Scribd
Upload
277 views

Research Methods For Agricultural Economists

This document outlines the chapters of a course on research methods for agricultural economists. The chapters cover topics such as defining the research problem, developing a research proposal, data collection methods, data analysis and interpretation, and research report writing. It also discusses key concepts in research including the meaning of research, types of research, and the systematic research process. Characteristics of good research are identified as a clearly defined problem, reproducible procedures, objective design, adequate analysis, and conclusions justified by the data.

Uploaded by

boja
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
277 views

Research Methods For Agricultural Economists

This document outlines the chapters of a course on research methods for agricultural economists. The chapters cover topics such as defining the research problem, developing a research proposal, data collection methods, data analysis and interpretation, and research report writing. It also discusses key concepts in research including the meaning of research, types of research, and the systematic research process. Characteristics of good research are identified as a clearly defined problem, reproducible procedures, objective design, adequate analysis, and conclusions justified by the data.

Uploaded by

boja
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 20

Research Methods for Agricultural

Economists

BY: Aemro T.
Course outline
Chapter one: the concept of research
• Chapter two: Defining the Research Problem

• Chapter three: Developing a Research Proposal

• Chapter four: Census and Sample Survey

• Chapter five: Methods of Data Collection

• Chapter six: Data Processing, Analysis and Interpretation

• Chapter seven: Research Report Writing and Presentation


Outline

Chapter One: The Concept of Research


Meaning of Research
Purpose of Studying Research Methods
Methods of Acquiring Knowledge
Types of Research
The Systematic Process of Research
Characteristics of a Good Research
“all progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than
overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads
to invention” Hodson Maxim

1853-1927 G.C
The Concept of Research
What is Research?
 Research refers to the application of the scientific method in
the study of problems. It is a systematic attempt to obtain
answers to questions about events through the application of
scientific procedures.

 Scientific Systematic
uses some
search for knowledge
steps or
through recognized
methods of data
procedures in
collection, analysis, doing this
and interpretation
Research is a systematic inquiry aimed at providing
information to solve problems.

It refers to the systematic methods consisting of articulating


the problem, formulating hypothesis, collecting facts or data,
analyzing the facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the
form of solution(s) towards the concerned problem or in certain
generalizations or some theoretical formulation.
Purpose of Studying Research Methods
 to acquire the necessary skills to conduct a
publishable research
 to be able to read and understand scientific
writings
 indentify good and “bad” scientific papers
(biased vs unbiased)
 Be able to review scientific papers and provide
comments
Research fosters development!!
Methods of Acquiring Knowledge
 Authority: priests
 Tradition: culture (dress code and gender)
 Experience: rain season
•Deductive reasoning
 Reasoning
•Inductive reasoning:

Deductive reasoning
All mammals are mortal
Abebe is a mammal
Abebe is mortal

If the premises are true the conclusion is always


true!!
Inductive reasoning
Abebe has a pet
People who have pets live longer
Abebe will live long

The conclusion is not always true even if the


premises are true!!!!
 Scientific Method: both inductive and deductive
basic postulates (assumptions) in Scientific
methods
It relies on empirical evidence
It utilizes relevant concepts
It results in to probabilistic predictions
Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical
inspection and for use in testing the conclusions through
replication
It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be
termed as scientific theories.
Types of Research

Descriptive Analytical

description of the facts or information


state of affairs as already available, and
it exists at analyze these to
present. make a critical
evaluation
Eg. Student life
at Haramaya Eg. How does
University education affect risk
behavior
Basic Research Applied Research

more general  to solve an


orientation, adding to the immediate,
existing body of practical problem
knowledge in the
discipline
Cure for a
Altruistic behavior disease

Difference lays on their goal not complexity or


relevance !!!!!
Quantitative Research Qualitative

 Research based on the  Research concerned


measurement of quantity with qualitative
or amount phenomenon

Eg. The impact of Describing a problem/


education on income situation

Uses qualitative
parameters

Eg. Student life at


Haramaya University
Conceptual Research Empirical Research

 abstract ideas or  data based research


theories coming up with conclusions
which are capable of being
verified by observation or
Transaction cost .. Friction
experiment.
of an economy
Why do firms exist? Eg. Study and grade
relationship
The Systematic Process of Research
1. Formulating the Research Problem
2. Reviewing the Literature
3. Formulation of Working Hypothesis
4. Preparing the Research Design (Including Sample Design)
5. Collecting Data (Execution) and processing
6. Analysis of Data (Including Test of Hypothesis)
7. Drawing Conclusions
8. Presentation of results
1. Formulating the Research Problem

 First phase of study, scientific paper,


dissertation
 Crucial part in research proposal
 Think about relevance of the research
 “A problem well defined is half solved”
Characteristics of a Good Research
 Clearly defined research problem

 The research procedures used should be described in


sufficient detail to permit another researcher to repeat
the research

 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 effort up
on the findings
Analysis of the data should be sufficiently adequate to
reveal its significance, and the methods of analysis used
should be appropriate

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

Greater confidence in the research is warranted if the


researcher is experienced, has good reputation in
research, and is a person of integrity
-You need to have both methodological and theoretical
knowledge

-Methodologies?------ you can learn them in school

-Theoretical knowledge …… needs years of observation


and reflection (eg. Galileo, Newton, Einstein, Adam
Smith)

You might also like