Research Module

1. Research Module Lesson 1 Nature of Research

2. Lesson • Introduction • Objectives • Subject content • Activities

3. The Nature of Research In this lesson, the following topics are covered. • Purpose of Research • Types of research • Different types of research papers • Different fields of research and interdisciplinary approach • Different foci of research

4. Purpose and Types • ‘Research is conducted to solve problems and to expand knowledge’ – Drew, C.J., (1980) Introduction to Designing and Conducting research 2nd Ed. Missouri, CB: Mosby Company, p. 4

5. Research means to ‘investigate thoroughly’. • Research is an active, diligent and systematic process. • Research is employed to collect, revise, interpret or discover facts, events, behaviours, theories or applications.

6. Fitness for purpose • Research should ‘fit for purpose’

7. Classifications of Research • Basic • Applied • Practical This classification is dependent on the application of the research work.

8. More Classifications • Primary • Secondary This classification is dependent on the sources of information studied.

9. Classification of Research contd. • Exploratory: • Conclusive • Constructive • Empirical

10. Exploratory • A new problem is studied. This is similar to basic research. Here an answer to a problem is sought. It may also be that a concept is tested through exploratory research. The results here represent only a small sample of the population. The results may be extrapolated and can be generalized by extending to conclusive research.

11. Conclusive • As opposed to exploratory, conclusive research provides information that concludes or confirms the exercise. These are further divided as descriptive or statistical which uses research methods such as interviews and observations and causal research which use methods such as experimentation and simulations. Descriptive research provides details of a situation but not what caused that situation. But causal research attempts to find the cause by controlling the variables.

12. Constructive • A new solution or system is developed to an existing problem. This is common in computer science. Here the problem is already studied but the solution or system to that problem is newly developed. This is either applied or practical research.

13. Empirical • An observational type of research ( same as collecting primary data) whereby the results are compared with reality. Here inductive reasoning is used. The data collected can be qualitative or quantitative. The conclusions are made as a result of experimentation or observational results. Empirical research may be used in other types of research.

14. Quantitative vs. Qualitative • In quantitative research, measurable data are collected and statistical analyses are carried out. The relationships among the data collected are expressed giving a quantifiable explanation. • In qualitative research it is a general understanding that is sought. In this approach, more insight knowledge or perceptions immeasurable are studied.

15. Styles of research • Ethnographic style of research • Action Research • Grounded Theory Approach • Surveys • Case Study • Experimental • Correlational research • Historical research • Ex post facto research

16. Ethnographic Style • ‘… [E]thnography centers on the participants observation of a society or culture through a complete cycle of events that regularly occurs as that society interacts with its environment’ – Lutz (1986, p. 108) • Brewer (2000) defines ethnography as the study of people in naturally occurring environments by methods of data collection which capture the social meaning and ordinary activities without changing or influencing that meaning or those activities. • Denscombe (1998, p. 69) concisely describes ethnographic studies as ‘to see things as those involved see’.

17. Surveys • The types of surveys vary according to the purpose of the research. The importance and the validity are dependent on the selection of the sample to represent the population and the correct structuring of the survey.

18. Case Study • This is unique in the sense that a narrow aspect of a problem can be studied. Several case studies on the same problem can generate a solution or a better understanding of an issue.

19. Experimental • In experimental research there are three characteristics that determine the true nature. They are randomness, manipulation and control. These are true experiments.

20. Historical research • This is systematic and objective location, evaluation and synthesis of evidence to establish facts and draw conclusions about past events

21. Correlational research • where a relationship between two or more factors that affect human behaviour are studied

22. Action Research • This approach is used when specific knowledge is required for a specific problem in a specific situation, or when a new approach is to be grafted into an existing system.

23. Grounded Theory Approach • This style of research is applied to understand behavioural problems, social pressures and human interactions.

24. Ex post facto research • Events are studied after the fact or occurrence

25. Different Types of Research Papers Report Includes: • * One or more pages in length. • * Includes factual information and opinion is limited to conclusion. • * At least two or three sources. • e.g. • A Laboratory report • Content – The title or a statement describing the problem or the reason for the experiment, brief background, hypothesis, materials and procedure, data, results (including graphs, charts etc.), analysis, discussion, conclusion.

26. Business Plan Includes: • * A summary of main points. • * Examination of products/services the business provides. • * Marketing surveys. • * Comparison with competitors. • * Description of all aspects of the company. • * Financial details. • * Funding process • * Future Trends

27. Research Paper Includes (but varies depending on the field): • * Title • * Abstract • * Introduction • * Method and Materials (or Experimental/ Survey) • * Results • * Discussion • * Conclusion • * References

28. Thesis/Dissertation Includes: • Title • Abstract • Introduction • Literature Survey • Method/Experimental • Results • Analysis • Discussion • Conclusion

29. Different fields and foci • The nature of research will vary depending on the field or the focus. • The field means whether it is science, education, social science or mathematics etc. • Focus is the extension of the research.

30. Activity 1 – Purpose of research • Topics: • Research provides a way to apply the learned knowledge in practice • Research helps to integrate several fields of study. • Research supports clarity in education • Research focuses on dedication and determination and demands good organisational skills • Research develops important cognitive skills. • In small groups, students discuss the above five points and present to the class a ten minute presentation of each topic.

31. Activity 2 - Different fields of research • Students in small groups discuss possible research in various fields and attempt to categorise them by subjects or as hybrid fields. Alternatively students may discuss the following possible projects in this context. • Projects: • Testing the quality of drinking water • Assessment of the awareness of the public about the standards of water quality • The relationship between the water quality and the standards of living • Standards of water quality and legal implications • Quality assurance and the standards of water quality

32. References • Brewer, J.D. (2000) Ethnography. Buckingham: Open University Press, p. 6. • Denscombe, M. (2003) the Good Research Guide for Small-scale Social research Projects. 2nd edn., Maidenhead: Open University Press, p. 69 • Drew, C.J., (1980) Introduction to Designing and Conducting research. 2nd Ed. Missouri, CB: Mosby Company, p. 4 • Lutz, F.W. (1986) Ethnography: the holistic approach to understanding schooling. Chapter 3.1 in M. Hammersley Controversies in Classroom Research. Milton Keynes: Open University Press, p. 108