CHAPTER THREE

The Research Process

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 Unit Objectives
 The following are the objectives of this unit:
– To show how to go about planning research.
– To show the series of actions or steps that is
necessary to effectively carry out a scientific
research.
– To describe each process of scientific research
from identifying and developing a topic for
investigation to presentation of results.

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 Research process
 A process consists of series of actions or steps
necessary to effectively carry out research and
the desired sequencing of these steps.
 Consists of a number of closely related
activities.
 But such activities can overlap continuously
rather than following a strictly prescribed
sequence.
–At times, the first step determines the
nature of the last step to be undertaken.
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 ,,, Cont’d

 Steps are not exhaustive, nor mutually exclusive, but

a series of closely related, continuously overlapping
and interdependent nonlinear steps/ actions.
 One should remember that the various steps
involved in a research process are not mutually
exclusive; nor they are separate and distinct.
 They do not necessarily follow each other in
any specific order.
 The researcher has to be constantly anticipating
at each step in the research process the
requirements of the subsequent steps.

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 ,,, Cont’d
 However, the following order concerning various steps
provides a useful procedural guideline regarding the
research process(i.e. Research involves the following
Process):
1. Selecting a broad area of study
2. Problem definition
3. Literature review
4. Developing objectives and hypothesis/research
question formulation
5. Design of Research/Research Methodology
6. Execution of the project: Data collection, analysis and
generalization and interpretation. And finally,
7. Reporting/Writing research findings in report form 5
 ,,, Cont’d
1. Selecting a research area/topic
 Look for a subject that interests you and will maintain
your interest throughout the various stages of
research that will help you to obtain the maximum
self-development from the research.
 It should be related with your career.
 Some preliminary reading will help you to
determine the extent of your interest.
 Keep in mind the time allotted to you and the
expected length of the research paper.
 The researcher must decide the general area of
interest or aspect of a subject matter that he/she
would like to inquire into/study. 6
 ,,, Cont’d

 You commonly begin with fairly general topic and then

refine it by research and thought into a more specific one.
 Commonly begin with fairly general topic and then refine
it into a more specific one.
 Try to narrow your topic/idea by focusing on a particular
aspect of a particular approach.
 Be original as much as you can, avoid duplicate work on
a specific topic/idea by review literatures.
 The eventual successful completion of a research study is
dependent on the selection of an appropriate topic.
 Before beginning the research, make sure you understand
the amount and depth of research required, & the type
of paper expected.
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 Identify broad area of study ,,, Cont’d

Supervisor agreed

Initial selection of topic

yes
Is the research feasible? Can topic be appropriately refined?

yes
no
Has research sufficient value?

yes

Is there no
sufficient scope?

yes

Acceptable topic
 ,,, Cont’d
2. Formulating the Research Problem
 The task of formulating/defining a research problem is
the core point in the entire research process.
 The task of formulating, or defining a research problem is
a step of greatest importance in the entire research
process. Because:
 It determines the data to be collected,
 It determines the characteristic of the data which are
relevant,
 It determines the type of techniques to be used,
 It determines the form of the final report.
 Therefore, the researcher must single out the problem
he/she wants to study.
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 ,,, Cont’d

 The best way of formulating the research problem is:

- To discuss it with colleagues
- To discuss it with those that have some experience
with the issue.

Note:-
If A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved.

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 ,,, Cont’d

 Some general principles in problem formulation

 Be sure the problem really exists.
 Learn as much as possible about the problem to
be solved.
 Consider alternative formulations in case one is
not feasible.
 Be aware that the problem formulation may
influence the phenomena being studied.

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 ,,, Cont’d

 Evaluation of a research problem (some questions to be asked):

 Is the problem in line with my goals or expectations and the
expectation of others?
 Will the solution of the problem advance knowledge?
 What is the value of potential outcome? (who are the
beneficiaries?)
 Do I possess or can I acquire the necessary skills, abilities
and background knowledge to study the problem?
(Researcher’s capability and interest).
 Will the data be accessible?
 Do I have access to the necessary resources (time, money,
tools, equipment's, laboratory, subjects, etc.) to conduct the
investigation?
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 ,,, Cont’d
3. Literature Survey
 The researcher should also examine all available
literatures to get himself acquainted/familiar with the
selected problem.
 May continue from beginning to end.
 It is important in defining problems and hypotheses
formulation as well as selection of methods.
 Extensive review is required to know:
 What others have done in the area?
 How did they do it?
 What were the research variables?
 How were the variables measured?
 What were the constraints?
 What could possibly be modified? 13
 ,,, Cont’d

 The Researcher may review two types of literature

 Conceptual literature
 Concerning the concepts and theories.
 Empirical literature
 Consisting of studies made earlier which are similar
to the one proposed.
Basic outcomes of the review
 To understand what data and other materials are
available for operational purposes which will enable
the researcher to specify his own research problem in a
meaningful context.
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 ,,, Cont’d

 Literature survey and problem formulation are inter-

related, because the problem can only be specifically
defined if extensive literature survey is done.
 For this purpose - Journals, Conference
proceedings, published or unpublished
bibliographies, Government Reports can be used.

 Remember – One source leads to another.

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 ,,, Cont’d
4. Developing objectives and Working Hypothesis:
 Objectives:

- Statements that indicate what a researcher intends to

accomplish in a more specific term.

 Hypothesis:

- An assertion about the relationship between two or more

concepts.

- Important bridges between empirical inquiry and theory.

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 ,,, Cont’d
Some guidelines in developing objectives:

 Objectives must be specific, concrete and achievable

statements.

 The objectives should clearly fit to the statement of the

problem.

 The objectives must propose to do things as per the

capability of the design of the study.

 Objectives should be in their approximate order of

importance.
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 ,,, Cont’d

 Developing research hypotheses is important since they

provide the focal point of the research.

 They indirectly determine the quality of data which is

required for the analysis.

 The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher and

keep him on the right track.

 Working hypotheses arise as a result of prior /past

thinking about the subject.
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 ,,, Cont’d

 A hypothesis must be
 Specific
 Limited to the piece of research in hand because it has
to be tested.
 Conceptually clear in terms of common definitions.
 Testable (verification or rejection) by available
techniques and resources.
 Related to a body of theory;
 Stated to provide direction for the research;
 Formulated as causal relationships;

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 ,,, Cont’d

 Example of hypothesis

 Improved training provision will create a more

productive reliable and satisfied workforce.

 Smoking and lung cancer are independent.

 As a general a rule, working with hypothesis is

another basic step of the research process in most
research problems --- but may not be always
necessary. E.g. in exploratory researches.
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 ,,, Cont’d
5. Design of the Research
 Once the research problem is formulated and
working hypothesis developed, the researcher will
be required to prepare a research
Design/methodology.
 Research design refers to the arrangement of the
conditions for collection and analysis of data in a
manner that will satisfy or achieve the objectives of
a research undertaking.
 Research design is a conceptual structure within
which research would be conducted.
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 ,,, Cont’d

 It is intended to enable the researcher to

answer questions as validly, objectively,
accurately and economically as much as
possible;
 It provides for the collection of relevant data
with minimum effort, time and budget.
 It sets up the framework for adequate tests of
relationships among study variables.
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 ,,, Cont’d
 The research design tells us:
 What observations to make?
 What variables to measure?
 How to make them/measure them?
 How to analyze the data?
 Sample Design
 Data collection tools/techniques
 It also suggests how many observations to make.
 The type of statistical analysis to be used.

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 ,,, Cont’d

 The research design preparation should consider:

The time available for research.
The finance available for the purpose.
The availability and skills of the researcher and his/her
staff (if any).
Identifying the study variables.
Identifying study subjects /experimental units,
The means of obtaining the information and reasoning
leading to selection.
 The function of research design is to provide for the
collection of relevant evidence with minimal
expenditure of effort, time and money.
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 ,,, Cont’d
6. Execution of the Research
 It is a very important step in the research process.
 If the execution of the research proceeds on
correct lines, the data to be collected would be
adequate and dependable.
 Under this phase the following tasks will be
done:
 Data Collection
 Data Analysis
 Generalizations and Interpretation of the
results 25
 ,,, Cont’d
 Data collection
– Data can be collected by any one or more of the data
collection techniques/tools ways. It may involve:
 Field survey /experiments
 Laboratory
 Questionnaire
 Observation
 Document Analysis
 Interview, etc.
– The researcher should select one/more of these
methods of collecting data by taking into consideration
the nature of investigation, objective and scope of
the inquiry, financial resources, available time and
the desired degree of accuracy. 26
 ,,, Cont’d
 Data Analysis
 After the data have been collected, the researcher turns
to the task of analyzing them.
 The analysis of data requires a number of closely
related operations.
 Before analyzing the data the following operation are
processed on collected data.
 Coding
 Editing
 Tabulation and then drawing statistical
inferences.
 Quantitative data analysis– quantitative figures
 Qualitative data analysis– analytical thinking
 Hypothesis testing
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 ,,, Cont’d
Generalizations and Interpretation of the results
– If a hypothesis is tested and up held several times, it
may be possible for the researcher to arrive at
generalization, i.e., to build a theory.
• As a matter of fact, the real value of research lies in
its ability to arrive at certain generalizations.
– If the researcher had no hypothesis to start with, he/she
might seek to explain his/her findings on the basis of
some theory. It is known as interpretation.
• The process of interpretation may quite often trigger
off new questions which in turn may lead to further
researches.
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 ,,, Cont’d
7. Reporting/Writing Research Reports
 Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of what
has been done.
 The result should be communicated to others.
 Peers
 Policy makers/Developers
 Extension workers
 General public
 Report should be written in a concise and objective style
in simple language avoiding vague expressions such as ‘it
seems,’ ‘there may be’, and the like.
 The style and content varies depending on to whom the
research is written to.
The mode of presentation depends on the target
audience. 29
 ,,, Cont’d
 Some principal guidelines for writing reports of scholarly
journals are:
– Avoid using first person pronouns: I, Me, My, We and
so on.
– Be stylistically consistent with regard to tables, charts,
graphs, section headings, and so forth.
• Tables, for example, should follow the same format
and should be numbered consecutively.
– Clearly label all displays with meaningful title
• Each table, graph, chart, or figure caption should
accurately describe the material presented and its
contribution to the report.
– Use simple language (i.e. avoiding vague expressions)
• Express findings clearly, simply, and accurately. 30
 Criteria of Good Research
 Any types of research should meet the scientific research
procedures.
 To be a scientific research the research should satisfy the
following criteria: (The scientific research method
employed ensures:)
 Purpose/ objectives clearly defined in common
concepts.
 Procedure enumerated to keep continuity.
 The research procedure used should be described in
sufficient detail to permit another researcher to
repeat the research for further advancement, keeping
the continuity of what has already been attained. 31
 ,,, Cont’d

 The procedural design of the research should be

carefully planned to yield results that are as objective
as possible.
 The researcher should report with complete frankness,
flaws in procedural design and estimate their effects
upon the findings.
 Adequate analysis of data with appropriate methods of
analysis.
 The analysis of data should be sufficiently
adequate to reveal its significance and the
methods of analysis used should be appropriate.
 Carefully checked data for validity & reliability.
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 ,,, Cont’d
 Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the
data of the research and limited to those for which the
data provide an adequate basis.
 In other words, we can state the qualities of a good
research as follows:
 Good research is systematic: It means that research is
structured with specified steps to be taken in a
specified sequence in accordance with the well
defined set of rules.
 Systematic characteristic of the research
 Does not rule out creative thinking.
 Reject the use of guessing & intuition in
arriving at conclusions.
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 ,,, Cont’d

 Good research is logical: This implies that research is

guided by rules of logical reasoning & logical process of
induction & deduction.
–The logical process of induction and deduction are of
great value in carrying out research.
–In fact, logical reasoning makes research more
meaningful in the context of decision making.
 Good research is empirical: It implies that research is
related basically to one or more aspects of a real
situation and deals with concrete data that provides a
basis for external validity to research results
(validation).

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 ,,, Cont’d

 Good research is replicable: This characteristic

allows research results to be verified by replicating the
study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions.

– Verified by replicating the study.

 Good research is controlled: variables are identified

& controlled, wherever possible.

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THANK YOU!!
?

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