Research Methodology Overview

Defining Research

• Research is a systematic investigation to gain new knowledge.
• Research Methodology is a set of techniques and strategies for conducting research.
• Research is systematic, objective, verifiable, and empirical.
• Objectives of research include: exploring, describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling.
• Research approaches include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.
• Ex-post facto research examines the causes of an event after it has occurred.
• Social research aims to understand human behavior within social contexts.
• Types of social research include: exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, and evaluative.
• Limitations of research include factors like availability of resources, time constraints, and ethical considerations.

Data and Research Process

• Data can be quantitative, representing numerical information, or qualitative, representing non-numerical information.
• The research process is a structured approach for conducting research.
• A research problem is a specific question or issue that the research aims to address.
• Features of a research problem include being specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• Sources of a research problem include personal observations, existing literature, and real-world issues.
• Research design is a plan that guides the research process.
• Features of research design include providing a framework for data collection and analysis.
• Characteristics of research design are validity and reliability.
• A null hypothesis states that there is no significant difference or relationship between variables.

Research Proposal and Sampling

• A solicited research proposal is written in response to a specific request or call for proposals.
• Advantages of a research proposal include providing clarity, justifying the research, and securing funding.
• The universe refers to the entire population or group of interest in a study, whereas sample is a subset of the population.
• Sample size refers to the number of participants or elements in a sample.
• Primary data is directly collected by the researcher, while secondary data is collected and analyzed by others.
• Sample design is a plan for selecting a sample from a population.
• Convenience samples are easy to access, but may not be representative of the population.
• Two types of errors in sampling include sampling error (due to chance) and non-sampling error (due to other factors).
• Primary data is collected directly by the researcher, while secondary data is obtained from existing sources.
• Case study method involves an in-depth investigation of a specific case.

Secondary Data and Data Processing

• Sources of secondary data include books, journals, government reports, and online databases.
• A pilot study is a smaller-scale version of a research project conducted before the full study.
• Data processing involves organizing and transforming data to make it useful for analysis.
• Methods of data classification include frequency distribution, tabulation, correlation analysis, and regression analysis.
• Pre-testing refers to checking the research instruments before actual data collection.

This quiz covers essential concepts in research methodology, including definitions, objectives, approaches, and types of research. Explore the systematic investigation processes and limitations that define effective research practices. Test your understanding and application of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods in the context of social research.