EM 223: Research Methodology in Environmental Management Lecture Notes PDF

EM 223: Research Methodology in Environmental Management BEM 2, Semester 2 Year 2023/24 Course instructor: Mr. G. A. France (MSc.) Welcome Participants  Course aim and course expected learning outcome(s) ❑Course aim ❖This co...

EM 223: Research Methodology in Environmental Management BEM 2, Semester 2 Year 2023/24 Course instructor: Mr. G. A. France (MSc.) Welcome Participants  Course aim and course expected learning outcome(s) ❑Course aim ❖This course aims to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary in environmental management research projects. ❖Also is to equip students with practical knowledge on both qualitative and quantitative approaches in research.  Course expected learning outcome(s) Students shall be able to: 1. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology 2. Distinguish different research designs, approaches methods and tools 3. Explain appropriate research design in particular natural resources and environmental management studies 4. Apply research designs in natural resources and environmental management studies 5. Apply statistical knowledge in qualitative and quantitative data analysis  Assessment Methods: The assessment will be done in accordance with Mzumbe University Examinations and Students Assessment Criteria By-Laws, 2017 as amended in 2018. Accordingly, the course assessment shall comprise Course Work and Final Examination in the following proportions: Course Work: 50% (Test 1=15%, Test 2=15%, Individual Assignment =10% and Group Assignment=10%) Final Examination (ESE): 50% Total 100%  Learning Matrix Lecture Seminar Assignment Independent study/ Total Hrs Hrs Hrs Practical Hrs Hrs 38% 25% 20% 17% 45 30 24 21 120  Reading list: 1. Allen, R. and Babbie, E.R. (2011), Research Methods for social Work, 7thEd. Brooks/Cole, Belmont, USA. 2. Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational Research, Planning, Conducting and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, 4th edition, Pearson Education, Inc., 501 Boylston Street, Boston, USA. 3. Gupta, D and Gupta, R (2011). Research Methodology, PHI Learning Private Limited, New Dehli 4. Hair, J.F., W.C. Black, B.J. Babin, R.E. Anderson and Tatham, R.L. (2011). Multivariate Data Analysis. 6th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc. 5. Dawson, C., (2009). Introduction to research methods; A practical guide for anyone undertaking research project, 4th ed, How to content Ltd, Begbroke, Oxford OX5 1RX, United Kingdom.  RULE TO PASS “Don’t Tell Me, Show Me”  Topic 1: An Introduction to Research Methodology Mr. Gerald France Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Mzumbe University Tell: 0759848027 Email: [email protected]  Research ▪ Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. OR ▪ Research is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested  Research Methodology ▪ The research methodology is a way to study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying the research problems systematically, along with the logic, assumptions, justification, and rationale behind them.  As per the dictionary definition it is a careful investigation or enquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge Characteristics of Research: ✓ It is always Search for Knowledge ✓ Its moves from Known to known ✓ Systematic and careful inquiry ✓ It has the Logic reason and evidence ✓ It should fallow the scientific methods (Inductive & Deductive) ✓ It will formulate the generalisations & theories  Why do research? ▪ Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits ▪ Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems ▪ Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work ▪ Desire to be of service to society ▪ Desire to get respectability ▪ Directives of government, employment conditions etc.  Why do research?... Validate intuition Improve methods Demands of the Job For publication/patent 10 April 2024 13  Types of Research Descriptive vs Analytical: Descriptive research (Ex post facto research) includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Analytical research in this the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material Applied vs Fundamental: Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problems facing by a society or an organization. Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of theory. (gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake) Quantitative vs Qualitative: Quantitative research is based on the quantitative measurements of some characteristics. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantities. Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, it is a method of inquiry that develops understanding on human and social sciences, to find the way people think and feel. Conceptual vs Empirical: Conceptual research is that related to some abstract ideas or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. Empirical research (Experimental) relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment. Other Types of Research: ▪ One-time research ▪ Longitudinal research ▪ Field setting research / Laboratory research ▪ Clinical or diagnostic research ▪ Historical research Research Methods vs Methodology: Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are used for conduction of research. Research methods or techniques, thus, refer to the methods the researchers use in performing research operations. Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them. Method Technique Observation Observational behaviour scale, score cards Case Study & Cross-sectional collection Life History of data, Longitudinal collection of data Survey Questionnaire, Schedules, Opinionnaire Process of Research  Research Process FF Review the literature Choose a Topic/Title FF Review Concepts Analyse Design and Define Collect Data Research Interpret Define theories Objectives/ Data (Test (Including and Research Formulate (Execution) Hypothesis Sample report Problem Hypothesis / if any) Review Design) Questions F F Previous I Research III IV V findings VI VII II F F Feed Back FF Feed Forward Research Process: Research Process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carryout research. 1.Define research problem (nature& understanding ) 2.Review of literature 3.Formulate hypotheses 4.Research design (sample design) 5.Collecting the data (execution) 6.Analysis of data (testing hypothesis) 7.Interpretation & report writing Research Area  A research area is the interdisciplinary field of research.  For example a research area can be Business and Government, Globalization, Health Care, Human Behavior and Decision-Making, Leadership, Social Enterprise, management, business, economics, ethics, business finance, operations and management science, and urban economics Research Topic  A research topic is a specific part of study in a broader area of study.  A research topic is the research question you are going to answer in your study.  Because a topic is the subject of discussion in a research, it must be able to include the entire content of the writing and answering the questions on the discussed issues. Research Topic  The main characteristic of the topic is ⚫ General and has not been detail described. ⚫ One topic can be used into several titles. ⚫ The topic is the actual content that will be presented in research  Choosing a Topic ▪ Choosing the topic is the first step in the research process. ▪ The topic should have to be clear so that others can easily understand the nature of your research. ▪ The research topic should have a single interpretation so that people cannot get distracted. ▪ The topic should have to be very clear in your mind so that you can properly undertake it. ▪ The topic provides focus of research and helps to identify areas of importance as well as possibilities for the exploration and analysis of such areas.  Qualities of a Good Research Topic  Research problem oriented- practical situation  Coherence with objectives and problem  Be informative/descriptive, as brief as possible  Titling should follow the rules (either sentence case or a title case)  Clarity  Well defined  Current importance (No obsolete topic)  Be precise as possible using simple language Qualities of a Good Research Topic  Project the scope of the problem for investigation  Length: not too long; max. 10-15 words  Bear originality- own invention  Deliver message of what to be investigated  Thematic Relevance Why define the Research Problem?  Defining your destination before beginning a journey.  It determines, ⚫ what you will do, ⚫ will it withstand scientific scrutiny, ⚫ how you will do it, and ⚫ what you may achieve! 30 Research Proposal Development How is a research problem selected?  Researchers interest in a topic  National or agency priorities  Urgency of an issue  Availability of research funds  Availability of supervision Research Proposal Development 31 Steps in defining research problems 1. Identify a broad topic 2. Identify a narrow topic within the broad topic 3. Raise questions 4. Formulate objectives  Use action-oriented words - To demonstrate; To evaluate; To measure… 4/10/2024 Research Proposal Development 32 Identifying Broad Topics  Think of the BIG PICTURE ⚫ What is the problem you are trying to solve? ⚫ Think of something you like to learn more about ⚫ Consult text books, journal or your supervisor  Pick one based on: ⚫ Interest and relevance ⚫ Magnitude of work involved ⚫ Level of expertise  yours and your advisors 4/10/2024 Research Proposal Development 33  Examples of Broad Topics ⚫ Optimizing productivity of land and water resources ⚫ Ensuring Food Safety & Security ⚫ Sustaining Marine Environments ⚫ Wastewater treatment ⚫ Solid waste management ⚫ Air pollution ⚫ Biodiversity ⚫ Climate change ⚫ Environment and health 4/10/2024 Research Proposal Development 34 Examples of Broad Topics ⚫ Land use ⚫ Natural resources ⚫ Noise ⚫ Waste and material resources ⚫ Geographical information systems ⚫ Environmental justice ⚫ Ecosystems ⚫ Deforestation ⚫ Water management 4/10/2024 Research Proposal Development 35  From Broad Topic to Narrow Topic  Examples of a narrow topic: ⚫ Recycling solid waste for income generation ⚫ Greenhouse Agriculture ⚫ Use of Constructed wetlands for domestic waste water treatment ⚫ Grey water reuse potential in Dar es Salaam ⚫ Solid  When selecting a narrow topic think how it can contribute towards solving the BIG PROBLEM! 4/10/2024 Research Proposal Development 36  Problem Tree – Keep asking Why? Unskilled Labor Inefficient Irrigation Low Labor Productivity Unsuitable Climate Inefficient Water harvesting Water Scarcity Lack of crop varieties adapted to climate Food Insecurity Unsuitable Crops Farming Patterns do not Return nutrients Low Land Farmers can’t afford fertilizers Productivity Poor Soil Farmers unaware of 4/10/2024 Research Proposal Development best practices 37  Tips for Choosing a Topic  Choose a topic that you are interested in.  The research process is more relevant if you care about your topic.  Narrow your topic to something manageable. ⚫ If your topic is too broad, you will find too much information and not be able to focus. ⚫ Background reading can help you choose and limit the scope of your topic.  Review the guidelines on topic selection outlined in your assignment.  Tips for Choosing a Topic  Refer to lecture notes and required texts to refresh your knowledge of the course and assignment.  Talk about research ideas with a friend. They may be able to help focus your topic by discussing issues that didn't occur to you at first.  Think of the who, what, when, where and why questions: WHY, WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN  WHY did you choose the topic? What interests you about it? Do you have an opinion about the issues involved?  WHO are the information providers on this topic? Who might publish information about it? Who is affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic?  WHY, WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN  WHAT are the major questions for this topic? Is there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to consider?  WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national or international level? Are there specific places affected by the topic?  WHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a current event or an historical issue? Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?  RESEARCH TITLE  The title of the research is a statement that contains the entire content of a study, the location, goals and objectives to be achieved.  A good title contains the fewest possible words that adequately describe the contents and/or purpose of your research  The title is without doubt the part of the research that is read the most, and it is usually read first.  The initial aim of a title is to capture the reader's attention and to highlight the research problem under investigation  RESEARCH TITLE  The main characteristic of the title is ⚫ The title is a specific and detailed description of the topic ⚫ Each research with the same topic must have a different title ⚫ The title is more specific because it reflects the content of the scientific work Aspects when deciding a suitable title The following aspects can be kept in mind when deciding a suitable title for the research: The purpose of the research The scope of research The narrative tone or the type of research aims to describe The methods used  Tips for Writing an Effective Research Title Make sure your research title describes the following; 1. The topic, 2. The method, 3. The sample, and 4. The results of your study. You can use the following formula: [Result]: A [method] study of [topic] among [sample]  Example: 1. Assessing the Effect of Climate Change on Educational Sector in Tanzania: A Qualitative Approach 2. Evaluation of Human Health Among Tanzanian Living in Low Income: The Case Study of the Masai Group  https://www.collegetransitions.com /blog/best-environmental-research- topics/ Difference between a Title and a Topic A title is a “name” for a book/Report, dissertation, Project, paper and other written items. The topic is specifically what the item is about. To understand the difference between the two, let’s first understand the “Niche Area” “Niche area” refers to an area of expertise/focus. Many disciplines have their own niche areas which relate to a discipline of study. Effective Titles in Academic Researches have Several Characteristics  Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study.  Avoid using abbreviations.  Use words that create a positive impression and stimulate reader interest.  Use current nomenclature from the field of study.  Identify key variables, both dependent and independent. Effective Titles in Academic Researches have Several Characteristics  May reveal how the paper will be organized.  Suggest a relationship between variables which supports the major hypothesis.  Is limited to 10 to 15 substantive words.  Do not include "study of," "analysis of" or similar constructions.  Titles are usually in the form of a phrase, but can also be in the form of a question.  Effective Titles in Academic Researches have Several Characteristics  Use correct grammar and capitalization with all first words and last words capitalized, including the first word of a subtitle.  All nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that appear between the first and last words of the title are also capitalized.  In academic papers, rarely is a title followed by an exclamation mark. However, a title or subtitle can be in the form of a question. END