Research MethodoligiesAalia Ameen

MGMT605-1202B-01: Graduate Research Methods Dr Bari Courts May 21, 2012

Agenda

• Research Defined• Scientific Research• Number of Ways of Receiving

Information• Types of Research• Research Methods• Examples of Methods

What is Research?

Research is an unusually stubborn and persisting effort to think straight which

involves the gathering and the intelligent use of relevant data (H. M.

Hamlin, September 1966).

Research (The Scientific Method)

In contrast to sources of knowledge that are primarily idiosyncratic, informal, and influenced heavily by subjective interpretations, research involves a

systematic process of gathering, interpreting, and reporting information.

Research Problem

• A research problem is  the situation that causes the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused and ill at ease.  It is the demarcation of a problem area within a certain context involving the WHO or WHAT, the WHERE, the WHEN and the WHY of the problem situation.

• There are many problem situations that may give rise to research.   Three sources usually contribute to problem identification.  Own experience or the experience of others may be a source of problem supply.  A second source could be scientific literature.  You may read about certain findings and notice that a certain field was not covered.  This could lead to a research problem.  Theories could be a third source.  Shortcomings in theories could be researched.

Basic Steps Performed in Research

• Find a topicWhat, When• Formulate questionsWhat, Why• Define populationWho, When• Select design & measurementHow• Gather evidenceHow• Interpret evidenceWhy• Tell about what you did and found out

Types of Research

• Historical* - What was• Descriptive (sometimes called Survey) – What is

• Ethnographic• Correlational• Ex Post Facto (also known as Causel-Comparative)

• Experimental – What can be

*Some researchers classify Historical research as Descriptive research

Two Approaches to Research

• Quantitative• Emphasizes numbers,

measurements, control, and experimentation

• This is the traditional approach in AEE research

• Qualitative• Emphasizes natural settings,

observations, verbal narratives, and interpretations

• Emerged in the mid-1970s as an approach to educational research

Design

• Quantitative• Structured• Predetermined• Formal• Specific

• Qualitative• Evolving• Flexible• General

Sample

• Quantitative• Large• Representative• Random Selection• Control Groups• Stratified

• Qualitative• Small• Nonrepresentative• Purposeful

Data

• Quantitative• Quantities• Counts• Measures• Instruments• Numbers• Statistics

• Qualitative• Verbal descriptions• Field Notes• Observations• Documents• Photographs• People’s own words• Narrative

Methods

• Quantitative• Experiments• Quasi-experiments• Surveys• Structured Interviews• Structured

Observations

• Qualitative• Observation• Open-ended

interviewing• Review of documents

and artifacts

Which Would You Select?

• Some researchers used both qualitative and quantitative methods in a single study. This is known as a “mixed method” approach.

References