Unit 1 - Introduction to Research

Unit 1

Research involves:

- gaining knowledge,
- interpreting data and
- disseminating the findings.

Research

a systematic and scientific study of a trend or event or phenomena which involves careful collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of quantitative or qualitative data or facts that relates man's thinking with reality.

Scientific Method of doing research

1. Do background research and synthesize related studies on topic of interest

2. Ask questions. Identify gaps in the existing body of knowledge.

3. Do more detailed background research and review of related literatures. Identify their limitations.

4. Develop hypothesis

5. Test hypothesis (using Methods)

6. Analyze data (Results of tests and methods)

7. Interpret findings (Discussion and Conclusions

Nature of Research

1. Systematic and analytic
2. Solution of a problem or inquiry
3. Search for knowledge, truth with study
observation and comparison
4. New facts, voyage of discovery
5. Original contribution to existing stock
6. Generalization of some theoretical formulation
7. Generation of hypothesis
8. Collection and analysis of data
9. Validation of the data
10. Reaching to certain conclusions
11. Involves getting consequential benefits of research
12. Observations, comparison and experiments
13. Manipulation of things, concepts or symbol for the purpose of generalization
14. What everybody is thinking and what nobody is thinking
15. Research is purposive, objective & logical
16. It is based on observable experience and empirical evidence

Importance of Research

- Research improves quality of life.
- Research improves instruction.
- Research improves students' achievement.
- Research improves competence.
- Research satisfies man's needs.
- Research reduces the burden of work.
- Research has deep-seated psychological aspects.
- Research improves the exportation of food products.
- Research trains graduates to become responsive to the economic developments of the country and compete globally.
- Research responds to the economic recovery and austerity measure of the country.

Characteristics of Research

Empirical
Logical
Cyclical
Analytical
Critical
Methodical
Replicability

Empirical

research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher.

Logical

research is based on valid procedures and principles. Scientific study is done in an orderly manner so that the investigator has confidence on the results.

Cyclical

research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends with a problem.

Analytical

research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering data, whether historical, descriptive, experimental, and case study.

Critical

research exhibits careful and precise judgment. A higher level of confidence must be established so that the investigator is confidently precise on whether the results are significant or insignificant or whether to reject or accept the null hypothesis.

Methodical

research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using systematic method and procedures.

Replicability

research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.

Purpose
Process
Outcome

3 Types of Research Classifications

Purpose Classification of Research

Exploratory
Descriptive
Analytical
Predictive

Process Classification of Research

Quantitative
Qualitative

Outcome Classification of Research

Applied
Basic
Action

Exploratory Research

This is conducted when there are few or no earlier studies to which references can be made for information.

Exploratory Research

The aim is to look for patterns, ideas or hypotheses rather than testing or confirming a hypothesis; the focus is on gaining insights and familiarity with the subject area for more rigorous investigation late

Descriptive Research

•This describe phenomenon as they exist.
It is used to identify and obtain information on the characteristics of a particular issue; description of the state of affairs as it exists at present

Analytical or Explanatory Research

A continuation of descriptive research; The researcher goes beyond merely describing the characteristics, to analyze and explain why and how something is happening.

Analytical or Explanatory Research

Aims to understand phenomenon by discovering and measuring causal relationship among them; The researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

Predictive Research

Goes further by forecasting the likelihood of similar situation occurring elsewhere. It aims to generalize from the analysis by predicting certain phenomenon on the basis of hypothesized, general relationships; Provides 'how', 'why', and 'where' answers to current events as well as to similar events in the future.

Quantitative Research

- based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
- it is applicable to the phenomenon that can be expressed in terms of quantity.
- it involves the generation of data in quantitative form which can be subject to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid form.
- this approach of research can be further sub-divided into inferential, experimental and simulation approach

Qualitative Research

- concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena related to or involving quality or kind.
- this type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires.
- through such kind of research, we can analyze the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or which make people to like or dislike a particular thing.
- this approach of research is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions and behavior.

Basic Research

also called fundamental research or pure research, and is conducted primarily to improve our understanding of general issues, without any emphasis on its immediate application

Basic Research

it is regarded as the most academic form of research since the principle aim is to make a contribution to knowledge, usually for general good, rather than to solve a specific problem for one generation

Applied Research

- adapt the theories, developed through fundamental research, to the solution of problems.
- aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing by a society/ institution/ business organization etc

Action Research

- form of research where researcher 'interferes' with or changes - deliberately - what is being researched
- focused on the immediate application, not on the development of theory, nor upon general application
- it has placed its emphasis on a problem, here and now, in a local setting.
- attempts to apply the spirit of scientific methods to the solution of problems in a particular setting, without any assumptions about the general application of findings beyond the situation studied

Thesis

- your ideas for the paper;
it's your argument or insight or viewpoint crystallized into a sentence

Thesis

- it's not only useful for the reading audience to understand the purpose of the essay,
- it's also useful for you as a writer, as it indicates the type of support that will follow in the paper and it may indicate a logical structure or order for that support

Feasibility Study

- is a type of research undertaken prior to starting of any business enterprise or any business-related project
- assess the technical, economic, market and financial viability of the project.
- the issue whether the project is socially desirable and environmentally acceptable is also taken into consideration

Difficulties Encountered in Research

1.Lack of training
2.Insufficient interaction
3.Misuse of data
4.Overlapping of studies
5.Code of conduct
6.Inadequate timely assistance
7.Library management
8.Acts rule not available
9.Published data not available in time
10.Problems in conceptualization

Research Process

1. Identification and selection of research problem
2. Review of literature
3. Formulation of selected problems
4. Operationalization of concepts
5. Preparation of the research plan
6. Construction of tools of data collection
7. Collection of data
8. Processing of data
9. Analysis of data
10. Report writing

Sources of Research Topic

1.Personal interest (your favorite course, subject, topic)
2.Information/observation (any behavior that arouses your curiosity)
3.Practical problems (problems in your class, school, job)
4.Pop ups -fleeting thoughts (falling apples)
5.Readings (books, magazines, web sites, even cartoons, advertisements)
6.Theories (theories that predict a behavior- opposing theories for the same behavior)

Characteristics of a good research topic

•access
•achievability
•symmetry of potential outcomes,
• student capability
• value
•scope of research.