ARUSHA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

ELECTRICAL ENGENEERING DEPARTMENT

ELECTRICAL AND AUTOMATION ENGINEERING
RESEARCH METHODOLODY
GSU 07402

NAME: GHUBAIDA HASSANI ABEDI

ADMISSION NUMBER: 17031613011
Question 01

To explain the following terms

a) Hypothesis

It is a proposition made as a basis for reasoning, without any assumption of its truth.
Hypothesis is made so as to test a theory or a research problem. Hypothesis is just some initial
answers to the problem.

In a research hypothesis is formulated so as to try to answer the research problem.

b) Variable

Refers to a measurable attribute or traits that changes or varies across the experiment whether
comparing results between multiple groups, multiple people or even when using a single person in
an experiment conducted over time.

Types of variables are

 Dependent and independent variables

 Intervening and Moderator Variables
 Constant or Controllable Variable
 Extraneous Variables

c) Objective

It is a clear concise and declarative statement, which provides direction to investigate the variables
under the topic or study. Objectives focus on the ways to measure the variables so it helps the
researcher to focus on the topic. It is used as a statement of purpose in a study that does not have a
hypothesis.
Question 02

a) Research

It is an objective and systematic search for relevant information on a particular subject or topic. It
aims at finding answers to questions by implementing scientific procedures.

Research is everywhere and in everything. In order to get anything better somebody need to do a
research. Example when finding a spouse you have to do a research, when you want to apply for
admission for joining university you have to do a research.

b) Qualities of a good Research

For a research to be useful it must have better quality. The following are the qualities of a research

 It is based on the work of others.

 It can be replicated and doable.
 It is generalizable to other settings.
 It is based on some logical rationale and tied to theory. In a way that it has the potential to
suggest directions for future research.
 It generates new questions or is cyclical in nature.
 It is incremental.
 It addresses directly or indirectly some real problem in the world.
 It clearly states the variables or constructs to be examined.
 Valid and verifiable such that whatever you conclude on the basis of your findings is
correct and can be verified by you and others.
Question 03

Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative research

The following are the types of research based on nature of information

a) Qualitative research

This is the type of research conducted to develop insight on human behavior, i.e. to discover the
way people think and feel.

It is a form of research in which the researcher gives more weight to the views of the participants.
Case study, grounded theory, ethnography, historical and phenomenology are the types of
qualitative research.

 It is deals with feelings, attitudes, opinions and thoughts of human beings to determine the
reason behind the topic
 It is used to explore and discover ideas used in the ongoing processes.
 It uses purposive sampling where small samples are selected to understand the target
population
 It is explanatory research type
 It uses inductive reasoning
 It is based on verbal or narrative data
 It is subjective in nature
 It is used to provide initial understanding of the topic.

b) Quantitative research

It is an empirical research used to generate measurable data, by employing statistical and logical
techniques. It relies on the methods of natural sciences, which produces numerical data and hard
facts. It aims at establishing cause and effect relationship between two variables by using
mathematical, computational and statistical methods.

 It deals with hard facts and statistical data to provide references in numerical form
 It is used to examine cause and effect relationship between variables
 It uses random sampling where large samples are selected to exploit the result.
  It is conclusive.
 It uses deductive reasoning because it relies on the available information to give better
conclusion.
 It is based on numerical data presented in charts, graphs, tables and others
 It is objective in nature
 It recommends final course of action

Question 04

a) Research problem

It is a definite or clear expression or statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved

upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in
theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful understanding and deliberate
investigation. A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad
proposition, or present a value question.

A research problem saves the following purposes.

 Introduce the reader to the importance of the topic being studied. The reader is oriented to
the significance of the study.
 Anchors the research questions, hypotheses, or assumptions to follow. It offers a concise
statement about the purpose of your paper.
 Place the topic into a particular context that defines the parameters of what is to be
investigated.
 Provide the framework for reporting the results and indicates what is probably necessary
to conduct the study and explain how the findings will present this information.
b) Sources of research problem.
 Current social and economic issues
 Personal interest and experience
 Replication of previous studies
 Clarification of contradictory research results
 Social problems like unemployment, crimes, female genital mutilation
 Theory deduction
 Funding agencies
 Past researches and literature review
 Casual observation
 Related literature