The document outlines an eight-step model for conducting research: 1) formulating the research problem, 2) literature review, 3) developing hypotheses, 4) research design, 5) data collection, 6) data analysis, 7) reporting, and 8) generalizing or interpreting findings. It provides details on each step, including how to develop a theoretical framework, write a research proposal, construct instruments for data collection, and structure a report. The model is presented as a practical, systematic approach to research.

1. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
1
S. Hassan Adelyar, Ph.D
Instructor of Computer Science Faculty
Kabul University
July 2023
The Research Process: An Eight-step Model

2. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
2
 Research is a practical, systematic &
step-by-step approach.
 Series of steps / activities
 Closely related steps
 Each step provides a variety of methods,
models and procedures.
 Overlap of activities
 Consider the sub-sequence steps
Research Process

3. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
3
 Input, process & output.
 For research there are two important
decisions to make:
 What you want to find.
 How to find answers.

4. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
4
Research
Process
What Research Problem
How
Literature Review
(Concepts +
Findings)
Hypotheses
Research Design
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Generalize /
Interpret
Reporting

5. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
5 Research Methodologies
Case Study Research (Context)
Design Science Research (Artifact)
Experimental Research (Variables)
Comparative Research (Cases / Variables)
Systematic Literature Review (Analysis)

6. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
6
Formulating the Research Problem
Problem
Space
Gap
Aim
Objectives
Questions

7. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
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7
 Considerations in selecting a research
problem
 Interest
 Magnitude
 Relevance
 Availability of data

8. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
8
 Decide the general area of interest
(Discuss with colleagues / experts)
 Examine available literature
 Conceptual literature
 Empirical literature
 Rephrase the problem

9. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
9
 Provides theoretical background.
 Establish the links between what you are
proposing & what has already been
studied.
 Enables you to show how your findings
have contributed to the existing body of
knowledge.
Literature Review

10. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
10
 There are four steps involved in
conducting a literature review:
 Searching for the existing literature in
your area of study.
 Reviewing the selected literature.
 Developing a theoretical framework.
 Developing a conceptual framework.

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Research
Methodology
March 2023
11
 There are two sources that you can use to
prepare a references / bibliography:
 Books
 Papers / Articles

12. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
12
 Developing Theoretical Framework
 Examining the literature can be a
never-ending task.
 But as you have limited time it is
important to set parameters by
reviewing the literature in relation to
some main themes relevant to your
research topic.

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Research
Methodology
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13
 Conceptualizing Research Design
 Stems from the theoretical
framework.
 Focuses on the sections which
become the basis of your study.
 Systematic, controlled, valid and
rigorous description of what is not
known.

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Research
Methodology
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 The use of appropriate methods.
 The conceptual framework
describes the aspects you selected
from the theoretical framework to
become the basis of your enquiry.

15. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
15 Conceptualizing Research Design
Security
Practices
Software
Agile
XP
e-Learning
Classic
Learning
e-Learning
Comparison
Benefits /
Challenges
e-Learning
Ecosystem
Elements
Environment
Factors

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Research
Methodology
March 2023
16
 Unsure assumption
 Affect the manner of tests and analysis
 Guide the research by delimiting the
area of research and keep him on the
right track.
Hypotheses

17. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
17
 Conceptual structure for conducting the
research.
 Provide for the collection of relevant
evidence with minimal expenditure of
effort, time and cost.
 Depend on the type of research:
 Fixed / Strict
 Flexible
Research Design

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Methodology
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 Fixed:
 Accurate description
 Variables
 Minimize bias
 Maximize reliability

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Methodology
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 Sample Design:
 The way of selecting the sample
 Before data collection
 For the accuracy of your findings.
 Limitation of cost & time.

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Methodology
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 General types:
 Random / probability sampling
designs
 Non-random/non-probability
sampling designs
 Mixed sampling design.

21. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
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21
 Deliberate sampling
 Random sampling
 Systematic sampling
 Stratified sampling
 The population is stratified into a
number of non-overlapping sub-
population & samples are selected
from each groups.

22. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
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 Cluster sampling
 Grouping the population and then
selecting the groups rather than
individual elements from the group.

23. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
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Methodology
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23
 Writing a Research Proposal
 Define a clear question and approach to
answering it.
 Highlight its originality or
significance.
 Explain how it adds to existing
literature in the field.

24. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
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 Potential supervisors use research
proposals to assess the quality and
originality of your ideas, your skills in
critical thinking and the feasibility of
the research project.
 Research proposals may vary in length,
but generally speaking, a proposal should
be no more than or 5 pages in length; 2-3
pages is normally sufficient.

25. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
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 Elements of research proposal:
 Title
 Research Summary (aims, significant,
expected outcome)
 Research Details
 Research Questions
 Aims / Objectives

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Research
Methodology
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 Significance/Contribution
 Theoretical Framework and
Methods
 Research Plan and Timeline

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Methodology
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Example of Research Timeline & Plan

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Methodology
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 Collect the data from which you will
draw results & conclusions for your
study.
 Many methods could be used to gather
the required data.
 Data can be categorized as:
 Primary data (real life problems)
 Secondary data
Data Collection

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Research
Methodology
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 Primary data
 Observation
 Participant
 Non-participant
 Interview
 Structured
 Unstructured

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Research
Methodology
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 Questionnaire
 Mailed
 Collective
 Focus-group

31. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
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 Interview questions order
 Funnel model
 Pyramid model
 Time-glass model
 Note: for question order one of the above
model is better then random order.
p

32. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
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 Secondary Data
 Documents
 Earlier Research
 Governmental publication
 Reports

33. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
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 Constructing Instrument
 Anything that becomes a means of
collecting information for your study
is called a research tool or a research
instrument.
 For example observation forms,
interview question, questionnaires,
survey, or variables.

34. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
34 Data Analysis
 The collected data is analyzed to derive
conclusions.
 Clear chain of evidence (Empirical).
 The process of analysis depends on:
 Type of data
 Quantity of data
 In qualitative research analysis is
performed in parallel with data
collection.
p

35. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
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 Analysis:
 Categories
 Coding
 Tabulation
 Theory / generalization
 Compare with hypotheses
p

36. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
36
 The outline of the thesis can be as follow
but not necessarily exactly the same:
 Topic
 Declaration
 Acknowledgement
 List of Figures
 List of Tables
 Table of contents
 Abstract
Reporting

37. The Research Process: An Eight-step Model
Research
Methodology
March 2023
37
 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Methodology
 Results
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 Appendices
 References / Bibliography

38. End of Chapter 2
Question?