Research_Topic.pptx school presentation daily

Research_Topic.pptx school presentation daily

1. Introduction to Research Methods

2. Course Aim and objectives Aim To give participants an appreciation of the research process Objectives At the end of the module participants will be able to: Describe what research is and its importance to their work places

3. Prepare a research proposal Design research instruments Collect data, analyze it and be able to write research reports and disseminate the findings.

4. NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH Objectives Participants will be able to:- Define research Appreciate the characteristics of research Describe the importance of research Describe research process/scope of research Identification of research areas/topics Describe the philosophies and types of research Describe basic approaches to research

5. INTRODUCTION Curiosity and inquisitiveness is a common characteristic of every human being. All of us are curious to know about our selves, our organizations, our institutions, our homes and families, our wives, our husbands etc. There are a number of questions we always ask our selves of which some are not answered well and thus necessitates investigation, thus need for research .

6. Meaning of Research Research simply means a search for facts or answers to the questions we ask. It means seeking solutions to the problems. It is a purposive investigation. It is an organized inquiry. It seeks to find explanations to unexplained phenomenon, to clarify the doubtful facts and to correct the misconceived facts.

7. It seeks to find explanations to unexplained phenomenon, It is an advanced intellectual effort in pursuit of truth Organized, systematic, data- based critical inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the objective of finding answers or solutions to it.

8. cotd Scientific way of gathering (collecting data), analyzing data, interpretation of data and presentation of information about a particular subject to clarify the doubtful facts and to correct the misconceived facts. Another name for research is investigation

9. Research is guided by a framework of philosophies, procedures, methods and techniques already tested for their validity and reliability. A research philosophy is a belief about the way in which data about a phenomenon should be gathered, analyzed and used.

10. Ordinarily, the search for answers to the questions we pose can be obtained in two main ways: 1. Arbitrary, crude or rudimentary methods . This involves imaginations, opinion, blind belief or impression. This method of gathering facts has incurable weaknesses. It is subjective, the findings will vary from one person to another depending on his or her impression

11. 2. Scientific, logic, systematic methods. This involves a systematic rational approach to seeking facts and it eliminates the incurable effect of the above method. This method is objective, precise and it arrives at conclusions on the basis of verifiable facts or empirical evidence.

12. Why do we do research? Generate and expand knowledge Deal with problems, attitudes and opinions Attempt to seek answers to questions. Draw conclusions from data Become “research literate.” Because we live in a society that’s driven by research. purpose of research is to reduce the level of risk of a decision Aids in forecasting and planning

13. cotd Improve our critical thinking skills. Learn how to critically evaluate published research. Learn how to conduct research in case the need arises one day. To understand human behaviour and action. Others class discussion

14. Characteristics of Research Research is Systematic; it starts with a question that needs an answer or a problem to be solved. Research is Logical; it needs a plan and a specific procedure to follow. Research is Empirical; its findings must be based on or supported by carefully collected and analyzed data.

15. c ot’d Research is Reductive; i.e. main research problem is broken down into more specific and manageable sub- problems. 5. Research is Replicable; it can be done again or repeated. 6. Research is Transmittable; study findings can be applied in new settings. 7. Research is Cyclical; it begins with a question and ends with a question,

16. What Research Is Not Research is not mere information gathering. Research is not mere transportation of facts from one location to another. Research is not merely rummaging for information. Research is not a catchword used to get attention

17. Summary Research is a process through which we attempt to achieve systematically and with the support of data the answer to a question, the resolution of a problem, or a greater understanding of a phenomenon.

18. RESEACH BEING SCIENTIFIC Research is said to be scientific because it involves the following : Searching for new knowledge- something new Systematic- it follows procedures Empirical- evidence and truth about the information you have Carefully designed- not speculation Based on expertise Objective –can be interpreted

19. Types of Social Research There are many kinds of social research. Three dimensions are particularly important these are; Basic research Applied research Evaluation research

20. Basic research Basic research is designed to understand the underlying principles behind human behavior.. Basic research is sometimes called pure research, fundamental research and theory- based research.

21. c ot ' d It is the research for academicians. It is not intended to solve a problem but to extend a theory. It is undertaken out of intellectual curiosity. It is not problem oriented. It aims at extension of knowledge. The findings enrich the storehouse of knowledge

22. c ot’d Basic science investigations probe for answers to questions such as: How did the universe begin? What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of? Basic research lays down the foundation for the applied science that follows. If basic work is done first, then applied research.

23. Applied research. Applied research is designed to solve a particular problem in a particular circumstance It is referred to as useful research its emphasis is on solving a practical problem. The emphasis is not on theory but solving a problem.

24. c ot’d applied researchers may investigate ways to: improve agricultural crop production Improve participants understanding of research improve performance of pupils in primary schools. e.t.c Applied research may lead to the development of a theory.

25. Evaluation Research Evaluation involves determining the worth, merit, or quality of an evaluation object. It is sometimes called impact research, assessment research or social accountability research. its interest is in assessing the impact of an intervention

26. Steps in the Research Process

27. Research process/scope of research 1. Select your topic ( identification of problem) 2. Refine your topic (review of existing literature) 3. Identify objectives 4. Choose approach (methodology) 5. Explore your topic (gather Data ) 6. Analyze the Data 7. Write the report

28. Identification of Research Area/Topic Sources of research topics. From the theories From literature review From area of your interest Area of future carrier Brainstorming Discussion from friends

29. Consulting the professionals in the area of your interest Daily problems confronted Note books where you keep your events Problems affecting organizations/communities, etc.

30. QUALITIES OF AGOOD TOPIC It should meet the specification of the awarding institution It should fit within the available resources It should be researchable Should enable you access data/information easily It should be in a new area that has not been researched It should enable you get solutions to your research problem, etc.

31. Philosophy of research and types of research (Methodology). Philosophy of research. Research is guided by number of philosophies some of which include: (i) Epistemology: It is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge and is also referred to as "theory of knowledge"

32. It questions what knowledge is and how it can be acquired, and the extent to which knowledge pertinent to any given subject or entity can be acquired. Much of the debate in this field has focused on analyzing the nature of knowledge and how it relates to connected notions such as truth, belief and justification.

33. Basic epistemological questions are To what extent can knowledge exist before experience? By what process does knowledge arise? How does one separate fact from fantasy What constitutes meaningful statement about reality

34. (ii) Axiology: Axiology is the branch of philosophy that examines values of the researcher and the extent to which such values enter into the research process. I t is the science of human values that enables us to identify the internal valuing systems that influence our perceptions, decisions and actions - to clearly understand "why" we do what we do!

35. Three questions Can theory be value free? To what extent does the practice of inquiry influence that which is studied? To what extent should scholarship attempt to achieve social change?

36. Types Of Research(By methodology) 1. Quantitative research A type phenomena of research in numbers that describes and measures instead of using words. data is expressed in numbers and analyzed using statistical methods. Quantitative research is positivism in approach

37. 38 Key elements of positivism An objective truth exits Truth revealed through use of scientific method Quantification Researcher is independent from what is researched Deductive reasoning ( Moving from generalized principles that are known to be true to a true and specific conclusion) Quantitative methodology

38. 2. Qualitative Research It is a type of research in which phenomena are described in words instead of numbers. Its used in a situation were the data to be collected may not be represented numerically. Such data can not be analyzed statistically but descriptively. It is called Interpretivisim in nature

39. 40 Elements of Interpretivisim Individuals construct own version of reality- no objective reality Aim of research is to understand and interpret how individuals make sense of that constructed reality Researcher has influence on the context in which they study Inductive reasoning (moving from specific instances to a generalized conclusion) Qualitative methodologies

40. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Approaches … Difference Quantitative Qualitative Approach Scientific and formal. Scientific and neutral. Data Reduced to scores Presented in a narrative description Knowledge Concrete, conceptual and precise. Can be tested contextual and best expressed by the owners process of Inquiry Linear, experimental. “ how much, how many”. Uses a random sample. Cyclic and sophisticated. patterns of occurrences “why, who, when”. Uses non random samples & cases.

41. Mode of Analysis Statistical. Interpretative. View of Reality Objective, singular & independent of the researcher Subjective & multiple as seen by the researcher Relationship of the Researcher Withdrawn and independent of that being researched. Interacts with that being researched. Role of Value Free of biase biased Role of Research Deductive: cause-effect. Generalizations leading to explanations/understandin g, Inductive: mutual, simultaneous studying of factors. Transferability Particularization of cases

42. Why Individuals think research is difficult Individuals are ill-prepared. Individuals have the wrong perceptions about what research is. Individuals have difficulty in formulating a research question. Individuals have not undergone a creative thinking course. Individuals do not read widely enough. Individuals do not know how to use the Web for research (or CD- ROMs and the library as well!) Individuals& their supervisors do not themselves fully understand the research process and how to best explain it.

43. conclusion The research process therefore should be understood as one of ongoing planning, searching, discovery, reflection, synthesis, revision, and learning END OF PRESENTATION, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ARE WELCOME.