RESEARCH METHODOLY

RESEARCH DESIGN
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
 Outline

Definitions
Classification of Research
Research Designs:
 Descriptive
 Correlation
 Comparative
 Experimental
 Simulation
 Action
Research Proposal
 Definitions

Research Methods versus Research Methodology

Research methods may be understood as all those
methods/techniques that are used for conducting
research. Research methods or techniques, thus, refer
to the methods the researchers use in performing
research operations.
Research methods include
 those methods which are concerned with the collection of data,
 those statistical techniques which are used for establishing
relationships between the data and the unknowns, and
 those methods which are used to evaluate the accuracy of the
results obtained.
 Definitions

Research Methods versus Research Methodology

 Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the
research problem. It may be understood as a science of
studying how research is done scientifically. In it we study
the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher
in studying his research problem along with the logic behind
them.
 Thus, when we talk of research methodology:
 we talk of the research methods,
 the logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research study
and
 explain why we are using a particular method or technique and why we
are not using others so that research results are capable of being
evaluated either by the researcher himself or by others.
 Definitions

Research Techniques versus Methods

Research techniques refer to the behavior and
instruments we use in performing research activities such
as making observations, recording data, processing data
and the like.
Research methods refer to the behavior and instruments
used in selecting and constructing research techniques.
Example: if the research we want to make is to observe
people as they perform some tasks. The method would be
Observation, while many different techniques could be
employed such as video recording, audio recording etc.
 Definitions

Research Design versus Research Method

Research design provides a framework for the
collection and analysis of data and subsequently
indicates which research methods are appropriate.
You can combine two or more types of research
design appropriate to your project.
Research design is also called Research Approach or
Research Type in some literature.
Once research design is set appropriate research
methods are selected.
 Definitions

Research Design versus Research Plan/Proposal

Research plan/proposal is the details of activities to
be conducted including time and budget. It is termed
proposal if it has to be evaluated by someone else. It
is termed just a plan if such evaluation is not
necessary.
Research design as defined previously.
 Classification of Research

Research can be classified based on the perspective of:

Applications of the findings of the research;
 Pure versus Applied
Objectives of the research;
 Descriptive
 Correlational
 Explanatory
 Exploratory
Mode of enquiry used in conducting the research.
 Quantitative (Structured) versus Qualitative (unstructured)
 Classification of Research

Pure Versus Applied

Research can either be applied research or fundamental
(basic or pure) research. Applied research aims at finding a
solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organization, whereas fundamental
research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with
the formulation of a theory.
Thus, while the principal objective of applied research is to
find a solution to some pressing practical problem, the
objective of basic research is to find information with a
broad base of application and add to the already existing
organized body of scientific knowledge.
 Classification of Research

A descriptive study attempts to describe systematically a

situation, problem, phenomenon, service or programme.
A correlational study is to discover or establish the
existence of a relationship /association /interdependence
between two or more aspects of a situation.
An Explanatory research attempts to clarify why and
how there is a relationship between two aspects of a
situation or phenomenon.
An Exploratory study is undertaken with the objective
either to explore an area where little is known or to
investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular
research study.
 Classification of Research

Quantitative Versus Qualitative

Quantitative research relates to aspects that can be
quantified or can be expressed in terms of quantity.
It involves the measurement of quantity or amount.
Various available statistical methods are adopted for
analysis in such research. Which includes
correlation, regressions and time series analysis etc,.
 Classification of Research

On the other hand, Qualitative research is concerned

with qualitative phenomena, or more specifically, the
aspects related to or involving quality or kind. For
example, an important type of qualitative research is
‘Motivation Research’, which investigates into the
reasons for certain human behaviour. The main aim
of this type of research is discovering the underlying
motives and desires of human beings by using
 Research Design: Descriptive

This design relies on observation as a means of

collecting data. It attempts to examine situations in
order to establish what is the norm, i.e. what can be
predicted to happen again under the same
circumstances.
‘Observation’ can take many forms. Depending on
the type of information sought, people can be
interviewed, questionnaires distributed, visual
records made, even sounds and smells recorded.
 Research Design: Correlation

This design is used to examine a relationship between

two concepts.
There are two broad classifications of relational
statements:
 an association between two concepts – where there is some kind of
influence of one on the other;
 a causal relationship – where one causes change to occur in the
other.
Causal statements describe what is sometimes called a
‘cause and effect’ relationship. The cause is referred to as
the ‘independent variable’, the variable that is affected is
referred to as the ‘dependent variable’.
 Research Design: Comparative

This design is used to compare past and present or

different parallel situations, particularly when the
researcher has no control over events. It can look at
situations at different scales, macro (international,
national) or micro (community, individual).
In this way comparative design is used to explore
and test what conditions were necessary to cause
certain events, so that it is possible, for example, to
understand the likely effects of making certain
decisions.
 Research Design: Experimental

Experimental research attempts to isolate and control

every relevant condition which determines the events
investigated and then observes the effects when the
conditions are manipulated.
At its simplest, changes are made to an independent
variable and the effects are observed on a dependent
variable – i.e. cause and effect.
Although experiments can be done to explore a particular
event, they usually require a hypothesis (prediction) to be
formulated first in order to determine what variables are
to be tested and how they can be controlled and
measured.
 Research Design: Simulation

 Simulation involves devising a representation in a small and

simplified form (model) of a system, which can be
manipulated to gauge effects.
 It is similar to experimental design in the respect of this
manipulation, but it provides a more artificial environment.
 Models can be mathematical (number crunching in a
computer) or physical, working with two- or three-
dimensional materials. The performance of the model must
be checked and calibrated against the real system to check
that the results are reliable.
 Simulation enables theoretical situations to be tested – what
if?
 Research Design: Action

Essentially, this is an ‘on the spot’ procedure, principally

designed to deal with a specific problem found in a particular
situation.
What are thought to be useful changes are made and then
constant monitoring and evaluation are carried out to see the
effects of the changes. The conclusions from the findings are
applied immediately, and further monitored to gauge their
effectiveness.
Action research depends mainly on observation and
behavioral data. Because it is so bound up in a particular
situation, it is difficult to generalize the results, i.e. to be
confident that the action will be successful in another context.
 Research Proposal

Project Title
To give the reader immediate access to the main
point or subject matter.
To give informative, not generalized, information.
To describe the contents of the document in the
fewest possible words
The title describes the main objective of the research.
 Research Proposal

Introduction
The proposal should start with an introduction to include
some of the information listed below.
Start with a very broad perspective of the main subject
area, before gradually narrowing the focus to the central
problem under investigation.
 an overview of the main area under study;
 a historical perspective pertinent to the study area;
 trends in the research thematic area;
 the main issues, problems and advances in the subject area under
study;
 important theoretical and practical issues relating to the central
problem under study;
 Research Proposal

Describing the Problem

 Having provided a broad introduction to the area under study,
now focus on issues relating to its central theme, identifying
some of the gaps in the existing body of knowledge.
 Identify some of the main unanswered questions. Here some of
the main research questions that you would like to answer
through your study should also be raised, and a rationale and
relevance for each should be provided.
 Identify what knowledge is available concerning your
questions, specifying the differences of opinion in the literature
regarding these questions if differences exist;
 Develop a rationale for your study with particular reference to
how your study will fill the identified gaps.
 Research Proposal

Problem Background
 Sometimes titled as Justification or Motivation
 The purpose is to describe the existing problem, current issues
or research gap
 One can state what has already been done or/and what has not
been done with respect to the topic
Problem Statement
 This is a brief statement or a paragraph that describes the
problem to be addressed by the project.
 Or this is the gap that has been identified to be addressed by
the project.
 Research Proposal

Objectives
The objectives of the study should be clearly stated
and specific in nature. Each specific objective should
delineate only one issue.

Accomplishing a specific objective may lead to

publishing a paper
 Research Proposal

General objective(s)
 States the aim of the project such that it significantly or fully
addresses the problem stated.
Specific objectives
 Specific objectives contribute to the general objective
 Each specific objective to be accomplished fully with in the
project time and resources
 Specific objectives to be achieved through some kind of
method and using some kind of material resources
 Specific objectives are not activities but specific objectives need
some activities and inputs to be accomplished
 Research Proposal

Literature Review
The broad functions of a literature review are
 to provide a theoretical background to your study and
 to enable you to contextualize your findings in relation to the
existing body of knowledge in addition to refining your
methodology.
The content of your literature review should reflect
these two purposes. In order to fulfill the first purpose,
 you should identify and describe various theories relevant to your
field; and
 specify gaps in existing knowledge in the area, recent advances in
the area of study, current trends and so on.
 Research Proposal

In order to fulfill the second purpose,

 Identify methods that are available in literature that will be
employed in your research. Explaining why you choose them.
 Identify some research results reported in literature that may
be later compared with your results.
 Research Proposal

Methods (and Materials) (Methodology)

 Describe the method (and materials) to be used to achieve each
specific objective
 The description should be clear and complete enough such that
any other research can repeat the work
 The major activities and inputs need may then be outlined for
each objective
 Methods can be:
 Numerical
 Experimental
 Case studies
 Research Proposal

Expected Results (sometimes Expected

Outputs/Outcomes)
 It is something that is expected as a result of the project
intervention.
 Expected result is something deliverable by the project
 Expected result can be something physical, document, change
of behavior etc.
 Research Proposal

Project Schedule
 Grouped under specific objectives, the activities are outlined
 The time period is assigned: monthly or quarterly
 The budget may be also assigned but commonly not necessary
 Use of Gantt Chart is useful
 Research Proposal

Budget
 Support the activities discussed in the proposal with
appropriate and reasonable budget
 Budget which does not reflect at activity level should not be
included
 Good budget estimates can be proposed if you make the budget
breakdown not too specific
 It has to be within the budget limit of the project but
unnecessary scaling up of budget to reach the maximum
budget allowed may have negative effect in evaluation process.