1. Research is scientific and can prove anything you want.
Research can be done in many ways.
A review of research will reveal a great list of types of research.
The nature of the problem determines the choice of the research method.
It is imperative that the researcher uses scientific method to be assured of objectivity in collecting
facts and verifying concepts for alternative economic strategies.
2. 1.2 Scientific Research – Concepts
Science is commonly defined as an accumulation of systematic knowledge.
It is a method of approach to the empirical world.
Science is a mode of analysis that permit the scientist to state proposition in the form of
"if__, then __
"In short, the whole purpose of science is to understand the word in which we live in.
Theory offers a conceptual scheme by which the relevant phenomena are systematized,
classified and interrelated.
A good reason for conducting research is to develop and evaluate concepts and theories.
3. 1.2 Scientific Research – Concepts
The results of the basic research expands scientific knowledge about theories of general performance behavior.
• The basic research employ the scientific method to answer the question at hand.
The scientific method refers to the techniques and procedures used to analyze empirical evidence in an attempt to
confirm or disprove earlier conceptions.
Thus, the scientific method requires systematic analysis and logical interpretation of empirical evidence.
The use of scientific method in research assures objectivity in gathering facts and testing ideas.
The scientific researcher operates at two levels: on the abstract level of concepts and on the empirical level of
variable.
As empirical level, we 'experience' reality, that is, we observe or manipulate objects or events.
4. Concepts are abstracts of reality
- Concepts: are abstraction of reality.
- Theories: are structures of idea that explain and
interpret facts.
- Facts: are the world's data.
- Hypothesis: is a proposition that is empirically
testable/verifiable.
- Abstract level: the level of knowledge expressing a
concept that exists only as an idea.
- Empirical level: level of knowledge that is verifiable
by experience or observation.
- Variable: Anything that may assume different
numerical values
5. 1.3 Objectives of Research
To find more about some subjects you are interested in, you carry out research.
It is part of a course and you will work to get some credit or qualification.
However, the general objectives of a scientific research are as follows.
Investigation of a phenomenon or knowledge of some relevance and its impacts.
Analysis of the resulting data to determine any systematic patterns or trend.
• According to Robert Merton, the objective of research should be to more than confirm or refute
hypothesis.
• Research should initiate, reformulate, refute and clarify theory.
6. Relationship of Problem to Type of Research
Exploratory Research
Descriptive Research Causal Research
Ambiguous problem Aware of partially defined problem Clearly defined problem
Testing out and problem solving
research
Explanatory and evaluation research Market and academic research
7. 1.5.1 Exploratory Studies
• Exploratory research is initial research conducted to clarify and define
the nature of a problem.
• Exploratory studies provide information to use in analyzing a
situation.
• It conducted with the expectation that subsequent research will be
required to provide conclusive evidence.
• It is not wise to rush into detailed surveys before less expensive
8. 1.5.2 Descriptive Research
• Research designed to describe characteristics of a population or a
phenomenon is known as descriptive research.
• Descriptive research seeks to determine the answers to who, what, when,
where, and how questions.
• Accuracy is very important in descriptive research.
• Although errors cannot be completely eliminated, good researchers aim for
descriptive precision.
• Descriptive studies are based on some previous understanding of the nature
of the research problem.
9. 1.5.3 Causal Research
Causal research is a research conducted to identify cause and effect
relationship among variables.
When the research problem has already been variously defined.
The main goal of causal research is to identify cause and effect
relationships among variable.
Causal research attempts to establish that when we do one thing, another
thing will follow.
A typical causal study has a researcher change one variable e.g., training
and then observe the effect on another variable e.g., productivity.