1. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 1 Research Process for Trade Unions

2. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 2 Research Process Step 1: Formulating a research problem Step 2: Conceptualising a research design Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data collection Step 4: Selecting a sample Step 5: Writing a research proposal Step 6: Collecting data Step 7: Processing data Step 8: Writing a research report.

3. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 3 Research Process Step 1: Formulating a research problem:- -What you want to find out about. -What research problem do you want to find answers about or the assumption or assertion that you want to challenge or investigate? -Literature review can bring clarity and focus to your research problem; broaden your knowledge base in your research area and improve your methodology.

4. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 4 Research Process Most research revolves around 4 Ps: 1.People: -individuals -organisations -groups -communities. 2.Problems i.e. issues, situations, associations, needs, population, composition, profile, etc.

5. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 5 Research Process 2.Programme i.e. structure, contents, outcomes, attributes, satisfaction, consumers, and service provider. 3Phenomenon - cause and effect relationship, and the study of a given phenomenon itself.

6. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 6 Research Process Considerations in selecting a research problemThe steps in formulating a research problem Interest Magnitude Measurement of concepts Level of expertise Relevance Availability of data Ethical issues Identify broad area of interest Dissect Select Raise research question Formulate objectives Assess Double check

7. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 7 Research Process Step 2: Conceptualising a research design:- -Procedural plan adopted by the researcher to answer questions validly, objectively, accurately and economically. -Entails the practical steps through which a researcher must pass in his/her research journey in order to find the answers to the research questions or problems. -Constitutes a plan, structure and strategy of investigation.

8. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 8 Research Process Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data collection:- -It is about constructing the instrument needed for data collection for the study e.g. observation form, questionnaires, interview schedules, interview guides, etc. -Field testing or pre-testing a research instrument is an integral part of instrument construction. -As a rule, the field test should not be carried out on the sample of your study but on a sample selected from a similar population.

9. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 9 Research Process Step 4: Selecting a sample from the population:- -In this process: -Avoid biasness -Ensure the attainment of maximum precision for a given outlay of resources -There are three categories of sampling design: -Random/probability sampling design -Non-random/probability sampling design -Mixed sampling design

10. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 10 Research Process Step 5: Writing a research proposal:- -What are proposing to do? -How do you plan to proceed? -Justification (why) for the proposed strategy? Broadly, a research proposal’s main function is to detail the operational plan for obtaining answers to your research question.

11. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 11 Research Process The research proposal should contain the following elements (information): -A statement of the objectives. -A list of hypothesis, if you are testing any. -The study design you are proposing to use. -The research tools you are planning to use. -Info about sample size and sampling design. -Info about data processing procedures. -An outline on the proposed chapters for the report. -The study’s problems and limitations. -Proposed timeframe for the study.

12. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 12 Research Process Step 6: Collecting data:- -Involves collecting data from which you will draw inferences and conclusions for your study. -Data can be collected by conducting interviews, mailing out a questionnaire, holding nominal or focused group discussions and making observations. -Collecting data through anyone of the above- mentioned methods may involve some ethical issues which must be taken into account throughout the research process.

13. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 13 Research Process Please note the following: -The questions you sets out to answer as a researcher maybe value-laden; -The methods for collection data used may hurt the people in the study; -The results of the research may have implications that please some people and displease others. In nutshell, research is not value-free, and each decision can have ethical implications.

14. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 14 Research Process Step 7: Processing data:- -Data processing or analysis largely depends upon two things: -The type of information desired – descriptive, quantitative, qualitative or attitudinal -The way you want to communicate your findings in a form a report to your readers. -If you want qualitative analysis, you can manually analyse the content of your field notes (content analysis), or use a computer programme such as NOD*DISTN6, NVIVO or Ethnography.

15. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 15 Research Process -For quantitative analysis, you can use frequency distribution, cross tabulations or other statistical procedures such as regression analysis, factor analysis and analysis of variance. Step 8: Writing a research report -Writing the report is the last and, for many the most difficult step of the research process. -A badly written report can spoil all the hard work you have put into your research study.

16. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 16 Research Process -The report informs the world about what you have done in your study, what you have discovered and what conclusions you have drawn from your findings. -If you are clear about the whole process, you will also be clear about the way you want to write your report. -Your report should be written clearly & concisely.

17. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 17 Research Process -You have the obligation to fulfil accuracy and objectivity when writing the report on your study. -Develop an outline (chapterisation) based upon the main themes of your study. -The title of each chapter should be descriptive of the main theme and should communicate its main thrust.

18. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 18 Research Process -The report should include among other things the following: -Introduction: -General background to study & deviations if any from the original plan, -Literature review, -Theoretical framework, -Objectives of the study, -Study design, -Sampling strategy and measurement procedures. -

19. © International Training Centre of the ILO 2007 www.itcilo.orgInternational Training Centre of the ILO 19 Research Process -The population study -Results (findings) -Discussion and interpretation to the findings -Conclusions & recommendations -Summary and abstract -References and appendix