This document defines research and outlines its objectives and importance. It discusses different types of research including basic, applied, and qualitative research. The stages of conducting research are described, including problem identification, literature review, hypothesis formulation, data collection and analysis. Common data collection methods like observation, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups are explained. The document also covers sampling techniques, data sources, and the structure of a research report. Overall, the document provides a comprehensive overview of the research process from defining the problem to reporting results.

1. RESEARCH
Definition
Research is a scientific and systematicprocessof collecting, analyzing and
interpretingdata basingon a certainphenomena. OR
Is a carefuland systematic investigationina field of knowledge or a
systematic processof collecting informationand interpretingit.
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
- To search for a new knowledge/insights.
- To gainfamiliaritywith a certainphenomena.
- To develop theory about certainsocialeconomic phenomena.
- To test hypothesisso as to find out their reliability.
- To explain/describeaboutcertainphenomena.
- To find solution to the existing problems.
- To makeevaluationof a certainissue.
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCHIN DAILY LIFE
1. Research develop or generatenew knowledge e.g the information
produced by research canbe applied in manyways.
2. It helps to improvehumanactivitiesfor the betterment ofpeople e.g
A societycan develop irrigationschemewhen finds show that thereis
food shortage.
3. Research can be used to develop new theoriesand laws.
4. It helps to improvevarioussectorsas related to dailylife e.g
Agriculture, industries, etc.
5. It provides reliableand needed informationtodata bank.
6. Research enable in finding solutions about thespecialprogrammes
e.g HIV, hunger, etc.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. According to their aims/purpose
i) Basic/pureresearch
Is a type of research which is conducted tocollect data toadvanceor
develop a certainscientific knowledge.
It is always done through the verificationoftheories especially in
laboratory.

2. ii) Applied research
Is the research which seeks the specific knowledgenecessary to find
solution to solve certaininthe society.
iii) Evaluativeresearch
It a type of research which is conducted purposelyto measureor asses
the achievement of a certainscientificpractice.
iv) Analyticalresearch
Is a type of research that uses factsalreadyavailableand analyses these
factsto makea criticalevaluationofthe material.
v) Fundamentalresearch
Is a type of research which studieslife processthat is universal in their
applicationtoscientific knowledge.
2.According to the type of data to be collected.
i) Quantitativeresearch
It focuses on the measurement ofquantity.
It is applicableon phenomena that canbe expressed in termsof quantity
like populationdata.
It triesto answer the questionhow much? How many?
ii) Qualitativeresearch.
It concerned with qualitativephenomena.
It is applicabletophenomena that canbe expressed in termsof
qualitative. Thedata gathering arepurelyin form of description.
It is alternativelycalled Descriptiveresearch.
Other type of Research
1. Empiricalresearch - relies on intensiveinterpretationofdata and come
up with conclusionwhich is capableof being verified through
observation/experiment.
2. Conceptualresearch - is related to some abstractideas. It is used to
develop new concept.
3. Exploratoryresearch -Is conducted whena researcher exploresthings
like gold, iron, diamond, and other matesrelated to mining.
4. Explanatoryresearch - Is a research that explainabout a certain
phenomena.

3. RESEARCHDATA
DATA
Is a body of informationabout a particular problem.
TYPES/SOURCESOF DATA IN RESEARCH
i) Primarysource/data
Is the originaldata collected directlyfrom the field, they areobtained
through interviews, questionnaires, observationand focusgroup
discussion.
ii) Secondarysources/data
Is the data collected from documents.
Example; through books, journals, economics, survey, census report,
officialreport.
STAGE OF CONDUCTINGRESEARCH
i/ Problem identification
ii/ Pr-survey
iii/ Literaturereview
iv/ Formulationof hypothesis
v/ Research design
vi/ Data collection
vii/ Data analysis
viii/ Hypothesis testing
ix/ Data interpretation
x/ Report writing.
i) PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
A problem is the questionor idea of interest which ought to be answered
through data collection.
Theresearcher identifiesa problem to be researched e.g Child labour,
poor performance.
QUALITIES OR CHARACTERISTICSOF A RESEARCH
PROBLEM
1. The research problem must be carefully selected and come from the
researcher’smind.
2. Must be clear, preciseand meaningful.
3. It must relate to the subject of interest e.g A Geographer cando a
research on the following issues; Climate, soil, etc.

4. 4. The research problem must be short and clear to avoid vague and
ambiguity.
5. It must have variables.
SOURCESOF RESEARCHPROBLEM
 Personalexperience.
 Conclusion from varioustheories.
 Literaturereviews.
 Practicalissues.
 Deductiveand inductivereasoning.
ii) LITERATURE REVIEW
These arereadingsof variouspublicationstoknow what other
scholars/researchershavedone about what you areinvestigating.
It enables theresearcher to gainexperience, todecidea good method to
be a used, to identifythe weakness and success of
other researchers. Sourcesofliteraturereviewsarejournals/reports,
books, internet.
iii) FORMULATION OF HYPOTHESIS
Thisis anassumptionused on what one expectstofind out in the field
It can be either true or false or Hypothesis is a predictionofoutcomeof the
results. It is the statement of expected results.
Research hypothesisis usually tested before the studybegins.
e.g Poor studentsclassroomsattendanceresultstopoor academic
performance.
The hypothesisare ;
-Involvement of studentsin economic activities.
-Poor familyincome.
-Poor parentalcare.
TYPESOF RESEARCHHYPOTHESIS
1. Null hypothesis - Is the one that is stated in negationi.e. it indicates non
relationship betweenthevariables.
2. Alternativehypothesis - Is the one stated toindicatetheactual
expectation. it indicatesrelationship betweenthevariables.
iv) RESEARCHDESIGN/STUDY DESIGN
Thisis the framework of theresearch.

5. -Is the conceptualstructurewithinwhich a research isconducted.
v) RECONNAISSANCE
It is the pilot studyof the area before theactualdata collectionis done. The
stageenables the researcher tobe familiar with thearea and judgeon tools
to be used,etc.
vi) DATA COLLECTION
It involves collectionof variousinformationinthefield research.
It canbe done through observation, interview, questionnairesand focus
group discussion.
DATA COLLECTIONTOOLS/METHODS
The following are the basic and commonmethod to collect primarydata in
the field.
1. OBSERVATION
A researcher uses his/her five senses of hearing, tasting, smelling, seeing
and touching toobserve the phenomena and record what is observed.
Types of Observation
i) Participant/direct observation
In thismethod the researcher becomespart of people under study he/ she
participatesfully on a particular event.
ii) Non – Participant observation
In thismethod the researcher observes theaction, behavioursand activities
of theresearched group without participating or seen by the participants.
ADVANTAGES OF OBSERVATION
- Helps to develop skills like observationand recording.
- Data are recorded as they occur/observed.
- It give first hand information.
- Allows full participationoflearners in teaching and learning process.
- It is a quickmethod of data collection.
-No bias.
-Avoid languagebarriers.
-It is flexible to use wherever and whenever needed.

6. DISADVANTAGES OF OBSERVATION
- It cangive wrong informationespeciallywhen the respondent discovers
that they areresearched.
-Misinterpretationofdata mayoccur.
- Some geographicalphenomena maynot be easily obtained.
- It costs timeand money. Sometimeit mayinvolve risktaking especially
when you areobserving people that aredoing something illegal.
- It is subjectivebecausedataisbased on personal observation.
2. INTERVIEW
- It is a faceto face technique betweena researcher and a respondent.
- It is the verbalcommunication/interactionbetweentheinterviewer and
interviewee, designed to list the information, opinionsand feelingsthey
have on their own.
- It can be through bytwo ways - faceto face interview,telephone
interview.
ADVANTAGES OF INTERVIEW
- The interview enables a researcher toobtainrequired informationquickly.
- Not restricted it isflexible.
- Interview canadapt to situationand getsasmuch informationas
required.
- Provide data which isnot possible to get through questionnaires.
- Interview method canalso employ observation method.
- Interview gives/yield high responses becauseit is difficult for the
intervieweeto refuse completelyto answer the questionor ignorethe
interviewer.
DISADVANTAGES OF INTERVIEW
- It is timeconsuming.
- If the respondentsare suspiciousof theinformationrequired theycan
give irrelevant information.
- There is an element of distortions.
- The respondent tends to be subjective.
- It cost the researcher hasto travel to meet the respondentsin different
partsof the country.
- It becomesa hindranceifthe researcher wantsto use big samples.
TYPESOF INTERVIEWS

7. 1. STRUCTURED INTERVIEW
The type of interview in which the samequestionare asked to respondent.
- The researcher preparesquestions which he/sheasks each respondent in
a good order and manner.
ADVANTAGES
- A researcher cancompareanswer from different respondent to see their
validity.
- It is possible to use quantitativeanalysistoanalyses the date.
- It is not timeconsuming
DISADVANTAGES
- It is inflexible, researcher cannot ask more a part from those prepared
before.
- Some hiddeninformationcannot beobtained easily.
2) UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW
- Is a set of questionsthat theinterviewer asks when interviewing.
- Probing is commonlyused to get deeper information. Thequestionsvary
from one respondent to another.
ADVANTAGES
- More I informationcanberevealed becauseof high degrees of freedom.
- Respondent aregiven chancesto say more on what they areasked.
DISADVANTAGES
- It is a timeconsuming becauseit involves probing questions.
- Researcher can’t be able to compareanswersgivenbecausedifferent
questionareasked to different respondents.
- If it is not controlled/planned it may collect irrelevant information.
PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTINGAN INTERVIEW
- Createfriendly atmospherewheretwo people can talkeasily.
- Maintainwarmth and friendliness. It enables respondent to express in
detailtheir thought and feelings.
- Be neutralin note and don’t suggest any answer.
- Instill confidenceand trust to the respondent by assuming his/her
informationgivenwould be confidential.
- Explainbriefly the purposeof the interview.

8. 3. QUESTIONNAIRES
These areready writtenquestionswhich aregivento the respondent to be
answered.
- Consists of list of questionsrelated to the topicsused to obtainthedata
required.
ADVANTAGES OF QUESTIONNAIRES
- Researchersgets a lot of informationfrom different respondent and from
different area in the country.
- Omission of names makesthe respondent to respond to the questions.
- Freedom to the respondents.
- It is well planned (structured).
- It is useful to distant respondent.
DISADVANTAGES
- It timeconsuming
- It is selectivein naturalas it is limited to illiterate
- It maylead to ensure answers when questionsneed opinions or personal
feelings
- Questions maybe understood hence the respondents answer, the way
they understood and providewrong data.
- May got lost on transit.
- It is expensiveto prepare.
TYPESOF QUESTIONNAIRES
I. Structured/closed - Ended questionnaires
-Are questionswhich areaccompaniedbya list of all possible alternatives
from which respondent select the answer that is best.
-The respondentsare limited on answering thequestions.
ADVANTAGES
- They areeasier to analyze
- They areeasier to administer becauseeach item isfollowed by an
alternativeanswer
DISADVANTAGES
- Are more difficult to construct becausecategoriesmust bewell thought
out
- Responses are limited; therespondent is required toanswer the
questionsaccording totheresearcher’schoice.

9. II. Unstructured/open –ended questionnaires
- Arequestionwhere by the respondentsare free to explainthe answers
- They permit respondent torespond in his/her words. The amount of
spaceprovided is however anindicator ofwhether a brief or long answers
is required
ADVANTAGES
- allow a greater chanceof responses
- Simpleto formulatebecausea researcher does not have to comeup with
appropriateresponsecategories.
- Can stimulatea person to think about his/her feelings and to express
what he/she consider most important.
DISADVANTAGES
- When the respondent is fire, he/she may give informationwhich does
not answer theconcerned research questions.
- It is timeconsuming
PROCEDURESCONSIDERED IN PREPARING
QUESTIONNAIRES
- Questionsshould be short and straight forward
- Questionshould be asked and should follow the order
- Questionshould be polite
- Questionshould be free from bias
MAIL QUESTIONNAIRES
- This is the type of questionnaireswhich involves mailing questionstothe
respondent.
- It canbe through post mail
4. FOCUSGROUP DISCUSSION
Is the research method which involves intensivediscussionon a
particularlyissue
- Normally done in groupsof 5-7 people
- A researcher guidesthediscussionand recordsthe data from what is
discussed by the members.
AIM: It enables the group to get additionalinformation.
ADVANTAGES

10. - Low cost
- Rasher becomesan activeperson in the discussion
- Respondent get skills of writing , speaking and coordinating
- Makes respondentsunderstand well thetopic
- Allows criticalthinkingtothe participants
- Makes the research topic tobe live and interesting
DISADVANTAGES
- Not easy to analyse thedata collected
- Very small sampleis used
- Selectionof samplemay be affected bybiasness
- It is timeconsuming.
(vii)DATA ANALYSIS
The stageinvolves the following processes;editing, coding, classification
and tabulationof collected data.
(viii) DATA INTERPRETATION
After getting theright informationtheanalyzedata is interpreted
in different statisticalgraphs, charts, figures, etc. That canbeunderstood
by everyone
(ix)TESTING HYPOTHESIS
Thisinvolve sorting and sifting and to identifysimilar phrases.
(x) REPORT WRITING
Is the last step in research where a researcher communicates hisor her
findingsto other researchersor the public.
IMPORTANCE AND RESEARCHREPORT
i. Exposesthe problem and their implication
ii. Presentsthe outcomeof research data
iii. Interpretsthedata
THE REPORT FORMAT

11. The research report should have three mainparts;
a) Preliminarypages
b) Mainbody
c) Conclusion
A) PRELIMINARY PAGES
Saves as the guideto thereader
Page1: Title of the researcher
Page2: Declaration; thatthework belongs to the said researcher.
Page3: Acknowledgement. (A researcher gratitudetoall who arein one
way, or another help theresearcher to be successful).
Page4: Tableof contents.
Page5: List of tables (if any)
Page6: List of figures
Page7: Abstract–Thissummarizethewhole research work. It should not
be more than120 words.
(B) THE MAIN BODY
It containsfive chapters;
Chapter 1 Introduction
The Chapter containthefollowing parts;
 Background of the study.
 Statement ofthe problem.
 Objectiveof the study.
 Purposeof the study.

12.  The scope of the study.
 Significanceofthe study.
Chapter 2 Literature Review
Covers theliteraturereview of other researcherswho did a similar research
in the past.
Chapter 3. Research Methodology
Thisdescribethe designof the research and method of conducting the
study e.g;-
 Population.
 Sampling.
 Locationof the study area.
 Tools and data analysistechniques.
Chapter 4. Data Presentation
The partscovers the resultsof the findingsof theresearch.
Chapter 5 Conclusion and Recommendations
Providedetailed summary of the findingsand the implicationsdrawnfrom
the results.
SAMPLE AND SAMPLING
SAMPLE: Isthe small number of populationwhich representsthewhole
population.
SAMPLING : Is the process of collecting samples from the population.
SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
1. RANDOMSAMPLING
It is a type of probabilitysampling wherebyevery individualhasan equal
chanceto be selected in a sample. Thistechnique involves selecting a
samplerandomly from thesampling framewithout replacement.
E.g. it is very commonin Lottery’s such as Bingo and communication
companies.

13. Advantages
- It reduces biasness.
- It is a very importantmethod ina small population.
- The method portraitsfairnessingetting a sample.
- It gives equal chancetoevery person to be selected.
Disadvantages
- The better samplemay not be chosen.
- It is very tedious or tiresome.
- It is timeconsuming especiallywhen the populationis high.
- It is representativeinHeterogeneouspopulation.
Heterogeneouspopulation – meansa populationwith different
characteristics.
2. SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
It is a sampling technique whereby a sampleis obtained randomlybut in a
systematic way.
It is a sampling technique which involves selectionof a samplerandomly at
regular intervalsfrom the sampling frame
3. STRATIFIED SAMPLING - Individualsfor the sample areselected
from different strata.
Example: A researcherswishes to get a sample of 20 studentsfrom 5
schools he/she will have to select 4 studentsfrom each.
4. PURPOSIVE SAMPLING: Is thejudgementalsampling inwhich a
researcher uses his/her knowledge to choose individualstobe samples. The
samplebase on certainpurposee.g only engineer, male, students,
youth,elders,etc.
5. ACCIDENTAL SAMPLING – The researcher comesinto contact
accidentallywith the individualstoform a sample.
6. SNOW BALL SAMPLING- The researcher beginswith the few
individualsavailable, thenthose individualrecommend others.
The uses of research outputs and recommendations
1. Help to improvethe knowledge of the people e.g Discoveryof
diseases.

14. 2. The results help in finding problemsfacing societye.g Diseases, social
inequalities, famine.
3. The results improveeconomic and social activitiese.g Introductionof
new breeds of cattle.
4. Research can lead to exploitationof thenew resourceslike minerals
and fossil fuel.
5. It helps to identifythe specific need of each communitye.g
CommunityA needs schools, CommunityB needs water, etc.
6. Research results are useful in protecting and concerning the
environment.
7. They are used in formulating government policy.