OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PROCESS

The research process can simply be summarized in to the following diagram

RESEARCH
Identification of research problem
PROBLEM Literature review (concepts &
theories; past studies & findings)
Suggestions for further research Delimiting the problem
Dissemination of findings
Interpretation of findings
Recommendations
DEFINING RESEARCH
PROBLEM

GENERALIZATION Stating research problem

Stating objectives and hypothesis
sis Developing
r analy
Hypothesis testing a fo conceptual/theoretical framework
Generating necessary ri t er i
es c
statistics vid
Pro RESEARCH DESIGN
DATA ANALYSIS
Choice of research design &
Executing research design methodology
Administering instruments Choice of sampling techniques

MEASUREMENT
DATA COLLECTION
DESIGN

Choice of data collection instruments

Preparation of the instruments
Validating the instruments
Seeking approvals

Fig 2.1: Research process

i. Defining research problem

This step involves identifying and refining the research problem. It defines the “why” of a research
study. A research is usually conducted because a need or a deficiency has been identified and a
statement of the problem often refers to what a researcher has identified as existing or lacking in
literature, theory or practice; which condition needs to be probed and solutions found. A problem
may arise from issues, difficulties, current practices or problems that need to be solved or better
understood. A problem may also arise from deductions from existing theories related to current
issues, practical situations or personal experiences. It is usually important to deal with a field or
topic of interest which the researcher is well versed with and has a lot of literature in.

ii. Stating research objectives and hypothesis

After identifying and stating the research problem, the purpose of the study is carefully thought-out
and stated in such a way that it is clear and can be achieved upon completion of the study. This
purpose is sometimes referred to as the broad objectives of the study. The specific objectives of the
study are then generated from the purpose statement. The specific objectives are meant to state
clearly what will be achieved in measurable terms by executing the study. The specific objectives
are supposed to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable/achievable, Realistic and relevant, and time-
bound. They lead to the formulation of research questions or hypothesis that guide the study by
postulating tentative answers to the questions and the researcher seeks to test or confirm them and
either accept or reject them before arriving at a possible generalization.

A research hypothesis is a statement of expectation or prediction that will be tested by research. A

research question is a question that a research project sets out to answer.

iii. The conceptual or theoretical framework

When the research problem is known, the purpose and objectives of the study formulated, there is
need to provide a theoretical or conceptual framework of the study. A theory is a set of properly
argued ideas intended to explain a phenomenon or a system of explaining phenomena by specifying
the variables and the laws that bound or relate the variables to each other. Theories consist of broad
generalizations of tested facts (or laws) and variables. A theoretical framework is usually
descriptive while a conceptual framework is diagrammatic.

A theoretical framework is an examination of existing theories in relation to the research objectives.

It refers to a set of interrelated variables, definitions and propositions that present a systematic view
of the phenomenon by specifying relations among variables with the purpose of explaining a
phenomenon. Usually, researchers would assume that one variable influences another variable and
it is this assumption that a researcher tries to justify in the theoretical framework by explaining how
and why one would expect such influence. A conceptual framework is diagrammatic presentation of
variables which the researcher operationalizes to achieve the set objectives. It presents the theory in
a visual model of research variables and their interrelationships.

iv. Definition of terms

Here, the researcher presents the operational definitions of the key terms used in the research
problem and the conceptual framework. The researcher needs to clearly explain the context under
which key terms are used in the study and the meaning they take. Simply, the researcher explains
the meaning of a term as it is used in the study and not necessary the dictionary meaning.

v. Literature review

Literature review involves the systematic identification, location, and analysis or evaluation of the
documents containing information that are related to the research problem. The purpose of literature
review is to help the researcher develop a thorough understanding and into previous works and
findings that have been recorded pertaining the research problem. The researcher is expected to read
widely around the subject to learn from theories, methods and findings by other scholars in the
same area and to identify gaps, issues, challenges and problems that do not seem to be adequately
addressed. Literature review enables the researcher to refine the need to continue pursuing the
study.

vi. Research design

This is the blue print or plan, structure and strategy to be used in carrying out an investigation so as
to answer the research questions and attain the research objectives. The design describes the plan or
strategy for conducting the research, considering the research purpose and type of information
required to attain the purpose.

vii. Instrumentation

Here the researcher chooses and prepares the tools to be used in collecting the data necessary to
answer the research questions or test the hypothesis and achieve the objectives. The kind of tools
chosen should be appropriate for the type of data required and economical enough to attain the
required information at minimal costs.
 viii. Data collection

Data is collected depending on the chosen design and using the instruments prepared. The method
of collecting data is usually informed by the type of data required and the design adopted.

ix. Data analysis and interpretation

When data is collected, it is then analysed using specific and stated techniques that would facilitate
answering of research questions, testing of hypotheses and making interpretations that may lead to
generalization of findings. Data analysis entails separation of data into their constituent parts or
elements, or an examination of data to distinguish its component parts separately or in relation to
the whole. Quantitative data analysis techniques may be broadly classified into descriptive and
inferential analysis.

Descriptive analysis is the use of measures of central tendencies and measures of dispersions to
describe a group of subjects and is commonly used when the researcher does not want to generalize
the findings beyond the sample. Inferential analysis on the other hand, is used to draw conclusions
concerning the relationships and differences in the research results. Here, a researcher uses the
sample statistics to draw conclusions about the population from which the sample was drawn

x. Generalization and interpretations

Conclusions are drawn and stated on the basis of the analysis of data from the study and
interpretation of findings. These generalizations are statements of the behavior of one or more
variables or relationships of two or more variables and are stated in terms of the original research
questions or hypothesis. The real value of research is arriving at certain generalizations (theory) and
generalizations arise if hypotheses are tested and upheld several times. In cases where the research
did not have hypotheses, findings may be explained on the basis of some theory, a process known
as interpretation. The process of interpretation may quite often trigger-off new questions which in
turn may lead to further researches.

xi. Dissemination of results

This is usually the final step in the research process and involves preparing a report of what has
been done in the research. This can be in the form of a project report or a thesis report, conference
presentation, a journal publication, a working paper or even a text book. The layout of the report
will depend on the type of the report and the purpose and avenue of the dissemination.