THE RESEARCH PROCESS

A Quick Glance

Muhammad Atif Nawaz

There are two important decision as you go along research journey Firstly, what you want to find out about or what research questions you want to find answers to. Secondly, how to go about finding the answers. The path of finding answers to your research questions constitutes research methodology

Quantitative & Qualitative Research

Difference w.r.t Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
Underpinning philosophy Approach to inquiry Main purpose of investigation Rationalism Empiricism

Structured / rigid / predetermined Unstructured / flexible / open methodology methodology To quantify extent of variation in To describe variation in a a phenomenon, situation, issue phenomenon, situation, etc. issue etc. Emphasis on some form of either measurement or classification of variable Emphasis on description of variables

Measurement of variables

Sample size Focus of inquiry

Greater sample size Narrows focus in terms of extent of inquiry, but assembles required information from a greater number of respondents Reliability & Objectivity

Fewer cases Covers multiple issues but assembles required information from fewer respondents Authenticity but does not claim to b value free

Dominant research value Dominant research topic

Explains prevalence, Explores experiences, incidence, extent, nature of meanings, perceptions and issue, opinions and attitudes feelings Subjects variables to Subjects responses, frequency dist. Cross narratives or observations tabulations & other statistical data to identification of procedures themes Organizations more Organization more analytical in nature, drawing descriptive and narrative in inferences & conclusion & nature testing magnitude & strength of a relationship

Analysis of data

Communication of finding

The Research Process

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Formulating a research problem Conceptualizing a research design Constructing an instrument for data collection Selecting a sample Writing a research proposal Collecting data Processing data Writing a research report

Step 1. Formulating a Research Problem

A research problem identifies your destination It should be clear and specific The main function of formulating a research problem is to decide what you want to find out about. It is extremely important to evaluate the research problem in the light of the financial resources at your disposal, the time available and your own and your research supervisors expertise and knowledge in the field of study. Chapter 4 of your book deal in detail with various aspects of formulating a research problem.

Step 2. Conceptualizing a Research Design

Research involves systematic, controlled, valid and rigorous exploration and description of what is known. It also involves identifying gaps in knowledge, verification of what is already known and identification of past errors and limitation. The strength of what you find largely rests on how it was found. The main function of a research design is to explain how you will find answers to your research questions. The research design sets out the logic of your inquiry.

Step 2. Contd.
A research design should include the following: The study design & the logical arrangements The measurement procedure The sampling strategy The frame of analysis The time frame

Chapter 7 of your book details about research design.

Step 3. Constructing an Instrument for Data Collection

Anything that becomes a mean of collecting information for your study is called a research tool or research instrument. e.g. observation forms, interview schedule, questionnaire, etc. How to collect data then construct a research instrument. Field testing (pre-testing)
Chapter 9 focuses on various methods of data collection and development of a research instrument. Chapter 10 details methods for collecting data using attitudinal scales. Chapter 11 deals with the concepts of validity and reliability in relation to a research instrument.

Step 4. Selecting a Sample

The precision of your results & finding largely depends upon sampling. Basic objective of sampling design is to minimize the gap between sample statistic and population parameter.

Step 4. Contd.
Categories of sample design: 1. Random/ sample design 2. Non-random sample design 3. Mixed sample design
Chapter 12 of your book discusses sample designs.

Step 5. Writing a Research Proposal

A research proposal tells you & your supervisor & a reviewer the following info: What you are proposing to do How you plan to proceed Why you selected the proposed strategy Reliability & validity of the strategy

Step 5. Contd.
Research proposal contain the following information about your study: 1. A statement of the objective of the study 2. A list of hypothesis 3. The study design 4. The setting of the study 5. The research instrument (s) 6. Information on sample size & sample design 7. Data processing procedures 8. Proposed chapters of the report 9. Problems & limitations 10. Time frame 11. Ethical issues Chapter 13 details on research proposal

Step 6. Data Collection

At this stage, you actually collect the data. Ethical issues regarding data collecting Types of data

Chapter 14 of your book discusses data collection issues.

Step 7. Processing Data

Analysis of qualitative & quantitative data If your study is purely descriptive, you can write your report on the basis of field notes, manually analyze the contents of your notes (content analysis), or use a computer program If you want quantitative analysis, then frequency dist. Cross tabulations or regression analysis, factor analysis, ANOVA can be choices
Chapter 15 describes different ways of analyzing data and Chapter 16 details various methods of displaying analyzed data.

Step 8. Writing a Research Report

The report informs the world what you have done, what you have discovered and what conclusions you have drawn from your findings. Your report should be written in an academic style and be divided into different chapters.
Chapter 17 suggest some of the ways of writing a research report.