Important concepts relating to research design (Page 33)

Steps involved in a research process

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Finding an issue or formulating a research question is the first step. A well-defined research
problem will guide the researcher through all stages of the research process, from setting
objectives to choosing a technique. There are a number of approaches to get insight into a topic
and gain a better understanding of it. Such as:

• A preliminary survey
• Case studies
• Interviews with a small group of people
• Observational survey

Step 2: Evaluate the Literature

A thorough examination of the relevant studies is essential to the research process. It enables
the researcher to identify the precise aspects of the problem. Once a problem has been found,
the investigator or researcher needs to find out more about it.

This stage gives problem-zone background. It teaches the investigator about previous research,
how they were conducted, and its conclusions. The researcher can build consistency between
his work and others through a literature review. Such a review exposes the researcher to a more
significant body of knowledge and helps him follow the research process efficiently.

Step 3: Create Hypotheses

Formulating an original hypothesis is the next logical step after narrowing down the research
topic and defining it. A belief solves logical relationships between variables. In order to
establish a hypothesis, a researcher must have a certain amount of expertise in the field.
It is important for researchers to keep in mind while formulating a hypothesis that it must be
based on the research topic. Researchers are able to concentrate their efforts and stay committed
to their objectives when they develop theories to guide their work.

Step 4: The Research Design

Research design is the plan for achieving objectives and answering research questions. It
outlines how to get the relevant information. Its goal is to design research to test hypotheses,
address the research questions, and provide decision-making insights.

The research design aims to minimize the time, money, and effort required to acquire
meaningful evidence. This plan fits into four categories:

• Exploration and Surveys

• Experiment

• Data Analysis

• Observation

Step 5: Describe Population

Research projects usually look at a specific group of people, facilities, or how technology is
used in the business. In research, the term population refers to this study group. The research
topic and purpose help determine the study group.

Suppose a researcher wishes to investigate a certain group of people in the community. In that
case, the research could target a specific age group, males or females, a geographic location,
or an ethnic group. A final step in a study’s design is to specify its sample or population so that
the results may be generalized.

Step 6: Data Collection

Data collection is important in obtaining the knowledge or information required to answer the
research issue. Every research collected data, either from the literature or the people being
studied. Data must be collected from the two categories of researchers. These sources may
provide primary data.
 • Experiment

• Questionnaire

• Observation

• Interview

Secondary data categories are:

• Literature survey
• Official, unofficial reports

• An approach based on library resources

Step 7: Data Analysis

During research design, the researcher plans data analysis. After collecting data, the researcher
analyzes it. The data is examined based on the approach in this step. The research findings are
reviewed and reported.

Data analysis involves a number of closely related stages, such as setting up categories,
applying these categories to raw data through coding and tabulation, and then drawing
statistical conclusions. The researcher can examine the acquired data using a variety of
statistical methods.

Step 8: The Report-writing

After completing these steps, the researcher must prepare a report detailing his findings. The
report must be carefully composed with the following in mind:

o The Layout: On the first page, the title, date, acknowledgments, and
preface should be on the report. A table of contents should be followed by
a list of tables, graphs, and charts if any.

• Introduction: It should state the research’s purpose and methods. This section should
include the sudy’s scope and limits.
 o Summary of Findings: A non-technical summary of findings and
recommendations will follow the introduction. The findings should be
summarized if they’re lengthy.

• Principal Report: The main body of the report should make sense and be broken up
into sections that are easy to understand.

• Conclusion: The researcher should restate his findings at the end of the main text. It’s
the final result.

Computers as a tool in research

The computers are the emerging tool in the research process. The main components of
Computers are an input device, a Central Processing Unit and an output device. It is an essential
tool for research, whether for academic purpose or for commercial purpose. Computers play a
major role today in every field of scientific research from genetic engineering to astrophysics
research.
Computers with internet led the way to a globalized information portal that is the World Wide
Web. Using WWW, researcher can conduct research on massive scale. Various programs and
applications have eased our way into computing our research process. In this module, various
computer software applications and tools are discussed with respect to research activities like
data collection, analysis, etc.

Justification in research
Research is conducted to add something new, either knowledge or solutions, to a field.
Therefore, when undertaking new research, it is important to know and state why the research
is being conducted, in other words, justify the research. The justification of a research is also
known as the rationale. Writing the justification or rationale comes from an in-depth search and
analysis of the existing literature around the topic. A comprehensive literature search typically
reveals gaps in previous studies that may explore through our research. It is needed to write
the justification in the Introduction section of the paper.
 What is Appendix?

An appendix is a supplementary document that facilitates your reader’s understanding of your

research but is not essential to your core argument. Appendices are a useful tool for providing
additional information or clarification in a research paper, dissertation, or thesis without
making your final product too long.

Appendices help you provide more background information and nuance about your thesis
or dissertation topic without disrupting your text with too many tables and figures or other
distracting elements.

Graphical representation:
A graphical representation is a visual representation of data statistics-based results using
graphs, plots, and charts. This kind of representation is more effective in understanding and
comparing data than seen in a tabular form. Graphical representation helps to qualify, sort, and
present data in a method that is simple to understand for a larger audience. Graphs enable in
studying the cause and effect relationship between two variables through both time series and
frequency distribution. The data that is obtained from different surveying is infused into a
graphical representation by the use of some symbols, such as lines on a line graph, bars on a
bar chart, or slices of a pie chart. This visual representation helps in clarity, comparison, and
understanding of numerical data.

Research objectives
Research objectives describe what your research is trying to achieve and explain why you are
pursuing it. They summarize the approach and purpose of your project and help to focus your
research.

Your objectives should appear in the introduction of your research paper, at the end of
your problem statement. They should:

• Establish the scope and depth of your project

• Contribute to your research design
• Indicate how your project will contribute to existing knowledge
 Research question

A research question is an inquiry that the research attempts to answer. It is the heart of the
systematic investigation. Research questions are the most important step in any research
project. In essence, it initiates the research project and establishes the pace for the specific
research

Characteristics of a research question:

• Clear: It provides enough detail that the audience understands its purpose without any
additional explanation.
• Focused: It is so specific that it can be addressed within the time constraints of the
writing task.
• Succinct: It is written in the shortest possible words.
• Complex: It is not possible to answer it with a "yes" or "no", but requires analysis and
synthesis of ideas before somebody can create a solution.
• Argumental: Its potential answers are open for debate rather than accepted facts.

Research hypothesis
A research hypothesis is a statement or assumptuions that predicts a relationship between
variables. It is usually formulated as a specific statement that can be tested through research,
and it is often used in scientific research to guide the design of experiments.
Two types of Hypothesis are:
Null Hypothesis
The null hypothesis is a statement that assumes there is no significant difference or relationship
between variables. It is often used as a starting point for testing the research hypothesis, and if
the results of the study reject the null hypothesis, it suggests that there is a significant difference
or relationship between variables.

Alternative Hypothesis
An alternative hypothesis is a statement that assumes there is a significant difference or
relationship between variables. It is often used as an alternative to the null hypothesis and is
tested against the null hypothesis to determine which statement is more accurate.
 Outline the steps of a research plan:

STEP 1: DEFINE THE PROJECT PURPOSE

Begin by clearly outlining the why and what of your research. Understanding the purpose sets
the foundation for your project’s goals. Whether you work solo or in a team, a well-defined
purpose guides your efforts. For collaborative work, it helps allocate tasks efficiently. For
instance, if your project explores a country’s history, assign team members tasks like cultural
history research or conflict history investigation.

STEP 2: SELECT THE RESEARCH METHOD

Choose suitable research methods that align with your goals. While variety is possible, aligning
methods with each team member’s strengths enhances efficiency. For instance, one member
excelling in interviews can focus on that approach.

Whenever feasible, involve participants to expedite research efforts. Involving others not only
saves time but also simplifies tasks. In team settings, distribute work based on individual
strengths. This dynamic aids in efficient task management, allowing you to focus on strategy,
task allocation, and documentation.

STEP 3: MANAGE THE TASK AND TIMELINE

Swiftly allocate tasks within a team context. Determine the required number of tasks and
delegate them promptly. Effective task distribution accelerates individual contributions to the
project’s segments.

Once you’ve assembled your team and outlined project tasks, construct a practical timeline for
your objectives. Collaborative efforts may necessitate multiple meetings to finalize a feasible
timeline. Consider creating a visual timeline using whiteboards, paper sheets, or digital tools.
This visualization technique assists team members in grasping task deadlines.

STEP 4: WRITE A SUMMARY

Prepare a project summary that serves as your research project guide. This invaluable tool aids
recruitment interviews, meetings, and field studies. With a well-structured summary, you can
stay on track during interactions, ensuring you address key project aspects. It includes questions
for potential recruits, project components for discussion, and meeting focus. Typically separate
from the main project, summaries feature an introduction and possibly interview questions for
potential participants.

STEP 5: PLAN THE RESULT PRESENTATION

Your diverse presentation methods may apply depending on your research’s context and
purpose. For instance, corporate projects might demand professional presentation avenues such
as slideshows, pamphlets, or booklets. Conversely, personal or independent research may not
require formal presentation methods unless preferred for organizational purposes. Identifying
your preferred presentation mode enhances clarity and readiness as your project unfolds.