Research Methodology

Introduction to Research Methodology

▪ Research: A systematic investigation into and study of

materials and sources to establish facts and reach new
conclusions. It involves gathering, analyzing, and
interpreting data to increase understanding of a
particular subject or problem.
▪ Research Methodology: The structured approach and
procedures used to conduct research, encompassing the
tools and techniques for data collection, analysis, and
interpretation.
What is the primary purpose of
research methodology?

a) To collect data

b) To analyze data

c) To provide a structured approach to research

d) To publish findings
•Option a) To collect data: Collecting data is an important part of the research
process, but it is just one step. Research methodology encompasses more than
just data collection; it includes the entire process from identifying the problem to
reporting the results.

•Option b) To analyze data: Analyzing data is another crucial step in research,

but research methodology is not limited to data analysis. It also involves planning
how the research will be conducted, including design, sampling, and data
collection.

•Option d) To publish findings: Publishing findings is the final step in the

research process, but the methodology guides the research from start to finish.
Methodology is concerned with how the research is designed and conducted, not
just the publication of results.
 Types of Research
•Basic Research: Research conducted to expand knowledge without any direct application to practical problems.

•Applied Research: Research conducted to solve specific, practical problems.

•Qualitative Research: Research that focuses on understanding concepts, experiences, and social contexts
through non-numerical data.

•Quantitative Research: Research that involves numerical data and statistical analysis to identify patterns,
relationships, or trends.

•Exploratory Research: Research conducted to explore an area where little is known, aiming to identify patterns,
hypotheses, or ideas.

•Descriptive Research: Research that aims to describe the characteristics or behaviors of a particular group or
phenomenon.

•Explanatory Research: Research that seeks to explain cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
Which type of research is aimed at
solving practical problems?

a) Basic Research

b) Applied Research

c) Exploratory Research

d) Descriptive Research
•Option a) Basic Research: Basic research is conducted to expand
knowledge without immediate application to real-world problems. It is
more focused on understanding fundamental principles and theories.

•Option c) Exploratory Research: Exploratory research is used to

investigate a problem that is not clearly defined. It is often the first
step in research but does not aim specifically at solving practical
problems.

•Option d) Descriptive Research: Descriptive research aims to

describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon. It does not
necessarily focus on solving a practical problem but rather on
providing a detailed understanding.
 The Research Process

▪ Research Process: A series of steps that guide the

systematic inquiry from identifying a problem to reporting
the results.
▪ It includes formulating a research problem, reviewing
literature, designing the research, collecting and analyzing
data, and drawing conclusions.
 Which of the following is the first
step in the research process?

a) Reviewing Literature

b) Formulating Hypotheses

c) Identifying a Research Problem

d) Data Collection
•Option a) Reviewing Literature: Reviewing literature is an important
step that usually follows the identification of the research problem. It
helps understand what has already been studied and where gaps in
knowledge exist.

•Option b) Formulating Hypotheses: Hypotheses are formulated after

the research problem has been identified and the literature has been
reviewed. They are based on existing knowledge and the specific
problem at hand.

•Option d) Data Collection: Data collection occurs after the research

design and methodology have been established. It is not the first step in
the research process but one of the middle stages.
 Formulating Research Questions and
Hypotheses

•Research Question: A clear, focused question that the research seeks to answer. It
guides the direction of the study.

•Hypothesis: A testable prediction or statement about the relationship between two or

more variables, based on theoretical expectations.
 A hypothesis must be

a) Descriptive

b) Testable

c) Theoretical

d) Irrelevant
•Option a) Descriptive: While a hypothesis may describe a potential
relationship, it must be testable to be useful in research. A descriptive
statement alone does not make it a hypothesis.

•Option c) Theoretical: A hypothesis is often based on theoretical

knowledge, but it must be testable in empirical research. Theoretical ideas
can inform a hypothesis, but the hypothesis itself must be capable of
being tested.

•Option d) Irrelevant: A hypothesis should never be irrelevant; it should

be directly related to the research question and capable of being tested.
Research Design

▪ Research Design: The framework or blueprint for

conducting the research project. It outlines the
procedures for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting
data, and specifies the type of research (e.g.,
experimental, correlational) to be used.
 Which research design involves manipulating
variables to test their effect?

a) Correlational

b) Experimental

c) Case Study

d) Longitudinal
•Option a) Correlational: Correlational research examines the
relationship between two or more variables but does not involve
manipulation of variables. It can show associations but not
causation.

•Option c) Case Study: A case study involves an in-depth analysis

of a single subject or case. It does not typically involve manipulating
variables but rather focuses on detailed understanding.

•Option d) Longitudinal: Longitudinal research involves studying

the same subjects over a period of time. It can observe changes
over time but does not necessarily involve manipulating variables.
 Sampling Methods

•Sampling: The process of selecting a subset of individuals from a

population to represent the entire population. It ensures that the study’s
results are generalizable.

•Probability Sampling: A sampling technique where every individual in the

population has a known and equal chance of being selected.

•Non-Probability Sampling: A sampling technique where individuals are

selected based on non-random criteria, and not every individual has a chance
of being selected.
Which type of sampling gives every member of the population an equal chance of being selected?

a) Convenience Sampling

b) Judgmental Sampling

c) Probability Sampling

d) Snowball Sampling
•Option a) Convenience Sampling: Convenience sampling selects
individuals who are easiest to reach, which does not give every
member of the population an equal chance of being selected.

•Option b) Judgmental Sampling: Judgmental (or purposive)

sampling involves selecting individuals based on the researcher’s
judgment. It does not provide an equal chance for all members of the
population.

•Option d) Snowball Sampling: Snowball sampling involves

participants recruiting other participants. It is not random and does
not give every member of the population an equal chance.
 Data Collection Methods

•Primary Data Collection: The process of collecting original data directly

from sources such as surveys, interviews, or experiments.

•Secondary Data Collection: The process of gathering data that has

already been collected by others, such as literature reviews or existing
databases.
Which method involves collecting
original data directly from sources?

a) Secondary Data Collection

b) Archival Research

c) Primary Data Collection

d) Meta-Analysis
•Option a) Secondary Data Collection: Secondary data collection
involves using data that has already been collected by someone
else, not original data collection.

•Option b) Archival Research: Archival research involves

analyzing existing records or documents, which is a form of
secondary data collection.

•Option d) Meta-Analysis: Meta-analysis combines results from

multiple studies to draw a broader conclusion. It does not involve
collecting original data but rather analyzing existing data.
 Data Analysis Techniques

•Quantitative Analysis: Involves analyzing numerical data to

discover patterns, correlations, and statistical relationships.

•Qualitative Analysis: Involves analyzing non-numerical

data (e.g., text, audio) to identify themes, patterns, and
meanings.
Which of the following is a
quantitative analysis technique?

a) Thematic Analysis

b) Content Analysis

c) Descriptive Statistics

d) Grounded Theory
•Option a) Thematic Analysis: Thematic analysis is a qualitative
method used to identify themes or patterns within qualitative data.

•Option b) Content Analysis: Content analysis can be either

qualitative or quantitative but is often used to analyze the content
of communication in a systematic manner. When used qualitatively,
it is not the correct answer.

•Option d) Grounded Theory: Grounded theory is a qualitative

research method that involves developing theories based on data
collected. It is not a quantitative analysis technique.
 Validity and Reliability in Research

•Validity: The extent to which a research study measures what

it intends to measure.

•Reliability: The consistency of a research study or measuring

test, indicating the stability of the results over time.
What does validity in research refer
to?

a) Consistency of results

b) Accuracy of measurement

c) Generalizability of findings

d) Simplicity of procedures
•Option a) Consistency of results: Consistency of results refers to
reliability, not validity. Reliability is about getting the same results
repeatedly under the same conditions.

•Option c) Generalizability of findings: Generalizability refers to

the extent to which research findings can be applied to other
contexts, but it is not the same as validity.

•Option d) Simplicity of procedures: Simplicity of procedures is

not related to the concept of validity. Validity is about whether the
research accurately measures what it is intended to measure.
 Ethical Considerations in Research

•Informed Consent: The process of informing research participants about

the nature of the study and obtaining their voluntary agreement to
participate.

•Confidentiality: The obligation to protect participants’ personal

information and data from unauthorized access.

•Plagiarism: The practice of using someone else’s work or ideas without

proper attribution, considered unethical and unacceptable in research.
Which ethical principle involves informing
participants about the research and getting their
voluntary agreement?

a) Confidentiality

b) Informed Consent

c) Anonymity

d) Justice
•Option a) Confidentiality: Confidentiality refers to protecting the
privacy of participants' data and not disclosing it without their
permission.

•Option c) Anonymity: Anonymity means ensuring that

participants' identities are not revealed in the research. It is
different from informed consent, which is about agreement to
participate.

•Option d) Justice: Justice in research ethics refers to fairness in

the distribution of benefits and burdens among participants. It is not
directly related to obtaining consent.
Writing Research Proposals

▪ A detailed plan for a research project,

outlining the research question,
objectives, methodology, timeline, and
budget.
▪ It serves as a blueprint for conducting the
research and is often required for funding
or academic approval.
Which section of a research proposal outlines
the research question and objectives?

a) Introduction

b) Methodology

c) Literature Review

d) Expected Outcomes
•Option b) Methodology: The methodology section outlines the
research design and methods used to conduct the study, not the
research question and objectives.

▪ Option c) Literature Review: The literature review provides

context by discussing previous research related to the topic, but it
does not outline the specific research question and
objectives of the current study.
▪ Option d) Expected Outcomes: The expected
outcomes section discusses what the researcher
anticipates finding or achieving through the research, but it
does not define the research question and objectives.
 Academic Publishing and
Dissemination

•Peer Review Process: A process where research is

evaluated by experts in the field before being published to
ensure quality, accuracy, and relevance.

•Dissemination: The process of sharing research findings

with the broader community through publications,
presentations, and other forms of communication.
What is the primary purpose of the
peer review process?

a)To edit the research paper

b) To ensure quality and accuracy of the research

c) To publish the research quickly

d) To gather more data

•Option a) To edit the research paper: Editing is part of the
publication process but is not the primary purpose of peer review.
Peer review focuses on evaluating the content and rigor of the
research.

•Option c) To publish the research quickly: Peer review often

takes time and may even delay publication to ensure thorough
evaluation. It is not intended to speed up publication.

•Option d) To gather more data: Peer review does not involve

data collection. Its purpose is to assess the validity, quality, and
relevance of the research before it is published.
Common Challenges in Research

•Research Problem Identification: The process of finding and

clearly defining a researchable issue or question.

•Data Collection Issues: Challenges encountered during data

collection, such as sampling errors, non-response, or incomplete
data.

•Time Management: The process of planning and controlling how

much time to spend on specific research activities to achieve goals
efficiently.
What is a common challenge related
to data collection in research?

a) Identifying a research problem

b) Writing a literature review

c) Ensuring sample representativeness

d) Publishing the findings

•Option a) Identifying a research problem: Identifying a
research problem is a challenge in the initial stages of research but
is not directly related to data collection.

•Option b) Writing a literature review: Writing a literature review

is part of the research process but does not involve data collection.

•Option d) Publishing the findings: Publishing is the final stage

of the research process and occurs after data collection and
analysis, so it is not a data collection challenge.
Case Studies and Practical Examples

▪ Case Study: An in-depth analysis of a particular

individual, group, or situation over a period, used to
explore complex issues in real-world contexts.
 What is the primary focus of a case
study in research?

a) Conducting experiments

b) Generalizing findings

c) In-depth analysis of a specific case

d) Collecting quantitative data

•Option a) Conducting experiments: Experiments involve
manipulating variables to test hypotheses, which is different from
the in-depth, observational focus of a case study.

•Option b) Generalizing findings: Case studies focus on in-depth

analysis of a particular case or instance. The findings may not
always be generalizable to other contexts.

•Option d) Collecting quantitative data: While case studies may

involve some quantitative data, they are often more qualitative in
nature, focusing on detailed exploration rather than just numerical
data collection.
Thank you