Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction of Research
Introduction of Research
Introduction of Research
2
• I was born on 21 June 1973. Like most people, I don’t
remember anything about the first few years of life and like
most children I did go through a phase of driving my parents
mad by asking ‘Why?’ every five seconds. ‘Dad, why is the sky
blue?’, ‘Dad, why doesn’t mummy have a willy?’ etc. Children
are naturally curious about the world.
I remember at the age of 3 being at a party of my friend Obe
(this was just before he left England to return to Nigeria, much
to my distress). It was a hot day, and there was an electric fan
blowing cold air around the room. As I said, children are natural
scientists and my little scientific brain was working through what
seemed like a particularly pressing question: ‘What happens
when you stick your finger into a fan?’
The answer, as it turned out, was that it hurts –a lot.1 My point
is this: my curiosity to explain the world never went away, and
that’s why
3
• The answer, as it turned out, was that it hurts –a
lot.1 My point is this: my curiosity to explain the
world never went away, and that’s why I’m a
scientist, and that’s also why your evil lecturer is
forcing you to learn statistics.
It’s because you have a curious mind too and you
want to answer new and exciting questions. To
answer these questions we need statistics. Statistics
is a bit like sticking your finger into a revolving fan
blade: sometimes it’s very painful, but it does give
you the power to answer interesting questions. This
chapter is going to attempt to explain why statistics
are an important part of doing research.
4
We will overview the whole research process, from why we
conduct research in the first place, through how theories are
generated, to why we need data to test these theories. If that
doesn’t convince you to read on then maybe the fact that we
discover whether Coca-Cola kills sperm will. Or perhaps not.
5
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
7
• Research is done with the help of study,
experiment, observation, analysis, comparison and
reasoning.
• For example, we know that cigarette smoking is injurious to
health;
heroine is addictive;
cow dung is a useful source of biogas;
malaria is due to the virus protozoan plasmodium;
AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) is due to the
virus HIV (Human Immuno Deficiency Virus).
9
Meaning of Research: Research is not a option-It is essential for
survival and Growth
• Search means to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, to probe.
search for new knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, or for the
10
Contd…
11
Objectives of Research
To seek insight into a observed phenomena and explain its logic and
To help the mankind in solving the problems faced from time to time for
ticketing
To explore the possibility and methodologies of doing things which have not
Test or challenge existing beliefs, notions etc which have not been
empirically proved so far with flux of time and need to be tested again for
creativity
13
Importance of Research methodology
• Research is important for you in every walk of life…. No
matter what career or profession you choose for
yourself.
• No one best way for undertaking all research. Rather
you will be aware of the choices you will have to make
and how these will impact upon what you can find out.
• Various research philosophies and approaches to
reasoning, explored a range of strategies , techniques
and procedures with which you could tackle your
research project.
• Learning Research methodology makes you able to
make a series of informed choices including your
research philosophy, approaches to reasoning , explored
a range of strategies that are most suitable to your own
research and be able to justify them.
14
What is not a Research?
• William (2011) argues that many of these everyday uses of
the term “Research” are not research in the true meaning
of the word. As part of this, he highlights ways in which the
term is used wrongly :
15
What Research is?
• Research has a number of Characteristics :
Data are collected systematically.
Data are interpreted systematically.
There is a clear purpose : Goals.
Thereby increasing their knowledge.
Two phrases are important in this definition systematic way and
Goals.
Suggest that research is based on logical relationships and not
just beliefs.
Proper explanation of the method or methods used to collect the
data.
Why the results obtained are meaningful and explain why
limitations that are associated with them.
16
Business Research Methods
Business researchers systematically collect, compile,
analyze, and interpret data to provide quality information
based on which a decision maker will be able to take a
decision in an optimum manner.
Conducting research to deal with any problem is a scientific,
systematic, and interlinked exercise, which requires sound
experience and knowledge.
17
Role and Functions of A Researcher
18
2.Ethical Principles- Researchers are responsible for conducting
research in accordance with the ethical principals outlined in the
Belmont Report. These principals are the fundamental ethical
principals upon which human subject protections are based and
they are as follows:-
19
4. Researchers have a responsibility to communicate their
research, to collaborate with others where appropriate and to
transfer and exploit knowledge for the benefit of your employer,
the economy and society as a whole. Researchers have a
responsibility to behave honestly and ethically in the course of
their research.
20
Typically the researcher is expected to:
21
comply with reporting procedures and inform supervisors of the
progress of your research
tell supervisors about difficulties you encounter in your work
arrange for informal sharing of information and practice
generate your own ideas
set realistic deadlines
ask when you don't understand
decide when to submit the thesis and ensure that it is submitted
on time
Ensure that the thesis complies with regulations.
22
23
Difference between Basic and Applied Research
24
Which of these can be classified as research?
[1] Samad prepared a paper on “computer usage in
secondary schools” after reviewing literature on the
subject available in his university library.
[2] Manoj says that he has researched and completed a
document which gives information about the age of his
students, their results, their parents income and
distance of their schools from the District Office.
[3] Kim participated in a workshop on curriculum
development and prepared what he calls, a report on
the curriculum for Engineers.
25
None of the above examples can be classified under the name
research.
27
Business Research methods :
A decision making tool in the hands of Management
28
1. Problem or opportunity identification
29
2.Diagnosing the Problem or Opportunity
30
3. Executing Business Research to Explore the Situation
31
4. Implement Present Solution
32
5.Evaluate the effectiveness of Decision Making
33
UNIT of Analysis
34
Identifying your units of analysis is an important part of the
research process. Once you have identified a research question,
you will have to select your units of analysis as part of the process
of deciding on a research method and how you will operationalize
that method. Let's review the most common units of analysis and
why a researcher might choose to study them.
35
Individuals:
36
Groups
37
for example:
38
Organizations
Organizations differ from groups in that they are considered
more formal and, well, organized ways of collecting people
together around specific goals and norms.
Organizations take many forms, including corporations, religious
congregations and whole systems like the Catholic Church,
judicial systems, police departments, and social movements, for
example.
Social scientists who study organizations might be interested in,
for example, how corporations like Apple, Amazon, and
Walmart impact various aspects of social and economic life, like
how we shop and what we shop for, and what work conditions
have become normal and/or problematic within the U.S. labor
market. 39
Cultural Artifacts
Sociologists know that we can learn a lot about our society and
ourselves by studying the things that we create, which is why
many of us cultural artifacts.
Cultural artifacts are all the things that are created by humans,
including the built environment, furniture, technological devices,
clothing, art and music, advertising and language--the list is truly
endless.
40
Sociologists who study cultural artifacts might be interested in
understanding what a new trend in clothing, art, or music reveals
about the contemporary values and norms of the society that
produces it and those who consume it, or they might be
interested in understanding how advertising might impact norms
and behavior, especially in terms of gender and sexuality, which
has long been fertile ground for social science research.
41
So you have decided to do Research ?
Do you know?
42
QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCHER
1.In Social Science including Social Work, most of
the time research is done for vulnerable and
oppressed groups. Therefore it is very important
that you have a sense of respect for them. Learn to
Respect People (subjects).
2. Free yourself from biasness.
3.Be a good reader. Read lot of relevant literature
related to your research interest topic.
43
4.Have a good understanding of Research
Methodology.
44
Research Process
45
46
47
Research Terms and Definitions
49
Constructs are created and used for a wide variety of reasons,
but generally, have 2 common characteristics.
50
Types of Construct
51
ATTRIBUTE AND VARIABLE
52
Types of Variables
53
• Qualitative or Categorical variables: Qualitative variables are
also known as discrete variables can be further classified as
being nominal and ordinal variables. Each of these types of
categorical variables are given to have what are known as
categories or levels.
54
Nominal variables do not have an intrinsic order, ie.
Nominal variables can not be ranked from lowest to highest
or vice versa.
For example: Blood Group- O, A, B, AB.
Ordinal Variables: Ordinal variables have two or more
categories similar to the normal variables. However , unlike
nominal variables, ordinal variables can also be ordered or
ranked. (i.e. in increasing and decreasing order of responses).
In case of increasing order, second response carries more
weight or attribute then first, third response carries more
attribute or weight than second and so on.
For e.g. In your opinion, to what extent internships are
important for getting a campus placement?
Based on 5-point Likert scale of 1= Strongly agree, 2=
agree,3=neither agree nor disagree, 4= disagree, 5= strongly
disagree
55
• Quantitative or Continuous variables : Quantitative or
Continuous variables have numerical properties. These
numerical properties are the values by which continuous
variables can be measured, manipulated and / or controlled.
These can be further classified as Interval and Ratio variables.
56
Ratio Variables : Ratio Variables are variables that meet the
condition that a measurement value of 0 (zero) means that
there is none of that variable. For example- Height, mass,
weight, etc. zero kg means no weight.
57
• On the basis of role played in research-
Dependent
Independent
Moderating
Intervening
Extraneous
Manifest and Latent
Dummy
58
1. Dependent Variable- A dependent variable is a variable
whose value depends upon independent variable s. The
dependent variable is what is being measured in an
experiment or evaluated in a mathematical equation. The
dependent variable is sometimes called "the outcome
variable.“
2. Independent Variable- The independent variable is the
variable the experimenter manipulates (i.e. changes) –
assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.
59
• Intervening Variable- An intervening variable is one whose
occurrence would follow the independent variable and precede the
dependent variable.
60
• Dummy Variables: A dummy variable ( also known as an
indicator variable, design variable, Boolean indicator, binary
variable, or qualitative variable) is one that take either value 0
or 1. Value 0 indicates the absence and value 1 indicates the
presence of some categorical effect that may be expected to
shift the outcome.
61
• Hypothesis : A hypothesis is a tentative generalization, the
validity of which remains to be tested . In its most
elementary stage hypothesis may be every hunch, guess,
imaginative data, which becomes basis for action or
investigation”.
62
63