Research Methodology

Chapter one
 Course Outline
What is Research? Research Quest. &
Objectives
Importance of Research Hypothesis
Pure, Applied, Action, & Dependent & independent
Evaluation Research variables
Topic Selection Tips Significance of the study
Limitation of the study
Title Selection Tips

Background & Introduction Summary

Problem Statement
 What is Research?
Research is the systematic approach to obtaining and
confirming new and reliable knowledge

Research is a disciplined attempt to address questions or solve

problems through the collection and analysis of primary data
for the purpose of description, explanation, generalization and
prediction (Anderson 1998, p 6)
The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is

hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.

– What, how and why things occur

– Are there interactions?

 Type of Research study
To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to
achieve new insights into it (Exploratory research
studies)
To describe accurately the characteristics of a
particular individual, situation or a group
(Descriptive research studies)
To determine the frequency with which something
occurs or with which it is associated with
something else (Diagnostic research studies)
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship
between variables (Hypothesis-testing research
 Importance of Research
Addresses gaps in knowledge

Expands knowledge

Educators gain new ideas

Educators gain new insight into methods

Educators gain new insight into students

The possible motives for doing research may be either:

Desire to get a research degree (PhDs, Masters and
Bachelors)
Desire to service to the society
 Pure and Applied Research
Pure research, is conducted without a particular goal in

mind.
Pure research is driven by interest and is more

exploratory in nature than applied research.

The main purpose of pure research is to advance

knowledge.
Findings of a pure research usually have a future use, are

not just meant for use in current time.

Pure research is self-exploratory in nature.
 Applied Research
Applied research, is conducted in order to solve a specific

and practical problem. For that reason, it tends to be

descriptive in nature.
Applied research is conducted with a certain goal in mind.

The main goal of applied studies is to solve a specific

problem related to real life.

Findings of applied research are always focused on the

problems at hand, rather than the ones that can rise in

future
 Applied Research Examples

How to reverse or manage global warming

How can cyber security be improved?

How does immigration affect the economy?

Is technology use for children helpful or harmful?

Is violence in the media and in video games damaging children’s

mental health?
How does the consumption of Khad in Somalia affect its

economy?
What type of anti-smoking campaigns can reduce smoking

among youth or adults?

WHERE DO I GET MY RESEARCH TOPIC?

To choose a topic, you should first begin by thinking about the

theme. Possible sources include:
• Existing literature.
• Social concerns.
•Your tutors.
• future research recommendations
•Interests- what would you like to learn more about?
•Personal experiences
 Narrow a broad topic :
A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad.

One way to narrow a broad topic such is to limit your

topic. Some common ways to limit a topic are:
by geographical area

by culture

by time frame:

by discipline

by population group

EXAMPLES OF BROAD TOPICS NARROWED AND FOCUSED

BROAD TOPIC: Women's Health

NARROWED TOPIC: Women and Cancer

FOCUSED TOPIC: Women Smokers and Breast Cancer

BROAD TOPIC: Computer Games

NARROWED TOPIC: Computer Game Violence

FOCUSED TOPIC: Computer Game Violence and

Children
 Research Title
Research title is the first part of your research proposal that

is seen by the relevant R&D committees.

A good title predicts the content of the research paper.

Rarely use abbreviations unless they are commonly known

Identify key variables, both dependent and independent

Is limited to 5 to 12 words

Use words that create a positive impression and stimulate reader

interest
 Introduction
You are attempting to inform the reader about the rationale

behind the work, and to justify why your work is essential in

the field.
You must provide your readers with a little background or

basic information about the topic you are covering. Start

with the broader subject and lead your readers to your
specific topic. Show them how your topic relates to the
bigger picture.
The introduction does not have a strict word limit, unlike

the abstract, but it should be as concise as possible.

 Research Problem Identification
The purpose of a problem statement is to introduce the
reader to the importance of the topic being studied.
Part A (The ideal): Describes a desired goal or ideal

situation; explains how things should be.

Part B (The reality): Describes a condition that prevents the

goal, state, or value in Part A from being achieved or realized

at this time.
Part C (The consequences): Identifies the way you propose

to improve the current situation and move it closer to the goal

14
 Step 1 (Statement 1)

The government of Kenya has a goal to industrialize the

nation by the year 2030 (quote). In this regard it has

encouraged growth-oriented micro and small enterprises

(MSEs) that should graduate into medium and large

enterprises capable of contributing to the industrialization

goal. There are several sessional papers (quote/cite) that

contain specific measures to encourage and support MSEs.

Step 2 Despite the said government efforts, there is

slow growth of micro into small enterprises and even

slower growth of small into medium scale enterprises

(quote, show statistics). The government has officially

acknowledged that there exists a “missing middle” in

Kenya meaning that there is a gap between small and

large enterprises in the country (cite, quote).

Step 3 Should the “missing middle” gap persist,

the industrialization goal may be difficult to

achieve. A need therefore arises to investigate
why there is a persistent “missing middle”
despite government efforts.
 Objectives of Research
In general, research objectives describe what
we expect to achieve by a project.
Research objectives should be closely related to the

statement of the problem and summarize what you

hope will be achieved by the study.
The research objectives drive all aspects of the

methodology, including instrument design, data

collection, analysis, and ultimately the
recommendations.
 Objectives of Research
Objectives can be general or specific. The general

objective of your study states what you expect to achieve

in general terms. Specific objectives break down the
general objective into smaller, logically connected.
Objectives are usually headed by infinitive verbs such as:

To identify To establish To describe

To determine To develop To estimate

To compare To analyze To collect

Paraphrasing research questions as research
objectives
Research Question Research Objective

Why have organizations To identify organization’s

introduced early retirement ? objectives for introducing
retirement schemes.

What are the consequences To describe the consequences

of
of early retirement schemes ? Early retirement for
employees.
 HYPOTHESES

The hypothesis states the researchers’ expectations concerning

the relationship between the variables in the research problems.

Hypothesis states what the researcher thinks the outcome of

the study will be.

Hypotheses ensure collection of the evidence necessary to

answer the question posed in the statement of the problem

Statistical hypotheses consist of the null hypotheses (H0) and

the alternative hypothesis (H1)

Researchers usually base their conclusions on the results of the

tests of their hypotheses.

Characteristics of a Hypothesis
States a relationship between two or more variables

Is stated affirmatively (not as a question)

Can be tested with empirical evidence

Most useful when it makes a comparison

States how multiple variables are related

Theory or underlying logic of the relationship makes

sense
Hypotheses from a Single Research Question (Figure 3.4)
 Significance of the study
Significance of the study provides information to the reader

on how the study will contribute.

Your problem statement can guide you in identifying the

specific contribution of your study. You can do this by

observing a one-to-one correspondence between the
statement of the problem and the significance of the study.
Write the significance of the study by looking into the

general contribution of your study, such as its importance to

society as a whole, then proceed downwards.
 Limitation and Delimitations of the study
The limitations and delimitations sections of your research

proposal describe situations and circumstances that may

affect or restrict your methods and analysis of research
data.
Limitations are influences that the researcher cannot

control.
Delimitations aim to narrow the scope of a study. For

example, the scope may focus on specific variables, specific

participants, specific sites,
 Limitations

Since …. Is beyond the scope of this study

It is not the purpose of this study to … but rather to …

I will not attempt here to .. Rather than focus upon … my

intention is …

I do not attempt to describe or compare ….instead, I seek

to

Only the data from … are considered here

 Dependent & independent variables

Variable is a factor whose change or difference you study

Researchers choose their variables on the basis of their

interests and their ideas about what would be especially
important to investigate.
Poorly chosen variable s yield useless results.

A variable may be independent in one part of the study and

dependent in other part.

 Cause

 Is related to

 +
Amount of Study Academic Performance

 _
Parties attended Academic Performance
A concept is independent in one case does not mean that it

should always be treated as independent for example

Amount of Study Academic Performance

Intention to go to
Academic Performance
university

Study
Academic Intention to go
Performance to university
Party
going
 Chapter Summary
Summary, is intended to be read quickly and easily by an

audience that is not necessary expert on the topic.

Remember:

Do not rewrite the original piece.

Keep your summary short.

Use your own wording.

Refer to the central and main ideas of the original piece.

Read with who, what, when, where, why and how questions in

mind.
Do not put in your opinion of the issue or topic discussed in the
Thank You!