raymond martin [email protected]. what is research? “a studious enquiry or examination...
TRANSCRIPT
What is Research?
“A STUDIOUS ENQUIRY or examination especially a critical and exhaustive investigation or experimentation having for its AIM the DISCOVERY OF NEW FACTS and their correct interpretation, the newly discovered facts or practical application of such conclusions, theories or law.
It is a PROCESS leading to increased understanding of a topic through data collection and interpretation.
Research uses the Scientific Method which is:
• Emperical (verifiable by observation, experiments or experience)
• Logical
• Generalising
• Replicable
• Public not private
Classification of Research:
• Based on Time– Cross Sectional– Longitudinal
Classification of Research:
•Based on Contribution to Knowledge– Basic adds fundamental knowledge– Applied attempts to understand real problems
•Solve a problem, make a policy decision, evaluate a project
Action research is a special type of Applied Research
Classification of Research:
• Based on Purpose – Exploratory (little known about a problem)
• The objective is to gain preliminary information
– Descriptive (concepts already known)• The research objective is to measure and describe
phenomena
– Causal (problem clearly defined)• The research objective is to describe and measure
causality
Classification of Research:
• Based on approach to acquiring knowledge – Qualitative – Quantitative
Contrasting Characteristics of Qualitative and Quantitative Research (Source: Wiersma, 2000)
Qualitative Research Designs
Quantitative Research Designs
Inductive Inquiry Deductive Inquiry
Understanding Social Phenomena
Relationships, Effects, Causes
Atheoretical or Grounded Theory (not based on existing theory or based on data collected)
Theory-Based (based on existing theory)
Contrasting Characteristics of Qualitative and Quantitative Research (Source: Wiersma, 2000)
Qualitative Research Designs
Quantitative Research Designs
Holistic Inquiry (concerned with the big picture)
Focused on Individual Variables
Context-Specific Context-Free (Generalisations)
Observer-Participant Detached Role of Researcher
Narrative Description Statistical Analysis
The Research Process
1A Question Is Posed Or An Area Of Need Is Identified
What is the relevance to Jamaica of the IT course taught at UTECH?
The Research Process
2The question or need is converted to a clearly stated research problem or topic.
Are IT graduates of UTECH increasing the profitability of Jamaican companies to which they are employed?
The Research Process
3The researcher formulates possible answers or hypotheses.
UTECH graduates are increasing the profitability of Jamaican companies to which they are employed.
The Research Process
4The literature is searched.
What have others found?
How did they tackle the topic?
Is the answer already known?
Can I use or modify their method?
The Research Process
5Methods for solving the problem are developed.
Should I conduct a survey of companies that have employed UTECH students?
How can I be sure that the UTECH students had or did not have an effect?
What is the scope and limitations of the study?
The Research Process
6Data are collected.
7Data are analysed.
8Data are interpreted.
The Research Process
9Conclusions are drawn as to whether the data support of refute the hypothesis.
UTECH graduates are increasing the profitability of some Jamaican companies to which they are employed but not all.
The Research Process
10More questions are raised.
What are the factors that affect the ability of UTECH IT graduates to make a positive impact in the companies to which they are employed?