Lecture No.

2 PSY, HND

Course: Research Methodology

Instructor: Ms. Saba Riaz

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Who I am?
Clinical Psychologist. Saba Riaz (MS/ M. Phil in Clinical Psychology)
(Department of AHS, IQRA University Islamabad)
Email: [email protected]
Previous Employment
Trainee Psychologist, Shakoor Mind Care Institute, Bahawalpur
Trainee Clinical psychologist, Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
 Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Amin Maktab, Lahore.
Khawaja Fareed University, Rahim Yar Khan (KFueit) (Visiting
Lecturer)
IQRA University Islamabad (Lecturer).
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Course Detail
Course Name: Research Methodology
Contact Hours: Credit Hours:
Theory: 48 Theory: 3
Lab: 0
Total Credit Hours: 48

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Course Outlines
Course Description
 The aim of this subject is to provide a scholarly and in-depth knowledge of
research methods for allied health sciences students.
 Topics covered include Introduction to research, the scientific approaches to
investigation, Defining and refining the problem, critically reviewing the
Literature, Theoretical framework and hypothesis development, Formulating
research design, Interviews, administering questionnaires, Measurement of
variables, Sampling, collecting primary and secondary data, analyzing
qualitative and quantitative data and Writing and presenting research report.

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Course Objectives
Course Objectives
 1. Enable students define basic elements of research.
 2. Enable students to defining and refining the problem.
 3. Enable students to identify strategies for writing literature review.
 4. Enable students to understand research variables (dependent &
independent).
 5. Enable students to understand the importance of a theoretical framework.
 6. Enable students to study techniques of hypotheses development.
 7. Enable students to contrast among qualitative and quantitative research
methods.
 8. Enable students to explore elements of various research designs.

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 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Sr. Taxonomy
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) Statement SOs
No. Level

Understand the basic concepts of research and the framework of conducting research in academics
1 C2 1
and dynamic environments.
Differentiate between alternative research methodologies, philosophies, and strategies in research
2 C4 4
and identify their limitations and implications.

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 Taxonomy Levels

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Course Weight Breakdown
Assessment Instruments with Weights
 Homework, Quizzes, Midterms, Final, Assignments,
Presentation etc.)
 Theory
o Quizzes 10
o Assignment 10
o Midterm 30
o Presentation/Other Activities 10
o Final 40

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Course Outlines
Text & Reference Books
 Focus will be on topics rather Chapters
of any text
 Many Textbooks are available in market
o Research Methodology a step-by-step guide
for beginners by Ranjit Kumar, 2011
o Research Methodology, by C.R. KOTHARI. 2cnd Edition

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Research Methodology: An
Introduction

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 Research: an integral part of your practice

 Research is a way of thinking: examining critically the various aspects

of day-to-day professional work; and developing and testing new
theories that contribute to the advancement of practice and
profession.
 It is a habit of questioning what you do, and a systematic examination
of clinical observations to explain and find answers for what you
perceive,

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 Research: an integral part of your practice
You may be a nurse, doctor, physiotherapist, social worker or other
paramedic. In any of these positions, some of the following questions may
come to your mind or someone else may ask you for their answers:
How many patients do I see every day?
What are some of the most common conditions prevalent among my
patients?
What are the causes of these conditions?
Why do some people have a particular condition whereas others do not?
What are the health needs of the community?
What are the benefits of this programme to the community?
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 Research: an integral part of your practice
You work as a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
While engaging in the helping process you may ask yourself the
following questions:
What are my clients’ most common presenting problems?
What are their most common underlying problems?
What is the socioeconomic background of my clients?

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Definition

 The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays

down the meaning of research as “a careful investigation or
inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch
of knowledge.”
 Redman and Mory define research as a “systematized effort
to gain new knowledge.”

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OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the
application of scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out
the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
Research objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation
or a group
3. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies
are known as hypothesis-testing research studies).

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TYPES OF RESEARCH
Descriptive vs. Analytical:
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of
different kinds. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research
are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and
correlational methods.
In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use
facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a
critical evaluation of the material.

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TYPES OF RESEARCH
Applied vs. Fundamental: Research can either be applied (or action)
research or fundamental (to basic or pure) research.
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate
problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization,
whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalizations and with the formulation of a theory. “Gathering
knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.”

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TYPES OF RESEARCH
The central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some
pressing practical problem, whereas basic research is directed
towards finding information that has a broad base of applications and
thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific
knowledge.

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TYPES OF RESEARCH
Quantitative vs. Qualitative:
Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or
amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms
of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with
qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving
quality or kind.
Qualitative research aims at discovering the underlying motives and
desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose.

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TYPES OF RESEARCH
Conceptual vs. Empirical:
Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory.
It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new
concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience or
observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory.
Empirical research is the process of testing a hypothesis using empirical
evidence, direct or indirect observation & experience.

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 The research process: characteristics and requirements

 The process must have certain characteristics:

 Controlled: Some relationships are more complex than others. Most
outcomes are a sequel to the interplay of a multiplicity of relationships
and interacting factors. In a study of cause-and-effect relationships it is
important to be able to link the effect(s) with the cause(s) and vice
versa. In the study of causation, the establishment of this linkage is
essential; however, in practice, particularly in the social sciences, it is
extremely difficult – and often impossible – to make the link.

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 The Research process: characteristics and
requirements
Rigorous – Ensuring that the procedures followed to find answers to
questions are relevant, appropriate and justified. Again, the degree of
rigour varies markedly between the physical and the social sciences and
within the social sciences.
Systematic – This implies that the procedures adopted to undertake an
investigation follow a certain logical sequence. The different steps
cannot be taken in a haphazard way. Some procedures must follow
others.

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 The Research process: characteristics and
requirements
Valid and verifiable – This concept implies that whatever you conclude
on the basis of your findings is correct and can be verified by you and
others.
Empirical– This means that any conclusions drawn are based upon hard
evidence gathered from information collected from real-life
experiences or observations.
Critical – Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and the methods
employed is crucial to a research enquiry. The process of investigation
must be foolproof and free from any drawbacks. The process adopted
and the procedures used must be able to with stand critical scrutiny.
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The applications of research

 The degree to which these criteria are expected to be fulfilled

varies from discipline to discipline and so the meaning of
‘research’ differs from one academic discipline to another.
 For example, the expectations of the research process are
markedly different between the physical and the social
sciences. In the physical sciences a research endeavor is
expected to be strictly controlled at each step, whereas in the
social sciences rigid control cannot be enforced and sometimes
is not even demanded.

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The applications of research
It can provide important information about disease trends and risk
factors, outcomes of treatment or public health interventions,
functional abilities, patterns of care, and health care costs and use. The
different approaches to research provide complementary insights.

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Thank You !
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