Professional Documents
Culture Documents
RMD 557 - For Social Science
RMD 557 - For Social Science
RMD 557 - For Social Science
FIRST SEGMENT
INTRODUCTION
This is a comprehensive and an intensive forty-two hour in-class interaction aimed at orienting students to the basic knowledge related to Research Methods for the Social Sciences.
CPE 6143
The module is administered over fourteen weeks @ three hours - total 42 hours. THREE TESTS THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER
First test (after three weeks) Second test (after eight weeks) Final Assignment (after twelve weeks)
Which is the best buy for the money you can afford. (this might entail reading Housing Journals, magazines, ask friends, going round housing areas, etc. If you did such a survey thoroughly, you would have all the information that will help you to decide what house to buy. However, the research you have carried out would never be able to tell you precisely which house to buy. All it can is to put you in a position where you can make an informed judgement - but it is certainly helpful to you. Much of our daily decision making is based on this kind of FINDING OUT research. The research is WHAT HOUSE TO BUY? We would have to decide what information is needed, how it can be collected, what factors are relevant, and how the information can be used.
IMPORTANT The above example is known as PERSONAL RESEARCH because for most part, it is unlikely that you would have to tell other people about them. This is because it is a them. PERSONAL QUESTION. QUESTION.
Professional Research is carried out in a broader and more public context and so is expected to conform to standards which are understood and recognised by others in the professional field. field. Professional Research is characterised by being rigorous and systematic, persued through the use of appropriate research methods. The outcomes of professional research culminates in a report to some kind, which also needs to conform to accepted standards.
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IDENTIFICATION OF A PROBLEM (Problem of some sort - unexplained affair - disrupts the normal state of affair). DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM (What is the actual problem - try to be specific). specific). FORMULATION OF HYPOTHESES (Guess any possible cause(s) of the problem). problem). TEST THE HYPOTHESES FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
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are different research methodologies which can be adopted to address different kinds of research questions. method consists of a number of different stages, all of which are followed through systematically.
Each
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Describes an area of research resulting in a product or products, such as paintings, musical compositions, teaching packs or pieces of furniture. The report takes a variety of forms:
1.1 The title, which is a summary description of the topic pursued. 1.2 The purpose of the enquiry, that is the problematic issue which the research is directed to examine. 1.3 The methodology adopted 1.4 The success and significance of the outcomes
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2.0 EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 3.0 ACTION RESEARCH 4.0 HISTORICAL RESEARCH 5.0 PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH 6.0 DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
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DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
Descriptive research sets out to seek accurate and adequate description of activities, objects, processes, and persons. Stages in descriptive research.
Examine the problematic situation. State the hypotheses. Select appropriate subject and source materials. Define data collection technique. Collect data. Analyze data. Derive the findings, conclusions and recommendations. Write the report.
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Causal-Comparative studies : These are studies set out to determine the relationship which exists between different factors. Eg; the level of smoking and health failure. Correlational Studies: Correlations are statistical relationship based on quantitative measures on two or more parameters. Eg: Data acquired from a sample of smokers, it may be found that frequency of smoking correlate with personality factors.
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Case studies : Case studies are in-depth studies of particular events or situations or even people, objects and procedures. Eg. Traffic accidents during festive seasons.
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Developmental Studies: Development may be describes as change which is assumed to occur over time as a sequence over factors, such as growth, decay, maturation, education and experience. Two main kinds of Developmental Studies:
Longitudinal Studies refer to one in which some subjects or phenomena are studied over a period of time. Cross-sectional Studies are comparisons of subjects at different stages of their development.
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SECOND SEGMENT
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NOTE: MAKE SURE TO DEFINE THE PROBLEM CLEARLY AND CORRECTLY. DO NOT SIMPLY DO A RESEARCH WITHOUT DEFINING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM(S).
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A RESEARCH MODEL
DEFINE THE PROBLEM Choose a topic for research REVIEW THE LITERATURE Become familiar with existing theory and research on the subject FORMULATE A HYPOTHESIS State the problem as a testable hypothesis and construct operational definitions of variables CHOOSE A RESEARCH DESIGN Select one or more research method: experiment, survey, observational study, or use existing sources COLLECT THE DATA Collect and record information in accordance with the research design ANALYZE THE RESULTS Arrange the information in orderly form and interpret the Findings, Confirm, Reject, or Modify the Hypothesis DRAW A CONCLUSION Discuss the significance of the findings relating then to existing theory and research and defining problems for future research
THIS CHART SHOWS THE SEVEN BASIC STEPS THAT A RESEARCHER MIGHT FOLLOW IN ANY RESEARCH PROJECT
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1.1 Related work is any research work done by other people before you, which you perceive has some relevancy to the research you intend to carry out. 1.2 Related literature is any book, journal, magazines, tabloids, or even newspapers in which you could refer when carrying out your research.
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2.1 Act as catalyst to your research. Related research and literature facilitate new idea that enhances writing. 2.2 RR / RL facilitate research because they provide some guidance on how to carry out your own research work. 2.3 RR/ RL as cosmetic to your research. The presence of RR / RL illustrate of wide reading by the researcher.
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3.1 Read carefully, try to understand in depth, analyze part by part and explore the angle that your could approach your research. 3.2 Summarize the whole context of the research / literature first, then summarize the particular aspect that your area of research could refer. 3.3 Think how to approach your own writing. Any reference made from this RR / RL must be appropriately acknowledged.
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4.1 Get five related research & related literature, summarize each research or literature but only the particular aspect which is relevant to your area of research. 4.2 Each related research or literature must be in its original idea. You should not give any comment whatsoever on each piece of work that you have selected for reference. 4.3 Arrange separately in your main text of the dissertation which appear as Chapter 2.
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THIRD SEGMENT
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COLLECT DATA
Decide what data to collect. (Refer to the Proposal). Decide what instrument (s) to use. Decide the approach (es) to collect data. Determine the primary & secondary data. Arrange data based on their importance.
(The second through the fifth bullet has been decided in the Methodology)
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DATA
REFERS TO THE KINDS OF INFORMATION RESEARCHS OBTAIN ON THE SUBJECTS THEIR RESEARCH
Scores from a Researcher prepared tests Essay written by respondents, Grade-point average obtained From school records
ALL THESE CONSTITUTE VARIOUS KINDS OF DATA THAT RESEARCHERS MIGHT WANT TO COLLECT AS PART OF A RESEARCH INVESTIGATION 33
To further illustrate the differences in meaning take the Malay Film LENJAN as an example. If someone ask you about the theme of the film, example. the plot, the characters and the message, these he requires data qualitative in nature. However, if he asks you how many times you saw the nature. film then this is a data quantitative in nature. nature.
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INSTRUMENTS
Any device / material that the researcher uses to collect data throughout his research is called instrument(s). Among these instruments are questionnaire, interview questions, rating scales, test scores, laboratory equipments, and writing materials. It is rather impossible to carry out a research without the required instruments.
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INSTRUMENTATION
The whole process of collecting data is called instrumentation. Instrumentation involves not only the selection or the design of the instruments but also the conditions under which the instruments will be administered. (Please refer to the chart below).
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INSTRUMENTATION(continued)
LOCATION Where data is collected? Is it in the classrooms, homes, road-sides or super markets.
INSTRUMENTATION
DATE / TIME When data is collected? Is it in the morning, Afternoon or School holidays.
FREQUENCY How frequent data is Collected - every day, Or every alternate days.
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SAMPLING METHOD
RANDOM SAMPLING
FOUR TYPES OF RS
Simple Random Sampling Systematic Random Sampling Stratified Random Sampling Cluster Random Sampling
SAMPLING METHOD
TWO APPROACHES
NON-RANDOM SAMPLING
Explain the distinction between Random & Non-Random Non-
FOURTH SEGMENT
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FOURTH SEGMENT
RESEARCH PRESENTATION.
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2. The content
Chapter One : Introduction; Statement of the Problem; Statement of Significance; Methodology. Chapter Two : Review of Related Research and Literature. Chapter Three : Analysis of Questionnaire Data. Chapter Four : Summary, Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations.
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Definition (What is it?) Uses of related research Ways to approach related research and literature Related research / literature in the main text
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Identify issues Design your research title State the problem Significant of the problem Formulate hypotheses Review related research and literature Plan method of research
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PREPARE A PROPOSAL
WHY NEED A PROPOSAL?
Provides clear direction. Control the scope for research. Proposal provides methodology for good research. Proposal enhances the input and the output of the research.
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WHAT IS A PROPOSAL?
WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANCE OF A PROPOSAL?
A PROPOSAL IS A SUMMARY OF AN INTENDED WORK TO BE EXPANDED AND PRESENTED AT A LATER DATE. IT IS A RESEARCH EITHER FOR AN ACADEMIC THESIS OR FOR A CONSULTANCY WORK.
*AS A CONTROL MECHANISM SO THAT THE RESEARCH WORK DOES NOT GO BEYOND THE BOUNDARY.
*TO GUIDE THE RESEARCHER - WHAT, WHERE, AND HOW TO ORGANIZE HIS WORK.
*KNOWLEDGE IN DEVELOPING A PROPOSAL COULD ENHANCE WRITING A WORKING PAPER AND A THESIS.
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Review of Related Research & Literature Methodology / Procedure Chapter Outline Bibliography
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Thesis proposal ought to be as concise as possible within the limitations of the demands of the information to be presented (10-12 pages). (10Proposals should be typed, double spaced and should follow a certain manual of forms (system) of his choice. No covers of any kind are desired, just write your name on the upper right hand side of the first page. A thesis proposal will not be divided into chapters. The dividers between sections of the proposal are simple centre headings announcing the sections that follow.
Continue next page...
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Centre heads are not underlined. It is not expected to be at the top of a new page unless the previous section ends at the bottom of a page. Write the proposal in the present or future tense. Thesis proposal is like a contract protecting the student even though committee members may change their minds later. Changes can typically be made with the approval of the director of the thesis. Use the proposal as your guide to write the thesis.
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VARIABLES
A variable is a concept - a noun that stands for variation within a class of, say furniture (chair, table, cupboard, bed, etc.) or a class of people (gender, eye colour, motivation, achievement, etc). If all members of a class are identical, we do not have a identical, variable. Such characteristics are called constant. constant. In any study, some characteristics will be variables, while variables, others will be constant. constant.
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CLASSIFICATION OF VARIABLES
Discuss each variable in class clearly and thoroughly to enable students to understand their meanings.
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THE FINDINGS
y Identify each finding in detail. y Arrange according to their order of importance. y Describe each finding in detail and write them in the form of a thesis.
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THE CONCLUSIONS
y Write the conclusions in line with the findings. y The arrangement of the conclusions should correlate with the
position of the findings.
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THE RECOMMENDATIONS
y What are recommendations ? y Study carefully both the findings and the conclusions. y Think of some points which should be related to both the findings and the conclusions. y Such points are called recommendations.
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FIFTH SEGMENT
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specific referencing system. Any system will be good enough but has to be very consistent throughout. Use specific terminologies associated with the discipline.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Bibliography includes texts and all other sources that have been referred to in the body of the dissertation. The Bibliography is the final section of the dissertation and is located after the appendices. Bibliographies at the end of chapters are unnecessary.
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the name of the author; the year of publication; the title of the publication; the place of publication; the name of the publisher.
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Thesis writing 1.1 The process of writing thesis. 1.2 Written convention of research methods. 1.3 The audience.
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Title page. Abstract of the research. Lists of contents. Lists of Tables (if any). Lists of Figures (if any). Lists of appendices. Author Declaration. Acknowledgement. Texts (Main body of the dissertations). Appendices. Bibliography.
The thesis consists of three parts, that is the preliminary text, the main text and the supplementary text.
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should be well organized. Constructive arrangement of facts. Tenses should be consistent throughout. Use third person.
Facts
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Or
Thank You...
SULAIMAN SHAMSURI