QUESTION ONE

(a) Critically analyze the ethical duties of a researcher.

Researchers have a responsibility to maintain the highest ethical standards throughout the

research process. The ethical duties include:

 Integrity and Honesty: Researchers must be honest about their research findings,

methodologies, and any potential conflicts of interest. Misrepresentation of data or results

can lead to incorrect conclusions and can harm both the academic community and the

broader society.

 Informed Consent: Researchers must obtain informed consent from participants before

involving them in the study. This means that participants should be fully aware of the

nature of the research, any potential risks, and their right to withdraw at any time without

any repercussions.

 Confidentiality and Anonymity: Protecting the identity and data of participants is crucial.

Researchers must ensure that personal data is kept confidential and that participants’

identities are anonymized to prevent any potential harm.

 Avoidance of Harm: Researchers have a duty to ensure that their work does not cause

physical, psychological, or emotional harm to participants. This involves careful planning

and consideration of the potential risks involved in the research.

 Objectivity: Researchers must strive to remain objective and unbiased in their work. This

involves a commitment to following the data wherever it leads, even if it challenges the

researcher’s own hypotheses or beliefs.

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  Accountability: Researchers should be accountable for their research and its impact. This

includes being transparent about funding sources, potential conflicts of interest, and

ensuring that the research is accessible to those who can benefit from it.

(b) Steps in the development of an interview guide

 Define Research Objectives: Clearly outline the purpose and goals of the research. This

will guide the formulation of questions.

 Identify Key Themes: Based on the research objectives, identify the main themes or

topics that need to be covered in the interview.

 Develop Questions: Formulate open-ended questions that encourage discussion.

Questions should be clear, concise, and avoid leading or biased language.

 Organize Questions: Arrange the questions logically, typically starting with broader

questions and moving towards more specific ones.

 Pilot Testing: Test the interview guide with a small sample to identify any issues with

question clarity or flow.

 Review and Revise: Based on feedback from the pilot test, revise the interview guide to

ensure it effectively captures the necessary information.

QUESTION TWO

Enumerate the different methods of collecting data. Which one is most suitable for

conducting an enquiry into the adoption of the disclosure requirements of IAS 24? Explain

the merits and demerits of your choice.

Methods of Collecting Data:

 Surveys: Structured questionnaires to collect data from a large number of respondents.

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  Interviews: In-depth, often qualitative, data collection through conversations with

respondents.

 Observation: Recording data based on observing subjects in their natural environment.

 Document Review: Analysis of existing records, reports, and documents.

 Focus Groups: Collecting qualitative data through group discussions.

However, out of the aforementioned methods, Interviews would be the most suitable method for

conducting an enquiry into the adoption of the disclosure requirements of IAS 24 because they

allow for in-depth exploration of the subject. Interviewees can provide detailed explanations and

insights into how and why certain disclosure practices are adopted, offering a richer

understanding than what might be captured through surveys or document reviews.

Merits:

 Interviews provide detailed, qualitative data that can offer deep insights into the subject

matter.

 The interviewer can probe further based on the respondent’s answers, allowing for the

exploration of new areas.

 Respondents can clarify their answers, and interviewers can clarify questions, ensuring

accurate data collection.

Demerits:

Conducting and analyzing interviews can be very time-intensive.

 The presence of the interviewer might influence the responses, leading to biased data.

 Due to the depth of information gathered, the number of interviews conducted may be

small, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

QUESTION THREE

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Problem statement and methodology adopted by a research by a large extent is dependent on the

literature reviewed by the researcher. Discuss.

The problem statement and methodology of any research are often influenced by the existing

body of knowledge, which is revealed through the literature review. The literature review helps

in:

 Identifying Gaps: By reviewing existing studies, researchers can identify what has not

been covered or what needs further exploration, helping them to articulate the problem

statement clearly.

 Framing Research Questions: The literature provides context and background, guiding

the formation of relevant and focused research questions.

 Choosing Methodology: Literature on similar research can guide the selection of

appropriate research methodologies, helping researchers to choose methods that have

been successful in similar contexts.

 Theoretical Framework: The literature review often highlights theories and models that

can be used to underpin the research, influencing both the problem statement and

methodology.

 Validation: By comparing their research with existing studies, researchers can validate

their approach, ensuring it aligns with established academic standards.

QUESTION FOUR

Processing of data implies editing, coding, classification, and tabulation. Describe in brief

these four operations pointing out the significance of each in the context of research study.

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Editing

Editing involves reviewing the collected data to correct errors, inconsistencies, and omissions. It

ensures that the data is accurate, complete, and ready for analysis. Proper editing is crucial to

ensure the reliability and validity of the data. It helps to minimize errors that could distort the

research findings.

Coding

Coding is the process of categorizing and assigning numerical or symbolic codes to data for

analysis. This step is essential for qualitative data to be analyzed quantitatively. Coding enables

the systematic analysis of data, making it possible to identify patterns, trends, and relationships.

It also facilitates data entry and statistical analysis.

Classification

Classification involves organizing data into categories or groups based on shared characteristics.

This step is particularly important when dealing with large datasets. Classification simplifies

complex data, making it easier to understand and interpret. It also aids in identifying

relationships between different data points.

Tabulation

Tabulation refers to the process of summarizing data in tables, making it easier to analyze and

interpret. It is the final step before the data is subjected to statistical analysis. Tabulation

provides a clear and organized way to present data, making it easier to identify trends, compare

variables, and draw conclusions.

QUESTION FIVE

Briefly discuss the followings:

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(a) Philosophy of Research:

The philosophy of research refers to the underlying belief system or worldview that guides how

research is conducted. It involves the understanding of the nature of knowledge (epistemology)

and the nature of reality (ontology). Different research philosophies, such as positivism,

interpretivism, and critical realism, shape the choice of research methods, the interpretation of

data, and the overall approach to research.

(b) Methodology in Research:

Methodology refers to the systematic approach and principles used to guide research. It involves

the selection of methods, tools, and techniques to collect and analyze data. Research

methodology includes qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches, each offering

different ways to answer research questions based on the researcher's philosophical stance.

(c) Relationship between Theory and Research:

Theory and research are closely linked, with theory providing a framework for understanding

phenomena, and research testing, refining, or challenging these theories. Theories guide the

formulation of research questions and hypotheses, while research provides empirical evidence to

support, modify, or refute theories. This reciprocal relationship is essential for advancing

knowledge in any field.

(d) The Term Theory:

A theory is a systematic set of concepts, definitions, and propositions that explain or predict

phenomena. It serves as a foundation for understanding and interpreting various aspects of the

world. In research, theories are used to build hypotheses, guide data collection, and interpret

results. Theories are continuously tested and refined based on new research findings.