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This guide provides an overview of research methodology, including types of research, components of a research study, and the format of research writing.
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BTG 315 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Dr. F. N. Nwalo What is Research? Research is the careful study or investigation, especially in other to discover new facts. Research can be defined as the process of inquiry by which human kind increases knowledge of how things are, why things are, the way they are and how they could be improved.
It is a systematized quest for new knowledge. Its basic goal is to produce new knowledge and create new understanding through scientific and logical reasoning. Types of research factor finding ad theoretical uses. It entails doing research together knowledge for knowledge’s.
Basic Research • Basic Research: refer to information generation, facts finding and theoretical uses. It entail doing research to gather knowledge for knowledge’s. It is at finding new fact and adds to the existing stock of scientific knowledge.
Applied Research • The basic feature is the empirical content. It relies on observation alone, with little regard to theory. Such research concerns the diagnosis of a situation (e.g. what caused it and how the factor in situations is related)? and a solution (e.g. if a giving factor is introduced, how does the situation changed?)
Quantitative Research • It usually associated with the traditional mode of scientific Research that moves from theory to operational and to observation. It places emphasis on statistical data and the use of this data to test hypotheses.
Qualitative Research • Applies mostly to non-statistical data approach in its endeavor. It involved the direct observation of social invents in the natural context. It involved testing of hypothesis in the way the quantitative research does it. Research writing is a scientific (objective) assessment for which the researcher should take intellectual responsibility. It is important to ensure the reliability and in independence of the analysis that constitutes the report
COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH • It addresses the following Research issues: • What is the problem to be investigation? • Why should the problem be studied? OR why is it socially and scientifically important to investigate this problem? • What will be achieved through the research? OR what objectives does the research hope to achieve? • What information is needed to meet the research objective?
How will research process be carried out? Or how will the information collected from whom or when? • What type of results are expected rum the research and who are potential beneficiaries of these result? • How will the utilization of results been ensured? who will do what and when
FORMAT OF RESEARCH WRITING • This research starts with the preliminaries and ends with bibliography and appendices. It is generally divided into five chapters. The research writing shall contain the following arranged in logical parts:
Preliminary Page • This part is numbered in Roman figures contain a black fly leaf. • Cover Page • Title page • Approval page • Certification page • Dedication • Acknowledgement
Preliminary Page Ctd • Abstract/executive summary • Table of content • List of table (where applicable) • List of figure (where applicable) • Research approach/strategy • Procedure • Data collection: types of data, sources of data, methods of data collection • Analysis of data: models and techniques of data and • Data limitations.
Chapters • Introduction/background information • Literature review (ie works done by other research are reviewed or presented here) • Statement of research problem/research question • Objective of the research • Statement of research hypothesis • Significance of the research
Methodology of the research: this session is very crucial vehicle by which the research communicates how the research was carried out. • Result and finding of the research • Summary and conclusions • Bibliography and reference • Appendix (where applicable)
Abstract • Gives a concise summary of the body of research writing. it helps the research to present a quick and general overview of content of a subject matter of a dissertation, thesis or an article. • Abstract is not more than half a page or (300-400words) for undergraduates. (100-300 Research papers) • it is located within the preliminary page and must be typed in single line-spacing. It must contain summarily a little of the following:
Content of Abstract • Brief of the background information • Brief of aim and objectives of the research. • Brief of the methodology used in carrying out the research. • Brief of the Results • Brief of the recommendations and conclusion
The Body • The body of the research writing is the main text; it is divided into five main chapters with subject and sub-sub tittles in sequence and logical order. Chapter one and five of any research is presented in the same format by all students notwithstanding the different choose of topics.
Breaking Down of Research Topic(s) • This part deals with the general break of the topic for research into chapter, sub-divisions and the format of presentation. only chapter one and the last chapter are illustrated because technically, every student are expected to present the two chapters the same way.
Chapter One -Introduction • 1.1Backgroud to the study • 1.2statement of problem (followed by Research question) • 1.3 objective of the study • 1.4 scope of the study • 1.5 Significance of the study • 1.6 Research methodology • 1.7 Limitation of the study
Chapter Five: Conclusion & Recommendations • 5.1 Summary of findings • 5.2 Observations • 5.3 Recommendations • 5.4 Contribution to knowledge • 5.5 Conclusions.
The Master’s Dissertation • i Masters is presided with 12month course work • ii Abstract not more than 500 word single line spacing • iii Minimum of 80 and maximum of 120 pages double line spacing • iv Master Dissertation undergoes field work research. • V They are expected contain six chapters with sub-title addressing the headings highlighted above. • vi. They are expected to undergo an oral examination in Defense of their chosen research work after completion.
The PhD Thesis • PhD thesis is preceded with one session or 12 months contain works • Thesis should contain extensive research proposal for presentation after course work. Then synopsis should also be submitted to faculty board approval. • Three other presentations follow after which thesis will be presented as final defense. • Thesis would be divided in six chapters like the masters dissertation.
Manuscript / Research Article, Review, Monographs • These are the sources of information to research writing? • Bibliography and referencing: this is the practice of acknowledging the sources of ideas and information used in a research writing, assignment, essay or report. A reference is required in the case of paraphrasing (stating ideas or theories in one’s own word) summary (use of biked account of ideas) quote cues of exact words and copy (use of the figures, tables or structures).
In summary the purpose of referencing includes • Showing the breath of your research • Showing the reader the source (s) of your information • Strengthening your academic argument • Allowing the reader to consult your sources of information and • To avoid plagiarism.
Types of Referencing Styles • American Psychological Association (APA) • Modern Language Association (MLA) etc APA studies used eg: Ude, L.A. and Fame, R.L.(1997) Intellectual Communication: A Reader ( 8th Ed) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth (when they are 2 or 3 three authors) but when they are three to five authors write their surnames in the citation and their full names as they appear on the title page e.g. (Adams, Banked, Jon and smiles 2009 ) the craft of research Chicago : University of Chicago Press
MLA Referencing style: This recommended by the modem language association for scholarly manuscripts and student research papers. MLA style requires all title to be in italics or underlined. e.g. Hark, Robert • Find fast: how to uncover expert information on any subject. New York; Harper perennial, 1994. For authors move than three, write names and initials in the order in which they appear on the title page.etc.
Method of Data and Information Collection. There are two broad method of data collection available to researchers: direct and indirect approach. A DIRECT APPROACH: This involves measurement or observation of the subject. All data collected for a specific purpose by the researcher from the field. This method of data collection includes: Physical measurement by the researcher Observation –non-participant and participant methods.
INDIRECT APPROACH • This involves interviewing respondents, distribution or administration of questionnaire. This method of data collection includes: • in-depth interview • Focus group discussion • Group interview • Individual interview • Formal (mailed) questionnaire. • Information collection could be by.
Physical measurement collection This produces evidence that is physically observation and measurably. Its attribute is tangible, visible and quantifiable. Eg: measuring the area of a field crop output, height and/or weight of persons and so on.
Physical Observation Collection • This is a technique that involves LIVE WITNESSING and RECODING of the characteristics of events, occurrences, persons as predefines by the research. It gives additional, more accurate information on the behaviour of people than interviews or questionnaire. It take place when we see, hear, touch, taste or small something.
Participant Observation Collection • The researcher or enumerator takes active part in the situation. It can be said to be controlled or uncontrolled. • Under control participant observation, it refers to the standardization of observational techniques or manipulation over variables, like experimental cases or role playing activities organized by the research/ observer.
Uncontrolled participant observation (Goode and Hatt, 1952) is used when the investigator (researcher or enumerator) can so disguise himself as to be accepted as a member of the group he is observing. Researcher need not do the same activities as others in order to be a participant. • Instead, he could find some other role acceptable to the group and which will not disturb the pattern of behavior while keeping secret his real motive. If members are unaware of the researcher’s purpose, their behavior is less likely to be affected.
Non-participant Observation Collection Here the research or enumerator watches the situation or people engaged in an activity and record the relevant aspects of their activities. Examples are observing and recording: the number of hours worked, distribution of a person’s time between different activities, household consumption of commodities. The researcher does not take part in the activity being observed. It is difficult because there are no standard set of relationships or role patterns. Researcher is non-member of the group who is always present but never participated. It gives room to manipulation situation.
Collection by Interview • Information may be sought by oral questioning of respondents, either individual or group. This records the answer to connote the development of precision focus, reliability and validity in the common social act of conversation.
TYPE OF DATA INFORMATION COLLECTION • There are two types of data collation primary and secondary data collection. • Primary data: are those collected afresh for the first time by the research process, through face- to face-face interview, direct measurement or observational techniques and questionnaire administration. It is costly undertaken.
Secondary Data • This refers to those which have already been collected by someone else (or in some previous research). It can be obtained from existing literature (paper and electronic), research reports, government documents, institutions publications and statistical reports.
It is information which already exists or that have been collected. It is not collected for the purpose of the present research, even though it is important to the research problem for the researcher.
The researcher must therefore know what he wants and how to relate information contain in the literature to the problem under investigation. It is considerable, cheaper to use existing data rather than to collate new data. There is also another problem arising from insufficient information about the collection of the data: such that it will be impossible to determined potential sources of bias, errors or problem with internal and external validity.
Selection of proper method for collection of data The information below is helpful for sound selection of proper method. Spatial dimension: - national, state, local government, town or community, levels, urban or rural Individual characteristics: sex, age, ethnic group, race, migrant/ non-migrant, children/ adult; Income: wealth quintile poverty classes; Education: levels of attainment primary school, secondary school, university and Employment: sector (agriculture, manufacturing, service, formal/informal.
Factor to be Considered before using Secondary Data • Are the data too old to be of any use? • Do the data bear the frequency and timing required of the analysis? • Do data have enough information on the relevant research variable? • Do the data cover the geographical space under study? • Are the data in the forms and types that are useful to the study?
Is the sampling that produced the data compatible with the present study • Is the data aggregation compatible with the analysis to be done? • Do the data bear control variable? • What is the integrity of the data collection process? • What is the reliability and credibility of the measurement procedure adopted to produce the data? (Frankenberg
QUIZ • What do understand by Research? • List out various components of Research • Explain various methods of Data Collections • State five (5) benefits research to Nigerian economy Thank you
