RESEARCH IN GENERAL
- Research is a process of steps used to collect and
analyse information to increase understanding of
certain topic or issue
- Three general steps:
a. Pose a question
b. Collect data to answer the question
c. Present and answer to the question
(Refer to Creswell, J.W. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative,
Quantitative, and Mixed-Methods Approaches)
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS
Why is research important
Adds to our knowledge and understanding
- strive for continual improvement
- fill a void in existing knowledge
- confirm or disconform
Improves practice
- it suggests improvement for practice
- new ideas
- evaluate approaches
Informs policy debates
- conversation about important issues
- positive environment
Common Problems in Research
• The results sometimes show only contradictory or vague
findings – unclear declarative sentence
• Data gathered is questionable – data collection
procedures
• Participants are not properly selected
• Instruments consist of vague and ambiguous questions
• Inappropriate methods of analysing the data
• Inarticulate statements of the research problem
Scientific Method
1. Identify a problem that defines the goal of research
2. Make a prediction that resolves the problem
3. Gather data relevant to the prediction
4. Analyse and interpret the data – to see whether it
supports the prediction and resolves the question
(Refer to Leedy & Ormond, 2001. Practical Research:
Planning and Design)
Think about a problem in your area
and discuss:
1. What is the problem?
2. Why the problem need to be studied?
3. What is the expectation?
4. Is there any prediction, assumption, or question?
5. Who will the participants be?
6. What types of data you will need to address the
prediction or expectation?
Process of Research
1. Identifying a research problem
2. Reviewing the literature
3. Specifying a purpose for research
4. Collecting data
5. Analysing and interpreting the data
6. Reporting and evaluating research
Identifying a research problem
1. Specifying a problem
2. Justify
3. Suggesting the need/importance to study
By using your problem, discuss the issue,
justify it and suggest why the study is needed
Reviewing the Literature
1. Locating resources
2. Selecting resources
3. Summarising resources
Using the same problem, locate where the resources,
identify how the selection process of the resources,
and the activity of summarising the resources
Specifying a Purpose for Research
1. Identifying the purpose statement (major intent or
objective)
2. Narrowing the purpose statement to research
questions or hypotheses (major focus, participants,
location/site)
By using the problem, identify the purpose of the study
by constructing research questions or hypotheses
Collecting Data
1. Selecting individuals to study
2. Obtaining permission
3. Gathering information
By the same problem, identify your respondents, and
how the process of obtaining the data is going to be
carried out (method or procedure)
Analysing and Interpreting Data
1. Breaking down the data
2. Representing the data
3. Explaining the data
(Tables, figures, pictures, texts – summarise it, explain
the conclusion in words)
Think about how your data will be analysed and
interpreted, before you can start to analyse and
interpret them
Reporting and Evaluating Research
1. Deciding the audiences
2. Structuring the report
3. Writing the report
Think back of the purpose of your study, the
report writing format, the language, and the
process of presenting the whole process of
your study
Ethical Issues
1. Respecting the rights of participants – the
participants have the rights to know about the
research, anonymity, confidentiality
2. Honouring research site – gaining permission,
gatekeepers
3. Reporting research fully and honestly – show
respect, plagiarism, useful findings
Thank you very much for
your attention…
