Research Methodology

Chapter One
Introduction to Research
Methodology
 Contents of the chapter
• Definition of Research, Methodology and
Methods
• Purposes of Research
• Motivation in Research
• Types of Research
• Criteria of Good Research
 Definition of Research
• Research is a scientific and logical search
for new and useful information on a
particular topic.
• Is an organized and systematic way of
finding answers to questions
• Research is a process of collecting data,
organizing the data, analyzing it and
interpreting it for some purpose.
 Definition of Research Methodology

• Research methodology refers to the over all

framework and strategy that guides the entire
research process.
• Is the systematic process used to design, conduct,
and analyze research.
• It involves the identification of a research
problem, formulation of hypotheses or research
questions, selection of appropriate methods,
data collection, analysis, and interpretation of
results.
 Definition of Research Methods

• Research methods, on the other hand, are the

specific techniques, procedures, or tools used by
the researcher to collect and analyze data within the
chosen methodology.
• These methods can be qualitative, quantitative, or
a combination of both, depending on the research
goals.
• Examples of research methods include surveys,
experiments, interviews, case studies, content
analysis, and statistical analysis.
The purpose of scientific research
• To investigate some existing situation or
problem.
• To provide solutions to a problem.
• To explore and analyse more general
issues.
• To construct or create a new procedure
or system.
• To explain a new phenomenon.
• To generate new knowledge
Scientific –uses different types of scientific
methods
Systematic-
• Because there are definite set of procedures
and steps which you will follow.
Organized
• It is a planned procedure, not a spontaneous
one.
 What Makes People do Research?
• To get a research degree
• To get a research position
• To solve the unsolved and challenging
problems
• To get joy of doing some creative work
• To acquire respectability
• To get recognition
• Curiosity to find new things
• To serve the society by solving social
problems.
 Research classification
• Research can be classified based on:
– The goal of research
– The specific objectives of research
– The approaches used by the research
– The designs used
– The type of data used in research
– The fields of study
• Accordingly the classification of research is
described below
Research classification…..Conti..
• There are five important types of research
and those are as follows
• Descriptive vs. Analytical
• Applied vs. Fundamental
• Quantitative vs. Qualitative
• Conceptual vs. Empirical
• Few other types of research
 Descriptive research
• Descriptive research deals with the questions:
What, who, when and where?
• In this type of research the researcher has no
control over the variables.
• He can only report what has happened or
what is happening
• The goal of this research is to describe
phenomenon.
• Example:-Correlational study ,surveys and case
reports
 Analytical Research
• This type of research is involved in
explaining why something happens, and
assessing causal relationships between
variables.
• Example:- Experimental study
 Applied vs. Fundamental

• The goal of a research is problem solving.

• The nature of the problem that the research
attempts to solve could be
• Theoretical or practical
• Building a theory or solving immediate
practical problems
• Research can be classified as applied (or
action) research or fundamental (basic
or pure) research.
 Applied vs. Fundamental

• Applied research:- aims at finding a solution for

an immediate problem
• Applied research is undertaken to solve a specific
problem or provide a solution to a practical
question.
• Fundamental research:- is mainly concerned with
generalizations and with the formulation of a
theory.
• Carried out to simply gain a better understanding
of the overall concepts.
• “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’
or ‘basic’ research.”
 Quantitative vs. Qualitative:

• Quantitative research is based on the

measurement of quantity or amount.
• It is applicable to phenomena that can be
expressed in terms of quantity.
• Qualitative research, on the other hand, is
concerned with qualitative phenomenon,
i.e.phenomena relating to or involving
quality or kind.
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
 Conceptual vs. Empirical
• Theoretical research generally uses the
findings from existing works to develop
new ideas through analysing existing
theory and explanations.
• Empirical research supports the development of
new ideas through the collection of data
(empirical = observation or measurement rather
than theoretical reasoning).
 Few other types of research

• Historical research
• Laboratory research
• Longitudinal research
• Diagnostic research
• Simulation research
 Historical research
• Historical research is that which utilizes
historical sources like documents,
remains, etc.
• to study events or ideas of the past,
including the philosophy of persons and
groups at any remote point of time.
 Laboratory research

• Research can be field-setting research or

laboratory research or simulation research,
depending upon the environment in which it is
to be carried out.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

The following are important characterizes of RESEACH:

• Research is directed towards the solution of a
problem.
• Research is a continuous process.
• Research requires expertise.
• Research is based on empirical evidence.
• Research is carefully recorded and reported.
• Research is not a mere compilation, but a purposive
investigation.
• Research is objective and logical
• Research adopts scientific method
 Research Ethics
• Ethics are norms or standards of behavior that guide
our behavior and our relationship with others.
• To safeguarded participants the researcher should;
• Explain study benefit
• Explain participant right and protection
• Obtain informed consent.
• Keep the participants data secret (Confidentiality)
 Unethical activities
• Changing data or creating false data to
meet desired objective
• Changing data presentation and analysis
• Interpreting data from biased perspective
• Omitting sections of data analysis
• Making recommendation beyond the data
collected.
• Deceiving people
• Breaking participant confidentiality
End of Chapter One