Types of Research: Exploratory, Descriptive, and Explanatory

Types of Research

• Exploratory Research: Seeks to explore a new or unfamiliar topic, generating initial insights and understanding through methods like literature reviews, interviews, and focus groups.
• Descriptive Research: Aims to describe the characteristics of a phenomenon or population, providing a detailed account without manipulating variables, using methods like surveys, case studies, and observational studies.
• Explanatory Research: Focuses on identifying the causes and effects of a phenomenon, exploring relationships between variables to explain why something occurs, using approaches like experimental designs, statistical analyses, and controlled studies.

Scientific Methods & Research Process

• The scientific method involves an iterative process, where conclusions may lead to new observations and questions, initiating subsequent research cycles.
• The research process includes:
  • Observation: Identifying a problem or phenomenon
  • Research Question: Formulating a question based on the observed phenomenon or problem
  • Hypothesis: Proposing a tentative explanation to answer the research question
  • Experimentation/Data Collection: Testing the hypothesis through controlled experiments or systematic data collection methods
  • Analysis: Analyzing collected data using statistical or qualitative methods to draw conclusions
  • Conclusion: Interpreting results and determining the implications of the study
  • Communication: Communicating findings through research papers, reports, or presentations

Module 2: Formulating Research Question and Hypothesis

• Identifying Research Problems: Recognizing an area of interest or concern where there is a gap in knowledge or an issue to be addressed.
• Research Problems: Guide the entire research process, directing focus and helping researchers understand the scope and significance of their inquiry.

Crafting Research Questions

• Research Questions: Articulate the specific information a study seeks to uncover, making them clear, concise, and directly related to the identified research problem.
• Importance: Clear research questions provide a roadmap for the study, guiding the researcher in selecting appropriate methods and facilitating the communication of findings.

Formulating Hypotheses

• Hypotheses: Specific, testable predictions that propose an expected relationship between variables, based on the researcher's theoretical framework and understanding of the problem.
• Importance: Hypotheses provide a structured way to test theories and answer research questions, guiding the collection and analysis of data, contributing to the overall validity of the study.

Key Considerations

• Clarity: Research questions and hypotheses should be clear and unambiguous, avoiding vague or overly complex language.
• Alignment: Ensure alignment between the research problem, questions, and hypotheses to maintain a cohesive and focused study.
• Testability: Formulate questions and hypotheses in a way that allows for empirical testing, ensuring the study's scientific validity.