3rd year Accounting/ Business/ MIS

Scientific Research
Methods
Topic 2
An Overview of
The research Process
Mohamed Bannaga
 Topic Contents
The Research Process: An Overview:
*The Research Process: An Eight-Step Process,
*Step 1: Formulating a research problem,
*Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design,
*Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data
collection,
*Step 4: Selecting a sample,
*Step 5: Writing a research proposal,
*Step 6: Collecting data,
*Step 7: Processing (analyzing) data,
*Step 8: Writing a research report.
 *Step 1: Formulating a Deciding what
research problem
The Research Journey
*Step 2: Conceptualizing Planning How
a research design
*Step 3: Constructing an
instrument for data
collection
*Step 4: Selecting a
sample
*Step 5: Writing a
research proposal
*Step 6: Collecting data Actually doing
*Step 7: Processing
(analyzing) data
*Step 8: Writing a
 Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Research
 Quantitative and qualitative Research methodologies
differ in the philosophy that underpins their mode of
inquiry as well as, to some extent, in methods, models,
and procedures used.
 If your research problem needed qualitative mode of
inquiry, you are most likely to use unstructured
interviews and observations rather than subjecting your
data to statistical procedures (used for quantitative
research) as your method for data collection.
Difference with Quantitative Qualitative research
respect to:
Underpinning research
Rationalism: “The Empiricism: “The
philosophy human beings only knowledge that
achieve knowledge human beings
because of their acquire is from
capacity to reason” sensory experiences”
(Bernard 1994: 2) (Bernard 1994: 2)

Approach to Structured/rigid Unstructured/flexible/

enquiry predetermined open methodology
methodology
Main purpose of To quantify variation To describe variation
investigation in phenomenon, in phenomenon,
situation, issue ... situation, issue ...
Measurement of Emphasis on some Emphasis on
variables form of either description of
measurement or variables
classification of
Difference with Quantitative research Qualitative research
respect to:
Focus of inquiry Narrow focus in terms Covers multiple
extent of inquiry, but issues but
assembles required assembles required
information from a from fewer
greater number of respondents
respondents
Dominant Reliability and objectivity Authenticity but
research value (value-free) does not claim to be
value-free
Dominant Explains prevalence, Explores
research topic incidence, extent, nature experiences,
of issues, opinions and meaning,
attitude; discovers perceptions, and
regularities and feelings
formulate theories
Analysis of data Subjects variables to Subjects responses,
frequency distributions, narratives or
cross tabulations or other observation
 Steps in planning a research Study
Step 1: Formulating a research problem
 This step is the first and most important step in the research
process, it identifies your destination.
 It should tell you, your research supervisor and your readers what
you intend to research
 The more specific and clear you are the better, as everything that
follows in the research process is influenced by the way in which
you formulate your research problem.
 The main function of this step is to decide what you want to find
about
 When formulating your research problem, you should take into
consideration the financial resources you have at your disposal, the
time available, and your own and your supervisor’s expertise and
knowledge in the field of study.
 It’s important to identify any gaps in your knowledge of relevant
disciplines, such as statistics required for analysis.
 Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design
 The main function of a research design is to explain how
you will find answers to your research questions.
 The research design sets out the logic of your enquiry. It
should include the following: the study per se and the
logistical arrangements that you propose to undertake,
the measurement procedures, the sampling strategy, the
frame of analysis and the time frame.
 In any research it is important to select an appropriate
research design, a faulty design results in misleading
findings which is equal to wasting human and financial
resources.
 When selecting a research design it is important to
ensure that it is valid, workable, and manageable.
Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data collection
Anything that becomes a means of collecting information
for your study is called a ‘research tool’ or a ‘research
instrument’. E.g. Observation forms, interview schedules,
questionnaires, are all classified as research tool.
 Step 4: Selecting a sample
 The accuracy of your findings depends on the way you select your sample.
 The basic objective of any sampling is to minimise, within the limitation of cost,
the gap between the values obtained from your sample and those prevalent in
the population.
 Sampling theory is guided by two principles:
 1. the avoidance of bias in the selection of a sample
 2. the attainment of a maximum precision for a given outlay of resources
 There are three categories of sampling design:
 1. random/probability sampling design
 2. non-random /probability sampling design
 3. ‘mixed’ sampling design
 You need to be familiar with these sample designs to select the one most
appropriate for your study. You need to know the strengths and weaknesses of
each and the situations in which they can or cannot be used
 The type of sampling strategy determins your ability to generalise from the
sample to the total population and the type of statistical test s you can perform
on the data.
 Step 5: Writing a research proposal
 The research proposal is when you put
everything together in a way that provides
adequate information, for your research
supervisor and others, about your research
study. The research proposal tells a reader
about your research problem and how you are
planning to investigate.
 It must tell:
What you are proposing to do;
How you plan to proceed;
Why you selected the proposed strategy
 What should a research proposal
contain?
Therefore it should contain the following:
1. A statement of the objectives of the study;
2. A list of hypotheses, if you are using any;
3. The study design you are proposing to use;
4. The setting for your study;
5. The research instrument(s) you are planning to use;
6. Information on sample size and sampling design;
7. Information on data-processing procedures;
8. An outline of the proposed chapters for the report;
9. The study’s problems and limitations;
10.The proposed time-frame.
 Step 6: Collecting Data
 Having completed the above steps, you
then collect the data from which you will
draw inferences and conclusions for your
study
 The method you use to collect the data
should be set in your research design.
 Step 7: Processing (analyzing) Data
 The way you analyse the information you
collected depends on two things:
1. type of information; descriptive, quantitative,
qualitative
2. the way you want to communicate your
findings to your readers
 Step 8: Writing a research report

At the final step you inform the world what

you have done; what you have
discovered, and what conclusions you
have drawn from your findings.
Statistical package for social studies SPSS

• Kumar, R. Research
Methodology: a step-by-step
Guide for Beginners, 2nd Edition,
Sage Publications, 2005.