Research Week 1-2

Research

Pertains to any systematic investigation of any social or natural phenomena, where results and conclusions are aimed at contributing to generalizable knowledge.

Data are collected and analyzed in order to understand or control a phenomenon

Requirements of research

If it contributes to a body of science, and follows the scientific method.

What makes research scientific

Scientific Method

Refers to a standardized set of techniques for building scientific knowledge, such as how to make valid observations, how to interpret results, and how to generalize those results.

Observe, Question, Research, Hypothesize, Experiment, Test Hypothesis, Draw Conclusions, Report

Steps of the Scientific Method

Inductive/Theory Building research

This type of research is made to infer theoretical concepts and patterns from observed data.

Deductive/Theory Testing research

The goal of this research is to test concepts and patterns known from theory using new empirical data. It is also used to refine, improve, or extend a theory.

Deductive/Theory Testing research

This type of research proceeds in a top down approach to research that tests general principles by testing the hypothesis that leads to more specific conclusions.

Inductive/Theory Building

Follows a bottom-up approach to research beginning from specific observations explored through in-depth data collection that would lead to identification of themes that becomes the basis of more general conclusions.

Inductive/Theory Building

This type of research is Qualitative research

Deductive/Theory Testing

This type of research is Quantitative Research

Basic/Theoretical Research

Aims to test existing theories to advance knowledge or understanding

Applied Research

Uses knowledge acquired through research in order to contribute directly to the understanding or resolution of practical issues.

Exploratory Research

Often conducted in new areas of inquiry, where the goals of the research are to test the feasibility of undertaking a more extensive study regarding that phenomenon.

Descriptive Research

Directed at making careful observations and detailed documentation of a phenomenon of interest.

Explanatory research

Seeks explanations of observed phenomena, problems or behaviors.

Research Design

Blueprint of the activities to take in order to satisfactorily answer the research questions.

Research Methodology

This is broader than research, and usually includes the rationale for the research design.

Rationale

Provides justification for your research design

Ontology

Pertains to the nature or object of social reality. It refers to our assumptions about how we see the world.

Epistemology

Links to the process or act of knowing or acquiring knowledge. Refers to our assumptions about the best way to study the world.

Research Methods

Tools and techniques that researchers use to gather data.

Exploratory, Descriptive, Explanatory

Three Types of scientific research

Systematic, Empirical, Logical, Cyclical, Replicable

Characteristic of Research

Systematic

This characteristic of research follows an order & sequential procedure

Empirical

This Characteristic is based on direct experience or observations

Logical

This characteristic of research refers to being objective, Unbiased

Cyclical

This characteristic of research starts with a problem and ends witha problem.

Replicable

This type of characteristic refers to being replicated or repeated

Stated facts or general principles assumed to be true, tested by developing hypothesis, that are modified based on tests and experiments, that lead to more specific conclusions

Steps in deductive reasoning

Observations of cases assumed to be relevant, explored through in-depth data collection, that leads to the identification of themes used to build more general conclusions

Steps in inductive reasoning

Basic research focuses on discovering new phenomena, while applied research focuses on finding solutions to specific problems.

Main Difference between basic and applied research