CHAPTER 1 Understanding RESEARCH

Definition of Research Research: is a process through which we attempt to achieve systematically and with the support of data the answer to a question, the resolution of a problem, or a greater understanding of a phenomenon. Research: It refers to the organized, structured, and purposeful attempt to gain knowledge about a suspected relationship.

Definition of Research Research: is a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and create new knowledge that is generally applicable. Research: is a careful and systematic study and investigation in any field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles.

Definition of Research Research: is a way of thinking for examining critically various aspects of life, understanding and formulating guiding principles that govern a particular procedure, and developing and testing new theories that contribute to the advancement of knowledge, practices and profession.

By doing research you ensure that the process: is within a framework of a set of philosophies; uses procedures, method and techniques that have been tested for their validity and reliability; is designed to be unbiased and objective.

Characteristics of Research 1. Controlled Minimizing the effects of external factors 2. Rigorous Ensuring that the procedures followed to find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate and justified. 3. Systematic An investigation follows a certain logical sequence. Different steps cannot be taken in a disorganized manner. Some procedures must follow others. 4. Valid & Verifiable Conclusions on the basis of your findings are correct and can be verified by you and others. 5. Empirical Conclusions are based on evidence gathered from information collected from real-life experiences or observations. 6. Critical The process of investigation must be fail-safe, free from any drawbacks. The process adopted and the procedures used must be able to face critical examination.

Research methods vs. methodology Research methods: refers to the techniques the researchers use in performing research operations. All those methods which are used by the researcher during the course of studying his research problem are termed as research methods. Three groups of the research methods: Methods of data collection. Methods of statistical techniques. Methods of evaluation.

Research methods vs. methodology Research Methodology: is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It is the science of studying how research is done scientifically. In research methodology we study steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them.

Research methods vs. methodology Research methodology: consists of research methods the logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research study explaining why we are using a particular method or technique so that research results are possible of being evaluated either by the researcher himself or by others.

Objectives of Research Describing and classifying: What is happening? Explaining and interpreting: Why is it happening? Predicting: Will it happen? Controlling: Can we prevent it from happening?

Motivations in research The possible motives for doing research may be one of the followings: To get a degree or promotion. To solve problem or find a better solution. To get more knowledge. To contribute to the existing knowledge or society To be respected as an expert. Directives of government, employment conditions, curiosity, etc…

Types of research based on Application Objectives Inquiry Mode 1. Pure research (Basic) Descriptive research Exploratory research 1. Quantitative Methods 2. Applied research 3. Correlational research 4. Explanatory research 2. Qualitative Methods 3. Mixed Methods

Basic research The term basic research refers to study and research on pure science that is meant to increase our scientific knowledge base. This type of research is often purely theoretical with the intent of increasing our understanding of certain phenomena or behavior but does not seek to solve or treat these problems. How does the memory system work How are language skills developed How does one learn psychomotor skills Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa

Applied research Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. One might say that the goal of the applied scientist is to improve the human condition. Example of an applied research: How can communication among workers in large companies be improved? Does computer aided instruction improve student learning? What is the effect of immediate feedback and delayed feedback on student achievement?

Types of research based on objectives Descriptive research : attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon, service or program, or provides information about the living conditions of a community, or describes attitudes towards an issue. Exploratory research : is to explore an area where little is known or to investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular research study. Correlation research : is to discover or establish the existence of a relationship, association , interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation. Explanatory research : attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two aspects of a situation or phenomenon.

TYPE OF RESEARCH MAIN THEME AIM EXAMPLES Descriptive research To describe what is prevalent To describe what is prevalent regarding: a group of people, a community, a phenomenon, a situation, a program and outcome Problems faced by new students Effects of living in a house with domestic violence Attitude of consumer towards quality product Exploratory research To explore something To explore an area where little is known New phenomenon Studying new disease Research of new planet Correlational research To ascertain if there is a relationship To establish : a relationship, an association, an interdependence Impact of a program Relationship between stressful living and incidence of heart attacks Effectiveness of an immunization program in controlling infectious disease Explanatory research To explain why the relationship is formed To explain why a relationship, association or interdependence exists How does technology create unemployment / employment ? Why do some have positive attitude towards an issue? while other do not? Why do some people migrate to another country while others do not?

Types of research based on Inquiry mode

Quantitative Methods Qualitative Methods Mixed Methods Is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that be expressed in terms of quantity. Is concerned with qualitative phenomenon relating to or involving quality or kind. It aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires using in depth interviews or observation for the purpose. Employ aspects of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Uses predetermined instrument base questions Uses Emerging methods Open-ended questions Uses both predetermined & emerging methods. Both open-and closed-ended questions. Performance data, attitude data, observational data, and census data Interview data, observation data, document data, and audiovisual data multiple forms of data drawing on all possibilities Statistical analysis Text and image analysis Statistical & text analysis

Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Both are systematic in their approach Subjective Objective Not generalized Can be Generalized Words  Numbers

Research Process Doing Planning Deciding

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