Untitled Quiz

• BM2101 Research Methodology introduces research, its philosophy, and methodologies.
• Dr. Syahnur Farhana (PhD in Economics, Lecturer & Qualitative Researcher) teaches the course; contact via [email protected].

Rules in Class

• Laptops are not allowed during lectures; focus, listen, and ask questions.
• Slides will be provided after each class.
• The Class Representative (CR) is responsible for passing the attendance sheet at the end of each month.

Assessment Tasks and Activities

• Lecture: 2 hours
• Tutorial: 2 hours
• Two class assignments: 20% each, to consist of MCQ & Structured (TBC)

Assessment schedule

• Test 1 before the semester break (Week 7)
• Test 2 before the revision week
• Two individual reports: Intermediate Report on Chapter 1 (30%), Final Report from Chapters 1-3
• Start drafting your research early; the first assignment is due after the semester break (Week 8).
• The second assignment submission is in Week 14.

Module Outcomes

• Identify practical issues in Brunei Darussalam and propose solutions for improvement.
• Discover research gaps through literature review to ensure originality.
• Select and apply appropriate research methodologies (qualitative or quantitative).
• To use techniques and tools to analyze research findings.

Chapters

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Research
• Chapter 2: Research Philosophy

Research Process

• Begin with an idea and refine it.
• State the research question/statement in one sentence.
• Define specific aims and objectives.
• Conduct a literature review.
• Select the research methodology.
• Devise data collection methods.
• Gather data.
• Analyze collected data.
• Draw conclusions based on the analysis.
• Complete the write-up of the thesis/report.

Research Definition

• An area of interest, data collection, and analysis of the data are necessary for research.
• Systematic and careful inquiry or investigation based on theory and evidence is done to seek new understandings and contribute to knowledge.

Research Topic Consideration

• A key initial question: What topic should I study/research on?
• Following this: Why is this study important, especially in the context of Brunei Darussalam?

Research Components

• Research Aim: Indicates the broad goal or the purpose of what the researcher hopes to achieve or explore.
• Research Objectives: Outlines the specific, measurable steps to achieve the research aim, breaking it into smaller tasks or goals.
• Research Questions: Asks the specific questions that the study seeks to answer, guiding the research process.

Research Components Example

• Topic: University–Industry Collaboration in Agriculture: A Qualitative Study from the Perspectives of the Bruneian Stakeholders
• Research Aim: To explore the perspectives of Bruneian stakeholders regarding the significance of UIC within the agricultural sector.
• Research Objectives: Examine the importance of effective UIC within Brunei's agricultural sector, evaluate barriers hindering successful UIC implementation, and propose practical solutions to strengthen UIC within Brunei's agricultural sector.
• Research Questions: In Brunei's agricultural sector, the key question to know is the importance of achieving successful UIC, what challenges may come with it and what can be done to fix it.

Research Study Considerations

• Aim, research objectives, and research questions give you the foundational overview of the research.
• Consider the philosophical assumptions underlying the research before starting the study.

Research Philosophy

• Research is underpinned by philosophical assumptions that define the researcher's worldview.
• This worldview, known as a paradigm, comprises ontology, epistemology, and methodology.
• Ontology: It is concerned with what an individual views and believes to be the true reality of the concept.
• Epistemology: Concerned with the theory of knowledge that informs the relationships between the researcher and what is known.
• Methodology: the approach of conducting research.

Understanding research through the Research Methodology Tree

• Methods are defined by details of data collection

Research Design and Method

• Ontology and epistemology influence the chosen methodology, guiding research design and method, and allowing valid research.
• Selecting a methodology depends on the researcher's stance: positivist or interpretivist as are both the most common.

Positivist Stance

• Assume that reality exists independently and is objective and quantifiable, which allows human behaviors to be explained through measurable data.
• Deductive logic is used, combining existing theories with empirical evidence to test hypotheses and examine causal relationships.
• Utilizes quantitative methodologies.

Interpretivist Stance

• Reality exists dependently on humans; it is a product of subjective social processes.
• Requires personal interactions for in-depth insights.
• Inductive reasoning allows the exploration and analysis to develop new theories.
• Utilizes qualitative methodologies.

Positivist vs. Interpretivist

• Positivist: Objective view based on universal truths, independent of personal feelings/opinions.
• Interpretivist: Subjective view based on personal feelings, opinions, or experiences influenced by individual perspectives.
• Positivist: Data can be quantified/measured for agreement.
• Interpretivist: Requires close contacts for a unique insight.
• Positivist: Height, temperature, and weight.
• Interpretivist: Happiness, taste preference, and beliefs.

Casual vs. Interpretive Science

• Casual Science seeks to identify causes and effects, examining relationships or comparisons among variables.
• Interpretive Science seeks to uncover different human understandings, perceptions, or perspectives.
• Casual Science can be Positivism post-positivism, realism, critical realism, or pragmatism.
• Interpretive Science can be Interpretivism, hermeneutics, social constructivism, critical theory, or symbolic interactionism.
• Casual Science uses quantitative data.
• Interpretive Science uses qualitative data.

How to Decide on Methodology?

• Quantitative Research is suitable when exploring a topic objectively using measurements and statistics.
• Qualitative Research is suitable when exploring a topic subjectively, understanding a phenomenon in-depth through close interactions

Methodologies

• There is no superior research methodology
• The choice of methodology depends on the views of the researcher.

Quantitative Study

• Based on numbers (statistical interpretation).
• Closed-ended questions and responses (i.e., yes or not / agree or disagree).
• Theories are used to generalize results, ensuring findings can be repeated.
• Requires a large sample.
• Hypotheses are formulated based on literature, and findings are to test these hypotheses.
• Uses a structured report.

Qualitative Study

• Based on words (themes, patterns, and interpretation).
• Open-ended questions and responses (i.e., please explain...describe...).
• Builds theories or conclusions based on what emerges, seeking to understand patterns, meanings, and experiences.
• Does not require a large number of samples as long as data saturation is achieved.
• Propositions can be developed based on findings.
• Has a flexible structure.

Factors for Methodology - Quantitative vs. Qualitative

• Validity: Do the measures provide a good approximation to the variables of interest?
• Validity: Have a sufficient number of perspectives been included?
• Reliability: Will the measures yield the same results on other occasions?
• Reliability: Will similar observations be reached by other observers?
• Generalisability: How probable is it that patterns observed in the sample will be repeated in the general population?
• Generalisability: Is the sample sufficiently diverse to allow inferences to other contexts?
• Data Collection: Define independent and independent variables and determine measures.
• Data Collection: Explain and justify different ways of collecting data.
• Sampling: Justify sample size and explain how it reflects the wider population.
• Sampling: How will the sample enable different perspectives to be included?
• Access: How can responses to questionnaires etc. be assured?
• Access: What is the strategy for gaining access to human participants?
• Ethics: Could results be used to harm any participants?
• Ethics: Will the interests of participants be protected?
• Unit of Analysis: One target group (i.e., consumers).
• Unit of Analysis: Can have multiple units/cases (SMEs and government agencies).
• Analysis: Statistical procedures for examining relationships between variables.
• Analysis: Arrangements for coding interpreting and making sense of data.
• Theory: Hypotheses are either supported or not.
• Theory: Will the research build on existing theory or develop new concepts?

Preparation for Tutorial

• Students should be aware of the class
• Students should focus on their areas of interest, possible topics, aims, research objectives, and research questions.