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Research

Research involves systematic inquiry using scientific methods to describe, explain, predict, and control observed phenomena. It uses inductive and deductive reasoning. Inductive research aims to develop theories by analyzing qualitative data, while deductive research tests existing theories through quantitative analysis. Choosing an interesting topic is the first step in research. The topic should be narrowed to a manageable scope and the researcher should consider who, what, when, where, and why questions related to the topic. Refining the topic may involve further narrowing or broadening the scope, and turning the topic into a clear research question. A good research topic provides enough relevant information without being too broad or specific.

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31 views16 pages

Research

Research involves systematic inquiry using scientific methods to describe, explain, predict, and control observed phenomena. It uses inductive and deductive reasoning. Inductive research aims to develop theories by analyzing qualitative data, while deductive research tests existing theories through quantitative analysis. Choosing an interesting topic is the first step in research. The topic should be narrowed to a manageable scope and the researcher should consider who, what, when, where, and why questions related to the topic. Refining the topic may involve further narrowing or broadening the scope, and turning the topic into a clear research question. A good research topic provides enough relevant information without being too broad or specific.

Uploaded by

amanahlali28
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Research

Shabnam Majeed
Definition of research
• Research is defined as careful consideration of study regarding a
particular concern or problem using scientific methods.
• According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie, author of
book, The Practice of Social Research

“research is a systematic inquiry to describe,


explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon.
It involves inductive and deductive methods.”
Inductive and Deductive
• Inductive reasoning aims at developing a theory. Deductive reasoning
aims at testing an existing theory.
• Inductive research uses more qualitative analysis, like textual or visual
analysis, to find patterns and themes in the data. Deductive research
uses more quantitative methods, like statistical analysis, to test and
confirm the theory or hypothesis.
Introduction
• The process of research came into being due to man’s
quest to be at tune with his environment and also
understand nature.
• To achieve this, man uses the tools of experience and
reasoning available to him.
• Man also makes use of experience and authoritative
sources beyond his immediate circle.
Objective of research
• The purpose of research is to discover answers to
questions through the application of scientific
procedures.
• The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is
hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
• Each research study has its own specific purpose, we may
think of research objectives as falling into a number of
broad groupings
Select a Topic
• Choosing an interesting research topic is your first challenge.
• Choose a topic that you are interested in!
• The research process is more relevant if you care about your
topic.
Narrow your topic to something manageable.
• Narrow your topic
which is manageable
for you
• If the topic is too
broad, you will find too
much information and
not be able to focus.
• Background reading
can help you choose
and limit the scope of
your topic.
5 W’s
Think of the who, what, when, where and why
questions
• WHO are the information providers on this topic? Who might
publish information about it? Who is affected by the topic? Do
you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the
topic?
• WHAT are the major questions for this topic? Is there a debate
about the topic? Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to
consider?
• WHY did you choose the topic? What interests you about it? Do
you have an opinion about the issues involved?
• WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national or
international level? Are there specific places affected by the
topic?
• WHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a current event or an
historical issue? Do you want to compare your topic by time
periods
Refine Your Topic

1. Narrow your topic's scope


2. Broaden your topic
Narrow your topic Scope
Too much information? Make your results list more manageable. Less,
but more relevant, information is key.
Here are some options to consider when narrowing the scope of your
paper:
• Theoretical approach: Limit your topic to a specific approach.
• Aspect or sub-area: Consider only one piece of the subject.
• Time: Limit the time span you examine.
• Population group: Limit by age, sex, race, occupation, species or
ethnic group.
• Geographical location: A geographic analysis can provide a useful
means to examine an issue.
Broaden your topic
• Not finding enough information? Think of related ideas or read some background
information first. You may not be finding enough information for several reasons,
including:
• Your topic is too specific. Generalize what you are looking for. For example: if your
topic is genetic diversity for a specific ethnic group in Ghana, Africa, broaden your topic
by generalizing to all ethnic groups in Ghana or in West Africa.
• Your topic is too new for anything substantive to have been written. If you're
researching a recently breaking news event, you are likely to only find information about
it in the news media. Be sure to search databases that contain articles from newspapers.
If you are not finding enough in the news media, consider changing your topic to one
that has been covered more extensively.
• You have not checked enough databases for information. Use Jstor to find other
databases in your subject area which might cover the topic from a different perspective.
Also, use excellent searching techniques to ensure you are getting the most out of every
database.
• You are using less common words or too much terminology to describe your
topic. Use a wordlist to find other terms to represent your topic. When reading
background information, note how your topic is expressed in these materials. When you
find citations in an article database, see how the topic is expressed by experts in the
field.
Once you have a solid topic, formulate your
research question or hypothesis and begin finding
information. If you need guidance with topic
formulation,
CONSULT!
Turn Your Topic Into Question
• With the help of these 5
Whys turn your topic into a
research question
• Creating a research
question can help to focus
your research.
• What about your topic do
you want to research?
• What aspects of the subject
interest you?
What makes a Good Topic
A good topic is:
• Broad enough that you can find enough information on
the subject.
• Focused enough that you are not overwhelmed with too
much information.
• Interesting to you
• Keep in mind, good research takes time and effort.

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