of Analysis Statistical.
Interpretative.

View of Reality Objective, singular & Subjective & multiple as

independent of the seen by the researcher
researcher
Relationship of the Withdrawn and Interacts with that being
Researcher independent of that being researched.
researched.

Role of Value Free of biased biased

Role of Research •Deductive: cause-effect.

• Inductive: mutual,
•Generalizations leading
to simultaneous studying
explanations/understandin
of factors.
g,
• Transferability
• Particularization of
cases
Why Individuals think research is
difficult
 Individuals are ill-prepared. 
 Individuals have the wrong perceptions about what
research is. 
 Individuals have difficulty in formulating a research
question. 
 Individuals have not undergone a creative thinking
course. 
 Individuals do not read widely enough. 
 Individuals do not know how to use the Web for
research (or CD-ROMs and the library as well!) 
 Individuals& their supervisors do not themselves fully
understand the research process and how to best
explain it. 
conclusion
The research process therefore should be
understood as one of ongoing planning,
searching, discovery, reflection, synthesis,
revision, and learning

END OF PRESENTATION,
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ARE
WELCOME.