Statistics and Research Methods

An Introduction

The Objectives of this Course:1. Develop students’ skills and knowledge in

research methods.2. To generate ideas that will help students in

choosing research topics.3. To provide students with the skills of

drafting research proposal.4. Develop student skills in data collection,

analysis and hypothesis testing.5. To improve student skills and knowledge in

writing and presenting research projects.

References1. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2003) Research

Methods for Business Students, Third Edition Prentice Hall.2. أحمد ) واقتصادية ( 1998الرفاعي، إدارية تطبيقات العلمي، البحث ، مناهج

عمان للنشر، وائل .دار3. وآخرون ) محمد والمراحل ( 1997عبيدات، القواعد العلمي، البحث منهجية

عمان والتطبيقات للنشر، وائل دار ، .4. وآخرون ) ذوقان وأساليبه ( 1998عبيدات، وأدواته مفهومه العلمي، ، البحث

عمان والنشروالتوزيع، للطباعة الفكر .دار5. الطراونة ) وتحسين مهدي العلمي ( 1998زويلف، البحث الفكر منهجية دار ،

عمان والتوزيع، والنشر .للطباعة6. محمود ) - مصطفى بكر، وأبو الله عبد أحمد : ( 2001اللحلح، العلمي البحث

- - اإلحصائية- المفاهيم مناهجه خطواتة الجامعية . تعريفه الدار .7. محمد ) - عثمان وغنيم، مصطفي ربحي البحث ( 2000عليان، وأساليب مناهج

والتطبيق: النظرية : .العلمي والتوزيع للنشر صفاء دار عمان .8. محمد ) الذنيبات و عمار حوش : ( 1989بو و أسس العلمي البحث مناهج

: أساليب المنارة. مكتبة األردن .9. ماجد ) والفرا محمد في( 2004مقداد، اإلحصائي والتحليل العلمي البحث مناهج

غزة اإلسالمية، الجامعة الطالب مكتبة األولى، الطبعة اإلدارية، .العلوم

اإلجمالي التقييم

% الدرجة النشاط

25% والغياب والحضور والمناقشة .المشاركةأبحاث خطط وعرض ومناقشة إعداد) خطتين) .

25% يشتمل العلمية للمواصفات وفقا بحث انجازواختبار احصائي وتحليل استبانة توزيع على

احصائيا .الفروض

50% النهائي .االمتحان

100% اإلجمالي

Course Contents1. General introduction 2. Formulating and clarifying the research topic3. Critically reviewing the literature4. Deciding on the research approach and choosing a

research strategy.5. Writing research proposal.6. Selecting samples7. Using secondary and primary data.8. Analysis of qualitative data and hypothesis testing.9. Writing and presenting your research.

Formulating and clarifying the research topic

Before you start your research you need to have at least some idea of what you want to do.

This is the most important step. Why?It is the starting point of your research. Base of research topic you will be

able to choose the most appropriate:Research strategy, data collection and

analysis techniques.

Attributes of a good research topic

1. It meets the examination body’s requirements at university.

2. You are capable of undertaking.: excite your imagination, you feel comfortable, you can develop the skills needed, time available, Availability of financial resources, gaining access to data you need. Avoid sensitive topics: financial performance.

3. It is important to choose topic that can be linked to theory.

4. Clearly defined research question and objectives.5. It is important to consider your career goal.

Techniques of Generating and refining research ideas

Rational thinking:1. Examining your own strengths.2. Looking at past project titles.3. Discussion4. Searching the literature. Creative thinking:1. Keeping a notebook of ideas.2. Exploring personal preferences using past

projects.

Techniques of Generating and refining research ideas Creative thinking:1. Keeping a notebook of ideas.2. Exploring personal preferences using past projects. How to

do it?First: Select 6 project that you like and answer the following

questions:- What do you like about the project?- What is good about the project?- Why is the project good?Second: Select 3 projects that you do not like and answer the

following:- What do you dislike about the project?- What is bad about the project?- Why is the project bad?3. Brainstorming

The importance of theory in writing research question Theory Definition:“a formulation regarding the cause and effect

relationships between two or more variables, which may or may not tested”.

There is probably no word that is more misused and misunderstood in education than the word ‘theory’.

The specific meaning of theory:It refers to situations where if A introduced B

will be the consequence

Critically reviewing the literature Why reviewing the literature?1. Helps in generate and refine research topic.2. It is part of your research project proper.3. To highlight researches that have be overlooked.4. To discover explicit recommendations for further

research.5. To avoid repeating work that has been done already.6. Gaining insights into the aspects of your research

variables and concepts.7. To choose the proper techniques and strategies to

conduct your research. Your work has value in relation to other people’s work

(is it the same or different from them).

Contents of critical review of literature

1. Key academic theories within your chosen area.2. Up to date your knowledge of your chosen area.3. To show how your research relates to previous

published research.4. To assess strengths and weaknesses of previous

works.5. To justify your arguments by referring to previous

research.6. Through clear references, to enable those reading

your research to find the original work you cite. Literature review can be single chapter; series of

chapters; throughout the project report as you tackle various issues.

Evaluating your literature review1. Does your review start at more general level before

narrowing down?2. Does literature covered relate clearly to your

research question?3. Have you covered the key theories of recognized

experts in the area?4. Have you covered the key literature?5. Have you summarized, compared and contrast the

work of the key writers?6. Is the literature you have covered is up to date?7. Have you been objective in your discussion of other

works?8. Have you included other references that counter to

your own opinion?

Defining parameters

Meaning: within which you need to search. Include define:

1. Subject area, e.g., marketing.2. Business sector, e.g., sector.3. Geographical area.4. Publications and literature typpe.5. Theories.