Nature and Characteristics of Research

By: ARYAN SOLANKI Stratford University USA

What you've learned is the source of the background information you use to communicate with others. If you haven't learned more than your audience already knows, there is nothing for you to share.

Thus you do research!

- a conceptual Structure - a blueprint - an outline of what the researcher will do

Research is a systematic, formal rigorous and precise process employed to gain solutions to problems and/or to discover and interpret new facts and relationships. (Waltz and Bausell, 1981).

Research is the process of looking for a specific answer to a specific question in an organized objective reliable way (Payton, 1979).

Research is systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena (Kerlinger, 1973).

Search for knowledge or any systematic investigation to establish facts.

Discovering, interpreting, and the development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge on a wide variety of scientific matters of our world and the universe.  Scientific research relies on the application of the scientific method, a harnessing of curiosity.  Social research refers to research conducted by social scientists.

 Smooth & efficient sailing (sets boundaries & prevents blind search)  Yields maximum information (avoids collection of unnecessary data)  Costs least in terms of effort, time & money  Maximizes reliability of results  Provides firm foundation to the endeavor  Averts misleading conclusions & thoughtless exercise  Helps organizing ones ideas  Gives chance to foresee flaws & inadequacies (anticipates problems)  Incorporates by learning from others critical comments & evaluations  Like a successful journey, y Broadens your mind y Gives fascinating & exciting experience y Gives insight into world around you y Provides opportunity to meet people y Gives fun and reward, but at times, very tedious

Purposes and Functions of Research

Exploratory
 Become familiar with the basic facts, setting and concerns.  Create a general mental picture of conditions.  Formulate and focus questions for future research.  Generate new ideas, conjectures, or hypotheses.  Determine the feasibility of conducting research.  Develop techniques and locating future data.

Descriptive
 Provide a detailed highly accurate picture.  Locate new data that contradicts past data.  Create a set of categories or classify types.  Classify a sequence of steps or stages.  Document a causal process or mechanism.  Report on the background or context of the situation.

Explanatory
 Test a theory prediction or principle.  Elaborate and enrich theorys explanation.  Extend a theory to new issues or topics.  Support or refute an explanation or prediction.  Link issues or topics with a general principle.  Determine which or several explanation is best.

Characteristics of Good Research

There should be the possibility of surprise in social research. look for differences that make a difference build in reality checks to see if identical analyses yield similar results for different samples of people compare like with like study change Let method be the servant, not the master.

Cont. ..

It is easy to suggest a problem but difficult to make a good research design Each problem/research work is unique & demands unique research design & unique combination of methods and techniques Comprehensive Flexible CHOOSES APPROPRIATE COMBINATION OF METHODS AND TECHNIQUES :- This suggest that the design should be such that it chooses appropriate combination of methods and techniques based on objectives, possible implications of results and overall environment, current knowledge etc. SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE:- This point suggests that the design should be

universally acceptable and understood by persons. It should be simple, clear and easily understood by laymen. Efficient, economical, maximum Reliability, minimum Biases & Smallest Error

The Role of Theory in Research

Theory is a system of interconnected abstractions or ideas that condenses or organizes knowledge about the social world. It also defined as a generalization or series of generalizations by which we attempt to explain some phenomena in a systematic manner. (Wiersama,1995). Social theories explain recurring patterns not unique or one time event. Social theories are explanations for aggregates not particular individuals. Social theorist state a probability, chance or tendency of events to occur, rather than stating that one event must absolutely follow another. Theory in general makes it easier to read someone elses research or to conduct your own. Such awareness of how theory fits into the research process produces better designed, easier to understand, and better conducted studies. A theory provides a framework for conducting research, and it can be used for synthesizing and explaining (through generalization) research results. Theory helps provide a framework by serving as a point of departure for the pursuit of a research problem.

Steps/ Stages/Components in/of the Research Process

1. Select a Topic

7. Inform Others

2. Focus Question

THEORY 6. Interpret Data 3. Design Study

5. Analyze Data

4. Collect Data

y Basic research
y Conducted to develop, test, or refine theory

Applied research

Conducted to examine the usefulness of theory in solving practical educational problems

Examples
Developing seventh grade social studies curriculum around a problem-solving approach to learning Examining the effectiveness of a computer-based algebra program developed around a mastery learning approach Accommodating varied learning styles when teaching lessons in modern literature

 Evaluation research
Conducted to assess the merit or worth of a specific

practice in terms of the values operating at a specific site

Merit is exemplified by a program accomplishing what is was supposed to accomplish Worth is exemplified by the value attached to a program by those using it.
Examples The computerized algebra program being used in Williams Middle School has been installed properly, is being used properly, and student achievement is increasing as a result of its use The computerized algebra program being used in Williams Middle School is perceived to be an efficient and effective expenditure of district funds

 Descriptive/survey
Purpose to describe current conditions Examples How many students drop out of school in LNU? What are the attitudes of parents, students, and teachers to an extended school year? What kinds of activities typically occur in sixth-grade art classes, and how frequently does each occur? What have been the reactions of school administrators to innovations in teaching physical science? To what extent are elementary teachers using math manipulative? Characteristics Use of large samples Use of tests, questionnaires, and surveys Focused on information related to preferences, attitudes, practices, concerns, or interests Statistical analysis of numerical data Potential problems Instrument development Low response rates Honest responses from subjects

Historical research
y Purpose to gain insight into past events, issues, of

personalities to better understand the current situation y Examples:

y The difficulties being experienced while implementing a standards

based curriculum can be understood more completely if one recognizes the historical top-down control of curriculum imposed on teachers by the State Department of Education. y Current parochial school policies can be better understood with knowledge of the role these schools have played in the education of students in the community for the last fifty years.

y Characteristics
y Focus on specific individuals, social issues, events, or policies y Documents and artifacts are the primary sources of data y Data is already available and is complied, presented, and

interpreted y Data is examined carefully for authenticity and truthfulness