RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

COURSE CODE: ITP 407

NUMBER OF Units: 1 Units

Course Lecturer: Dr. K. Sotonwa

Email: [email protected],
[email protected]
 DEFINITION
• The word Research is derived from the word search, which means
to try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully
and thoroughly; to examine something thoroughly; to look into or
over something carefully – to look for information.
• Research is a methodical investigation into a subject in order to
discover/establish more facts or information. It is the systematic
investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to
establish facts and reach new conclusions.
• Research can be defined carried in virtually every field of
endeavour including: Science, Engineering and Technology,
Information and Communication Technology, Humanities, Art,
Economics, Sociology, Business, Marketing, etc.
• Research is a search for apprehension and research is also
explained as a systematic search and a scientific search for data on
a particular topic. In other words, research is also called as a skill
of scientific investigation.
 DEFINITION
• It is a technical term and an academic activity which collects
information, organize information and evaluate information. Well,
research is a genuine contribution to the present apprehension for
its development.
• Research is an endeavor / attempt to discover, develop and verify
knowledge. It is an intellectual process that has developed over
hundreds of years ever changing in purpose and form and always
researching to truth (J. Francis Rummel) .
• Research is an honest, exhaustive, intelligent searching for facts
and their meanings or implications with reference to a given
problem. The product or findings of a given piece of research
should be an authentic, verifiable contribution to knowledge in the
field studied (P.M. Cook) .
• Research may be defined as a method of studying problems whose
solutions are to be derived partly or wholly from facts.” W.S.
Monroes.
 DEFINITION

• Research is considered to be the more formal, systematic intensive

process of carrying on the scientific method of analysis. It involves a
more systematic structure of investigation, usually resulting in some
sort of formal record of procedures and a report of results or
conclusion (John W. Best) .
• Research comprises defining and redefining problems ,formulating
hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting ,organizing and
evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions and at
last careful testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit
the formulated hypothesis (Clifford Woody).
• Research is a systematic effort to gain new knowledge (Redman &
Mori).
 PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
• The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through
the application of scientific procedure. The main aim of research is to
find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been
discovered as yet.
OBJECTIVES:
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights
into it.
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group.
• To analyze an event, process or phenomenon.
• To identify the cause and effect relationship.
• To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with
which it is associated with something else.
• To find solutions to scientific, non scientific and social problems.
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables.
 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH:
• Research is directed toward the solution of a problem.
• Research requires expertise.
• Research emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles,
or theories that will be helpful in predicting future occurrences.
• Research is based upon observable experience or empirical
evidences.
• Research demands accurate observation and description.
• Research involves gathering new data from primary or first-hand
sources or using existing data for a new purpose.
• Research is characterized by carefully designed procedures that
apply rigorous analysis.
• Research involves the quest for answers to un-solved problems.
• Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity.
 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH

• Research strives to be objective and logical, applying every possible

test to validate the procedures employed the data collected and the
conclusions reached.
• Research is carefully recorded and collected.
• Research sometimes requires courage.

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE DO RESARCH?

• Desire to get a research degree
• Desire to solve unsolved and challenging problems.
• Desire to get the intellectual joy of doing creative work
• Desire to be of service to the society
• The desire for innovation and recognition
 RESEARCH CATEGORY
RESEARHC CATEGORY
• 1st Category: The methods relating to data collection are covered
here. Such methods are used when the existing data are not
sufficient, to reach the solution.
• 2nd Category: Incorporates the processes of analyzing data, i.e. to
identify patterns and establish a relationship between data and
unknowns.
• 3rd Category: Comprises of the methods which are used to check
the accuracy of the results obtained.
A research method shows how the research study is designed. Its
choice depends on:
• Research Questions
• Research Goals
• Researcher Beliefs and Values
• Researcher Skills
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
There are varieties of ways through which we may classify it into
different stages:
A. On the basis of nature of information:
On the basis of nature of information we can classify the research into
two types;
• Qualitative Research: When information is in the form of qualitative
data.
• Quantitative Research: When information is in the form of
quantitative data.
DATA COLLECTION
• Data are a set of raw facts and figures without meaning or context.
However, it undergoes processing, where it will be organized,
structured and given context through interpretation and analysis. So,
processing gives data meaning, effectively turning it into
information. Collectively, all information makes up bodies of
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
OVERIVIEW OF QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION
• Quantitative data are data that deal with quantities, values or
numbers, making them measurable. Thus, they are usually
expressed in numerical form, such as length, size, amount, price,
and even duration. Quantitative data in statistics is also known as
categorical data.
• The data can be arranged categorically based on attributes and
properties of a thing or a phenomenon. The use of statistics to
generate and subsequently analyze this type of data adds credibility
to it, so that quantitative data is overall seen as more reliable and
objective.
• Therefore, quantitative data are data that can be quantified and
verified, and is amenable to statistical manipulation. Quantitative
data are the data used for quantitative methods and research.
Examples of quantitative data are scores on achievement tests,
number of hours of study, or weight of a subject.  
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
• These data may be represented by ordinal, interval or ratio scales
and lend themselves to most statistical manipulation.
OVERVIEW OF QUALITATIVE DATA CLLECTION
• Qualitative data are data that approximates or characterizes but do
not measure the attributes, characteristics, properties, etc., of a
thing or phenomenon. Such data cannot be expressed as a number,
unlike quantitative data. This type of data is descriptive in nature. It
represents nominal scales such as gender, socio-economic status,
etc. Religious preference are usually considered to be qualitative
data.
• Qualitative data are important in determining the particular
frequency of traits or characteristics. It allows the statistician or the
researchers to form parameters through which larger data sets can
be observed. Qualitative data provides the means by which
observers can quantify the world around them.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
• Data collection is described as the ―process of gathering and
measuring information on variables of interest, in an established
systematic fashion that enables one to answer queries, stated
research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes.
• Apart from the ICT field, data play a very important role, serving as
the respective starting points in many other fields like in business,
marketing, humanities, physical sciences, social sciences, or other
fields of study or discipline,. That is why, in all of these processes
that involve the usage of information and knowledge, one of the
very first steps is data collection.
• Depending on the discipline or field, the nature of the information
being sought, and the objective or goal of users, the methods of
data collection will vary. The approach to applying methods may also
vary, customized to suit the purpose and prevailing circumstances,
without compromising the integrity, accuracy and reliability of the
data.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
• Quantitative and qualitative data are the two main types of data
that users find themselves working with – and having to collect. In
most cases, these two data types are used as preferences in
choosing the method or tool to be used in data collection.
Consequently, data collection methods are classified into two, based
on these types of data. These are: the quantitative data collection
methods and the qualitative data collection methods.
Importance of Data Collection include the following:
• Data collection aids in the search for answers and resolutions.
• It facilitates and improves decision-making processes, and the
quality of the decisions made.
• Data collection improves quality of expected results or output.
 DIFFERENCES BEWEEN QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DATA
COLLECTIONS
ITEMS OF QUANTITATIVE DATA QUALITATITVE DATA
DIFFERENTITATION COLLECTION COLLECTION
Types of data Numerical and countable data Descriptive and measurable
data
Methods Data that are numerically Data which are characteristics,
counted or expressed is attributes, properties, qualities
collected is described and collected

Research It lacks description and Its unreliable, so backed by

explanation thus it is backed quantitative data. That is uses a
by qualitative data. So it uses combination methods in
a combination of qualitative research.
and quantitative methods in
research
Examples Deals with measurement like Deals with characteristics,
height, length, volume, area, attributes, properties like color
humidity, temperature etc. of a house, the texture of a shoe
Summary Quantitative data is Qualitative data is non
generalized, deductive, generalized, inductive,
objective and deal in subjective and deal in words.
numbers.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH

B. On the basis of utility of content or nature of subject matter of

research:
On the basis of these criteria we can categorize the research into two
categories.
BASIC/ FUNDAMENTAL /PURE OR THEORETICAL RESEARCH
• Its utility is universal.
• It focuses on one discipline
• It involves a descriptive study of the research problem
• Reporting is done in technical language
• It is concerned with generalizations and formulating theories
• It aims to solve general problems
EXPERIMENTAL OR APPLIED RESEARCH
• Its utility is limited.
• It takes on interdisciplinary approach
 TYES OF RESEARCH
• It makes use of problems solving applications to solve a specific
problem
• Reporting is done using a general terms in a simple language
• It aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem
• It deals with practical problems.
C. On the basis of approach of research
We may classify research into two different categories.
• Longitudinal Research: Examples of this category are historical, Case
study and Genetic research.
• Cross-Sectional Research: Examples of this category are
Experimental and Survey Research.
D On the basis of method of research
On the basis of research method we may classify a research into five
different categories.
 TYPES OF REASEACH
• Philosophical Research: It is purely qualitative in nature and we are
focusing on the vision of others on the content of research.
• Historical Research: It is both qualitative as well as quantitative in
nature and deals with past events.
• Survey Research: It deals with present events and is quantitative in
nature. It may further be sub-divided into; discretional,
correlational and exploratory type of research.
• Experimental Research: This is purely quantitative in nature and
deals with future events.
• Case-Study Research: It deals with unusual events. It may be
qualitative as well as quantitative in nature depending upon the
content.
 REASEACH PROCESS
Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to
effectively carry out research. These actions or steps are;
• Formulating the Research Problem: decide the area of interest and
research problem should be formulated
• Extensive Literature Survey: connect with related work through
journal, conferences etc.
• Developing the Research Hypothesis: Working hypothesis is
tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical
or empirical consequences.
Finding about the origin of the problem and studying its
objectives
By discussing the problem with colleagues and experts
By examine past data and records
By review of similar studies and similar problems
 REASEACH PROCESS
• Preparing the Research Design: It involves consideration of the
following:
The means of obtaining the information
The availability and skills of a researcher
 Accuracy, reliability and validity of the data
The time available for researcher and the costs related to the
research.
• Determining the Research Design: sample design is a definite plan
determined before any data is actually collected for obtaining a
sample from a given population.
• Collecting the Research Data: Primary data can be collected either
through experiment or through survey. In case of survey, data can
be collected by any one or more of the following ways;
By observation
Through personal interview
 REASEACH PROCESS
Through telephonic interviews,
By mailing of questionnaires or
Through schedules.
• Execution of the Project: the research must be systematically
executed in order to collect correct and accurate data.
• Analysis of Data: The analysis of data requires a number of closely
related operations such as:
 Establishment of categories,
 The application of these categories to raw data through coding
 Tabulation and then drawing statistical inference.
• Hypothesis Testing: the researcher is in a position to test the
hypothesis. Do the facts support the hypothesis or they happen to
be contrary? By applying various tests like ‘t’ test, ’F’ test. To either
accept or reject the hypothesis and if no hypothesis then,
generalizations established on the basis of data may be stated.
 REASEACH PROCESS
• Generalization and Interpretation: If a hypothesis is tested and
upheld several times, it may be possible for the researcher to arrive
at generalization i.e. to build a theory. As a matter of fact, the real
value of research lies in its ability to arrive at certain
generalizations. If the researcher had no hypothesis to start with,
he might seek to explain his findings on the basis of some theory. It
is known as interpretation.
• Preparing of the Report or Presentation of the Result: The layout
of the report should be as follows;
the preliminary pages: Full title, foreword and acknowledgement
the main text and end matter. Introduction, review of literature, ,
main report, methodology and conclusion.
End matter: appendices in all respect of the technical terms and
data and end with bibliography.
 REASEACH PROCESS
Criteria of Good Research:
• It should be systematic i.e. must structured with specific steps in a
specified sequence, according to well-defined set of rules.
• It should be logical i.e. must be guided by logic, reasoning and logic
process of induction and deduction.
• It should be empirical .i.e. related to one or more aspects of real-life
situations
• It should be replicable i.e. other people must be able to verify and
replicate the original research report
• Purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common
concepts used.
• The procedure should be well defined in detail to permit replication
• Design should be planned to yield result that are objectives.
• Report must be with complete frankness and with no flaws
 REASEACH PROCESS
• The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in
procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings.
• Analysis of the data must be adequate method should be
appropriate.
• Conclusion must be confined to those justified by the data and
limited to those for which data is not adequate.
• The validity and reliability of the data should be checked carefully.
• Researcher should have experience, has good reputation and
integrity.
Various Stages of Research:
• The various stages involved in research are as below:
• Selecting the topic of research
• Explaining the research problem
• Survey of literature
 REASEACH DESIGN
• Reference collection
• Assessment of present status of selected topic
• Hypotheses and its formulation
• Design of research
• Real investigation
• Analysis of information
• Result’s interpretation
• Report of research
RESEARCH DESIGN
A research design is simply the framework or plan for a study that is
used as a guide in collecting and analyzing the data. It is a blueprint
that is followed in completing a study. Research design is the blue
print for collection measurement and analysis of data. Actually it is a
map that is usually developed to guide the research.
REASEACH DESIGN
 REASEACH DESIGN
Purpose of a Research Design:
• To minimize the expenditure: maximum information with
minimum spending of effort, money and time by preparing the
advance plan of all about the research.
• To facilitate the smooth scaling: making research as efficient as
possible yielding maximal information with minimal expenditure
of effort, time and money.
• To collect the relevant data and technique: Research design
stands for advance planning of the methods to be adopted for
collecting the relevant data and the techniques to be used in their
analysis.
• To provide blue print for plans: It is like blue print which we need
in advance to plan the methods to be adopted for collecting the
relevant data and techniques to be used in its analysis for
preparation of research project.
 REASEACH DESIGN
• To provide an overview to other experts: The design helps the
investigator to organize his ideas , which helps to recognize and fix
his faults.
• To provide a direction: The researcher studies available, literature
and learns about new (alternative approaches.
Characteristics of Good Research Design
• Objectivity
• Reliability
• Validity
• Generalizability
• Adequate information
• Other features
 REASEACH DESIGN
Identification of Research Problem
• Step I Determining the field of research in which a researcher is
keen to do the research work.
• Step II The researcher should develop the mastery on the area or
it should be the field of his specialization.
• Step III He should review the research conducted in area to know
the recent trend and studies are being conducted in the area.
• Step IV On the basis of review, he should consider the priority field
of the study.
• Step V He should draw an analogy and insight in identifying a
problem or employ his personal experience of the field in locating
the problem. He may take help of supervisor or expert of the field.
• Step VI He should pin point specific aspect of the problem which is
to be investigated.
 REASEACH OVERVIEW
1. INTRODUCTION
• Introduction of research problem
• Introduction of objectives and how objective will be achieved
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
• Review of previous work relating to research problem (define,
explain, justify)
• Review of previous work relating to methodology
• Review of previous work relating to results (particular reliability, etc.
3. METHODOLOGY
• Explanation of how data was collected/generated
• Explanation of how data was analyzed
• Explanation of methodological problems and their solutions or
effects
 REASEACH OVERVIEW
4. RESULT AND FINDING
• Presentation of results
• Interpretation of results
5. DISCUSION AND CONCLUCION
• Recapitulation of the findings without figures
• Discussion of result (e.g. comparison with results in previous
research, effect of method used on the data obtained)
• Has the research problem been solved.
• To what extent has the objective being achieved.
• What has been learnt from the results.
• How can this knowledge be used.
• What are the shortcomings of the research or research
methodology.
6. REFERENCE SECTION
 Research Methodology
• Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques
used to identify, select, process, and analyze information about a
topic. In a research paper, the methodology section allows the
reader to critically evaluate a study‘s overall validity and reliability.
• The methodology section answers two main questions: How was
the data collected or generated? How was it analyzed? The
methodology may include publication research, interviews, surveys
and other research techniques, and could include both present and
historical information.
• Research Methodology, as its name suggest is the study of
methods, so as to solve the research problem. It is the science of
learning the way research should be performed systematically. It
refers to the rigorous analysis of the methods applied in the stream
of research, to ensure that the conclusions drawn are valid, reliable
and credible too.
 Research Methodology
• Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques
used to identify, select, process, and analyze information about a
topic. In a research paper, the methodology section allows the
reader to critically evaluate a study‘s overall validity and reliability.
• The methodology section answers two main questions: How was
the data collected or generated? How was it analyzed? The
methodology may include publication research, interviews, surveys
and other research techniques, and could include both present and
historical information.
• Research Methodology, as its name suggest is the study of
methods, so as to solve the research problem. It is the science of
learning the way research should be performed systematically. It
refers to the rigorous analysis of the methods applied in the stream
of research, to ensure that the conclusions drawn are valid, reliable
and credible too.
 Research Methodology
• Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research
problem. It can be defined as a science of studying how research is
done scientifically.
WHAT RESEARCHER IS EXPECTED TO KNOW
• The researcher is expected to know both the research
methods/techniques and the methodology.
• How to develop certain indices or tests,
• How to calculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standard
deviation or chi-square,
• How to apply particular research techniques,
• But they also need to know which of these methods or techniques,
are relevant and which are not, and what would they mean and
indicate and why.
• Researchers also need to understand the assumptions underlying
various techniques and they need to know the criteria by which
 Research Methods Vs Research Methodology
• To conduct his research, the researcher uses research methods,
during the course of conducting research. Many times, the research
methods are confused with research methodology, which implies
the scientific analysis of the research methods, so as to find a
solution to the problem at hand.
• Research methods are the strategies, tools, and techniques used by
the researcher to collect the relevant evidence needed to create
theories. Consequently, these research methods need to be
credible, valid, and reliable.
• This is accomplished by writing a sound methodology, which
consists of a systematic and theoretical analysis of the above
research methods. A methodology allows the researcher to
evaluate and validate the rigor of the study and methods used to
obtain the new information. Research methods constitute only one
component of the multidimensional research methodology.
 Research Methods Vs Research Methodology
• In order to clarify the differences between research method and
research methodology, we shall use a comparison chart to look at
them with respect to their meaning; what each is; what they
encompass; what they comprise of; and their objective
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH METHOD AND RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
BASIC OF RESEARCH METHOD RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
COMPARISON
Meaning Research method implies Research methodology
the methods employed by signifies way to efficiently
the researcher to conduct solving research problems
research
What is it? Behaviour and instrument Science of understanding,
used in the selection and how research is performed
construction of the research methodically
technique
 Research Methods Vs Research Methodology
BASIC OF RESEARCH METHOD RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
COMPARISON
Encompasses Carrying out experiment, Study different techniques
surveys and so on. which can be utilized in the
performance of
experiment, test, survey
etc.

Comprise of Different investigations, Entire strategy towards

techniques achievement of objective
Objective To discover solution to To apply correct
research problem procedures so as to
determine solutions