Research Methods Research Methods Lecturer/ Facilitator : Afia N. Boakye, PhD. Email: Research Methods

Research Methods Topic 2: LEARNING OUTCOMES By the end of this topic, you should be able to: 1. Define the meaning of research and the different types of research; 2. Discuss the criteria of quality research; 3. Assess the responsibilities of a researcher and the user/sponsor of the research; 4. Examine the needs to acquire skills to do research.

WHAT IS RESEARCH?

DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS 1. Planned and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data to solve problems or to answer questions. 2. Process of obtaining reliable solutions to problems or to answer questions 3. Termed as the use of scientific method to transform ideas, questions or hypothesis into scientific knowledge that may usually be the solution to a problem or answer to a question.(Neuman, W.L 1997)

TYPES OF RESEARCH (1) Different criteria are used; Kind of results; - Basic research - Applied research operations research action research

Basic research; Also known as pure research. It is designed to contribute to theory development and the refinement of theory. Eg; a study to understand the how human beings remember what they learn can be termed basic research. Applied research; Research aimed at developing tools and test equipment and procedures, and at providing solutions to specific technical problems

TYPES OF RESEARCH (2) Kind of data; Quantitative research Qualitative research Quantitative research is empirical research in which the data concerned can be analysed in terms of numbers. In quantitative research results are more readily analysed and interpreted.

Qualitative research Research can also be qualitative, that is, it can describe events, persons, etc. scientifically without the use of numerical data. Qualitative research is more open and responsive to its subject. Qualitative research is harder, more stressful and more time-consuming than other types. It tends to focus on exploring, in as much detail as possible, smaller numbers of instances or examples which are seen as being interesting or illuminating, and aims to achieve `depth' rather than `breadth'. (Blaxter, Hughes and Tight, 1996: 61)

Experiment In this method, a researcher will manipulate an independent variable in order to determine whether it has an impact on a dependent variable.

There are two types of experiments: laboratory experiment and field experiment. Laboratory experiment is conducted in a contrived situation while field experiment is conducted in a real-life situation. In any experiment, the factors are controlled (set constant) and only one factor is allowed to fluctuate so that its effect on the other factors could be seen. An experiment has very high internal validity.

Survey A survey is a method which investigates the opinions and feelings of people. It involves interactions between the researcher and the environment. In many cases information is collected through questionnaire or interview. Information collected this way may not be available under any other circumstances. The relationship between the variables discovered through a survey research does not represent a causal relationship. The researcher can only claim that these variables are correlated. They cannot be certain that there is causation between the variables. Thus, the survey method has lower internal validity than an experiment.

Case study In this method, a researcher makes a detailed study of a single case. The researcher usually aims to provide in- depth understanding of the specific features of the case and its related settings. Data are collected through observation, interview and document search. There are many concerns regarding the external validity of the case study method. One of them is; – How could a single case be generalised or represent many more cases? However, many case-based researchers try to study a few cases in order to claim theoretical generalisation. Other researchers argue that unlike the survey method, generalisation is not the purpose of the study. In a survey, researchers generalise the findings to a larger population. In a case study, researchers seek to discover in-depth features of the case which cannot be acquired under any other circumstances.

WHAT IS SOCIAL RESEARCH ? Involves a number of things; How a person discovers something new and original about the social would. The social researcher thinks logically, follows rules and repeat steps over and over. Combines theories or ideas with facts in a systematic way based on imagination and creativity. Organises and plans carefully to select appropriate technique to address a question. Sensitive to the research subjects in ethical and moral ways. Must communicate clearly to others about research. Process of discovery.

SOCIAL RESEARCH AS SCIENTIFIC METHOD SCIENCE; Both a system for producing knowledge and the knowledge produced from that system. The knowledge of science is organised in theories. Eg; Social theory is about the social world and assist in visualising the complexity of the social world and explains why things happen. Scientist collect data by employing specialised techniques and use data to support or reject theories. Data provide the empirical evidence or information gathered carefully according to the rules and procedures.

Scientific Community A collection of people with set norms, behaviours and attitudes that bind them together to sustain the scientific community. Norms of Scientific Community Universalism - research is judged only on the basis of scientific merit Organised Skeptism - scientist should not accept new ideas or evidence in a carefree and uncritical manner. Disinterestedness/ objectivity - Neutral, impartial, receptive and open to unexpected observations and new ideas. Should not get glued to a particular idea or point of view.

Communalism - Scientific knowledge must be shared with others Honesty - A general cultural norm but especially strong in scientific research. Scientist demand honesty in all research activities – dishonesty or cheating is a major taboo.

SUMMARY Research is information gathering. Scientific research is a systematic and objective process of gathering, recording, and analysing data for decision making. Research must be systematic, not haphazard or unplanned. It must be objective to avoid being biased by personal judgment. The objective of applied research is to facilitate managerial decision-making. The use of pure/basic research is to increase knowledge and concepts. Research can be used in all stages of decision-making process: to define problems, to identify opportunities, to diagnose causal factors and to clarify alternatives.

Research is also used to evaluate current programmes and courses of action, to explain what went wrong with managerial decisions in the past and to forecast future actions and conditions. • The needs for business research have become pertinent in view of the increasingly global interrelationships of the business environment; improvement and advancement in technologies have made the methodologies of business research more complex and more available. • Business firms must have the means to evaluate and interpret research findings in order to use these in any decision-making process.

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