Research and Methodology. Hamad Yaseen, PhD Student s Project 470 MLS Department, FAHS

Transcription

1 Research and Methodology Hamad Yaseen, PhD Student s Project 470 MLS Department, FAHS

2 The DO s and DONT s Catalogue for Course Participants listen attentively be considerate and amenable be inquisitive, analytical and critical in your approach to learning research methodology mention if you do not understand something and seek clarification read the prescribed course literature. It is the basic requirement for comprehending research methodology and succeeding in this course start reading from the beginning of the course and not towards the end! be late to class. You will not be allowed in if late!!!! distract the attention of other course participants use mobile phones or send SMS messages in the class feel afraid to bring up any relevant point for discussion hesitate to visit me at my office, individually or as a group, if you have a course-related problem and seek counseling in this regard 2

3 The Aim of Student s Project 470 Understand research methodology. Critical thinking. Understand and be able to perform experiments in the laboratory. Understand how and be able to report your results. Learn how to present your results in conferences. 3

4 Outline Research and Methodology: Research defined and described Classifications of research Define and discuss methodology Description of the research process Discuss creativity and its role in the research process 4

5 Research Defined and Described Research is the systematic approach to obtaining and confirming new and reliable knowledge Systematic and orderly (following a series of steps) Purpose is new knowledge, which must be reliable This is a general definition which applies to all disciplines 5

6 Research is not Accidental discovery : 1. Accidental discovery may occur in structured research process 2. Usually takes the form of a phenomenon not previously noticed 3. May lead to a structured research process to verify or understand the observation 6

7 Research is not cont. Data Collection an intermediate step to gain reliable knowledge collecting reliable data is part of the research process 7

8 Research is not cont. Searching out published research results in libraries (or the internet) This is an important early step of research The research process always includes synthesis and analysis But, just reviewing of literature is not research 8

9 Research is 1. Searching for explanation of events, phenomena, relationships and causes What, how and why things occur Are there interactions? 2. A process Planned and managed to make the information generated credible The process is creative It is circular always leads to more questions 9

10 All well designed and conducted research has potential application. Failure to see applications can be due to: Users not trained or experienced in the specialized methods of economic research and reasoning Researchers often do not provide adequate interpretations and guidance on applications of the research Researchers are responsible to help users understand research implications (How?) 10

11 Classification of Research Before classification, we must first define types of research Different criteria are used to classify research types 11

12 Types of Research Trochim s Classifications descriptive e.g., percentage of regular exercisers relational e.g., link between age and exercise causal e.g., effect of behavior change intervention on exercise participation

13 Types of Research Other Common Classifications basic vs. applied vs. evaluation experimental vs. non-experimental analytical vs. descriptive vs. experimental vs. qualitative

14 The Essence of the Scientific Method Characteristics of the Scientific Method Objectivity Systematic Analysis Logical Interpretation of Results Elements of the Scientific Method Basic Research Applied Research Scientific Method General Laws Information or Ideas for alternative Courses of action Empirical Approach Observations Questions Hypotheses Experiments Analysis Conclusion Replication 14

15 Basic vs Applied Research Basic to determine or establish fundamental facts and relationships within a discipline or field of study. Develop theories. Applied undertaken specifically for the purpose of obtaining information to help resolve a particular problem. The distinction between them is in the application Basic has little application to real world p but could be done to guide applied research 15

16 Research Continuum Basic Theoretical? More Invasive? Laboratory Based? Tightly Controlled? Lacks External Validity? Focus on Mechanism More Reductionist Applied Quick Answers? Less Invasive? Field Based? Loosely Controlled? Externally Valid? Focus on Effect Less Reductionist.

17 Research Continuum Basic e.g. Does Caffeine Ingestion Improve Ca 2+ binding with troponin? -Would this Facilitate Acto- Myosin Coupling? -Would this aid contraction? e.g. Applied Does Caffeine Ingestion Improve Athletic Performance?

18 THE RESEARCH PROCESS 1. Selection of topic 2. Reviewing the literature 3. Development of theoretical and conceptual frameworks 4. Clarification of research question/hypothesis 5. Research design 6. Data collection 7. Data analysis 8. Drawing conclusions

19 STAGE 1. SELECTION OF TOPIC 1. A crucial stage, as an inappropriate topic or question will often lead to irretrievable difficulties later in the research. 2. It is unlikely that you will develop a final question and set of objectives at this stage of the research process, and stages 2 and 3 are important in developing and assessing your question more fully.

20 STAGE 2. REVIEWING THE LITERATURE A literature review essentially consists of critically reading, evaluating and organising existing literature on the topic to assess the state of knowledge in the area. During this stage you should aim to become an expert in your field of research. Generally done alongside the development of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks (stage 3 of the research process).

21 STAGE 3. DEVELOPMENT OF THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS As you read the literature, you should be continually developing and refining your theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Your theoretical framework refers to the underlying theoretical approach that you adopt to underpin your study. The conceptual framework defines and organises the concepts important within your study.

22 STAGE 4. CLARIFICATION OF THE RESEARCH QUESTION Initial research questions are chosen, investigated and often rejected for a number of reasons, for example: The question lacks sufficient focus. The conceptual framework has identified problems in either defining and/or measuring the appropriate concepts. There are too many moderating or intervening variables. The project is unfeasible in terms of complexity, access, facilities or resources.

23 STAGE 5. RESEARCH DESIGN What data do I need to collect to answer this question? What is the best way to collect this data? What overall research design should I use? For example, a cross-sectional, experimental or longitudinal design? Will I need to collect primary or secondary data? What methods, for example interviews, questionnaire surveys and so on, will be best to collect the primary data?

24 Who should participate in the research? How will I gain access to them? What are the exact procedures that I should adopt in my data collection to ensure reliability and validity? Are there any ethical issues associated with the research?

25 STAGE 6. DATA COLLECTION You have to consider which methodology to choose, and which methods to utilise.

26 STAGE 7. DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS 1. The data you collect in stage 6 needs to be analysed to provide answers to your research question. 2. In your discussion of the results, reference should also be made back to the literature reviewed in stage 2, for example How do the findings add to this literature? Do they support the literature? If not, what are the possible reasons why?

27 STAGE 8. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS Conclusions should relate back to the focused research question. You can evaluate how successful you have been in achieving your research objectives, and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the research. You may also want to make recommendations for further research.

28 SUMMARY 1. Research is not just about the collection of data. Data collection is important, but it is simply part of a wider process the research process. 2. The research process follows 8 steps: selection of topic, reviewing the literature, developing your theoretical and conceptual frameworks, clarifying your research question, developing a research design, collecting data, analysing data, and drawing conclusions. 3. Relating your project to the research process will allow you to develop and answer your research question in a logical and systematic manner.

29 Fostering Creativity (Ladd 1987) A. Gather and use previously developed knowledge B. Exchange ideas C. Apply deductive logic D. Look at things alternate ways E. Question or challenge assumptions F. Search for patterns or relationships G. Take risks H. Cultivate tolerance for uncertainty 29

30 Fostering Creativity cont. I. Allow curiosity to grow J. Set problems aside and come back to them K. Write down your thoughts frequently I don t know what I think until I write it L. Freedom from distraction some time to think. Creativity may provide the difference between satisfactory and outstanding research. 30

31 Research Limitations Funds Time Samples Working space (Laboratory) Lack of knowledge Lack of manpower Lack of instruments 31