Research Process Overview

Definition: Systematic examination of existing research related to a specific topic.
Purpose:
- Identify what is already known.
- Highlight gaps in existing knowledge.
- Provide a theoretical framework for the research.
Steps:
- Select relevant literature sources (books, journals, articles).
- Summarize key findings and theories.
- Critically evaluate methodologies and conclusions.
- Organize findings thematically or chronologically.

Definition: Identifying areas where knowledge is lacking or insufficient.
Purpose:
- Justify the need for new research.
- Focus the study on unexplored or underexplored areas.
Approach:
- Compare existing studies and their findings.
- Look for conflicting results or overlooked populations.
- Use the literature review to highlight these gaps.

Importance: Directs the focus of the research and determines the study's objectives.
Characteristics:
- Clear and specific.
- Researchable within the constraints of the study.
- Aligned with identified research gaps.
Types:
- Descriptive (what is happening?)
- Comparative (how do two or more groups differ?)
- Causal (what causes a specific outcome?)

Definition: Framework for collecting and analyzing data.
Types:
- Qualitative: Focus on understanding phenomena through interviews, focus groups, etc.
- Quantitative: Involves numerical data and statistical analysis.
- Mixed-Methods: Combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Components:
- Sample selection (population and sample size).
- Data collection strategies (how data will be gathered).
- Analysis plan (how data will be interpreted).

Qualitative Methods:
- Interviews: In-depth discussions to gather personal perspectives.
- Focus Groups: Group discussions to explore concepts and ideas.
- Observations: Noting behaviors in natural settings.
Quantitative Methods:
- Surveys: Structured questionnaires to gather numerical data.
- Experiments: Controlled studies to test hypotheses.
- Secondary data analysis: Using existing data for new insights.

Identifying the research problem: Define the issue or question to be studied.
Conducting a literature review: Gather and analyze existing research.
Analyzing research gaps: Identify areas needing further investigation.
Formulating research questions: Develop specific questions guiding the research.
Designing the research: Plan methodology and data collection strategies.
Collecting data: Implement chosen data collection methods.
Analyzing data: Use appropriate techniques to interpret collected data.
Drawing conclusions and reporting: Summarize findings and implications, and communicate results.

Systematic examination of existing research on specific topics.
Aims to identify known information, highlight knowledge gaps, and establish a theoretical framework.
Involves selecting literature sources, summarizing key findings, critically evaluating methodologies, and organizing findings thematically or chronologically.

Involves identifying areas lacking sufficient knowledge.
Justifies the need for new research and focuses on unexplored areas.
Compares existing studies, looks for conflicting results, and utilizes the literature review to illustrate gaps.

Directs the research focus and defines study objectives.
Questions should be clear, specific, researchable, and aligned with identified gaps.
Types of questions include:
- Descriptive: Investigate current occurrences.
- Comparative: Explore differences between groups.
- Causal: Determine causes of specific outcomes.

Framework for data collection and analysis.
Types of research design include:
- Qualitative: Involves interviews, focus groups, and understanding phenomena.
- Quantitative: Deals with numerical data and statistical analysis.
- Mixed-Methods: Combines both qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Essential components consist of sample selection, data collection strategies, and analysis plans.

Qualitative Methods:
- Interviews: Gather in-depth personal perspectives.
- Focus Groups: Explore concepts through group discussion.
- Observations: Note behaviors in natural environments.
Quantitative Methods:
- Surveys: Use structured questionnaires for numerical data.
- Experiments: Conduct controlled studies to test hypotheses.
- Secondary Data Analysis: Leverage existing data for new insights.