Research Methodology Fundamentals

Study Notes

Methodology

Definition: A systematic and structured approach to conducting research
Components:
1. Research design: plan for collecting and analyzing data
2. Sampling strategy: selecting participants or data points
3. Data collection methods: surveys, interviews, experiments, etc.
4. Data analysis: procedures for examining and interpreting data
Types of research methodologies:
- Quantitative: focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis
- Qualitative: focuses on non-numerical data and thematic analysis
- Mixed-methods: combines quantitative and qualitative approaches

Data Analysis

Definition: The process of examining and interpreting data to draw conclusions
Types of data analysis:
1. Descriptive statistics: summarizing and describing data
2. Inferential statistics: making inferences about a population based on a sample
Data analysis techniques:
- Data visualization: using graphs and charts to represent data
- Correlation analysis: examining relationships between variables
- Regression analysis: modeling the relationship between variables
- Hypothesis testing: testing hypotheses using statistical methods

Literature Review

Definition: A critical analysis of existing research on a specific topic
Purpose:
- To identify gaps in current research
- To understand the theoretical foundations of a topic
- To inform research design and methodology
Components:
1. Search strategy: identifying relevant sources and databases
2. Inclusion and exclusion criteria: selecting studies for review
3. Critical appraisal: evaluating the quality and relevance of studies
4. Synthesis: summarizing and integrating findings

Hypothesis Testing

Definition: A procedure for testing a hypothesis using statistical methods
Steps:
1. Formulate a null and alternative hypothesis
2. Select a significance level (α) and test statistic
3. Collect and analyze data
4. Calculate the p-value and compare to α
5. Reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis
Types of hypothesis testing:
1. One-tailed test: testing a directional hypothesis
2. Two-tailed test: testing a non-directional hypothesis

Academic Integrity

Definition: The commitment to upholding ethical standards in research and scholarship
Principles:
1. Honesty: accurately representing data and results
2. Transparency: clearly documenting methods and data
3. Accountability: taking responsibility for one's own work
4. Fairness: giving credit to others for their contributions
Academic integrity violations:
1. Plagiarism: passing off others' work as one's own
2. Falsification: manipulating or fabricating data
3. Fabrication: making up data or results
4. Misrepresentation: misrepresenting one's credentials or expertise

Methodology

Systematic and structured approach to conducting research
Consists of research design, sampling strategy, data collection methods, and data analysis
Research design is a plan for collecting and analyzing data
Sampling strategy is used to select participants or data points
Data collection methods include surveys, interviews, experiments, etc.

Data Analysis

Process of examining and interpreting data to draw conclusions
Involves descriptive statistics, which summarizes and describes data
Inferential statistics makes inferences about a population based on a sample
Techniques include data visualization, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and hypothesis testing

Literature Review

Critical analysis of existing research on a specific topic
Identifies gaps in current research, understands theoretical foundations, and informs research design and methodology
Search strategy identifies relevant sources and databases
Inclusion and exclusion criteria select studies for review
Critical appraisal evaluates the quality and relevance of studies
Synthesis summarizes and integrates findings

Hypothesis Testing

Procedure for testing a hypothesis using statistical methods
Formulates a null and alternative hypothesis
Selects a significance level (α) and test statistic
Collects and analyzes data, calculates the p-value, and compares it to α
Rejects or fails to reject the null hypothesis
One-tailed test tests a directional hypothesis, while two-tailed test tests a non-directional hypothesis

Academic Integrity

Commitment to upholding ethical standards in research and scholarship
Principles include honesty, transparency, accountability, and fairness
Violations include plagiarism, falsification, fabrication, and misrepresentation
Plagiarism passes off others' work as one's own, while falsification manipulates or fabricates data
Fabrication makes up data or results, and misrepresentation misrepresents one's credentials or expertise

Description

Learn about the systematic approach to research, including research design, sampling strategies, data collection methods, and data analysis. Understand the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.