RESEARCH

What is research?

Defining research

Several authors describe inherent aspects of research:

A thought process, surrounding accumulated facts and data seeking to determine what the facts say and what the data
means Leedy, 1989:4-8
Systematic investigation into and study of materials to establish
facts and reach new conclusions Readers Digest Illustrated
Oxford Dictionary, 1998:699
Investigation and study undertaken to establish facts and thereby
reach new conclusions
It is of a systematic nature Hutchinson, 1992:669.
Diligent, protracted investigation of some phenomenon or a series
of phenomenon Funk & Wagnalls, 1964:x.

Characteristics of academic
research
Properly structured and organised
Focused on a single issue
Based on current and academically accepted
sources / scientific investigation
Synthesis and analysis of sources
Demonstrate use of legal logic
Properly referenced
Presented in acceptable academic language
Presented in the acceptable academic form
The facts have to be objective, trustworthy and valid
Follow ethical behaviour for researchers

Forms/nature of academic
research

Basic research: aimed at describing a legal phenomenon

which has not been previously described fees must fall as a
means of implementing the right to education
Strategic research: research aimed at solving a particular
legal or social problem- legal ways of raising student
grievances
Reflective research: engaging with the ideas of other writers
Comparative research: investigating how different legal
systems deal with a particular problem
Historical research: investigating the evolution of a
particular phenomenon so as to further understand the
contemporary form.

Importance of research

Should have some utility of value to society

Hutchinson, 1992:669
Propels search for knowledge and understanding of
phenomena
Determines applicability of objectives
Promotes efficient and effective utilisation of resources
Improves decision-making such as the determination
of a case
Verification of assumptions, data so as to establish
facts

Objectives of conducting
research

Making rational and factually correct decisions

Ensuring the best possible utilisation of existing
resources such as knowledge
Identifying problem areas in a specific discipline
Developing possible solutions to these problems, as
well as future control mechanisms
In industry, research could also pertain to work directed
towards the innovation, introduction and improvement
of products and processes (the current new tax law).
An endeavour to discover or collate old facts by the
scientific study of a subject

Objectives of conducting
research
Enhancing the knowledge and insight of a
specific trend or discipline,
Developing new theories or modify existing ones
to accommodate for changing conditions,
Determining the currency and validity of
specific theories to specific circumstances.
See Brynard et al, (2014:2).

LECTURE TWO

Types of research

1.Basic research

2.Applied research
NB: Distinction relates
to purpose for which
research is used
Bailey, 1978:15-17

Basic research
Used to develop theories by
testing hypotheses that
have been deduced from
them
Not necessarily conducted
with any immediate practical
application in mind
Often attempted only to
increase knowledge in a
certain area
Eg, do basic research to
establish the psychological
processes which occur
when child learns to read.

Applied research

Undertaken specifically to solve a certain problem

The results can be used to solve an immediate
problem
Research problem is selected according to the
practical value the research would have in a
particular situation
Eg, an immediate problem in agriculture is how to
treat fresh fruit against decay in order to extend its
marketing potential.

Elements of research
Research
problem
Research design
Empirical
evidence
Conclusions
See De Vos et al,
2002,78-79

Sub-elements of the above

elements

Curiosity about the unknown

Searching for data to explain the unknown
Satisfying the curiosity of finding an answer
Determining the truth of the answer
The practical use of the answer

Dimensions of research

Epistemological
Methodological
Sociological
Ontological
Mouton, 1996: 2832,41-43,46.

Epistemological

All research is driven by the

pursuit of valid knowledge
With the objective of arriving at
results that are as close to truth
as possible

Methodological

Research is methodological and

systematic
Enquiry, ie, the application of
methods and techniques in
pursuit of valid knowledge.

Sociological

Research is a social activity,

Researchers are social beings
and the world of science is
part of the social world.

Ontological

Ontology is a philosophical belief system about the

nature of social reality.

The social world is the object of enquiry,

ie, the study of reality and the
improvement of the understanding of
phenomena in the social world by the
generation of knowledge regarding the
nature of being.

Research Terminology

Its important to understand

research terminology
This helps in obtaining clarity in
compilation of framework

Research terminology
Conceptual frame work: mental
conceptualisation of an abstract idea or
plan.

Theories: expositions of the principles

of a science or a system of ideas
explaining or predicting something.

Model: the representation or copy of an

existing thing or of a proposed
structure. It is indicative of a particular
design or style.

Research terminology
Proposition: statement or assertion, a
scheme proposed and a proposal.

Value: worth, desirability and utility;

ability to serve a purpose.

Attribute: something having or

possessing a characteristic, eg,
married is a characteristic of the
marital status of an individual.

Research terminology
Paradigm: pattern of commonly
held theories or assumption on
models of both a scientific and
sociological nature, which serve
as examples or patterns for a
particular research topic and
which influence the research

Terminology
Cause: that which produces a particular effect or gives rise to an action,
phenomenon or condition, person or thing that occasions something
reason/motive
a principle, belief or purpose
a matter to be settled at law
Effect: the result or consequence of an action
an impression produced on a spectator or hearer

Terminology
Approach: to make a
tentative proposal

Rigour: that which is of

logical exactitude and
to the severity and strict
enforcement of rules.