This document discusses research methodology and educational research. It covers topics like the nature of research, characteristics of research, sources of acquiring knowledge, inductive vs deductive reasoning, the scientific method, needs for research in education, steps in educational research, and characteristics of educational research. The goal of research is to explain, predict, and control phenomena through systematic study using methods like formulating hypotheses, collecting data, and analyzing results. Educational research specifically aims to solve educational problems.

1. Course Title: Research Methodology
Qualitative &
Quantitative
Course Code : AIS 601
BY
DR.SHAZIA ZAMIR

2. Contents
Introduction
The Nature of Research
The Characteristics of Research
Need for Research in Education

3. Sources of Acquiring knowledge
Human beings depend on several sources of acquiring
knowledge as follows:
Personal experience
Tradition
For example, in matters of food, dress, communications,
religion, home remedies for minor ailments etc
Experts and authorities
Eg a teacher, a parent , the boss , an expert or consultant etc
Logic
Inductive(general conclusion on specific facts
gathered through direct observation)
 Deductive(derived from theory which provides
evidence which supports, expands or contradicts the
theory)
The scientific method

4. Inductive Reasoning

5. Deductive Reasoning

6. Deductive Vs Inductive

7. Inductive/Deductive
Inductive Reasoning
Example: Every research textbook examined contains a
chapter on sampling.
Therefore all research textbooks contain a chapter on
sampling.
Deductive Reasoning
Example: All research textbooks contain a chapter on
sampling.
This book is a research text.
Therefore , this book contains a chapter on sampling

8. The Scientific Method
The goal of the scientific method is to explain,
predict, and/or control phenomena.
This involves the acquisition of knowledge and
the development and testing of theory
The use of the scientific method is more efficient
and reliable than any other source of knowledge.
Five steps in the scientific method
Recognition and definition of the problem
Formulation of hypotheses
Collection of data
Analysis of data
Stating conclusions

9. The Nature of Research
 Research can mean ‘re-search’ implying that the
subject matter is already known but, for one reason or
another, needs to be studied again.
Research is an intellectual activity and it is
considered as the application of scientific method in
solving the problems.it is a systematic, formal and
intensive process of carrying on the scientific method
of analysis.
Cook has defined research as"Research is an honest,
exhaustive, intelligent searching for facts and their
meanings for implications with reference to given
problem.

10. The Nature of Research
 Best and Kahn agreed that research is the
systematic and objective analysis and recording
of controlled observations that may lead to the
development of generalizations, principles or
theories, resulting in prediction and possibly,
ultimate control of events.
According to Gay “Research is the formal,
systematic application of the scientific method
to the study of problems”

11. Characteristics of Research
Research is Systematic, purposive and objective
Research Report is Precise (multiple interpretation is not
encouraged
Research is Testable/Measurable
Research is Verifiable
Research is analytical & critical ( going deeper into the
depth of the idea)
Patient and unhurried activity
Research demands a clear statement of the problem.
Research seeks direction through appropriate hypotheses
Research deals with the main problem through sub
problems.
-----------------

12. Educational Research
The application of the scientific method to study
educational problems
The goal is to explain, predict, and/or control
educational phenomena.
Generally, educational research is defined as
research that investigates the behavior of students,
teachers, administrators, parents and other
members of the community who interact with
educational institutions. The word behavior is
taken broadly to mean such phenomena as learning,
attitudes, aptitudes, abilities, interests, practices,
processes, emotions and so forth.

13. Educational Research
Educational Research is the systematic application of
scientific method for solving educational problem.
Travers thinks, ―Educational Research is the activity for
developing science of behavior in educational situations. It
allows the educator to achieve his goals effectively.
According to Whitney, ―Educational Research aims at
finding out solution of educational problems by using
scientific method.
Thus, Educational Research is to solve educational
problem in systematic and scientific manner, it is to
understand, explain, predict and control human behavior.

14. Need for Research In Education
Education is a social science and mostly
concerned with human behavior and human
behavior is not so simple so needs research in
education. Within the realm of educational
planning, many things are always changing: the
structure of the education system, curriculum and
textbooks, modes of teaching, methods of teacher
training, the amount and type of provisions to
schools such as science laboratories, textbooks,
furniture, classroom supplies, and so on.

15. Class Activity
Do students in poorer school buildings have lower
achievement scores than those in better buildings?
Identify an issue in your place of work or
surrounding that has been bugging you which you
want to investigate.
Why do you need to divide the main problem into
sub-problems or research questions?

16. Steps for Educational Research
Steps for conducting educational research
◦ Selection of a problem
◦ Use of specific research procedures to design and
collect data
◦ Analysis of data
◦ Statement of conclusions based on the results of the
data analyses

17. Difficulties Conducting Educational
Research
 Involves human beings and the complexities
associated with them
 Difficulties generalizing from specific studies
 Problems when imposing sufficient controls to
conduct research in educational settings
 Complications when observing in educational settings
 Indirect measurement of the variables being studied
 -------------------------------

18. Characteristics of Educational Research
It is highly purposeful.
It deals with educational problems regarding students and
teachers as well.
It is precise, objective, scientific and systematic process of
investigation.
It attempts to organize data quantitatively and
qualitatively to arrive at statistical inferences.
 It discovers new facts in new perspective. i. e. It
generates new knowledge.
It is based on some philosophic/rational theory.
 It depends on the researchers ability, creativity and
experience for its interpretation and conclusions.

19. Characteristics of Educational Research
It needs interdisciplinary approach for solving
educational problem.
It demands subjective interpretation
It uses classrooms, schools, colleges department
of education as the laboratory for conducting
researches.
-------------------

20. Scope of Educational Research
Educational research changes with the gradual development occurs
with respect to knowledge and technology, so educational research
needs to extend its horizon. It involves
- Individuals (Student, teachers, educational managers, parents.)
- Institutions (Schools, colleges, research – institutes)
Other factors (curriculum, A.V Aids, academic achievement etc)
It discovers facts and relationship in order to make educational
process more effective.
It includes process like investigation, planning (design) collecting
data, processing of data, their analysis, interpretation and drawing
inferences/conclusions.
It covers areas from formal education and non-formal education as
well.
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