Ethiopian Civil Service University

Africa Institute of Governance and

Development

Research Methods in Governance and

Development
Course No. AGD-5103

Tesfaye H. (Ph.D.)
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +251911004607

11/03/24 1
 Introduction
Governance and
Development
[Class of 2023]
 Name
 Professional Background
 Organization/Work
experience
 Expectations About
Course
 Special Research Interests
 How is the Department,
College, University and
Students going to Benefit
from your Studentship?
11/03/24 2
 3

Course Delivery Methods

 Lecture Presentations
 Group Discussion
 Co-operative Work Groups
 Individual Assignments
 Group Assignments

11/03/24
 Assessment

Aspect of Weighti
Assessment ng %
Computer APP. Practical 20
Test1 20
Individual 20
Assignment
(Research
proposal)
Final Examination 40
– Term Paper
4 11/03/24
By the end of this module, students
will be able to:
 Discuss the concept of a research;
 Apply various methodologies of social
research to solve social problems;
 Explain the research process;
 Distinguish the basic research
philosophical foundations of social
sciences;
 Understand how ethical issues arise in
social research at every stage;
 Prepare research proposal of a project;
 Design research projects to solve social
and organizational problems;
 Explain the general types of research
designs and approaches;
11/03/24 5
 Explain planning and designing a research
Study;
 Explain principles of research design and
methodology;
 Define the sources and collection of data;
 Analyze and synthesize information collected
through scientific research tools and methods;
 Understand data preparation, analysis, and
interpretation;
 Understand the issue relating to identifying and
reformulating problems for the social research;
 Explain the concepts of validity and reliability
in the context of social research; and
 Prepare scientific research reports and papers.
 Apply descriptive and inferential statistics for
data analysis
 Use SPSS software in processing and analyzing
data
11/03/24 6
 Unit One :An Overview of Research

Contents
Meaning and Characteristics of Research
Objectives of Research
 Motivation in Research
Types of Research
 Research Approaches
Significance of a Research
Research and scientific method
Research Process: An Overview
Criteria of a Good Research 7
11/03/24 7
 Reflection
What is a research?
Why people do a research?

11/03/24 8
1.1 Introduction
Human beings have been concerned to come to grips with their
environment through:
 Experience, and
 Reasoning
 Research is [a combination of both experience and
reasoning] (Cohen and Manion, 1994, p.1)
1. Experience (subsume a number of sources of information)
• Personal experience. i.e., body of knowledge and skills
derived from encounters and acquaintance with facts and
events in the environment
• Experience of others in the immediate circle
Sources beyond immediate circle, i.e., authoritative sources
2. Reasoning
Knowledge can be obtained based on some rules and forms of logic.
• Deductive -from whole to parts
• Inductive – from number of observations to whole
• Combined
11/03/24 9
CONCEPTS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
3. Scientific Research:
 is generally as a systematic attempt to explain a phenomenon, find
solutions to felt societal problem or issues
 It is systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of
hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among
natural phenomena :
•Systematic and controlled
•Empirical and Self- correcting
• Research is a combination of both experience and reasoning and must
be regarded as the most successful approach to the discovery of truth.
• Research refers 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.

11/03/24 10
• Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a
specific topic.

• Research is a systematic inquiry aimed at providing information to solve

problems.

• Research is a systematic process of collecting and analyzing information for

some purpose.

• One can easily pick the terms scientific and systematic from the above
definitions.
 Research is scientific because it is just a search for knowledge through recognized
methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation of findings.
 It is systematic because it uses some steps or procedures in doing this. Generally,
the purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application
of scientific procedures.

11/03/24 11
 Deductive reasoning:- This is a thinking process in which one will go from general
statements to specific statements. It is a means to evaluate the correctness of any
given conclusion or idea by going from the known to the unknown. It consists
i. Major premise, a previously established fact

ii. Minor premise, a particular case to which the fact can be applied

iii. A conclusion. (i) and (ii) must be true for a conclusion to be true

 It goes from general (theories) to specific (facts)

e.g. 1
• Premise * Honest people do not steal
• Premise * John is honest
• Conclusion: John does not steal
Eg 2:
• All animals are mortal
• Cat is an animal
• Cat is mortal

11/03/24 12
 Deductive Reasoning
(Quantitative Approach)

11/03/24 13
 Inductive reasoning: In this case we need to go from specific to general
ideas. Here conclusions will be given by observing particular instances
(situations) and generalizing from them to the whole phenomenon.
e.g.
 mammals are mortal
 insects are mortal

 birds are mortal

 Fishes are mortal

 Plants are mortal

 Replies are mortal

 All living things are mortal

11/03/24 14
Inductive Reasoning (Qualitative
Approach)

11/03/24 15
Research: applies logical
reasoning
• Deduction: Goes from general
(theories) to specific (facts)
• Premise * Honest people do not steal
• Premise * John is honest
• Conclusion: John does not steal
• Induction: Goes from facts to
generalizations (theories)
• Facts: Abebe, Ayele, Almaz and Aweke
died.
• Facts: Abebe, Ayele, Almaz are
human-beings
• Generalization: Human-beings are
mortal.
NB: If the premises are true, the
conclusion is correct.
11/03/24 16
 Scientific Method
Integrates the most important aspects of the inductive and
deductive methods. Here, knowledge will be obtained through a
step by step process of collecting data, analyzing it and reaching
at a conclusion.
The philosophy common to all research methods and
techniques, although they may vary considerably from one
science to another, is usually given the name scientific method.
 Scientific method is the pursuit of truth as determined by logical
considerations. Scientific method is based on certain basic
postulates which can be stated as follows:
11/03/24 17
Scientific Method ….
i.Scientific Method relies on empirical evidence
ii.It utilizes relevant concepts
iii.It is committed to objective considerations
iv.It presupposes ethical neutrality, i.e. it aims at nothing but making only
adequate and correct statements about population objects
v.It results in to probabilistic predictions
vi.Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical scrutiny
and for use in testing the conclusions through replication
vii.It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be termed as
scientific theories.

11/03/24 18
Scientific Method ….
•Accordingly, scientific method implies an objective,
logical and systematic method, i.e., a method free
from personal bias or prejudice, a method to
ascertain demonstrable qualities of a phenomenon
capable of being verified, a method wherein the
researcher is guided by the rules of logical reasoning,
a method wherein the investigation proceeds in an
orderly manner and a method that implies internal
consistency.
11/03/24 19
1.2 Meaning & Characteristics of Research

1. Research is a voyage of discovery or a

journey/ movement from the known to
unknown: an attitude: an experience: A
method of critical thinking: a careful
enquiry in seeking facts or principles.
2. Research is an art of scientific investigation
 a scientific and systematic search for
pertinent information on a specific topic
 Process of arriving at dependable solutions
to problems through the planned and
systematic collection, analysis and
interpretation of data.
11/03/24 20
3. Research is a systematized effort to gain new
knowledge
 Search for (new) knowledge facts through
objective, systematic and scientific method
of finding solution to a problem.
 Implicit question + explicit answer + data to
support the answer = Research
 The systematic method consisting of
identifying the problem, formulating a
hypothesis, collecting the 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 for some theoretical
formulation.
11/03/24 21
4. Comprehensive definition:
Research is a search for knowledge through
objective and systematic methods of
finding solution to a problem or the
systematic approach concerning
generalization and the formulation of a
theory.
Therefore, research can be carried out:
 to develop theories, models and principles
to help improve practices;
to bridge the gap between theory and practice;
to influence policymaking (e.g. policy in housing,
crime, education, environment, etc.);
to improve the level of implementation of
policies; and
to encourage interaction among different
disciplines.
11/03/24 22
Basic

characteristics
Research is directed towards the solution of a
problem.
 It emphasizes the development of generalizations,
principles, or theories to predict future occurrences.
 It is based upon observable experiences or empirical
evidence.
 It demands accurate observation and description.
 It involves gathering new data primary or first- hand
sources or using existing data for a new purpose.
 It is characterized by carefully designed procedures,
always applying rigorous analysis.
 Research requires expertise.
 It strives to be objective and logical, applying every
possible test to validate the procedures employed,
the data collected, and the conclusions reached.
 It is characterized by patience and unhurried activity.
• Research is carefully recorded and reported.
11/03/24 23
 24
11/03/24 24
Structure of Research
The "hourglass" notion of research
begin with broad questions
narrow down, focus in
operationalize
OBSERVE
analyze data
reach conclusions
generalize back to questions

11/03/24 25
Structure of Research…
 Most research projects share the same structure.
 They start with a broad idea of interest.
 Then narrow the question down.
 Measurements or observations-occur at the narrowest
point.
 Here, the researcher begins to formulate some initial
conclusions.
 Finally, the researcher attempts to address the original
broad question to other related situations.

11/03/24 26
Objectives of research
The main objective of research is to discover
answers to questions through the application
of scientific procedures.
 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve
new insights into it = exploratory research studies.
 To portray accurately the characteristics of a
particular individual, situation or a group =
descriptive research studies.
 To determine the frequency with which something
occurs or with which it is associated with something
else = diagnostic research studies
 To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between
variables = hypothesis- testing research studies.

11/03/24 27
Motivation in research
Desire to get a research degree along
with its consequential benefits;
Desire to face the challenge in solving
the unsolved problems, i.e., concern
over practical problems initiates
research;
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing
some creative work;
Desire to get respectability; and
Desire to serve the society
 by increasing standard of living in case of Science &
Technology, and
by showing right path to society in case of social and
behavioral sciences. 11/03/24 28
Types of research
1. DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY 2. ANALYTICAL
Surveys and fact finding enquires
use facts or information
State of affairs as it exists
No control over variables
already available, and
Try to discover causes (i.e., ex-post analyze these to
facto) make a critical
evaluation
3. APPLIED
4. FUNDAMENTAL/BASIC
Finding a solution for an
OR PURE/
immediate problem & not
 concerned with
rigorous / flexible in
generalizations and
applications or the
formulation of a theory.
condition
 knowledge for knowledge’s
11/03/24 sake ( i.e., ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ 29
3. QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE
• Measured and expressed in terms • Involves quality or
of quantity
• Expression of a property or kind
quantity in numerical terms • Helps in having
• Quantitative research helps: insight into problems
– To use precise measurements or cases
– Knowing trends or changes
overtime
– Comparing trends or
individual units

4. CONCEPTUAL EMPIRICAL
• Relies on experience or
• Related to some abstract observation alone, i.e., Data-
idea or theory (for based research
philosophers and thinkers) • Capable of being verified by
• Relies on literature observation or experiment.
• Experimenter has control over
variables under study

11/03/24 30
Other Types
• One time/cross-sectional Vs longitudinal/
developmental and trend or prediction studies (the
time domain)
• Field-setting Vs laboratory or simulation research
• Clinical Vs diagnostic research
• Historical research (greater part of it is quantitative)
• Content analysis
• Co- relational research

11/03/24 31
Research approaches
Quantitative approach-involves the
generation of data in quantitative form which
can be subjected to rigorous quantitative
analysis in a formal and rigid fashion
Qualitative approach-is concerned with
subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions
and behaviour.
Mixed /multi-method- combines both
objective and subjective assessment

11/03/24 32
Significance of
research
Research inculcates scientific and
inductive thinking and it promotes the
development of logical habits of
thinking and organization.

Research provides the basis for nearly

all government policies in our
economic system. For instance,
government’s budgets rest in part on
an analysis of the needs and desires of
the people and on the availability of
revenues to meet these needs.
11/03/24 33
 Research has its special significance in
solving various operational and planning
problems of business and industry.
 Operations research and market
research, along with motivational
research, are considered crucial and
their results assist, in more than one
way, in taking business decisions.

 Research is equally important for social

scientists in studying social relationships
and in seeking answers to various social
problems.
11/03/24 34
Research and Scientific Methods
Scientific method is the pursuit of truth as
determined by logical considerations. The ideal
of science is to achieve a systematic
interrelation of facts.

Scientificmethod attempts to achieve “this ideal

by experimentation, observation, logical
arguments from accepted postulates and a
combination of these three in varying
proportions.

11/03/24 35
Importance of knowing how
research is done
 The knowledge of methodology provides good
training especially to the new research worker and
enables him/her to do better research.
 Knowledge of how to do research will inculcate the
ability to evaluate and use research results with
reasonable confidence.
 When one knows how research is done, then one
may have the satisfaction of acquiring a new
intellectual tool which can become a way of looking
at the world and of judging every day experience.
 In this scientific age, all of us are in many ways
consumers of research results and we can use them
intelligently provided
 we are able to judge the adequacy of the methods by
which they have been obtained.
11/03/24 36
The Research Process/Steps
1. Formulating the research problem;
2. Extensive literature survey;
3. Developing the hypothesis;
4. Preparing the research design
(including sample design);
5. Collecting the data, execution ;
6. Analysis of data (hypothesis testing if
any);
7. Interpret and report the results.

37
11/03/24 37
NOTE: The above steps are not exhaustive, nor mutually exclusive, but a
series of closely related, continuously overlapping and interdependent nonlinear
steps/ actions

11/03/24 38
Topic
Research problem
question
Hypothesis or claim

methods
data
findings

Conclusions

11/03/24 39
Criteria of Good Research
 Purpose/ objectives clearly defined in common
concepts
 Procedure enumerated to keep continuity
 Carefully planned design leading to objective
results
 Complete frankness; flaws reported and their
effect estimated
 Adequate analysis of data with appropriate
methods of analysis
 Carefully checked data for validity & reliability
 Conclusions confined to those justified by the
data
 Confidence, competence/ reputation, experience,
honesty & integrity of researcher
11/03/24 40
Summarizing the above stated criteria of a
scientific research leads to derivation of
the qualities of good research as follows:
 SYSTEMATIC - Reject the use of guessing &
intuition, but does not rule out creative thinking
 CONTROLLED – Variables are identified &
controlled, wherever possible
 LOGICAL - Guided by rules of logical reasoning &
logical process of induction & deduction
 EMPIRICAL- Provides a basis for external validity
to results (validation)
 REPLICABLE - Verified by replicating the study
 SELF CORRECTING - Built in mechanism & open to
public scrutiny by fellow professionals

11/03/24 41
 42
11/03/24 42