Advanced Research Mehtods

Dr. Sajjad Ahmad Baig

 What is Research?
Research is a systematic and organized process of inquiry
that aims to discover new knowledge, enhance existing
knowledge, or solve specific problems.
It involves the collection, analysis, interpretation, and
presentation of information to answer a particular question
or to address a specific issue. Research can be conducted in
various fields, including science, social science, humanities,
business, technology, and more.
 Types of Research
Research can be broadly classified into several types based
on different criteria, including the purpose of the research,
the research design, and the data collection method. Here
are some common types of research:
1.Basic Research (Pure Research):
This type of research aims to enhance understanding of
fundamental principles and theories without any
immediate practical application. It seeks to expand
knowledge rather than solve a specific problem.
 Types of Research

2: Applied Research:
Applied research is conducted to solve specific, practical
problems. It is focused on the application of existing
knowledge to address real-world issues.
3:Quantitative Research:
This type of research involves the collection and analysis
of numerical data. It uses statistical methods to draw
conclusions and make generalizations about a population.
 Types of Research
4:Qualitative Research:
Qualitative research is concerned with non-numerical data,
often involving in-depth interviews, focus groups, or content
analysis. It aims to understand the underlying motivations,
opinions, and attitudes of individuals.
5:Descriptive Research:
Descriptive research aims to describe the characteristics of a
phenomenon or the relationships between variables. It
provides a detailed account of the situation without
manipulating variables.
 Types of Research

6:Correlational Research:
This type of research examines the relationship between
two or more variables to determine if they are associated.
However, it does not imply causation.
7:Causal or Experimental Research:
Experimental research involves manipulating one or more
independent variables to observe their effect on a
dependent variable. It aims to establish cause-and-effect
relationships.
 Types of Research
8:Longitudinal Research:
Longitudinal studies involve collecting data from the same subjects over an
extended period. This allows researchers to observe changes or trends over
time.
9:Cross-Sectional Research:
Cross-sectional studies collect data from participants at a single point in time to
analyze and compare various variables.
10:Action Research:
Action research is conducted by practitioners in their own settings to solve
specific problems and improve practices. It often involves a cyclical process of
 Types of Research

11:Historical Research:
Historical research involves the study of past events and their
impact on the present. Researchers analyze historical
documents, records, and artifacts to understand a particular
time period.
12:Case Study Research:
Case studies involve an in-depth analysis of a single
individual, group, event, or situation. It provides a detailed
and context-rich understanding of a specific case.
 Types of Research

13:Survey Research:
Surveys collect data from a sample of individuals through
questionnaires or interviews to gather information about
attitudes, behaviors, or characteristics within a population.
14:Ethnographic Research:
Ethnography involves immersing researchers in a particular
culture or social group to observe and understand their
behaviors, practices, and beliefs.
 NOTE
These categories are not mutually exclusive, and researchers
often use a combination of methods to address their research
questions. The choice of research type depends on the
nature of the study and the questions being asked.
 Research Ethics

Ethics in research is a fundamental aspect that ensures the

responsible conduct of research and protects the rights and
well-being of participants, researchers, and society at large.
Ethical considerations are essential at every stage of the
research process, from planning and data collection to
analysis and dissemination of results.
 Key Ethics
Informed Consent:

• Participants should be fully informed about the purpose,

procedures, potential risks, and benefits of the research
before agreeing to participate.
• Informed consent should be obtained voluntarily, without
coercion, and participants should have the right to
withdraw at any time without penalty.
 Key Ethics
Privacy and Confidentiality:
• Researchers must protect the privacy of participants by ensuring that
their personal information is kept confidential.
• Data should be anonymized whenever possible to prevent the
identification of individual participants.
Minimization of Harm:
•Researchers should minimize the potential physical, emotional, and
psychological risks to participants.
•If the research involves potential harm, the benefits should outweigh
the risks, and steps should be taken to mitigate and minimize harm.
 Key Ethics
Justice and Fairness:
• The benefits and burdens of research should be distributed fairly
among different groups in society.
• Vulnerable populations, such as children, prisoners, and individuals
with diminished autonomy, require special consideration and
protection.
Integrity and Honesty:
• Researchers must conduct their work with honesty and integrity,
accurately reporting methods, data, and results.
• Fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism are serious breaches of
research ethics.
 Key Ethics
Respect for Autonomy:
• Researchers should respect the autonomy and decision-making capacity of
research participants.
• Individuals have the right to make their own choices and decisions, and
researchers should avoid manipulating or coercing participants.
Social Responsibility:
• Researchers should consider the broader societal implications of their research
and strive to contribute positively to the well-being of individuals and
communities.
• The dissemination of research findings should be done responsibly, avoiding
sensationalism and ensuring accurate representation of results.
 Key Ethics
Transparent Reporting
• Researchers should provide clear and transparent reporting of their
methods, results, and conclusions to allow for the reproducibility of
the study.
• Openness and transparency contribute to the credibility and
reliability of research.
Conflict of Interest:
• Researchers should disclose any potential conflicts of interest that
could influence the objectivity or integrity of the research.
• Funding sources and affiliations that may pose a conflict should be
transparently reported.
 Key Ethics

Continuous Review and Oversight:

• Ethical review boards or committees play a crucial role
in assessing the ethical implications of research projects.
• Ongoing ethical review and oversight are important,
especially in long-term studies.
What is Research
Process?
 Research Process
The research process is a systematic series of steps that
researchers follow to investigate a particular topic,
question, or problem and contribute new knowledge to a
field. While the specific steps may vary depending on the
discipline and the nature of the research.
 Research Process
Identifying the Research Problem or Question:
• Formulate a clear and concise research question or identify a
specific problem that needs to be addressed.
• Define the scope and boundaries of the research.
Review of Literature:
Conduct a thorough review of existing literature related to the
research question or problem.
Identify gaps in knowledge and understand the current state of
research in the field.
 Research Process
Formulating a Hypothesis or Research Objective:
• Develop a hypothesis (for experimental research) or clearly
define the research objectives.
Designing the Research:
• Choose the research design (e.g., experimental,
observational, qualitative, quantitative) that best suits the
research question.
• Develop a research plan, including the sampling strategy,
data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
 Research Process
Data Collection:
• Collect data according to the research plan.
• Ensure that data collection methods are rigorous and
reliable.
Data Analysis:
• Analyze the collected data using appropriate statistical or
qualitative methods.
• Interpret the results and draw conclusions.
 Research Process

Drawing Conclusions and Making Recommendations:

• Summarize the findings and relate them back to the research
question or problem.
• Make recommendations for further research or practical
applications.
Reporting and Communicating Results:
• Prepare a research report or paper that includes the methodology,
results, and conclusions.
• Present the findings through conferences, journals, or other relevant
platforms.
 Research Process

Peer Review and Publication:

• Submit the research paper to a peer-reviewed journal for
evaluation.
• Address any feedback or revisions required by the peer-
review process.
Reflection and Revision:
• Reflect on the research process and outcomes.
• Revise the research design or methodology for future studies
based on lessons learned.
 Plagiarism
Plagiarism in research refers to the act of using
someone else's words, ideas, or work without proper
acknowledgment or permission and presenting it as
your own. This unethical practice undermines the
principles of academic integrity and honesty.
 Types of Plagiarism
Direct Copying: Using someone else's exact words without quotation marks and
proper citation.
Paraphrasing without Attribution: Rewriting someone else's work in your own
words without giving proper credit to the original source.
Incomplete Citations: Including a citation but not providing enough
information for others to locate the original source
Self-Plagiarism: Submitting your own previous work without proper citation,
especially in cases where the work has already been published.
Fabrication or Falsification: Inventing or altering data, results, or information
and presenting it as genuine.
Collusion: Working with others on an assignment but submitting it as if it were
your individual work.
 NOTE
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and can lead to severe
consequences, including academic penalties, loss of reputation, and
damage to one's professional and scholarly standing. Researchers and
academics are expected to uphold high standards of integrity and to
give credit to the original creators of ideas or information through
proper citation. Institutions often have policies and procedures in place
to address and prevent plagiarism. It's crucial for researchers to be
aware of these guidelines and to follow ethical practices in their work.