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An introduction to research methods
- 1. M R SA F I R K A S S I M . B K A S S I M . S A F I R @ U N I V - M A S C A R A . D Z M A I 2 0 2 0 An Introduction to Research Methods
- 2. Introduction “Research is asystematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. Research involves inductive and deductive methods.” (Earl Robert Babbie). So, research is about dealing with phenomena. Whether those phenomena are psychological, social, linguistic, political or else. Phenomena cannot be tackled unless we use our sixth sense: observation. Therefore, the first skill our students should learn is observation, observation and nothing but observation using the scientific tools. Observing implies seeing or watching something and thinking about it.
- 3. Definitions Definition 1 Research methods are the strategies, processes or techniques utilized in the collection of data or evidence for analysis in order to uncover new information or create better understanding of a topic. (https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/researchmethods)
- 4. Definition 2 A research method is a systematic plan for conducting research. Sociologists draw on a variety of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including experiments, survey research, participant observation, and secondary data. (https://study.com/academy/lesson/research-methodology-approaches-techniques-quiz.html)
- 5. Definition 3 A particular way of studying something in order to discover new information about it or understand it better (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/fr/dictionnaire/anglais/research-method)
- 6. Definition 4 Research methods is a broad term. While methods of data collection and data analysis represent the core of research methods, you have to address a range of additional elements within the scope of your research.(https://research-methodology.net/research-methods/)
- 7. Definition 5 Research methods are specific procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Developing your research methods is an integral part of your research design. (https://www.scribbr.com/category/methodology/)
- 8. Types of research Applied research, also known as action research, aims to find solution for immediate and specific problem(s). Accordingly, findings of applied studies are valuable on practical levels and can be applied to address concrete problems. Fundamental research, on the other hand, aims to contribute to the overall scope of knowledge in the research area without immediate practical implications. (https://research-methodology.net/research-methods/)
- 9. Research approach Researchapproach is another important element of research methodology that directly effects the choice of specific research methods. Research approach can be divided into two, inductive and deductive categories. (ibid)
- 10. Research design Researchdesign can be exploratory or conclusive. If you want merely explore the research problem and you do not want to produce final and conclusive evidences to the research problem, your research design would be exploratory. Conclusive research design, on the contrary, aims to provide final and conclusive answers to the research question. Conclusive research be further divided into two sub-categories. (ibid)
- 11. Data collection methods Thereare two types of data – primary and secondary. Primary data is a type of data which never existed before, hence it was not previously published. Primary data is collected for a specific purpose, i.e. they are critically analyzed to find answers to research question(s). Secondary data, on the other hand, refers to a type of data that has been previously published in journals, magazines, newspapers, books, online portals and other sources. (ibid)
- 12. Differences btw qualitative andquantitative research methods Firstly, the concepts in quantitative research methods are usually expressed in the forms of variables, while the concepts in qualitative research methods are expressed in motives and generalizations. (ibid)
- 13. Secondly, quantitativeresearch methods and measures are usually universal, like formulas for finding mean, median and mode for a set of data, whereas, in qualitative research each research is approached individually and individual measures are developed to interpret the primary data taking into account the unique characteristics of the research. (ibid)
- 14. Thirdly, datain quantitative research appears in the forms of numbers and specific measurements and in qualitative research data can be in forms of words, images, transcripts, etc. (ibid)
- 15. Fourthly, researchfindings in quantitative research can be illustrated in the forms of tables, graphs and pie-charts, whereas, research findings in qualitative studies is usually presented in analysis by only using words. (ibid)
- 16. Main differences (ibid) CharacteristicQuantitative research Qualitative research Type of data Phenomena are described numerically Phenomena are described in a narrative fashion Analysis Descriptive and inferential statistics Identification of major schemes Scope of inquiry Specific questions or hypotheses Broad, thematic concerns Primary advantage Large sample, statistical validity, accurately reflects the population Rich, in-depth, narrative description of sample Primary disadvantage Superficial understanding of participants’ thoughts and feelings Small sample, not generalizable to the population at large
- 17. Purposes Exploratory: Asthe name suggests, exploratory research is conducted to explore a group of questions. The answers and analytics may not offer a final conclusion to the perceived problem. It is conducted to handle new problem areas which haven’t been explored before. Descriptive: focuses on expanding knowledge on current issues through a process of data collection. Descriptive studies are used to describe the behavior of a sample population. In a descriptive study, only one variable is required to conduct the study. Explanatory:Explanatory or causal research is conducted to understand the impact of certain changes in existing standard procedures. Conducting experiments is the most popular form of casual research. (https://www.questionpro.com/blog/what-is-research/)
- 18. Qualitative Research Methods One-to-one Interview: conducted with one participant. One-to-one interviews need a researcher to prepare questions in advance. The researcher asks only the most important questions. During this time the researcher collects as many meaningful answers as possible. Focus Groups: are small groups comprising of around 6-10 participants who are usually experts in the subject matter. A moderator is assigned to a focus group. An experienced moderator can probe the participants by asking the correct questions that will help them collect a sizable amount of information. Ethnographic Research: is an in-depth form of research where people are observed in their natural environment.. Instead of conducting interviews, a researcher experiences the normal setting and daily life of a group of people. Text Analysis: is a little different as it is used to analyze social constructs by decoding words through any available form of documentation. The researcher studies and understands the context in which the documents are written and then tries to draw meaningful inferences. You may use social media platform to try and understand patterns of thoughts. Case Study: is used to study an organization or an entity. This type of research is used in fields like the education sector, philosophical studies, and psychological studies. This method involves a deep dive into ongoing research and collecting data. ( adapted from: https://www.questionpro.com/blog/what-is-research/)
- 19. Quantitative Research Methods Survey Research — used to learn about a large population by deploying a survey. Today, online surveys are popular. In this method, a researcher designs a survey with the most relevant survey questions . Once the researcher receives responses, they summarize / tabulate findings and data. Descriptive Research —is all about describing the phenomenon, observing it, and drawing conclusions from it. Correlational Research— examines the relationship between two or more variables. Consider a researcher is studying a correlation between cancer and married women. It’s about + vs. – correlation.
- 20. Activity Use anonline survey research (classmates). Ask them this question: « Do you communicate with your teachers during the covid 19 lockdown? » Send me tha survey with the responses and interpretation if possible. NB: (Survey Research — used to learn about a large population by deploying a survey. Today, online surveys are popular. In this method, a researcher designs a survey with the most relevant survey questions . Once the researcher receives responses, they summarize / tabulate findings and data.)
- 21. Bibliography Research Methodsin Education Louis Cohen, Lawrence Manion, Keith Morrison - 2013 Research Methods and Methodologies in Education. James Arthur – 2012 Research Methods in Psychology. Glynis M Breakwell, Sean Hammond, Chris Fife-Schaw – 2006 Research Methods in English.M.P. Sinha - 2004