Research Process Steps

Research Process Steps

• Research aims to solve a problem, thus meaningful research needs a problem
• The existence of a problem requires a research study to solve it
• The basic research process has these steps:
  • Problem identification and definition
  • Review of related literature
  • Formulating a research question and/or hypothesis
  • Research design formulation
  • Data collection
  • Data analysis
  • Data interpretation
  • Drawing inferences and conclusion
• The research process begins with identifying a problem from sources like experience, theory, and reports
• After identification, a problem should be clearly defined and put into perspective
• A review of previous literature related to the research problem is the second step
• The third step involves formulating a question or hypothesis to guide the research and data collection
• The research design is a blueprint for data collection and analysis methods
• Data is collected, organized, and analyzed prior to presentation and interpretation
• Conclusions are drawn based on the research question/hypothesis and literature review

Selecting and Defining a Research Problem

• The researcher first decides on a general area to research based on circumstances
• Problems originate from the supervisor or the student researcher
• The researcher outlines a specific problem to investigate
• The problem statement elaborates on the topic and clarifies its nature for the reader
• Stating a research problem well is crucial

Principles in Stating a Research Problem

• The researcher must understand what a scientific problem is
• The researcher needs to explain what the problem is about, either as a question or by stating issues and concerns

Hypothesis Development

• Hypotheses may or may not be needed and depend on the problem's nature
• Hypothesis is a hunch or predictive statement to be proven or disproven through data collection
• A hypothesis is necessary if statistical testing is used
• If used, the researcher states it as a null hypothesis
  • A statement of no significant relationship between variables exists
  • Assists in problem stating and as an approach to statistical analysis

Hypothesis Considerations

• The hypothesis must be conceptually clear, and the concept should be defined in theory and practice
• The hypothesis has to be specific and testable for easier data collection and statistical testing
• The hypothesis should relate to available techniques with appropriate analysis if called for
• The hypothesis must relate to a body of theory
• The hypothesis should be an adequate answer to the specific problem and address one problem at a time, as complicated ones invite complicated procedures

Relationship between Research Elements

• Problem statements, questions, and research hypotheses are related
• Research questions derive from problems, and hypotheses come from questions
• Problems are reduced to questions, which are then converted into hypotheses for testing
• Research Problem Example: "The problem of drug abuse in Nigeria"
• Research Question Example: "Why is drug abuse so common among the youths in Nigeria?"
• Research Hypothesis Example: "The issue of lack of relevant skills and the resultant unemployment might be the cause of the rampant drug abuse in Nigeria"

Data Collection Methods

• Each hypothesis should indicate the type of data collection needed
• Methods include direct observation, questionnaires, or personal interviews
• The data must be available and collectible, verified via pre-testing for feasibility

Data Collection Instruments

• The researcher needs to know what data is needed
• Instruments, such as questionnaires, interview schedules, or recording devices, should be developed to gather data in the desired form
• Translate/transform abstract and theoretical definitions into concrete empirical definitions

Sampling Procedure

• Researchers may not need to collect information from the entire population
• Researchers may not have the resources to cover the entire population
• Sample selection becomes necessary
• The researcher determines the sample size to collect
• Each individual in the population should have an equal chance of being selected (random selection)
• Samples should be representative and adequate in size, which is determined by cost and statistical tools

Data Collection (After Instrument Development)

• After developing and presenting the instrument and removing errors, the researcher collects the data

Coding and Tabulation

• After data collection, categories or codes should be developed to classify information, for data analysis
• Classifying and analyzing data reduces information to a manageable size for insights

Data Interpretation

• After analyzing and classifying, the next step is to interpret introducing your own judgment

Literature Review

• Reviewing related and relevant literature is key to designing and conducting research
• The review starts when a research topic or problem is selected and continues until the final work is approved
• The review involves systematic locating, documenting, analyzing, and reporting relevant and useful information
• The goal is not to report previous views, but to create something new

Defining Literature Review

• Literature review is defined as information related, relevant, and useful to the research undertaken
• Relevance involves citing pertinent information, and usefulness involves clarifying direction and scope
• A review should provide factual and clarifying information
• It should summarize contributions from experts and previous research on the problem
• Study findings should connect with major reference works reviewed