a lecturer of research methods course

1. MODULE 1
The Research Process
Introduction to Research Methods
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Instructor: Lam Hoang Phuc

2.  There are several ways of collecting and understanding
information and finding answers to your questions –
research is one way.
 The difference between research and other ways of
obtaining answers to your questions is that in a process
that is classified as research, you work within a framework
of a set of philosophies, use methods that have been
tested for validity and reliability, and attempt to be
unbiased and objective.
 Research has many applications. You need to have
research skills to be an effective service provider,
administrator/manager or planner. As a professional who
has a responsibility to enhance professional knowledge,
research skills are essential.
1.1. What is research?

3.  If you examine a research endeavour from the perspective
of its application, there are two broad categories:
o Pure research involves developing and testing theories
and hypotheses that are intellectually challenging but
may or may not have practical application at the
present time or in the future. Pure research is also
concerned with the development, examination,
verification and refinement of research methodology.
o Applied research collects information about various
aspects of a situation, issue, problem or phenomenon
so that the information gathered can be used for policy
formulation, administration and the enhancement of
understanding of a phenomenon.
1.2. Types of research

4.  If you examine a research study from the perspective of its
objectives, broadly a research endeavour can be classified
as:
o Descriptive research describes systematically a
situation, problem, phenomenon, service or
programme, living conditions of a community, or
attitudes towards an issue.
o Correlational research discovers or establishes the
existence of a relationship, association or
interdependence between two or more aspects of a
situation.
o Explanatory research clarifies why and how there is a
relationship between two aspects of a situation or
phenomenon.
1.2. Types of research

5. o Exploratory research explores an area where little is
known or to investigate the possibilities of undertaking
a particular research study. When a study is carried out
to determine its feasibility it is also called a feasibility
study or a pilot study. A small-scale study is
undertaken to decide if it is worth carrying out a
detailed investigation. On the basis of the assessment
made during the exploratory study, a full study may
eventuate. Exploratory studies are also conducted to
develop, refine and/or test measurement tools and
procedures.
1.2. Types of research

6.  If you examine a research study from the perspective of its
approach to enquiry, there are two approaches:
o Quantitative research (the structured approach):
Everything that forms the research process –
objectives, design, sample, and the questions that you
plan to ask of respondents – is predetermined. This
approach is more appropriate to determine the extent
of a problem, issue or phenomenon.
o Qualitative research (the unstructured approach):
Flexibility is allowed in all aspects of the process. This
approach is predominantly used to explore the nature,
in other words, variation/diversity per se in a
phenomenon, issue, problem or attitude towards an
issue.
1.2. Types of research

7.  More info on the differences between quantitative and
qualitative research: Table 2.1 (Kumar, 2011).
 As both qualitative and quantitative approaches have
their strengths and weaknesses, and advantages and
disadvantages, ‘neither one is markedly superior to the
other in all respects’.
 The measurement and analysis of the variables about
which information is obtained in a research study are
dependent upon the purpose of the study. In many
studies you need to combine both qualitative and
quantitative approaches.
1.2. Types of research

8.  The research process: Figure 2.2 (Kumar, 2011).
 Phase 1: deciding what to research
o Step 1: formulating a research problem
• Formulating a research problem is the first and most
important step in the research process. A research
problem identifies your destination.
• It is extremely important to evaluate the research
problem in the light of the financial resources at your
disposal, the time available, and your own and your
research supervisor’s expertise and knowledge in the
field of study
1.3. A research process

9.  Phase 2: planning a research study
o Step 2: conceptualizing a research design
• The main function of a research design is to explain
how you will find answers to your research
questions.
• the selection of an appropriate research design is
crucial in enabling you to arrive at valid findings,
comparisons and conclusions.
o Step 3: constructing an instrument for data collection
• 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 schedules, questionnaires and
interview guides.
1.3. A research process

10.  Phase 2: planning a research study
o Step 4: selecting a sample
• The accuracy of your findings largely depends upon
the way you select your sample.
• The underlying premise in sampling is that a
relatively small number of units, if selected in a
manner that they genuinely represent the study
population, can provide – with a sufficiently high
degree of probability – a fairly true reflection of the
sampling population that is being studied.
o Step 5: writing a research proposal
• A research proposal is an overall plan that tells a
reader about your research problem and how you
are planning to investigate.
1.3. A research process

11.  Phase 3: conducting a research study
o Step 6: collecting data
• Having formulated a research problem, developed a
study design, constructed a research instrument and
selected a sample, you then collect the data from
which you will draw inferences and conclusions for
your study.
o Step 7: processing and displaying data
• The way you analyse the information you collected
largely depends upon two things: the type of
information (descriptive, quantitative, qualitative or
attitudinal); and the way you want to communicate
your findings to your readers.
1.3. A research process

12.  Phase 3: conducting a research study
o Step 8: writing a research report
• Writing the report is the last and, for many, the most
difficult step of the research process. This report
informs the world what you have done, what you
have discovered and what conclusions you have
drawn from your findings.
• Your report should be written in an academic style
and be divided into different chapters and/or
sections based upon the main themes of your study.
1.3. A research process

13. REFERENCES
Dawson, C. (2009). Introduction to research methods
(4th ed.). How to books.
Kumar, R. (2011). Research Methodology – A step-by
step guide for beginners (3rd ed.). SAGE.