Introduction To Research Methods Notes - KNEC Study Materials, Revision KITS and PAST Papers

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3/26/22, 11:02 AM INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS NOTES - KNEC STUDY MATERIALS, REVISION KITS AND PAST PAPERS
1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS.
BRIEF OVERVIEW
The managers of tomorrow will need to know more than any managers in history. Research will be a
major contributor to that knowledge. Managers will find knowledge of research methods to be of value in
many situations. Business research has an inherent value to the extent that it helps the management
make better decisions. Interesting information about consumers, employers or competitors might be
pleasant to have but its value is limited if the information cannot be applied to a critical decision. If a
study does not help the management to select more efficient, less risky, or more profitable alternatives
than otherwise would be the case, its use should be questioned. The important point is that research in a
business environment finds its justification in the contribution it makes to the decision maker9s task and to
the bottom line.
At the minimum, one objective of this study material is to make you a more intelligent consumer of
research products prepared by others, as well as be able to do quality research for your own decisions
and those of others to whom you report.
Governments have allocated billions of dollars to support research, driven by motivation to overcome
disease or to improve the human condition. Nations driven by threat of war and national pride have also
played a major role in the advance of physical science. Much of the findings of their research are in the
public domain.
Business research is of much more recent origin and is largely supported by business organizations that
hope to achieve a competitive advantage. Research methods and findings cannot be patented, and
sharing findings often results in a loss of competitive advantage; <The more valuable the research result
is, the greater the value in keeping it secret.= Under such conditions, access to findings is obviously
restricted. Even though there is a growing amount of academic business research it receives meager
support when compared to research in the physical sciences.
Business research operates in a less favorable environment in other ways too. Physical research is
normally conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Business research normally deals with topics
such as human attitudes behavior, and performance. People think they already know a lot about these
topics and do not really accept research findings that differ from their opinions.
Even with these hindrances, business researchers are making great strides in the scientific arena. New
techniques are being developed, and vigorous research procedures are advancing rapidly. Computers
and powerful analytical methods have contributed to this movement but a greater understanding of the
basic principles of sound research is more important. One outcome of these trends is that research-
based decision making will be more widely used in the future than it has been in the past. Managers who
are not prepared for this change will be at a severe disadvantage.
Business research could encompass the study of human resource management, marketing research,
entrepreneurship etc. for example, in marketing research we could address issues pertaining to product
image, advertising, sales promotions, packaging and branding, pricing, new product development.
HINTS.
Clear title ,A study of the Factors that Enhance the Organisational Commitment of Employees.
Avoid jargons.
Avoid using ambiguous words and sentences.
Avoid plagiarism-Anti plagiarism software exists in the market.
Always plan your work-Failing to plan,is planning to fail.
Conform to stipulated guidelines font,font size,spacing,header,footer
Tense to use when developing proposal and project.
Recommened sample is usually 10% from population.
Avoid using 1.0,2.0 instead use 1.1,2.1
Cover page-Centre your details.
Chapters-centre
Sub headings-Sentence case and prepositions should be in lower case.
Conform to APA 6th edition format ( American Psychological ) referencing style
No fullstop at the end.
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Capture author sur-name.

10 years down the line 2020-10=2010
Example
Kamau,J(2006) Methods of Research OR
Kamau,J(2006) Methods of Research(3rd ed.)Longhorn Publications Nairobi
Capture Appendices (Any detail that reinforces the body of the proposal and project can be included in
an appendix)
Time schedule
Budget
Data collection instruments and any other document that the researcher may consider important for
the readers
REPORT/PROJECT FORMAT
Preliminary information
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Literature Review
Chapter Three: Methodology
Chapter Four: Data Analysis Presentation, and Interpretation
Chapter Five: Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations
References; names of authors of books reviewed. Use APA style.
INTRODUCTION
Definitions of research.
Research is a structured inquiry/enquiry that makes use of scientific method (step by step) of
investigation to generate new knowledge and solve problems.
Kerlinger Fred N. has defined scientific research as a systematic, controlled, empirical and critical
investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypothesis about the presumed relations
among such phenomena.
C Crawford defines research as a systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing specialized
tools, instruments and procedures in order to obtain a more adequate solution to a problem.
Research can be defined as a careful and systematic means of solving a problem.
Research also involves critical analysis of existing conclusions or theories with regard to new existing
facts.
Research is a process of arriving at effective solutions to problems through systematic collections,
analysis and interpretation of data.
WHY STUDY RESEARCH?/IMPORTANCE/PURPOSE/USES OF RESEARCH STUDY/METHODS.
To generate new knowledge-Through research we open up and acquire advanced knowledge by

discovering new facts and even adding to existing ones on a given phenomenon.
Development of theories-Through research, we are able to formulate concepts,laws and
generalizations about a phenomenon.Research may also be done to test previous theories so as to
affirm or refute them.
Description of phenomena-We may wish to describe for example what happens when substance A is
added to substance B.The aim of description is to answer the following questions;
Who
What
When
How
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Where
For example, Factors leading to poor performance among primary school students in Nairobi county.
A phenomenon may be described in terms of size, weight, color, age, shape and change over time.
Explaining causality-Research tries to explain the cause and effect of relationship between or among
phenomena, parameters or variables.
Generate data-Through research, we are able to gather data or information.Data can either be
qualitative (in form of words) or quantitative (inform of statistics,facts and figures).
6 To make predictions-Information gained through research may be useful to predict a particular

phenomenon e.g. Most time spent by a candidate watching TV may lead to poor performance and an
alcoholic may experience marriage breakup.
Educational research is considered a problem oriented activity that aims at improving conditions or
solving problems in education-REPORT WRITING.
Examples of key issues
Crowded/congested classes
Shortage of chairs
Constrained infrastructure.
8.Educational research can also aim at improving decision making and planning in education eg form 1&2
being served meals together and form 3& 4 or considering freshers in vocational,colleges and universities
in connection to accommodation due to their unfamiliarity with the new environment.
9.Research can be undertaken to satisfy an individual curiosity.
10 Research enables control-In scientific research,control is concerned with ability to regulate

phenomenon under study.
Example:In Laboratory,rats are subjected to drugs that support growth and normal diet without drugs.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH.
Basically refers to the methods of getting knowledge or information to use in research. We usually have
four main methods.
METHOD OF TENACITY.
People hold firmly to the truth because they have always known it to be true.
METHOD OF AUTHORITY.
Refers to means of established beliefs. Example, If the bible or Koran says it, then it is so.Information
received from someone with expertise e.g. from library,
doctor,engineer,teachers,administrators,pharmcists,architectures,surveyors,security officer,
scholar,parent,peer,adult,clergy etc.
PRIORI METHOD/INTUITION METHOD.
Based on logical reasoning and not mainly on experience.
METHOD OF SCIENCE.
Forms the basis of current research studies. This method is based on development of truth that is
independent of our opinions, beliefs and reasons.
SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH-SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE.
Experience-Human beings learn through experiences in their own life.
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Authority-One may report according to information adopted from an expert in a specialized area e.g. a
doctor emphasizing that one can9t get/ AIDS via handshake.
Intuition-This is the perception or explanation of an instinct. Refers to unexplained feelings you have
that something is true even when you lack evidence or proof of it.
Tradition-All human beings inherit a culture. Culture is a reflection of an adopted system of rules,
standards and values.
Research itself.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Purposiveness: The research must have a definite aim and purpose for achieving objectives.
Rigor: The research must have a good theoretical base and sound methodology that enables
collection of the right of information for data analysis.
Testability: This means that hypothesis must be developed after a study of the problem.
Replicability: The results of the research and hypothesis should be supported in subsequent studies
conducted under similar circumstances for confidence in the research design.
Precision and confidence: This refers to how close the findings based on a sample are to the reality.
the closer the results are to the predicted phenomena, the higher the precision. Confidence refers to
the probability that estimates are correct.
Objectivity: Conclusions drawn through interpretation of results of data analysis should be objective
and based on facts from actual data collected/
Generalizability: This refers to the scope of applicability of the research findings. The wider the range
of applicability of solutions by research, the more useful the research. It depends on the sampling
design, instruments used for data collection and objectivity in the interpretation of data.
Parsimony: This is the simplicity in explaining phenomena and challenges that occur in the
application of solutions from research outcomes.
Ethical-This is the most important characteristic in carrying out research.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD
RESEARCH
Good research generates reliable data and follows the standards of scientific methods, which include:
Clear definition of purpose of the research and research problem. This should include its scope,
limitations and definition of terms.
The research process should be described in sufficient detail to permit other researchers to repeat the
research.
The research design should be carefully planned to yield objective results. The sample of a population
should include evidence of the degree of representation of the sample.
High ethical standards must be applied. A research design must include safeguards against mental or
physical harm to participants, exploitation, invasion of privacy and loss of dignity.
Limitations of the study that may arise from research design must be revealed in the research report.
Data analysis should be sufficiently adequate for revealing the significance of the research. Data
analysis should give rise to findings and conclusions.
Findings must be presented in clear, precise assertions that are carefully drawn. Presentation of data
should be comprehensive and easily understood. Findings should be presented unambiguously
Conclusions must be justified by the data collected from the research, with detailed findings.
The research report should contain information that gives the qualifications of the researcher for
greater confidence in research reports.
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TYPES OF RESEARCH.
CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH.
In business world there exists different kinds of problems. Consequently different types of research are
also used. The following are the basic modes of classification:
The field of study in which the research is conducted. i.e. Discipline; for example educational research,
sociological research, marketing research etc.
The place where the research is conducted. Hence we talk in forms of field research, laboratory
research, community research etc.
3.Application of the research – the way/mode in which the findings of the research will be used eg, Action
research(small scale and situational), service research etc A good example is census that is mainly used
by the government to plan.
Purpose of the research i.e. basic research (pure and fundamental research), action research, applied
research and evaluation research(analyze data to make a decision).
By methods of analysis, i.e., descriptive research(mean,mode,median,variance,standard deviation)
and empirical research (practical rather than theory),
Character of data collected i.e. qualitative research and quantitative research.
Procedure/Design used – experimental research, survey research, observation or
historical/documentary etc.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Basic research
It is also referred to as pure or fundamental research.

It is a type of research which is characterized by a desire to know or to expound the frontiers of
knowledge.
It is research based on the creation of new knowledge.
It is mainly theoretical and for advancement of knowledge.
Basic researchers are interested in deriving scientific knowledge which will be a broad base for further
research.
2.Applied Research
The type of research which is conducted for purpose of improving present practice, normally applied
research is conducted for the purposes of applying or testing theory and evaluating its usefulness in
solving problems.
Applied research provides data to support theory or suggest the development of new theories. It is the
research done with the intention of applying the results of its findings to solve specific problems,
currently being experienced in an Organization.
3.Action Research
This is a small scale intervention in the functioning of the real world and a close examination of the
effects of such interventions.
Normally situational and it is concerned with diagnosing a problem in a specific context and attempting
to solve it in that context.
Conducted with the primary intention of solving a specific, immediate and concrete problem in a local
setting.
Not concerned with whether the results of the study are generalized to other settings, since its major
goal is to seek a solution to a given problem.
Limited in its contribution to theory, but it is useful because it provides answers to problems that cannot
wait for theoretical solutions.
Examples;
Studies done on new teaching programmes in mathematics for secondary schools

Effective ways of dealing with absenteeism in work place
Effective ways of dealing with absenteeism in schools
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Descriptive Research
Undertaken in order to ascertain and be able to describe the characteristics of variables in a situation.
Descriptive studies are undertaken in organizations in order to learn about and describe
characteristics of employees. g. Education level, job status, length of service etc
The most prevalent method of gathering information in a descriptive study is the questionnaire. Others
include: interviews, job analysis, documentary analysis etc.
Descriptive statistics such as the mean, standard, deviation, frequencies, percentages are used in the
analysis of descriptive research.
Correlational Research
Usually descriptive in that it cannot presume (not certain) a cause-and-effect relationship.

It can only establish that there is an association between two or more traits or performance.
Involves collecting data to determine whether a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable
variables.
Main purpose of correlation research is to describe the nature of the relationship between the two
variables.
Helps in identifying the magnitude of the relationship.
6. Casual Research
Refers to one which is done to establish a definitive 8cause9 8effect9 relationship among variables.
The researcher is keen to delineating one or more factors that are certainly causing the problem.
The intention of the researcher conducting a casual study is to be able to state that variable X cause9s
variable Y to change.
A casual study is more effective in a situation where the researcher has already identified the cause of
the problem.
Examples
Relationship of young and old employees in an organization.

Remuneration package
end month and mid moth performance
Facilitation e.g. transport.
Historical Research (USE OF DOCUMENTS)
This is the systematic and objective location and synthesis of evidence in order to establish facts and
draw conclusions about past events.
The act of historical research involves the identification and limitation of a problem of an area of study
which is based on past events.
The researcher aims to:
Locate as many pertinent sources of information as possible concerning the specific problem.
Then analyze the information to ascertain its authenticity and accuracy, and then be able to use it to
generalize on future occurrences.
Historical research is important because:
It enables solutions to contemporary problems to be solved in the past.
Throws light on present and future trends.
Allows for the revelation of data in relation to select hypothesis, theories and generalizations that are
presently held about the past.
Ability of history to employ the past, to predict the future and to use the present to explain the past
gives historical research a dual and unique quality which makes is exceptionally useful for all types of
scholarly study and research.
Experimental Research
The investigator deliberately controls and manipulates the conditions which determine the events to
which he is interested in.
Qualitative Research.(Human behaviors and aspects).
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Includes designs, techniques and measures that do not produce numerical data.
Data is usually in form of words rather than numbers and this words are grouped into categories
THREE METHODS OF COLLECTING QUALITATIVE DATA.
Direct observation
Participant observation
Interview method.
Human behaviors are explained best using qualitative research.
10 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH.
Includes designs, techniques and measures that produce discrete numerical or quantifiable data.
Radom sampling is usually done to ensure a representative of a sample is given.
ADVANTAGES OF USING BOTH QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA.
A researcher has several objectives of study, hence they can be assessed using both.
No bias
Both supplement each other.
DISADVANTAGES.
Combining both methods can be expensive (time, energy and money)

Researcher may not have been sufficiently trained in this method to be able to use them effectively.
HOW DOES RESEARCH BEGIN?/RESEARCH PROBLEM.
Research usually begins with clarification of a topic in which one has some interest or about which
increased knowledge is clearly needed.
The term topic refers to subject issue or area under discussion. The topic is essential in success of
research project. One9s interest in topic is mandatory in order to sustain the research.
Research problem refers to an area in any field where researcher would like to find an answer/solution.
CONDITIONS TO BE MET AFTER IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM.
There must be an individual,group or organization to which the problem can be attributed(sample)eg

teachers,farmers,doctors,engineer,workers,students etc
There must be some environment which the problem pertains(place/location ie Nairobi county).
There must be some objectives to be attained.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE TOPIC SELECTION/POINTS TO OBSERVE WHEN SELECTING A

RESEARCH PROBLEM
1. Personal interest-Interest produces enthusiasm on what one is doing. It is the interest that makes the
experience adequately rewarding.
2. Topic one selects should be important-The topic selected should not be brought forward just because
of personal interest but also because it will add to knowledge.
3. Time-Due to time limitations, writers of academic research need to avoid complex topics as they may
require large population samples. It is important to compare the time that topic will take against time
available.
4. Newness-It is always good to look at a new area so that, what one is doing is a little different from
what others have done in past.
5. Accessibility to material and respondents-A suitable topic is one which allows researcher to access the
material. It is important to note that getting materials and respondents in some areas might not be an
easy task.
Examples include
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Senior government officials.
Vice chancellor of a university private or public.
Health officials.
National intelligence service.
Ethical consideration-It is both unethical and illegal to conduct research that may slander or do physical
or psychological damage to subjects involved hence a researcher needs to take care of a subject in a
very humane manner.
Subject /topic selected for research should be familiar.ie known to unknown or general to specific.
Costs involved
Selection of a problem must be pre-decided by a preliminary study.
Avoid the following;
A subject that have been overdone
Too narrow/fake problem
Controversial subjects.
STEPS IN TOPIC SELECTION.
1. Identify areas that puzzles an interest to you-Many issues may interest or puzzle a researcher and this
may be social, economic, political,hr related issues, culture and religion.
2.Identify/select key words for the topic-Researcher should narrow down to the real aspects that are
puzzling or interesting him/her and express the in specific key words. Example in human resource
management, researcher may be interested on how mergers and acquisitions affect company loyalty.
3. Define the topic-Researcher analyses selected key words and tries to put them together meaningfully.
4.Formulate the topic-After problem identification and definition it is important that reseacher comes up
with a complete topic e.g. impact of mergers and acquisitions on company loyalty in a private
sector.
QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE RESEARCH TOPIC.
1. Clear and an un ambiguous.

2. Supported by credible evidence.
3. Should captivate or interest researcher.
4. Should be researchable.
WHERE TO GET RESEARCH TOPIC FROM/SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS.
Current issues(Newspaper)
Observation of environment behavior.
Personal Experience
Course;lecturers,discussion groups and literature.

Lifestyle
Previous research work i.e. impact of microfinances on SMEs
Natural calamities
Review of related literature-Review of published literature eg textbooks,journals,magazines etc.Other

sources in this categories include. Research bulletin,research projects,research thesis,journals of
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management research,dissertations and internet.

Consultation with experts and research institutions.
Participation in professional discussions-forums,seminars,workshops and conferences.
Social development –social changes and technological changes.

Media-news like alcoholism,drug abuse,addiction and immorality.
STEPS OF RESEARCH PROCESS.
1. Problem identification.
Research problems can emanate from different sources i.e. area of interest, results from observation of
phenomenon, issues being shared in media, practical problems shared in newspapers that require
attention and area of specialization.
Formulating research objectives and questions/hypothesis.
To address research problem.
Literature review.
After identifying research problem, research of related literature on research problem are conducted. This
is the process of finding out what is already and not known about study.
Research design.
Researcher should come up with a design that will help him or her arrive at answers to research
questions. The research design is basically mechanism employed for sampling population, data collection
and analysis.
Hypothesis formulation-Optional.
Objectives and research questions(RQ)
Objectives and hypothesis(HOs)
Its possible to carry out a research study without hypothesis in which case,RQ will be necessary.
Data collection.
Researcher selects instruments/tools for data collection.Data collection tools include:
Questionnaires
Interview schedules
Interview guides
Focused groups
Experiments
7. 7. Sampling.
Select people who will be in your study as participants.
8. Data collection.
Researcher goes to field to gather data required for answering research questions. Data collection can be
undertaken by administering questionnaires to students, focused group discussions and carrying out
experiments.
9. Data processing.
Data is usually collected in raw form and should be processed so that meaning can be made out of it.
10 Report/project writing.
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This is the last stage in research process where the researcher documents important details of research.
The report should explain in detail the various stages of study and present results as well as the
recommendations.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Refers to an
RESEARCH ETHICS
Ethics are guidelines that deal with the conduct on an individual. Ethical considerations must be kept in
mind when dealing with respondents. Ethical research requires personal integrity from the researcher.
Confidentiality and Privacy

Respondent9s anonymity request must be adhered to when promised.
Confidentiality must be kept where promised.
Physical and Psychological harm
Asking embarrassing questions, expressing disgust when collecting data, using threatening
statements, etc.
Voluntary and Informed consent.
Respondents must willingly participate in research. Researcher must disclose the real purpose of
the research. Informed consent includes the following information.
Purpose of the study

Any unforeseen risks
A guarantee of anonymity and confidentiality
Identification of the researcher

An indication of the number of subjects involved
Benefits and compensation or the lack of them
Use of vulnerable and/or special populations such as children, mentally disabled people, and sick
people etc. permission must be obtained from those who care for these special populations.
Financial Issues and Sponsored Research
Sponsor of a research demands compromise on quality of research to save time and/or money. Sponsors
may demand that research findings be distorted. An ethical research should never accept such
compromise in order to protect their integrity. Unethical conduct also occurs when researchers divert
research funds for other purposes. This affects the quality of research and may yield misleading data.
Dissemination of Findings
A research must not conceal research findings after conclusion of research. Where findings are sensitive,
modalities of releasing results should be agreed on. It is a waste of resources to undertake research only
to hide the findings.
Research Plagiarism and Fraud
Plagiarism is a situation where a researcher refers to another person9s work as theirs without
acknowledging the author. Stealing ideas from another scholar is also considered plagiarism. This is a
crime punishable by law. It erodes the integrity of the victim and has serious professional consequences.
Fraud occurs when a researcher fakes data that has actually not been collected. Fraud also includes
false presentation of research methodology and results. It is a punishable crime.
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RESEARCH METHODS TERMS

Concepts: a concept is a bundle of meaning or characteristics associated with certain events, objects,
conditions or certain situations. Classifying and categorizing objects or events that have common
characteristics beyond the single observation creates concepts. Concepts are acquired through
personal experience. Some concepts are unique to a particular culture and not readily translated into
another. For instance, we might ask respondents for an estimate of their monthly total income. We
might receive confusing answers unless we restrict the concept by specifying the following:
Time period. I.e. weekly, monthly or annually.

Before or after income taxes.
For the head of the family or all family members.
For salary and wages only or also for dividends, interest and capital gains.
Constructs: this is an image or idea specifically invented for a given research or for theory building
purposes. Constructs are built by combining simpler concepts especially when the idea or image we
intend to convey is not directly subject to observation.
Definitions: words may have different meanings to parties involved. An operational definition is a
definition stated in terms of specific testing criteria or operations. These terms must have empirical
references. We must be able to count, measure or gather information through our senses. Whether the
object being defined is physical, e.g. a machine or abstract, e.g. motivation, achievement, the
definition must specify the characteristics to be studies and how they are to be observed. The
specifications and procedures must be clear so that any competent person using them would classify
the objects in the same way.
Variables: a variable is a measurable characteristic that assumes different values among the subjects.
There are 5 types of variables that one is likely to find in a study.
Independent variable (IV): this is the variable the researcher manipulates in order to determine its
influence on another variable. It influences the dependent variable either positively or negatively.
Dependent variable (DV): this variable attempt to indicate the total influence arising from the total
effect of the independent variable.
Moderating Variable (MV): in typical situations and relationships, there is at least one IV and one DV.
For simple relationships, all other variables are considered extraneous and ignored. E.g. in a typical
office, we might be interested in studying the effect of the 4 day work week on the productivity. Our
hypothesis will be: the introduction of the 4 day work week (IV) will lead to higher office productivity
(DV). However, a simple one on one relationship needs revision to take other variables into account.
The MV is the second IV that is included because it is believed to have a significant contributory effect
on the original IV, DV relationship. Our hypothesis is; The introduction of the 4 day work week (IV) will
lead to higher productivity (DV) especially among older workers (MV).
Extraneous Variable (EV): these are at times referred to as confounding variables because they
confound the effect of the IV on the DV. They affect the outcome of a research study, either because
the researcher is not aware of their existence or if the researcher is aware, there is no control for them.
In routine office work (EV control), the introduction of a 4 day work week (IV) will lead to higher
productivity (DV) especially among older workers (MV). For example Teaching methods are the IV,
genes of students (EV) and performance (DV).
Intervening Variables (IVV): this is a conceptual mechanism through which the IV and MV might affect
the DV. It is defined as that factor that theoretically affects the observed phenomenon but cannot be
seen, measured or manipulated. It must be inferred from the effect of the independent MV on the
observed phenomenon. E.g. Introduction of a 4 day work week (IV) will lead to higher productivity (DV)
especially among older workers (MV) by increasing job satisfaction (IVV).
Research Theory: a theory is a systematic explanation of facts. A good theory is simple and free of
jargon and has predictive accuracy. It should also be of importance to the society and discuss current
issues. These are characteristics of an <elegant theory=.
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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
A research proposal is a document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of the
proposed study. It is an outline of the research process that gives a reader a summary of the
researchers9 intention to carry out a study.
It is therefore a detailed work plan on how a research activity will be conducted. The research
proposal is ones way of showing that one has an idea that is of value and can contribute important
knowledge to the specific field. A research proposal is intended to convince the readers that one has a
worthwhile research study and that one has the competence and the work-plan to complete it.
The proposal should have sufficient information to convince readers that one has an important research
idea, that one has a good grasp of the relevant literature and the major issues, and that methodology is
sound. A research proposal should address the following questions:
What one plan to accomplish,

why one want to do it and
How you are going to do
To propose means to state an intention, suggestion. It indicates a researcher9s intention to carry out a
study. A Research proposal is written in future tense since the study has not yet been carried out. A
research study starts with a brief introductory section that narrows down to the specific problem to be
studies.
FORMAT OF A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
A proposal is divided into the following sections
COVER PAGE
PRELIMINARIES
This is the first section of the proposal. However it is the last to be written. It includes the following:
Title page
It is often times referred to as the cover page, this section is where one indicates the title of the research,
name, institutional information . This section includes
The research title

Name and student number
Statement- A research proposal submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of (insert the name of the
Degree) of kenya Methodist University
Month and year of submission
Declaration Page
This includes the declaration by the student and supervisor:
Declaration by student
I declare that this research s proposal is my original work and has not been presented for a degree or any
other award in any other university
Name…………………Signed………………………….Date……………………….
Declaration by university supervisor (s)
This research proposal has been submitted for examination with our approval as university supervisors
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Introduction To Research Methods Notes - KNEC Study Materials, Revision KITS and PAST Papers

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Introduction To Research Methods Notes - KNEC Study Materials, Revision KITS and PAST Papers

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5/6/24, 4:19 AM Introduction TO Research Methods Notes - KNEC Study Materials, Revision …

1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS.

Capture author sur-name.

Kamau,J(2006) Methods of Research OR

Kamau,J(2006) Methods of Research(3rd ed.)Longhorn Publications Nairobi

References; names of authors of books reviewed. Use APA style.

WHY STUDY RESEARCH?/IMPORTANCE/PURPOSE/USES OF RESEARCH STUDY/METHODS.

To generate new knowledge-Through research we open up and acquire advanced knowledge by

6 To make predictions-Information gained through research may be useful to predict a particular

Examples of key issues

9.Research can be undertaken to satisfy an individual curiosity.

10 Research enables control-In scientific research,control is concerned with ability to regulate

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH.

PRIORI METHOD/INTUITION METHOD.

Based on logical reasoning and not mainly on experience.

SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH-SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE.

Experience-Human beings learn through experiences in their own life.

It is also referred to as pure or fundamental research.

Studies done on new teaching programmes in mathematics for secondary schools

Usually descriptive in that it cannot presume (not certain) a cause-and-effect relationship.

Relationship of young and old employees in an organization.

Historical Research (USE OF DOCUMENTS)

Qualitative Research.(Human behaviors and aspects).

THREE METHODS OF COLLECTING QUALITATIVE DATA.

ADVANTAGES OF USING BOTH QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA.

Combining both methods can be expensive (time, energy and money)

HOW DOES RESEARCH BEGIN?/RESEARCH PROBLEM.

CONDITIONS TO BE MET AFTER IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM.

There must be an individual,group or organization to which the problem can be attributed(sample)eg

There must be some objectives to be attained.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE TOPIC SELECTION/POINTS TO OBSERVE WHEN SELECTING A

Senior government officials.

Vice chancellor of a university private or public.

National intelligence service.

Selection of a problem must be pre-decided by a preliminary study.

Avoid the following;

A subject that have been overdone

Too narrow/fake problem

STEPS IN TOPIC SELECTION.

QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE RESEARCH TOPIC.

1. Clear and an un ambiguous.

WHERE TO GET RESEARCH TOPIC FROM/SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS.

Course;lecturers,discussion groups and literature.

Review of related literature-Review of published literature eg textbooks,journals,magazines etc.Other

management research,dissertations and internet.

Social development –social changes and technological changes.

STEPS OF RESEARCH PROCESS.

Formulating research objectives and questions/hypothesis.

To address research problem.

Researcher selects instruments/tools for data collection.Data collection tools include:

Select people who will be in your study as participants.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Purpose of the study

A guarantee of anonymity and confidentiality

Identification of the researcher

Research Plagiarism and Fraud

RESEARCH METHODS TERMS

Time period. I.e. weekly, monthly or annually.

What one plan to accomplish,

The research title

This includes the declaration by the student and supervisor:

Declaration by university supervisor (s)

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