Download - Research Aptitude
Training Program for UGC NET Examination
Research Aptitude
Dr. Jagannath K. Dange Dept. of Studies in Education
Kuvempu University
Shankaraghatta
Karnataka, India
II Research Aptitude
• Meaning, Characters, types
• Steps
• Methods
• Workshop/conference/seminar
• Research report
• Publication
• Ethics
• Check your progress
- A careful investigation or inquiry specially
through search for new facts in any branch of
knowledge.
- Systematized effort to gain new knowledge.
- Pursuit of truth / search for knowledge through
objective and systematic method of finding
solution to a problem
What is Research ?
Research is the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events.
Definition of Research
Characteristics of Research -Directed towards the solution of a problem.
-Emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles or theories helpful in predicting future occurrences.
-Based upon observable experience or empirical evidence.
-Demands accurate observation and description.
-Involves gathering new data from primary/first-hand sources/using existing data for a new purpose.
- Requires carefully designed procedures and expertise.
- Is objective and logical; attempts to validate the procedures employed and the conclusions
drawn.
- Is meaningfully planned, systematically executed, carefully recorded and reported.
- Requires resourcefulness, originality, scientific temper and courage.
Types of Research
-Fundamental v/s Applied /Action : development of theories, discover a solution for practical problem, finding solution for classroom problems
-Descriptive v/s Analytical : surveys, fact finding enquiries, ex post facto studies, comparative and correlational studies : analyse the information available and evaluate the material
- Quantitative v/s Qualitative - Conceptual v/s Empirical : develop new concepts or reinterpret existing ones: relies on experience , observation, experimentation etc.,
- Other Types : Historical, exploratory, laboratory research, clinical / diagnostic, etc..,
1. Formulating the Research problem
2. Extensive Literature Survey
3. Developing the Hypotheses
4. Preparing the Research Design
5. Determining Sample Design
6. Execution of the Project
7. Collecting the Data
8. Analysis of Data
9. Hypotheses Testing
10. Generalization and Interpretation
11. Preparation of the Report
Research Process - (steps)
Types of Research methods
Descriptive
Comparative
Correlational
Causal C omparative
Non-Experimental
True
Quasi
S ingle Subject
Experimental
Quantitative
Case S tudy
Phenomenaology
Ethnography
Grounded Theory
Qualitative
Concept Analysis
Historical Analysis
Analytical S tudy Mixed Method
Research Designs
• Historical - What was• Descriptive (sometimes called Survey) –
What is• Experimental – What can be
Descriptive research is used to obtain information concerning the current status of the phenomena to describe "what exists" with respect to variables or conditions in a situation. The methods involved range from the survey which describes the status quo, the correlation study which investigates the relationship between variables, developmental studies which seek to determine changes over time.
Descriptive Research• Because of its flexibility and the fact that it
deals with current topics, descriptive research is probably the most popular form of research.
• It is also popular because data can be collected from a wide variety of sources.
Survey method
• Sur/sor –Over• Veeir/vor- to see• To look over or to over see• Critical inspection
• Employed to collect detailed descriptions of existing phenomena in order to justify current conditions and practices, or to make more intelligent plans for improving them.
CASE STUDY• P.V. YOUNG: “A fairly exhaustive study of
a person or group is called a life of case history”.
“Case study is a method of exploring and analyzing the life of a social unit be that unit a person, a family, institution, culture group, or even an entire community.”
Experimental ResearchExperimental Research
If x, then y; if frustration, then aggression…the researcher uses some method to measure x and then observes y to see if associated variation occurs.
(Kerlinger, 1970)
• The essential feature of experimental research is that investigators deliberately control and manipulate the conditions which determine the events in which they are interested.
• At its simplest, an experiment involves making a change in the value of one variable—called the independent variable—and observing the effect of that change on another variable—called the dependent variable.
Provides much control, establishes systematic and logical association between manipulated
factors and observed effects.
Experimental Research
Characteristics of Experimental Research
ControlManipulation(treatment)ObservationReplicationA.Control- Refers to the extent to which different factors
in an experiment are accounted for. In other words, it is to arrange a situation in which the effect of variables can be measured.
E.g. In studying effectiveness of Lecture method and Discussion in teaching of Geography, two identical groups of subjects required except the ways they are taught Geography.
Controlling Extraneous Variables:
Removing the Variables:Randomisation:Matching Cases:Balancing Cases or Group Matching:
Methods for controlling inter- subject differencesRandom assignment of subjects to group- A scientific and
systematic procedure based on probability theory. It is assumed that groups are comparable at the start of the experiment on the dependent variable as well as on the extraneous variable.
e.g. assigning teachers, classrooms, assignments, equipments etc. strictly on random basis.
Matching subjects with random assignments- Match individual subjects on as many extraneous variables as possible which might affect the dependent variable and then apply random technique to assign one of the matched pair to each group.
- Subject to subject matching- match individual subjects.
- Matching by Mean and S.D- match the groups.
- Ranking of subjects in matching variables- from each pair of a rank serially, one is assigned to each group randomly.
Random assignment on the basis of homogeneous selection- Selecting groups that is homogeneous on the variable likely to affect the dependent variable. For example, gender affecting the dependent variable, the researcher may select the subjects of a particular gender, and assign subjects randomly to two groups.
Methods for controlling Situational Variables
• Holding situational variables constant-treating all subjects alike except for their exposure to independent variables. E.g.
- Equal number of subjects in each group.
- Teaching by same teachers.
- Same instructions, apparatus, test etc.
• Randomization – Random allocation of variables like time, apparatus, tests etc. e.g. in a testing situation of ½ hr for several batches, allot group randomly.
B. Manipulation• Refers to deliberate operation of the conditions
by the researcher. Researcher sets the stage for the occurrence of the factor whose performance/ effect is to be studied under conditions in which the effects of all other factors are eliminated/ controlled.
• e.g. Study of relative effectiveness of two methods of teaching- method of teaching is the independent variable which is to be manipulated.
C. ObservationSeeing the effect on manipulation of the
independent variable on the dependent variable.
E.g. Observations with respect to some characteristics of behaviour of the subjects in the experiment – the test scores reflecting the performance.
D. Replicationresearcher attempts to control the extraneous
variable through the rounds of randomization or other methods still some discrepancies invariable remain and influence the results of the experiment .
such discrepancies may be taken care of through the replication of the study.
E.g. conducting a number of sub experiments within the frame work of over all experiment.
Qualitative vs QuantitativeQualitative method:
Participant- observation: immersing yourself in the studyEthnography-process of describing a culture of people(Folk)Photography-ethnography with photography or film makingEthno-methodology- conversation analysis.Dramaturgical Interviewing- doing research by role playing.Sociometry-measurement of social distance in group membersNatural Experiment-difference between groups- study the differenceCase study- Unobtrusive measures-gathering data in which subjects are not aware. Content analysis-gathering and analysis of the content from text.Historiography-historical research.Secondary analysis of data-analysis of data originally compiled by
another researcher
Workshop/conference/seminar
Purpose
Difference
Benefits of participation in the workshop are
1. Development(First hand experience) 2. Thinking of educational and career goals 3. Enhanced preparation for future career4. Self- confidence as a researcher taken seriously by others5. Socialization into the profession6. Sense of responsibility and independence as researcher
SeminarStructured group discussion that may follow a formal lecture
PlanningOrganizingPresenting
Conference: importance to the discussion through individual and panel presentation.
Format of the Research Report
A. Preliminary Section / Front Matter
- Title Page
- Acknowledgement (if any)
- Table of Contents
- List of Tables (if any)
- List of Figures (if any)
B. Main Body Of the Report
1. Introduction
a Statement of the Problem - (specific questions / hypotheses)
b. Significance of the Problem
c. Purposes of the Study
d. Assumptions, limitations and delimitations
e. Operational Definition of Key Terms
2. Review / Analysis of Related Research
3. Design / Methodology of the Study
a. Design of the Study
b. Sample for the Study / Sources of Data
c. Tools used for Data Collection
d. Procedure / Methods of Gathering Data
e. Statistical Techniques Used for Data
Analysis
4. Analysis and Presentation of Data- Text, Tables, Figures
5. Summary and Conclusions a. Significance of the Problem
b. Restatement of the Problem – research questions,
hypotheses and objectives of the Study
c. Design, Sample, Tools Used, Procedure for
Collection and Statistical Techniques for Analyses
of the Data
d. Principal / Major Findings and Conclusions
e. Suggestions for Further Research
C. Reference Section
1. Bibliography
- Books, Periodicals, Special
Documents (websites, e-journals)
2. Appendix
- Tools, Papers / Abstracts, Any other
Special Documents
There are several different styles of referencing:• APA• Harvard• MLA• Oxford• Chicago
Each style has its own rules for properly citing sources.
• Author-date styles (e.g. APA, MLA, and Harvard) put the author's name inside the text of the article.
• Documentary-note styles (e.g. Chicago and Oxford) put the author's name in a footnote at the bottom of each page, or in an endnote at the end of the article.
Styles of Referencing
Ethics in Research
• Honesty in data collection and work
• Truthful in findings
• Away from forgery and ghost writing
• Respect and dignity of respondents
• Sacrifices for social cause.
• Commitment to the truth than to personal gains
Article
Descriptive theoretical
Research based Findings
Purpose of article:Disseminate
Why Research Papers Are Important?
1. Publish or perish: Yes, if you don't publish, you perish.
2. We think by writing. We think well by writing well.
3. More papers----- more visibility.
4. Good papers build your reputation over time.
5. Publications are a way to communicate, exchange ideas, etc.
6. Increasing pressure from administrators and others that you push yourself to publish your work.
7. Personal growth, enhanced self-discipline, personal life-long learning, and career enhancement come from the publication process by knowing others will benefit from your work and that you can feel connected to the profession.
8. It is important to your discipline that you help to create new ideas, advance theory, describe your emerging techniques, challenge widely held views, and influence others with your growing knowledge base.
9. You serve your profession, your field, and knowledge in general by adding to it.
10. Can cover a variety of topics and statistics brought to a reader's attention.
Types of ManuscriptsMainly classified as Argumentative research paper• It makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific
evidence. A good topic might then be debatable or controversial.
Analytical research paper• Such a paper is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation. goal is
to offer a critical interpretation of primary and secondary sources throughout the paper-sources that should, ultimately, support his particular analysis of the topic.
Informative article: This may cover aspects such as arranging information around a definition, classifying examples, demonstrating similarities/ differences between two or more people or things.
Types of ManuscriptsResearch Papers: both quantitative and qualitative research.
Theoretical/Conceptual Papers: These papers present non-empirical work related to the education in order to determine major issues of importance for future research, to understand these issues in relation to theory and application, to find the frontier of research on a problem, to relate a problem to existing theory, or to put a conceptualized problem in the context of previous research.
Position Papers: Position papers can describe a problem or an issue with a suggested solution or direction. These papers should support the position with both a logical argument and a review of the theory and/or the research literature.
Case Studies: Case studies highlight special issues related to the individual or group of individuals or organizations/institutions. They present what theory and/or the research literature reports on the problem or issue, what was done to try to solve or explore it, the results of the project and implications and suggestions for others interested in addressing similar challenges or in future research.
Check your progress!
Ready?
1. Research can be conducted by a person who:
(A) Has studied research methodology(B) Holds a postgraduate degree(C) Possesses thinking and reasoning ability(D) Is a hard worker
Answer:(C) Possesses thinking and reasoning ability
2. Which of the following statements is correct ?
(A) Objectives of research are stated in first chapter of the thesis(B) Researcher must possess analytical ability(C) Variability is the source of problem(D) All the above
Answer:(D) All the above
Answer:(A)Observation
.
3. Which of the following is not the Method of Research ?
(A)Observation (B)Historical(C) Survey(D) Philosophical
4. Research can be classified as:
(A) Basic, Applied and Action Research(B) Quantitative and Qualitative Research(C) Philosophical, Historical, Survey and Experimental Research(D) All the above
Answer:(D) All the above
5. The first step of research is:
(A)selecting a problem (B)Searching a problem(C) Finding a problem (D) Identifying a problem
Answer:(D) Identifying a problem
6. The essential qualities of a researcher are
(A) Spirit of free enquiry(B) Reliance on observation and evidence(C) Systematization or theorizing of knowledge(D) All the above
Answer(D) All the above
Answer:(C) A research initiated to solve an immediate problem
7. Action research means-
(A) A longitudinal research(B) An applied research(C) A research initiated to solve an immediate problem(D) A research with socioeconomic objective
8. Research is
(A) Searching again and again(B) Finding solution to any problem(C) Working in a scientific way to search for truth of any problem(D) None of the above
Answer:(C) Working in a scientific way to search for truth of any problem
9. A common test in research demands much priority on
(A) Reliability(B) Usability(C) Objectivity(D) All of the above
Answer:(D) All of the above
10. A research paper is a brief report of research work based on
(A) Primary Data only(B) Secondary Data only(C) Both Primary and Secondary Data(D) None of the above
Answer(C) Both Primary and Secondary Data
11. Controlled group condition is applied in
(A) Survey Research
(B) Historical Research
(C) Experimental Research
(D) Descriptive Research
Answer(C) Experimental Research
Answer:(D) Hands on training/experience
12. Workshops are meant for
(A) Giving lectures(B) Multiple target groups(C) Showcase new theories(D) Hands on training/experience
13. Which one of the following is a research tool ?
(A)Graph (B)Illustration(C) Questionnaire (D) Diagram
Answer:(C) Questionnaire
14. The term ‘phenomenology’ is associated with the process of
(A) Qualitative Research(B) Analysis of Variance(C) Correlational Study(D) Probability Sampling
Answer:(A) Qualitative Research
15. Research is not considered ethical if it
(A) Tries to prove a particular point.(B) Does not ensure privacy and anonymity (secrecy)of the respondent.(C) Does not investigate the data scientifically.(D) Is not of a very high standard.
Answer(B) Does not ensure privacy and anonymity of the respondent.
16. Conference are meant for-
A, Multiple target groupsB, Group discussionsC, Show- casing new research D, All the above
Answer:D, All the above
17. Ex post facto research means-
A, The research is carried out after the incidentB, The research is carried out prior to the incidentC, The research is carried out along with the happening of an incident D, The research is carried out keeping in mind the possibilities of an incident
Answer:A, The research is carried out after the incident
Answer:D, all the above
18. A research problem is feasible only when-
A, it is researchable B, it is new and adds something to know-ledge C, it has utility and relevanceD, all the above
19 Nine years old children are taller than 7 years old ones. It is an example of-
A, vertical studiesB, cross- sectional studiesC, case studiesD, experimental studies
Answer:B, cross- sectional studies
20. The other name of independent variable for an experimental research is/ are-
A, treatment variable B, experimental variable C, manipulated variableD, all the above
Answer:D, all the above
21. What is survey method?A, laboratory experimentsB, field experimentsC, field studiesD, historical researches
AnswerC, field studies
‘To understand is hard.
Once one understands, action is easy.’(Sun Yat Sen, 1866–1925)
THANK YOU