Lecture Note - Research Methods and Statistics

RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS
SILVERIO JUN V. MAGALLON, JR. University of Southeastern Philippines College of Governance and Business
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
It
is composed of two syllables, a prefix re and a verb search. Re means again, anew or over again Search means to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, to probe. The two words form a noun to describe a careful and systematic study in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles (Grinnell, 1997). It is a process of finding solutions to a problem.
Cont
A
systematic way of asking questions (Drew, 1980) Scientific and systematic search for knowledge (Kothari, 2004)
BUSINESS RESEARCH
The
application of the scientific method in searching for the truth about business phenomena. These activities include defining business opportunities and problems, generating and evaluating ideas, monitoring performance, and understanding the business process. (Zikmund, 2010, p5)
STATISTICS IN RESEARCH
Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. Statisticsis the science of collecting, analyzing and making inference from data.
The
role of statistics in research is to function as a tool in designing research, analyzing its
WHY STUDY RESEARCH?

To
meet course requirements To understand research reports and journal articles To recognize the false use of research As a guide in decision making Knowledge creation
PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
The
purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures. 1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (exploratory research studies) 2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
Cont
3.
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (diagnostic research studies) 4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research studies)
TYPES OF RESEARCH
1.
Descriptive vs. Analytical
Descriptive
research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. State of affairs as it exists No control over variables Try to discover causes (I.e., ex-post facto) Analytical research use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
2. Applied vs. Fundamental

Applied
(action) research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization.
Ex. marketing research or evaluation research
Fundamental
research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory.
3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Quantitative
research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. Ex. interviewing methods such as telephone, intercept and door-to-door interviews as well as self-completion methods such as mail outs and online surveys. Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. Ex. focus groups, in-depth interviews,
4. Conceptual vs. Empirical

Conceptual
research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory (for thinkers & philosophers) Relies on literature Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone. Data-based research, experimental type of research. Capable of being verified by observation or experiment Experimenter has control over
Other types of Research

i. One time/ Cross sectional vs Longitudinal/ Developmental & Trend or prediction studies (the time domain) ii. Field setting vs Lab / Simulation research iii. Clinical vs diagnostic studies iv. Exploratory vs Formulated (the degree of formulation of the problem) studies v. Historical studies (Greater part of it is quantitative) vi. Content Analysis one such quantitative method a multipurpose method developed specifically for investigating a broad spectrum of problems in which the contents of communication serve as a basisof inference. Example: word usage rates, word counts, etc. vii. Correlational research viii. Conclusion oriented or decision oriented research
RESEARCH PROCESS
1.
Define research problem 2. Review concepts and theories/ review of previous research findings 3. Formulate hypothesis 4. Design research 5. Data collection 6. Analyze data (test hypothesis) 7. Interpretation and report writing
QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCH

1.
Good research is systematicreject the use of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions. 2. Good research is logicalguided by the rules of logical reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction.
Cont
3.
Good research is empiricalresearch is related basically to one or more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a basis for external validity to research results. 4. Good research is replicable research results will be verified by replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for

Lecture Note - Research Methods and Statistics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture Note - Research Methods and Statistics

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture Note - Research Methods and Statistics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS

role of statistics in research is to function as a tool in designing research, analyzing its

WHY STUDY RESEARCH?

Descriptive vs. Analytical

2. Applied vs. Fundamental

3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative

4. Conceptual vs. Empirical

Other types of Research

QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCH

You might also like