Purpose of Research

Dr Ojuka
 Introduction

An understanding of research methods will help avoid pitfalls like failing to

match questions to methods when doing research among others.
A good grounding in the research process can provide a critical edge when
reading the research of others that can be invaluable.
 Introduction

To really appreciate the scientific method, it helps to first look at non-scientific

ways of gaining knowledge.
We will start the course by considering what makes us decide we know something
in day-to-day life.
When and from whom do you accept a description or an explanation as true?
Think about this question for just a minute and write down the sources of
knowledge that first come to mind.
 Introduction
What is the scientific method and how did it come about?
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 Objectives
By the end of this session the participants should be able to
Define what research is
Know why research
Know the context of research methods
Theory and research
Epistemological and ontological considerations
Influences on the conduct of social research
 Definition of research

A systematic inquiry that help make sense of the world, contributes to

debates and interpretations we have on issues.
Collection of information about the world, using that information to answer
questions and says something beyond the data( interpret).
Identify a topic that has not been explores, explore it, write your finding and
tell appropriate audience.
 Attributes of good research question

Addresses a significant problem that relate to the real world.

It has to be researchable
It has to either address a gap or clarify controversial issues or address issues
in different context and time.
 Why do research

Academics do research because in the course of reading or rfelcting on

practice one notices
A gap in literature
Inconsistency between a number of studies
Unresolved issues in the literature
Development in society that provide a point of departure from the previous practice
 Why do research

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it

To portray accurately the characteristic of a particular individual, situation or
a group
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else
To test hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
 The context of research

Theories
Literature
Relationship between theory and research ; theory testing or generating
Assumptions and views on how research should be conducted
Assumption about the nature of social phenomena
Values of research community Ethical issues
Political context
Training and personal values of the researcher
 Elements of the process of research

Research questions
Narrowing down to what you want to know about
Important of research question
Guide your literature review, although literature review may help clarify the question
Guide your research design
Guide data collection and analysis
Guide writing of results
 Elements of the process of research

Literature review
What is already known about the topic
What concepts and theories have been applied to the topic
What research methods have been applied to the topic
What controversies exist and how it has been studied
What clashes of evidence (if any) exist
Who the key contributors to research on the topic are
 Elements of the process of research

Sampling
Data collection
Data analysis
Write up
 Theory and research

Deductive approach Inductive approach

Theory Data collection
Hypothesis Findings
Data collection Hypothesis
Findings Theory
Hypotheses confirmed or rejected
Revision of theory
 Epistemological considerations

What is acceptable knowledge ?

Is knowledge acceptable only when subjected to senses test-positivism
Interpretivism is the concept that knowledge can be accessed by interpreting human
behaviour.
Realism-External reality to which scientist direct their attention
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 Ontological considerations

What is the nature of social entities?

External factors beyond the influence of researchers-Objectivism
Social entities influenced by social actors-Constructivism
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Approaches
 Influences on research

Values
Theory
Epistemology
Ontology
Practical considerations