Scientific Research Methods: ROIT 6106

Jimma University Institute of Technology: FECE

December 16, 2022

 Course Contents

I. Introduction to Scientific Research Methods

-Concepts of Research
-Objectives of Research
-Types of Research
-Research Process
-Criteria of a Good Research
II. Defining Research Problems
-Choosing Research topic(s)
- What is Research problem
- Selecting the Problem
- Techniques involved in defining a problem
-An Illustration

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 Course Contents . . .

III. Literature Review

- Introduction
- Purposes and Scope of Literature Review
- Sources of Literature Review
- Steps of Literature Review
- Reference Citation
- Writing Literature Review
IV. Research Design
-Hypothesis
- Deciding on the Title
- Research Strategies

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 Course Contents . . .

V. Data Collection, Sampling and Data Analysis

- Finding the Data
- Sampling Techniques
- Analyzing the Data
VI. Report Writing
-Proposal Writing
- Paper, and Thesis writing
- Publication

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 References

1 Kothari CR. Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International; 2004.
2 Booth WC, Colomb GC, Williams JM (2003). The craft of research, 2nd edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
3 Field A (2009). Discovering statistics using SPSS, 3rd edition. London: SAGE. Geertz C (1975). The interpretation of
cultures. London: Hutchinson.
4 Godwin J (2009). Planning your essay. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
5 Hong LY (2005). Research Methods in Engineering and Science. 1st ed. Australia: Curtin University of Technology.
6 Jolly L (2009). An Overview of Research Methods in Engineering Education. Toowoomba: University of Southern
Queensland.
7 McNiff J, Lomax P, Whitehead J (2003). You and your action research project, 2nd edition. London: Routledge.
8 Randolph JJ (2008). Multidisciplinary Methods in Educational Technology Research and Development. 1st ed. Finland:
HAMK University of Applied Sciences.
9 Thomas G (2011). How to do your case study. London: SAGE.
10 Williams K (2009). Getting critical. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
11 Williams K, Carroll J (2009). Referencing and understanding plagiarism. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

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 Introduction to
Scientific Research
Methods:

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 Outlines

1 Meaning of Research

2 Objectives of Research

3 A Scientific Research Method

4 Types of Research
Basic Research
Applied Research
Quantitative Vs Qualitative Researches
Conceptual Vs Empirical

5 Research Process

6 Criteria of Good Research

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 Meaning of Research

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 Meaning of Research

Research in common sense refers to for (new) knowledge/facts

through objective, systematic and scientific method of finding solution
to a problem.

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 Meaning of Research

Research in common sense refers to for (new) knowledge/facts

through objective, systematic and scientific method of finding solution
to a problem.
It can be also defined as a scientific systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic.

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 Meaning of Research

Research in common sense refers to for (new) knowledge/facts

through objective, systematic and scientific method of finding solution
to a problem.
It can be also defined as a scientific systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic.
Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used
in a technical sense.

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 Meaning of Research

Research in common sense refers to for (new) knowledge/facts

through objective, systematic and scientific method of finding solution
to a problem.
It can be also defined as a scientific systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic.
Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used
in a technical sense.
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.

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 objectives of Research

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 objectives of Research

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into

it (studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or
formulative research studies);

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 objectives of Research

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into

it (studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or
formulative research studies);
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with
which it is associated with something else (studies with this object in
view are known as diagnostic research studies);

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 objectives of Research

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into

it (studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or
formulative research studies);
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with
which it is associated with something else (studies with this object in
view are known as diagnostic research studies);
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such
studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies).

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 Research is not. . .

Research isn’t information gathering:

▶ Gathering information from books, journal articles, conference papers
and/or the Internet isn’t research.
▶ Information gathering has no contribution to new knowledge.
Research isn’t the transportation of facts:
▶ Merely transporting facts from one resource to another doesn’t
constitute research.
▶ No contribution to new knowledge although this might make existing
knowledge more accessible.

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 A Scientific Research Method . . .

There are hundreds of Scientific fields and disciplines:

▶ Natural Sciences: Physical Science, Life Science, Computer and
Information sciences, Earth Environmental sciences;
▶ Social Sciences: Education, Business, Economics, Geography, History,
Linguistics, Political science, Psychology, Sociology.
▶ Medical and health sciences, Agricultural sciences, etc.
The fundamental governing principle they all share in common, that
distinguishes a science as a science is The Scientific Method.

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 A Scientific Research Method

Definition
Research methodology is the scientific procedures or techniques used to
identify, select process and analyze information about a topic. Following
scientific investigation principles, it includes:
Researching previous studies and current data to pose Research
Questions for current study.
Designing a Research “Protocol/Framework” to answer the research
questions.
Executing the research to create reproducible results.

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 Why Scientific Method in Research ?

The scientific method employed ensures:

Purpose/objectives clearly defined in
common concepts
Procedure enumerated to keep
continuity and replicability.
Carefully planned design leading to
objective results
Complete frankness; flaws reported
their effect estimated
Adequate analysis interpretation of
data with appropriate methods of
analysis

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 Why Scientific Method in Research ?

Carefully checked data for validity

reliability
Validity = the relationship between
observed and true values.
Reliability = reproducibility of
observed values.
Conclusions confined to those justified
by the data.

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 Types of Research

There are different ways of classifying research. However, research can be

classified in terms of:
Goal of research,
Specific objectives,
Approaches of research,
Designs,
Type of data used in research, and
Fields of study.

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 Types of Research. . .

The goal of research is problem solving.

The nature of the problem that the research attempts to solve could
be theoretical or practical i.e. building a theory or solving immediate
practical problems.
These two types of problems that the research tries to solve leads to
two broad classifications of research:
1 Basic Research
2 Applied Research

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 Basic Research

Basic research (also called fundamental or pure research) has as its

primary objective the advancement of knowledge and the theoretical
understanding of the relations among variables.
In basic research, the researcher is testing theory and ideas without
necessarily applying the results to practical problems.
It is concerned with generalizations formulation of theory.
It is basically concerned with the formulation of a theory or a
contribution to the existing body of knowledge.

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 Basic Research. . .

Basic research may take any of the following forms:

Where a totally new idea or explanation

emerges from empirical research which may
Discovery: revolutionize thinking on that particular
topic.

Where a new technique or method is

Invention: created.

Where an existing theory, technique or group

Reflection: of ideas is re-examined possibly in a different
organizational or social context.

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 Applied Research

Applied research is designed to solve

practical problems of the modern world,
rather than to acquire knowledge.
One might say that the goal of the
applied scientist is to improve the
human condition.
It is undertaken to solve immediate
practical problem and the goal of adding
to the scientific knowledge is secondary.

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 Applied Research. . .

Applied scientific research can be about

finding out the answer to a specific
problem, such as “Is global warming
avoidable?” or “Does a new type of
medicine really help the patients?”

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 Quantitative Vs Qualitative Researches

Quantitative research is based

on the measurement of quantity
or amount.
Qualitative research, on the
other hand, is concerned with
qualitative phenomenon, i.e.,
phenomena relating to or
involving quality or kind.

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 Quantitative Vs Qualitative Researches. . .

Quantitative Research tends to deal

with variables that have numeric values.
Measured expressed in terms of
quantity; Expression of a property or
quantity in numerical terms
Quantitative research helps:
Precise measurement; Knowing trends
or changes overtime.
Comparing trends or individual
organizations/units.

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 Quantitative Vs Qualitative Researches. . .

Qualitative Research looks at

variables which are binary (Yes/No),
have non-numeric values, or are
free-form text.
Involves quality or kind; Helps in having
insight into problems or cases
Qualitative Research methods are
designed to help researchers understand
people the social and cultural contexts
within which they live.
The goal of understanding a
phenomenon from the point of view of
the participants and its particular
social and institutional context is
largely lost when textual data are
quantified.
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 Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative
Researches

Quantitative: Qualitative:
Structured data; Unstructured data;
Statistical analysis; Summary;
Survey and experiments; Interview and observation;
Objective conclusion. Subjective conclusion.

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 Conceptual Research

Conceptual Research is that related

to some abstract idea(s) or theory.
It is generally used by
philosophers/thinkers to develop new
concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
It relies on literature.

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 Empirical Research

Empirical Research relies on

experience or involves
observation alone, often without
due regard for theory.
It is a data-based research, with
analyses coming up with
conclusions, which can be
verified by observation or It can also be called
experiment. “experimental research”; where
It is appropriate when proof is the researcher must: first
sought that certain variables formulate hypothesis or guess as
affect other variables in some to the probable results; then
way. collect facts (data) to
prove/disprove hypothesis.
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 Research Process

1. Formulating and clarifying a topic

What topic? which classification of research? organization or
universal?
What are the research questions? (research question clarifies the
objective)
It should be specific, clear and timely.
Choose the topic which you like. Don’t choose based on others!

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 Research Process . . .

2. Literature Review
What works are being done, and not done ?
What gaps are available in the literature?

3. Designing the Research

This is where to use the research methods. How to collect data ?
various data collection methods are available, but it should be chosen
carefully.
What gaps are available in the literature?

4. Data Collection
Choose based on your defined method.

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 Research Process . . .

5.Analysis
The data collected will be statistically analyzed to determine weather
the hypothesis proposed can be confirmed.

6. Writing (Report)
Writing must follow certain structure.
Particular writing pattern should be followed.

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 Research Process Guidline . . .

1 formulating the research problem;

2 extensive literature survey;
3 developing the hypothesis;
4 preparing the research design;
5 determining sample design;
6 collecting the data;
7 execution of the project;
8 analysis of data;
9 hypothesis testing;
10 generalisations and interpretation,
11 preparation of the report or presentation of the results ,i. e., formal
write-up of conclusions reached.

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 Criteria of Good Research . . .

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 Criteria of Good Research . . .

Good research is systematic: It means that research is structured with

specified steps to be taken in a specified sequence in accordance with
the well defined set of rules. Systematic characteristic of the research
does not rule out creative thinking but it certainly does reject the use
of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions.

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 Criteria of Good Research . . .

Good research is systematic: It means that research is structured with

specified steps to be taken in a specified sequence in accordance with
the well defined set of rules. Systematic characteristic of the research
does not rule out creative thinking but it certainly does reject the use
of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions.
Good research is logical: This implies that research is guided by the
rules of logical reasoning and the logical process of induction and
deduction are of great value in carrying out research. Induction is the
process of reasoning from a part to the whole whereas deduction is
the process of reasoning from some premise to a conclusion which
follows from that very premise. In fact, logical reasoning makes
research more meaningful in the context of decision making

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 Criteria of Good Research . . .

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 Criteria of Good Research . . .

Good research is empirical: It implies that research is related basically

to one or more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete
data that provides a basis for external validity to research results.

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 Criteria of Good Research . . .

Good research is empirical: It implies that research is related basically

to one or more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete
data that provides a basis for external validity to research results.
Good research is replicable: This characteristic allows research results
to be verified by replicating the study and thereby building a sound
basis for decisions.

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