Research Made Simple

RESEARCH MADE SIMPLE: ISSUES IN PREPARING PROPOSAL
PROF. HERATH MADANA BANDARA
DEPT OF ECONOMICS
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (cont.)
Sampling procedure

To decide whether the whole population will be studied or only a sample will be considered.
If sample is chosen, decisions will be made about the type, size, and representativeness of the sample
Ex. The sample should consist of 300 traditional families. The method used involves a two phase sampling procedure

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (cont.)
Data collection
Primary data can be collected using
Personal interviews
direct observations
Questioner survey
Secondary data can be collected from published documents or unpublished institutional data.
 

Limitations
A limitation is a weakness that potentially limits the validity of the result.
Consider the possible effects of a limitation on the result of a study
Limitation on.
scope
methodology
accuracy of data
time period, etc.

Significance of the study
Identifying the obstacles
contribution to the literature
assisting researchers (how?)
assisting Policymakers (how?)


Organization of the study
Tentative chapterisation
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Literature Review (If enough literature is available for a chapter)
Theoretical Considerations and conceptual Framework
Methodology (in detail)
Analysis (data presentation and analysis)
Conclution


THANK YOU
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (cont.)
Research Design
How the research will be executed
How respondents will be approached
When, where and how the research will be completed
Certain methods of data collection will be chosen
Sampling procedure will be selected
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (cont.)
Data Analysis

The form of analysis and interpretation of the data are decided
If it is a quantitative analysis, indicate statistical methods and techniques with justification
If it is a qualitative analysis, indicate the way of reasoning. Ex. Grounded Theory, Triangulation, etc.

OBJECTIVES
Primary objective, theme
Specific objectives, other areas covered
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Researcher must state the type of methodology that will direct the study.
The choice is usually,
quantitative
qualitative
a mix

TITLE
Title is not a complete sentence
If only a small number of variables are studied the title should name the variables. Example: Relationship between Organizational Structure and Productivity
If many variables are studied, only the type of variables should be named.
Example: Changes in Students Attitudes towards School and Their Relationships with Selected Demographic Variables


TITLE (cont.)
A title should indicate what was studied not the results or conclusions of the study
Consider the use of subtitles to amplify the purposes or methods of study
Ex. Efficiency in Paddy Production: A Functional Analysis.
Use the words 'Effects' / 'Impacts' and 'Influence' with caution. Ex. Effects of tourism on culture
CONTENTS
TITLE
PROBLEM
HYPOTHESIS/RESEARCH QUESTIONS
OBJECTIVES
METHODOLOGY
LIMITATIONS
SIGNIFECANCE
ORGANISATION

HYPOTHESIS/RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In a single sentence, a simple research hypothesis describe the results that a researcher expects to find. In effect it is a prediction
A simple research hypothesis should name two variables and indicate the type of relationship expected between them. Ex. There is a direct relationship between organizational structure and productivity.
Hypothesis should be a single sentence.
Hypotheses can be made only in quantitative research
PROBLEM
Introduce the problem area.
Establish the importance (Why?)
Indicate the researchers perspectives on the problem.
Write introduction with an emphasis on researchers own views and observations regarding the topic with few citations of published literature.
Point out gaps in the literature. How your study differs from previously published research
Point out major weakness in previous studies. Compare with the theory if any.
Introduction should usually conclude with an explicit statement of the research hypothesis, purposes or questions to be answered by the study.
Statement of the problem and its scope/Purpose of the study

HYPOTHESIS/RESEARCH QUESTIONS (cont.)
In qualitative research, research purpose or questions should be stated.
When researchers do not state hypotheses either because they are not interested in examining relationship between variables or because they believe that there is two little knowledge on a topic to permit formulation of hypothesis.
Under these circumstances, a research purpose or a research question should be written Ex. Our purpose was to determine the level of public support for the bond issue for funding the construction of additional public libraries.


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