SAS 201: Introduction to Research Methods
Introduction
Research is a dynamic process of arriving at effective solutions to
problems /the solutions are arrived at through the systematic collection,
analysis and interpretations of data.
Research is a process of systematically obtaining accurate answers to
significant and persistent problems by use of scientific methods for
gathering and interpreting research data, it is a search for knowledge.
Purpose of Research
Research generally seeks to provide an insight into the already known,
find new knowledge or to fill gaps in the existing knowledge. Specifically
research helps in:
Predicting people’s behaviour and gain knowledge about the
future.
Understanding cause - effect relationship which helps to predict
the future e.g. the effect of desertification on agriculture.
Interpreting and explaining new facts and revise accepted
conclusions. Eventually reformulates and devices new theories
from what has been put forward.
Research outcome also can influence policies and help policy
makers to plan effectively for economic development.
It also helps the researcher develop self-accreditation so that
he/she is known I that particular field and respected to for the
contribution to the body of knowledge.
Broad classification of Research
Research can be classified into two broad categories qualitative and
quantitative research.
a. Qualitative Research
, Research methods
This is the use of non-quantitative methods (participants observation,
focus group discussion, content analysis of documents and others), to
describe the result. It is a systematic collection, analysis and interpretation
of data in order to provide description and accounts of social events and
objects of research in their natural settings. Tell it as it is which can be
helped by use of photographs and real life cases.
b. Quantitative Research
This is where numerical data and statistical data analysis (averages,
variances, standard deviation, covariance, correlation coefficients and
other statistical measures) are used in order to generalize results based on
a sample from a population. Quantitative researches yield data selectively
and are concerned with theory testing and verification.
Research Process
To do a research is to be involved in a process. A research, therefore, is a
series of linked activities moving from a beginning to and end. The
research process is not a rigid process in that step A must be done and
completed before step B can begin. Researchers develop their own styles
of going through phases of the research process. However, there is an
order of basic stages and series of interlinked issues in each stage.
Basically the research process can be outlined as follows:
Phase I: Essential First Steps
During phase I, the researcher clarifies the issues to be researched and
selects the research methods. There are five essential steps involved in
this phase and failure to address them satisfactorily will undermine the
rest of the research process.
a) Selecting and formulating the research problem.
2
, Research methods
Research begins with a question or a problem. A research problem refers
to some difficulty experienced by researcher in the context of theoretical
or practical situations and at the same time issues that researchers would
want to address or find solutions to. A problem initially chosen requires
more precise information formulation to be amenable to research. From a
general idea, one must decide more specifically what one wants to know
and for what purpose one wants to know it. A good research problem
should be descriptive, precise, short and clear and should be able to
capture and reflect on the content that is expected. A research topic
should be posed in such a way that it is clearly grounded in the general
social field relevant to it. The topic must be grounded in some already
known factual information, which is used to introduce the topic from which
the research question should stem.
Factors affecting topic selection in a research
1) The structure and the state of the scientific discipline
Most researchers select topics suggested by the ongoing development of
theories and research in particular fields of study. The organization of the
field of study cast framework for topic selection. For example,
climatologists study various aspects climate such as drought, floods,
storms etc around which the discipline is organized. As knowledge in this
area develops, inconsistencies and gaps in information are revealed that
researchers attempt to resolve through research. It may also come from
theoretical concerns, i.e. researcher may believe in the inadequacy of
current theories. If the theory cannot help us understand reality to our
satisfaction, then we may be prompted to go out for another research to
develop another theory.
2) Social problems
The focus and development of social sciences are intimately related to
interests in basic problems of the human conditions. Historically this has
been the major source of research topics. The current socio-economic
3
, Research methods
problems such as flooding in Kano Plains, current droughts in the region,
HIV/AIDS scourge or the prevalence of the highland malaria in the Kenyan
are some of the social problems which have attracted massive research.
3) Personal value of the researcher
The researcher choice of a problem reflects preference and value
judgment. Commitment to helping find solutions to particular problem, or
willingness to devote the necessary time and energy to doing a research,
could affect the problem area chosen as well as the manner in which the
study is to be conducted. Thus a researcher may choose a topic not only
because it is considered theoretically important, original or researchable
but also because of it attracts the researcher’s interest.
4) Social premiums
There are powerful social determinants in topic selection. This is through
the availability of supporting funds, the prestige and popularity of research
area and pressures within the discipline and within the society. Typically
these premiums will reinforce one another with social climate affecting
funding which in turn affect prestige. The choice of a research topic is also
influenced by the broad social values such as concerns for the homeless
and equal employment and educational opportunities.
5) Practical consideration
An overriding concern in any research project is cost. Research requires
time, money and personnel. Limitation on these resources as well as other
practical consideration such as skills of the researcher and the availability
of data will shape both the nature and the scope of the problem that the
researcher can pursue.
b) Do a preliminary search for information
In research method terminology the search for information is referred to
as review of related literature or simply literature review. Review of
related literature must be done before one begins his research in earnest.
Primarily, it assists one to attack the research problem. It involves locating
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Introduction
Research is a dynamic process of arriving at effective solutions to
problems /the solutions are arrived at through the systematic collection,
analysis and interpretations of data.
Research is a process of systematically obtaining accurate answers to
significant and persistent problems by use of scientific methods for
gathering and interpreting research data, it is a search for knowledge.
Purpose of Research
Research generally seeks to provide an insight into the already known,
find new knowledge or to fill gaps in the existing knowledge. Specifically
research helps in:
Predicting people’s behaviour and gain knowledge about the
future.
Understanding cause - effect relationship which helps to predict
the future e.g. the effect of desertification on agriculture.
Interpreting and explaining new facts and revise accepted
conclusions. Eventually reformulates and devices new theories
from what has been put forward.
Research outcome also can influence policies and help policy
makers to plan effectively for economic development.
It also helps the researcher develop self-accreditation so that
he/she is known I that particular field and respected to for the
contribution to the body of knowledge.
Broad classification of Research
Research can be classified into two broad categories qualitative and
quantitative research.
a. Qualitative Research
, Research methods
This is the use of non-quantitative methods (participants observation,
focus group discussion, content analysis of documents and others), to
describe the result. It is a systematic collection, analysis and interpretation
of data in order to provide description and accounts of social events and
objects of research in their natural settings. Tell it as it is which can be
helped by use of photographs and real life cases.
b. Quantitative Research
This is where numerical data and statistical data analysis (averages,
variances, standard deviation, covariance, correlation coefficients and
other statistical measures) are used in order to generalize results based on
a sample from a population. Quantitative researches yield data selectively
and are concerned with theory testing and verification.
Research Process
To do a research is to be involved in a process. A research, therefore, is a
series of linked activities moving from a beginning to and end. The
research process is not a rigid process in that step A must be done and
completed before step B can begin. Researchers develop their own styles
of going through phases of the research process. However, there is an
order of basic stages and series of interlinked issues in each stage.
Basically the research process can be outlined as follows:
Phase I: Essential First Steps
During phase I, the researcher clarifies the issues to be researched and
selects the research methods. There are five essential steps involved in
this phase and failure to address them satisfactorily will undermine the
rest of the research process.
a) Selecting and formulating the research problem.
2
, Research methods
Research begins with a question or a problem. A research problem refers
to some difficulty experienced by researcher in the context of theoretical
or practical situations and at the same time issues that researchers would
want to address or find solutions to. A problem initially chosen requires
more precise information formulation to be amenable to research. From a
general idea, one must decide more specifically what one wants to know
and for what purpose one wants to know it. A good research problem
should be descriptive, precise, short and clear and should be able to
capture and reflect on the content that is expected. A research topic
should be posed in such a way that it is clearly grounded in the general
social field relevant to it. The topic must be grounded in some already
known factual information, which is used to introduce the topic from which
the research question should stem.
Factors affecting topic selection in a research
1) The structure and the state of the scientific discipline
Most researchers select topics suggested by the ongoing development of
theories and research in particular fields of study. The organization of the
field of study cast framework for topic selection. For example,
climatologists study various aspects climate such as drought, floods,
storms etc around which the discipline is organized. As knowledge in this
area develops, inconsistencies and gaps in information are revealed that
researchers attempt to resolve through research. It may also come from
theoretical concerns, i.e. researcher may believe in the inadequacy of
current theories. If the theory cannot help us understand reality to our
satisfaction, then we may be prompted to go out for another research to
develop another theory.
2) Social problems
The focus and development of social sciences are intimately related to
interests in basic problems of the human conditions. Historically this has
been the major source of research topics. The current socio-economic
3
, Research methods
problems such as flooding in Kano Plains, current droughts in the region,
HIV/AIDS scourge or the prevalence of the highland malaria in the Kenyan
are some of the social problems which have attracted massive research.
3) Personal value of the researcher
The researcher choice of a problem reflects preference and value
judgment. Commitment to helping find solutions to particular problem, or
willingness to devote the necessary time and energy to doing a research,
could affect the problem area chosen as well as the manner in which the
study is to be conducted. Thus a researcher may choose a topic not only
because it is considered theoretically important, original or researchable
but also because of it attracts the researcher’s interest.
4) Social premiums
There are powerful social determinants in topic selection. This is through
the availability of supporting funds, the prestige and popularity of research
area and pressures within the discipline and within the society. Typically
these premiums will reinforce one another with social climate affecting
funding which in turn affect prestige. The choice of a research topic is also
influenced by the broad social values such as concerns for the homeless
and equal employment and educational opportunities.
5) Practical consideration
An overriding concern in any research project is cost. Research requires
time, money and personnel. Limitation on these resources as well as other
practical consideration such as skills of the researcher and the availability
of data will shape both the nature and the scope of the problem that the
researcher can pursue.
b) Do a preliminary search for information
In research method terminology the search for information is referred to
as review of related literature or simply literature review. Review of
related literature must be done before one begins his research in earnest.
Primarily, it assists one to attack the research problem. It involves locating
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