Questions and Answers
What does the term 'Research' consist of?
Re + Search
According to Burns (1997), how is research defined?
A systematic investigation to find answers to a problem
What is the purpose of descriptive research?
Description of the state of affairs as it exists at present
What is the main aim of applied research?
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What does quantitative research focus on?
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What are the central questions that research aims to address?
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Research is an organized and systematic way of finding answers to questions.
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According to C.F. Rummel, research is an endeavour to discover, develop and verify ______.
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What is fundamental research mainly concerned with?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Research Methods
- Significant advancements in society, such as mobile phones, are attributed to research efforts.
- Understanding research is essential for gaining insights and solving problems.
Meaning and Definition of Research
- Research combines two elements: "Re" indicating repetition, and "Search," meaning to find out something.
- Research is systematically investigating problems and finding answers.
- Various definitions highlight research as a structured inquiry, an organized approach, and an intellectual endeavor to discover new knowledge:
- Burns describes it as systematic investigation.
- Grinnell emphasizes structured inquiry and scientific methodology.
- Redman and Mory refer to it as systematized effort for knowledge.
- C.F. Rummel notes that research aims to discover and verify knowledge through an intellectual process.
Key Components of Research
- Systematic: Follows specific scientific procedures to ensure reliable results.
- Organized: Involves a structured methodology with steps to guide the research process.
- Questions: Central to research; without questions, research lacks focus and purpose.
- Finding Answers: Research seeks to answer questions; receiving "no" is also considered an answer.
Objectives of Research
- The primary goal is to uncover hidden truths and new insights.
- Research objectives can be categorized as follows:
- Formulative studies for familiarity with new phenomena.
- Descriptive studies to portray situational characteristics.
- Diagnostic studies for analyzing frequency of occurrences.
- Hypothesis-testing studies for examining causal relationships between variables.
Types of Research
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Descriptive vs. Analytical:
- Descriptive research describes current states without controlling variables, merely reporting observations.
- Analytical research evaluates existing information critically.
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Applied vs. Fundamental:
- Applied research aims to solve immediate societal or organizational problems.
- Fundamental research focuses on generalizations and theory formulation, contributing to the broader scientific knowledge base.
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Quantitative vs. Qualitative:
- Quantitative research involves measuring quantities and is suitable for data that can be numerically expressed.
- Qualitative research explores non-numeric data, focusing on understanding phenomena in-depth.
Contact Information
- Stephen Boateng, Dpt. of Management Studies, University of Mines and Technology
- Email: [email protected]
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Description
This quiz covers the key concepts introduced in the first lecture of Research Methods, focusing on the significance and evolution of research. It highlights the impact of research on various aspects of life, including technological advancements such as mobile phones. Test your understanding and recall of the essential definitions and implications of research in the field of management studies.
