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Chapter 2

Chapter 2 outlines an eight-step model for conducting research, which includes formulating a research problem, planning the study, conducting the research, and writing a report. It emphasizes the importance of deciding on research questions and methodology, while also highlighting the differences between qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Each phase of the research process involves specific tasks that guide researchers from the initial concept to the final report.

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3 views

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 outlines an eight-step model for conducting research, which includes formulating a research problem, planning the study, conducting the research, and writing a report. It emphasizes the importance of deciding on research questions and methodology, while also highlighting the differences between qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Each phase of the research process involves specific tasks that guide researchers from the initial concept to the final report.

Uploaded by

wangyus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 2

The Research Process: A Quick Glance


In this chapter you will learn about:

The eight-step model for carrying out research:


Phase I: DECIDING what to research
Step I: Formulating a research problem
Phase II: PLANNING a research study
Step II: Conceptualising a research design
Step III: Constructing an instrument for data collection
Step IV: Selecting a sample
Step V: Writing a research proposal
Phase III: CUNDUCTING a research study
Step VI: Collecting data
Step VII: Processing and displaying data
Step VIII: Writing a research report
The research journey

• The research process is very similar to undertaking a journey.


• As with your drive, for a research journey there are also two important decisions to make.
• First is to decide what you want to find out about or, in other words, what research questions
you want to find answers to.
• Having decided upon your research questions or research problems, you then need to decide
how to go about finding their answers
• The path to finding answers to your research questions constitutes research methodology.
• Just as there are posts along the way as you travel to your destination, so there are practical
steps through which you must pass in your research journey in order to find the answers to
your research questions
Figure 2.1 The research journey

authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014


The research process
• Methodologies differ due to underpinning philosophy
• The process is the same for quantitative and qualitative research
• Each approach uses different research methods for data collection, data processing, analysis
and style of communicating the findings
Differences between qualitative and quantitative research

authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014


Table 1.1 Differences between qualitative and quantitative research

authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014


Figure 2.2 The research journey

authored by Stephanie Fleischer © SAGE publications Ltd 2014


Phase I: DECIDING what to do
Step I: Formulating a research problem
• Most important step, because the following steps are influenced by the research problem
• What do you want to find out about?
 Did you get sufficient funds to do the research?
 Did you get the time available to conduct the study?
 Did you get knowledge of relevant disciplines?
 Do you have sufficient knowledge of skills needed?
Phase II: PLANNING a research study

Step II: Conceptualising a research design


What you find depends on how it was found
• Select an appropriate research design:
• Quantitative
• Qualitative
• Mixed methods
• The design has to be
• Valid
• Workable
• Manageable
• Be aware of its strengths and weaknesses
Phase II: PLANNING - continued
Step III: Constructing an instrument for data collection
How will you collect your data?
• Construct a research instrument or research tool to collect data (interview schedules,
questionnaires, notes on observations, diaries, interview guides, etc.)
• Or use secondary data (information already collected for other purposes)
• Do a pre-testing of your research tool (pilot study)
Phase II: PLANNING – continued
Step IV: Selecting a sample
Who will take part in your research?
• Select appropriate sample/participants to represent the study population
• Avoid bias
• Random / probability samples
• Non-random / non probability samples
• Be aware of strengths and weaknesses of different sampling methods
Phase II: PLANNING - continued

Step V: Writing a research proposal


Write a detailed plan about your research:
• What are you proposing to do?
• How you plan to proceed?
• Why you select the proposed strategy?
Phase III: CONDUCTING a research study

Step VI: Collecting data


Doing the data gathering using one or more data collection method, such as:
• conducting interviews
• mailing out questionnaires
• conducting nominal/focus groups discussions
• making an observation

Be aware of ethical issues!


Phase III: CONDUCTING - continued

Step VII: Processing and displaying data


What did you find how?
• Analysing the data depends on the type of information and how to communicate
the findings
• Distinguish between
• Descriptive
• Quantitative (statistical procedures)
• Qualitative (narrative, content analysis)
• Attitudinal
Phase III: CONDUCTING - continued

Step VIII: Writing a research report


What have you done? What conclusions have you drawn from the findings?
• Different format for quantitative and qualitative research
• Structure using main themes of study
• Use academic conventions

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