Course -1

Introduction to Research Method

[email protected]
Prof Dr. Aries Susanty ST MT
 Learning Objectives
• Students are able to produce a thesis
proposal, starting from defining and
formulating problems, designing research
methodology or research design, designing
appropriate data collection and processing
techniques, and formulating conclusions
and recommendation .

• Key word: produce a thesis proposal

Presentation title 3
Learning Contract
• You should open your camera
during course
• The tasks (student make a
presentation for progress
report in making thesis
proposal-see the course
outline): 30%
• Mid-term test: 35%
• Final test (thesis proposal and
final presentation): 35%
Final Grade
Evaluate Your Sources

• A: your score ≥ 80
• B : 70 ≤ your score < 80
• C : 60 ≤ your score < 70
• D, E : your score <60
 Week 1: Research methodology: an introduction
Defining Research Problem

Week 2: Students presentation their research problem- what is the back

ground of the problem, why they choose the problem, what is the main
journal as the references
Week 2: How to write chapter one in thesis proposal

Week 3: Student presentation chapter one of their thesis

Course Week 3: Literature review and reference style

Outline Week 4: Student presentation their literature review (including how to

write the citation and the references)

Week 5: Research Design, Sampling design

Week 6: Student presentation their research design and sampling design

Week 7: Indicators, measurement and scaling technique

Week 8: Mid-term test PAGE 6

 Week 9: Method of data collection

Week 10: Students presentation their method of data collection

Week 11: Processing and analysis of data

Week 12: Processing and analysis of data

Course Week 13: Student presentation their planning to process and analyse the data
Outline
Week 14: Writing the manuscript

Week 15: Student presentation their thesis proposal (chapter 1 until chapter
3)

Week 16: Final test- final thesis proposal (revision version - power point, ms
word, and responses to requested revision)

PAGE 7
Research methodology: an introduction
What is Research?
Some people consider research as a movement, a
movement from the known to the unknown.

An organized, systematic, data-based, critical,

objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a
specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of
finding answers or solutions to it.
Inquiry Investigation Examination Experimentation

Research methodology: an introduction

Scope of Research
Objectives of Research
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it
(studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative
research studies);
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group (studies with this object in view are known as
descriptive research studies);
• To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which
it is associated with something else (studies with this object in view are
known as diagnostic research studies);
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such
studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies).
 Classification of Research
1. Descriptive vs Analytical:
The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as
it exists at present. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher
has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what
is happening
In analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or information already
available, and analyse these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

2. Applied vs. Fundamental.

Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a
society or an industrial/business organisation, whereas fundamental research is
mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a theory.
Classification of Research
3. 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 quantity.
Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon. For instance, when we
are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviour (i.e., why people think or
do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of
qualitative research

4. 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 concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for
system and theory.

5. Some Other Types of Research: based on either the purpose of research, or the time
required to accomplish research (one-time research/ single time-period or longitudinal
research- several time-periods), on the environment in which research is done (field-
setting research or laboratory research or simulation research), or on the basis of some
Significance of Research
• The increasingly complex nature of business and government has
focused attention on the use of research in solving operational
problems
• Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our
economic system
• Research has its special significance in solving various operational and
planning problems of business and industry
• Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social
relationships and in seeking answers to various social problem
 Research Methods versus Research Methodology
• Research methods refer to the behaviour and instruments used in selecting and constructing research technique.
• For instance, the difference between methods and techniques of data collection can better be understood from the
details given in the following table (methods are more general. It is the methods that generate techniques)
In the first group we include those methods which are concerned with
the collection of data. These methods will be used where the data
already available are not sufficient to arrive at the required solution

The second group consists of those statistical techniques which are

used for establishing relationships between the data and the
unknowns;

The third group consists of those methods which are used to evaluate
the accuracy of the results obtained.
Research Methodology
• Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research
problem.
• It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done
scientifically.
• when we talk of research methodology we not only talk of the
research 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 method or technique and why we are not using others so
that research results are capable of being evaluated either by the
researcher himself or by others
Research and Scientific Method
The scientific method is, thus, based on certain basic postulates which
can be stated as under:
1. It relies on empirical evidence;
2. It utilizes relevant concepts;
3. It is committed to only objective considerations;
4. It presupposes ethical neutrality, i.e., it aims at nothing but making only
adequate and correct statements about population objects;
5. It results into probabilistic predictions;
6. Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical scrutiny are for
use in testing the conclusions through replication;
7. It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be termed as
scientific theories.
 Ethical Issues in Research

1. Leaking confidential information.

2. Pursuing self interest versus organizational interest.

3. Using unreliable and incomplete information to make

recommendations.
 Internal versus External Researchers

Advantages of an Internal Disadvantages of an Internal

researcher/s researcher/s

1. More acceptability 1. Lack of fresh ideas.

2. Time saving 2. Vulnerability to be influenced by
3. Post research availability for lobby/groups with vested interests.
discussion, queries and 3. Vulnerability to gain wrong perception.
explanations. 4. Vulnerability to be biased or regarded
4. Cost effective as such.
 Internal versus External Researchers

Advantages of an External Disadvantages of an External

researcher/s researcher/s

1. Wealth of experience across 1. Cost more relatively.

organizations and industries.
2. More time consuming.
2. Professionally trained
3. Vulnerability to receive lack of
personnel.
cooperation from employees.
3. Availability of fresh, neutral
and new perspectives.
 Internal versus External Researchers

The Key point….

If the problem is a complex one, or if there are likely to be vested interests, or if the
very existence of the organization is at stake because of one or more serious
problems, it would be advisable to engage external researchers despite the
increased costs involved.

However, if the problems that are fairly simple and routine in nature and if time is
of essence in solving moderately complex problems, the internal team would
probably be a better option.
Steps in Research: General Approach

Define Obtain Analyze Take actions

problem information information based on
analysis
Good Research
• The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts be
used.
• 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.
• 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.
• The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance and
the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of
the data should be checked carefully.
Good Research
• The analysis of data should be sufficiently
adequate to reveal its significance and the
methods of analysis used should be Good research is
appropriate. The validity and reliability of systematic
the data should be checked carefully.
• Conclusions should be confined to those
justified by the data of the research and
limited to those for which the data provide Good Good
an adequate basis. research is research is
replicable logical
• Greater confidence in research is warranted
if the researcher is experienced, has a good
reputation in research and is a person of
integrity. Good research is
empirical

Purposiveness; Rigor; Testability; Replicability; Precision; Confidence; Objectivity; Generalizability Parsimony

 There is insufficient Most of the business units
in our country do not have Difficulty of timely availability
The lack of a scientific interaction between the
the confidence that the of published data from various
training in the university research
material supplied by them government and other
methodology of research departments on one side
to researchers will not be agencies doing this job in our
and business establishments,
misused and as such they country
government departments
are often reluctant in
Research methodology: an introduction
and research institutions on
the other side supplying the needed
information to researchers

What is the problem?

Research Problem
Steps in defining research problems

1. Identify a broad topic

2. Identify a narrow topic within the broad topic
3. Raise questions
4. Formulate objectives
• Use action-oriented words - To demonstrate; To evaluate; To
measure…

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Identifying Broad Topics
• Think of the BIG PICTURE
• What is the problem you are trying to solve?
• Think of something you like to learn more about
• Consult text books, journal or your supervisor
• Pick one based on:
• Interest and relevance
• Magnitude of work involved
• Level of expertise :yours and your advisors

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 Problem Tree – Keep asking Why?
Unskilled Labor Inefficient Irrigation
Low Labor
Productivity

Unsuitable Climate Inefficient Water harvesting

Water Scarcity Lack of crop varieties

adapted to climate
Food Insecurity

Unsuitable Crops Farming Patterns do not

Return nutrients

Low Land Farmers can’t afford fertilizers

Productivity

Poor Soil Farmers unaware of

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