MA RESEARCH METHODS introduction part.pptx

Masters of Education

1. Mlm 521/mea523 RESEARCH METHODS

2. DEFINITION OF RESEARCH Research is an organised , systematic and logical process of inquiry, using data, to answer questions or test hypotheses. It involves collecting , analyzing and interpreting data in order to increase our understanding of a phenomenon . We use research to answer questions, solve problems and develop knowledge.

3. Where does research start? When you start to think about your research project, a useful way of remembering the important questions to ask is to think of the five ‘ Ws ’ and ‘h’: What? – the issue at hand Why? - purpose Who ? – the participants Where ? –the location of the research or venue When ? – time frame How? - Methodology

4. PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH True research meets four important standards: Empirical. Systematic Intersubjective and replicable Cyclic and self-correcting

5. EMPIRICAL Research seeks to understand the real world, therefore it draws upon observations or measurements of that world. In communication, we measure behaviours, attitudes, communication patterns, media content, etc.

6. SYSTEMATIC Researchers follow a set of rules, dictated both by the standards of science and by the researchers themselves. Systematic research is organized, involves planning and follows procedures to minimize the likelihood of mistakes.

7. INTERSUBJECTIVE AND REPLICABLE Research is a process that involves building on previous knowledge. Findings are compared. To be objective and help others replicate research findings, researchers need to define their ideas clearly, explain the context of study, the meaning of terms, and the assumptions of the study. Researchers need to explain what they did and why.

8. CYCLICAL AND SELF-CORRECTING Research is continuous and meant to correct any mistakes made previously.

9. CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH Originates with a question or problem. Requires clear articulation of a goal. Divides the problem into more manageable sub-problems. Is guided by the specific research problem, question or hypothesis. (A hypothesis is a tentative, educated guess or proposition about the relationships between two or more variables. May or may not be supported by data).

10. CHARACTERISTICS contd A variable represents a selected quality of individuals that has a single value for a given individual but differs among individuals. For example: age, gender, and level of education are variables.

11. CHARACTERISTICS contd Research requires a specific plan for proceeding. Rests on critical assumptions(self-evident truths). Requires collection and interpretation of data in an attempt to resolve the research problem. Research is by nature cyclical or helical (spiral).

12. PURPOSE OF RESEARCH The main purpose of research is to discover new knowledge. To describe a phenomenon (a situation or relationship that is existing or likely to exist). To enable prediction. We use a set of variables to predict a phenomenon. (A variable is something that can change and affect the result of a situation or relationship). (Independent, intervening and dependent variables).

13. PURPOSE contd Enable explanation of phenomena. To explain a phenomenon one should be able to describe it, predict its occurrence and observe factors that cause its occurrence with certainty and accuracy. To enable theory development. Involves formulating concepts, laws and generalizations about a given phenomenon. Research is also conducted in an attempt to confirm or validate existing theories.

14. TOOLS OF RESEARCH A research tool is a specific mechanism or strategy the researcher uses to collect, manipulate or interpret data. The library and its resources. Computer technology. Measurement (standardized tests in psychology and education) Statistics. Have two main functions: describe data and draw inferences from the data.

15. TOOLS OF RESEARCH contd Language. Language makes conceptualization and description of phenomena possible. The human mind. Strategies to reason about and understand the world: critical thinking (involves evaluating the accuracy, credibility and worth of information), deductive logic (based on assumptions before reasoning proceeds towards conclusions. Useful in generating research hypothesis and testing theories), inductive reasoning (begins with an observation upon which conclusions are drawn).