this gives you adequate information on the course research methods.

1. LECTURE ONE
Michael Poku-Boansi, Ph.D.
PL 253 RESEARCH METHODS

2. TODAY
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 Our importance as a tertiary institution or university (and a
Department) is determined by our production of knowledge
through research and publications.
 In a lot of circumstances, these two activities inform our
existence and vice versa.
 It also informs public policy.
INTRODUCTION

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 If we do not research, what then will we be teaching and
professing? And what will be the difference between the
University and a secondary school teacher?
 Research is the process of advancing knowledge created in
the past.
INTRODUCTION

4. INTRODUCTION
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 Research is also a structured or systematic enquiry purposely
designed to investigate the dynamics and operations of a
physical or human phenomena.
 It involves physical processes, social process and human
behaviour.

5. INTRODUCTION
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 For us, as planners, it is a process of understanding the
elements and processes of a human institution and the
functional relationships operational within the system with
the view to providing a rational basis for a meaningful
intervention.

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 If all we do is replicate what practitioners do, then we are also
behaving as practitioners and not researchers.
 We need to remember that in our individual thesis, the
foregoing point has to be brought to bear.
INTRODUCTION

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 There is no special branch of research methodologies that deals
with development planning per se. We borrow from various
disciplines.
 What is important is that, we need to ensure that the research
we are pursuing has some meaning and makes some kind of
impact. It should also be well designed to meet all the essential
requirements of a research design.
INTRODUCTION

8. INTRODUCTION
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 What is the right research method, and is the research done
well? Is the research properly framed? What was the return
rate? Can you generalise from the sample?
 Before thinking about any sophisticated methods of research,
we need to think about the fundamental methods.

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 It is important to base our research design on literature about
research methods. Otherwise, we may be influenced by what
some journalists and consultants do.
 You can interview seven people and make generalisations
about their attitude or perceptions, but will it be fair to report
in multiples of 14%?
INTRODUCTION

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 This is the trick:
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INTRODUCTION
14.3%
28.6%
42.9%

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 This is the trick:
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INTRODUCTION
57.1%
71.4%
85.7%

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 Research helps us perform better in our professional life. In
fact, it is said that, “he who does not research cannot be a
good planner”.
 Research facilitates decision making. It helps you stay away
from wrong information and helps save time and money.
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

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 Informs policy at the appropriate time. with the obesity of
information, our policies can be hinged on a solid basis.
 Research helps us produce knowledge – remember that
research is simply the result of advancing knowledge created
in the past.
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

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 Research can be designed to solve a particular problem of
immediate concern – if a lot of people are interested in the
issue, they will support it.
 Research helps us understand complex phenomenon
incrementally while asking more questions and sourcing for
more funds.
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

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 In general, academic publications are important in the sense
that, they offer us a permanent record and the best way of
learning.
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

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 In general terms, the purpose of research can be summarised
as follows:
‐ Data gathering;
‐ Understanding the components and relationships in a system;
‐ Provide explanations, test validity of theories and hypotheses;
‐ Explore new frontiers; and
‐ Investigate a problem to prescribe solutions.
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

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 Gives society greater control and mastery of its resources and
environment.
 Provides intellectual leadership for development.
 Explores new, efficient and cost‐effective ways of doing old
things.
THE ROLE RESEARCH AND PLANNING SURVEYS IN DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

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 Provides insights into how untapped resources can be
exploited and utilised.
 Facilitates on‐going and terminal evaluation of on‐going
development projects and strategies.
THE ROLE OF RESEARCH IN PLANNING

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 Responsiveness of research to local development problems.
 Ability and willingness to apply results of research to
development problems (role of politicians and technocrats).
 Appreciating the need to commit more resources to
development research.
- Ghana 0.05% of GDP, South Korea 1.9% of GDP.
THE CHALLENGES OF RESEARCH

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 In 2002, for example, the US had 1.26 million researchers with
R&D funding per researcher at US$230,000.
 In the EU, there were 1.11 million researchers or US$177,000
per researcher.
 In Japan, there were 647,000 researchers or US$1,615,000 per
researcher.
THE CHALLENGES OF RESEARCH

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 Israel 9,200 researchers – US$661,000 per researcher.
 China 811,000 researchers – US$89,000 per researcher.
 India 118,000 researchers – US$177,000 per researcher.
THE CHALLENGES OF RESEARCH

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 The Lagos Plan of Action for Accelerated Development in
Africa by NEPAD in 2003, recommended that, countries
spend a minimum of 1.0% of GDP on research in S&T
development.
 But so far, Ghana has achieved 0.3% of GDP, Nigeria is about
0.5% and 0.3% in Kenya.
THE CHALLENGES OF RESEARCH