Research an overview: A Tutorial PowerPoint Presentation by Ramesh Adhikari

RESEARCHRESEARCH An Overview An Overview

A tutorial PowerPoint A tutorial PowerPoint presentation by:presentation by:Ramesh Adhikari

DefinitionsDefinitions• ““A careful investigation or inquiry specially A careful investigation or inquiry specially

through search for new facts in any branch of through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge”knowledge”

- Advance Learner’s Dictionary of Current English- Advance Learner’s Dictionary of Current English

““The manipulation of things, concepts or The manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend correct, verify knowledge to extend correct, verify knowledge whether that knowledge aids in whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice construction of theory or in the practice of an art”of an art”

- D. Slesinger & M. Stephenson in The - D. Slesinger & M. Stephenson in The Encyclopedia of Social SciencesEncyclopedia of Social Sciences

DefinitionsDefinitions

• ““Research is a systematize efforts to Research is a systematize efforts to gain new knowledge.”gain new knowledge.”

- L.V. Redman & A. V. H. Morry- L.V. Redman & A. V. H. Morry

“ “ Research may be defined as the Research may be defined as the systemic and objective analysis and systemic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that recording of controlled observations that may lead to the developments of may lead to the developments of generalizations principles or theories, generalizations principles or theories, resulting in prediction and possibly resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events.”ultimate control of events.”

- - John W. BestJohn W. Best


• ““Scientific research is a systematic and Scientific research is a systematic and objective attempt to provide answers to objective attempt to provide answers to certain questions.”certain questions.”

-Arun -Arun Kumar singhKumar singh

““Research in this age or time means Research in this age or time means searching for a theory for testing searching for a theory for testing theory or for solving a problem.”theory or for solving a problem.”

- Consuelo Gt. Sevilla et all- Consuelo Gt. Sevilla et all


• ““Scientific research is systemic, Scientific research is systemic, controlled, empirical and critical controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical investigation of hypothetical proposition about the presumed proposition about the presumed relations among natural phenomena.”relations among natural phenomena.”

- F.N. Kerlinger- F.N. Kerlinger

Features of ResearchFeatures of Research

• Always directed towards solution of Always directed towards solution of the problem.the problem.

• Based on empirical evidence.Based on empirical evidence.• Systematic, objective, controlled and Systematic, objective, controlled and

logical.logical.• A never ending process.A never ending process.• Involves the quest for answers to Involves the quest for answers to

unsolved problems.unsolved problems.

Types of ResearchTypes of Research

• Applied Research:Applied Research:– To study cause effect relation.To study cause effect relation.– To retest old theories.To retest old theories.– To find solutions of certain problems. To find solutions of certain problems.


• Basic Research:Basic Research:– Called pure/fundamental research as Called pure/fundamental research as

well.well.– Basically for knowledge purpose.Basically for knowledge purpose.– To establish new theories in the society.To establish new theories in the society.


• Action Research:Action Research:– To improve quality of decisions and To improve quality of decisions and

actions.actions.– To initiate new projects/programs.To initiate new projects/programs.– Focus on problems and solutions.Focus on problems and solutions.– For qualitative improvement.For qualitative improvement.


• Exploratory Research:Exploratory Research:– Research of unfamiliar problem.Research of unfamiliar problem.


• Evaluative Research:Evaluative Research:– Feasibility study/evaluation.Feasibility study/evaluation.– Periodic evaluation.Periodic evaluation.– Terminal evaluation. Terminal evaluation. – Impact study.Impact study.


• Descriptive Research:Descriptive Research:– To test hypothesis.To test hypothesis.– Collects data and present the detailed Collects data and present the detailed

report/explanations.report/explanations.– Uses various methods of researchUses various methods of research

Steps of ResearchSteps of Research

• PROBLEM STATEMENT, PROBLEM STATEMENT, PURPOSES, BENEFITS PURPOSES, BENEFITS – What exactly do I want to find out? What exactly do I want to find out? – What is a researchable problem?What is a researchable problem?– What are the obstacles in terms of What are the obstacles in terms of

knowledge, data availability, time, or knowledge, data availability, time, or resources?resources?

– Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Do the benefits outweigh the costs?


• THEORY, ASSUMPTIONS, THEORY, ASSUMPTIONS, BACKGROUND LITERATUREBACKGROUND LITERATURE – What does the relevant literature in the What does the relevant literature in the

field indicate about this problem?field indicate about this problem?– To which theory or conceptual framework To which theory or conceptual framework

can I link it?can I link it?– What are the criticisms of this approach, or What are the criticisms of this approach, or

how does it constrain the research process?how does it constrain the research process?– What do I know for certain about this area? What do I know for certain about this area? – What is the history of this problem that What is the history of this problem that

others need to know? others need to know?


• VARIABLES AND HYPOTHESESVARIABLES AND HYPOTHESES– What will I take as given in the What will I take as given in the

environment? environment? – Which are the independent and which are Which are the independent and which are

the dependent variables? the dependent variables? – Are there control variables?Are there control variables?– Is the hypothesis specific enough to be Is the hypothesis specific enough to be

researchable yet still meaningful?researchable yet still meaningful?– How certain am I of the relationship(s) How certain am I of the relationship(s)

between variables? between variables?


• OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS AND MEASUREMENT MEASUREMENT – What is the level of aggregation? What is the level of aggregation? – What is the unit of measurement? How What is the unit of measurement? How

will the research variables be measured? will the research variables be measured? – What degree of error in the findings is What degree of error in the findings is

tolerable? tolerable? – Will other people agree with my choice of Will other people agree with my choice of

measurement operations? measurement operations?


• RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGYRESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY– What is my overall strategy for doing this What is my overall strategy for doing this

research? research? – Will this design permit me to answer the Will this design permit me to answer the

research question?research question?– What other possible causes of the relationship What other possible causes of the relationship

between the variables will be controlled for by between the variables will be controlled for by this design?this design?

– What are the threats to internal and external What are the threats to internal and external validity? validity?


• SAMPLINGSAMPLING– How will I choose my sample of How will I choose my sample of

persons or events?persons or events?– Am I interested in representativeness?Am I interested in representativeness?– If so, of whom or what, and with what If so, of whom or what, and with what

degree of accuracy or level of degree of accuracy or level of confidence? confidence?


• INSTRUMENTATIONINSTRUMENTATION– How will I get the data I need to test How will I get the data I need to test

my hypothesis? my hypothesis? – What tools or devices will I use to make What tools or devices will I use to make

or record observations?or record observations?– Are valid and reliable instruments Are valid and reliable instruments

available, or must I construct my own? available, or must I construct my own?

Steps of ResearchSteps of Research• DATA COLLECTION AND ETHICAL DATA COLLECTION AND ETHICAL

CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS– Are there multiple groups, time periods, Are there multiple groups, time periods,

instruments, or situations that will need to be instruments, or situations that will need to be coordinated as steps in the data collection coordinated as steps in the data collection process? process?

– Will interviewers, observers, or analysts need to Will interviewers, observers, or analysts need to be trained? be trained?

– What level of inter-rater reliability will I accept? What level of inter-rater reliability will I accept? – Do multiple translations pose a potential Do multiple translations pose a potential

problem? problem? – Can the data be collected and subjects' rights Can the data be collected and subjects' rights

still preserved? still preserved?


• DATA ANALYSISDATA ANALYSIS– What combinations of analytical and What combinations of analytical and

statistical process will be applied to the statistical process will be applied to the data?data?

– Which will allow me to accept or reject Which will allow me to accept or reject my hypotheses?my hypotheses?

– Do the finding show numerical Do the finding show numerical differences, and are those differences differences, and are those differences important? important?


• CONCLUSIONS, CONCLUSIONS, INTERPRETATIONS, INTERPRETATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS– Was my initial hypothesis supported?Was my initial hypothesis supported?– What if my findings are negative?What if my findings are negative?– What are the implications of my findings What are the implications of my findings

for the theory base, for the background for the theory base, for the background assumptions, or relevant literature?assumptions, or relevant literature?

– What recommendations can I make for What recommendations can I make for public policies or programs in this area? public policies or programs in this area?

– What suggestions can I make for further What suggestions can I make for further research on this topic? research on this topic?

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

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Research an overview: A Tutorial PowerPoint Presentation by Ramesh Adhikari