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NAME: KOLAWOLE GOODNESS OLUWATOYIN

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY EXAMINATION QUESTIONS : INSTRUCTIONS ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN

SECTION A AND TWO QUESTIONS IN SECTION B : SECTION A (1) DISCUSS IN DETAILS HOW TO WRITE A
RESEARCH PROPOSAL (2) LIST 8 RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS AND EXPLAIN 3 OF THEM. (3) Write Short
note on the following; (a) Qualitative research, (B) CLINICAL Research (C) Quantitative Research.
SECTION B

(4) What is Hypothesis ? Compare and Contrast HA or H1 and Ho with example. (5) Uses of Literature
Review

(6) Write Short note (a) Data Collection, (b) Samples Size ( c) Data Analysis (d) Population and Target
Population . Best of Luck.

ANSWERS

1. A research proposal is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and
that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it. Generally, a research proposal should
contain all the key elements involved in the research process and include sufficient information for the
readers to evaluate the proposed study. Regardless of your research area and the methodology you
choose, all research proposals must address the following questions: What you plan to accomplish, why
you want to do it and how you are going to do it. The proposal should have sufficient information to
convince your readers that you have an important research idea, that you have a good grasp of the
relevant literature and the major issues, and that your methodology is sound. These are the areas of
focus when writing a research proposal:

a) Title of Project: It should be concise and descriptive. An effective title not only pricks the reader's
interest, but also predisposes him/her favourably towards the proposal.

b) Abstract: It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words. It should include the research question,
the rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any), the method and the main findings. 1

c) Introduction: The main purpose of the introduction is to provide the necessary background or context
for your research problem. How to frame the research problem is perhaps the biggest problem in
proposal writing. If the research problem is framed in the context of a general, rambling literature
review, then the research question may appear trivial and uninteresting. However, if 1the same
question is placed in the context of a very focused and current research area, its significance will
become evident. 1
d) Literature review: This is a critical summary and evaluation of existing research and scholarly articles
relevant to a specific topic or research question. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current
state of knowledge, highlighting key findings, methodologies, and gaps in the existing literature. The
purpose of a literature review is to establish the context for a research project, demonstrate the need
for the proposed study, and guide the direction of the research by identifying areas where new
contributions can be made.

e) Methods: This section is very important because it tells your Research Committee how you plan to
tackle your research problem. It will provide your work plan and describe the activities necessary for the
completion of your project. The guiding principle for writing the Method section is that it should contain
sufficient information for the reader to determine whether methodology is sound. 2For quantitative
studies, the method section typically consists of the following: Design, Subjects or participants,
Instruments and Procedures.

f) Results: Obviously you do not have results at the proposal stage. However, you need to have some
idea about what kind of data you will be collecting, and what statistical procedures will be used in order
to answer your research question or test your hypothesis. 2

g) Discussion: It is important to convince your reader of the potential impact of your proposed research.
You need to communicate a sense of enthusiasm and confidence without exaggerating the merits of
your proposal. That is why you also need to mention the limitations and weaknesses of the proposed
research, which may be justified by time and financial constraints as well as by the early developmental
stage of your research area. 2

2) a. Questionnaire

b. Check list

c. Distribution

d. Interview

e. Observation

f. Records

g. Experimental Approach

h. Survey Approach

Explanation

2a.) Questionnaire: This is a series of questions designed to elicit information which is filled in by all
participants in the sample. This can be gathered either by oral interview or by written questionnaire.
Questionnaire is the most common type of research instrument. Examples are web-based questionnaire
and paper-pencil questionnaire.
b.)Interviews: This involves either structured or unstructured verbal communication between the
researcher and the subject during which information is obtained for a study. In Quantitative research
(survey research), interviews are more structured than in Qualitative research.

We have two types, they are Unstructured interviews(These are more conversational, very long
(sometimes hours) and are conducted in a usual situation) and Structured interviews(These always
operate within formal written instrument referred to as interview schedule. The researcher designed
the questions to be asked and their order prior to the interview).

c) Observation is most commonly used in qualitative research. In observation the researcher usually has
some prior knowledge about the behaviour or occurrence of interest. We have two types of
Observation, they are:. Unstructured Observation(This is a method of collecting research data that has
both opponents and proponents) and Structured Observation(This involves preparation of record
keeping forms such as category systems, check lists and rating scales).

3) a. Qualitative research: Qualitative research is an investigative work of understanding a group of

participants and their experiences. Instead of using numbers, it looks at words and stories to learn about
what people think, feel, or do. Researchers talk to people, observe them, or study their writings to get a
deep, detailed picture of the topic they are interested in. It's like exploring the "why" and "how" behind
things, helping us see the rich and complex side of human life.

3b. Quantitative Research: This is like counting and measuring things to understand them better.
Instead of stories or descriptions, it uses numbers and statistics. Researchers collect data, often through
surveys or experiments, and then analyze the information to find patterns and draw conclusions. It's like
trying to answer questions with facts and figures, providing a clear and measurable picture of the topic
being studied.

c. Clinical Research: This is a scientific study done with real people to learn more about health and
medicine. It involves testing new treatments, medicines, or procedures to see if they are safe and
effective. Doctors and scientists work with patients, following specific plans, and collecting information
to understand how these things might help or affect people's health. It's like a careful investigation to
find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat medical conditions.

SECTION B

5) Uses Of Literature Review

a. It helps to define and limit the problem of the study.

b. It helps to place study in an historical perspective

c. It helps to avoid unnecessary duplication.

d. It helps to evaluate promising research methods

e. It helps the researcher to relate his findings to previous knowledge and suggest further research.

6) a.Data collection: This means gathering information for a project or study. Data can be collected by
asking people questions, observing things, or looking at records. It's like putting together the pieces of
the puzzle to understand the whole picture. Researchers use different methods, like surveys or
interviews, to collect this information. Good data collection helps us learn new things and make better
decisions based on the facts we find.

b. Sample size: In research, it means choosing how many people or things to study to understand a
larger group. If the sample size in research is too small, the findings might not represent what's true for
everyone. So, picking the right sample size is like finding the right balance to make sure the results are
reliable and reflect the bigger picture.

c. Data analysis: This is the step that turns collected information into meaningful insights. Once you
collect information, data analysis helps make sense of it. It involves looking for patterns, trends, or
important details in the data you've gathered. It's like finding the story hidden in the numbers.
Researchers use various methods, like charts, graphs, or statistical tools, to analyze data. This process
helps them draw conclusions and understand what the information is telling them.

d. Population is the total number of people living within a political or geographical boundary such as a
town, a nation or the world, at a specific time. While Target population is like a specific group within
that big population. It's the particular gathering that a researcher wants to study or reach, like only the
students in a specific grade or the people in a certain age group in a city. So, while population is
everyone, the target population is the specific group a researcher is focusing on for his research or
project.