Overview-Research-Process.pdf

OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS Characteristics of a Research Process It is a problem solving activity It involves the application of the scientific method in investigating a problem Conclusions made from the research process are based on empirical evidence or observed facts It is a...

OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS Characteristics of a Research Process It is a problem solving activity It involves the application of the scientific method in investigating a problem Conclusions made from the research process are based on empirical evidence or observed facts It is an activity which is: ✓ Systematic ✓ Objective ✓ Reproducible  Steps in Conducting Research 1. Identify and define the research problem 1.1.1 Selecting a research topic 1.1.2 Formulating research objectives  Criteria for Selecting a Research Topic a. Relevance How large or widespread is the problem? Who is affected? How severe is the problem? Is my topic in line with the priority areas of the funding agency to whom my proposal will be submitted b. Avoidance of Duplication Has the topic been investigated before? Are there major questions which deserve further investigation? c. Feasibility Can the study be done given the existing resources? Can data from the required number of samples be collected within the time frame the study, given the inclusion and exclusion criteria? Criteria for Selecting a Research Topic d. Political acceptability Does the topic have the interest and support of the authorities? Can policy makers be involved at an early stage? e. Applicability of possible results and recommendations What is the chance of the recommendation from the study being applied? f. Urgency of the data needed How urgently are data needed for making a decision? g. Ethical Acceptability How acceptable is the research to those who will studied? (Note: Cultural sensitivity must be considered) Can informed consent be obtained from the subjects? Will the condition of the subjects be taken into account?  RESEARCH OBJECTIVES  Directly related to the research problem  Reflect the questions the investigator wishes to answer at the end of the study  Provides the general direction in the conduct of the research project Steps in Conducting Research 2. Review the literature related to the problem identified Uses of the review of the related literature: a. To know more about previous studies done ❖ Who has done previous work in the research area considered? ❖ What research methods (design, variable definition, instrumentation, etc.) were utilized? ❖ What problems were met and how were they resolved? b. To establish the theoretical or conceptual framework for the research Important things to remember about the review of related literature: ❖ The literature to be reviewed must not only be related to the topic of the research, but more so, on the specific objectives actually covered ❖ The results of the literature review can be used to generate hypothesis, methods and comparative data which are useful in the interpretation and discussion of results ❖ The studies reviewed should be evaluated in terms of assumptions, sources, techniques, conclusions, applications and unsolved problems ❖ Related literature should be summarized by topic rather than as a “running” bibliography. This means that the conclusions of authors dealing with a particular topic should be compared and synthesized ❖ If the research being proposed is pioneering, and no previous studies have been done in the area, this has to be mentioned in the review of related literature to provide additional basis/justification for the conduct of the proposed research. Steps in Conducting Research 3. Define the actual problem for investigation in clear and specific terms ❖ Refers to the process of reviewing, refining or fine-tuning the first draft of the general and specific objectives based on new learnings derived from the review of related literature. ❖ It may involve delimiting the scope of the study without dealing with a trivial problem 4. Formulate testable hypothesis and define basic concepts and variables ❖ Identifying attributes of the variables to be tested in the research project * Estimating magnitudes * Determining differences * Looking at relationships ❖ Formulating conceptual and operational definitions of variables Steps in Conducting Research 5. Construct the research design Areas of concern include:  Study design  Methods of subject selection  Sample size  Strategies for control and manipulation of relevant variables  Establishment of criteria to evaluate outcomes  Instrumentation Major considerations in formulating the research design: ❖ Internal Validity Does the study measure what it intends to measure? Refers to the extent to which various types of biases are controlled in the study like comparability of subjects, measurement bias and others ❖ External Validity Refers to the extent to which the study results can be generalized to a larger population Covers issues related to sample selection and sample size Steps in Conducting Research 6. Design the tools for data collection 7. Design the plan for data analysis Construction of dummy tables Identification of statistical techniques to be applied in order to achieve the research objectives 8. Collect the data 9. Process the collected data Editing Coding 10. Analyze the data 11. Write the research report 12. Disseminate the results 13. Utilize the result  Comparison between the research process and food preparation 1-7. Planning for the Meal planning research activity 8. Data collection Marketing 9. Data Processing Washing, paring, slicing 10. Data Analysis Cooking 11. Report writing Garnishing; plating 12. Data Dissemination Serving 13. Data Utilization Eating The success of a research project depends on: ✓ How well thought out the research project is; and on ✓ How potential problems have been identified and resolved BEFORE DATA COLLECTION BEGINS