RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

ASSALAAMU ‘ALAIKUMSALAM SEJAHTERA

Kamil Md.Idris

What is Research?

What is RESEARCH?

• Nachmias and Nachmias (1981, p. 22): “the overall scheme of scientific in which scientists engage in order to produce knowledge”

• Kerlinger (1973, p. 11): “systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relationships among natural phenomena”

• Best (1977, p. 10-12): “formal, systematic, and intensive process of carrying out a scientific method of analysis which may lead to the development of generalizations, principles or theories which can result in the predictions and control of events”

What is RESEARCH?

Research is a systematic andorganised effort to

investigatespecific problem that needs

a solution

ATTRIBUTES OF RESEARCH

• Based on other works• Replicable• Generalisable• Tied of theory• Doable• Generates to New Questions• Incremental• Apolitical/Neutral

Type of Research

•Applied vs. Basic or

Fundamental Research

•Scientific vs. Naturalistic

Research

Basic Research

• Attempts to expand the limits of knowledge.• Not directly involved in the solution to a

pragmatic problem.

Basic Research Example

• Is executive success correlated with high need for achievement?

• Are members of highly cohesive work groups more satisfied than members of less cohesive work groups?

• Do consumers experience cognitive dissonance in low-involvement situations?

Applied Research

• Conducted when a decision must be made about a specific real-life problem

Applied Research Examples

• Determinants of Zakat Compliance Behaviour

• The effectiveness of Teaching Science and Mathematics Subjects in English.

• Attitude Towards PTK

• The effect of Tax Rates on Company Capital Invesment

Type of Research

•Historical Research vs. Methodological Research

•Qualitative vs. Quantitative

"The secret of success is to know something nobody else knows. "

Aristotle Onassis

Why Research?

Information

Reduces

Uncertainty

I don’t knowif we

shouldoffer on-sitechild care?

How to do Research?

Motivation

The Significance of the study

The ‘why’ factor

Element of Motivation

• Have not been investigated before• Contribution to the body of

knowledge• Problem solving• Interest to you, academia &

profession• Lead to another question!• Are available to investigate

Methodological motivations vs “content” motivations

Methodological motivations:Concerns with methodology(e.g. type of data, statistical

model, sampling method, etc.)“Content” motivations:

Concerns with “content” (e.g. theory, new issues,

new variables)

Motivation for ‘applied’ and Academic Research

• Immediate application vs long term applicability

Developing a Researchable Issue

• Ideas/Issues•Research

Questions•Hypotheses•Models

Ideas/Issues

• Abstract - beliefs, conceptions,

suppositions, assumptions, what ifs, guesses, etc.

How to do Research?

The Research Process

RESEARCH PROCESS

Generally, research comprise the process of developing the

conceptual framework and the hypotheses for testing as well as the design, which involves the planning of the actual study

dealing with such aspects as the location for the study, sample

selection & data collection processes and results of the study.

Stages of the Research Process

Problem Discoveryand Definition

ResearchDesign

Sampling

DataGathering

Data Processingand Analysis

Conclusions andReport

Discovery andDefinition

and so on

LITERATURE

LITERATURE

Flowchart of the Research ProcessProblem discovery

Selection of exploratory research

Problem discovery

Selection of basic research method

ExperimentLab Field

SurveyTelephone Mail Personal interview interview

ObservationSecondary

data study

Problem discovery

Problem discovery

Selection of sample design

Probability Non-Probability

Collection of data (field

work)

Editing and coding data

Data Processing

Interpreting of finding

Report

Sampling

Data gathering

Data processing

and analysis

Conclusion and

report

How to Design a Research Project

CONCEPTUALIZATION

Specify the meaning of the concepts and variable to be

studied

CHOICE OF RESEARCH METHOD

Experiments

Survey research

Field research

Content analysis

Existing data research

Historical research

Comparative research

Evaluation research

POPULATION AND SAMPLING

Who do we want to be able to draw conclusion about?

Who will be observed for that purpose?

INTEREST

? Y Y ?

IDEA

X Y A B

THEORY

A B E F

C D X Y

OPERATIONALIZATION

How will we actually measure the variables under study?

OBSERVATIONS

Collecting data for analysis and interpretation

ANALYSIS

Analysing data and drawing conclusions

DATA PROCESSING

Transforming the data collected into a form appropriate to manipulation and analysis

Stages of the Research Process

Problem Discoveryand Definition

ResearchDesign

Sampling

DataGathering

Data Processingand Analysis

Conclusions andReport

Discovery andDefinition

and so on

LITERATURE

LITERATURE

Purpose Of Study

• Exploratory

• Descriptive

• Causal

COMPLETELYCERTAIN

ABSOLUTEAMBIGUITY

CAUSAL ORDESCRIPTIVE

EXPLORATORY

Uncertainty Influences The Type Of Research

Exploratory Research Descriptive Research Causal Research(Unaware of Problem)(Aware of Problem) (Problem Clearly Defined)

“Our sales are declining and “What kind of people are buying “Will buyers purchase more of we don’t know why.” our product? Who buys our our products in a new package?

competitor’s product?” “Would people be interested “Which of two advertising in our new product idea?” “What features do buyers prefer campaigns is more effective?”

in our product?”poss

ible

situ

atio

n

Degree of Problem Definition

Exploratory Research

• Initial research conducted to clarify and define the nature of a problem

• Does not provide conclusive evidence

• Subsequent research expected

Descriptive Research

• Describes characteristics of a population or phenomenon

• Some understanding of the nature of the problem

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I keep six honest serving men, (they taught me all I knew), their names are

--Rudyard Kipling

what, and why, and when,

and how,and where and

who.”

Descriptive Research Example

• Weight Watchers average customer

• Woman about 40 years old

• Household income of about $50,000

• At least some college education

• Trying to juggle children and a job

Descriptive Research Example

• Men’s fragrance market

• 1/3 size of women’s fragrance market

• But growing at a faster pace

• Women buy 80 % of men’s fragrances

Causal Research

• Conducted to identify cause and effect relationships

Identifying Causality

• A causal relationship is impossible to prove.

• Evidence of causality:– 1. The appropriate causal order of events– 2. Concomitant variation--two

phenomena vary together– 3. An absence of alternative plausible

explanations

Let’s Come Back to Problem Discovery and Definition

• First step• Problem, opportunity, or

monitor operations• Discovery before definition

“The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its

solution”

Albert Einstein

Desired State

Actual State

GAP

GAP

What?How?

Why?Factors?

GAP

Theory ConceptualFramework

Problem Definition

• The indication of a specific decision area that will be clarified by answering some research questions.

Statement of Research Objectives

Problem Definition

Defining Problem Results inClear Cut Research Objectives

ExploratoryResearch(Optional)

Analysis of the Situation

Symptom Detection

The Process ofProblem Definition

Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives

Understand background of the problem

Isolate/identify the problem, not the symptoms

Determine unit of analysis

Determine relevant variables

State research questions and objectives

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Understand the Background of the Problem

• Exercising judgment

• Situation analysis - The informal gathering of background information to familiarize researchers or managers with the decision area.

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Isolate and Identify the Problems, Not the Symptoms

• Symptoms can be confusing

Symptoms Can Be Confusing

Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming association:

• Membership has been declining for years.

• New water park -residents prefer the expensive water park????

• Demographic changes: Children have grown up

The Research Process

Problem Discovery

Exploratory Research

Selection of the Basic Research Method

Selection of Sample Design

Collection of the Data

Problem DefinitionOrganization Symptoms Based on Symptom True Problem

Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming association in a major city.

Membership has been declining for years. New water park with wave pool and water slides moved into town a few years ago.

Neighborhood residents prefer the expensive water park and have negative image of swimming pool.

Demographic changes: Children in this 20-year-old neighborhood have grown up. Older residents no longer swim anywhere.

TOTIEMULESTO

What Language Is Written on This Stone Found by

Archaeologists?

TOTIEMULESTO

The Language Is English: To Tie Mules To

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Determine the Unit of Analysis

• Individuals, households, organizations, etc.

• In many studies, the family rather than the individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.

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Determine the Relevant Variable

• Anything that may assume different numerical values

Types of Variables

• Categorical

• Continuous

• Dependent

• Independent

• Moderating

• Intervening

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State the research questions and research objectives

If you do not know where you are going,any road will take you there.

Hypothesis

• An unproven proposition

• A possible solution to a problem

• Guess

Statement of problem

Exploratory research (optional)

Statement of problem

Broad research

objectives

Specific Objective 1

Specific Objective 2

Specific Objective 3

Research Design

Results

Research Proposal

• A written statement of the research design that includes a statement explaining the purpose of the study

• Detailed outline of procedures associated with a particular methodology

Basic Questions - Problem Definition

• What is the purpose of the study?• How much is already known?• Is additional background information necessary?• What is to be measured? How?• Can the data be made available?• Should research be conducted?• Can a hypothesis be formulated?

Basic Questions - Basic Research Design

• What types of questions need to be answered?

• Are descriptive or causal findings required?

• What is the source of the data?

Basic Questions - Basic Research Design

• Can objective answers be obtained by asking people?

• How quickly is the information needed?

• How should survey questions be worded?

• How should experimental manipulations be made?

Basic Questions - Selection of Sample

• Who or what is the source of the data?• Can the target population be identified?• Is a sample necessary?• How accurate must the sample be?• Is a probability sample necessary?• Is a national sample necessary?• How large a sample is necessary?• How will the sample be selected?

Basic Questions - Data Gathering

• Who will gather the data?

• How long will data gathering take?

• How much supervision is needed?

• What operational procedures need to be followed?

Basic Questions - Data Analysis

• Will standardized editing and coding procedures be used?

• How will the data be categorized?• What statistical software will be used?• What is the nature of the data?• What questions need to be answered?• How many variables are to be investigated

simultaneously?• Performance criteria for evaluation?

Basic Questions - Type of Report

• Who will read the report?

• Are managerial recommendations requested?

• How many presentations are required?

• What will be the format of the written report?

Basic Questions - Overall Evaluation

• How much will the study cost?

• Is the time frame acceptable?

• Is outside help needed?

• Will this research design attain the stated research objectives?

• When should the research be scheduled to begin?

Anticipating Outcomes

• Dummy tables

• Representations of the actual tables that will be in the findings section of the final report; used to gain a better understanding of what the actual outcomes of the research will be.

2ACopyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E