INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

MEANING OF RESEARCH;
- research is composed of two syllables a prefix "re" and "a" verb search.
- "re" means anew, again, anew, and over again.
- it means to examine closely and carefully to test and try and to probe.
- it is a carefull and a systematic study in some field of knowledge, undertaken
to establish factsor principles(Grinnel, 1997).
- a systematic way of asking questions(Drew, 1980).
- a way of going about finding answers to questions about the social world(Neuma
n, 1997).
- data gathering to enable us answer questions about the social world(Bailey, 19
94).
DEFINITION OF RESEARCH;
-the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order t
o establish facts and reach new conclusions.In the broadest sense of the word, t
he definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts
for the advancement of knowledge.
-A broad definition of research is given by Martyn Shuttleworth - "In the broade
st sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data,
information and facts for the advancement of knowledge.
-Another definition of research is given by Creswell who states that - "Research
is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our u
nderstanding of a topic or issue". It consists of three steps: Pose a question,
collect data to answer the question, and present an answer to the question.
-The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines research in more detail as "a stu
dious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aim
ed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories o
r laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revise
d theories or laws".
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY;
Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It m
ay be
understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. In it w
e study the various
steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research proble
m along with the logic
behind them. It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the research me
thods/techniques
but also the methodology.In research methodology we not only talk of the resear
ch methods but also consider the logic behind the methods we use
in the context of our research study and explain why we are using a particular m
ethod or
technique and why we are not using others so that research results are capable o
f being
evaluated either by the researcher himself or by others.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH;
1) Reliability is a subjective term which can not be measured precisely but toda
y there are instruments which can estimate the reliability of any research. Reli
ability is the repeatability of any research, research instrument, tool or proce
dure. If any research yields similar results each time it is undertaken with sim
ilar population and with similar procedures, it is called to be a reliable resea
rch. Suppose a research is conducted on the effects of separation between parent
s on class performance of the children. If the results conclude that separation
causes low grades in class, these results should have to be reliable for another
sample taken from similar population. More the results are similar; more reliab
ility is present in the research.

2) Validity is the strength with which we can call a research conclusions, assum
ptions or propositions true or false. Validity determines the applicability of r
esearch . Validity of the research instrument can be defined as the suitability
of the research instrument to the research problem or how accurately the instrum
ent measures the problem. Some researchers say that validity and reliability are
co-related but validity is much more important than reliability. Without validi
ty research goes in the wrong direction. To keep the research on-track define yo
ur concepts in the best possible manner so that no error occur during measuremen
t.
3) Accuracy is also the degree to which each research process, instrument and to
ol is related to each other. Accuracy also measures whether research tools have
been selected in best possible manner and research procedures suits the research
problem or not. For example if a research has to be conducted on the trans-gend
er people, several data collection tools can be used depending on the research p
roblems but if you find that population less cooperative the best way is to obse
rve them rather than submitting questionnaire because in questionnaire either th
ey will give biased responses or they will not return the questionnaires at all.
So choosing the best data collection tool improves the accuracy of research.
4) Credibility comes with the use of best source of information and best procedu
res in research. If you are using second-hand information in your research due t
o any reason your research might complete in less time but its credibility will
be at stake because secondary data has been manipulated by human beings and is t
herefore not very valid to use in research. A certain percentage of secondary da
ta can be used if primary source is not available but basing a research complete
ly on secondary data when primary data can be gathered is least credible. When r
esearcher give accurate references in research the credibility of research incre
ases but fake references also decrease the credibility of research.
5) Generalizability is the extent to which a research findings can be applied to
larger population. When a researcher conducts a study he/she chooses a target p
opulation and from this population he takes a small sample to conduct the resear
ch. This sample is representative of the whole population so the findings should
also be. If research findings can be applied to any sample from the population,
the results of the research are said to be generalizable.
6) Empirical nature of research means that the research has been conducted follo
wing rigorous scientific methods and procedures. Each step in the research has b
een tested for accuracy and is based on real life experiences. Quantitative rese
arch is more easy to prove scientifically than qualitative research. In qualitat
ive research biases and prejudice are easy to occur.
7) Systematic approach is the only approach for research. No research can be con
ducted haphazardly. Each step must follow other. There are set of procedures tha
t have been tested over a period of time and are thus suitable to use in researc
h. Each research therefore should follow a procedure.
8) Controlled-in real life experience there are many factors that effect an outc
ome. A single event is often result of several factors. When similar event is te
sted in research, due to the broader nature of factors that effect that event, s
ome factors are taken as controlled factors while others are tested for possible
effect. The controlled factors or variables should have to be controlled rigoro
usly. In pure sciences it is very easy to control such elements because experime
nts are conducted in laboratory but in social sciences it becomes difficult to c
ontrol these factors because of the nature of research.
TYPES OF RESEARCH;
-Descriptive vs. Analytical: Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-find
ing enquiries
of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of
the state of
affairs as it exists at present. In analytical research, on the
other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, an
d analyze
these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

-Applied vs. Fundamental: Research can either be applied (or action) research or
fundamental (to basic or pure) research. Applied research aims at finding a solu
tion for an
immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation, where
as fundamental
research is mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a
theory.
-Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Quantitative research is based on the measurement
of quantity
or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quant
ity.
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomeno
n, i.e.,
phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. For instance, when we are in
terested in
investigating the reasons for human behaviour (i.e., why people think or do cert
ain things),
we quite often talk of Motivation Research , an important type of qualitative resea
rch.
-Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research is that related to some abstract
idea(s) or
theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concept
s or to
reinterpret existing ones. On the other hand, empirical research relies on exper
ience or
observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory.
RESEARCH PROCESSES
Step 1: Identify the Problem
The first step in the process is to identify a problem or develop a research que
stion. The research problem may be something the agency identifies as a problem,
some knowledge or information that is needed by the agency, or the desire to id
entify a recreation trend nationally. In the example in table 2.4, the problem t
hat the agency has identified is childhood obesity, which is a local problem and
concern within the community.
Step 2: Review the Literature
Now that the problem has been identified, the researcher must learn more about t
he topic under investigation. To do this, the researcher must review the literat
ure related to the research problem. This step provides foundational knowledge a
bout the problem area.
Step 3: Clarify the Problem
Many times the initial problem identified in the first step of the process is to
o large or broad in scope. In step 3 of the process, the researcher clarifies th
e problem and narrows the scope of the study. This can only be done after the li
terature has been reviewed. The knowledge gained through the review of literatur
e guides the researcher in clarifying and narrowing the research project.
Step 4: Clearly Define Terms and Concepts
Terms and concepts are words or phrases used in the purpose statement of the stu
dy or the description of the study. These items need to be specifically defined
as they apply to the study. Terms or concepts often have different definitions d
epending on who is reading the study. To minimize confusion about what the terms
and phrases mean, the researcher must specifically define them for the study.

Step 5: Define the Population

Research projects can focus on a specific group of people, facilities, park deve
lopment, employee evaluations, programs, financial status, marketing efforts, or
the integration of technology into the operations.
Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan
The plan for the study is referred to as the instrumentation plan. The instrumen
tation plan serves as the road map for the entire study, specifying who will par
ticipate in the study; how, when, and where data will be collected; and the cont
ent of the program. This plan is composed of numerous decisions and consideratio
ns that are addressed in chapter 8 of this text.
Step 7: Collect Data
Once the instrumentation plan is completed, the actual study begins with the col
lection of data. The collection of data is a critical step in providing the info
rmation needed to answer the research question. Every study includes the collect
ion of some type of data whether it is from the literature or from subjects to answe
r the research question. Data can be collected in the form of words on a survey,
with a questionnaire, through observations, or from the literature.
Step 8: Analyze the Data
All the time, effort, and resources dedicated to steps 1 through 7 of the resear
ch process culminate in this final step. The researcher finally has data to anal
yze so that the research question can be answered. In the instrumentation plan,
the researcher specified how the data will be analyzed. The researcher now analy
zes the data according to the plan. The results of this analysis are then review
ed and summarized in a manner directly related to the research questions.
ETHICS;
Research that involves human subjects or participants raises unique and complex
ethical, legal, social and political issues. Research ethics is specifically int
erested in the analysis of ethical issues that are raised when people are involv
ed as participants in research. There are three objectives in research ethics. T
he first and broadest objective is to protect human participants. The second obj
ective is to ensure that research is conducted in a way that serves interests of
individuals, groups and/or society as a whole. Finally, the third objective is
to examine specific research activities and projects for their ethical soundness
, looking at issues such as the management of risk, protection of confidentialit
y and the process of informed consent.