This document discusses research methods and approaches. It defines research as a systematic investigation to discover new information. The main objectives of research are to find answers or solutions to problems through scientific inquiry. There are different types of research including descriptive, analytical, applied, fundamental, quantitative, qualitative, conceptual, empirical, longitudinal, cross-sectional, and action research. Research can be approached quantitatively by measuring variables, qualitatively by examining words and images, or using a mixed methods approach.

1. Research Methods
By
Eugene Adu Henaku

2. Outline
• Meaning of research
• Ami, objective and purpose of research
• Types of research
• Research approaches

3. What is Research?
• Research is commonly referred to as a search for knowledge.
• Research is a systematic and scientific search for relevant information on a
specific topic, issue or situation.
• It is a diligent investigation or search for new information in any body or branch
of knowledge.
• Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis
or suggested solutions; collecting, organising and evaluating data; making
deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions
to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis

4. • Research is the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the
purpose of generalising to extend, correct or verify knowledge,
whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the
practice of an art.
• Research is an authentic addition to the existing knowledge making for
its advancement.
• It is an objective and systematic method of searching for solution to a
problem or and issue. The systematic nature of researcher permits the
generalisation of results.

5. • Research refers to the systematic method which is made up of problem
identification of problem, formulating a hypothesis, gathering data, analysing
data and reaching a conclusion(s) either in the form of solutions(s) towards
the problem or in certain generalisations for some theoretical formulation.

6. Aims, Objectives or Purpose Of Research
• The aim, objective or purpose of a research is to find answer(s) or solution(s)
to questions through the use or application of scientific methods.
• It is to find or discover a hidden truth which have not been discovered yet.

7. Broad Groups of Research Objectives
• The researcher aim, objectives or purpose may be grouped under one of the
following broad groups:
• Becoming familiar with a situation or to get new insights into the situation
• Show accurate features a situation, an individual or a group
• Find out the rate or frequency with which something happens or with it is
associated with something else.
• To test hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables

8. Research Motivation
• This explains what makes researchers undertake research. The motivation
for a research work may be the desire to :
• get a research degree (which comes with benefits)
• contribute in solving a problem
• intellectual hoy of doing some creative work
• Provide service to society

9. Types of Researcher
• Descriptive Research: the major purpose of descriptive research is
description of the state of affairs as it exists at present.
• It is a research method that describes the characteristics of the population or
phenomenon that is being studied.
• This methodology focuses more on the “what” of the research subject rather
than the “why” of the research subject.

10. • Analytical Research: in this type of research the researcher has
to use facts or information already available, and analyse these to
make a critical evaluation of the material.
• Applied Research: the purpose of an applied research is finding
solution for an immediate problem within a society, an
organization or industry.
• Also, the aim of applied research is to discover a solution for
some pressing practical problem.

11. • Fundamental Research: is mainly concerned with
generalisations and with the formulation of theory.
• Fundamental Research is directed towards finding information
that has a broad base of applications and thus, adds to the already
existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
• Example: Research about a human behaviour that seeks to make
generalisation.

12. • Quantitative Research: This type of research is based on the measurement
of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed
in terms of quantity.
• Qualitative Research: is concerned with qualitative phenomenon; situation
relating to or involving quality or kind. It aims is to discover the underlying
reasons for human behaviour. Therefore, it emphasises on meaning.

13. • Conceptual Research: is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is
generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to
reinterpret existing ones.
• Empirical Research: depend on on experience or observation alone, often
without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up
with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or
experiment. It is also called experimental research.
• This type of research is used when the researcher wants to establish a cause and
effect relationship between variables.

14. • Longitudinal Research: Research carried out longitudinally
involves data collection at multiple points in time. Longitudinal
studies may take the form of:
• Trend study- looks at population characteristics over time, e.g.
acquisition of skill during the course of study for three years
• Cohort study- traces a sub-population over time, e.g. the rate of
skill acquisition of level 300 students in a department
• Panel study- traces the same sample over time, e.g. skill
acquisition of students from level 100-400 (for the same starting
students)

15. • Cross-sectional Research: is a type of observational study that analyzes
data from a population, or a representative subset, at a specific point in
time—that is, cross-sectional data.
• Action Research: refers to a wide variety of evaluative, investigative, and
analytical research methods designed to diagnose problems or weaknesses
whether organizational, academic, or instructional—and help educators
develop practical solutions to address them quickly and efficiently.

16. Research Approaches
• There are three basic approaches to research, viz.,
• Quantitative approach: approach of measurements and
numbers
• Qualitative approach: approach of words and images
• Mix-method approach: approach of measurements,
numbers, words and images