TOPIC 1

INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this class, student
should understand general
knowledge of research and research
methodology.
Topic 1: Introduction to
Research
1.1 Definition of research
1.2 Types of research
1.3 Research Approaches
1.4 Conceptualizing research design
1.5 Structure of a research project and
report
Sub-topic 1

WHAT IS RESEARCH?
CASE 1 Mr Wilson participated in a workshop on curriculum development and
prepared what he calls, a research report on the curriculum for building
technicians. He did this through a literature survey on the subject and by
discussing with the participants of the workshop.

OR A general manager of a car producing company was concerned with the

complaints received from the car users that the car they produce have some
problems with rattling sound at the dash board and the rear passenger seat
after a few thousand kilometers of driving.
CASE 2
He obtained information from the company workers to identify the various
factors influencing the problem. He then formulated the problem and
generated guesses (hypotheses). He constructed checklist and obtained
requisite information from a representative sample of cars. He analyzed the
data thus collected, interpreted the results in the light of his hypotheses and
reached conclusions
CASE 2 is an example of research because:

The researcher went through a sequence

of steps which were in order and thus
systematic.
The researcher did not just jump at the
conclusions, but used a scientific method
of inquiry in reaching at conclusions.
 DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
❖RESEARCH is defined as the creation of
new knowledge and/or the use of existing
knowledge in a new and creative way to
generate new concepts, methodologies and
understandings.
 The purpose of RESEARCH is to …
❑ Review or synthesize existing knowledge
❑ Investigate existing situations or problems
❑ Provide solutions to problems
❑ Explore and analyse more general issues
❑ Construct or create new procedures or systems
❑ Explain new phenomenon
❑ Generate new knowledge
❑ or a combination of any of the above!
(Collis & Hussey, 2003)
Sub-topic 2

DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESEARCH:

 RESEARCH METHODS VS
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Sub-topic 3

RESEARCH APPROACHES:
Research can be approached in the following ways:

1. Quantitative/Qualitative
2. Applied/Basic
3. Deductive/Inductive

Many research projects combine a number of approaches, e.g.

may use both quantitative and qualitative approaches
 (I) QUANTITATIVE/ QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE

• Emphasize on collecting and analysing numerical • Research more on subjective in

data nature than Quantitative
research
• It concentrates on measuring the scale, range,
frequency etc of phenomena • Involves examining and
reflecting on the less tangible
• Harder to design initially because highly detailed aspects of a research subject,
and structured e.g. values, attitudes,
perceptions
• The results obtained can be easily collated and
presented statistically. • Easier to start the research
• Assumes that the phenomena under study can be
measured and involves methods that: • The results can be difficult to
interpret and present. The
• analyse data by using quantitative statistical result can be challenged more
analysis techniques. easily
 (II) BASIC/ APPLIED RESEARCH
Basic Research Applied Research
The primary aim of Basic Applied Research is
Research is to improve designed from the start to
knowledge generally, apply its findings to a
without any particular particular situation - a
applied purpose in mind at problem solving research.
the outset.

Example of applied research

1.Improve agricultural crop production
2.Treat or cure specific disease
3.Improve energy efficiency of homes, offices, modes of transportation
APPLIED RESEARCH EXAMPLE: A psychology student investigating how to
improve memory in school-age children.
 (III) DEDUCTIVE/ INDUCTIVE RESEARCH
Deductive Inductive

• Research moves from general • Research moves from particular

ideas/theories to specific particular & situations to make or infer broad
situations: the particular is deduced general ideas /theories
from general e.g. broad theories
• A clear theoretical position prior to • The data are collected from other
collection of data. sources and compared with theoretical.
• This approach offers researchers a This approach might lead you to arrive
relatively easy and systematic way of at a new definition of the word – or it
testing established ideas on a range of might not! This approach can be very
people. time-consuming, but the reward might
be in terms of arriving at a fresh way of
looking at the subject.
 Inductive research approach

Example
You observe 1000 flights from low-cost
airlines. All of them experience a delay,
which is in line with your theory. However,
you can never prove that flight 1001 will also
be delayed. Still, the larger your dataset, the
more reliable your conclusions.
Deductive research approach
Example
•All dogs have fleas (premise)
•Benno is a dog (premise)
•Benno has fleas (conclusion)
 Example: You wanted to learn what the word ‘professional’
meant to a range of people.

Deductive
Ask this definition
Professional definition 1 on a range of Carefully select a Data gathered
Professional definition 2 people, using a sample of people could then be
questionnaire, on the basis of collated and the
Professional definition 3 structured age, gender, results analysed
Professional definition 4 interviews or occupation etc. and presented.
group discussion.

Assemble the
Inductive common
Data gathered
Starts survey to a range elements and
could then be A new definition
of people asking for then start to
collated and the of professional
their ideas and compare these
results might be
definitions of with definitions
analysed and suggested. .
‘professional’. gained from
presented.
professional
associations.
 METHODOLOGY vs METHOD
• The term methodology refers to the overall approaches & perspectives to
the research process as a whole and is concerned with the following main
issues:
❑ Why do you collect certain data ?
❑ What data do you collected ?
❑ Where do you collect the data ?
❑ How you collect & analyse the data?
(Collis & Hussey, 2003, p.55).
• A research method refers only to the various specific tools or ways to
collect and analyse data, e.g. a questionnaire; interview checklist; data
analysis software etc.).
 MAJOR STAGES OF DOING A
RESEARH
A researcher/ investigator goes through 4 major
stages of work:
1. Preparing research proposal
2. Organising and conducting research
3. Writing a research report
4. Evaluating research
Research area in Civil Engineering
 STRUCTURE OF YOUR
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Your proposal should contain the following:
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
a) Background of study
b) Problem statement
c) Objectives
d) Scope and limitations
e) Contribution/ Significance of study
3. Literature review
4. Methodology
5. Expected results
6. Conclusion
7. References
8. Plan of action and milestones (Gantt chart)
 ACTIVITIES
Identify whether the following cases are Qualitative or Quantitative Research and
explain why.

Case 1
A study explores the factors affecting the development of academic excellence on a
group of 33 high-achieving engineering students. Participants were interviewed
individually to explore several personal and contextual aspects of their past and
current academic pathways. The results obtained reflect three main contributions to
the conceptualization and understanding of excellence in academic contexts: the
need to adopt a multidimensional and dynamic view about the concept of
excellence; the existence of a variety of possible pathways and environmental
conditions to achieve excellence; and the understanding of excellence as a process
undergoing continuous development, which thrives within the family context and
school environment, and that seems to be continuously nurtured by individuals in
interaction with their contexts.
Case 2
THANK YOU