1. Types of Research 24TH April 2018 Shellemiah Keya
Lecture 5
Types of Research
24TH April 2018
Shellemiah Keya

2. Identification of research topics
Each one of you is to come up with a research topic relevant to agroecosystem,
You can do this by:
Brainstorming in groups
Reviewing literature on agroecosystem
Talking to your various lecturers
Picking one of your favoured subjects
Dreaming about a future problem

3. Time devoted to form groups and select topics
By end of tomorrow should have formed groups
By end of next Tuesday settle on a topic
Two weeks later you should have a draft research proposal
Three week later start presentation at group level
Four weeks later presentation at class level
Revision of Proposal

4. Prep for Research Proposal
The next 24 + slides are background to assist you with producing an acceptable research proposal
Look into the internet, print media for calls for proposals
Imagine that you are already on the job market and wants to land your first grant in life

5. Relevance of Research In Agroecosystem
Research studies are designed to find answers to a specific question or topics under investigation;
Professionals in agroecosystem conduct research to investigate topics relating to their field of study,
What Purpose Drives Agroecosystem Research?
increase knowledge
support evidence-based practice
test new hypotheses or
further understanding of existing agroecosystem theories/practices.

6. Different Methods of research
Researchers use different methods to conduct investigations.
All research questions should be addressed using scientific methods,
But this is not always the case.
Certain researchers find answers through nonscientific approaches,
Such are driven or based on experts’ knowledge, instincts, beliefs, and professional expertise

7. Understanding Research studies
Take time to understand and evaluate the quality of research in agroecosystem studies
Critique how you apply research findings effectively,
At the same time appreciate the importance of:
characteristics of differentiate scientific research studies from
nonscientific approaches.

8. You are here to acquire knowledge
I urge you to acquire knowledge in as many ways as possible:
Through a scientific ways
Through a Non scientific ways
Not just through lectures, practicals, field trips
Considers Others ways such as
Seminars
Tutorials
Group discussions

9. Non-scientific Methods
Tenacity: Basing arguments on beliefs that have long been accepted as facts.
Intuition: Relying on one’s instincts to find answers.
Authority: Seeking answers from authority or experts on a specific subject.
Rationalism: Combining facts or assumptions with logical reasoning to find answers.
Empiricism: Relying on direct observations or personal experience.

10. Scientific Methods
The scientific method uses empirical observation to develop hypotheses;
The student/researchers use hypotheses to generate predictions that can be empirically tested.
Scientific methods are empirical, public, objective, and are based on previous theories.
The latter is the rationale for literature review

11. Steps of scientific method
Make observation of behaviors or other phenomena.
Construct a hypothesis (hypotheses must be testable and refutable).
Generate testable predictions (others should be able to replicate the study to verify your findings).
Collect data to test research hypothesis.
Analyze data to support, refute or expand the hypothesis.
Document, write up the results of research, publish the work
Report to the public/stakeholders scientific peers, your classmates
In this course you will be evaluated by your classmates

12. Main sections of a research study
Topic
Abstract
Introduction;
Methods;
Results;
Discussion.
Conclusions and recommendations
References
Appendix/Annexes

13. Introduction
The introduction addresses the problem under investigation
It describes the research strategy that will be used in the study.
Important questions to consider in this section include:
Why is the problem under investigation is considered important?

14. Other questions to pose
How does the study relate to previous work in the area?
How does the study differ, or build on from previous work?
What are the hypotheses and objectives of the study?
Do the hypotheses and research design relate to one another?
What are the theoretical and practical implications of the study?

15. Methods
Explains the procedures, materials, variables and operational definitions used to test hypotheses.
The methods provides details about sample demographics, participants’ characteristics, sample size and procedures for selecting participants in the agroecosystem, and
The design tailored for an agroecosystem

16. Results:
Presents the findings in form of data using as much details as possible
Tables of results
Charts,
histograms
Graphs
Interpretation of data entails
Statistical Analysis
NB: Draw on your full knowledge of Statistics course

17. Discussion Researchers summarize their findings,
They do so by evaluating the theoretical and practical implications of the results;
This section identifies challenges for future research.
It also points out at sources internal validity, limitation and weaknesses of the study.
NB: We are human beings, never perfect, always facing challenges, constantly looking for solutions

18. REFERENCES FOR YOUR PROPOSAL
Recall the essence of lecture 3&4 on literature review
The reference list acknowledges the work of previous researchers;
It provides the information necessary to retrieve each source;
References touch upon each of the FOUR mains sections of the research report.

19. Questions
What is missing in my coverage of articles or topics you have been reading in the library
Those components that are missing are vital in your research report.
Find out what they are it will improve your extraction of information from the literature

20. Types of Research Qualitative Quantitative Basic Applied
Rapid Appraisal
Baseline
Investigative
Survey
On farm
On station
Farming System

21. Types of Research contd
12.Laboratory vs Field 13.Participatory 14. Participatory and Learning 15. Action 16. Strategic 17. Case studies 18. Feasibility studies

22. Common Research Terms
Population: Refers to the set of all the individuals of interest in a particular study (e.g., population of veterans, active duty military population, corporations, etc.).
Sample: Refers to a set of individuals selected to represent a specific population (e.g., sample of 100 veterans). .

23. Statistics
Mathematical procedures used to organize, summarize and analyze information
Provide researchers with standardized methods to accurately interpret information.
Inferential Statistics:
Researchers use sample statistics to make generalizations/draw conclusions about the population.

24. Inferential Statistics
Researchers use sample statistics to
Make generalizations/draw conclusions about a given population.
Data: Measurements or observations.

25. Variables:
Characteristics, traits or conditions that change or have different values for different individuals (e.g., gender, age, personality, weather, etc.).
Independent Variable: The variable manipulated by the researcher (e.g., the treatment conditions to which participants are exposed).

26. Dependent Variable
The outcome variable influenced by one or more independent variables. Researchers observe dependent variables to assess the effect of treatment.
Hypothesis: A statement that predicts the relationship between or among variables.

27. Hypothesis
A statement that predicts the relationship between or among variables.
Hypothesis are similar to Research/questions