Advanced Diploma

Research Methodology and Project (RMP470S)

Research Design & Research Methods

 Dr N. Dlangamandla
 Email: [email protected]
 14 August 2023
 Qualitative research
• Qualitative research relies on unstructured and non-
numerical data.

• The data include field notes written by the researcher

during the course of his or her observation, interviews
and questionnaires, focus groups, participant-
observation, audio or video recordings carried out by
the researcher in natural settings, documents of various
kinds (publicly available or personal, paper-based or
electronic records that are already available or elicited
by the researcher), and even material artifacts.
 Data collection tools:
Techniques or tools used for gathering data include:
Qualitative Techniques/Tools Quantitative Techniques/Tools
Interviews: these can be structured, semi- Surveys/questionnaires: which ask the same
structured or unstructured in-depth sessions questions to large numbers of participants or
with the researcher and a participant use likert scale with measure options a
numerical data

Focus groups: with several participants Observation: which can either involve
discussing a particular topic or a set of counting the number times a specific
questions. Researchers can facilitators or phenomenon occurs, or the coding of
observers. observational data in order to translate it into
numbers
Observations: On-site, in-context or role-play Document screening: sourcing numerical data
options from financial report or counting words
occurrences.
Document analysis: interrogation of Experiments: testing hypotheses in
correspondence (letter, diaries, emails, etc) or laboratory, testing cause and effect
reports relationships, through field experiment or via
quasi- or natural experiment
Oral history or life stories: Remembrances or
Research Design vs Research Methods
• The meanings of “Research design” and “Research
methodology” can be confusing and are sometimes
used interchangeably (Hofstee, 2006). In this course
they are defined as:
- Research design – a general technique which is not
focused on any specific problem, but can be applied to
a range of problems
- Research method – the way of going about determining
the answers to the research question, within the
chosen research design technique
Research design
• There are many accepted, established ways to design a research
project, each of which works well for different types of research
(for example see the list in Hofstee(2006):120).

• Remember that all research designs have some inherent

assumptions and specific requirements to work well. This means
they all have limitations and that you must investigate and think
carefully about which research design will work best for your
specific research problem and question.

• You then need to explain your research design and how it will
apply in your work, giving due consideration to its strengths and
weaknesses. Don’t try to use a research design that is radically
different from those known to work for your type of problem.
Adapt and apply one of the techniques described below. Note
that your methodology will fall within one of these design
techniques:
Possible research designs
• Survey based research

• Correlation based research

• Comparative research

• Experimental research

• Secondary data analysis

• Simulations and statistical modeling

 Survey based research
• In survey based research you need to obtain information
from a limited number of people, whom you presume
have the information you want, are willing to give it to
you and are representative of the larger group you wish
to investigate.
• Implementing such surveys generally ranges from the
use of carefully structured questionnaires to
(unstructured) in-depth interviews
• The important considerations are the type of questions
asked, how they are asked, the sample size and how
representative it is, time and cost to conduct the survey
and any ethical issues that may be relevant. Surveys can
be used to get opinions or simply factual information
Correlation based research
• In this type of research two or more variables are
compared statistically to establish if any relationship
exists between them.

• Bear in mind that variables not under consideration can

influence the results, reliable data (including sample size,
accuracy and how representative it is) can be difficult to
get and there is a danger of over-simplifying the
relationship(s).
Correlation based research
• This type of research is done to prepare for future
experimentation or when experiments cannot be done
for whatever reason.

• Confidence levels must be well known, and

generalisations must be made carefully.

• Again, this type of research generally is not encouraged

for this course.
Comparative research
• Comparative research must be systematic and focussed.
• Generally two products or processes for example are
investigated in depth and results compared to establish
the reasons for similarity or difference.
• The broader the comparison the more difficult this
approach becomes.

• In this type of research you need to make a case for

comparing the items, keep focussed and remember that
variables outside the study can influence it, making
conclusions more difficult.
Comparative research
• Comparative research is better suited to situations where
most variables can be controlled by the researcher e.g.
experimental work.

• It requires a very specific research question, tight focus

and carefully defined and executed methodology if the
results and conclusions are to be accepted.
Experimental research
• Experiments can be done in a laboratory (more control of
environment) or in the field (less control of environment), to
test a hypothesis or theory or to observe behaviour.

• Experimental research needs to record and explain results,

and implies that if others follow the same procedures they
will get the same results.

• Care must be taken in identifying and controlling variables

that are outside the scope of the experiments, as they can
influence the results.

• The accuracy of measurements must be determined and

things such as complexity, cost, interpretation of results and
in some cases, ethics, have to be considered.
Experimental research
• This research technique is generally taken as the classic
research design because, if done properly, allows others
to repeat the tests for the same results.

• However, it can be difficult and expensive to conduct

experiments that simulate real practical problems, and to
meaningfully interpret the results.

• Both of these are needed

Secondary data analysis
• In this type of research design data collected by other
researches is studied and analysed to check some aspect
of their work or to answer some additional question, and
requires that your analysis of the data has some
significance.

• There is much data available on a wide range of subjects,

so this can be a good approach as long as you can obtain
the data you need and determine its reliability and
limitations.
Secondary data analysis
• You also need to ensure the data are suitable for your
use, that you employ suitable analysis methods and that
the cost of getting the data (if relevant) is feasible.

• If these criteria can be met, the fields in which this

approach can be used are almost unlimited.
Simulations and statistical modelling
• Simulations and statistical models attempt to represent
practical situations or processes mathematically using
appropriate key variables.

• A simulation considers similar scenarios while a statistical

model tries to capture and describe the situation or
process.

• Both can be very useful and have large practical and

theoretical implications, but remember that
simplifications are always necessary, so these models
have limitations.
Simulations and statistical modelling
• This approach can be difficult.

• This difficulty can be compounded by insufficient reliable data to build

and evaluate models and by the need to include more variables than
originally envisaged.

• This could require simplifying assumptions resulting in modelling errors.

• It is therefore an approach that should be considered very carefully.

• However, if you have the skills and the necessary data, it can be
rewarding and interesting.

• Many real world problems exist, so the areas in which such an approach
can be applied are wide.

• If done successfully the significance of the results is large.

Simulations and statistical modelling
• This approach can be difficult.

• This difficulty can be compounded by insufficient reliable data to build

and evaluate models and by the need to include more variables than
originally envisaged.

• This could require simplifying assumptions resulting in modelling errors.

• It is therefore an approach that should be considered very carefully.

• However, if you have the skills and the necessary data, it can be
rewarding and interesting.

• Many real world problems exist, so the areas in which such an approach
can be applied are wide.

• If done successfully the significance of the results is large.

 Research
Methodology
Research Methodology
• This approach can be difficult.

• This difficulty can be compounded by insufficient reliable data to build

and evaluate models and by the need to include more variables than
originally envisaged.

• This could require simplifying assumptions resulting in modelling errors.

• It is therefore an approach that should be considered very carefully.

• However, if you have the skills and the necessary data, it can be
rewarding and interesting.

• Many real world problems exist, so the areas in which such an approach
can be applied are wide.

• If done successfully the significance of the results is large.

Research Methodology
• Research methodology – the way of going about determining the
answers to the research question, within the chosen research design
technique

➢Having finalised your research question and design, you must determine
how you are going to conduct your research to get to your answers.

➢You must define what data are needed,

➢how they will be obtained and analysed, and

➢how results will be presented in order to extract the required meaning.

➢This must be done in sufficient detail to enable anyone else to conduct a

similar study by reading this part of your proposal..
Components of research method

• Research instruments

• Data to be collected

• Analysis

• Presentation of results
Research instruments
• Anything you use to get your data

• For example laboratory equipment or a questionnaire.

• You must describe the design of the instruments, their specific

purpose and their reliability and validity,

• In order to show that you will get correct, reliable, believable data.

• Here you also need to mention any limitations of the instruments,

and understand the difference between simply collecting data and
knowing exactly what data you will collect.

• Even if your particular research doesn’t need instruments, you still

need data, so you must explain and justify here the source of your
data.
Data
• This refer to the measurements you will make

• Or the questions you will ask in interviews

• You must describe these in detail

• Referring to the journal article you’ve studied last week,

what data did they collect?
Analysis of results
• Data on its own won’t help you –
• you have to analyse it and extract some meaning.

• You must explain here how you intend to do this i.e.

➢what type of analysis will be applied to the acquired data and
➢how the results will be presented.
➢This may well require some brief detail on for example,
statistical methods to be used,

• Whatever you intend doing, you must show that the

analysis will lead to the desired information.
• Do not make statements such as “will plot graphs using
Excel”.
The criteria to consider are:
• Will the method allow you to completely answer the research
question and make valid conclusions?

• Do you believe in the method? Is it applicable to your

problem?

• Are you familiar and comfortable with what needs to be

done?

• Will the method result in reliable data? This is the first place
to look for a weakness in the proposal (and finally the
dissertation)

• How difficult will it be to acquire the primary data? Collecting

reliable data can be very challenging
The criteria to consider are:
• How difficult will it be to analyse the data? Do you have
the skills and resources to correctly analyse the data you
collect?

• Do you have access to the resources needed for the

method? Are they available when you need them? Can
you afford them?

• Will the method allow you to keep within your

timeframe? Consider such things as how long it will take
to collect primary data, get permissions, develop
software, develop equipment etc.? –all things that can
cause delays
The criteria to consider are:
• Will the method allow you to easily and thoroughly write
up the body of your dissertation (results, analysis,
discussion)?

• Does the proposed method align with your own strengths

and weaknesses?

• Will complying with ethical standards be possible?

Summary
• Keep your method as simple and reliable as possible –the
less complicated the better

• Clearly identify your research design and methodology.

Final details of methodology may not be available for the
proposal, but give a good, provisional indication to show
that your methodology will be relevant and acceptable

• Make sure your intended research method is compatible

with the aim and objectives of the research (show means
by which research objectives will be achieved), and
motivate why you think the method is appropriate
Summary
• Describe your procedures and indicate the sources of
your data in enough detail to enable other people to
duplicate the work

• Plan your investigation in phases, setting measurable

target dates

• Describe infrastructure needed and make sure that it will

be affordable and available, especially if you need
sponsorship or to use facilities or expertise at other
institutions or companies. If you do not show adequate
evidence of this in the proposal, it will be rejected
END