Advance Research Methods                             basic methods are used for reasoning
 Lecture – 1                       9-10-2012              or getting results.
Q1     Knowledge and the sources of                                 1. Induction
       knowledge                                                    2. Deduction
       Facts, information, and skills acquired            Induction:        Induction     is    the
       by a person through experience or                  method of reasoning from particular to
       education; the theoretical or practical            general; the mental process involved
       understanding of a subject is called               in     creating   generalization    from
       knowledge.                                         observed phenomena or principle.
Epistemology                                              Example: Today, I left for work at
       Epistemology is the study of knowing.              eight’s clock and arrived on time.
       It deals with the nature of knowledge,             Therefore, everyday that I leave the
       how do we know things, what do we                  house at eight, I will arrive at work on
       know, why we know, is what we know                 time.
       true, and what are the limits of                   Deduction:        Deduction     is    the
       knowledge.Generally            speaking,           method of reasoning in which, we use
       epistemology deals with the nature of              top-to-bottom approach and use
       knowledge and not the how-to of                    general to specific method. We
       knowledge. In other words, what is                 observe a large amount of data and
       the relationship between truth and                 make a specific argument.
       reality versus how do I build a cabinet.           Example:
Sources of knowledge                                      All oranges are fruit.
   1. Experience                                          All fruits grow on trees.
       We get knowledge through our                       Hence, all oranges grow on trees.
       experience. We observe, learn and do
       any work through our hands and learn               Limitations of Scientific Method
       new things. So, by doing some activity                  Clearly, the scientific method is a
       with our hands, we get experience,                 powerful tool but it does have its
       gives us direction to understand the               limitations. These limitations are based
       way of doing such general or specific              on the fact that a hypothesis must be
       work. In other words, such types of                testable, falsifiable, experiments and
       experience increase our knowledge.                 observations be repeatable. Scientific
   2. Sensory knowledge                                   method is incapable of making value
       We get knowledge through use of our                judgments. It cannot say anything
       sensory organs. These are ears, eyes,              about supernatural powers.
       nose, hands and tongue. These              What is Refutability?
       sensory organs gives us knowledge                  It means that the hypotheses must be
       about something happening but not                  questionable and be supported by
       100% perfect or complete knowledge                 some evidence.
       that can be used for decision making.      Types of Research Designs
   3. Scientific knowledge                         Quantitative Research
       Scientific method is a body of                     Quantitative research refers to the
       techniques used for investigating           systematic empirical investigation of social
       phenomena, acquiring new knowledge          phenomena via statistical, mathematical or
       or correcting and integrating previous      computational techniques. The objective of
       knowledge. Scientific method gives us       quantitative research is to develop and
       the empirical and measurable results,       employ mathematical models, theories and/or
       which can be tested and verified again      hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. The
       and again. Scientific method based on       process of measurement is central to
       logic. Logic is the system of reasoning,    quantitative research because it provides the
       which helps in choosing right one           fundamental connection between empirical
       option from lots of option. In logic two    observation and mathematical expression of
quantitative relationships. Quantitative data is           and can cause corresponding changes
any data that is in numerical form such as                 in other variables, and (2) Dependent
statistics, percentages, etc. In layman's                  variable: that can take different values
terms, this means that the quantitative                    only in response to an independent
researcher asks a specific, narrow question                variable.
and collects numerical data from participants                       Functions of Research
to answer the question.
What is meant Phenomenon?                            1. It obtains the scientist knowledge about all
  1. A fact or situation that is observed to         educational problems. It also helps in obtaining
        exist or happen, esp. one whose cause        specific knowledge about the subjects involved
        or explanation is in question.               in the study.
  2. Within boundaries of time and space,            2. In action research, the researchers are
        anything which is happening or               teachers, curriculum workers, principals,
        occurring is called phenomenon.              supervisors or others whose main task is to
      Qualitative Research                 A set     help, provide good learning experiences for
      of research techniques in which data is        pupils.
      obtained from a relatively small group of      3. In it, a person tries to enable him to realize
      respondents and not analyzed with              his purposes more effectively. For example: A
      statistical     techniques.      Qualitative   teacher conducts his teaching more effectively.
      research is a method of inquiry                An administrator, in the education department
      employed in many different academic            performs his action to improve his
      disciplines, traditionally in the social       administrative behavior.
      sciences, but also in market research. It      4. Action research is a procedure which tries to
      is used to make sense of unstructured          keep problem solving in close contact with
      information.                                   reality at every stage.
      Analytical Research                            5. In educational system it conduits for the
      The distinction between descriptive and        progress of the technique of teaching.
      analytical research is based on the            6. It strengthens and emphasizes the work of
      question it asks. Descriptive research         the teacher.
      attempts to determine, describe, or            7. It has a great utility of creating new interest
      identify what is, while analytical research    and new confidence in the ability of the
      attempts to establish why it is that way       individual teacher.
      or how it came to be. The descriptive          8. Action research provides practical utility. For
      research uses description, classification,     class-room teacher, he applies his own
      measurement, and comparison to                 observations into his class-room practices to
      describe what phenomena are. The               make the observed problems solved. Minor
      analytical research usually concerns           problems in the class-room can be solved by
      itself with cause-effect relationships. For    applying the teachers' intelligence.
      example Examining the fluctuations of U.       9. to explain existing observed phenomenon,
      S. international trade balance during          to gather up to date, current information on a
      1974-1995 is an example of descriptive         particular field, research is important and the
      research; while explaining why and how         foundation for sustainable development in any
      U.S. trade balance move in a particular        country because industries depend on existing
      way over time is an example of                 research information to innovate. In science,
      analytical research.                           research is a prerequisite to the approval of
      What is Variable?                              any postulated theory, and in politics generally
      A characteristic, number, or quantity that     research is mandatory to prove a political view
      increases or decreases over time, or           or standpoint.
      takes different values in different                           Types of Research
      situations.                                    Basic Research
      Two basic types are (1) Independent            Pure          research, basic           research,
      variable: that can take different values       or fundamental research is research carried
out to increase understanding of fundamental                           Preposition
principles. It is not intended to yield immediate   A word governing, and usually preceding, a
commercial benefits; pure research can be           noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to
thought of as arising out of curiosity. However,    another word or element in the clause, as in
in the long term it is the basis for many           “the       man on the        platform,”       “she
commercial products and applied research.           arrived after dinner,” “what did you do it for?”
Pure research is mainly carried out by                 Difference b/w Concept and Construct
universities.                                       Concept: An abstract idea; a general notion
                 Applied Research                   Construct: Build or erect (something, typically
Applied research can be defined as the                          a building, road, or machine)
methodic search for solutions to practical                 Concept                   Construct
problems of the modern world. The main              Already     maintained Maintained              and
motivation in applied research is to apply the      standards based on establish by own
knowledge and solve practical problems for          knowledge
companies and all kinds of institutions.            Based on practical Based on perception
              Descriptive Research                  workings
Descriptive research, also known as statistical     Examples : Theories, Job             satisfaction,
research, describes data and characteristics        rules                     employee
about the population or phenomenon being                                      performance etc
studied. However, it does not answer
questions about e.g.: how/when/why the
characteristics occurred, which is done under
analytic research.
Although the data description is factual,
accurate and systematic, the research cannot
describe what caused a situation. Thus,
Descriptive research cannot be used to create
a causal relationship, where one variable
affects another. In other words, descriptive
research can be said to have a low
requirement for internal validity.
The description is used for frequencies,
averages and other statistical calculations.
Often the best approach, prior to writing
descriptive research, is to conduct a survey
investigation. Qualitative research often has
the aim of description and researchers may
follow-up with examinations of why the
observations exist and what the implications of
the findings are.
Define Theory
A set of statements or principles devised to
explain a group of facts or phenomena,
especially one that has been repeatedly tested
or is widely accepted and can be used to make
predictions about natural phenomena.
              Behavioral Research
Research that involves the application of the
behavioral and social sciences to the study of
the actions or reactions of persons or animals
in response to external or internal stimuli.

Advance research methods

  • 1.
    Advance Research Methods basic methods are used for reasoning Lecture – 1 9-10-2012 or getting results. Q1 Knowledge and the sources of 1. Induction knowledge 2. Deduction Facts, information, and skills acquired Induction: Induction is the by a person through experience or method of reasoning from particular to education; the theoretical or practical general; the mental process involved understanding of a subject is called in creating generalization from knowledge. observed phenomena or principle. Epistemology Example: Today, I left for work at Epistemology is the study of knowing. eight’s clock and arrived on time. It deals with the nature of knowledge, Therefore, everyday that I leave the how do we know things, what do we house at eight, I will arrive at work on know, why we know, is what we know time. true, and what are the limits of Deduction: Deduction is the knowledge.Generally speaking, method of reasoning in which, we use epistemology deals with the nature of top-to-bottom approach and use knowledge and not the how-to of general to specific method. We knowledge. In other words, what is observe a large amount of data and the relationship between truth and make a specific argument. reality versus how do I build a cabinet. Example: Sources of knowledge All oranges are fruit. 1. Experience All fruits grow on trees. We get knowledge through our Hence, all oranges grow on trees. experience. We observe, learn and do any work through our hands and learn Limitations of Scientific Method new things. So, by doing some activity Clearly, the scientific method is a with our hands, we get experience, powerful tool but it does have its gives us direction to understand the limitations. These limitations are based way of doing such general or specific on the fact that a hypothesis must be work. In other words, such types of testable, falsifiable, experiments and experience increase our knowledge. observations be repeatable. Scientific 2. Sensory knowledge method is incapable of making value We get knowledge through use of our judgments. It cannot say anything sensory organs. These are ears, eyes, about supernatural powers. nose, hands and tongue. These What is Refutability? sensory organs gives us knowledge It means that the hypotheses must be about something happening but not questionable and be supported by 100% perfect or complete knowledge some evidence. that can be used for decision making. Types of Research Designs 3. Scientific knowledge Quantitative Research Scientific method is a body of Quantitative research refers to the techniques used for investigating systematic empirical investigation of social phenomena, acquiring new knowledge phenomena via statistical, mathematical or or correcting and integrating previous computational techniques. The objective of knowledge. Scientific method gives us quantitative research is to develop and the empirical and measurable results, employ mathematical models, theories and/or which can be tested and verified again hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. The and again. Scientific method based on process of measurement is central to logic. Logic is the system of reasoning, quantitative research because it provides the which helps in choosing right one fundamental connection between empirical option from lots of option. In logic two observation and mathematical expression of
  • 2.
    quantitative relationships. Quantitativedata is and can cause corresponding changes any data that is in numerical form such as in other variables, and (2) Dependent statistics, percentages, etc. In layman's variable: that can take different values terms, this means that the quantitative only in response to an independent researcher asks a specific, narrow question variable. and collects numerical data from participants Functions of Research to answer the question. What is meant Phenomenon? 1. It obtains the scientist knowledge about all 1. A fact or situation that is observed to educational problems. It also helps in obtaining exist or happen, esp. one whose cause specific knowledge about the subjects involved or explanation is in question. in the study. 2. Within boundaries of time and space, 2. In action research, the researchers are anything which is happening or teachers, curriculum workers, principals, occurring is called phenomenon. supervisors or others whose main task is to Qualitative Research A set help, provide good learning experiences for of research techniques in which data is pupils. obtained from a relatively small group of 3. In it, a person tries to enable him to realize respondents and not analyzed with his purposes more effectively. For example: A statistical techniques. Qualitative teacher conducts his teaching more effectively. research is a method of inquiry An administrator, in the education department employed in many different academic performs his action to improve his disciplines, traditionally in the social administrative behavior. sciences, but also in market research. It 4. Action research is a procedure which tries to is used to make sense of unstructured keep problem solving in close contact with information. reality at every stage. Analytical Research 5. In educational system it conduits for the The distinction between descriptive and progress of the technique of teaching. analytical research is based on the 6. It strengthens and emphasizes the work of question it asks. Descriptive research the teacher. attempts to determine, describe, or 7. It has a great utility of creating new interest identify what is, while analytical research and new confidence in the ability of the attempts to establish why it is that way individual teacher. or how it came to be. The descriptive 8. Action research provides practical utility. For research uses description, classification, class-room teacher, he applies his own measurement, and comparison to observations into his class-room practices to describe what phenomena are. The make the observed problems solved. Minor analytical research usually concerns problems in the class-room can be solved by itself with cause-effect relationships. For applying the teachers' intelligence. example Examining the fluctuations of U. 9. to explain existing observed phenomenon, S. international trade balance during to gather up to date, current information on a 1974-1995 is an example of descriptive particular field, research is important and the research; while explaining why and how foundation for sustainable development in any U.S. trade balance move in a particular country because industries depend on existing way over time is an example of research information to innovate. In science, analytical research. research is a prerequisite to the approval of What is Variable? any postulated theory, and in politics generally A characteristic, number, or quantity that research is mandatory to prove a political view increases or decreases over time, or or standpoint. takes different values in different Types of Research situations. Basic Research Two basic types are (1) Independent Pure research, basic research, variable: that can take different values or fundamental research is research carried
  • 3.
    out to increaseunderstanding of fundamental Preposition principles. It is not intended to yield immediate A word governing, and usually preceding, a commercial benefits; pure research can be noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to thought of as arising out of curiosity. However, another word or element in the clause, as in in the long term it is the basis for many “the man on the platform,” “she commercial products and applied research. arrived after dinner,” “what did you do it for?” Pure research is mainly carried out by Difference b/w Concept and Construct universities. Concept: An abstract idea; a general notion Applied Research Construct: Build or erect (something, typically Applied research can be defined as the a building, road, or machine) methodic search for solutions to practical Concept Construct problems of the modern world. The main Already maintained Maintained and motivation in applied research is to apply the standards based on establish by own knowledge and solve practical problems for knowledge companies and all kinds of institutions. Based on practical Based on perception Descriptive Research workings Descriptive research, also known as statistical Examples : Theories, Job satisfaction, research, describes data and characteristics rules employee about the population or phenomenon being performance etc studied. However, it does not answer questions about e.g.: how/when/why the characteristics occurred, which is done under analytic research. Although the data description is factual, accurate and systematic, the research cannot describe what caused a situation. Thus, Descriptive research cannot be used to create a causal relationship, where one variable affects another. In other words, descriptive research can be said to have a low requirement for internal validity. The description is used for frequencies, averages and other statistical calculations. Often the best approach, prior to writing descriptive research, is to conduct a survey investigation. Qualitative research often has the aim of description and researchers may follow-up with examinations of why the observations exist and what the implications of the findings are. Define Theory A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena. Behavioral Research Research that involves the application of the behavioral and social sciences to the study of the actions or reactions of persons or animals in response to external or internal stimuli.