Research Methodology Quiz

Research Methodologies and Ethics

• This course discusses various research designs, the process of conducting research, considerations for researchers, interpreting and disseminating research results, and common pitfalls in research design and conduct.

Introduction

• Research Meaning: Research involves defining problems, formulating solutions (hypotheses), collecting, organizing, and evaluating data, drawing conclusions, and testing conclusions against the initial hypothesis. Essentially, it is the systematic search for knowledge to solve problems.
• Research Objectives: To discover answers to questions using scientific procedures and to uncover truths yet undiscovered.
• Motivations of Researchers: Reasons for pursuing research include earning advanced degrees, tackling unsolved problems, creative work satisfaction, contributing to society, and gaining respect.
• Types of Research: This includes correlational vs. experimental, descriptive vs. analytical, applied vs. fundamental, quantitative vs. qualitative, and conceptual vs. empirical approaches.
• Significance of Research: Research is crucial for developing logical thinking, forming government policies, addressing operational and planning issues in business and industry, and advancing social science understanding.
• Methods vs. Methodology: Methods are the specific techniques used in research, while methodology is the scientific process of systematically solving a research problem.

Meaning of Research

• Research involves defining problems, formulating hypotheses, gathering and evaluating data, reaching conclusions, and testing those conclusions.
• It's a systematic search for knowledge through objective methods to find solutions to problems.

Objectives of Research

• Discover answers to questions using scientific procedures.
• Find truths that haven't been discovered yet.

Motivations of Researchers

• Desire for a research degree and its benefits.
• Challenging unsolved problems/practical concerns.
• Intellectual fulfillment from creative work.
• Desire to serve society.
• Achieving respectability.

Types of Research

• Correlational vs. Experimental: Correlational research investigates relationships between variables, while experimental research examines cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
• Descriptive vs. Analytical: Descriptive research describes current situations or circumstances and uses various survey techniques, including comparisons and correlations, while analytical research uses existing data to critically analyze and evaluate.
• Applied vs. Fundamental: Applied research seeks solutions to immediate problems in society or industry. Fundamental research focuses on expanding knowledge and formulating theories.
• Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Quantitative research uses statistical analysis to interpret results, while qualitative research uses observation and interviews to understand phenomena without direct measurement.
• Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research deals with abstract ideas, philosophies, and theories, while empirical research focuses on evidence-based observations.

Correlational vs. Experimental

• Correlational research: Aims to determine the relationship between two or more variables.
• Example: Determining if age is related to weight.
• Positive correlation: Variables move in the same direction.
• Negative correlation: Variables move in opposite directions.
• Experimental research: Involves comparing two groups to test cause-and-effect hypotheses. -Example: Testing the effectiveness of a new medicine for headaches by comparing a treatment group to a placebo group.

Descriptive vs. Analytical

• Descriptive research: Describes current situations using methods such as surveys.
• Example: Research into the current state of affairs in a community.
• Analytical research: Uses existing data to critically evaluate and draw conclusions.
• Example: Evaluating past financial reports for a business.

Applied vs. Fundamental

• Applied research: Focuses on solving immediate problems in society or an industry.
• Example: Market research aimed at identifying a solution to a business problem.
• Fundamental research: Aims to expand knowledge and generate theories, often through mathematical analysis or studies of human behavior.
• Example: Research concerning natural phenomenon or human behavior.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

• Quantitative research: Uses statistical analysis to interpret data.
• Example: Surveys with numerical data.
• Qualitative research: Relies on interviews and observation to interpret data without numerical measurement.
• Example: In-depth case studies of individuals.

Conceptual vs. Empirical

• Conceptual research: Examines abstract ideas and theories.
• Example: Philosophical interpretations of human nature.
• Empirical research: Relies on observations and direct experimentation to achieve new knowledge.
• Example: Behavioral experiments in a scientific environment.

Significance of Research

• Encourages scientific and inductive thinking.
• Provides the basis for governmental economic policies.
• Solves operational and planning problems in business and industry.
• Enables studying social relationships and seeking answers to social problems.
• A means for master and PhD students to gain social structure-based prestige.

Research Methods vs. Methodology

• Research methods: Techniques or procedures used in research.
• Research methodology: A scientific approach for systematically addressing research problems, including the logic behind the chosen steps.

Scientific Method of Research

• Key characteristics include empirical approach, observations, questions, hypotheses, experiments, analyses, conclusions, and replication.

Empirical Approach

• Evidence-based approach that relies on direct observation and experimentation for acquiring new knowledge, scientific decisions are made based on data.

Observation

• Observing the world around us to ask important research questions.
• Important for scientific research with careful measurements.
• Example: Newton's observation of falling apples.

Questions

• Translating research ideas into answerable questions.
• Important to avoid unanswerable questions.

Hypotheses

• Educated, testable guesses about research questions, providing explanations for phenomena.
• Two main types: null hypothesis (predicts no difference) and alternate hypothesis (predicts a difference).
• Hypotheses make predictions about variables being studied.
• Example: If exercise reduces cholesterol.

Experiments

• Conducting experiments to test hypotheses.
• Key aspect: accurately and reliably measuring variables of interest, such as cholesterol levels.
• Example: Comparing cholesterol levels in an exercising group and a non-exercising group.

Accuracy vs. Reliability in Experiments

• Accuracy: Correctness of measurement.
• Reliability: Consistency in measurement.
• Example: Accurate and reliable measurements of cholesterol would require a consistent, standardized method.

Analyses

• Analyzing collected data using statistical techniques based on research design and the questions being asked.
• Key decision: Rejecting or accepting the null hypothesis.

Conclusions

• Drawing conclusions from data analyses.
• Researchers must base conclusions on the data, not assumptions beyond the evidence.
• Example: A correlational study cannot conclude causation, only a correlation.

Replication

• Repeating research studies with different participants to confirm reliability and generalizability of results.
• Important to avoid drawing broad conclusions from a single study.

Test your understanding of key concepts in research methodology. This quiz covers topics such as reliability, null hypothesis, experimental research, correlation, and research types. Perfect for students and professionals looking to refresh their knowledge in research techniques.