RESEARCH METHODS
MLB 318
CHAPTER OUTLINE
• Introduction to Research
• Definition of Research
• Objectives of Research.
• Characteristics of Research
• Research Methods and Methodology
• Scientific Method
• Research and Theory
Introduction
• Societies of today are often termed information societies.
• Why?
• Easy to find information in connection with any unknown
concept, phenomenon or process.
• What is the challenge then?
• Challenge is selecting scientifically well- grounded, ‘valid’,
knowledge from an endless and confusing stream of
information.
DEFINITION
• Another challenge is the fast rate at which knowledge
is changing with the development of science.
• Solution ?
• To acquire and maintain competitive knowledge
which is scientifically based and its appropriate
application.
• How?
• This leads to research methodology and the process
of scientific research
DEFINITION
• What research is not:
• - onlinesearch for best place to buy
• - viewer polls on topics of public interest by TV or Radio channels
• - searching for information to complete assignment by students
• What is research?
• - search for potential solutions to remedy organizational
problems - etc.
• “Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think
what nobody else has thought.”
• Research must (1) contribute to a body of science and (2) follow
the scientific method
DEFINITION
• A very general term for an activity involving finding out, in a
more or less systematic way, things you did not know
• A systematic and unbiased way of solving a problem, through
generating verifiable data and resolving previously
unanswered questions
• Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict
and control the observed phenomenon.’
• A scientific study to seek hidden knowledge
• A scientific study to answer a question
• A scientific study of causes and effects
• A scientific attempt towards new discoveries
DEFINITION
• A systematic method of inquiry
• A logical attempt to find answers to problems
• A systematic approach to a (medical) problem A scientific
attempt to discover the truth
• Research composed of two syllables, re and search.
• “re” - again, anew or over again
• “search” - examine closely and carefully, to test and try, or
to probe.
• Research is repeated searching (i.e. re- search).
•
Some Definitions of Research
• According to
Kerlinger(1986) Research is a
systematic, controlled, and
critical investigation of
natural phenomena guided by
theory and hypotheses about
the presumed relations among
phenomena
Some Definitions of Research
• ‘research’ refers to a process of
systematic inquiry that is designed to
collect, analyze, interpret, and use data.
(Grinnell 1993).
•
Some Definitions of Research
• Maylor and Blackmon (2005)
“Something that people
undertake in order to find
out things in a systematic
way, thereby increasing
their knowledge
• Harvey Maylor Kate Blackmon
Some Definitions of Research
• Clifford woody, research
comprises defining and
redefining problems,
formulating hypothesis or
suggested solutions
collecting, organizing and
evaluating data, making
deductions and reaching
conclusions; to determine
whether they fit the formulating
hypothesis.
Some Definitions of Research
• According to Redman
and Mory, Research is
a “Systematized effort
to gain new
knowledge”
Redman and Mory
Summary
• “Research is the systematic approach to obtaining
and confirming new and reliable knowledge”
• A logical and systematic search for new and useful
information on a particular topic and making new
contributions to the existing knowledge
• It has to be an active, diligent and systematic process of
inquiry in order to discover, interpret or revise facts,
events, behaviours and theories.
• In biomedical research, it may include the description
of a new phenomenon, the definition of a new
relationship, the development of a new model, or the
application of an existing principle or procedure to a
new context
•
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
• 1. Controlled: not be affected or influenced by external factors
• 2. Rigorous: The procedures should be relevant, appropriate
and justified.
• 3. Systematic: The investigation should follow a certain logical
sequence or protocols
• 4. Valid and Verifiable: findings should be valid and can be
verified at any time.
• 5. Empirical: conclusions be based on hard evidence.
• 6. Critical: The process must be foolproof and free from
drawbacks.
• 7. Analytical
• 8. Replicability
What are the Objectives of Research
• To discover new facts, insights or formulate new
theories
• To verify and test important facts
• To analyze the frequency with which something occurs
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group.
• To identify the cause and effect relationship
• To develop new scientific applications for improvement
and modification in practice
• To overcome or solve the problems occurring in our
every day life
•
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH
• It promotes the development of logical habits of thinking
and organization.
• Formulation of policies
• Decision-making – allocation of resources
• Solving various operational and planning problems of
business and industry.
• Studying social relationships and in seeking answers to
various social problems.
Research Methods And Research Methodology
• Research methods -various procedures, schemes and set of rules
used in research.
• Help in collecting samples and data
• Can be put into the following three groups:
• 1. Methods concerned with the collection of data.
• 2. Statistical techniques used for establishing relationships
• 3. Methods used to evaluate the accuracy of the results
obtained.
Research Methods And Research Methodology
• Research methodology –
• Science of studying how research is to be carried out.
• the study of methods by which knowledge is gained.
• Its aim is to give the work plan of research.
• Research methodology considers the logic behind the
methods used and explains why using a particular method or
technique .
Research and Scientific Method
• Scientific method ‘an objective, logical and systematic
method of analysis of phenomena (occurrences) for the
accumulation of reliable knowledge’
• Scientific method - standardized set of techniques for
building scientific knowledge: how to make valid
observations, how to interpret results, and how to
generalize those results.
• The scientific method allows researchers to independently
and impartially test pre-existing theories and prior findings,
and subject them to open debate, modifications, or
improvements.
•
CHARACTERISTICS SCIENTIFIC METHOD
• Replicability: independently replicate or repeat a scientific
study and obtain similar, if not identical results.
• Precision: Theoretical concepts, must be defined for others to
use and test that theory.
• Logical: Scientific inferences must be based on logical
principles of reasoning.
• Critical : The procedures used and the inferences derived must
withstand critical scrutiny (peer review) by other scientists
RESEARCH AND THEORY
• Research is about advancing the frontiers of
knowledge
• Theory is a systematic and general attempt
to explain something, eg. Why do people
commit crimes?
• OR a logical set of general proposals, used as
principles to explain the relationship of
observed phenomena
•
CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY
• Guides research and organizes its ideas.
• Becomes stronger as more supporting
evidence is gathered;
• The capacity to generate new research.
• Empirically relevant and always uncertain
ROLE OF THEORY
• Theory summarizes concisely what is already known about the object
of study.
• It predicts facts
• It points out gaps in knowledge
• ROLE OF RESEARCH
• Research initiate theory
• Research lead to the rejection and reformulation of existing theory
• Research redefines and clarify theory
Class Exercise
• Define research in your own words?
• What is the Significance of Research to a biological scientist or the
medical profession?
•
