Research_Methodology

Research MethodologyProf. Piyadasa RanasingheDepartment of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya 26/02/2011

What is research?A careful, systematic , patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or princilpes (Grinnell, 1993:4)It is a discovery (Rediscovery); A voyage from the known to the unknownAn effort to be closer to the truth

CharacteristicsIt is controlled. In real life for an outcome there could be many affecting factors. In a study of cause and effect relationships one has to link effects with causes and causes with effects. Establishment of this linkage is impossible unless it is a laboratory test. Therefore instead of controlling external factors we have to quantify the impact of such factors.

Contd.,It is rigorous. Procedures followed to find answers to a problem must be relevant, appropriate and justifiable. Researcher needs to be very careful about this.It is systematic. Procedures adopted for a research should follow a logical sequence. Some procedures must follow others.It should be valid and verifiable. Your research conclusion based on findings should be correct and can be verified by you as well as others.

Contd.,It is empirical. The conclusions of the research should be based on evidence gathered from information collected from real life experiences/ observationsIt is critical. Research procedures and methods applied should withstand critical scrutiny. They must be foolproof and free from drawbacks

Research process- Steps1. Formulation a of a research problem2. Creation of a research design3. Constructing instruments for data collection4. Selecting a sample5.Writing the research proposal6. Collecting data7. Processing data8. Writing the report

Formulating research problemTasks:Literature reviewFormulating the research problemIdentifying variablesConstructing hypotheses

Literature reviewTo make your research problem clear and bring focus into itDevelop your methodologyTo know where you areTo have a broader knowledge in your area of research

Contd.,Search and select literature pertaining to your areaReview selected literatureDevelop a theoretical framework (theories and issues related your study)Develop a conceptual framework (aspects you select from theoretical framework that form the basis of your research)

Contd.,Sources:BooksJournalsElectronic resources: online and offline

How to write the literature reviewWrite under themesSome may follow chronological orderHighlight your argumentsProvide references

Formulating research problemAny question that needs answer can be a research problem. However, not all questions can be transformed into research problems.What matters here:Your knowledge in research methodologyYour knowledge of the subject areaYour understanding of the issues to be examined

Contd.,Formation of a research problem is the first step in the research. Identify the destination before you start the journey. It is the foundation of your building.Sources of research problems:People (individuals, groups, organizations, communities)Problems (Issues, situations, associations,, needs, demographic)

Contd.,Programmes (contents, structure, outcomes, attributes, satisfaction, users, consumers)Phenomenon (cause and effect relationships, study of a phenomenon itself)Research problem is your topic.Consider the following when selecting a topic:Your interestYour level of expertise as well as of your supervisor

Contd.,Use concepts that can be measuredTopic should be relevant to your profession/ subject areaAvailability of dataEthical issues

Formulation of objectivesObjectives are goals of your studyMain objectivesSecondary or sub-objectivesThey must be clear, complete and specific

Identifying variablesA concept or perception that takes on different values and that can be measured is a variable. It is something that varies.Types:Independent variables (they are responsible for bringing about change in a phenomenon, situation)

Contd.,Dependent variables (effects of a change variable, the outcome of the changes brought about by changes in an independent variable)Extraneous variables (other factors that affect the changes bring about by independent variables)Intervening variables (those that link the independent and dependent variables)

Constructing hypothesesIt is an anticipation of nature or a hunch, assumption, assertiona tentative statement about something, the validity of which is usually unknown (Bailey, 1976:126) It may be right, partially right or wrongIt should be simple, specific and conceptually clear

Research designIt is the plan, structure and strategy of investigating the research problemIt is an operational planProcedures to be adoptedTesting the design

Constructing an instrument for data collectionData collection methods:Primary sourcesObservationInterviewQuestionnaireUse of secondary sourcesEstablish the validity of the selected instrument

Selecting a sampleProcess of selecting a few from a bigger groupBigger group is the population and the selected few is the sampleLarger the sample size the more accurate will be the findings

Sampling typesSampling strategies are numerous. They can be categorized into three groups:Random/probability samplingNon-random/probability samplingMixed sampling

Research proposalIt is your plan of researchIt reveals what you are going to do, how you plan to do and why you have selected the proposed proceduresIt guides you as well as your supervisorIt is an academic piece of writingIt shows the strength of your proposed research

ElementsIntroduction (an overview of the main area under study, historical background, philosophical issues etc., trends, major theories, main issues under consideration etc.)Importance (Why you do it? What are the benefits?)Problem (Your research problem or the research questions)Literature review

Contd.,Objectives ( main and secondary)HypothesesStudy design (population, sample, data collection methods etc.)Setting (brief description of the community, organization or agency in which you are going to carry out the research)Analysis of data (methods you are going to use)

Contd.,Structure of the report or chapterizationLimitations and problems you may encounterWork plan or scheduleBudget (optional)

Collection data Ethical issues relating to research participants ( their consent, incentives, sensitive information, harm to participants etc.)Ethical issues relating to the researcher (avoiding bias, using appropriate research methodology, correct reporting etc.)

Processing dataEditing dataCoding dataVerifying coded dataAnalyzing dataDisplaying data (charts, diagrams, tables)

Writing the report or thesisFollow standards (International standards or departmental guidelines)Use appropriate referencing/citation systemPreparation of a bibliographyAvoid plagiarism

Sources:Kumar, Ranjit (1999). Research methodology : a step by step guide for beginners, 2nd. ed., Sage, LondonKothari, C.R. (1990). Research methodology : methods and techniques, 2nd. Ed., Wishwa Prakashan, New Delhi

Thank you!