1. SIMAD University
Research Process
Ali Yassin Sheikh

2. Introduction – Overview of Research Process
Types of Research
Research Process
Contemporary Issues in Public Admin Research
Conclusion

3. Types of Research Descriptive vs. Analytical Applied vs. Fundamental
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Conceptual vs. Empirical
Some others
Action research
Historical research
Laboratory research

4. Descriptive vs. Analytical
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present.
The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.

5. Descriptive vs. Analytical
In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

6. Applied vs. Fundamental:
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization. example marketing research
Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory. research studies, concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behaviour, are also examples of fundamental research

7. Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.
Quantitative research generates statistics through the use of large-scale survey research, using methods such as questionnaires or structured interviews.

8. Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative research involves the collection of numerical data in order to explain, predict and control phenomena of interest, data analysis being mainly statistical. It involves collecting data in order to test hypotheses or answer questions concerning the current status of the subject of the study.

9. Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Qualitative research explores attitudes, behavior and experiences through such methods as interviews or focus groups. It attempts to get an in-depth opinion from participants.
Qualitative research seeks to investigate deeply in to the research setting in order to obtain understandings about the ways things are, why they are that way, and how the participants in the context perceive them.

10. Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Qualitative research is not predetermined or pre structured by hypotheses and procedures that might limit its focus, scope and operation.
Qualitative research is embedded in a process of communication between researcher and respondent. There is no attention to establish independences of researcher from the respondent.

11. Conceptual vs. Empirical
Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment.

12. Some Other Types of Research
All other types of research are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches, based on either the purpose of research, or the time required to accomplish research, on the environment in which research is done, or on the basis of some other similar factor.

13. Two Types of Empirical Research
Theory testing empirical research
Surveys (interview, mail, internet, phone)
Experiments (university setting)
Quasi experiments: that there is no random assignment of participants to groups. (university or company)
Secondary data (financial, operational, personnel)
Theory building empirical research
Qualitative research (interview, observation, text)
Case methods (interviews, text, secondary data)

14. Research Approaches Quantitative approach Qualitative approach
Inferential,
experimental and
Simulation (model)
Qualitative approach

15. Research Process
Formulate and clarify your research topic (define research problem)
Critically review the literature
Understand your philosophy and approach
Formulate your research design
Negotiate access and address ethical issues
Plan your data collection
Analyze your data
Write your project report and prepare your presentation
Submit your project report and give your presentation

16. A Simplified Scientific Research Process and Types of Research
Question
Deductive research
4. The empirical
study
2. Literature
review
Inductive research
Theoretical research
3. Theory and
Hypotheses
Descriptive research

18. Figure 1.2 The research process
Source: © Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 2006

19. Figure 1.2 The research process (Continued)
Source: © Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 2006

20. Contemporary Issues in Public Admin Research
Comparative public Administration issues
Electoral studies and public opinion
Federalism/ State and Local
International Affairs/International relations
Public Policy
Feminism/ participation of women in politics
Failure of state/ Corruption
Post conflict economic recovery using public private partnership

21. Conclusion
Do’s
`Very careful when you decide which type of research to choose
Read more about the research types
Don’t
Developing a topic without considering problem statement
Not following the right research process