Chapter Two

The Research Process

Lectured by Mr. Samath Houy

Tel: 012 211 345

Email: houysamath@sru.edu.kh1

Objectives

After completing this chapter, you will be able to:

Understand the process involved in conducting

research as well as the scientific method in

research.

Acquire knowledge on eight-steps method in

research.

2

Research Process

What do you want to find out about?

How are you going to go about finding the

answer to that question?

Research task is a sequential process

involving several clearly defined steps.

3

An eight-step model

4

#1 Formulate a research problem

• The more specific and clear you are, the

better.

• The main function is to decide what you

want to find out about.

5

#2 Conceptualize a research design

• Research uses of appropriate methods.

• Involves systematic, controlled, valid and

rigorous exploration and descriptions.

• The strength of the findings largely rests

on how it was found.6

#3 Construct an instrument for datacollection.

• Means of collecting information for study

• What are your research tools?

• Observation form

• Interview schedules

• Questionnaires and interview7

#4 Select a sample

• The accuracy of your work depends on

how you select your sample.

• Avoid bias.

• Different categories of sampling:

• random

• non-random or “mixed”8

#5 Write yourresearch proposal

• What do you propose to do?

• How do you plan to proceed?

• Why did you select this particular

strategy?

9

#6 Collecting data

• Write the code.

• Run the experiments.

• Conduct the surveys.

• etc.

10

#7 Processing data

• Depends on what type of data and research.

• Process the data manually or using a

computer?

• What statistical procedures would be

meaningful?11

#8 Writing the research report

• The easiest and the hardest step.

• Don’t expect your first draft to be the final

draft.

• Know what writing style is expected – this

differs depending upon discipline.12

En

d o

f C

hap

ter

02

13