This document outlines a course on research methodology. It introduces the course, which teaches students basic concepts in research methods and designs. The course aims to help students describe the research process, effectively use library resources, identify the steps in designing a study, and present a research proposal. Students will be assessed through tests, assignments, proposals, and an exam. The course will cover topics like literature reviews, variables, hypotheses, research designs, data collection and analysis, and ethics. It will employ lectures, tutorials, discussions, and other active learning methods.

1. KNOWLEDGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF HUMANITYKNOWLEDGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF HUMANITY
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (HFS4343)
PRELUDE
Dr.Dr. MohdMohd RazifRazif ShahrilShahril
School of Nutrition & DieteticsSchool of Nutrition & Dietetics
Faculty of Health SciencesFaculty of Health Sciences
UniversitiUniversiti SultanSultan ZainalZainal AbidinAbidin
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2. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Synopsis
“This course is to introduce the students the basic concepts
used in research and to scientific social research methods
and their approach. It includes discussions on sampling
techniques, and research designs. The students also need
to present a research proposal obtained from the literature
review”
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3. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to;
• Describe the research process and research methods
obtained from literature.
• Effectively use the library and its resources in gathering
information related to the learners' research project.
• Identify the overall process of designing a research study
from its inception to its report.
• Present a research proposal according to specific
guidelines for a research project in groups.
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4. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Teaching & Learning Strategy
Blended Mode Learning (Face to Face + e-Learning)
• Lecture, Tutorial
• Group Discussion – Face-to-face
• Group Discussion – Online
• Written Assignment
• Presentation
• Self-Directed Learning (Literature, Video)
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5. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Brief Course Outline
• Introduction
• Steps in research
• Reviewing the literature
• Formulating research problem and objective
• Identifying variables and constructing hypothesis
• Research designs
• Data collection
• Validity and reliability of research instruments
• Sampling and distribution
• Protocol and ethics in research
• Processing and displaying data
• Research report and reference management
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6. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Assessment
• Continuous Assessment
– Test (20%)
– Assignment - Proposal (2000 words each student) (30%)
– Proposal Presentation (10%)
• Summative Assessment
– End of Semester Examination (40%)
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7. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Main References
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8. KNOWLEDGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF HUMANITYKNOWLEDGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF HUMANITY
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (HFS4343)
INTRODUCTION
Dr.Dr. MohdMohd RazifRazif ShahrilShahril
School of Nutrition & DieteticsSchool of Nutrition & Dietetics
Faculty of Health SciencesFaculty of Health Sciences
UniversitiUniversiti SultanSultan ZainalZainal AbidinAbidin
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9. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Topic Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to;
• define what is research.
• identify the characteristics of a research.
• list the reasons to conduct a research.
• describe the types of research from different viewpoints.
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10. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
What is RESEARCH (re and search)?
• ‘RE’ - prefix meaning again, anew or over again.
• ‘SEARCH’ - a verb meaning to examine closely
and carefully, to test and try, or to probe.
• ‘RESEARCH’?
Let’s discuss at: http://today.io/14P8f
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What is RESEARCH?
• Describing a careful, systematic, patient study and
investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to
establish facts or principles (Grinnell 1993).
• Research is a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable
scientific methodology to solve problems and creates
new knowledge that is generally applicable (Grinnell 1993).
• Scientific methods consist of systematic observation,
classification and interpretation of data (Lundberg 1942).
• Systematic investigation to find answers to a problem
(Burns 1997).
• Scientific research is a systematic, controlled empirical
and critical investigation of propositions about the
presumed relationships about various phenomena
(Kerlinger 1986).
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ControlledControlledControlledControlledCriticalCriticalCriticalCritical
RigorousRigorousRigorousRigorous
Valid andValid and
VerifiableVerifiable
Valid andValid and
VerifiableVerifiable
SystematicSystematicSystematicSystematic
EmpiricalEmpiricalEmpiricalEmpirical
Characteristics of a RESEARCH
Research is a process for collecting, analyzing
and interpreting information to answer questions
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Characteristics of a RESEARCH (cont.)
• Controlled
– in exploring causality in relation to two variables, you
set up your study in a way that minimizes the effects
of other factors affecting the relationship
• Rigorous
– you must be meticulous in ensuring that the
procedures followed to find answers to questions are
relevant, appropriate and justified.
• Systematic
– the procedures adopted to undertake an investigation
follow a certain logical sequence.
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14. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Characteristics of a RESEARCH (cont.)
• Valid and verifiable
– Whatever you conclude on the basis of your findings
is correct and can be verified by you and others.
• Empirical
– Any conclusions drawn are based upon hard
evidence gathered from information collected from
real-life experiences or observations
• Critical
– The process of investigation must be foolproof and
free from any drawbacks.
– The process adopted and the procedures used must
be able to withstand critical scrutiny.
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15. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Why RESEARCH?
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• To find out what we don’t know.
• To confirm whether what we know is correct.
• To know more than what we already know.
• To affirm our conceptual belief.
• To satisfy our curiosity.

16. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Types of RESEARCH
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Application perspective
• Pure research
– involves developing, testing theories and hypotheses that are
intellectually challenging to the researcher.
– may or may not have practical application at the present time or in
the future.
– E.g.
• developing a methodology to assess the validity of a procedure.
• developing an instrument to measure the stress level in people.
• finding the best way of measuring people’s attitudes.
• Applied research
– the research process are applied to the collection of information
about various aspects of a situation, issue, problem or phenomenon
so that the information gathered can be used in other ways.
– any conclusions drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered
from information collected from real-life experiences or observations
– E.g.
• policy formulation, administration and the enhancement of understanding of
a phenomenon.
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18. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Objective perspective
• Descriptive research
– attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem,
phenomenon, service or program, or provides information.
– the main purpose of such studies is to describe what is
prevalent with respect to the issue/problem under study.
• Correlational research
– to discover or establish the existence of a relationship/
association/ interdependence between two or more
aspects of a situation.
• Explanatory research
– to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two
aspects of a situation or phenomenon.
• Exploratory research
– explore an area where little is known or to investigate the
possibilities of undertaking a particular research study
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19. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Mode of enquiry perspective
• Structured approach
– everything that forms the research process (objectives,
design, sample, and the questions that you plan to ask of
respondents) is predetermined.
– more appropriate to determine the extent of a problem,
issue or phenomenon.
– quantitative research
• Unstructured approach
– allows flexibility in all these aspects of the research
process.
– predominantly used to explore its nature, variation/
diversity per se in a phenomenon, issue, problem or
attitude towards an issue.
– qualitative research 19

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Translational Research

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Bench to Bedside Concept

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23. Thank YouThank You
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