Research Methods

Prof. Dr. Azra Parveen Azad

 Research
• The study of materials and sources in order to
establish facts and reach near conclusions
• Science seeks the truth in an objective, rational
manner through a process of controlling
inquiry.
• The guiding impulse of science is Curiosity
and the beginning point is a question for which
an answer is sought.
 Data Requirements

• Data are used in land use planning to provide

information about basic distribution and about
relationship.
 Data Requirements

For example,
• In investigating employment, a land use planner will
want data about the location of places of employment,
• also about how they relate to the location of the
homes of the employees.
• for data – explicit emphasis – indicators
 Types of Data
 Primary Data
Data are either gathered specifically by the
intermediate user.

 Secondary Data
obtained at one removes.
 DATA GENERATION BY SURVEY
RESEARCH
The term “survey” is given to the systematic collection of data
In many Research Problems the necessary data may not be visible and
therefore cannot be mapped in the field.
For example
• in an agriculture study, the Researcher must gather information
concerning.
• The marketing of products.
• Rotation of crop.
• Types and amount of fertilization.
• Labor requirement.
For these data the researchers employs Survey research Techniques seeking.
• Reliable, Precise, and Accurate data.
 Survey

1. Complete coverage of units

2. Surveys where a sample is considered

sufficient.
 Sample

• A sample is a small subset of the population

that has been chosen to be studied. The sample
should represent the population and have
sufficient size.
 Population
• Population consists of the totality of the
observations with which we are concerned
whether their number be finite or infinite.
• In past population referred to observation
obtained from statistical studies involving
people.
• Today, whether it be groups of people, animals
or objects (relevant to anything of interest).
 Sampling
The details of sampling methods are complex
• - If the survey aims to be statistically valid careful procedures must be
followed to avoid
• bias
• - It may be decided to stratify the sample – that is, select from several
known different categories of the units to be sampled
(for example Age group in people)
• Or to weight it – pay more attention to part of the sample than would be
obtained on a strictly Randomly Basis (if school – age children were of
some particular relevance, say)
• Whatever the sample may be designed to achieve, it must be randomly
obtained.
• (An introduction to town Planning Techniques)
• by Margaret Roberts
 DATA GENERATION BY SURVEY
RESEARCH
Achieving accurate data from Survey research is a
major challenge for a number of reasons. The
researcher must try to control several potential
problems:
• The survey respondents may not provide accurate
information.
• There may be a flawed sample and/or a flawed
survey sample.
• human error, such as a recording error, can occur.
 Errors
Example of these errors includes:
• The interviewee does not understand a question and provides
erroneous information (questionnaire design problem).
• The survey did not reach a representative sample population
(sampling design problem).
• The person interviewed intentionally provides misleading
information.
• The language of a survey leads the respondent to give (or
withhold) a particular answer (survey design problem)
• The interviewer may not comprehend the respondent’s answer
and records it inaccurately (human error).
 Accuracy of Information
The accuracy of the information acquired by the survey
research process is dependent upon:
• The sampling procedure, if everyone in the study
area is not to be surveyed.
• The structure and design of the questionnaire.
• The way in which the questionnaire is
administrated.
• The way the responses are recorded, compiled and
tabulated.
 determinants of accuracy

• Weather instruments alidades, campuses,

maps, computers and drafting instruments.
• Scientific research is the gathering of data on
which scientific truths are based.
• It is a logical and systematic sequence of
related step.
 Order of Stages

The order of these steps or stages is:

– The collection of data
– Evaluation of the data
– Analysis of the data
– Prediction based on the analysis
 Aims of Research
Ultimate aim of scientific research is:
• To build theory as a basis of understanding
and prediction (model development).
• Some research (explanatory nature) does not
predict but rather obtain basic new
information.
• Geographic Techniques are employed in all
stages of the Research process.