Cours 2024 ATSEP research methods.pptx

Méthodologie de recherche

1. Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering Unit : Research Methods

2. Topic : Introduction to Research Methods Topic Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to ; Define the terms research and research methodology, Explain the attributes of scientific research, Explain the purpose of research, Explain the characteristics of good research,

3. Introduction to Research Methods More than a set of skills, it is a way of thinking; examining critically the various aspects of ones professional work. Research is a habit of questioning what you do, and a systematic examination of the observed information to find answers to questions or to solve problems

4. The word research is composed of two syllables ; re and search. Re- means again, anew or over again Search- means to ‘examine closely and carefully’, to ‘test and try’ or to ‘probe’. Research - therefore means a careful, systematic and patient investigation in some field of knowledge to establish facts or principles.

5. Definitions Payton (1979) defines research as the process of looking for a specific answer to a specific problem in an organized, objective and reliable way. Waltz and Bausell (1981) defines it as a systematic, formal, rigorous and precise process employed to gain solutions to problems and or to discover and interpret new facts and relationships. Kerlinger Fred has defined scientific research as systematic, controlled, empirical and critical examination of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypothesis about the presumed relations among such phenomena.

6. Research is the process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data in order to increase our understanding of a phenomena about which we are interested or concerned ( Leedy and Omrod , 2004 ).

7. Research Methodology: This is an overall action plan for research. It is the series of steps that connects a given set of research questions or gaps in knowledge to the conclusions arrived at Research methods thus entails; selection of designs, data gathering, sampling, sampling and research ethics utilized by researcher to answer research questions.

8. Attributes of Research: 1. Purposive Any good research must have a definite aim or purpose. It must be focused or otherwise fail to be systematic and directed. 2. Systematic A researcher should employ structured procedure from the beginning to the end of research. The different steps cannot be taken in a haphazard way . Some procedures must follow others.

9. 3. Objective / Empirical The conclusions drawn through the interpretation of data should be based on facts from the actual data collected and not on researchers subjective or emotional values. 4. Testable Scientific research blends itself to testing logically developed hypothesis to see whether or not the data supports the proposed hypothesis.

10. 5. Rigorous A researcher must be scrupulous in ensuring that the procedures followed to find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate and justified. Rigor therefore refers to the degree of carefulness and exactitude in research. 6. Replicable Results of the research or tests of hypothesis should be supported again and again, when research is repeated in other similar circumstances.

11. 7 . Generalizable This refers to the scope of applicability of research findings, that is the research can be applied (generalized) to other affected institutions. 8. Precise Precision refers to how close the findings based on a sample are to the reality e.g. the closer the findings are to the actual, the higher the precision level.

12. 9 . Confidence Confidence refers to the probability that estimates are correct e.g. 100% is perfect confidence, 80 % - high and 20% low confidence levels. 10. Parsimonious This refers to the simplicity of explaining the phenomena . Being simple in explaining the outcomes of research is preferred to complex research frameworks that consider unimaginable number of factors.

13. Why do we do R esearch? Purpose of Research

14. 1 . Discover new knowledge The main purpose of research is to discover new knowledge. This involves the discovery of new facts and their correct interpretation and practical application. Although there are other sources of knowledge, research remains the most efficient and reliable source of knowledge.

15. 2 . Describe phenomena A major purpose of many studies is to describe and explore phenomena. Descriptive studies answers the questions what, who , when , where and sometimes how. 4. Enable prediction Prediction is the ability to estimate phenomena A given Phenomena B . e.g. researchers carefully predicting the occurrence of the lunar eclipse.

16. 3. Explain phenomena A researcher has an explanatory purpose if he/ she wishes to go beyond description to explain the WHY? of a phenomena. E.g. W hy some town have higher crime rate than others.

17. 4 . Exploration Much of social research is conducted to explore a topic, by providing familiarity. For example, when examining a new interest area or where study is relatively new or unstudied.

18. 5 . Enable control Ability to predict with certainty allows researchers to develop solutions to existing problems, e.g. developing vaccines or cures to control diseases. 6. To develop theory Researchers develop theories to try and explain certain phenomena through conducting a series of studies to enable explanations.

19. 7. To test theory More researches are again further conducted to test the validity of existing theories . 8. Involuntary research. This is undertaken by students or faculty as a requirement of their degrees or professional advancements.

20. Characteristics of Good Research: Purpose clearly defined, Research process detailed, Research design thoroughly planned, High application of ethical standards, Limitations frankly revealed, Adequate analysis for decision making, Findings presented unambiguously, Conclusion justified, Researcher’s experience reflected.

21. Question: What are some of the benefits of research in your area of specialization?

22. Challenges of conducting research Lack of motivation Lack of self confidence Limited support Lack of experience Financial constraints Difficult in accessing literature review