Unit 1_Understanding Scientific Research PDF

Scientific Research Methodology Unit 1: Understanding Scientific Research Al Ain University College of...

Scientific Research Methodology Unit 1: Understanding Scientific Research Al Ain University College of Business R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 1 / 26  Topics covered Reasons for doing research How evidence from research can inform practice Applications of research Characteristics and requirements of research process Types of research The Research Process Phase I: Deciding what to research Phase II: Planning a research study Phase III: Conducting a research study R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 2 / 26  Reasons for doing research To understand a field you are studying/working in To explain and find answers in relation to what you perceive To critically examine certain aspects To make changes To find answers to theoretical questions R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 3 / 26  How evidence from research can inform practice Decision makers use evidence to improve services or make processes more effective Evidence-based practice is used to collect information to determine the appropriateness of practice taking into account:  Evidence to deliver process/services effectively  Critical judgement of service providers on suitability and appropriateness  Consumer experience or preference R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 4 / 26 Figure 1.1 The applications of research R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 6 / 26  What is Research? Research: A way of thinking Research (Re-search) is undertaken within most professions; health, business, social sciences, engineering, etc. It is a habit of questioning what you do, and a systematic exami- nation of the observed information to find answers, with a view to instituting appropriate changes for a more effective professional service. Research is one of the ways to find answers to your questions ob- jectively; it is not all technical, complex, statistics and computers. It can be very simple activity designed to provide answers to very simple questions relating to day-to-day activities. Research is a way of thinking: examining critically the various aspects of your professional works using a particular procedure; R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) de- veloping and testing Scientific Research Methodology 2020 new 6 / 26  What is Research? Definition of Research Research is a systematic investigation to find answers to a problem (Burns, 1997) 1. Research is structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and to create is generally new applicable(Grinnell, knowledge that 2. 1993) Scientific research is a systematic, controlled empirical and criti- cal investigation of propositions about the presumed relationship about various phenomena(Kerlinger, 1986) 3. 1Burns, R. B. (1997). Introduction to Research Methods. Addison Wesley Longman. 2Grinnell, R. M. (1993). Social work research and evaluation. Itasca, IL, F.E. Peacock. 3Kerlinger, F. N. (1986). Foundations of Behavioral Research. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 7 / 26  What is Research? Characteristics and Requirements of Research The difference between research and non-research activity is in the way we find answers: the process must meet certain requirements to be called research. From the definitions it is clear that research is a process for collect- ing, analyzing and interpreting information to answer questions. But to qualify a research, the process must have certain charac- teristics. It must, as far as possible, be: Controlled: In exploring causality in relation of two variables, the study should be conducted in a way that minimizes the effects of other factors affecting the relationship. This can be achieved to a large extent in the physical sciences, as most of the research is done in a laboratory. Rigorous: R. Hijazi & M. RahrouhEnsuring (AAU) that Scientific theMethodology Research procedures followed 2020 to find 8 / 26  What is Research? Characteristics and Requirements of Research Systematic: The procedures adopted to undertake an investiga- tion should follow a certain logical sequence. The different steps cannot be taken in a haphazard way. Some procedure must follow others. Valid and verifiable: Whatever you conclude on the basis of your findings is correct and can be verified by you and others. Empirical: Any conclusions drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered from information collected from real-life experiences or observations. Critical: Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and the methods employed is crucial to a research inquiry. The process of investi- gation must be foolproof and free from any drawbacks. Scientific Research Methodology R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) 2020 9 / 26  Types of Research Types of Research Types of research can be viewed from three different perspectives: applications of the findings of the research study; objectives of the study; mode of enquiry used in conducting the study. R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 10 / 26  Types of Research Types of Research: Application Perspective From the perspective of its application, there are two broad cat- egories of research: Pure Research is concerned with development, examination, ver- ification and refinement of research methods, procedures, tech- niques and tools that form the body of the research. Applied Research: methods, techniques and procedures can be applied to gather information from various aspects so that infor- mation collected can be used for policy, administration and the enhancement of understanding of a phenomenon. The most basic distinction between the two research is that basic research is research that has no immediate application, whereas applied research is research that does. However, such distinctions are somewhat ambiguous as almost all basic research eventually results in some worthwhile R. application Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) inResearch Scientific theMethodology long range. 2020 11 / 26  Types of Research Types of Research: Objectives Perspective 1. Exploratory Research: to explore an area where little is known or to investigate the possibilities of a particular research study.  When a study is carried out to determine its feasibility it is also called a feasibility study or a pilot study. It is usually carried out when a researcher wants to explore areas about which s/he has little or no knowledge. 2. Descriptive Research: to describe systematically a situation, prob- lem, phenomenon, etc. or to provide information about living conditions or to describe attitudes toward an issue.  It deals with collecting data and testing hypotheses or answering questions concerning the current status of the subject of study.  It deals with the question “What” of a situation but not “Why”. R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 12 / 26  Types of Research Types of Research: Objectives Perspective 3. Correlational Research: to discover or establish the existence of relationship/association/interdependenc between two or more as- pects of a situation. ) It goes beyond mere description and begins investigating the re- lationship that certain events might have to one another. ) It aims at determining the degree of relationship between two or more quantifiable variables and utilizing this relationship in making predictions. 4. Explanatory Research: to clarify why and How there is a relationship between two aspects of a situation or a phenomenon. ) It attempts to explain the reasons for the phenomenon that the descriptive study only observed. ) The researcher uses theories or at least hypotheses to account for the forces that caused a certain phenomenon to occur. R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 13 / 26  Types of Research Types of Research: Objectives Perspective Type of Research Theme Aim Examples Exploratory To explore some- To explore an area -New phenomenon thing where little is known -Studying new disease -Research of new planet Descriptive To describe what is To describe what is -Problems faced by new students prevalent prevalent regarding: a group of people, a -Effects of living in a house with domes- community, a phe- tic violence nomenon, a situation, -Attitude of consumer towards quality a program and out- product come Correlational To ascertain if To establish : a re- -Impact of a program there is a relation- lationship, an associ- ship ation, an interdepen- -Relationship between stressful living dence and incidence of heart attacks -Effectiveness of an immunization pro- gram in controlling infectious disease Explanatory To explain why the To explain why a -How does technology create unemploy- relationship is relationship, associa- ment / employment? formed tion or interdepen- dence exists -Why does stressful living result in hear attacks? -Why do some people use a product while others do not? R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 14 / 26  Types of Research Types of Research: Mode of Enquiry Perspective The choice between quantitative and qualitative approaches (or structured or unstructured) should depend upon: ) Aim of your enquiry: exploration, confirmation or quantification. ) Use of the findings: policy formulation or process understanding. The two categories are: Qualitative Research: is used if the purpose of the study is pri- marily to describe a situation, phenomenon, problem or event without quantifying it. The description of an observed situation, an account of the different opinions people have about an issue, and a description of the living conditions of a community are examples of qualitative research. Quantitative Research: is used if you want to quantify the varia- tion in a phenomenon, situation, problem or issue; if information R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 15 / 26  Types of Research Types of Research: Mode of Enquiry Perspective Quantitative Qualitative Focus of Research Describe, explain, and Understand and inter- predict pret Approach to enquiry Structured, rigid, prede- Unstructured, flexible, termined open Research Purpose To quantify extent of To describe variation variation Sample Design Probability (random) Nonprobability (nonran- dom) Sample size Large Small Data Numeric Nonnumeric (words, im- ages, etc.) Analysis Statistical analysis Content analysis R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 16 / 26  The Research Process The research journey It needs two important decisions:  To decide what you want to find out about or what research questions you want to find answers to.  To think how to go about finding their answers. There are practical steps through which you pass in your research journey in order to find the answers to your research questions. At each operational step in the research process, you are required to choose from a multiplicity of methods, procedures and models of research methodology which will help you best achieve your research objectives.  Methodologies differ due to underpinning philosophy.  The process is the same for quantitative and qualitative research.  Each approach uses different research methods for data collec- tion, data processing, R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) analysis and style of communicating Scientific Research Methodology 2020 the 17 / 26  The Research Process Eight-step Research Model Research Process Phase I: Deciding what to research 1 Step 1: Formulating a research problem Phase II: Planning a research study 2 Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design 3 Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data collection 4 Step 4: Selecting a sample 5 Step 5: Writing a research proposal Phase III: Conducting a research study 6 Step 6: Collecting data 7 Step 7: Processing data 8 Step 8: Writing a research report R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 18 / 26  The Research Process The Research Process R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 19 / 26  The Research Process Phase I: Deciding what to research Step 1: Formulating a Research Problem First and most important step. Helps to identify your destination (telling the readers WHAT you intend to do.) All steps are influent from how you formulate your research prob- lem. Think of:  What you want to find out about  Financial resource  Time available  Expertise and knowledge  Any gap in your knowledge (Statistical tools, Computer and soft- ware) R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 20 / 26  The Research Process Phase II: Planning a research study Step 2: Conceptualizing a Research Design The main function of a research design is to explain how a re- searcher will find answers to the research questions. It sets out the specific details of the enquiry. Literature review is a very important part of the research process must be done prior finalizing the conceptual framework for the research design. The research design should include: the study design per se and the logistical arrangements that you propose to undertake, the measurement procedures, the sampling strategy, the frame of analysis and the time frame. Select an appropriate research design: ) Quantitative ) Qualitative ) Mixed methods The design has to be valid, workable and manageable. R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 21 / 26  The Research Process Phase II: Planning a research study Step 3: Constructing Research Instrument Construct a research instrument or research tool to collect primary data: ) interview schedules ) questionnaires ) notes on observations ) interview guides Or use secondary data (information already collected for other purposes). The construction is the first practical step in carrying out a study. Pre-test your research tool (pilot study). ) Pilot testing has saved countless survey studies from disaster by using the suggestions of the participants to identify and change confusing, awkward, or offensive questions and techniques. R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 22 / 26  The Research Process Phase II: Planning a research study Step 4: Selecting a sample The basic aim of selecting a sample and the fundamental princi- ple in sampling is that a relatively smaller sample can genuinely represent the population under study with adequate degree of probability. The accuracy of the findings will largely depend on the way the sample has been selected for research and analysis purposes. For sampling purposes, random (probability) or non random (non probability) sampling designs can be employed. One must know the applicability of various techniques in different scenarios in order to ascertain its suitability for our research. As a matter of principle, while sampling two key factors that must be taken care off are: (i) Avoidance of biasScientific in theResearch R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) selection of a sample for the research. Methodology 2020 23 / 26  The Research Process Phase II: Planning a research study Step 5: Writing a Research Proposal This is the compilation of all preparatory work in the form of a report in a way that provides adequate information about research study, for research supervisor and others. This overall plan, called a research proposal, tells a reader about the research problem and the plan of investigation. A research proposal must tell you, your research supervisor and a reviewer the following information: ) what the researcher is proposing to do ) how he/she plan to proceed ) why he/she selected the proposed strategy Broadly, a research proposal’s main function is to detail the oper- ational plan for obtaining answers to the research questions. R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 24 / 26  The Research Process Phase II: Planning a research study The Research Proposal Structure The research proposal contains the following: Working title Background of the study. The problem statement (a)The purpose of the study (b)Research questions/objectives The scope of the study The relevance of the study The research design offering details on: (a)Type of study (b)Data collection methods (c)The sampling designScientific Research Methodology R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) 2020 25 / 26  The Research Process Phase III: Conducting a research study Step 6: Collecting Data Data are the information collected from participants, by observa- tion, or from secondary sources. Following the research plan, collect data using one or more method, such as: ) Conducting interviews ) Mailing out questionnaires ) Conducting focus groups discussions ) Making observations Researchers should be aware of ethical issues during the data col- lection. ) Ethical issues to consider concerning research participants ) Ethical issues to consider relating to the researcher ) Ethical issues to consider regarding the sponsoring organization R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 26 / 26  The Research Process Phase III: Conducting a research study Step 7: Processing and Displaying Data In this phase the data collected is processed manually or using software and is subsequently displayed in tabular or graphical form etc. The way the researcher analyzes the information depends upon two things: ) the type of information. ) the way he/she wants to communicate the findings to the reader. Researcher should distinguish between different types of studies: ) Descriptive ) Quantitative (statistical procedures) ) Qualitative (narrative, content analysis) R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 27 / 26  The Research Process Phase III: Conducting a research study Step 8: Writing a research report This report informs others what the researcher has done, what he/she has discovered and what conclusions have been drawn from the research findings. If the researcher is clear about the whole process, he/she will also be clear about how the report will be written. Typically, the report should be written in an academic style and be divided into different chapters and sections. At a minimum, a research report should contain: An executive summary consisting of a synopsis of the problem, findings, and recommendations. An overview of the research: the problem’s background, literature review, the actual research design and procedures, and conclu- sions. A section on implementation strategies for the recommendations. R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 28 / 26 Activity 1: You, with your team, are asked to find a problem of research in one of the below themes that serves our main interest of. Greening Education Sustainable Development AI impact on Businesses/Economics AI/technology impact on Health & Environment Others (related to your study and interest) R. Hijazi & M. Rahrouh (AAU) (AAU) Scientific Research Methodology 2020 29 / 26