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Lecture 8 Research Methodology

The document discusses key aspects of research methodology including research methods, methodology, and the research process. It defines research methods as techniques used to conduct research, while methodology refers to the overall framework and logic behind the choice of methods. The research process involves formulating the problem, conducting a literature review, developing hypotheses, designing the study, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting findings. Objectives in research must be specific and measurable in order to guide the study in answering the research question. Proper formulation of the research problem and objectives is essential for effective research.

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35 views37 pages

Lecture 8 Research Methodology

The document discusses key aspects of research methodology including research methods, methodology, and the research process. It defines research methods as techniques used to conduct research, while methodology refers to the overall framework and logic behind the choice of methods. The research process involves formulating the problem, conducting a literature review, developing hypotheses, designing the study, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting findings. Objectives in research must be specific and measurable in order to guide the study in answering the research question. Proper formulation of the research problem and objectives is essential for effective research.

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hamza najm
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND SKILL ENHANCEMENT

(BT-501)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND ITS PROCESS

Research Method vs Methodology


Research Process
RESEARCH METHOD VS METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH METHODS:

Methods / techniques / procedures that the researcher adopts


for conducting the research studies.

Methods includes:

1. Data Collection: Methods which are concerned with data


collection.

2. Analysis and Reporting: Statistical techniques (others) for


establishment of relationship b/w data and unknown.
3. Evaluation: Evaluating the accuracy of the results obtained.
(goal based, process based)

RESEARCH METHODS:

Methods / techniques / procedures that the researcher adopts


for conducting the research studies.

Research methods: Instruments or behaviors used in


constructing a research technique.

Research techniques: Instruments or behaviors used in


performing a research operation.
Examples:

Method Technique

Questionnaire Written, oral


Interview Face-to-face, Telephonic, Webcam
Biochemical methods Electrophoresis, Chromatography,
ELISA
Computational methods Softwares (Docking, simulation,
structure prediction)
Phenotypic methods Staining, biochemical assays,
morphology
Spectroscopic methods UV-Vis, NMR, CD, Mass
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

• A systematic way to solve the research problem

• Science of understanding how research is done

• Study varies steps adopted by a researcher

It implies a broader framework than research method i.e.

• Research methods used.

• Logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research study.

• Explain why we are using a particular method and why we are not
using others.
Methodology

Methods

Technique
IDENTIFY RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUES
STEPS OF RESEARCH PROCESS

Series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out


research and the desired sequencing of these steps.

Formulate Problem

Literature Survey

Formulate Hypothesis

Research and Sample Design

Project Execution

Data Collection and Analysis

Interpretation and Reporting


1. Formulate Research Problem

What is Research Problem

It is a gap in our knowledge that we need more information


about and that information is gained through the research
process.

OR

A question / problem / assumption / assertion that a researcher


wants to answer / solve / challenge / investigate.
Research Problem

Identification of problem & formulation of a research


question is the first step of the research process.

It is like the identification of a destination before undertaking a


journey.

In the absence of a destination, it is impossible to identify the


shortest – or indeed any – route.
Factors of Selecting the Research Problem

• Academic background of the researcher


• Researcher's experiences, aptitudes, ability, values, behavior
etc
• Researcher's training and orientation
• Researcher's purpose and objectives
• Originality and Utility of the research
• Direction of the organization where the researcher works OR
Supervisor’s qualification, experiences, interest, etc
• Availability of data and information
• Access to the study area
• Resource availability – money, manpower
• Time factor
Evaluation of The Research Problem

• Is the problem of current interest and researchable?


• Will the research results have social, educational or scientific
value?
• Will it be possible to apply the results in practice?
• Will it be possible for another researcher to repeat the
research?
• Is the research free of any ethical problems and limitations?
• Is the solution to this problem helpful for the development of
further knowledge?
Sources of Research Problem

Most research revolves around four Ps (atleast combination of 2).

People Study population - people from whom the information is


collected

Problems
Programmes Subject area - about which the information is collected
Phenomena

May select group of individuals (people), to ascertain their attitude towards an


issue (problem), to establish the existence of a regularity (phenomenon) or to
evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention (program).
Other Sources of Research Problems

• Journal, article, etc.


• Personal interest and experiences
• Deduction from theory
• Experts
• Conversation with colleagues or at professional conferences.
• Observation
• Literature reviews.
• Replication of studies
• Curiosity, hot current topics
Criteria of Good Research Problem
To ensure your study will be manageable and you remain
motivated

• Interest: Topic must be of interest you, to sustain the required


motivation.

• Magnitude: select a topic you have sufficient knowledge, you


can manage within the time and with the resources at your
disposal.

• Relevance : Relevance to you as a professional. Ensure that you


study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges current
gaps or useful in policy formulation.
• Measurement of concepts – clear about indicators and their
measurement. Eg: Measure the effectiveness of a health
promotion programme.

Must be clear as to what determines effectiveness and how


it will be measured.

• Level of expertise : Adequate level of expertise for the task,


need to do most of the work yourself. Allow for learning during
the study and help from your research supervisor and others.

• Feasible: time, cost/finances, expertise, availability of


instruments / chemicals.
• Availability of data: If your topic entails collection of
information from secondary sources (office records, client
records, census or other already-published reports, etc.) make
sure that this data is available and in the format you want
before finalizing your topic.

• Ethical issues: the study population may be adversely affected


by some of the questions (directly or indirectly); expected to
share sensitive and private information; or expected to be
simply experimental ‘guinea pigs’.
Importance of Research Problem

The way you formulate a problem determines almost every step that follows:

study design, type of sampling strategy, research instrument, type of analysis.

Eg: Conduct a research study regarding services available to patients with


DEPRESSION.

1. Find out the types of service available:

• Study will dominantly be descriptive and qualitative in nature.


• Qualitative research methodologies.

2. Find out the extent of use of these services:

• Study will dominantly be descriptive and quantitative


• Quantitative research methodologies.
Steps in the Formulation of a Research Problem

1: Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you

2: Dissect the broad area into subareas

3: Select what is of most interest to you

4: Raise research questions

5: Formulate objectives

6: Assess your objectives

7: Double-check
4. FORMULATING RESEARCH QUESTION

Research problem: Problem that exists and leads to the need for
a study.
Needs to be translated into one or more research questions.

Therefore we can say research question begins with a research


problem.

Research question: Short, specific, interrogative statement


around which you can center your research.

Word it in one sentence!! May only address part of the problem.


Topic = Energy drinks

Through search have found that there is an issue that might


possibly be explored. It centers around some manufacturers
changing the way they label their energy drinks. Some say this is
being done for the companies’ benefit; others say it is for the
benefit of the consumer.

Issue = Labeling of energy drinks.

Start asking questions taking into consideration all you’ve learned


through your presearch.

Ask yourself open- ended “how” and “why” and “should”


questions about your general topic.
Energy Drink questions

• Should energy drinks be considered effective?

• Should energy drinks be considered safe?

• Should energy drinks be labeled as beverages or dietary


supplements?

• How does labeling affect FDA reporting?

• Why does labeling affect the way the drinks are perceived?

• Why does labeling affect sales?


Examples of Research Problem and Research Question

Problem 1: Hormone Replacement Therapy use in Postmenopausal Women may


cause Endometrial Cancer

Question: Is post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy associated with a


subsequent increased risk of endometrial cancer?

For duration of 1 yr or more, estrogen or estrogen + progesterone.

Problem 2: Passive smoking may be harmful to the fetus.

Question: Are the children born to women whose husbands smoke more than
20 cigarettes a day, of lower birth weight than children born to women whose
husbands do not smoke”?
Researchable vs. Non-researchable Questions
5. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Objectives are the goals you set out to attain in your study.
OR
Describe what we expect to achieve by a project.

It is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides


direction to investigate the variables under the study

While your problem formulation serves to describe the aim of


your thesis, the objectives provide an accurate description of the
specific actions you will take in order to reach this aim
REPHRASING RESEARCH QUESTION AS RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
General Objectives

Broad goal researcher expects to achieve by the study in general


terms.

States the main purpose of the study.

Broken into small logically connected parts to form specific


objectives.

Specific Objectives

short term and narrow in focus.

Set or list of sub-objectives which contributes to achieving the


general objective.
Steps in the Formulation of a Research Problem

1: Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you

2: Dissect the broad area into subareas

3: Select what is of most interest to you

4: Raise research questions

5: Formulate objectives

6: Assess your objectives

7: Double-check
EXAMPLE: ALCHOLISM
CLASS ACTIVITY 1:

Identify Problem, Dissect, Select, Raise Questions, Formulate Objectives.

Karachi is a metropolitan city with a population of about 14. 9 million. The city's
population increased dramatically with the arrival of millions of refugees and
migrants from within and outside the country. Crime rates in the city drastically
increased with the arrival of weaponry from the Afghanistan war. Police has
failed to control the rate of crimes and fix criminals. The exact rate of crime and
their types in each area is also not available. Some say Police has also a hand in
street crimes despite other major factors. This has created fear among the
residents. Therefore, some remedial steps on the part of the government, both
Federal and Provincial, are needed to solve the issue.
CLASS ACTIVITY
Investigating BS BIOTECH 3rd year students' attitudes towards
chocolate

1. Would you like chocolate? (Yes / No)


2. What do you feel about chocolate? (love it / enjoy it / crazy about
it / other)
3. From where do you buy chocolate? (Imtiaz / Hyper star / other)
4. Which chocolate do you like most? (Mars / Kit Kat / Dairy Milk /
other).
5. Is eating chocolate good for health? (Yes / No)

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