Research Methods Fundamentals
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of good research?

  • It is based on empirical data and real-world situations
  • It uses logical reasoning and processes of induction and deduction
  • It is systematic and follows a defined set of rules
  • It relies heavily on intuition and guessing (correct)

    • What is the first and most important step in the research process?

  • Collecting and analyzing data
  • Writing the research report
  • Formulating hypotheses
  • Defining and formulating the research problem (correct)

    • What is the purpose of a literature review in the research process?

  • To develop a new theory or hypothesis
  • To test the validity of existing theories
  • To collect data for the study
  • To understand the current state of knowledge on the topic (correct)

    • Which of the following is an example of the process of deduction?

    <p>Knowing that all dogs are mammals, then concluding that my pet dog is also a mammal (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of replicating a research study?

    <p>To confirm the results of the original study (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to define the research problem clearly?

    <p>To ensure that the research is relevant and focused (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of an empirical research question?

    <p>Does the color red increase aggression in humans? (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to greater confidence in research?

    <p>The researcher's personal beliefs and biases (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of anorexia victims reportedly die from starvation or related illnesses?

    <p>15 to 20 percent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a recommended strategy for organizing a literature review?

    <p>Ignore supervisor advice to save time (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of variable includes categories such as marital status or job satisfaction index?

    <p>Categorical variable (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary characteristic of a numerical variable?

    <p>Expressed in various metric units (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To ensure a coherent literature review, which aspect is emphasized during writing?

    <p>Paying attention to appropriate citation of references (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of hypotheses in organizing a literature review?

    <p>They serve as a framework for organization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a numerical variable?

    <p>Monthly income (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When determining the variables, which of the following is an example of a categorical variable?

    <p>Occupation (civil servant, farmer, student, etc.) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one key aspect that the scientific method encourages in research?

    <p>A process free from personal bias (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which criterion is essential for good research regarding the research procedure?

    <p>It should allow repetition by other researchers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of good research, what should conclusions be limited to?

    <p>Those justified by the data collected (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of data analysis is crucial in the criteria of good research?

    <p>It must be thorough and appropriate (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does reporting flaws in procedural design play in good research?

    <p>It ensures transparency and honesty (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How should a researcher approach the problem statement in their research?

    <p>It must be clearly defined (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following reflects the importance of internal consistency in research?

    <p>It contributes to a reliable and coherent investigation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a critical aspect of determining variables in research?

    <p>Variables must be clearly defined and measurable (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Qualities of Good Research

    Good research is systematic, logical, empirical, and replicable.

    Systematic Research

    Research structured with specified steps in a defined sequence, rejecting guesswork.

    Logical Research

    Research guided by logical reasoning, involving induction and deduction processes.

    Empirical Research

    Research based on real situations and concrete data for external validity.

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    Replicable Research

    Research results that can be verified by repeating the study.

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    Research Problem

    The first step in research where the area of inquiry is selected and defined.

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    Defining Research Problem

    Systematic examination and understanding of the research problem is critical.

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    Induction vs Deduction

    Induction reasons from specifics to a general conclusion; deduction reasons from premises to specific conclusions.

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    Anorexia statistics

    Fifteen to twenty percent of anorexia victims die from starvation or related illnesses.

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    Literature Review Organization

    The process of structuring literature findings into an outline to facilitate discussions.

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    Hypothesis

    A proposed explanation that guides research and literature organization.

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    Coherent writing

    Writing that is logically structured and easy to understand, focusing on citation accuracy.

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    Variable

    A characteristic that can take on different values, like age or weight.

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    Numerical variables

    Variables represented by numbers, such as weight and height.

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    Categorical variables

    Variables expressed in categories, like marital status or occupation.

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    Examples of variables

    Common variables include age, weight, income, and job satisfaction.

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    Scientific Method

    A systematic, objective procedure for research that emphasizes logic and impartiality.

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    Criteria of Good Research

    Standards that research should meet to ensure quality and reliability.

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    Clear Purpose

    Research should have a well-defined objective that guides the study.

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    Detailed Research Procedure

    Research methods must be described clearly for reproducibility.

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    Objective Results

    Research design should minimize bias to produce unbiased findings.

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    Reporting Flaws

    Researchers must disclose any limitations in their methodology honestly.

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    Adequate Data Analysis

    Data must be analyzed properly to highlight its significance and reliability.

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    Justified Conclusions

    Conclusions must be based on data and limited to what the data supports.

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    Study Notes

    Course Information

    • Course Title: Technology Research methodology
    • Course Code: CoTM 528
    • Instructor: Dr. Tsegay G.

    Meaning of Research

    • Research is a systematic and scientific effort to gain new knowledge and solutions to a problem.
    • It's an art of scientific investigation and a careful inquiry of new facts in any branch of knowledge.
    • It involves defining and redefining problems, formulating hypotheses/suggested solutions, collecting, organizing, and evaluating data, making deductions/judgments, reaching conclusions, and testing conclusions.

    Objectives of Research

    • Gain new insights of phenomena (exploratory/formative research)
    • Portray/describe accurate characteristics of a situation (descriptive research)
    • Determine the frequency/association of occurrences in relation to something else (diagnostic research)
    • Test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research)

    Motivation in Research

    • Desire for a research degree and promotions
    • Desire to solve unsolved problems
    • Desire for intellectual joy from creative work
    • Desire to serve society
    • Desire for respectability

    Types of Research

    • Descriptive: Includes surveys and fact-finding inquiries. Aims to describe the current state of affairs
    • Analytical: Uses existing facts and information to analyze and evaluate material/things.
    • Applied/Action research: Seeks solutions to pressing practical problems for society or organizations, identifying trends that affect institutions.
    • Fundamental/Basic/Pure research: Aims for generalizations and theory formulation, often exploring natural phenomena or human behavior.
    • Quantitative: Deals with phenomena expressed in terms of quantity and uses analysis, experimental, and simulation approaches. Inferential analysis uses surveys.
    • Qualitative: Focuses on qualitative/subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions, and behavior, using techniques like focus groups, projective, and depth interviews.
    • Conceptual: Develops new concepts or reinterprets existing ones.
    • Empirical: Relies on observations/experience, often without regard for theory.
    • Mixed: Combines one or more methods.

    Significance of Research

    • Progress comes from questioning/inquiry, and inquiry leads to invention.
    • Research fosters scientific and inductive thinking, promoting logical habits of thought.
    • The complex nature of various fields (engineering, economics, governance) emphasizes the need for research in problem-solving.
    • Problems related to workforce conditions, trade union activity, and defense services necessitate research.
    • Research is crucial for allocating national resources and economic policy development.
    • Economic policy investigation involves distinct operational phases, including investigating economic structure, diagnosing current events, and predicting future developments.
    • Research helps determine consumer motivations and replaces intuitive decisions with more scientific methods
    • Research in social sciences addresses knowledge for its own sake and for its practical application.
    • There's a need for research to guide the solving of immediate practical problems of human relations.
    • Research can be a career path, leading to higher positions.
    • Research can provide livelihood opportunities in various disciplines (methodology), new insights for thinkers and philosophers, new styles and creative works for writers, and new theories for analysts.
    • Research is a source of knowledge and guidelines for addressing environmental, business, and social problems.
    • Provides formal training to better understand the latest developments in any given field.

    Research Methods vs. Methodology

    • Research methods/techniques are the procedures used in the research process.
    • Research methodology is the science behind the methods used, explaining the rationale and process for selecting specific methods and techniques.
    • Research methodology considers the steps taken, the problem definition, the form into which the hypothesis is stated, the data collected, the techniques adopted for analyzing data, and similar questions concerning a research study.
    • The approach to solve any research problem in a systematic and scientific way is called the research methodology.

    Research and Scientific Method

    • Research is intimately linked with the scientific method.
    • Scientific method is a systematic pursuit of truth through logical reasoning, experimentation, and observation.
    • The scientific method involves logic and testing possible alternatives against observed phenomena to align most harmoniously with the facts.

    Criteria of Good Research

    • Purpose clearly defined
    • Research procedure detailed enough to repeat findings
    • Procedural design plans objectives to yield objective results.
    • Complete frankness, flawness of procedural design, estimation of effects
    • Adequate data analysis with appropriate methods. Valid and reliable data checked carefully.
    • Conclusions based on data and limited to the evidence.
    • Experienced researchers with a reputation for integrity increase confidence in research findings.
    • Good research is systematic with clear and definite steps taken in a specified order.
    • Good research is logical, involving the rules of logical reasoning (induction, deduction).
    • Good research is empirical, dealing with concrete data from real-world situations for external validity to results
    • Good research is replicable with results that can be checked/verified by repetition or replication.

    Research Process: Defining and Formulating the Research Problem

    • Initially, the researcher identifies a clear research area.
    • The researcher examines the problem through available sources (literature).
    • The research problem is defined with clarity and understanding, with explicit definition of the problem's nature.
    • The formulated problem must be susceptible to research.

    Research Problem (Chapter One)

    • Difficulty or new invention that a researcher faces in a theoretical or practical real-world situation
    • Existing if: 1) a difficulty, problem, or gap exists for an individual or group; 2) an objective or goal exists; 3) at least two alternative means exist for attaining the goal; 4) doubt exists concerning the selection of alternatives; 5) the situation takes place within certain environments.

    Selecting the Research Problem

    • Identifying the problem is a crucial part of the research process requiring time, energy, and logical thinking.
    • Choose a problem that: is not overly common is not overly controversial is not too narrow or too broad is doable with available resources, materials, and time. In addition, consider:
    • Researcher's expertise
    • Availability of data
    • Importance of the problem
    • Preliminary study (pilot study) or feasibility study
    • Feasibility of solution approaches

    Literature Review (State of Art)

    • Key aspect of almost all research projects
    • Active reading, record-keeping, note-taking, and critical evaluation of information

    Explaining Concepts in Greater Detail

    • Reading contributes to research by broadening perspectives, generating ideas, clarifying research, improving writing, supporting practical work, and crediting the founder of a problem.
    • Reading enables effective criticism of others' work and makes the argument of researchers more legitimate for the sake of becoming more credible.

    Basic Reading Strategies

    • Includes guidelines for where, what, whom, and how to read.
    • Provides locations for research, such as libraries, bookshops, the internet, employers, colleagues, supervisors, friends, and students.
    • Offers materials such as books, journals, reports, popular materials, computer-based materials, notes from lectures, etc.

    Presentation of Bibliography

    • Follows standard formats (e.g., Harvard, APA).
    • Order for books, articles, and theses are detailed.
    • Citations can be made using authors' names and publication dates.

    Note-Taking (Reviewing the Literature)

    • Note-taking can be done by paraphrasing or directly quoting ideas
    • Paraphrasing means to restate source material while keeping the original meaning.

    Citing/Referring of Others in the Text

    • Include the source's name and the publication year when referencing other writers.
    • Include a page number if appropriate
    • Several situations for different citation formats of multiple authors

    Incorporating Direct Quotes

    • Quote short passages (under 4 lines) within quotation marks
    • Indent longer passages (4+ lines), using appropriate spacing.

    Organizing Your Literature Review

    • Develop an outline or topic headings to organize information and categorized findings related to your hypothesis.
    • Framework of hypotheses can be used to organize the review.

    Determining Variables

    • A variable is a characteristic that can take different values
    • Variables can be presented in numbers or categories
    • Dependent variables are used to describe the problem being investigated, independent variables influence the dependent variable. Background variables are the indirect influencing factors such as age, sex, religion, and similar factors.

    Operationalizing Variables

    • Operational definitions clarify variables and ensure consistency in measurement.
    • Defining specific indicators clarifies what will be measured for each variable
    • Examples of how a variable such as "waiting time" can be made measurable are presented.

    Scales of Measurement

    • Scales for variables are Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, and Ratio.
    • They increase in measurement power and precision
    • Nominal scales assign numbers as identifiers, ordinal scales establish order, interval scales are related with units but without a zero point, and ratio scales have absolute zeros.

    Hypotheses

    • A hypothesis is a testable statement about phenomena or about the expected relationship between variables that can be measured or tested.
    • Two forms are null and alternative hypotheses. A null hypothesis predicts no difference or that no relationship exists between the variables. An alternative hypothesis predicts the relationship or the expected results.
    • Defining hypothesis with a clear and testable format and with a possible predicating relationship helps in guiding the research, and helps to define a potential problem for the future study.

    Types of Tests

    • Parametric tests utilize interval or ratio measurement. Non-parametric tests are suitable for nominal and ordinal data.

    Procedures for Hypothesis Testing

    • Steps for hypothesis testing include formally stating the hypothesis, setting a significance level, selecting the appropriate testing distribution, computing appropriate values, calculating probability, comparing probability with significance level, and making the decision.

    Errors in Hypothesis Testing

    • Two possible errors in hypothesis testing are: Type I error (rejecting a true null hypothesis) and Type II error (accepting a false null hypothesis).

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on the essential characteristics and steps of good research. This quiz covers key concepts such as the purpose of literature reviews, empirical questions, and the importance of clearly defining research problems. Ideal for students or professionals looking to strengthen their understanding of research methodologies.

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