Advanced Research Methods

(TXCA-5013)

Ethiopian Civil Service

University
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
October, 2021 1
 Chapter 1
Introduction to Research
Methods

2
 Points of Focus
• Introduction
• Research Methods & Research
Methodology
• Types of Research
• Why Do We Do Research?
• Research Components
• Steps of the Scientific Research Method
• Criteria for Good Research
• Summary 3
 Question for Reflection

• What do you understand by research?

4
 Introduction
• Research in common word refers to a
search for knowledge.

• Why do you search for knowledge?

5
Introduction…Cont’d
• This is because doubt is often leads to inquiry,
and inquiry leads to invention is the
significance of research can well be
understood.
• All progress is born of inquiry.
• Research is a source of civilization
• Increased amounts of research make
human progress possible.

6
 Introduction…Cont’d
• Research inculcates Scientific approach,
inductive & deductive thinking
• Research provides the basis for nearly all
government policies in our economic
system
• It promote the development of logical
habits of thinking and organization of
ideas

7
• What is a definition of Research?

8
 Introduction…Cont’d
• Meaning of Research
• One can define research as:
• A scientific and systematic search for
pertinent information on a specific topic.
• It is the systematic process of collecting
and analyzing information (data) in order
to increase our understanding of the
phenomenon about which we are
concerned or interested.
9
 Introduction…Cont’d
• Research is a structured enquiry that
utilizes acceptable scientific
methodology to solve problems and
create new knowledge
• Research is an active, diligent &
systematic process of inquiry
• Research is a systematic discover,
interpret or revise facts, events,
behaviors, or theories-to make
practical applications with the help of
such facts, laws or theories.
10
 Introduction…Cont’d
• Research is a systematic, controlled,
empirical, and critical investigation of
phenomena guided by theory and
hypotheses about the presumed relations
among such phenomena.

• It is an objective, impartial, empirical and

logical analysis and recording of controlled
observations that may lead to the
development of new principles or theories. 11
 Introduction…Cont’d
 We can summarize key terms of research
 Systematic: Implies the respect of research rules,
ethics and procedures in data/information collection
and analysis. The application of the scientific method
in the study of problems

 Controlled: the degree to which the observations

are controlled from other factors that influence the
research, or to what extent we have eliminated the
problem of attribution.
12
 Introduction…Cont’d
 Key terms of research…
 Empirical: the ability to distinguish
reality from beliefs, the extent of the
objectivity of the research.

• Critical: it is the way of deciding or

questioning whether a claim is true, false
or partly true or partly false.
13
• What is the d/f b/n Research Methods
& Research Methodology?

14
 Research Methods Vs Research Methodology?

• Research Methods vs Research Methodology

• Research methods (techniques) refer to the
methods the researchers use in performing
research operations.
• Research methods can be put into the following
three groups:
– Those methods related to collection of data;
– Those statistical techniques which are used for
establishing relationships between the data and
unknowns;
– Those methods used to evaluate the accuracy of the
results obtained. 15
 Research Methods Vs Research …Cont’d
• Research Methodology: a science of studying
how research is done scientifically
– RM is concerned with assessing whether a
specific method is relevant to the problem at
hand.
– RM deals with the whole process and all
stages of a research process
– RM refers to the procedures researchers use
to investigate what they believe can be
known, and the rationales behind these
procedures 16
 Research method Vs Research
Methodology
In general, Research methodology concerning
to a problem or study
• Why a research study has been undertaken, how the
research problem has been defined.
• In what way and why the hypothesis has been
formulated.
• what data have been collected and what particular
method has been adopted.
• why particular technique of analyzing data has been
used.
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•Types of Research

18
 Types of Research

• Research can be classified in

different ways.
• The basic types of research are as
follows
• Basic vs. Applied Research
• Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
• Descriptive vs. Analytical
• Conceptual vs. Empirical
19
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
• Basic vs Applied Research
• Basic Research
• It aims to solve problem of a theoretical nature that
have little direct impact on action, performance, or
policy decisions.
• It mainly concerned with generalizations and with the
formulation of the theory.
• It is directed towards finding information that has a
broad base of application and thus, add to the already
existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
• It is focused on to generate a body of knowledge 20
 TYPES OF RESEARCH …Cont’d
• It is the source of most new theories,
principles and ideas.
• It only stimulates new ways of thinking.
• The main motivation is to expand man's
knowledge.
• There is absolutely no commercial value to
the discoveries resulting from such
research.

21
 TYPES OF RESEARCH …Cont’d
• Applied Research
• It is fundamentally based on a need for
specific facts and findings with policy
implications
• It has a practical or problem-solving
emphasis
• It is conducted to reveal answers to
specific questions related to action,
performance, or policy needs. 22
 TYPES OF RESEARCH …Cont’d
• Applied Research….
• The central aim of applied research is to
discover a solution for some pressing
practical problem or Management
problem

•Applied Research done with the intention

of applying the results of the findings to
solve specific problems currently
experienced in organizational setting. 23
 TYPES OF RESEARCH …Cont’d
• Applied research ….Cont’d
– Policy or Practice
– Focus on the outcome/implications of
results
– Evaluation research
• Assess the effectiveness of any business
– Social Impact Assessment

24
 Types of research, Cont’d
•Qualitative vs Quantitative research
Qualitative research: is research dealing
with phenomena that are difficult or impossible
to quantify mathematically, such as beliefs,
meanings, attributes, and symbols
• Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-
depth understanding of human behaviour and
the reasons that govern such behaviour.
• The qualitative method investigates the why
and how of decision making.
25
 Types of research, Cont’d
Advantages
• It enables more complex aspects of a persons
experience to be studied
• Fewer restriction or assumptions are placed on
the data to be collected.
• Not everything can be quantified, or quantified
easily, Individuals can be studied in more depth
• Good for exploratory research and hypothesis
generation
• The participants are able to provide data in their
own words and in their own way
26
 Types of research, Cont’d
Disadvantages
• It is more difficult to determine the validity
and reliability of linguistic data
• There is more subjectivity involved in
analysing the data.
• “Data overload” – open-ended questions can
sometimes create lots of data, which can take
along time to analyse!
• Time consuming
27
 Types of research.... Cont’d
Quantitative Research
•It refers to the systematic empirical investigation
of any phenomena via statistical, mathematical or
computational techniques.

•The objective of quantitative research is to

develop and employ mathematical
models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to
phenomena
28
 Types of research.... Cont’d
Quantitative research is generally made
using scientific methods, which can include:
• The generation of models, theories and
hypotheses
• The development of instruments and methods for
measurement
• Experimental control and manipulation of variables
• Collection of empirical data
• Modelling and analysis of data
• Attempts to expand the limits of knowledge
29
 Types of research.... Cont’d
• Descriptive vs. Analytical
• Descriptive research includes surveys and
fact-finding enquiries of different kinds.
• The major purpose of descriptive research is
description of the state of affairs as it exists at
present
• Analytical research the researcher has to
use facts or information already available, and
analyze these to make a critical evaluation of
the material. 30
 Types of research.... Cont’d
• Conceptual vs. Empirical
• Conceptual research is that related to
some abstract idea(s) or theory.
• It is generally used by philosophers and
thinkers to develop new concepts or to
reinterpret existing ones.
• Empirical research relies on experience or
observation, data of the reality on the ground
31
Why Do We Do Research?

32
 Why Do We Do Research?

• We do research for many reasons

• It is a source of knowledge of the Universe we
are living in
• Any economic progress or societal
development is the result of research
• In general, we can see from different
perspective why we do research

33
Why Do We Do Research? …Cont’d
• As a business:
– Research is the means to solve a given
business problems
– Research is a decision making tool
– Research enhance business competition
– Research can help to avert potential risk
– Research enhances to make investment

34
 Why Do We Do Research? (1)

• Research as a Communication Tool

• Research helps to develop and have critical analysis
and communication skills
– Research is the way to pass new information
to the future generation using scientific and
professional journals.
– Research is the way we enhance our
knowledge
– To have the ability to make quick and
intelligent decision.
35
 Why Do We Do Research? …Cont’d
• Research as a Marketing Instrument
• Create/develop something new (Eg. new
product)
• Cause something particular to happen (Eg. To
increase sales volume)
• Make-sense-of what is happening (Reason
for sales decline)
• Explain what is happening/verify Predict
what will happen` (Sales foecasting)
36
Why Do We Do Research? …Cont’d
• In general research will enhance to
– Discover/Explore
– Describe/Understand
– Explain/Predict or Create Social
Phenomena
• Research is a process of discovery and a
process of knowledge creation.

37
 Why Do We Do Research? …Cont’d
As students/researchers
• Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential benefits.
• To undertake academic assignments in standard
research approach/format
• Desire to face the challenge in solving the
unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical
problems initiates research (your office);
• Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some
creative work;
38
 Why Do We Do Research? …Cont’d
• Desire to be of service to society;
• Desire to get respectability.
• Many more such factors as
– Directives of government
– Employment conditions
– Curiosity about new things
– Desire to understand causal relationships, and
the like may as well motivate people to
perform research operations.
• How can these activities be done? 39
• Research Components

40
 Research Components (1)
• Before starting the details of research
methodology and techniques, it is appropriate to
present a brief overview of the research process.

• Research process consists of series of actions or

steps necessary to effectively carry out research

• Standard research will have five chapters

41
 Research Components (2)
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Related Literature Review
• Chapter 3: Research Methodology
• Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Findings
• Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation

42
 Research Components (3)
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Background of the Study
• Problem Statement
• Guiding Research Questions/hypothesis
• Objectives
• Significance of the study:
– Expected contribution to knowledge
– Relevance to present day socio-economic needs
– Other expected results.
• Scope of the study
• Limitations of the study
• Definition of key terms
• Organization of th study
43
 Research Components (4)
• Chapter Two: Related Literature Review,
Conceptualization and operationalization of
variables
– Introduction
– Theoretical literature
– Empirical Evidences
– Related research and gaps
– conceptual framework

44
 Research Components (5)
• Chapter Three: Research Design/Methodology
• Research Design
• Research Approach
• Define the research variables
• Type of data and data sources
• Target population/Sampling frame
• Sample size
• Sampling Techniques
• Method of data collection
• Validity and Reliability
• Method of data analysis
45
• Ethical Consideration
 Research Components (6)
• Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Findings
– Data analysis and findings as per your research
questions or hypothesis
– Presentation of data
– Discussion and analysis of Data
– Identifying the findings
– Support your finding with the existing
knowledge
– All research questions should be answered
– Summary of findings
46
 Research Components (7)
• Chapter five: Conclusion and Recommendation
– Summary of Major Findings
• It should be organized in line of guiding
research questions
– Conclusion
• Conclusion should be made in line to your
major findings
– Recommendation
• In light of conclusion recommendation
should be provided 47
 Research Components (8)
• Further research
– There are many incidents which can
lead to further research or which can
give full picture for the issue under
consideration.
• References
• Annexes

48
• Steps of the Scientific Method

49
 Steps in Conducting Research
• Before embarking on the details of research
methodology and techniques, it is appropriate to
present a brief overview of the research process.
• Research process consists of series of actions or
steps necessary to effectively carry out research
• These steps guide the research process
• Importance of specific steps is variable
• Suggestive 12 Steps of Research

50
 12 Steps of Research
1. Topic Selection
2. Formulating the research problem
3. Extensive literature survey
4. Developing the research questions/hypothesis
5. Preparing the research design
6. Determining sample design
7. Collecting the data
8. Execution of the project
9. Analysis of data
10.Hypothesis testing
11.Generalizations and interpretation
12.Preparation of the report or presentation of the
51
The Research Problem Formulation
• Research problem formulation is a
cornerstone of any research
• The foundation of the research process
• It all begins with a problem formulation

52
 Finding a Research problem
• From where ???????
– Managerial problem
– Curiosity
– Information Gaps
– Controversy
– Replication
– Literature Review
– Other People
– ...???
53
 Types of Research Questions
• Conceptualize that a research study can ask
three types of questions:
– Descriptive question
– Relationship question
– Difference question
• This general classification scheme helps not
only with the design of the study, but also in
choosing the type of data analysis procedure

54
 Types of Research Questions….
• Descriptive Question
• Seeks to describe phenomena or characteristics
of a particular group of subjects being studied
– Answers the question “what is”
• Asking questions of the research participants
• Testing or measuring their performance
– Survey research
• Example
– What are the attitudes of rural parents toward the
inclusion of sexuality education in the school
curriculum? 55
 Types of Research Questions….
• Relationship Question
• Investigates the degree to which two or more
variables are associated with each other
– Does not establish “cause-and-effect”
– Only identifies extent of relationship between
variables
• Example
– Is there an association between academic
performance and sex?
56
Types of Research Questions….
• Difference Question
• Seeks to make comparisons between or within
groups of interest
– Often associated with experimental research
• Is there a difference between the control group
and the experimental group?
– Comparison of one group to another on the
basis of existing characteristics
• Example
– Does the use of fertilizers have any
significant impact on productivity of
farmers? 57
• What are the factors to be considered
in selection of research question/
research title?

58
Criteria for Selection of a Problem
• Interest
– Most important
• Significance
– Theoretical value
– Practical value
– Timeliness
• Manageability
– Expertise, time, resources
– Free from personal bias

59
• Qualities/Criteria for good research

60
Qualities/Criteria for good research
1. Purposiveness: The purpose or the problem, the
scope and limitations of the work should be
clearly defined.
2. Rigor: means carefulness, thoroughness and the
degree of exactitude in research.
– Requires good theoretical base and thought out
methodology.
– Requires collecting the right kind of
information from an appropriate sample with
the minimum degree of bias and facilitate
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suitable analysis of the data gathered.
Criteria for good research..Cont’d
3. Testability: Concepts need to be
operationalized in a way that enables facts to be
measured quantitatively
• Important to explain causal relationship
between variables
– ex. Commitment and participation in
decision making
– After a researcher develops hypothesis on
how employee commitment can be
enhanced, then these can be tested by
applying certain statistical tests to the data
collected for the purpose.
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 Criteria for good research..Cont’d
4. Replicability: the reuse of findings
again if similar circumstances prevails.
• Example: The study concludes that
participation in decision making is
one of the most important factors
that influences the commitment,
we will place more faith and
credence in these finding and apply
in similar situations.
63
Qualities/Criteria for good research
5. Precision and Confidence:
• Precision: It reflects the degree of accuracy
and exactitude of the results of the sample.

• Confidence: refers to the probability that our

estimations are correct. E.g. claiming that 95%
of the time our results would be true and there
is only a 5% chance of our being wrong.

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Qualities/Criteria for good research
6.Objectivity: The conclusions drawn through the
interpretation of the results of data analysis
should be:
– based on the facts of the findings
– derived from actual data, and not on our
subjective or emotional values.
• Example: If we had a hypothesis that states
“greater participation in decision making will
increase organizational commitment and this
was not supported by the results”, it makes no
sense if the researcher continues to argue that
increased opportunities for employee
participation would still help!
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Qualities/Criteria for good research
7. Generalizability: It refers to the scope of
applicability of the research findings in one
organization setting to other settings.
• Example: If a researcher finds that participation
in decision making enhances organizational
commitment and the findings are to be true in a
variety of manufacturing, industrial and service
organizations, and not only in the particular
organization studied by the researcher, then the
generalizability of the findings to other
organizational settings is enhanced.
• The more generalizable the research, the
greater its usefulness and value.
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 Qualities/Criteria for good research

8.Simplicity

• Simplicity in explaining the phenomenon or

problems that occur, and in generating
solutions for the problems, is always preferred
to complex research frameworks that consider
an unmanageable number of factors.

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 Qualities/Criteria for good research

• Simplicities…...Cont’d

• For instance, if 2-3 specific variables in the

work situation are identified to change and
raise the organizational commitment of the
employees by 45%, that would be more useful
and valuable to the manager than if it were
recommended that he should change 10
different variables to increase organizational
commitment by 48%. 68
 Summary
• All progress is born of inquiry.
• Research leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to
invention
• Research is scientific way of acquiring
knowledge, solving a given problem or
generating of new knowledge for social
advancement
• Systematic approach will lead to valid
conclusion
• Understanding the system of research will
enhance the advancement of a society 69
 Summary ….Cont’d
• Introduction
• Types of Research
• Why Do We Do Research?
• Research Components
• Steps of the Scientific Methods
• Criteria for Good Research

70
“The End of Chapter One”

71