SOLUSI UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF THEOLOGY AND CHAPLAINCY

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

Assignment 1:

An assignment presented in partial fulfilment of the course RELP 395 Research

Methods in Program Bachelor of Arts Theology

Presented by

PETROSIFY MULEYA SU200077T

February REGULAR

Facilitator .Mr L NCUBE

Due date 17 May 2021

Answer ALL questions in this section.

The quiz contributes 10% of the total points.

1. a. Define the term ‘research’ according to Paul Leedy (1997) clearly explaining any
five key terms in that definition research is the manner in which we solve knotty
problems in our attempt to push back the frontiers of human ignorance. It is a way of
looking at accumulated facts so that a collection of data speaks to the mind of the
researcher, as he/she analyses and interprets the data, and draws conclusions.
 Systematic process involves the description of a problem, the general quest
for alternative solutions through models, and the selection of the best option
that will ultimately determine the course of action.
 Data analysis is the systematic method of collecting and measuring data on
variables of interest in order to address research questions, test hypotheses,
and analyse outcomes.
 Data collection is the systematic collection and measurement of data on
variables of interest in order to address research questions, test hypotheses,
and assess outcomes.
 Information is any data that has been collected, observed, generated or
created to validate original research findings.
 Phenomenon it is an established answer to a research question.

b. State and list 10 purposes of research.

 . Have it as interesting fact

 Use it to make decisions
 Use it to persuade influence others
 . Use it to affect change
 Use it to change behaviour
 Use it to better use…medical …improve customer care...write better funding
applications.
 Monitor and evaluate our projects....
 We research in order to understand society and social processes, as well as to test
and or create theories in order that we are better able to inform about social action
and potentially ‘improve’ social conditions.
 Use to increase awareness
 Use to correct misconception or lies and prove facts

2) Identify and explain ten characteristics of research .

 Research begins with a problem in the mind of the researcher. An inquisitive mind is
the beginning of research.
 Research demands the identification of a problem, stated in clear, unambiguous
terms. We must see clearly at the onset what it is that we are attempting to
 research on. A question must crystallize at the beginning of the research effort into
a precisely and grammatically complete statement setting forth exactly what the
ultimate goal of the research is.
 Research requires a plan. It must have direction. Being a result of conscious
planning, the whole research effort must be governed by a purposive and overall
design.
 Research deals with the main problem through appropriate sub-problems. Most
researchable problems subsume other problems of lesser breath, which collectively
are component parts of the main problem. Sub-problems are subsidiary components
of the main problem. Answers to sub-problems form the integral answer to the main
problem.
 Research seeks direction through an appropriate hypothesis, and is based upon
obvious assumptions. Each sub-problem must be viewed through a hypothesis,
implying that for each sub-problem a hypothesis must be formulated to capture the
variables that would be investigated in an attempt to answer the sub-problem.
 The research should be action-oriented. In other words, it should be aimed at
reaching a solution leading to the implementation of its findings.
 The research must be as much cost-effective as possible.
 The research should be generative. This is one of the valuable characteristics of
research because answering one question leads to generating many other new
questions.
 The research should follow an integrated multidisciplinary approach, i.e., research
approaches from more than one discipline are needed.
 The results of the research should be presented in formats most useful for
administrators, decision-makers, business managers, or the community members

3.List and explain five main characteristics of a good research topic

 The problem can be stated clearly and concisely.

 The problem generates research questions.
 It is grounded in theory.
 It relates to one or more academic fields of study.
 It has a base in the research literature
The problem can be stated clearly and concisely
If the problem cannot be explained explicitly and succinctly, it is most likely a weak or non-
problem. Writing the issue statement down in a short sentence or paragraph and sharing it
with others is the perfect way to test it. If the problem cannot be outlined clearly in a single
paragraph, it is difficult to solve and will not last as a viable issue.

The problem generates research question

A number of more basic research questions should emerge from the . These represent
different aspects or components of the problem and transform it into a question format.

The research questions help to answer the more general argument and provide a basis for
the investigation. Formulating these questions, particularly at the appropriate level of
abstraction, can be difficult.

It is grounded theory
Good problems have theoretical and/or conceptual frameworks for their analysis. They
relate the specifics of what is being investigated to a more general background of theory
which helps interpret the results and link it to the field.

It Relates to One or More Academic Fields of Study

Good problems relate to academic fields which have adherents and boundaries. They
typically have journals to which adherents relate. Research problems which do not have
clear links to one or two such fields of study are generally in trouble. Without such a field it
becomes impossible to determine where, in the universe of knowledge, the problem lies.

It Has a Base in the Research Literature

Related to the former points, a well-stated problem will relate to a research literature. Tight
problems often relate to a well-defined body of literature, written by a select group of
researchers and published in a small number of journals. With some problems, it might at
first be difficult to establish the connections and literature base, but there should be a base
somewhere.

4. State (a) five merits of questionnaire and (b) five demerits of an interview. 10 Points

Five merits of questionnaire

a) Uniformity
b) It Puts Less Pressure on the Respondents:
c) An Easier Method:
 d) Repetitive Information:
e) Wide Coverage:

b) Five demerits of an interview

 Conducting interview studies can be very costly as well as very time-consuming.

 An interview can cause biases. For example, the respondent’s answers can be
affected by his reaction to the interviewer’s race, class, age or physical
appearance.
 Interview studies provide less anonymity, which is a big concern for many
respondents.
 There is a lack of accessibility to respondents unlike conducting mailed
questionnaire study since the respondents can be in around any corner of the
world or country.
 Deliberate lying, because the respondent does not want to give a socially
undesirable answer.

5. Define (a)‘Research Proposal’ A research proposal is a document written by a researcher

that provides a detailed description of the proposed program. It is like an outline of the
entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information discussed in
a project. it facilitates the smooth sailing of the various research operations, thereby
making research as efficient as possible yielding maximal information with minimal
expenditure of effort, time and money. In fact the research proposal is the conceptual
structure within which research is conducted; it constitutes the blueprint for the
collection, measurement and analysis of data. As such the proposal includes an outline of
what the researcher will do from writing the hypothesis and its operational implications
the final analysis of data.

(b) Examine the importance of the Research Proposal in academic research.

6. (a) Define ‘ethics’ and discuss the importance of the study of ethics in your
discipline of study (10 Points) and (b)Explain five ethical considerations one
should make before engaging in academic research. (10 Points)

c. Justify the need to consider ethical principles before and during data
collection. 10 Points . (a) Define ‘ethics’ and discuss the importance of the
study of ethics in your discipline of study (10 Points) and
1.Is a philosophical discipline of study, ethics is a systematic approach to understanding,
analysing, and distinguishing matters of right and wrong, good and bad, and admirable and
deplorable as they relate to the well-being of and relationships among sentient beings.
2 Life is made up of choices. The study of ethics is important and helps us to inculcate moral
values that will help us to make right decisions.

3. Human beings seem to have lost the moral compass

4.The are unique situations and unique needs, there are immense opportunities as well as
immense dangers.

5. One reason to study ethics is that ethics is inescapable. It is difficult, if not impossible, to
imagine a society in which there are not codes of conduct, ways of assessing what is
desirable or healthy and undesirable or unhealthy. Even if such codes are thought of as
mere means of survival, there will still be implicit commitments to what is good or bad: food
and water (in proportion) is good for persons, deprivation of either will lead to damage and
dissolution.

6. If you do not study ethics, chances are you will have no opportunity to carefully reflect on
the values that shape your life, no chance to think about whether the values in your society
are wise or foolish, no chance to expand your awareness of the values of other persons.

(b)Explain five ethical considerations one should make before engaging in

academic research. (10 Points)
7. Research participants should not be subjected to harm in any ways whatsoever.

8. Respect for the dignity of research participants should be prioritised.

9. Full consent should be obtained from the participants prior to the study.

10. The protection of the privacy of research participants has to be ensured.

11. Adequate level of confidentiality of the research data should be ensured.

c. Justify the need to consider ethical principles before and during data
collection. 10 Points
1. Ethical considerations are an important element in research. The researcher must adhere
to further the research goals by imparting authentic knowledge, truth and avoidance of
errors. In addition, following ethics allows academics to take a collaborative approach to
their studies with the help of your peers, mentors and other study staff who require values
like responsibility, trust, mutual respect and fairness between all parties involved in a study,
which in turn depends on protecting the intellectual property rights of all employees
created by implementing ethical considerations. Other ethical considerations in research
relate to accountability to the public by protecting the human or animal subjects used in the
study. Proper use of public funds and obtaining public support is equally important.