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Research Methodology

WHAT IS RESEARCH?

Dr. Azadeh Asgari

Learning Outcomes Of Course


Students are able to: Explain all the steps on how to conduct a research (C5/CTPS5) Exhibit the ability to prepare a research proposal (P4/EM3) Evaluate a recently published research articles (A3/LL3)

C5/CTPS5:
C5 = Cognitive Level 5 = Synthesis CTPS5 = Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Level 5 = able to make decisions based on solid evidences

P4/EM3:
P4 = Psychomotor 4 = mechanism - exhibit, develop, manipulate, organise, merge EM3 = able to practise ethical attitude as well as feeling responsible to the society

A3/LL3
A3 = Affective Level 3 = Evaluate explain, compare and contrast, report, demonstrate etc. LL3 = Lifelong Learning = able to develop the inquisitive mind and thirst for knowledge

Course Synopsis
This course covers guidelines of social science research process including the foundations of research in social science, formulation of good objectives and research questions, research design, population and sampling, instrumentation, method of data collection and data analysis, the ethical implications of social science research, and the critical evaluation of own research and that of other social scientists.

Quotation
A researcher is.. . a scholarly person of the highest integrity.
(Best, 1981)

What Is Research?

Research is the systematic process of collecting analyzing information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested to solve problems of daily living.

What Is Formal Research?

Formal research is research which we intentionally set out to enhance our understanding of a phenomenon and expect to communicate it what we discover to a larger scientific community.

Purposes Of Research

To obtain new information To look at relationships between variables To develop new knowledge To verify existing knowledge To develop new theories or expand on existing theories

Purposes Of Research

To explain situations or problems To utilize or apply a new technique or technology To explain a situation To understand, predict, or control a result

General Characteristics Of Research

Research is systematic Research is logical Research is empirical Research should be able to be replicated

Other Characteristics Of Research


1. Originates with a problem 2. Requires a clear (unambiguous) articulation of a goal to be achieved 3. Follows a specific, systematic plan of procedure 4. Usually divides the principal problem into more manageable sub-problems 5. Guided by the specific research problem, question or hypothesis 6. Accepts certain critical assumptions 7. Requires the collection and interpretation of data in a attempt to resolve the researched problem 8. It is, by nature, cylical or, more exactly, helical

The Research Cycle


6 1

5 Research is a cyclical process

Cyclical Process Of Research


1. Research begins with a problem: An unanswered question in the mind of the researcher. 2. Research defines the goal in terms of a clear statement of the problem. 3. Research subdivides the problem into appropriate sub-problems stated as objectives and/or questions. 4. Research posits tentative solutions to the problem(s) through reasonable hypotheses. These hypotheses direct the researcher to appropriate data. 5. Research looks for data directed by the hypotheses and guided by the problem. The data are collected and organized. 6. Research interprets the meaning of the data, which leads to a resolution of the problem, thus confirming or rejecting the hypotheses

Hypothesis

A logical supposition, a reasonable guess, an educated conjecture. it provides a tentative explanation for a phenomenon under investigation. may direct ones thinking to possible sources of information that will aid in resolving one or more sub-problems

Sources Of Knowledge

EXPERIENCES
AUTHORITY INDUCTIVE REASONING DEDUCTIVE REASONING SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Experience

Knowledge source used in a lot of cases Prime characteristic of intelligent behaviour Much wisdom passed from generation to generation Limitations:
Rather relative, depends on who went through the experience Experience without efficiency

2. Authority

Knowledge may be obtained from recognised authorities


No. of schools by state Spelling and meaning - dictionary PMR results Ministry of Education Discipline problems School Assistant Principal (Student Affairs)

3. Inductive Reasoning

CONCLUSION

GENERAL STATEMENT / THEORY

4. Deductive Reasoning
GENERAL STATEMENT / THEORY

CONCLUSION

5. Scientific Approach

An approach to obtain knowledge objectively, systematically, testable and not influenced by beliefs, opinions and ones emotions A process in which investigators move inductively from their observations to hypotheses, then deductively from the hypotheses to the logical implications of the hypotheses. If deduced implications are compatible with the organized body of accepted knowledge, researchers then further test them by gathering empirical data. Knowledge are obtained objectively thus different individuals will make the same conclusion if given the same information. The process can be confirmed since open to public scrutiny.

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