Introductory concepts and definitionsDr. Codruta Gosacodrutagosa@yahoo.co.uk

Major issues to be discussedIntroductory conceptsEthics in researchThe research proposalQuantitative research: logic, methodology, methods, analysisData analysis in quantitative research Qualitative research: logic, methodology, methods, analysisData analysis in qualitative researchThe research report

What is research?In the most profound sense, research simply means trying to find answers to questionsto learn more about the world around us. Or in short, research is disciplined inquiry. (Drnyei, 2007: 15)

KeywordsRigorousSystematic Through appropriateResearch question(s)Research method(s)

Research is Question(s) driven

Think of your BA paperTry to formulate a question that drives it

Two ways to find answers to questionsBy looking at what other people have said (labelled as secondary, conceptual, library research)By conducting your own data-based investigation (labelled as primary, empirical research)

Classification of researchAccording to the research strategiesAccording to the purpose of researchAccording to the basic location of research

Types of research: purpose of research

Explanatory: seeks an explanation of a situation or problem (causal relationships), quantitative and/or qualitative

Experiments are seen as most appropriate for explanatory work

Descriptive: seeks to elicit the characteristics of a particular social phenomena from a certain group of people, i.e. present a certain social status quo

Surveys are seen as most appropriate for descriptive work

Exploratory: to find out what is happening, seek new insights, to assess phenomena in anew light, usually qualitativeCase studies are seen as most appropriate for exploratory work

Types of research: in the field, at the desk?LibraryNatural environment: associated with ethnography (the researcher becomes part of the group under study)Fieldwork: used to refer to the collection of data using observational methodsLaboratory

Research paradigmsThey are both ontologically and epistemologically grounded

Objective versus subjectiveQuantitative versus qualitative

ReferencesDrnyei, Z, 2007: Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, Oxford: Oxford University PressHatch, E.M., Lazaraton, A. 1991: The Research Manual: Design and Statistics for Applied Linguistics, New York; Newbury HouseMason, J., 2002: Qualitative Researching (2nd ed.), London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage, (2nd ed)Oxford: Blackwell