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Chapter 3 Research Process Ab

The document outlines the steps in the research process which include selecting a topic, formulating the research problem, conducting a literature review, developing objectives and hypotheses, designing the research, and executing the project. It provides details about each step and considerations when conducting research.

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Gatluak Thalow Kueth
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45 views20 pages

Chapter 3 Research Process Ab

The document outlines the steps in the research process which include selecting a topic, formulating the research problem, conducting a literature review, developing objectives and hypotheses, designing the research, and executing the project. It provides details about each step and considerations when conducting research.

Uploaded by

Gatluak Thalow Kueth
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 20

Chapter Three

The Research Process

1
The Research Process involves the following
steps:
1. Selecting a broad area of study
2. Problem definition
3. Literature review
4. Developing objectives and formulating
hypothesis
5. Design of the Research
6. Execution of the project :
• Data collection,
• Data analysis and interpretation of the results
7. Reporting
2
1. Selecting a topic

 All writing/research works begin with a topic.


 Look for a subject that interests you and will
maintain your interest throughout the various
stages of research that will help you to obtain
the maximum self-development from the
research project.
 It should be related with your career.
 Some preliminary reading will help to
determine the extent of your interest.
 Keep in mind the time allotted to you and the
expected length of the research paper.
3
Selecting a topic … (Cont’d)
 Commonly begin with fairly general topic and then refine
it into a more specific one.
 Try to narrow your topic by focusing on a particular
aspect of a particular approach.
 Be original as much as you can, to avoid duplicate work
on a specific topic
 Review as much Literature as possible to avoid
duplication.
 The eventual successful completion of a research study
is dependent on the selection of an appropriate topic.
 Before beginning the project, make sure you understand
the amount/width and depth of research required, & the
type of paper expected.
4
2. Formulating the Research Problem
 The task of formulating/defining a research problem is the
core point in the entire research process.
 It is important because:
- It determines the data to be collected,
- It determines the characteristic of the data which are
relevant,
- It determines the choice of techniques to be used.,
- It determines the form of the final report.
 Therefore, the researcher must single out the problem
he/she wants to study.

5
Formulating the Research Problem ….(cont’d)

 The researcher must decide the general area of


interest or aspect of a subject matter that he/she
would like to inquire into/study.
 The best way of formulating the research
problem is:
- To discuss it with colleagues
- To discuss it with those that have some experience
with the issue / with experts.
 A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved.

6
Formulating the Research Problem ….(cont’d)

 Some general principles in problem formulation

- Be sure the problem really exists


- Learn as much as possible about the problem to be
solved

- Consider alternative formulations in case one is not


feasible

- Be aware that the problem formulation may


influence the phenomena being studied

7
Formulating the Research Problem ….(cont’d)

 Evaluation of a research problem (some questions


to be asked):
- Is the problem in line with my goals or expectations and the
expectation of others?
- Will the solution of the problem advance knowledge?
- What is the value of potential outcome? (who are the
beneficiaries?)
- Do I possess or can I acquire the necessary skills, abilities
and background knowledge to study the problem?
(Researcher’s capability and interest)
- Will the data be accessible?
- Do I have access to the necessary resources (time,
money, tools, equipments, laboratory, subjects, etc) to
conduct the investigation? 8
3. Literature Survey
 The researcher should also examine all available
literatures to get himself acquainted with the
selected problem.
- May continue from beginning to end
- It is important in defining problems and hypotheses
formulation as well as selection of methods
- Extensive review is required to know:
 What others have done in the area?
 How did they do it?
 What were the research variables?
 How were the variables measured?
 What were the constraints?
 What could possibly be modified?
9
Literature Survey ….(cont’d)
 The Researcher may review two types of literature
Conceptual literature
- Concerning the concepts and theories.
Empirical literature
- Consisting of studies made earlier which are
similar to the one proposed.
 Basic Outcomes of the Review
To understand what data and other materials
are available for operational purposes which will
enable the researcher to specify his own
research problem in a meaningful context.
10
Literature Survey. ….(cont’d)
 Literature survey and problem Formulation are
inter-related, because the problem can only be
specifically defined if extensive literature survey is
done.
 For this purpose - Journals, Conference
proceedings, published or unpublished
bibliographies, Government Reports can be used
 Remember – One Source leads to another

11
4. Developing objectives and Working Hypothesis:

Objectives:
- Statements that indicate what a researcher intends to
accomplish in a more specific term.
Hypothesis:
- An assertion about the relationship between two or more
concepts.
- Important bridges between empirical inquiry and theory
Some guidelines in developing objectives:
- Objectives must be specific, concrete and achievable
statements.
- The objectives should clearly fit to the statement of the problem
- The objectives must propose to do things as per the capability of
the design of the study.
- Objectives should be in their approximate order of importance.
12
Developing objectives … (cont’d):

 Developing research hypotheses is important since


they provide the focal point of the research.
- They indirectly determine the quality of data which is
required for the analysis.
- Hypothesis should be specific
- Hypothesis should be limited to the piece of research in
hand because it has to be tested.
- The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher and
keep him on the right track.
- Working with hypotheses arise as a result of prior
thinking about the subject.

13
Developing … (cont’d):
A hypothesis must be
Specific
Conceptually clear in terms of common definitions
Testable (for verification or rejection) by available
techniques and resources
Related to a body of theory;
Stated to provide direction for the research;
Formulated as causal relationships;
Some examples of hypothesis
Improved training provision will create a more productive
reliable and satisfied workforce
Smoking and lung cancer are independent
As a general rule, working with hypothesis is another basic step of the
research process in most research problems --- but may not be
always necessary. Eg. In Exploratory researches. 14
5. Design of the Research
 Once the research problem is formulated and working
hypothesis developed, the researcher will be required to
prepare a research design.
 Research design refers to the arrangement of the
conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner
that will satisfy or achieve the objectives of a research
undertaking.
 It is intended to enable the researcher to answer questions as
validly, objectively, accurately and economically as much as
possible;
 It provides for the collection of relevant data with minimum
effort, time and budget.
• It sets up the framework for adequate tests of
relationships among study variables.
15
Design of research …cont’d
 The research design tells us:
- What observations to make?
- What variables to measure?
- How to make them/measure them?
- How to analyze the data?
- It also suggests how many observations to make
and the type of statistical analysis to be used.

16
Design of research …cont’d
 The research design preparation should consider:

The time available for research


The finance available for the purpose
The availability and skills of the researcher and his/her
staff (if any)
Identifying the study variables
Identifying study subjects / experimental units,
Planning the means of obtaining the information and
reasoning leading to selection.
- Sampling methods

17
Design of research …cont’d
 Whatever method the researcher chooses, he/she has to
design the empirical stage (experiment /survey/observation).

Method selection
Quantitative –vs- Qualitative methods
Or a combination of both
Various options are available for both quantitative or
qualitative methods

18
6. Execution of the project.
 It is a very important step in the research process.
 If the execution of the project proceeds on correct lines, the data
to be collected would be adequate and dependable.
 Data collection may involve:
 Field survey / experiments
 Laboratory experiments
 Opinion poll
 Observation
 Document scanning
 Questionnaires
 Interview, etc.
 Data Analysis
 Quantitative data – quantitative figures
 Qualitative data – analytical thinking
 Hypothesis testing
 Generalizations and Interpretation of the results 19
7. Reporting
 Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of
what has been done.
 The result should be Communicated to others
Peers
Policy makers/Developers
Extension workers
General public
 The style and content varies depending on to whom
the research is written to.

20

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