Lesson1_Introduction_to_Research_Methods

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH PROCESS

ESEM5364 EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY

• INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH PROCESS
• Types of Research
• Research process
• Format of Research Proposal
• Format of Research Report

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

• At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
• Define research and educational research methodology,
• Explain six stages in research,
• Explain the format and content of research proposal, and
• Explain the format and content of research report.

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Introduction to Research Process

WHAT IS RESEARCH?

A dictionary definition:
1. to search or investigate exhaustively
2. studious inquiry or examination; especially investigation or

experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation
of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light
of new facts, or practical application of such new or
revised theories or laws
3. the collecting of information about a particular subject
© Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition

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WHAT IS RESEARCH?

• is a process of steps. STEPS. STEPS. STEPS.

• You are in school. You noticed that there have been many
cases of bullying on your school. One boy is pushed and
shoved everyday along the corridor. One girl threatened to
post unforgivable comments about another girl on her FB.

• Let’s assess her research situation.
➢What is the situation?
➢What can she do first?

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STEPS

• Label the situation. Call it something.
• You need to examine the issue – bullying in schools among

secondary school students?
• What else could be the issue?
• Next, what do you need to do?
• Look up for topics of similar nature: on bullying in high

schools. Where?
• Research journals. What are these? Name some of these.
• Do you know how to assess good articles online? From the

online catalogues of your library?

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REMEMBER: RESEARCH IS A SERIES OF SMALL
STEPS, STEPS AND MORE STEPS.

• 1. Pose a question
• 2. Collect data to answer the question
• 3. Present an answer to the question
• THIS IS THE VERY BASIC OF RESEARCHING!
• Isn’t it simple?

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WHAT IS RESEARCH?

• A systematic process of collecting and analyzing information
to increase our understanding of the phenomenon under
study.

• A process of searching again the truth about certain facts
or existing theories in a particular area which is guided by
curiousity and systematic planning of data collection and
analyses that ends up with a research report about the
research and also the new facts, new theories or verification
of the existing theories.

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WHY RESEARCH?

• To get a degree; a requirement of the university
• To increase our knowledge and understanding of certain

issues/matters
• To provide the evidence to underpin and inform policy-

making and decision-making; to solve a problem
• To advance professional practice which can then lead to

service innovation and improvement
• To get intellectual joy

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RESEARCH AND PROBLEM SOLVING

• George Polya (1962) proposed a problem-solving model which
involves four stages, namely: (a) understand the problem; (b)
plan for solution; (c) carry out the plan; and (d) check the
solution. In Polya’s model, the problem is given to an individual
(e.g. a student) to solve. However, in research, the problem is not
given to the researcher, but he/she has to find/identify the
problem.

•
• Since research involves identifying research problem and solving

it, we can use Polya’s problem-solving model to better
understand the process of research. Using this model, we may
simplify the seven (7) research stages into five (5) problem-
identifying and problem-solving stages, namely: (a) identify
problem; (b) understand the problem; (c) plan for solution; (d)
carry out the plan; and (e) check the solution.

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WHAT IS EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH?

• Research that investigates/explores/examines the behaviour
of students, teachers, administrators, parents and other
members of the community who interact with educational
institutions.

• Behaviour is taken broadly to mean such phenomena as
learning, attitudes, aptitudes, abilities, interests, practices,
processes, emotions, etc.

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WHY EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

• What is the purpose of educational research?
• Since education is fundamentally the development of

individuals then the central purpose of educational research
is to find ways to improve student learning. It has been
argued that educational research that does not have this as
its ultimate motivation and objective is not educational
research. Anyone who is engaged in a systematic search of
ways to improve student learning is doing educational
research.

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EXAMPLES OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

• A classroom teacher experimenting with alternative ways of
explaining laws of physics

• A researcher comparing the effectiveness of different
reading methods in early literacy programmes are both
engaged in a search for ways to improve student learning,

• The leadership styles of the school principal will influence
teacher morale and job satisfaction which will translate to
how teachers behave in the classroom. So, the behaviour of
school principals and headmasters can influence student
learning and attitudes.

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QUALITIES OF GOOD RESEARCH

• 1. Systematic: It is structured with specified steps to be taken in
a specified sequence in accordance with the well-defined set of
rules.
2. Logical: It is guided by the rules of logical reasoning and the
logical process of induction and deduction; it is logical reasoning
that makes research more meaningful in the context of decision
making.
3. Empirical: It implies that research is related basically to one or
more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that
provides a basis for external validity to research results.
4. Replicable: It allows research to be verified by replicating the
study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions.

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QUALITIES OF GOOD RESEARCH (contd)

• The purpose/ objectives must be clearly defined in
common concepts

• Carefully planned research design to achieve objective
results

• Honesty in reporting , not bias
• Comprehensive analysis of data with appropriate methods

of analysis
• Validity & reliability
• Conclusions confined to those justified by the data

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Types of Research

TYPES OF RESEARCH

• Two types of Research:
1. Applied Research: Research done with the intention of

applying the result of the finding to solve specific problem
currently being experienced in the organization; solving
current problem
2. Basic research: Research done chiefly to enhance the
understanding of certain problem that commonly occur in
organization setting and seek method of solving them is
called basic or pure research; generating knowledge,
understanding of phenomena/problems that occur in
various organization setting.

(Sekaran, U. 2006. Research methods for business: A skill
building approach. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. )

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QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

• Quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical
investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and
their relationships. The objective of quantitative research is
to develop and employ mathematical
models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to
phenomena. The process of measurement is central to
quantitative research because it provides the fundamental
connection between empirical observation and
mathematical expression of quantitative relationships.

(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)

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QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

• Quantitative research is used widely in social sciences such
as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and political science.
Research in mathematical sciences such as physics is also
'quantitative' by definition, though this use of the term
differs in context. In the social sciences, the term relates to
empirical methods, originating in both
philosophical positivism and the history of statistics, which
contrast qualitative research methods.

(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)

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QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

• Qualitative research is concerned with non-statistical methods of
inquiry and analysis of social phenomenon. It draws on an
inductive process in which theme and categories emerge through
analysis of data collected by such techniques as interviews,
observation, and case studies.

• It seeks out the ‘why’, not the ‘how’ of its topic through the
analysis of unstructured information. It doesn’t just rely on
statistics or numbers, which are the domain of quantitative
researchers.

• It is used to gain insight into people's attitudes, behaviours, value
systems, concerns, motivations, aspirations, culture or lifestyles.

• Field research, naturalistic research,
• Case studies, action research, evaluation

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STAGES IN CONDUCTING A RESEARCH

• Selecting a problem
• Reviewing the literature on the problem
• Designing the research
• Collecting data
• Analyzing the data
• Interpreting the data and stating the findings
• Making conclusions and reporting the research (AJR, ?)

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Research Process

THE SIX STEPS IN THE PROCESS OF RESEARCH

• Identify a research problem
• Review the literature (read articles and books related to the

area of interest: bullying in schools)
• Specify a purpose for research
• Collect data – quantitative or qualitative
• Analyze data
• Report your findings

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STAGES OF RESEARCH

1. Selecting a Problem:

• To select a suitable/relevant research problem, which is
important for a researcher to embark on, bearing in mind
the time, efforts and money required to carry out the
research. The researcher also must make sure the answer
to the problem is not already available, the research
methodology is available, and the answer can be used to
solve a problem.

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STAGES OF RESEARCH

2. Reviewing the Literature:

• The second stage is to review relevant literature on the
problem which will help the researcher to understand the
research problem deeper (e.g. concepts, theories, models
& principles involved) and to gain knowledge about the past
research on the problem and their findings, research
methodology (design, instruments & analysis) used,
recommended further research, and related references.

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STAGES OF RESEARCH

3. Designing the Research:

• To plan how the research to be conducted to answer the
research questions (converted from research problem). For
a quantitative research, the design will include research
population and sample, type of research (survey,
experiment, etc.), treatment(s) to be given to respondents,
research instrument(s) and procedures for data collection
and analysis.

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STAGES OF RESEARCH

4. Collecting the Data:

• To implement the planned procedure for data collection to
answer the research question(s). A quantitative researcher
may use a test, questionnaire or inventory to collect data;
while a qualitative researcher may use in-depth interview,
participant observation or document analysis to collect
data.

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STAGES OF RESEARCH

5. Analyzing the Data:

• To implement the planned procedure for data analysis to
answer the research question(s). A quantitative researcher
may use graphics, descriptive or inferential statistics to
analyse the collected data; while a qualitative researcher
may use explanations in words (descriptions, observations,
impressions) or to code the large mass of collected data in
the analyses.

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STAGES OF RESEARCH

6. Interpreting the Results and Stating the
Findings:

• To interpret the results of data analyses and stating the
findings based on research questions. A quantitative
researcher may describe the current status, accept a
hypothesis, or reject a hypothesis, and make conclusion(s);
while a qualitative researcher may present the
interpretations, conclusions and credibility of findings in
narrative form.

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STAGES OF RESEARCH

7. Making Conclusions and Reporting the
Research:

• To make conclusions and to report the research. The
research report will include the research problem, the
literature review, the research methodology, research
findings, conclusions and discussions. Usually a researcher
will explain each stage of the research clearly such that
other researchers can later replicate the research. The
researcher may also present the report in a seminar or
publish it in a journal.

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Format of Research Proposal

RESEARCH REPORT FORMAT

CHAPTER 1: Research Problem
➢ 1,1 Introduction
➢1.2 Background of Research
➢1.3 Statement of Research Problem
➢1.4 Purpose of Research
➢1.5 Importance of Research
➢1.6 Limitations of Research
➢1.7 Definition of Terms
➢1.8 Summary

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RESEARCH REPORT FORMAT

CHAPTER 2: Literature Review
➢2.1 Introduction
➢2.2 Related Literature
➢2.3 Related Research
➢2.4 Summary

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RESEARCH REPORT FORMAT

CHAPTER 3: Research Method
➢3.1 Introduction
➢3.2 Research Design
➢3.3 Population and Sample
➢3.4 Research Instruments
➢3.5 Procedure for Data Collection
➢3.6 Procedure for Data Analyses
➢3.7 Pilot Study
➢3.8 Summary

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RESEARCH REPORT FORMAT

CHAPTER 4: Research Findings
➢4.1 Introduction
➢4.2 Backgrounds of Respondents
➢4.3 Research Question 1
➢4.4 Research Question 2
➢4.5 ………….
➢4.6 Summary

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RESEARCH REPORT FORMAT

CHAPTER 5: Conclusions
➢5.1 Introduction
➢5.2 Summary of Research
➢5.3 Conclusions
➢5.4 Discussion of the Findings
➢5.5 Implications of the Findings
➢5.6 Recommendations for Further Research
➢5.7 Summary

• References
• Appendices

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A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

• A research proposal is a document written by a researcher
that provides a detailed description of the proposed
program. It is like an outline of the entire research process
that gives a reader a summary of the information discussed
in a project.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_proposal)

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A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

• Research proposals are written for various reasons, such as
requesting a budget (grant) for the research they describe,
certification requirements for research (as from an
institutional review board committee if the experiment is to
be done on human beings or animals protected by animal
rights laws), as a task in tertiary education (e.g., before
performing research for a dissertation), or as a condition
for employment at a research institution (which usually
requires sponsor-approved research proposals). They may
be considered as grey literature.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_proposal)

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FORMAT OF A PROPOSAL

• The format for the research proposal should consist of the
following:

1. Proposed title of the research proposal/project
2. The introduction to the research proposal/project
3. Objectives of the research proposal/project
4. The problem statement

(http://www.utar.edu.my/ipsr/file/guidelines_for_research_pr
oposal_30.3.09.pdf)

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FORMAT OF A PROPOSAL

• The format for the research proposal should consist of the
following:

5. Literature review
6. Research methodology
7. The expected work schedule/timeline
8. The expected research/project outcome or contribution of
the same

References
(http://www.utar.edu.my/ipsr/file/guidelines_for_research_pr
oposal_30.3.09.pdf)

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REFERENCES

• Ary, D., Jacobs, L.C. & Razavieh, A. (2002). Introduction to
Research in Education. U.S.: Wadsworth Thomson Learning.

• Hanson, E.M. (2003). Educational Administration and
Organizational Behaviour (5th edition). New York: Allyn and
Bacon.

• Polya, G. (1962). How to solve it. New York: Doubleday.

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End of Slides