CHAPTER-1

Introduction and Overview

of Research

By: Ins Firaol M.

WHAT IS RESEARCH AND NOT RESEARCH?
Research is the search of the truth with the help

1 November 2024

of study, observation, comparison and
experiment.
 Research means finding answers to the
questions.
 Research is defined as a scientific and systematic
search for new information and knowledge on a
specific topic.
 In short, research is the search for knowledge
through objective and systematic method of finding
solution(s) to a problem.

2
CONT…
Research is the careful consideration of study

1 November 2024

regarding a particular concern or problem using
scientific methods.
 According to the American sociologist Earl Robert
Babbie, “research is a systematic inquiry to
describe, explain, predict, and control the observed
phenomenon.
 It involves inductive and deductive methods.”
 Inductive methods analyze an observed event, while
deductive methods verify the observed event.
 Inductive approaches are associated
with qualitative research, and deductive methods
are more commonly associated with quantitative
research.
3
CONT…
Research is a process to discover new knowledge.

1 November 2024


 In the Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR

46.102(d)) pertaining to the protection of human
subjects research is defined as:
“A systematic investigation (i.e., the gathering
and analysis of information) designed to develop or
contribute to generalizable knowledge.”
 The National Academy of Sciences states that the
object of research is to “extend human knowledge of
the physical, biological, or social world beyond what
is already known.”
 Research is different from other forms of discovering
knowledge (like reading a book) because it uses a
4
systematic process called the Scientific Method.
 1 November 2024
5
CONT…
CONT…
The Scientific Method consists of observing the

1 November 2024

world around you and creating a hypothesis about
relationships in the world.
 A hypothesis is an informed and educated
prediction or explanation about something.
 Part of the research process involves testing
the hypothesis, and then examining the results of
these tests as they relate to both the hypothesis and
the world around you.
 When a researcher forms a hypothesis, this acts
like a map through the research study.

6
CONT…
It tells the researcher which factors are important

1 November 2024

to study and how they might be related to each
other or caused by a manipulation that the
researcher introduces (e.g. a program, treatment or
change in the environment).
 With this map, the researcher can interpret the
information he/she collects and can make sound
conclusions about the results.

7
WHAT IS RESEARCH IN COMPUTING?
Research in computer science defined as the process

1 November 2024

of finding an appropriate program, system,
software and algorithm to solve problems.
 It is also defined as it is the process of re-find
answers for questions through an essential
procedural activities(set of instructions).
 Research in computer science is also defined as the
process of implementing algorithms for the
determined problem and analyzing it’s
problem solving accuracy and performance
based on criteria's.
 Research in computer science involves in the
theoretical and practical involvements of
developing and analyzing new algorithms and
techniques through involving experiments, 8

design, implementation, and testing

WHAT RESEARCH IS NOT?
Research isn’t information gathering:

1 November 2024

 Gathering information from resources such as
books or magazines isn’t research.
 No merely contribution to new knowledge.

 Research isn’t the transportation of facts:

 Merely transporting facts from one resource to
another doesn’t constitute research.
 No contribution to new knowledge although this
might make existing knowledge more accessible.
 Missed the essence of research: the interpretation
of data.

9
WHAT RESEARCH IS NOT?
Generally, a research is not:

1 November 2024


 Research is not merely gathering information

 Research is not a sales pitch
 Research is not the rearrangement of known
knowledge
 Research is not rummaging around for hard-to-
find information
 Research is not transferring facts from one
location to another
 Research is not an insurmountable task and a
waste of time
 Research is not just for a specific group of people
 Research is not merely done to gain marks, and
thereafter abandoned
10
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
There are many definitions of scientific research,

1 November 2024

including that it represents a systematic method
that follows many successive steps, that start from
problem knowledge and analysis, collecting and
documenting data to derive a range of solutions
arising from the analysis.
 Moreover, comparison and statistics.

 It is also a systematic and systematic investigation

to validate facts, or establish new facts if scientific
methods and methods are followed during scientific
research, reporting and results.

11
OBJECTIVES, MOTIVATIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH
Objectives of research:

1 November 2024
 Research is a careful and detailed study of a
particular problem or concern, using scientific
methods.
 An in-depth analysis of information creates space
for generating new questions, concepts and
understandings.
 The main objective of research is to explore the
unknown and unlock new possibilities.
 It’s an essential component of success.

12
CONT…
The objective of research are: Academic and

1 November 2024

Utilitarian
Academic Objectives:
 To gain knowledge of a phenomenon or to attain
new insights into it.
 The Academic objective is the acquisition of
knowledge and it is the desire for knowledge
combined with curiosity.
Utilitarian objectives:
 The main objective is usually to have an
understanding of the company culture, social life,
social environment, problem solving processes etc.
13
CONT…
Objectives of scientific research:

1 November 2024
 The objectives of scientific research vary according
to its type and the nature of the result it will reach.
 The most important objectives of scientific research
are:  To access new facts
 To forecast the future
 To provide logical solutions to problems
 To find out the real facts
 To achieve the new thoughts
 To evaluate the information
 To test a hypothesis
 To design or implement the research
 To improve the understanding
14
Motivation in Research
• What makes people undertake research?

1 November 2024
– Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential benefits.
– Desire to solve a challenge in solving the unsolved
problems.
– Desire to design appropriate policies
– Desire to contribute to the existing stock of knowledge.
– Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative
work
– Desire to be of service to society
– Directives of government.
– Curiosity about new things, etc....

3-15
CONT…
Significance of Research

1 November 2024
 Research helps with problem-solving
 It's a tool for building knowledge and facilitating
learning.
 Research expands your knowledge base
 It's a means to understand issues and increase
public awareness.
 Research introduces you to new ideas
 It helps us succeed in business.
 It allows us to disprove lies and support truths.
 It is a means to find, gauge, and seize opportunities.
 It promotes a love of and confidence in reading,
writing, analyzing, and sharing valuable
information. 16
 It provides nourishment and exercise for the mind.
REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
Characteristics of Research

1 November 2024
 There are 8 core characteristics that all research
should have.
 These are:
 Empirical
 Systematic
 Logical
 Rigorous
 Cyclic
 Controlled
 Hypothesis-based
 Analytical
 Valid
 Objective
 Statistical Treatment 17
 1 November 2024
18
CONT…
 1 November 2024
19
CONT…
 1 November 2024
20
CONT…
 1 November 2024
21
CONT…
TYPES AND APPROACHES OF RESEARCH
Types of Research

1 November 2024
 There are various types of research that are
classified according to their objective, depth of
study, analysed data, time required to study
the phenomenon and other factors.
 It’s important to note that a research project will
not be limited to one type of research, but will likely
use several.

22
CONT…
 There are 4 basic types of research:

1 November 2024
Descriptive vs Analytical research
 Main objective of the descriptive research is describing
the state of affairs as it prevails at the time of study.
 Descriptive research comprises survey and fact-finding,
i.e. Consumer behavior, inquiries of different types.
 In analytical research, is using the already available
facts or information, and analyze them to make a
critical evaluation of the subject.
Applied vs Fundamental research
 Applied research is an attempt to find a solution to an
immediate problem encountered by an organization or
the society.
 Fundamental research mainly concern 23
generalizations and formulation of the theory.
CONT…
Quantitative vs Qualitative research

1 November 2024
 Quantitative research relates to aspects that can be
quantified or can be express in term of quantity.
 Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon or the aspects relating to or involving
quality or kind, i.e. Motivating research.
Conceptual vs Empirical
 Conceptual research is a research related to some
abstract idea or theory.
 Mainly this kind of research used by philosophers and
thinkers in developing new concepts or for reinterpreting
the existing one.
 Empirical research will exclusively relies on observation
or experience with hardly any regard for theory and
system.
 This kind of research also known as Experimental type
of research.
24
CONT…
Approaches of Research

1 November 2024
 Research approaches can be defined as the
collection of procedures and plans that decide
the overall process of research.
 Research approach decides the methods for data
collection, analysis, and interpretation.
 The concept of research approach is followed in the
entire research process.
 There are many factors the selection of research
approach, such as, research objective, experience of
research, and the audience of research study.

25
CONT…
Types of Research Approaches

1 November 2024
 Research approaches can be of two types, i.e.,
qualitative and quantitative.
 When the researcher wants to determine or
check the presence or absence of an element in
the study, then qualitative methods are used.
 Whereas, when the researcher wants to
determine the level of the element's presence,
then quantitative methods are used.
 Quantitative techniques make use of advanced
statistical techniques whereas qualitative methods
employ open-ended questions which utilize direct
quotations.
26
RESEARCH METHODS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Research Methods

1 November 2024
 Research methods are specific procedures for
collecting and analyzing data.
 A research method is a strategy used to implement
that plan.
 Developing your research methods is an integral
part of your research design.
 Research design is a plan to answer your research
question.
 Research design and methods are different but
closely related, because good research design
ensures that the data you obtain will help you
answer your research question more effectively.
27
CONT…
When planning your research methods, there are two

1 November 2024
key decisions you will make.
First, decide how you will collect data?
 Your methods depend on what type of data you need
to answer your research question:
 Qualitative vs. quantitative: Will your data take
the form of words or numbers?
 Primary vs. secondary: Will you collect original
data yourself, or will you use data that has already
been collected by someone else?
 Descriptive vs. experimental: Will you take
measurements of something as it is, or will you
perform an experiment?
28
CONT…
Second, decide how you will analyze the data?

1 November 2024
 For quantitative data, you can use statistical
analysis methods to test relationships between
variables.
 For qualitative data, you can use methods such as
thematic analysis to interpret patterns and
meanings in the data.

29
EFFECTIVE REPORT WRITING PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA
 Report writing differs from person to person

1 November 2024
depending on personality, imaginative and creative
abilities, experience, and training.
 However, most researchers agree that following
general principles must be kept in mind to
produce a better research report.
 These principles are often called as qualities or
requirements of a good report.
 Some are:

30
CONT…
1. Selectiveness:

1 November 2024
 It is important to exclude the matter, which is known to
all.
 Only necessary contents should be included to save time,
costs, and energy.
2. Comprehensiveness:
 Report must be complete.
 It must include all the necessary contents.
3. Cost Consideration:
 It must be prepared within the budgeted amount.
 It should not result into excessive costs.
4. Accuracy:
 As far as possible, research report must be prepared
carefully.
 It must be free from spelling mistakes and grammatical
errors.
31
CONT…
5. Objectivity:

1 November 2024
 Report must be free from personal bias, i.e., it must
be free from one’s personal liking and disliking.
 The report must be prepared for impersonal needs.
 It must suit the objectives and must meet expectations of
the relevant audience/readers.
6. Clarity:
 Report must reveal the facts clearly.
 Contents and conclusions drawn must be free from
ambiguities.
 In short, outcomes must convey clear-cut implications.
7. Preciseness:
 Research report must not be unnecessarily lengthy.
 It must contain only necessary parts with adequate
description. 32
CONT…
8. Simplicity:

1 November 2024
 Report must be simple to understand.

 Unnecessary technical words or terminologies (jargons)

should be avoided.
9. Proper Language:
 Researcher must use a suitable language.

 Language should be selected as per its target users.

10. Reliability:
 Research report must be reliable.

 Manager can trust on it.

 He can be convinced to decide on the basis of research

reposts.

33
CONT…
11. Proper Format:

1 November 2024
 An ideal repost is one, which must be prepared as per
commonly used format.
 One must comply with the contemporary practices;
completely a new format should not be used.
12. Attractive:
 Report must be attractive in all the important regards like
size, colour, paper quality, etc.
 Similarly, it should use liberally the charts, diagrams, figures,
illustrations, pictures, and multiple colors.

34
EVALUATING AND REVIEWING RESEARCH RESULTS
 Evaluation research also referred to as program

1 November 2024
evaluation or evaluative research, is the
systematic assessment of the value of resources and
time committed to a project, product, or specific
goal.
 The main objective of research evaluation is to
determine whether or not a process has achieved a
goal or yielded the desired results.

35
CONT…
 To assess the information resourced you have found,

1 November 2024
consider the following criteria:
1. Currency - the timeliness of the information
 when was it published or posted?
 has it been updated?
 does your topic require current information or are older
sources also acceptable?
2. Relevance - the importance of the information for your
needs
 does the information relate to your topic?
 is it written at an appropriate level - not too elementary
or advanced?
 would you be comfortable using it in a research paper?
3. Authority - the source of the information
 who is the author/publisher/source?
 what are the author's credentials?
36
 is the publisher reputable?
CONT…
4. Accuracy - the reliability, truthfulness and

1 November 2024
correctness of the information
 is the information supported by evidence?

 has it been reviewed?

 can you verify the information in other sources?

 are there spelling or grammatical errors?

5. Purpose - the reason the information exists

 why was this created - to inform, educate, sell,
entertain, or persuade?
 is it objective and free of bias?

37