More Related Content
Similar to RESEARCH METHODOLOGY LECTURE 2 AND 3 EMT 2304 FINAL.pdf (20)
Recently uploaded (20)
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY LECTURE 2 AND 3 EMT 2304 FINAL.pdf
- 1. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH Meaning of research Research in simple terms ,refers to search for knowledge. It is also known as scientific and systematic search for information on a particular topic or issue or the art of scientific investigation. Objectives of research The objective of research is to discover answers to questions by applying scientific procedures. I.e. the main aim of research is to find out truth which is hidden and has not yet been discovered.
- 2. Although every research has its own specific objectives ,research objectives may be broadly grouped as follows: i. To gain familiarity with or get new insights into a phenomenon. i.e. formulative research studies. ii. To accurately portray the characteristic of a particular individual ,group or a situation.ie descriptive research studies. iii. To analyze the frequency with which something occurs i.e diagnostic research studies. iv.To examine a hypothesis of a causal relationship between two variables. I.e hypothesis testing research studies.
- 3. Research methods versus methodology Research methods include all those techniques /methods that are adopted for conducting research. Research methodology -The way of systematically solving the research problem. -It is a science of studying how research is conducted scientifically. -Under it ,the researcher acquaints himself with the various steps generally adopted to study a research problem, along with the underlying logic behind them. The researcher must know the research techniques /methods and also the scientific approach /methodology.
- 4. Research approaches There are two main approaches to research namely quantitative and qualitative approach. The quantitative approach involves the collection of quantitative data ,which are put to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid manner. This approach further includes experimental, inferential and simulation approaches to research. The qualitative approach uses the method of subjective assessment of opinions ,behavior and attitudes. Research in such a situation is a function of the researchers impressions and insights.
- 5. Types of research These are the different types of research Descriptive Vs analytical Descriptive research comprises surveys and fact finding enquiries of different types. The main objective of descriptive research is describing the state of affairs as it prevails at the time of study. He can only report what has happened or what is happening but researcher has no control over the variables.eg frequency of shopping, preference of people etc.
- 6. The methods used for descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds including comparative and correlational methods. In analytical research ,the researcher has to use already available facts or information and analyze them to make a critical evaluation of the material.
- 7. Applied and fundamental Research can also be applied or fundamental research. An attempt to find a solution to an immediate problem encountered by a firm ,an industry ,a business ,organization, or the society is known as applied research. On the other hand ,fundamental research mainly concerns generalizations and formulation of a theory.
- 8. 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. The various available statistical and econometric methods are adopted for analysis in such research.
- 9. Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon i.e phenomenon relating to or involving quality or kind. Eg when interested in investigating the reasons as to why people behave or do certain things. Qualitative research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires using in depth interviews for that purpose.(attitude or opinion research
- 10. Conceptual Vs Empirical A research related to some abstract idea or theory is known as conceptual research. This type of research that does not involve conducting any practical experiments. It is based on observing and analyzing already existing concepts and theories. The researcher can observe their surroundings and develop brand-new theories, or they can build on existing ones. Empirical research exclusively relies on observational or experience with hardly any regard for theory and system.
- 11. Importance of knowing how to conduct research i. Provides training to new researchers and enables them to do research properly. ii. Inculcate the ability to evaluate and utilize the research findings with confidence. iii. Equips the researcher with tools that help him observe things objectively. iv.The knowledge of methodology helps the researcher consumer to evaluate research and make rational decisions.
- 12. Qualities of a researcher A good researcher should be committed to the articles of faith of the scientific methods of research. A researcher should be in his/her truest sense. Significance of research All progress is born of inquiry and inquiry leads to invention. It brings out the significance of research increased amounts of which makes progress possible. Research encourages scientific and inductive thinking besides promoting the development of logical habits and organization.
- 13. Categories of research knowledge The ways of developing and accessing knowledge come in three ,somewhat overlappingbroad categories. i. Observation the most fundamental way of obtaining information from a source. Observation takes different forms e.g measurements in a lab ,survey among a group of subjects, time it takes for a firm ware to run etc. This observational data needs to be processed in some form and this leads to the second category of knowledge ,the model. ii. Models-are approximated ,often simplified ways of describing sometimes very complex interactions in form of statistical relationship, a figure or a set of mathematical equations. Eg the modelling equation captures the relationship between different attributes or the behavior of the device in an abstract form and enables us to understand the observed phenomena. iii. The final category is a way of arranging or doing things through processes ,algorithms, procedures , arrangements,or reference designs to get a certain desired result.
- 14. Good research involves systematic collection and analysis of information and is followed by an attempt to infer a little beyond the already known information in a way that is a significant value addition. Usually engineering research is a journey that transverses from a research area (eg control systems) to the topic ( eg control of microbial fuel cells) and finally into the problem(adaptive control of single chamber microbial fuel cells) Area topic problem.
- 15. Research process Comprises a series of steps or actions required for effectively conducting research and for sequencing of these steps. They include: 1. Formulating the research problem 2. Extensive literature survey 3. Developing hypothesis 4. Preparing the research design 5. Determining the sample design 6. Collecting data 7. Execution of the project 8. Analysis of data 9. Hypothesis testing 10.Generalization and interpretation through a report.
- 16. Planning to do research done already Use of CPM AND GANNT CHART.
- 17. Research problem This is the first and foremost stage in the research process. A researcher should first identify a problem ,formulate it to make it amenable or susceptible to research. Research design The most important part after identifying the problem. Research design helps in deciding issues like what ,when ,where ,how much ,by what means etc. with regard to an enquiry or research study.
- 18. Features of research design i. It constitutes a plan that identifies the types and sources of information required for the research problem. ii. It constitutes a strategy that specifies the methods of data collection and analysis which would be adopted. iii.It specifies the time period of research and monetary budget involved in conducting the study.
- 19. Types of research design Different types of research design may be broadly categorized as : 1.Exploratory research design 2.Descriptive and diagnostic research design 3.Hypothesis testing research design.
- 20. Hypothesis A hypothesis is a mere assumption or some supposition to be proved or disproved. To a researcher is a formal question that he intends to resolve. Definition :a proposition or a set of proposition set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena asserted merely as provisional conjecture to guide some investigation or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts. Quit often ,the research hypothesis is a predictive statement ,capable of being tested by scientific methods that relates independent variable to some dependent variable. Example of a hypothesis statement Students who receive counseling will show a greater increase in creativity that students who do not receive counselling.
- 22. Formulating the research problem There are two types of research problems-those that relates to states of nature and those that relate to relationships between variables At the very onset ,the researcher must single out the problem he would want to study.(must express the general area of interest matter that he would want to inquire into. Initially the problem may be stated in a broad general way and then ambiguities if any relating to the problem be resolved.
- 23. Then the feasibility of a particular solution has to be considered before a working formulation of the problem can be set up. The formulation of a general topic into a specific research problem thus constitutes the first step in a scientific enquiry. Two steps are involved in formulating the research problem which include; understanding the problem thoroughly and rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from an analytical point of view.
- 24. One you put the question in general terms, it is up to the researcher to narrow it down and phrase the problem in operational terms.
- 25. Formulating the research problem What do you want to research about? What will the topic of your work? NB: A good topic should be short ,clear ,sharp and precise enough to make the empirical content of the research question evident and what an answer to that question would mean. Example of a non technical topic Eg a cognitive researcher want to do research on (i) memory memory is far too broad. (ii)narrowed to eg human memory -children memory - development of memory in children (still very broad) because it subsume too many researchable questions but getting better.