GKA2043

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
Beginning The Research Process
The Process
Research and Knowledge
Theory or Research?
Conceptual and Research Framework

The Research Process

Research is essentially an attempt to increase a

body of knowledge through the discovery of new
facts and relationships by a process of
systematic enquiry.
The research investigation must be logical,
systematic, scientific and concerned with
seeking solutions to problems and answering
research questions.
A good research is about selecting the most
powerful research design and methods key
criteria for research is the PROCESS.

continue

Nachmias and Nachmias (1996) suggest that the research process

consists of 7 main stages, with each stage affecting the others and
supported by the underpinning theory behind it.

Problem
Generalisato
n

Hypotheses

Theory
Data
Analysis

Research
design

Data
collection

Measurement

continue

One important criterion for research to fulfill is

EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION can be described
as involving a number of specific activities leading
to the explanation of a research question and
testing of associated hypotheses.
These include:
Systematic
Organized
Data-based and critical inquiry/ investigation and cover

issues of sampling, design of data collection procedures

such as questionnaires
Analysis of result

continue

Below is a prototypical research process or

cycle:
Choice of research
topic

Research Problem
(problem
presentation)

Research Design

Sample/respondent

Data

Measurement

Analysis

Writing (completing
the report/thesis)

Action

* Red text indicate literature review involved in the process

continue

The illustrated process is the simplified one.

In reality, the process is not so orderly and
sequential and is rather messy or
complicated.
Researchers should not be surprised if their
research process is not as systematic as
plan.
In practice they have to go back and forth in
the process all the time.

Choice of Topic
Researcher must ask question, is the topic
worth pursuing and is it practical?
A research topic is not a research problem.
It is usually broader and more general than
a research problem.
Research question is addressed when a
researcher moves from a more general
research topic (macro perspective) to a
more specific area (micro perspective).

From research topic to research

problem
Research topic

Research problem

Research Problem

A research problem is a question, but in

actual fact it can be a form of statement
which is supported by a concrete
evidence or fact from the literature,
empirical studies and practical aspects
that happened in the society or context.

Steps and important elements of

each step.
Questions you must
ask

Steps you will take

Important elements
of each step

What is the problem

and why should it be
studied?

Selection, analysis
and statement of the
research problem

- Problem
identification
- Prioritizing
problems
- Analysis
- Justification

What information is
available?

Literature review

- Literature and other

available
information.

Why do we want to
Formulation of
carry out the
research objectives
research? What do we
hope to achieve?

- General and
specific objectives
- hypothesis

continue
Questions you must
ask

Steps you will take

What additional data

Research
do we need to meet
methodology
our research
objectives? How are
we going to collect this
information?

Important elements
of each step
- Variables
- Types of study
- Data collection
techniques
- Sampling
- Plan for data
collection
- Plan for data
processing and
analysis
- Ethical
considerations
- Pre-test or pilot
study.

continue
Questions you must
ask

Steps you will take Important elements

of each step

Who will do what, and

when?

Work plan

- Human resource
- timetable

What resources do we
need to carryout the
study? What resources
do we have?

Budget

- Material support
and equipment
- money

How will the project be

administered? How will
utilization of results be
ensured?

Plan for project

administration and
utilization of results

- Administration
- Monitoring
- Identification of
potential users

How will we present our

proposal to relevant
authorities, community
and the funding
agencies?

Proposal summary

- Briefing sessions
and lobbying

Research and knowledge

Research can be classified into various ways:

1. Theories/models
2. Concepts
3. Method/techniques
4. Facts

New insights can be acquired in any of the above

categories. New insights may be acquired by
demonstrating new practical implications of theory as
well by testing hypotheses derived from theory, and by
applying a method to a new problem.
Any research should have an intended contribution
that is to bring or add something new.

Theory of research?
Theory before research? present
knowledge/theory allows for structuring of
the research problem so that the
researcher knows what to look for, what
factors are relevant and what hypotheses
should be tested empirically.
Research before theory? when solving
the problems, the researcher will make
use of available knowledge to explore the
theory.

Production and use of

theory

2 - To identify relevant factors

and construct explanation
(theory).
CONTEXT OF DISCOVERY

1- To identify relevant concepts,

theories and to adjust the
concepts (theory) to the problem
under scrutiny (which also requires
a clear understanding of research
problem).
CONTEXT OF JUSTIFICATION

Figure above shows both arrows between two strategies, indicating that when applying
present insights to specific problems, new observations and new questions may give
rise to a search for new explanations, methods or techniques.

Check lists when choosing a

research topic

Is the topic something with which you are really

fascinated?
Do you have, or can you develop within the project time
frame, the necessary research skills to undertake the
topic?
Is the research topic achievable within the available time?
Will the project still be current when you finish the project?
Is the research topic achievable within the financial
resources that are likely to be available?
Are you reasonably certain of being able to gain access to
data you are likely to require for this topic?

Appropriateness: Is it worth
while?

Is the topic fit the specifications and meet the standards set
by the examining institution?
Does your research topic contain issues that have a clear
link to theory?
Are you able to state your research question(s) and
objective(s) clearly?
Will your proposed research be able to provide fresh
insights into this topic?
Does your research topic relate clearly to the idea you have
been given?
Are the findings for the research topic likely to be
symmetrical; that is, of similar value what ever the outcome?
Does the research topic match your career goal?

Converting concepts into

variables
Concepts
Indicator
(Subjective
impressions and
cannot be measured)

Variable
(Objective
impressions and can
be measured)

Example: Fair salary

- Amount of salary
- Salary is distributed
to employees via a
salary committee.

- Allocation of salary
- Procedures of
distributing salary

Table above shows that before any concepts are used in any research they
must be translated into measurable terms called variable.

Conceptual and research

framework

It defines the kinds of research activities

which can be used to produce specific
outputs.
It is also called as research model or
theoretical framework.
Conceptual framework is usually used to
simplify a complex relationship between two
or more variables that occur.
To ensure that research activity is
manageable, we use research framework.

continue

The term research framework is more suitable to the

research using qualitative approach.
Act like a map that give coherence to empirical inquiry.
Defines the categories of outputs that a research can

produce.
Defines a set of different set of activities.
Contains the descriptions of research outputs and research
activities.
A collection of things to ask and things to observe in
particular contexts.
Includes processes for integrating research/data from other
practice areas as well as specific methodologies for making
meaning of the raw research.

Example of research framework

Instruction for lecturer: Please Google images of research

framework that relevant to your program

conclusion

Research is often associated with

constructing and designing
measurements, statistical procedures and
so on research methodology.
Research methodology can be conceived
as a system of rules and procedures.
Qualifying research requires competence
in logical reasoning and analysis.