Introduction to Research Methods

Introduction to Research Methods

• Research is a quest for knowledge and understanding.
• It informs decision-making, including assessing existing programs, policy development, and effecting change.
• Research can also be a career path.
• Research is a way of thinking, involving questioning and systematic examination to find answers.
• Research is a systematic investigation to find knowledge.
• Research is an investigation or experimentation focused on discovering and interpreting facts, revising theories or laws based on new facts, or applying theories or laws practically.

Research Process

• Positivistic Approach: A scientific approach emphasizing objectivity, theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence, and cumulative knowledge.

Dimensions of Research

• Style of Research:
  • Exploratory: Studies that haven't been done yet.
  • Descriptive: Narrative studies.
  • Explanatory: Studies of cause and effect.
• Purpose/Focus:
  • Basic: Understanding a problem.
  • Applied: Solving problems.
• Time Dimension:
  • Longitudinal: Studies over a period (often a year).
  • Cross-sectional: Studies at one point in time.
  • Triangulation: Combining multiple methods (quantitative and qualitative).

Research Design

• Factors influencing research design: current knowledge, cost, ethics, and researcher skills.

The Scientific Method

• Science is systematic knowledge leading to correct predictions or reliable outcomes.
• The scientific method explains natural events reproducibly and uses these findings to make predictions.
• Scientific thinking is one way to find answers, alongside practical, professional, religious, and ideological thinking.

Research Process: Scientific Method Steps

• Define the problem.
• Review the literature.
• Develop hypotheses.
• Choose research design.
• Determine sample and method.
• Conduct the study.
• Analyze and present findings.

The Research Wheel

• A cyclical process of theory, observation/data, hypotheses, and patterns.
• Deduction: Moves from general theory to specific hypotheses.
• Induction: Moves from specific observation to general theory.

Research Process: Concepts

• Theory: A set of interrelated ideas.
• Deductive Reasoning: Begins with a general theory and moves toward specific hypotheses, with observation and confirmation.
• Inductive Reasoning: Starts with specific observations and moves towards general theories, including observation, followed by pattern identification, hypothesis formation, and theory building.
• Grounded Theory: A theory derived from inductive research.
• Hypothesis: A tentative statement.
• Variables:
  • Independent Variable (IV): Presumed to cause an effect.
  • Dependent Variable (DV): Shows the effect.
  • Intervening Variable: Helps clarify the relationship between both IV and DV.
• Operationalization: Converting an abstract concept into a measurable one.
• Validity: The true representation of the research topic.
• Reliability: The repeatability of measurements.
• Primary Data: First-hand information.
• Secondary Data: Existing data collected previously.

Research Process: Sampling

• Population: The entire set of individuals or items to be studied.
• Sampling: Choosing a representative segment of the population.
• Probability Sampling: Each member has a chance of being randomly selected.
  • Simple random sampling
  • Stratified random sampling
  • Systematic random sampling
  • Cluster (area) random sample
  • Multi-stage random sampling
• Non-probability Sampling: Does not involve random selection.
  • Quota sampling: Specific population with certain characteristics is selected (e.g., gender, age).
  • Snowballing: One interviewee links to another, often useful for studying unique or hard-to-reach populations (e.g., deported criminals).
  • Convenience sampling: Choosing whomever is readily available.
  • Self-selection: The researcher is part of the study.

Research Process: Qualitative vs Quantitative Approaches

• Quantitative Research: Expressed meaningfully with numbers, measuring and counting features to build statistical models explaining observations. Seeking objective measurements of concepts.
• Qualitative Research: Focuses on meanings, concepts, and definitions, assessing quality through words, images, and descriptions.
• (Note: The text suggests that the division between the two is a perceived "divide" rather than a strict separation.)

Research Process: Data Collection Techniques

• Quantitative: Experiments, surveys, quantitative content analysis, existing statistics.
• Qualitative: Interviews, focus groups, field research, historical research, qualitative content analysis.

Research Process: Quantitative Instruments

• Questionnaires (face-to-face, mail, web).
• Interviews (structured, semi-structured, open-ended, telephone).
• Each approach has advantages and disadvantages.

Research Process: Survey

• Used to understand behavior, attitudes/opinions, expectations, and characteristics.

Research Process: Quantitative Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages:
  • Covers a large population.
  • Allows generalization.
  • Allows repeatability.
• Disadvantages:
  • Questions may be vague.
  • Not everyone is literate.
  • Respondents limited to researchers' responses.

Research Process: Secondary Data

• Official statistics (e.g., CSO, STATIN).
• Studies by other researchers or institutions.

Research Process: Qualitative Method

• Observation: Participant, non-participant, overt, covert.
• Interviews: Semi-structured, open-ended.
• Case Studies: Focus on a person or small group.

Research Process: Qualitative Research Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages:
  • High in validity.
  • Rich in contextualization.
  • First-hand information.
• Disadvantages:
  • Time-consuming.
  • High in subjectivity.
  • "Going native" (researcher influence).

Research Process: Ethical Issues

• Harm to researchers and participants.
• Misleading participants.
• Using findings for personal gain.
• Influence of research project sponsors.

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of research methods, including the research process, dimensions, and styles of research. Understand different approaches such as positivistic methodology and the varying purposes behind research studies. Perfect for students and professionals looking to deepen their knowledge in systematic investigation.