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Research Methods Lecture 1

The document outlines the concept and process of research, emphasizing its purpose, classification, and the importance of formulating research problems and topics. It details the characteristics of a good research topic, types of variables, and guidelines for writing an introduction to research. Additionally, it explains the formulation of research objectives, questions, and hypotheses to guide the investigative process.

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domiife22
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2 views

Research Methods Lecture 1

The document outlines the concept and process of research, emphasizing its purpose, classification, and the importance of formulating research problems and topics. It details the characteristics of a good research topic, types of variables, and guidelines for writing an introduction to research. Additionally, it explains the formulation of research objectives, questions, and hypotheses to guide the investigative process.

Uploaded by

domiife22
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RESEARCH METHODS

LECTURE 1
BY
PROF. RUTH ADERANTI
CONCEPT OF RESEARCH

 To re-search
 To re-examine
 To investigate
 To test
 To enquire
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research is an investigative process of
finding reliable solution to a problem
through a systematic selection,
collection, analysis and interpretation of
data relating to the problem
 in order words research is all activities

that makes us discover new knowledge


about things around us.
PROCESS OF RESEARCH
 Identifying a problem
 Defining the problem in precise terms in

unambiguous terms
 Stating the problems in form of research

questions and research hypotheses


 Designing the research
PROCESS OF RESEARCH contd.

 Collecting data
 Analyzing data

 Interpretation of data

 Drawing conclusion

 Making recommendations
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
 To test what you already know
 To understand the other side of an issue
 To establish reliable guide
 To expand knowledge
 To predict, explain and interpret a behaviour
 To provide solution to a problem
 To fill a gap
 to meet an academic reequirement
CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH


i.Classification by
purpose
 ii Classification by
method.
 iii Classification based

on type of evidences
Classification by purpose

i. Basic (Pure) research
 ii Applied research.
 iii. Action research

 iv. Evaluation research

 v. Research and Development


(R & D
Classification of Research by
Method


Historical
 Descriptive (survey)
 Correlational
 Experimental
 Casual-comparative
(ex-post-facto)
CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH BASED ON EVIDENCIES
REQUIRED OR METHOD OR DATA ANALYSIS

 There are three types of research based


on evidences required or method of data
analysis. These are:
 i. Qualitative - non computational
 ii. Quantitative - Computational
 iii. Triangulation of multiple perspectives.
IDENTIFYING RESEARCH PROBLEM

 WHERE DO YOU GET


RESEARCH PROBLEM FROM:
 Seminar reports

 Literature review

 Textbooks
 Journal
 internet
 dissertations
 Suggestion for further studies

 Existing Theory

 Replication of studies
CHOOSING A RESEARCH TOPIC


A research topic is taken from research
problem
 What are the factors that can influence

choice of research topic:


 The researcher’s discipline
 Duration
 Fund availability
 Desire for in-depth knowledge
 Availability of resources
 Income derivable

WORDINGS OF RESEARCH TOPIC


A research topic should be:
- Appropriate
- Descriptive
- Simple and unambiguous
 It must be short and straight forward
 It must be large enough to cover the subject matter
 Word limit per title 14-20
 Ensure that each word is needed
 Avoid word wasters e.g. studies on
 Investigation on
 Analysis of etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
RESEARCH TOPIC

 It must be researchable i.e. problem


that can be investigated through
collection of data
 It must have 2 or more interacting

variables
 It must be an area of interest
WHAT IS A VARIABLE?
 Any quality or quantity in which the researcher
is interested and which varies in the course of
the research e.g interest, skill, knowledge etc.
TYPES OF VARIABLES
The most frequent variable encounter in research
are:
 Independent

 dependent.
TYPES OF VARIABLE
 Independent variable – is also called
manipulative or treatment variable.
- it determine the nature or the occurrence of
another variable
- It is the variable that is manipulated by the
researcher
- It presume to cause, influence or affect the
outcome.
 Dependent Variable: is also called
outcome variable
 It is a variable that the independent

variable is presumed to affect.


 It is a variable that changes, appear or

disappear as researcher changes, remove


or introduces the independent variable.
 Extraneous Variable
 is a secondary independent variable, that is,

other independent variables or factor that may


affect the outcome of a research if not
controlled. Eg. Moderator variable.
 Intervening Variable: cannot be manipulated

or studied directly because their effect cannot


be measured or manipulated.
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
 OUTLINE
 1.1 Background to the Study
 1.2 Statement of the Problem
 1.3 Research Objectives
 1.4 Research Questions
 1.5 Research Hypotheses
 1.6 Significant of the Study
 1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING
INTRODUCTION

 The opening sentence must be


able to stimulate the reader
 As a general rule in quantitative

research do not start with a


quotation
 Avoid using idiomatic expression

e.g The lecture method remain a


“Sacred Cow”
INTRODUCTION - Background to the
Study

 This part provides reader with


background information for the
research
 It establishes the issue or

concern leading to the research


 It must create reader’s interest in

the topic
 It establishes the problem that

lead to the study.


 Suggested part of
Background to the study
 The research Problem
 Studies that have

addressed the problem


 Deficiencies in the

studies
 The importance of the
 Consider numeric information
 Clearly identify the research problem

 Indicate why the problem is important

citing references that justify the need to


study the problem
 Narrow the focus to specific questions to

be answered or hypothesis to be tested.


RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 The research objectives are stated
after the statement of the problem.
 It helps to transform the research

problem into a testable form,


indicating clearly in specific terms
what the researcher intends to
achieve.
 Languages use – to examine, to

determine, to assess, to find, etc


RESEARCH QUESTIONS
 Research questions are interrogative statements or
question that the researcher seeks to answer.
 Characteristics of a research question are:
 It must be clearly stated i.e. it must not make

different meaning to different people.


 It should determine the type of data to be collected

how and were to collect the data from


 It should provide focus and direction to the major

issues in the study.


Characteristics of a research
question are contd.

 The question should be large enough to


cover all the major variables in the study.
 EXAMPLE:

 Effect of truancy and procrastination

on the academic performance of


university students.
Example of Research Question
 Will truancy significantly affect the
academic performance of the
university students?
 Will procrastination significantly affect

the academic performance university


students?
 Will truancy and procastination affect

the academic performance of


university students?
RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
 Research hypothesis is a formal affirmative
statement predicting a single research
outcome.
 i.e. it predict the likely relationship between

independent variable and dependent variable.


 Also suggest or guess answers to the research

questions before the study is embarked upon


RH
 Hypothesis can be formulated in 2 forms: Null
and alternative.
 Null hypothesis is stated in a negative form.

Ho is use to represent null hypothesis.


 It is a non-directional hypothesis. It is non-

directional because it does not indicate a


favourable or negative expectation of the
findings.
 Alternative hypothesis stated in
positive form.
 This is a directional hypothesis and

H1 is use to represent alternative


hypothesis.
 It specifies the relationship between

variables.

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