RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

TEVETA HONE
 Objectives
• By the end of this session students
should be able to:
• Define Research
• Describe the Research Paradigms
• Outline The Research Process
 Introduction
• What is Research?
• To go about seeking
• To investigate systematically
• Any gathering of data, information
and facts for the advancement of
knowledge
• A process of steps used to collect and
analyse information to increase our
understanding of a topic or issue
• systematic investigation into and
study of materials and sources in
order to establish facts and reach
new conclusions”
 Meaning

Research is an endeavour to discover answers to intellectual and practical

problems through the application of scientific method.

“Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge”.

-Redman and Mory.

Research is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information

(data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about
which we are concerned or interested.
 Meaning of Research
• Research refers to a search for knowledge
• Walliman (2001) argues that many of these
everyday uses of the term 'research’ are not
research in the true meaning of the word.
• As part of this, he highlights ways in which
the term is used wrongly:
• just collecting facts or information with no
clear purpose;
• reassembling and reordering facts or
information without interpretation
 Meaning of Research
• Research is a process of steps used
to collect and analyze information to
increase our understanding of a
topic or issue (John Creswel
• The objectives are:

• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve

new insights into it – Exploratory or Formulative
Research.
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group – Descriptive Research.
• To determine the frequency with which something
occurs or with which it is associated with something
else – Diagnostic Research.
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between
variables – Hypothesis-Testing Research.
 purpose of research
• The purpose of research is to
discover answers through the
application of scientific procedures.
• Documentation, discovery &
application to Communities of
Practice:
• Establish or confirm facts
• Reaffirm the results of previous work
• The purpose of research is to
discover answers through the
application of scientific procedures.
• Solve new or existing problems
• Support theorems
• Develop new theories
• Test the validity of instruments,
procedures, or experiments
 The objectives are:

• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to

achieve new insights into it – Exploratory or
Formulative Research.
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a
particular individual, situation or a group –
Descriptive Research.
• To determine the frequency with which
something occurs or with which it is associated
with something else – Diagnostic Research.
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship
between variables – Hypothesis-Testing Research.
 What is a research
paradigm?
• A research paradigm is a method,
model, or pattern for conducting
research
• . It is a set of ideas, beliefs, or
understandings within which
theories and practices can function.
• The majority of paradigms derive
from one of two research
methodologies: positivism or
interpretivism.
 The research process
• Three Steps of Research
• Pose a question,
• Collect data to answer the question,
and
• Present an answer to the question
 Significance of Research (Why
research?)
• Describe how research:
• May add new knowledge,
• influence theory or practice of a
discipline;
• Increase effectiveness of services or
policy
• or change people’s lives.
 Characteristics of Research

• Research is directed towards the

solution of a problem.
• Research is based upon observable
experience or empirical evidence.
• Research demands accurate
observation and description.
• Research involves gathering new
data from primary sources or using
existing data for a new purpose.
• Research activities are characterized
by carefully designed procedures.
• Research requires expertise i.e., skill
necessary to carryout investigation,
search the related literature and to
understand and analyze the data
gathered.
• Research is objective and logical – applying
every possible test to validate the data
collected and conclusions reached.
• Research involves the quest for answers to
unsolved problems.
• Research requires courage.
• Research is characterized by patient and
unhurried activity.
• Research is carefully recorded and reported.
CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH

• Purpose clearly defined.

• Research process detailed.
• Research design thoroughly
planned.
• High ethical standards applied.
• Limitations frankly revealed.
• Adequate analysis for decision
maker’s needs.
• Findings presented unambiguously.
• Conclusions justified.
• Researcher’s experience reflected.
 QUALITIES OF A GOOD
RESEARCH
• Systematic
• Logical
• Empirical
• Replicable
• Creative
• Use of multiple methods
 NEED FOR RESEARCH

• EXPLORATION
• DESCRIBE
• DIAGNOSIS
 TYPES OF RESEARCH

• Descriptive Research is a fact finding

investigation which is aimed at describing
the characteristics of individual, situation
or a group (or) describing the state of
affairs as it exists at present.
• Analytical Research is primarily concerned
with testing hypothesis and specifying and
interpreting relationships, by analyzing
the facts or information already available.
• Applied Research or Action Research is
carried out to find solution to a real life
problem requiring an action or policy
decision.
• Fundamental Research which is also known
as basic or pure research is undertaken for
the sake of knowledge without any intention
to apply it in practice.
• It is undertaken out of intellectual curiosity
and is not necessarily problem-oriented.
•
• Conceptual Research is generally used
by philosophers and thinkers to
develop new concepts or to reinterpret
existing ones.
• Empirical Research is a data based
research which depends on experience
or observation alone. It is aimed at
coming up with conclusions without
due regard for system and theory.
• One-time Research – Research
confined to a single time period.
• Longitudinal Research – Research
carried on over several time periods.
• Diagnostic Research – It is also called
clinical research which aims at
identifying the causes of a problem,
frequency with which it occurs and
the possible solutions for it.
• Exploratory Research – It is the
preliminary study of an unfamiliar
problem, about which the researcher
has little or no knowledge
• It is aimed to gain familiarity with
the problem, to generate new ideas
or to make a precise formulation of
the problem. Hence it is also known
as formulative research.