Research Methods Exam in Construction Technology
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Questions and Answers

What does the 'Agreed' aspect of SMART objectives entail?

  • Objectives agreed by the government
  • Objectives agreed between you and your Reviewer/Supervisor (correct)
  • Objectives agreed by the project stakeholders
  • Objectives agreed by the community

    • What is the purpose of the study in the Kwaebibirem Municipality?

  • To audit the funds used for project development
  • To examine community participation in project selection (correct)
  • To evaluate the success of developed projects
  • To construct more community libraries

    • What is a characteristic of a 'Measurable' objective?

  • It is agreed upon by the community
  • It includes a timescale
  • It is challenging but achievable
  • It includes a quality or quantity measure (correct)

    • What is the consequence of unused development projects in the Kwaebibirem Municipality?

    <p>A great loss to the country's already scarce resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of the study in the Kwaebibirem Municipality?

    <p>To develop a framework to guide the process of project selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the 'Time bound' aspect of SMART objectives?

    <p>To ensure objectives have a clear end date or timescale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a 'Realistic' objective?

    <p>It is challenging but achievable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the issue with the development projects in the Kwaebibirem Municipality?

    <p>They are not being used after construction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the committee in the Kwaebibirem Municipality?

    <p>To comprise of the Farmer Representation and the Processing Firm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of the unused development projects in the Kwaebibirem Municipality?

    <p>The whole plan to develop is not achieved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of forming a research topic?

    <p>To address a problem or question</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of research process?

    <p>Descriptive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary outcome of applied research?

    <p>To address a practical problem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of a good research topic?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of research problems or questions?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of conceptual definitions in the research process?

    <p>To define key terms and concepts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of operational definitions in the research process?

    <p>To specify how to measure variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of data analysis in the research process?

    <p>To extract meaning and patterns from data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the assessment is based on class attendance?

    <p>10%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary emphasis of the postgraduate research work?

    <p>Skills required to do a good postgraduate research work</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the author of the book 'Handbook for Preparing and Writing Research Proposals'?

    <p>Reid, P.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is research, according to the course introduction?

    <p>Intellectual Investigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the objectives of research?

    <p>To find a solution to a problem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an activity involved in research?

    <p>Compilation of related data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is NOT a characteristic of research?

    <p>Casual investigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the percentage of the assessment based on end of semester examinations?

    <p>60%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for undertaking research according to idealistic reasons?

    <p>To make a contribution to the stock of human knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a thesis for a Master of Philosophy degree?

    <p>It must demonstrate appropriate theoretical and methodological knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key aspect of the research process?

    <p>Dividing the problem into sub-problems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a thesis for a Taught Master's Degree?

    <p>It must contain ample evidence of the student's familiarity with the research process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is research undertaken according to practical reasons?

    <p>To solve problems and develop research skills</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the research process?

    <p>It is guided by a scientific question or hypothesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between a thesis for a Master of Philosophy and a Taught Master's Degree?

    <p>The expectation is normally higher for a Taught Master's Degree</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key aspect of research?

    <p>Originating from a question or a problem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Course Information

    • The course is PM 562: Research Methods, offered by the Department of Construction, Technology, and Management, KNUST, Kumasi.
    • The course examiner is Prof. E. Adinyira.

    Course Objectives

    • Explain the concept of Research
    • Undertake an effective literature review
    • Describe quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches to research
    • Identify types of data and sampling techniques
    • Develop a good Research Proposal
    • Understand and use relevant statistical tools and techniques in data analysis
    • Adequately report research

    Assessment Requirements

    • Class attendance: 10%
    • Research proposal: 30%
    • End of semester examinations: 60%

    Further Readings

    • Reid, P. (2000), Handbook for Preparing and Writing Research Proposals
    • Fellows, R., & Liu, A. (2021), Research Methods for Construction, 5th ed.
    • Tan, W. (2017), Practical Research Methods
    • Cresswell, J. W. (2014), Research Design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method, 4th ed.

    Course Introduction

    • Research is an organized activity with specific objectives, aimed at discovering, interpreting, or revising human knowledge.
    • Activities involved in research include compilation of related data, application of relevant tools of analysis, and derivation of logically sound inferences.

    Characteristics of Research

    • Research originates from a question or problem
    • Involves dividing the problem into sub-problems
    • Requires a clear articulation of a goal
    • Follows a specific plan of work
    • Is guided by a scientific question or hypothesis
    • Accepts certain critical assumptions
    • Involves the collection and interpretation of data
    • Is spiral/cyclical in nature

    Choosing a Research Topic

    • Steps for choosing a topic include:
      • Brainstorming for ideas
      • Reading general background information
      • Determining the scope
      • Refining the topic
      • Making a list of useful keywords
      • Researching and reading more about the topic
      • Being flexible

    Formulating a Problem

    • Translating and transforming the selected research problem into a scientifically researchable question or statement
    • Steps include:
      • What you want to know/solve
      • Rationale of the question/solution
      • Specifying question(s)/hypothesis

    Building a Synopsis

    • Problem Statement is a concise statement of what the research is about
    • Research question/hypothesis is a specific question(s)/statement(s) indicating areas of investigation
    • Aim is the outcome/end expected to be realized from the study
    • Objectives are concerned with specific ends that the research seeks to achieve
    • SMART objectives are specific, measurable, agreed, realistic, and time-bound

    Example of Problem Statement and Aim/Objectives

    • Problem Statement: In Kwaebibirem Municipality, funds from the Fairtrade Market have been used purely for the benefit of the communities registered and certified to produce Organic Oil Palm through a committee comprising of the Farmer Representation and the Processing Firm.
    • Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to examine community participation in the selection of Development Projects in the Kwaebibirem Municipality towards developing a framework to guide the process of project selection.
    • Objectives of the Study:
      • To examine stakeholder engagement in the selection of development projects in the Kwaebibirem Municipality.

    Principles of Research

    • Replication: The ability to reproduce the research results
    • Validity: The extent to which the research measures what it claims to measure
    • Reliability: The consistency of the research results
    • Objectivity: The absence of personal bias in the research process
    • Ethics: The moral principles guiding the research process
    • Representativeness: The extent to which the research sample represents the population being studied
    • Precision in Measurement: The accuracy of the research measurements

    Research Process

    • Formation of the topic: Identifying a research problem or question
    • Articulation of hypothesis/question: Clearly stating the research question or hypothesis
    • Conceptual definitions: Defining key concepts and variables
    • Operational definitions: Defining how key concepts and variables will be measured
    • Collection of data: Gathering data to address the research question
    • Analysis of data: Examining and interpreting the data
    • Conclusion and recommendation: Drawing conclusions and making recommendations based on the research findings

    Types of Research

    • Source of data: Primary (original data) or Secondary (existing data)
    • Process of research: Qualitative (exploring meaning), Quantitative (examining numerical data), or Mixed (combining both)

    Outcome of Research

    • Applied: Research with practical applications
    • Pure: Research for the sake of knowledge
    • Action: Research that aims to solve a problem or improve a situation
    • Purpose of research: Exploratory (exploring a topic), Descriptive (describing a phenomenon), Analytical/Evaluative/Explanatory/Diagnostic (examining and interpreting data), or Predictive/Prognostic (making predictions)

    Defining the Research Problem

    • Research starts with a problem or question
    • Sources of problems/questions: Literature, Experts, Experience, or Intuition
    • A good research topic is one that is: Interesting, Original, Broad, Researchable, Significant, Feasible, Durable, and Non-political

    Assessment Requirements

    • Class attendance: 10%
    • Research proposal: 30%
    • End of semester examinations: 60%

    Characteristics of Research

    • Research originates from a question or a problem
    • Research involves dividing the problem into sub-problems
    • Research requires a clear articulation of a goal
    • Research follows a specific plan of work
    • Research is guided by a scientific question or hypothesis
    • Research accepts certain critical assumptions
    • Research involves the collection and interpretation of data
    • Research is by its nature spiral/cyclical

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    Description

    This quiz covers the basics of research methods, including defining problems, literature reviews, research design, data collection, and analysis. It's designed for construction technology students.

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