INTRODUCTION

What Research Is
Research is commonly referenced as a search of knowledge where
it endeavors to discover answers to problems (intellectual and
practical) through the application of scientific method to the
knowable universe
“…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.”
 What
Characteristics of Research
Research Is
• Research is directed towards the solution of a problem
• Research emphasizes the development of generalization of
principles or theories that will help in predicting future
occurrences
• Research is based upon observable experience or empirical
evidence (observation or experimentation)
• Research demands accurate observation and description
• Research involves gathering new data from primary or first
hand sources or using existing data for a new purpose
• Research activities are more often characterized by carefully
designed procedures, always applying rigorous analysis
 What Research Is
Characteristics of Research
• Research requires expertise, i.e skill necessary to carry out
investigation, search the related literature and to understand
and analyze the data gathered
• Research strives to be objective and logical, applying every
possible test to validate the procedures employed the data
collected and the 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.
 Criteria of Good research
Research should satisfy the following criteria;
• The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and
common concepts be used
• The research procedure used should be described in sufficient
detail to permit another researcher to repeat the research for
further advancement, keeping the continuity of what has
already been attained.
• The procedural design of the research should be carefully
planned to yield results that are as objective as possible
• The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in
procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings.
• The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its
significance and the methods of analysis used should be
appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data should be
checked carefully
 Criteria of Good research
Research should satisfy the following criteria;
• Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is
experienced, has a good reputation in research and is person
of integrity
• Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of
the research and limited to those for which the data provide an
adequate basis

In other words, we can state the qualities of a good research as

under;
• Good research is systematic
• Good research is logical
• Good research is Empirical
• Good research is Replicable
 Research Projects
• Research begins with a problem.

• Identifying this problem can actually be the hardest part

of research.
• In general, good research projects should:
– Address an important question.
– Advance knowledge.
 High-Quality Research
• Good research requires:
– The scope and limitations of the work to be clearly
defined.
– The process to be clearly explained so that it can be
reproduced and verified by other researchers.
– A thoroughly planned design that is as objective as
possible.
 High-Quality Research
• Good research requires:
– Highly ethical standards be applied.
– All limitations be documented.
– Data be adequately analyzed and explained.
– All findings be presented unambiguously and all
conclusions be justified by sufficient evidence.
 STEPS FOR MAKING A GOOD
RESEARCH
• Raising a Question.
• Suggest Hypothesis.
• Literature Review.
• Literature Evaluation.
• Acquire Data.
• Data Analysis.
• Data Interpretation.
• Hypothesis Support.
 Step 1: A Question Is Raised

• A question occurs to or is posed to the researcher for

which that researcher has no answer.
• The question needs to be converted to an
appropriate problem statement like that documented
in a research proposal.
 Step 2: Suggest Hypothesis
• The researcher generates intermediate hypotheses to
describe a solution to the problem.
– This is at best a temporary solution since there is as yet no
evidence to support either the acceptance or rejection of
these hypothesis.
 Step 3: Literature Review
The available literature is reviewed to determine
if there is already a solution to the problem.
– Existing solutions do not always explain new
observations.
– The existing solution might require some revision or
even be discarded.
 Step 4: Literature Evaluation
• It’s possible that the literature review has yielded a
solution to the proposed problem.

• On the other hand, if the literature review turns up

nothing, then additional research activities are
justified.
 Step 5: Acquire Data
• The researcher now begins to gather data relating to
the research problem.

• The means of data acquisition will often change

based on the type of the research problem.
 Step 6: Data Analysis
• The data that were gathered in the previous step are
analyzed as a first step in ascertaining their meaning.
• As before, the analysis of the data does not constitute
research.
 Step 7: Data Interpretation
• The researcher interprets the newly analyzed data
and suggests a conclusion.
– This can be difficult.
– Keep in mind that data analysis that suggests a correlation
between two variables can’t automatically be interpreted as
suggesting causality between those variables.
 Step 8: Hypothesis Support
• The data will either support the hypotheses or they
won’t.
– This may lead the researcher to cycle back to an earlier
step in the process and begin again with a new hypothesis.
– This is one of the self-correcting mechanisms associated
with the scientific method.
 DEFINING RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES, AND
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
• End is the objective (this is the whole idea of carrying out

a research either as a Thesis or a project report

• The means is the work plan---- Methodology (we shall

discuss this in details later)

What Is A Research Objective
• The objectives of a research project summarize what is to

be achieved by the study/research

• Should be closely related to the statement of the problem

as this is what you are addressing

• General objectives states what is expected to be achieved

by the study/research in general terms

• Specific Objectives breaks down the general objectives to

allow achieving it in small milestones (preferably between

3-4 SO)
 Specific Objectives
• These are a breakdown of the general objectives

• Systematically address the various aspects of the problem

• Should specify

• What will you do in study- “it”

• Where you will do it

• Why will you do “it”

How Should You State Objectives
Use words that are specific enough to be evaluated
• to determine,
• to compare,
• to verify,
• to calculate,
• to describe,
• to establish.
How Should You State Objectives
Avoid use of vague non-action verbs such as
•to appreciate
•to understand
•to study
 Specific Objectives
• These are a breakdown of the general objectives
• Systematically address the various aspects of the problem
• Should specify
• What will you do in study- “it”
• Where you will do it
• Why will you do “it”
Example of General Objective and Specific Objective

GO:
This research’s general objective was to develop psychosocial
usability heuristics to design and develop an interactive mobile
interface for geriatric persons to support their psychosocial well-
being.
 Specific Objectives
SO
• To identify the psychosocial challenges, the older adults face as
they age-in-place (Community dwellers) or in an Institution of
care (Philanthropic Social Home)
• To explore the role of information communication and
technology (ICT) application in improving geriatric persons’
wellness and well-being.
• To identify design factors that define an interactive mobile
device’s design for psychosocial support of geriatric persons.
• To generate psychosocial usability heuristics from the identified
factors for evaluation of interactive mobile interface for
geriatric persons
 Objectives Must Be SMART

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable/attainable

• Realistic

• Time bound
How to write SMART objectives
An objective is a clear statement of something that
needs to be accomplished over a period of time.
SMART objectives are:
• Specific – states exactly what you need to achieve
• Measurable – includes a quality or quantity
measure
• Achievable – able to attain the objectives(knowing
the resources and capacities at the disposal of the
community);
• Realistic– can be challenging but must be
achievable
• Time-bound – with a clear end date or timescale
Why Should Research Objectives Be
Developed?
The formulation of objectives will
help to:
• Focus on the study/Research activities
• Avoid collection of data that are not
strictly necessary for understanding and
solving the problem you have identified.
• Organize the study/research in clearly
defined parts or phases.
 Why Should Research Objectives Be
Developed (Cont..)
• Properly formulated, specific objectives will
facilitate the development of your research
methodology
• Help to orient data collection
• Facilitate data analysis
• Facilitate interpretation and utilization of results
(the results, discussion and
implication/conclusion chapters have to be
related to SO, Problem statement and
Methodology)
 Research Questions
• For RQ, the specific objectives are written in a
way it evokes questions.
• Use of why, which, How are used to bring out
the questions.
Examples: Following the SO in slide 26, the RQ
can be:
RQ1: Which challenges do geriatric people face as community dwellers or as residents
in an institution of care?
RQ2: How is modern technology impacting the wellness and well-being of geriatric
persons?
RQ3: Which design factors are key in defining an interactive mobile device for
psychosocial support in the geriatric population?
RQ4: Which heuristic guidelines can improve a geriatric interactive mobile interface
design to support a geriatric person’s psychosocial needs?