INTRODUCTION TO

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
Sri Noegrohati
Fac. Of Pharmacy, Sanata Dharma Univ,
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WHAT IS RESEARCH

• COMMON IDIOM: research is what we do when we have a question or a

problem to resolve
• there are Scientific and Non-scientific Research
• Scientific research refers to research based on scientific and systemic
methods and strategies in the collection of data, interpretation, and
evaluation of data.
• Non-scientific research refers to research using intuition, personal
experience, and personal beliefs to reach a conclusion.

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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
• the two main supports of science are theories and observations → both theory and
observations are essential components scientific research
• theoretical level: developing abstract concepts about phenomenon
• empirical level: testing the theoretical concepts and relationships to see how
well they reflect real observations
→ In scientific research, there are two research form:
• inductive research (theory-building research) to build theoretical concepts
and patterns from observed data
• deductive research (theory-testing research) to test concepts and patterns
known from theory using new empirical data
Valid scientific research continuously reiterate between theory-building and
theory testing for better explanations and better theories

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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
• Grinnell (1993) : ‘scientific research is a structured inquiry that utilizes
acceptable scientific methodology in an organized and systematic way to
solve problems and creates new knowledge that is generally applicable.’
• scientific research involves
• gaining knowledge by gathering data from direct and indirect sources:
observations, questionnaires, interviews, experiments, other research
• interpreting data by processing numerically (statistics) and or verbally (themes or
perspectives)
• disseminating the findings as written reports, presentations, seminars,
supply to media
All academic subjects require scientific research to reach conclusions and establish
theories, or simply to find out more about a particular situation or phenomenon.

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What is the Research Methodology?
• Research methodology is the framework that guides a research project from
conception to completion.
• It encompasses the overall approach to the research, including the identification of
research questions, the selection of research methods, the data collection and
analysis techniques, and the interpretation and communication of findings.
• Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify,
select, process, and analyze information about a topic. In a research paper, the
methodology section allows the reader to critically evaluate a study’s overall validity
and reliability. The methodology section answers two main questions: How was the
data collected or generated? How was it analyzed?

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Classification of Research methodology
• Research methodology can be broadly classified into two main
categories: quantitative and qualitative.
• Quantitative research is concerned with measuring and analyzing
numerical data to understand phenomena and relationships. It often
employs statistical methods to draw inferences from a sample
population.
• Qualitative research, on the other hand, delves into the non-numerical
aspects of human experience, such as beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
It utilizes techniques like interviews, observations, and document
analysis to gather insights into the social world.

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Research Process in Research Methodology
• The research process involves a series of steps that researchers follow to conduct their studies
systematically. These steps typically include:
1.Formulating a research question: The research question provides a clear focus for the
study and guides the direction of the research.
2.Literature review: Researchers conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature to
gain an understanding of the topic and identify gaps in knowledge.
3.Choosing a research design: The research design outlines the overall structure of the
study and determines the methods for collecting and analyzing data.
4.Data collection: Researchers collect data using appropriate methods, such as surveys,
experiments, or interviews.
5.Data analysis: Researchers analyze collected data to identify patterns, relationships, and
insights.
6.Interpretation and communication: Researchers interpret the findings, draw conclusions,
and communicate the results to the intended audience.

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The Research
Process
Research
New question/
research Literature
question/ idea review
idea
Comparation Theoretical
Conclusion formulation of
vs the research
Hypothesis problems and
solutions

Conclusion Hypothesis

Data Research
analysis design and
Data
and planning
collection
evaluation

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 Starting the Research
Choose a research topic
Define the research challenge and goals
• The research process begins with a very Narrow it down to your
broad idea for a topic to your interest, then interest
do some preliminary research to identify
a research problem. Identify a research problem
• After refining the research problem, develop
research questions. Then lay out the Develop clear research
foundations of research design, that outlines question
your ideas and plans to answer the question,
and write it down as introduction of your Create a research design to
research or a proposal answer the question

Write research proposal

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 Choosing a Research Topic
• Choose a broad field of research topic
• Start with interesting subject within study area, Examples of broad ideas include:
• Twentieth-century cGMP
• Health policy
• Online marketing
• Try browsing through a few recent issues in that idea, note down any specific ideas for
possible topics.
• After doing some initial reading, start narrowing down gradually your broad area
focusing into a more specific topic
• When choosing a research topic, determine that it is academically, socially or
practically relevant, also it is important to consider:
• Your institution requirements
• Your areas of knowledge and interest
• The availability of data and sources
• The length and timeframe to complete
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 Pharmaceutical Research
• new drug discoveries cures for untreated illnesses or medications with fewer side effects
for the better of patients → various roles from designing or implementing protocols to
conduct trials for studying or comparing effectiveness and safety of new medications before
its launch into markets
• manufacturing technologies to ensure the manufacturing process of medications adhere
to strict standards (cGMP) for quality assurance (QA) purposes. Through QA, they ensure
that the final product contains the active ingredient(s) as intended, and at the correct amount
or proportion. → have the assurance that the effect of the medication is consistent and safe
for patients’ consumption
• clinicians who actively contribute to the care of the patients in chronic disease
management, optimization of medications,
• counselling for patients and drug information to health professionals, patients as well as
the general public. They are experts in Pharmacy-only and Over-The-Counter medications,
including those for the management of minor ailments.,

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 Choosing a Research Problem
• A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be
improved, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists that points to
the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation → an issue being
addressed in research
• When discussing and read about interesting topic, look for under-explored aspects
and areas of concern, conflict or controversy, then find a gap that need to be filled.
• Examples to be noted
• Practical research problems:
• Issues with performance or efficiency,
• Processes that could be improved
• Theoretical research problems:
• A phenomenon that has not been closely studied,
• A contradiction between two or more perspectives,
• A relationship that is not well understood
•
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 Identify a Research Problem
• Identifying a problem to study can be challenging, due to the following goal of
formulating relevant and researchable problem statement
• For an academic research, a well-defined research problem with a clear purpose
and justification is the first step towards knowing exactly what to do and why
• A research problem is a specific issue, difficulties, contradiction, or gap in
knowledge that will be addressed in our research. It might tbe :
• practical research problems focuses on contributing to change
• theoretical research problems focuses on expanding knowledge and
understanding.
• The research problem to choose depends on broad topic of interest and the type of
research to do.
• the type of research will influence which aspects of the topic possible to be
addressed

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 Learn more about the problem
• Do some preliminary reading to find out: what is already known about the problem
concerning:
• Context and background
• Who does the problem affect?
• Has it been an issue for a long time, or is it a newly discovered problem?
• What research has already been done?
• Have any solutions been proposed?
• What are the current debates about the problem, and what do you think is
missing from them?
• Specificity and relevance
• What place, time and/or people will you focus on?
• What aspects will you not be able to tackle?
• What will be the consequences if the problem is not resolved?
• Whose will benefit from resolving the problem (e.g. the management of an
organization or future researchers)?
→ clearly-defined problem → formulate one or more questions.
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 PROBLEM STATEMENT
The purpose of a problem statement is to:
1. Introduce the reader to the importance of the topic being studied. The reader
is oriented to the significance of the study and the research questions or
hypotheses to follow.
2. Places the problem into a particular context that defines the parameters to be
investigated.
3. Provides the framework for reporting the results and indicates what is probably
necessary to conduct the study and explain how the findings will present this
information.
• An effective problem statement is concise and concrete describe
• who the problem affects,
• why research is needed, and
• how the research will contribute to solve the problem.
• It serve as the basis for research proposal, or it can be in the introduction

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 How to Write a Problem Statement
to formulate a problem statement, the identified research problem must be refined
• Step 1: Contextualize the problem
• The problem statement should frame your research problem in its context and give some
background on what is already known about it.
• Practical research problems: What attempts have been made to solve the
problem?
• Theoretical research problems: How has the problem been defined and debated
in the scholarly literature
• Step 2: Show why it matters
• address the relevance of the research: why is it important that the problem is solved?
• It’s more important that the problem is researchable, feasible, and clearly addresses a
relevant issue
• Step 3: Set your aims and objectives
• The goal is presenting the reasons behind the problem and propose more effective
approaches to tackle .
• The research aim is the overall purpose of your research.
• The research objectives are the concrete steps you will take to achieve the aim

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 Developing research questions
• A research question is the specific concern derived from research problem to be
answered through the research.
• research question attained when a research problem narrowed down to a
specific idea that points towards a feasible way to investigate
• The research question addresses a problem or issue which requires a
researcher to find out the best solution through analysis and interpretation
of data. The answer for the given problem is scripted in the study’s
conclusion.
• Defining a research question properly is a prerequisite for any study and is a step
of the highest importance
• Research questions are dynamic → therefore
• researchers can change or refine the research question as they review
related literature and develop a framework for the study.
• While many research projects will focus on a single research question, larger
studies often use more than one research question.

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 Good Research Question
• A good research question is essential to guide the research. It pinpoints
exactly what to find out and gives a clear focus and purpose of the
research.
• Research questions should be original and:
• Focused on a single topic and problem or issue
• Interesting to academician, scientists and social community
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly
• Ethical
•

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 R&D Pharmacist
a glimpse into the captivating world of industry
• R&D pharmacist step into their labs, equipped with boundless curiosity and a passion for
scientific exploration →. literature reviews, analyzing the latest research papers, and
staying updated with cutting-edge advancements →. Inspiration for pharmaceutical
innovation.
• R&D pharmacists collaborate with scientists, chemists, and other experts, engaging in
brainstorming sessions and lively discussions →. Together designing and executing
experiments → pivotal breakthrough in patient care from developing novel drug
formulations to optimizing drug delivery systems, improving efficacy, safety, and patient
outcomes.
• R&D pharmacists investigate into the depths of data analysis in detail, meticulously
examine experimental results, searching for patterns, correlations, and hidden gems of
knowledge →. lay the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and pave the way
for future discoveries.

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 Getting started
1.Provides the background / context to your topic.
2.Demonstrates familiarity with previous research.
3.Positions your study in relation to the research.
4.Provides evidence that may help explain your findings later.
5.Highlights any gaps in the research.
6.Identifies your research question/s.

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21 Importance of Research Methodology

Research methodology plays a crucial role in the success of any research project. It provides
several benefits, including:
1.Ensuring Rigor and Objectivity: A well-defined research methodology ensures that the
research is conducted in a systematic, rigorous, and objective manner, minimizing bias and
enhancing the credibility of the findings.
2.Guiding the Research Process: The research methodology serves as a roadmap for
researchers, guiding them through the various stages of the research project, from conception to
completion.
3.Enhancing Replicability: A clear and detailed research methodology allows other researchers
to replicate the study, verify the findings, and build upon the existing knowledge.
4.Promoting Transparency: By explicitly outlining the research approach, researchers promote
transparency and enable others to assess the strengths and limitations of the study.
5.Informing Decision-Making: Research methodology plays a critical role in generating reliable
and valid research findings that can inform decision-making in various fields, including science,
business, and policymaking.
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Conclusion
• Research methodology is an indispensable component of any research
endeavor.
• It provides a structured and systematic approach to conducting
research, ensuring that studies are rigorous, objective, and replicable.
• By carefully considering and employing research methodology,
researchers can produce high-quality findings that contribute
significantly to the advancement of knowledge and understanding.

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