Method of Research

Module 3

COMPONENTS OF RESEARCH
Irrespective of the method or the purpose, research usually contains the same main components. There
will always be a research problem or question, which can be a statement or inquiry of an issue or area of
concern that describes why the research is to be conducted. This research problem or questions must
be tested or explored and should not be too broad or vague. This problem will help to form the
objectives of the research. It describes what the research intends to find out or achieve. The research
objectives essentially drive the direction of the study. From these objectives, the researcher forms a
hypothesis. The hypothesis is the assumption or prediction that is tested by the research. The rest of
the research is conducted to either support or debunk the hypothesis. Another main component of
research includes research techniques. It deals with how the information is gathered based on
the research method (qualitative or quantitative), and it involves experiments, surveys, observations,
sets. They will be explained in greater detail under the research methods discussion.
Variables may also be established during this point of the research process, depending on the type of
research that is being conducted. Variables are any characteristics or items that can take on a value or
be measured in some way. Variables are either independent (can be changed), dependent (what is
observed to the response of the independent variable), or controlled (always stay the same). Research
sampling includes a representation of a larger group. The sample includes people, items, or documents.
The samples are crucial because they are large and relevant enough to serve as a generalization for the
group that is being studied. Data analysis, conducted from the samples, finds the meaning of it relative
to the research objectives. It is here that a researcher will look for the patterns, connections, or
relationships, which are related to the hypothesis. Lastly, the conclusion is formed that intends to show
the outcome of the data studied and why the research matters.
OBJECTIVES (DESCRIPTIVE, CO-RELATIONAL, EXPLORATORY AND EXPLANATORY)
 Descriptive research (statistical research):
o The idea behind this type of research is to study frequencies, averages, and other
statistical calculations. The main goal of this type of research is to describe the data and
characteristics about what is being studied.

 Correlation research:
o Measures the relationship between two or more variables or gives an indication of how
one variable may predict another.

 Exploratory research
o Is a type of research conducted because a problem has not been clearly defined?
Exploratory research helps determine the best research design, data collection methods,
and selection of subjects. Given that it is fundamental in nature; exploratory research
often concludes that a perceived problem does not actually exist.

 Explanatory research
o Explores "why," and attempts to explain as the purposes of explanatory research. It builds
on exploratory and descriptive research and further identifies the reasons for something
that occurs. It looks for causes and reasons.

INQUIRY MODE (QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE)

From the process adopted to find answer to research questions – the two approaches are:
 Structured approach
 Unstructured approach

Unstructured approach (qualitative)

The unstructured approach to inquiry is usually classified as qualitative research. This approach
allows flexibility in all aspects of the research process. It is more appropriate to explore the
 nature of a problem, issue or phenomenon without quantifying it. Main objective is to describe
the variation in a phenomenon, situation or attitude.

E.g., description of an observed situation, the historical enumeration of events, an account of

different opinions different people have about an issue, description of working condition in a
particular industry.

Structured approach (quantitative):

Quantitative research is usually classified as structured approach to inquiry. Here everything
that forms the research process includes objectives, design, sample, and the questions that you
plan to ask of respondents is predetermined. It is more appropriate to determine the extent of a
problem, issue or phenomenon by quantifying the variation. For example it is deals with
measurement of attitudes, behaviors and perceptions of study subjects.

In short quantitative research addresses the following issues:

 Means the data is analyzed in terms of numbers.
 Involves the collection of numerical data.
 Predicts and explains data in the form of statistical analysis.
 Uses the numerical method to analysis and interpret the results.
 Finds out the relationship among quantifiable variables and the results are inferred.

QUANTITATIVE VERSUS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

There are two categories of research methodology:

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH - is a positivist QUALITATIVE RESEARCH - is defined as the

scientific method which refers to a general set of “naturalistic method of research which deals with
orderly discipline procedures to acquire the concern of human difficulty by discovering it
information (Beck, 2004). straightly.” (Beck, 2004)

Mostly, it is concerned with numbers and It is concerned with the experiences,

measurement. understanding and words of the individual.