What Is Research
What Is Research
What Is Research
Meaning
Research is an endeavour to discover answers to intellectual and practical problems through the application of scientific method.
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.
Objectives of Research
The purpose of research is to discover answers through the application of scientific procedures. The objectives are: To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it Exploratory or Formulative Research. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group Descriptive Research. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else Diagnostic Research. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables Hypothesis-Testing Research.
Characteristics of Research
Research is directed towards the solution of a problem. Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence. Research demands accurate observation and description. Research involves gathering new data from primary sources or using existing data for a new purpose. Research activities are characterized by carefully designed procedures. Research requires expertise i.e., skill necessary to carryout investigation, search the related literature and to understand and analyze the data gathered. Research is objective and logical applying every possible test to validate the data collected and conclusions reached. Research involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems. Research requires courage. Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity. Research is carefully recorded and reported.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Science refers to the body of systematic and organised knowledge which makes use of scientific method to acquire knowledge in a particular field of enquiry. Scientific method is the systematic collection of data (facts) and their theoretical treatment through proper observation, experimentation and interpretation. Scientific method attempts to achieve a systematic interrelation of facts by experimentation, observation, and logical arguments from accepted postulates and a combination of these three in varying proportions.
considerations. It presupposes ethical neutrality. It results into probabilistic predictions. The methodology is made known. Aims at formulating scientific theories.
CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH Purpose clearly defined. Research process detailed. Research design thoroughly planned. High ethical standards applied. Limitations frankly revealed. Adequate analysis for decision makers needs. Findings presented unambiguously. Conclusions justified. Researchers experience reflected.
Experimental Research It is designed to assess the effect of one particular variable on a phenomenon by keeping the other variables constant or controlled.
Historical Research It is the study of past records and other information sources, with a view to find the origin and development of a phenomenon and to discover the trends in the past, in order to understand the present and to anticipate the future.
RESEARCH PROCESS
Review the literature
Review Concepts And theories Review Previous Research findings
Formulate hypothesis
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Validity in Research
Refers to whether the research actually
measures what it says itll measure. Validity is the strength of our conclusions, inferences or propositions.
Internal Validity: the difference in the
dependent variable is actually a result of the independent variable External Validity: the results of the study are generalizable to other groups and environments outside the experimental setting Conclusion Validity: we can identify a relationship between treatment and observed outcome Construct Validity: we can generalize our conceptualized treatment and outcomes to broader constructs of the same concepts
Reliability in Research
The consistency of a measurement, or the
degree to which an instrument measures the same way, each time, it is used under the same condition with the same subjects. In short, it is the repeatability of your measurement. A measure is considered reliable if a person's score on the same test given twice is similar. It is important to remember that reliability is not measured, it is estimated. Measured by test/retest and internal consistency.
Rigor in Research
Validity and Reliability in conducting
research Adequate presentation of findings: consistency, trustworthiness Appropriate representation of study for a particular field: disciplinary rigor Symbolic Rigor: how you represent your research for a particular audience
done? i.e., what do you want to be able to do or decide as a result of the research? Who are the audiences for the information from the research, e.g., teachers, students, other researchers, members of a disciplinary community, corporate entities, etc.? From what sources should the information be collected, e.g., students, teachers, targeted groups, certain
make the decisions you need to make and/or to enlighten your intended audiences, e.g., do you need information to really understand a process, the students who engage in a process, strengths and weaknesses of a curriculum or program, benefits to students or institution or agency, how aspect of a program are problematic, etc.?
Research Objectives are the specific components of the research problem, that youll be working to answer or complete, in order to answer the overall research problem. - Churchill, 2001 The objectives refers to the questions to be answered through the study. They indicate what we are trying to get from the study or the expected results / outcome of the study.
Research Objectives should be clear and achievable, as they directly assist in answering the research problem. The objectives may be specified in the form of either statements or questions. Generally, they are written as statements, using the word to. (For example, to discover , to determine , to establish , etc. )
HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is an assumption about relations between variables. Hypothesis can be defined as a logically conjectured relationship between two or more variables expressed in the form of a testable statement. Relationships are conjectured on the basis of the network of associations established in the theoretical framework formulated for the research study.
HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis are tentative, intelligent guesses as to the solution of the problem. Hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction. It describes in concrete terms what you expect to happen in the study. Hypothesis is an assumption about the population of the study. It delimits the area of research and keeps the researcher on the right track.
Hypothesis is an assumption, that can be tested and can be proved to be right or wrong. A problem is a broad question which cannot be directly tested. A problem can be scientifically investigated after converting it into a form of hypothesis.
HYPOTHESIS
Research Hypothesis is a predictive statement that relates an independent variable to a dependant variable. Hypothesis must contain atleast one independent variable and one dependant variable.
Hypothesis is an assumption, that can be tested and can be proved to be right or wrong. A problem is a broad question which cannot be directly tested. A problem can be scientifically investigated after converting it into a form of hypothesis.
CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPOTHESIS
Simplicity - It should be stated as far as possible in simple
terms.
Objectivity - It should not include value judgments,
SOURCES OF HYPOTHESIS
Discussions with colleagues and experts about the
peculiarities.
Review of similar studies. Exploratory personal investigation / Observation. Logical deduction from the existing theory. Continuity of research. Intuition and personal experience.
TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
Descriptive Hypothesis
These are assumptions that describe the characteristics (such as size, form or distribution) of a variable. The variable may be an object, person, organisation, situation or event.
Null Hypothesis
When a hypothesis is stated negatively, it is called null hypothesis. It is a no difference, no relationship hypothesis. ie., It states that, no difference exists between the parameter and statistic being compared to or no relationship exists between the variables being compared. It is usually represented as HO or H0 . Example: H0: There is no relationship between a familys income and expenditure on recreation.
Alternate Hypothesis
It is the hypothesis that describes the researchers prediction that, there exist a relationship between two variables or it is the opposite of null hypothesis. It is represented as HA or H1.
Example:
familys
FORMS OF RELATIONSHIPS
NON-DIRECTIONAL
There IS a relationship
between X&Y
X.linked.Y
(increases decreases)
DIRECTION OF RELATIONSHIP
If X increases, Y increases
A POSITIVE relationship If X increase, Y decreases A NEGATIVE or INVERSE relationship As X changes, Y does NOT change...> No Change...>NO RELATIONSHIP
X..Y
CORRELATIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Positive correlation
When the values of TWO variables go together or values on X & Y change in SAME DIRECTION
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Negative Correlation
When the values of two
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