© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Introduction to Research Methodology & Role of Trade Union Researchers Training Centre of the ILO1

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Meaning of research Training Centre of the ILO2 The term RESEARCH is derived from two words: -“Re” – which means “anew” or “over again.” -“Search” – which means to examine closely and carefully, test and try or to probe.

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Meaning of research An art of scientific investigation Systematic search for knowledge & information Collecting & analysing data & making deductions & conclusions Movement from the known to the unknown Training Centre of the ILO 3

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Purpose & Objectives of research Training Centre of the ILO4 Purpose: Establish systematic, reliable and valid knowledge about the social world. Objectives: Discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures. Gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into.

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Purpose & Objective of research Portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or group. Determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else. Test a hypothesis of a relationship between variables. Training Centre of the ILO5

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Characteristics of Research Controlled – it is extremely difficult to ensure control given that research studies are carried out on issues relating to human beings living in society where such controls are impossible – however, quantifying the impact of variables is a possible way. Rigorous – to ensure that the procedures followed to find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate and justified. Systematic – procedures adopted to undertake an investigation must follow a certain logical sequence. Training Centre of the ILO6

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Characteristics of Research Valid and verifiable – conclusions based on findings must be accurate and verifiable. Empirical – conclusions drawn must be based on hard evidence. Critical – scrutiny of the procedures used and methods employed is crucial to research inquiry i.e. the research process must be foolproof and free from any drawbacks as well as the capability to withstand critical scrutiny. Training Centre of the ILO7

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Motivation in research Desire to: -get a research degree along with its consequent benefits. -face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e. concern over practical problems initiates research. -get intellectual joy of doing some collective work. -be of service to society. Training Centre of the ILO8

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Motivation in research -get respectability. Directives of government or the trade union movement to find out about specific issues e.g. employment conditions or societal thinking and awakening. Training Centre of the ILO9

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Types of research Form the viewpoint of Application Objective Inquiry mode Applied Research Pure research Descriptive Research Exploratory Research Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Correlational Research Explanatory Research Training Centre of the ILO10

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Types of research Pure research involves: -Developing and testing theories and hypothesis that are intellectually challenging. -Testing of hypothesis containing very abstarct and specialised concepts. -Developing, examining, verifying and refining procedures, techniques and tools that form the body of research methodology. Training Centre of the ILO11

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Types of research Applied research involves collecting information about varoius aspects of a situation, issue, problem or phenomenon so that the information gathered can be used in other ways e.g. policy formulation, administration, etc. Descriptive research attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon, service or programme; provides information about, say, the living conditions of a community. Training Centre of the ILO12

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Types of research Exploratory research is a study undertaken with the objective either to explore an area where little is known or to investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular research study. Exploratory research is also called feasibility study or pilot study. Correlative research entails discovering and establishing the existence of a relationship/association or interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation e.g. -Technology and unemployment -Stressful working conditions and the incidence of heart attack. Training Centre of the ILO13

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Types of research Explanatory research attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two aspects of a situation or phenomenon e.g. why stressful working condition result in heart attacks or how the home environment affects children’s level of academic achievement. Training Centre of the ILO 14

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Types of research Qualitative research determines the extent of a problem, issue, phenomenon, problem or event using information gathered through the use of variables measured on nominal or ordinal scales (qualitative measurement scales) and analysed to establish the variation in the situation, or problem without quantifying it. Training Centre of the ILO 15

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Types of research Quantitative Research entails quantifying the variation in a phenomenon, problem or issue using quantitative variables and analysed to ascertain the magnitude of the variation e.g. how many people have a particular problem? How many people hold a particular attitude? Training Centre of the ILO 16

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Steps in planning a research Step 1: formulating a research problem Step 2: conceptualising 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 data Sept 8: writing a research report. Training Centre of the ILO 17

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Role of Trade Union Researchers Undertake research on employment and social issues that are of relevance to trade unions. Generate sound, up-to-date and credible labour statistics on unemployment, non-standard employment, CL, FL, TIPs, LM, women’s participation in the labour force, safety and health at work, social security, CB, organising and a broader range of other topics associated with the measurement of decent work. Scrutinise public policies and prepare union responses, comments and submissions. Training Centre of the ILO18

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Role of Trade Union Researchers Provide statistics which trade union leaders can use to effectively communicate cogent arguments during policy- making and policy review exercises. Collect, analyse and interpret information on wages, conditions of employment, company productivity and profits, companies’ balance sheets, economic trends in the industry and country as a whole, job grading, cost of living, pension/provident funds, etc. Make regular contacts with union branches and shop stewards to assess progress and impact on CBAs. Training Centre of the ILO19

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 Role of Trade Union Researchers Collect, analyse and interpret data on key challenges facing the trade union movement e.g. membership decline, fragmentation and proliferation, gender inequality, organising informal economy workers, etc. Coordinate statistical activities across the affiliates of the national trade union centre and monitor their qualities. Create reliable statistical database for trade unions. Training Centre of the ILO20

© International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 THE END THANK YOU! Training Centre of the ILO 21