Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Megh R. Dangal
Kathmandu University
INTRODUCTION
Research is a systematic, controlled, empirical
and critical investigation of hypothetical
propositions about the presumed relations among
natural phenomena (Kerlinger, 1986)
Research is a procedure by which we attempt to
find systematically, and with the support of
demonstrable facts, the answer to a question of
the resolution of a problem (Leedy, 1989)
Research is a systematic and objective analysis
and recording of observations that may lead to
the development of a theory (Best, 1992)
INTRODUCTION
Research is a systematic and critical enquiry
which aims to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge and wisdom (Bassey, 1999)
Research is an organized, systematic, data-based
and critical, scientific enquiry of investigation
into a specific problem, undertaken with the
objective of finding answers or solutions to it
(Sekaran, 2000)
(Pant, 2009, p. 5)
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The broader principles of research underscored by
philosophical rationales
Positivism
Studies
Post-positivism
Views
RESEARCH METHODS
Involve the forms of data collection, analysis and
interpretation that researchers propose for their
studies
Key principles of research design, such as the
case study method
Particular approaches for collecting and
analyzing data, such as observation
Applied research
Is
Fundamental research
Is
Applied research
Purpose
Expand knowledge processes of
business and management
Result in universal principles
relating to the process and its
relationship to outcomes
Finding of significance and value
to society in general
Context:
Undertaken by people based in
universities
Choice of topic and objectives
determined by the researcher
Flexible time scales
Purpose:
Improve understanding of
particular business or management
problem
Results in solution to problem
New knowledge limited to problem
Finding of practical relevance and
value to managers in organization
Context:
Undertaken by people based in a
variety of settings including
organizations
Objectives negotiated with
originator
4. Action
2. Data Collection
3. Data Analysis
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Usually emphasizes words rather than
quantification in the collection and analysis of data
For exploring and understanding the meaning
individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human
problem
The process of research involves emerging questions
and procedures; collecting data in the participants
setting; analyzing the data inductively, building
from particulars to general themes; and making
interpretations of the meaning of the data
The final written report has a flexible writing
structure
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Usually emphases quantification in the collection
and analysis of data
For testing objective theories by examining the
relationship among variables
Variables can be measured, typically on
instruments, so that numbered data can be
analyzed using statistical procedures
The final written report has a set structure
consisting of introduction, literature and theory,
methods, results, and discussion
MIXED RESEARCH
Describes research that combines the use of both
qualitative and quantitative research
Involves philosophical assumptions, the use of both
approaches, and the mixing of both in a study
Both data are actually merged, one end of the
continuum, or kept separate, the other end of the
continuum, or combined in some way on the
continuum
The
Quantitative
Approach
Mixed
Approach
Qualitative
Approach
Scientific
Deductive or
top-down
Test hypothesis
and theory with
data.
Deductive
and
Inductive
Inductive or bottom-up
Generate new hypotheses
and theory from data
collected.
Most common
Description
Explanation
Prediction
Multiple
objectives
Description
Exploration
Discovery
Narrow-angle
lens
Testing specific
hypotheses
Method
research
objectives
Focus
Nature of
study
Form of
data
collected
Nature of
Study behavior
in more than
one context or
condition
Multiple forms
Numeric variables.
Mixture of
numeric
variables,
words, and
images.
Identify statistical
relationships.
Statistical and
holistic
Holistically identify
patterns, categories, and
data
Data
analysis
Results
Generalizable
findings.
General
understanding of
respondents
viewpoint.
Researcher framed
results.
corroborated
findings that
may be
generalizable.
Particularistic
findings.
In-depth
understanding of
respondents
viewpoint.
Respondent framed
results.
Form of
Statistical report
including
correlations,
comparisons of
means, and
statistically
significant findings.
Statistical
findings with
in-depth
narrative
description
and
identification
of overall
themes.
Narrative report
including
contextual
description,
categories, themes,
and
supporting
respondent quotes.
final
report
Textbooks
Bryman, A. (2008). Social research methods (3 rd
ed.). India: Oxford.
Creswell, J. W. (2011). Research designs (3rd
ed.). New Delhi: Sage.
References:
American Psychological Association [APA].
(2010). Publication manual (6th ed.).
Washington, D. C.: Author.
Neuman, W. L. (2006). Social research methods:
Qualitative and quantitative approaches (6 th
ed.). India: PEARSON.
Pant, P. R. (2010). Social science research and
thesis writing (5th ed.). Kathmandu: Buddha.