RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

The Research Process

IDENTIFY THE STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS
1. BROAD PROBLEM AREA :

After identification of the broad problem area

through the process of observation and
focusing on the situation we need to be
narrowed down to a specific problem statement
after some preliminary information (interviews
and literature research) is gathered by the
researcher.
2. PRELIMINARY
INFORMATION GATHERING :
A) Data sources :
1. Primary data sources ( it is that information’s
that the researcher obtain it by himself by ,talking ,
observing, and administrating
questionnaires )
2. Secondary data sources ( it is that information’s that
already existed and the researcher has no role in
obtaining it but he read it and take what he need from it)
2. PRELIMINARY
INFORMATION GATHERING :
B) Data nature :
Unstructured interviews, structured interviews, and a review
through existing sources of information will help us to
narrow the broad problem area and to define a specific
problem
statement.
In some cases there are variables that are not identified
during the interviews but influence the problem critically,
then research done without considering them is an exercise
in futility, in such case the true reason for the problem will
remain unidentified even at the end of the research, to avoid
such possibilities the researcher needs to delve into all the
important research relating to the particularproblem area.
2. PRELIMINARY
INFORMATION GATHERING :
Collection of information’s about the following factors to
stand on the real issues instead of working only on the
surface symptoms
a) Contextual factors ( background information of the
organization )
b) Structural factors ( philosophy, policies, goals,system
structure, reward system )
c) Attitudinal factors ( information’s about believes and
reactions the members of organization about certain subjects
like , nature of the work, reward system , opportunities )
d) Behavioral factors (actual work habits )
3. LITERATURE REVIEW :

The literature review helps the researcher to develop a

good problem statement; it ensures that no important
variable is overlooked in the process of defining the
problem
Sometimes the investigator might spend considerable
time and effort in “discovering” something that has
already been thoroughly researched. A Literature
review would prevent such a waste of resources in
reinventing the wheel.
CONDUCTING THE LITERATURE
REVIEW 1-4
1- Data sources
(You will need to use a combination of information
resources the precise combination of resources depend
on the nature and the objectives of your research
project this combination come from information’s
from text books, journals, theses, conference
proceedings, unpublished manuscripts, reports,
newspapers, the internet.
CONDUCTING THE LITERATURE
REVIEW 2-4
2- Searching for literature
In past go through several bibliographical indexes but
now by computer online systems (locating sources to
locate and printout the published information)

Internet online searching directories (subject, title,

geographical location, trade opportunities, industrial
plants, foreign traders, data bases)
CONDUCTING THE LITERATURE
REVIEW 3-4
3- Evaluating the literature

Accessing the online system and searching for

literature in the area of interest will provide a
comprehensive bibliography on the subject.
CONDUCTING THE LITERATURE
REVIEW 4-4
4- Documenting the literature review is important to
convince the reader that

The researcher is knowledgeable about the problem

area and has done the preliminary homework that is
necessary to conduct the research

The theoretical framework will be structured on work

already done and will add to the solid foundation of
existing knowledge.
STATE RESEARCH PROBLEMS CLEARLY AND
PRECISELY
WHAT IS PROBLEM?

The definition of problem is any situation where

a gap exists between the actual and the desired
ideal states.
Example: training program is not as
effective as anticipated
DEFINING THE PROBLEM
STATEMENT
 There are three key criteria to assess the quality of the
problem statement: it should be relevant, feasible, and
interesting.

 It is very important that symptoms of problems are

not defined as the real problem

 When you have defined the problem statement you

are ready to start your research first however you need
to communicate the problem statement and a number
of other important frame and the budget
WRITE A LITERATURE REVIEW ON ANY GIVEN
TOPIC AND DOCUMENTATING THE REFERENCES IN
THE PRESCRIBED MANNER
FORMAT FOR REFERENCING
RELEVANT ARTILES
A distinction has to be made between bibliography and
references
A bibiliography is the isting of the work that is relevant
to the main topic of research arranged in alphabetical
order of the last names of the authors

 A reference list is a subset of bibliography, which

includes details of all the citations used in the literature
survey and elsewhere. Rearranged according to
alphabetical order.
REFERENCING AND CITATION

These citation have the goals of crediting the author and

enabling the reader to find the works cited .

Cite all references in the body of the paper using the

author-year method of citations; that is, the surname of
the author(s) and the year of publication are given at the
appropriate places
Example:
a) In 1997, Kyle compared dual-career and dual earne ….
b) In recent studies of dual-career families (Hunt, 1999;
Osborn, 1998) it has been….
IDENTIFY AND LABEL VARIABLES ASSOCIATED
WITH ANY GIVEN SITUATION
VARIABLES:

 A variable is anything that can take on differing or

varying values.

 Examples of variables are: production units,

absentieesm and motivation.
TYPES OF VARIABLES : 1-4

1- Dependent variable
The dependent variable is the variable of primary
interest to the researcher. Through the analysis of the
dependent variable is possible to find answers or
solutions to the problem
TYPES OF VARIABLES : 2-4

2- Independent variable
The independent variable is generally conjectured that
an independent variable is one that influences the
independent variable in either a positive or negative way.
That is, when the independent variable is present, the
dependent variable is also present, and with each unit of
increase in the independent variable, there is an
increase or decrease in the dependent variable.
TYPES OF VARIABLES : 3-4

3- Moderating variable
The moderating variable is the presence of a third
variable that modifies the relationship between the
independent and the dependent variables.
TYPES OF VARIABLES : 4-4

4- Mediating variable
The mediating variable is one that surfaces between the
time the independent variable start operating to
influence the dependent variable and the time their
impact is felt on it. The Mediating variable surfaces as a
function of the independent variable operating in any
situation, and helps to conceptualize and explain the
influence of the independent variable on the dependent
variable.
LO5 ABLE TO ESTABLISH THE LINKS AMONG THE
VARIABLES AND EVOLVE A THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
• The theoretical framework is the foundation on which the
entire research project is based.
• Variables are relevant to the problem situation and
identified through; interviews, observations and literature
review.
• Experience and intuition also guide the development of
theoretical framework after identifying the appropriate
variable, the next step is to elaborate the network of
associations among the variables, so that relevant
hypotheses can be developed and subsequently tested.
• Based on the results of hypothesis testing the extend to
which the problem can be solved becomes evident.
THE NEED FOR A
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
 A theoretical framework is the foundation of
hypothetico-deductive research.

 Represents your believes on how certain phenomena

are related to each other.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
• Represents and elaborates the relationship among the
variables. Explains the theory underlying these relations.
Describes the nature and direction of the relationships.
BASIC FEATURES IN ANY
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK:
• The variables considered relevant to the study should be
clearly defined.
• A conceptual model that describes the relationships
between the variables in the model should be given.
• There should be a clear explanation of why we expect
these relationships to exist.

Both a schematic diagram of the conceptual model and a

description of the relationships between the variables in
words should be given, so that the reader can see and easily
comprehend the theorized relationships.
THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
INCLUDES:
Introducing definitions of the concept or variable in
your model.

Developing a conceptual model that provides a

descriptive representation of your theory

Coming up with a theory that provides an explanation

for relationships between the variable in your model.
DEVELOP A SET OF HYPOTHESES TO BE TESTED AND
STATE THEM IN THE NULL AND THE ALTERNATE
HYPOTHESIS DEVELOPMENT
• Hypothesis can be defined as logically conjectured
relationships between two or more variables expressed in
the form of testable statement.

• By testing the hypothesis and confirming the conjectured

relationships, it is expected that solutions can be found to
correct the problem in countered.
STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS :
FORMATS 1-3
1- If-Then statement
To examine whether or not the conjectured relationship or
differences exist, this hypothesis can be set either
propositions or in the form of If-Then statement.

Example:
IF the employees are more healthy, THEN they will take sick
leave less frequently.
STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS :
FORMATS 2-3
2- Directional and non directional hypothesis
If, instating the relationship between two variables or
comparing two groups, terms such as positive, negative,
more then, less then, and the like are used, then these are:
Directional hypothesis because the direction of the
relationship between the variables ( positive – negative) is
indicated.
STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS :
FORMATS 2-3
Example:
The greater the stress experienced in the job, the lower the
job satisfaction of employees. Non directional hypothesis
there is a significant relationship between two variables, we
may not be able to say whether the relationship is positive
or negative.

Example:
There is a relationship between age and job satisfaction.
STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS :
FORMATS 3-3
3- Null and alternate hypothesis
Null hypothesis may state that the correlation between two
variables is equal to zero.
The null statement is expressed in terms of there being no
relationship between two variables.
The alternate hypothesis, whish is the opposite of the null,
is a statement expressing a relationship between two
STEPS IN HYPOTHESIS

The steps to be followed in hypothesis testing are:

1. State the null and the alternate hypothesis.

2. Choose the appropriate statistical test depending on

whether the data collected are parametric or non
parametric.