This document provides an overview of a research methods training workshop conducted by the Afghanistan Ministry of Higher Education at the Asian Institute of Technology Language Center. The 3-day workshop covered topics such as defining research, types of research, writing a research problem, developing a research design, and components of a research proposal. It also discussed qualitative and quantitative research methods, sampling techniques, developing a research proposal outline, and presenting a research project. The document provides details on the content covered each day of the workshop to help participants learn the steps for developing and conducting a research study.

1. Asian Institute of Technology
Language Center
The Afghanistan Ministry of Higher Education
February 22nd , 23rd and 25th 2013

2. What is research?
Types of research
Research problem
2

3. Research design or framework
Components of a research
proposal
3

4. 4

5. Develop a plan for a research project
List the sections of a research proposal
Write a research proposal for the Project
Project Presentation
5

6. A systematic process of
investigation into a problem
Is original and not repetition of
something already known
6

7. Expand knowledge and
understanding of phenomenon
Attempts to answer ‘why’ and
‘how’
7

8.  Qualitative
 Quantitative
 Mixed Methods • Describe – how
things are
• Explain – why
things are the way
they are
• Predict –
phenomenon and
relationships
8

9. Writing academically
Working Outline & Style-guide
Working Bibliography
Keeping records of documents
& Online resources
9

10. A ‘research problem’ refers to
some difficulty that the researcher
experiences in the context of
either a theoretical or practical
situation and to which he/she
wants to obtain a solution.
10

11. The formulation of a problem is far more
often essential than its solutions, which may
be merely a matter of mathematical or
experimental skill. To raise new
questions, new possibilities, to regard old
problems from a new angle requires creative
imagination and marks real advance in
science.
-- A. Einstein and L. Infeld,
The Evolution of Physics, 1938
11

12. Actual or current problem
Related previous research
Theories related to problem
12

13. Express clearly the how and
why to undertake the research
As a testable research
hypothesis
As an exploratory research
question
13

14. A framework that guides us to
undertake research on a specific
problem
Cover issues of ‘which’ and ‘why’
of methods and techniques
Decision on sample size and
sampling procedure
14

15. Process of data collection
Analysis procedures and
statistical techniques to be
used
Communicates the research
findings / results
15

16. 16

17. Methods Techniques Tools
Exploratory Survey Questionnaires
Evaluative Interviews Scales
Experimental Observation Interview
Elaborative Content schedules
analysis and Observation
research sheets
synthesis Tests
Meta-analysis Checklists
17

18. Why sampling?
Large samples behave in normal
distribution
18

19. Representative sample is important
to draw conclusions about the
population
Determine the sample size
Assist in reliability and validity of
the study
19

20. It is not haphazard
Every subject in the population
has a known probability/
chance of selection
20

21. Use of Random table
Systematic random sampling
Stratified random sampling
21

22. Title
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Procedures of the Study
Time and Cost Estimates
Appendices
References
22

23. Title page page i
Table of contents
List of abbreviations
List of tables and figures
Introductions Chapter 1
page 1
Literature review Chapter 2
Methodology Chapter 3
Timeline/ work schedule/ budget
List of references
23

24. The proposal should have sufficient
information to convince your
readers that you have an important
research idea.
 Background of relevant literature
 Address major issues or problem
 Research methodology is sound
24

25. It should be clear, concise and
descriptive.
25

26. Often titles are stated in terms
of a functional
relationship, because such
titles clearly indicate the
independent and dependent
variables.
 (Who is the audience?)
26

27. Think of an informative but catchy
title
An effective title not only pricks the
reader's interest, but also
predisposes him/her favorably
towards the proposal
27

28.  Preciseand accurate
 Unambiguous
 Avoid extremely long titles
× Extended Contact Program and Learning
 Effect of Extended Contact Program on
student achievement
28

29. 29

30. Orientates the readers towards
the research topic
Explain the importance and
relevance of the research topic
30

31. Justifies the choice of the
research topic
Provides a concise overview of
relevant literature to make the
proposal sound
31

32.  The subheadings
◦ Background
◦ Rationale
◦ Problem statement
◦ Objectives
◦ Scope
◦ Limitations
◦ Assumptions
◦ Hypotheses
32

33. Sometimes part of introduction
Further clarifies the intent of
the investigator
33

34. Presented as hypothesis or
exploratory question for aims
and objectives of the study
34

35. Rationale
◦ a justification for doing something
Problem statement
A problem statement is a clear concise
description of the issue(s) that
need(s) to be addressed
35

36. 36

37. 37

38. To measure the level of achievement of
the AIT participants
There is no significant difference between
the achievement of male and female
participants of AIT
How do AIT participants perform in the
test?
38

39. 39

40. Step 1 Claiming centrality
and/or
Step 2 Movement from the general to the specific
and/or
Step 3 Reviewing relevant items of previous research
40

41. Example
Minimum safe low temperatures (above
freezing) and high humidity control are
the most important tools for extending
shelf life in vegetables.
(Barth et al., 1993)
41

42. Example
In recent years, there has been an increased
awareness of the potential impact of pollutants
such as heavy metals. Moreover, the traditional
methods for treating aqueous streams
containing metal contaminants are expensive
and can have inadequate facilities.
This is particularly true in developing countries.
This has led to the use of alternative
technologies. The use of biological materials is
one such technology which has received
considerable attention.
(Ho et al., 1996)
42

43. Step 1a Counter-claiming
or
Step 1b Indicating a gap
or
Step 1c Question-raising
or
Step 1d Continuing a previously developed line of inquiry
43

44. 44

45. Numerous studies on the utilization of plant
proteins as a partial or complete replacement
for fish meal in diets have been conducted
using various freshwater and marines fishes
(Lovell, 1987; Tacon et al., 1983; Murai et
al., 1989a; Cowey et al., 1974).
However, very little is known about the
feasibility of using soybean meal as a dietary
protein source in practical feeds for yellowtail
Seriola quinqueradiata.
(Takii et al., 1989)
45

46. The question addressed here is how
technological change occurs when it is the
overall system that needs to be changed.
In particular, how can we begin and sustain a
technological transition away from
hydrocarbon based technologies?
(Street and Miles, 1996)
46

47. Step 1a Outlining purposes
or
Step 1b Announcing present research
Step 2 Announcing principal findings
Step 3 Indicating structure of the research
47

48. This work aims to establish the extent of
interaction of alginate with calcium and
aluminium ions with respect to the
influence of algal exudates have on the
removal of humic substances by aluminium
coagulation during drinking water
treatment.
(Gregor et al., 1996).
48

49. This paper will examine the use of peat
for the removal of two metals, copper
and nickel, from both mono-solute and
bi-solute solutions.
In particular, it reports the effect that a
competing ion has on the rates of
removal and examines the mechanisms
which may affect the uptake of minerals.
(Ho et al., 1996)
49

50. Decide on the method, techniques
and tools to use
Explain the rationale of each vis-
à-vis the statement of the
problems
50

51. Describe the tool development
process or use of existing one
Describe how you will gather
data for the study
51

52. Indicate the population, sample
size and the sampling
procedure
Explain the statistical methods
to be used with rationale
52

53. Prepare a schedule of activities
(Research Action Plan)
Time management skills
required
53

54. 54

55. Cost of the research project
Item-wise budgeting
Financial support required
55

56. Bibliography and references
Tentative chapter outline
References
Any other information, i.e.
Bibliography
Chapters
Tables / Timeline
56

57. Reference
Bohez, E. L. J., & Thieravarut, M. (1997).
Expert system for diagnosing computer
numerically controlled machines: a case-
study. Computers in Industry, 32, 233-248.
57

58. http://www.searchcredible.com/
58

59. 59

60. http://www.zotero.org/
60

61.  We will watch short video
61

62. 62

63. What are the 3 main components
of a oral presentation?
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
63

64. 64

65. Choosing the right visual aid
Describing graphs and trends
65

66. 66

67. Key words
Key phrases
Key concepts / theories
67

68. 68

69. Asian Institute of Technology
Language Center
Mr. Rob Hatfield, M.Ed.
AIT Language Center