RESEARCH METHODS

Lecturer: Bridget Nakangu

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

WHAT ARE
YOUR
EXPECTATION
S IN THIS
COURSE
UNIT?
 RESEARCH METHODS VERSUS
METHODOLOGY
Research methods include all the
techniques and methods which have
been taken for conducting research where
as research methodology is the
approach in which research troubles are
solved thoroughly.

It is a science of studying how

research is conducted
systematically.

In this field the researcher explains

themselves with the different steps
generally taken to study a research
problem
 RESEARCH METHODS : Rationale?
Why do we study Research Methods?

1) An empowerment tool towards dissertation writing.

A dissertation is an extensive written piece of research report where by a

scholar is assigned to an investigation specific to a given problem.

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on

original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or
postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided

into at least four or five chapters
 RESEARCH METHODS : Rationale?
Why do we study Research Methods?

2) To empower the prospective 3) To improve rational thinking and

future architect with basic professional way of doing things
and systematic skills /
competences towards 4) To transform the concluding
finding answers or undergraduate architect from being a
solutions concerning mere classroom or lecture room
societal or developmental residents into a prospective public
problems for which the citizen and a contributor to the
prospective answers are not national produce through critical
yet available. thinking, investigative, presentation
and team work skills.
 THE NATURE OF
ResearchRESEARCH
is an art of systematic
investigation.
The term Research is related to the action of seeking information and
knowledge on a particular topic or subject.

Research can also be described as systematic and objective analysis

together with recording of controlled observations that may lead to the
development of reliable generalizations

Research can therefore be termed as the process of systematic inquiry that

entails collection of data; documentation of critical information; and
analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance
with suitable methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic
disciplines (Hampshire College, 2022)
 THE NATURE OF
RESEARCH
Research also means any sort of careful, systematic and patient
investigation in some field of knowledge undertaken to discover and
establish facts

Research can be defined as an approach of scientific inquiry and

systematic application of scientific method to the solution of a given
problem

Research can also be the development of principles of theories resulting

into predictions and possible control of events and a way of acquiring
information

A scientific approach to systematic inquiry for generating the truth and

information or knowledge by use of recognized procedures of data
collection, analysis, interpretation and conclusion
 THE NATURE OF
RESEARCH
A good Research should be;

 Systematic

 Organized

 Well Planned

 Have specific goals

 Involve observing, theorizing, experimenting to a theory or set of

theories, drawing conclusions and reporting results
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
RESEARCH
 Research is a process

 Research is intended to solve problem, i.e. without a problem to be

solved, there is no need for research

 Research should be thorough, i.e. it involves a deep inquiry

 Research is systematic, i.e. it follows logical steps

 Research should be given attention

 Patient, meaning it may take long

 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
The major aim of any type of research is to find out the reality and facts
which is unknown and which has not been exposed. Although each
research activity has its own particular reason, the objectives of research
can be grouped into the following categories :
• To achieve skillfulness with a trend or With something else (research
to get novel opinions into it with this objective are known
(research with this objective can be as diagnostic research);
termed as exploratory or
formulative); • To test a hypothesis of a
reasonable liaison between
• To find out the characteristics of a different variables (this type
particular character, condition or a of research can be grouped
grouping (research with this objective into hypothesis-testing
can be termed as descriptive research ).
research);
 IMPORTANCES OF RESEARCH
 To allow us develop and demonstrate ability to collect data
relevant to a given problem, process it and analyse the data to
enable us make independent judgements basing on the analysis and to
write clear reports

 To enable us have an insight into societal problems and find ways to

solve them

 To help in generating/ discovering new knowledge. i.e. facts and

methods of practice. New knowledge is generated and thus something
that hasn’t been is existence is introduced. For example, coming up with
new methods of research that haven’t been in existence.

 To validate Knowledge. This can be done by checking on the existing

knowledge to prove or disprove this validity . For example a study can be
carried out to discover whether a certain drug can cure a certain disease
or whether a certain law can help to overcome a certain crime in society
 IMPORTANCES OF RESEARCH
 To help us in discovering a phenomena so as to provide
understanding of a phenomena. For example; certain characteristics
or events that can help to describe the issue clearly like size, shape, age,
weight, speed, etc.

 To help us to predict a phenomena for example; Ability to estimate

interaction of phenomenon like movement of the earth and sun are useful
in the prediction of seasons

 To help us control phenomenon. Ability to regulate a given event or

phenomenon

 Research helps us to develop a theory. i.e Involves formulating laws,

concepts and generalizations about a given phenomenon
 RESEARCH
Research is a pedagogic action the term should
be used in a technical sense.

According to Clifford Woody research comprises

defining and redefining problems, formulating
hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting,
organizing and evaluating data; making
deductions and reaching conclusions; and at
last carefully testing the conclusions to
determine whether they fit the formulating
hypothesis

In other words, research takes the form of a

cyclical process
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
o A research process is a pathway that we follow to carry out a research project

o Research process consists of sequence of actions or steps necessary to effectively

carry out research and the desired progression of these steps. The chart shown in the figure

below represents a research process.

o The research process has several steps that ought to be followed in a strictly prescribed

sequence otherwise researcher may face the problem in completion of the research.

o In the research process, each step is specific and they are separate and distinct from each

other. However, the following order relating to various steps provides a useful procedural

instruction regarding the research process:

 THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Figure showing a research process (Shanti and Shashi,

2019)

1) Identification of research problem 6) Data collection

2) Broad literature survey 7) Analysis of data
3) Hypothesis formulation 8) Hypothesis testing
4) Preparation of research design 9) Generalizations and interpretation
5) Determining sample design 10) Preparation of the report or presentation of the
results
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Identification of the problem
This is also known as the research title/topic of investigation

Research begins with identifying a problem or a topic which deals with issues of
sufficient consequences to warrant investigations

 It must be a problem for which the answers are not yet available but
for which the means of finding answers through collection and
analysis of data are available
 It can also be said to be a general question which serves as a focus for the
researcher’s investigation
 Once the problem is formulated, a research must turn it into an ideal topic
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Modalities to determine whether the topic is good
There are four essential characteristics or qualities which constitute the
acceptance of a research title

1. The research must be feasible

• It is such that it can be investigated with undue amount of time, energy and
financial resources
• It is also that your own personal competences can enable you to handle a
topic
• It must also be feasible in terms of having adequate subjects, adequate
technical expertise of the investigator and manageable in scope.

2. The title must be Clear

This means that most people agree to what the key words in the title mean.
E.g the board of studies, the expert disciplines, general public as well
The title should not be like a love letter, romantic. Title shouldn’t be too wordy
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Modalities to determine whether the topic is good
There are four essential characteristics or qualities which constitute the
acceptance of a research title

• The title should be with familiar words that are understandable with correct
syntax (correct word order) and free of abbreviations.
• It should be concise and specific
• It should be informative and interesting and convey maximum information in
a few word

3. The title is significant for now and the future.

That is, it is worth being investigated because it will contribute knowledge and
bring about benefits to human conditions in the form of knowledge in the field
and to your profession.
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Modalities to determine whether the topic is good
There are four essential characteristics or qualities which constitute the
acceptance of a research title

4. The title is ethical

• This calls for the fact that it must not lead to physical, psychological or
other type of harm, damage or destruction to human beings or the
environment in which the research is to be undertaken
• It should be harmless
• It is socially, emotionally, clinically, psychologically and physically safe to
conduct as required by the international code of conduct known as 1947
Nuremberg Code of Research Ethics. This code follows 2nd world war
dangerous crimes.
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
1947 NUREMBERG CODE OF RESEARCH
ETHICS
Lessons from the 1947 Nuremberg Code of Research Ethics

 The research participants must voluntarily consent to research participation

(They must agree)
 Research aims should contribute to the good of the society, not destruction
 Research must be based on sound theory
 Research must avoid unnecessary physical and mental suffering (Should not
cause harm to the people with the problem)
 No research projects can go forward where serious injury or death are
potential outcomes
 The degree or risk taken with research participants must never exceed the
benefits of the research
 Proper environment and protection for participants must be established
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Broad Literature
Review
After the identification of research problem, the researcher must study all available
literature to get themselves familiar with the selected problem. They may review two
types of literature first is the conceptual literature which is related to the concepts and
theories, and second is the empirical literature which consisting of previous studies
similar to the proposed research problem.

The researcher should undertake vast literature survey concerned with the problem.
For this purpose, the abstracting and indexing journals and published or unpublished
bibliographies are the first place where researcher can get the information or
knowledge. Academic journals, conference proceedings, government reports, books
etc., must be hit depending on the nature of the problem.

After this the researcher revise the problem into analytical or operational terms i.e., to
put the problem in as specific terms as possible. This assignment of formulating, or
defining, a research problem is a important step in the entire research process. Once
the problem is formulated, a synopsis of it should be written down.
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Hypothesis
Formulation
After the literature survey, researcher should make a hypothesis or working
hypothesis. Working hypothesis is a guess made to test the logical or
empirical outcome of a research.

A hypothesis assists to explain the research problem and objective into a

comprehensive explanation or prediction of the expected results of the study.
Hypothesis is derived from the research problem, literature review
and conceptual framework.

Since Hypothesis is to be tested therefore it should be very specific and limited

to the piece of research. It sharpens the researcher’s thinking and focus on the
important facts of the problem.
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Hypothesis
Formulation
There are many definitions of a hypothesis. According to Kerlinger, ‘A
hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relationship between two or more
variables’ (1986: 17).

Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (1976) defines a hypothesis as:

a proposition, condition, or principle which is assumed, perhaps without
belief, in order to draw out its logical consequences and by this method to test
its accord with facts which are known or may be determined.

Black and Champion define a hypothesis as ‘a tentative statement about

something, the validity of which is usually unknown’ (1976: 126).
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Hypothesis
InFormulation
another definition,

Bailey defines a hypothesis as: a proposition that is stated in a testable form and that
predicts a particular relationship between two (or more) variables. In other words, if we
think that a relationship exists, we first state it as a hypothesis and then test the
hypothesis in the field. (1978: 35)

to Grinnell:
A hypothesis is written in such a way that it can be proven or disproven by valid and
reliable data – it is in order to obtain these data that we perform our study. (1988: 200)

From the above definitions it is apparent that a hypothesis has certain

characteristics:

1 It is a tentative proposition.
2 Its validity is unknown.
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Hypothesis
Formulation
Hypothesis formulation could be done by using the following approaches:

(a) Discussions with colleagues and experts about the research problem, its
source, cause and the objectives in search of a solution;
(b) Assessment of data and records,
(c) Evaluation of similar previous studies in the area similar problems; and
(d) Personal investigation which involves original field survey

Thus, any hypotheses take place as a result of a-prior thinking about the
subject, assessment of the available data and material including related
previous studies. Formulation of working hypotheses is a basic step of any
research process
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Hypothesis
Formulation
A hypothesis is important in terms of bringing clarity to the research problem.

Specifically, a hypothesis serves the following functions:

•• The formulation of a hypothesis provides a study with focus. It tells you

what specific aspects of a research problem to investigate.

•• A hypothesis tells you what data to collect and what not to collect, thereby
providing focus to the study.

•• As it provides a focus, the construction of a hypothesis enhances

objectivity in a study.

•• A hypothesis may enable you to add to the formulation of theory. It

enables you to conclude specifically what is true or what is false.
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Research Design

A research design is a plan, structure and strategy of investigation so

conceived as to obtain answers to research questions or problems. The
plan is the complete scheme or programme of the research. It includes an
outline of what the investigator will do from writing the hypotheses and their
operational implications to the final analysis of data (Kerlinger 1986: 279)
A traditional research design is a blueprint or detailed plan for how a
research study is to be completed—operationalizing variables so they
can be measured, selecting a sample of interest to study, collecting data to be
used as a basis for testing hypotheses, and analysing the results. (Thyer 1993:
94)
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Research Design
A research design is a procedural plan that is adopted by the researcher
to answer questions validly, objectively, accurately and economically.

According to Selltiz, Deutsch and Cook, ‘A research design is the arrangement

of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to
combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure’ (1962:
50).
 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Research Design
A research design, therefore, should do the following:

•• Name the study design

•• Provide detailed information about the following aspects of the study:

– Who will constitute the study population?
– How will the study population be identified?
– Will a sample or the whole population be selected?
– If a sample is selected, how will it be contacted?
– H ow will consent be sought?
– What method of data collection will be used and why?
– In the case of a questionnaire, where will the responses be returned?
– H ow should respondents contact you if they have queries?
– In the case of interviews, where will they be conducted?
– H ow will ethical issues be taken care of?