Research Methodology

Definition of Research

The difference between research and non-research activity is the process must meet certain requirements to be called research. We can identify these requirements by examining some definition of research.

The word research is composed of two syllables, re and search.

Re- is a prefix meaning again, anew or over again.

search is a verb meaning to examine closely and careful, to test and try or to prove.

 If we combine those words become a noun meaning describing a careful, systematic, patient, study and investigation.

Research is a structured enquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and create new knowledge that is generally acceptable.

The conclusion usually recognized as scientific method lies in the degree of formality, rigorousness, verifiability and general validity.

When you say that you are undertaking a research study to find answers to a question, you are implying that the process:

1.     Is being undertaken a framework of a set of philosophies (approaches). Philosophies means approaches e.g, qualitative, quantitative etc.

2.     Uses procedures, methods and techniques that have been tested for their validity and reliability. Validity means correct procedures have been applied to find answers to a question. Reliability refers to the quality of a measurements procedure that provides repeatability and accuracy.

3.     Is designed to be unbiased and objective. Unbiased and objective means that you have taken each step in an unbiased manner and drawn each conclusion to the best of your ability and without introducing your own vested interest.

Characteristic of Research:

Research also is a process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information to answer question.

To qualify as research, the process must have certain characteristics: it must as far as possible be controlled, rigorous, systematic, valid and verifiable, empirical and critical.

1.     Controlled. In real life there are many factors that affect an outcome.

2.     Rigorous. You must be scrupulous (accurate) in ensuring that the procedures followed to find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate (exact) and justified.

3.     Systematic. The procedure adopted (took) to undertaken an investigation follow a certain logical sequence.

4.     Valid & Verifiable. You conclude on the basis of your finding is correct and can be verified by you and others.

5.     Empirical. Any conclusions drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered from information collected from observations or real life experiences.

6.     Critical. Crucial (important) to a research enquiry.

For a process to be called research, it is imperative that it has the above characteristics.

Types of Research

Research can be classified from three perspectives:

1.     Application of Research Study.

-         Pure research involves developing and testing theories and hypotheses that are intellectually challenging to researcher but May or may not have practical application at the present time or in the future.

-         Applied research is done to solve specific, practical questions. It is usually descriptive. Applied research can be carried out by academic or industrial institutions.

2.     Objectives in undertaking the research.

From the viewpoint of objectives, a research can be classified as:

-         Descriptive research attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon, service or programs, or provide information about, and so on.

-         Correlational research attempts to discover or establish the existence of a relationship/ interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation.

-         Explanatory research attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two or more aspects of situation.

-         Exploratory research is undertaken to explore an area where little is known or to investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular research study.

3.     Inquiry (investigation) mode employed.

From the process adopted to find answer to research question-the two approaches are:

-         Structured approach

is usually classified as quantitative research. Everything that forms the research process, objectives, design, sample, and the question that you plan to ask of respondents is predetermined.

-         Unstructured approach

is usually classified as qualitative research.

The Research Process

1.     Finding the topic of your research. (Make sure that your topic must be researchable).

2.     Finding the problem of the topic.

3.     Formulating your research problem. (Remember! The question doesn’t yes/no question. It must be W- question).

4.     Developing the objectives

5.     Developing research design. (is it structured or un unstructured?)

6.     Analysis of Data

7.     Generalization and interpretation

8.     Conclusion