2. introduction to research

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Prepared by Rachael Kibuku Research Methodology 1

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Welcome!! Bon Voyage!!


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What Research is not

Introduction People have different denotations of the term research.

The term Research has been used to mean something totallydifferent from what it is.

Research is not the following1. Research is not mere info gathering- i.e. info discovery that lies

somewhere may in the lib or archives

2. Research is not mere transportation of facts from one locationto another-it more than collection of data, assembling-alsoinclude interpretation of that data and reporting of findings


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What Research is not contd.

3. Research is not merely rummaging for info-this is

self-enlightenment about a particular topic/issue

4. Research is not a catchword to used to getattention e.g. after many years of research is

phrases commonly used by many businesses to get

peoples attention to get them to buy their products

and services


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WHAT IS RESEARCH?

Meaning of research: a search for knowledge (Kothari)

scientific & systematic search fro pertinent info on a specific topic

A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search of new

facts in any branch of knowledge. (ALDCE) Movement from known to unknown-a voyage of discovery

Mugenda & Mugenda

Carrying out a diligent inquiry or critical examination of a givenphenomenon-implies an exhaustive study, investigation orexperimentation following some logical sequence.


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WHAT IS RESEARCH?

Involves a critical analysis of exiting conclusions or theories with regard

to newly discovered facts. This is important in a world that is ever

changing in technology- thus research is a continued search for new

knowledge and u/standing of the world around us.

A process of arriving at effective solutions to problems thro systematic

collection analysis and interpretation of data.According to Leedy (Practical research)-research is the systematic process

of collecting and analyzing info (data) in order to increase our

understanding of the phenomenon about which we are concerned or

interested.


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Characteristics of a good research

The focus is formal research-one in which we intentionally setout to enhance our understanding of a phenomenon andexpect to communicate what we discover to the largerscientific community.

Research project vary in size and duration however they

typically have 8 distinct x-tics1. Research originates with a question or a problem- the

world is filled with unanswered questions and unresolvedproblems. We see things that cause us to wonder, tospeculate, and to ask questions that strike the first spark ofigniting the chain reaction that that terminates in the researchprocess-an inquisitive mind is the beginning of research.


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Characteristics of a good research contd.

2. Research requires a clear articulation of theproblem- a clear unambiguous statement of theproblem is critical. This statement is an exercise inintellectual honesty i.e. it must be set forth clearly

and in a grammatically complete sentence clearlywhat the ultimate goal of the research is. Thestatement answers the question what problem doyou intend to solve?

It is essential for the success of the any research

u/taking. Without it the research is on shaky groundindeed as the saying goes a problem well stated isa problem half solved.


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3.Research follows a specific plan or procedure

its not a blind excursion in to the unknown, with thehope that the data necessary to answer thequestion at hand will somehow fortuitously turn up.

Instead it is, a carefully planned attack- a search-and-discover mission mapped out in advance.

The overall research effort must be explicitlyplanned and logically designed. The researchdesign and the specific research methods are

planned purposefully in way so that one can acquiredata that is relevant


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4. Research usually divided the principle problem

into more manageable sub problems

Breaking the main problem into several sub-problems

helps in that when they are solved, the main problem

is resolved.

e.g. traveling from Nairobi to USA-no direct flight form

NBO to USA. Thus the journey is broken into two-first

to any destination in Europe than to US


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5. Research is guided by the specific research

problem, question or hypothesis

Having stated the problem and its constituent sub problems, the

researcher typically forms one or more hypothesis about what he

/she may discover. A hypothesis is a logical supposition, a reasonable guess or an

educated conjecture. That is made in order to draw out

conclusions and test its logical or empirical consequences.

It provides a tentative explanation for the phenomenon under

investigation. Over time, as particular hypothesis are supportedby a growing body of data, they evolve into theories

A theory- is an organized body of concepts and principlesintended to explaining particular phenomenon.


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6. Research accept certain critical assumptions

Assumptions are self-evident truths generallyaccepted principle. They are what the researchertakes for granted.

They must be valid or else the research ismeaningless and thus researchers must set forth astatement of their assumptions as the bedrock uponwhich their study must rest.

Its important because others inspecting the researchmust do so in accordance with their own assumptions


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7. Research requires the collection and interpretation ofdata in an attempt to resolve the problem that initiatedthe research.

After all the above stated activities the next step is to

collect data that is seemed appropriate and toorganize them in meaningful ways so that they can beinterpreted.

Data, events and observations are, in and themselvesonly data, events, and observations-nothing more. The

significance of the data depends on how theresearcher extracts meaning from them. In Researchuninterpreted data by human mind are worthless.


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8. Research is by its nature, cyclical, or more exactly

helical. The research process follows a cyclic path and

begins simply and follows logical and developmental

steps.a. A questioning mind observes a particular situation

and asks, why? What caused that? How come?

b. The question becomes formally stated as a problem.

c. Data are gatheredd. A guess/hypothesis is made


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e. The quest for more data continues

f. The body of data is processed and interpreted

g. A discovery is made; a conclusion is reached

h. The tentative hypothesis is either supported by the

data or is not supported; the question is answered

(partially or completely) or not answered.

i. The cycle is complete


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Purpose/objective of Research

The main purpose of research is to discover answers to

questions. Though each research study has its own specific

purpose, research objectives may be thought of as falling

under the following broad categories.

1. To discover new knowledge-facts, their correct interpretation,

and practical application. Its the most reliable source of

knowledge, and the most accurate system of securing

knowledge since it seeks to demonstrate truth.

2. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or achieve new insights

into it. Such studies are termed as exploratory or formulative

studies


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5. To enable control- Control is concerned with the ability to

regulate the phenomenon under study. Usually one

phenomenon is manipulated in order to exert control over

another. E.g. In a lab experiment, a drug that suppresses body

growth is administered to a group of rats to investigate its

effects on weight gain in rats. Another group of rats is feed with

the same food in the same amount without the drug and all

other conditions are kept constant. After some time all the

weights of the rats are taken, if the weight of the rat taking the

drug is significantly less than the other rats not on drugs then

we can confidently say that the drug controls weight.


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6. To enable theory development.

Theory development involves formulating

concepts, laws and generalizations

about a given phenomenon. Research is

also conducted in an attempt to confirm

or validate existing theories. This is

sometimes called falsification of theory


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Discovering the discipline of research

Browsing the periodicals section in the library-research journals

Finding journals in the internet

Evaluating the research of others-juried (refereed) Vs non-

juried. Juried are better. Some non-juried are good but one has

to be cautious. Benefiting from others work-

1. keep a log of all the articlesauthor, title, year name of journal,

volume, No. and pages

2. Take time to consider how you can improve your own work-

what do you learn or not learn from their work?3. Read as many journals as possible. Get used to reading and

evaluating; for a researcher this is a lifelong endeavor. Always

look for additional things to learn.


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conclusion

Research is an academic activity and as such the term

should be used in a technical sense. It comprisesdefining and redefining problems, formulating

hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting,organizing, and evaluating data , making deductions

and reaching conclusions to determine whether they fit

the formulating hypothesis.

Research is thus an original contribution to the existingstock of knowledge making for its advancement.

2. introduction to research

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