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The document is a research methods assignment for M.A. programs at the Information and Communications University, focusing on agricultural productivity and its relationship with population growth in Zambia. It includes questions on research objectives, questions, hypotheses, conceptual frameworks, and the philosophy of research, as well as research designs and sampling methods for various qualitative and quantitative studies. Students are instructed to provide clear and precise answers to all questions, demonstrating their understanding of the research process.

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Elijah phiri
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4 views3 pages

icu doc (1) (8)

The document is a research methods assignment for M.A. programs at the Information and Communications University, focusing on agricultural productivity and its relationship with population growth in Zambia. It includes questions on research objectives, questions, hypotheses, conceptual frameworks, and the philosophy of research, as well as research designs and sampling methods for various qualitative and quantitative studies. Students are instructed to provide clear and precise answers to all questions, demonstrating their understanding of the research process.

Uploaded by

Elijah phiri
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH

RESEARCH METHODS ASSIGNMENT

COURSE NAME: RESEARCH METHODS (M.A PROGRAMMES)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Answer ALL Questions.
2. Be brief, precise and to the point.
3. Write your Name and SIN number clearly.
4. Handwriting should be very clear, and readable.
5. Name the questions attempted and number them accordingly

QUESTION ONE: RESEARCH PROCESS AND PROPOSAL WRITING (20 Marks)

Scholarship on agricultural productivity has been anchored on two theses with enormous
impacts, both focused on the relationship between farming and population. In 1798, British
clergyman Thomas Malthus argued for an intrinsic imbalance between rates of population
increase and food production, concluding that it was the fate of human numbers to be checked by
‘misery and vice’ generally in the form of starvation and war. An Essay on the Principle of
Population (Malthus 1798) infused popular and scientific thought with a particular model of
agricultural change, in which a generally inelastic agricultural sector characteristically
operated at the highest level allowed by available technology. In 1965, Danish agricultural
economist Ester Boserup claimed to upend this model of agriculture by arguing that, particularly
in ‘primitive’ agricultural systems, farmers tended to produce well below the maximum because
this allowed greater agricultural efficiency (output:input ratio). She maintained that production
was intensified [agricultural intensification], additional technology adopted mainly when
forced by population, and that excessive population growth caused more labour supply and
hence agricultural productivity.
Each model is quite simple, dangerously oversimplified; many would now argue—but they
provide invaluable starting points from which to address the complexities of agricultural change.

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Ministry of Agriculture seeks to study the phenomenon of agricultural change and productivity
in relation with population increase in Zambia; based on the 1965 Ester Boserup theory
highlighted above;
i. State any two research objectives to study the phenomenon of agricultural change and
productivity in Zambia.
ii. State any two research questions based on the objectives mentioned above
iii. State two hypotheses for this study
iv. Develop a conceptual framework for the phenomenon above
v. Briefly, explain the key steps to be undertaken in the research process for the
phenomenon mentioned above.
Research proposal: Write short notes on key elements to consider in the following selected
sections of a research proposal for the phenomenon mentioned above.
i. Statement of the problem
ii. Objectives
iii. Research design
iv. Sampling design
v. Data collection methods
QUESTION TWO: PHILOSOPHY OF RESEARCH (20 Marks)
Whether you are consciously aware of them or not, at every stage in your research, you will
make a number of ontological, epistemological and axiological assumptions (Burrell and
Morgan, 1979).
QUESTION: Show the application of ontological, epistemological and axiological assumptions
on each of the philosophies mentioned below.

Assumption Types Positivism: Post- Interpretivism: Post-


[Natural Science] Positivism [Social Science] Modernism
Ontology
What is the nature of reality?
What is the world like?
[Ontological philosophical
assumptions]*
Epistemology
What is considered acceptable
legitimate knowledge?
What constitutes good quality data?

What kinds of contribution to


knowledge can be made?
Axiology
What is the role of values in
research?
How would you deal with the
values of research participants?
Typical Methods
What are the typical methods used?

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QUESTION THREE: RESEARCH DESIGNS AND SAMPLING METHODS (20 Marks)

Identify and briefly explain the appropriate research design for each of the following social
research phenomena, and show their implementation respectively. Provide practical assumptions
in order to support your answer.

Qualitative research:
1. A study [in-depth analysis] of divorce cases in a given well defined high density area

2. A study on study ways of life, cultural practices and customs among the seven major
ethnic groups in Zambia

3. A study to build a theory explaining the phenomenon of type of personality and religious
choice of an individual

4. A study on community traditional child birth practices that are probably causing infant
mortality

5. A study based on a new phenomenon [unknown type of fever causing deaths] emerging in
a population
a. What sampling method would you consider appropriate for this particular study

Quantitative research-Experiments and Surveys:


1. A study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Sondashi Formula medicine in treating
HIV/AIDS condition among patients [clinical trials]

2. A study to verify the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and low
birth weight of infants

3. A study on the effectiveness of a proposed anti-biotic in treating plant bacterial infections

4. A study on the effects of alcohol consumption levels on cirrhosis of the liver within high
and low density areas.

5. A study [An opinion poll] to project probable results of a general election in Zambia
a. What sampling method would you consider appropriate for this particular study

Wishing you ALL the Best!

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