Research Methodology

Caroline V Katemba, PhD

Universitas Advent Indonesia
RESERACH
• Re ---------------- Search
Re means (once more,
afresh, anew) OR (back; with
return to a previous state)
Search means (look thorough
or go over thoroughly to look
something) OR (examine to find
anything concealed)
 What Is Research?

 Merriam-Webster’s definition:
1 : careful or diligent search
2 : studious inquiry or examination; especially :
investigation or experimentation aimed at the
discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of
accepted theories or laws in the light of new
facts, or practical application of such new or
revised theories or laws
3 : the collecting of information about a
particular subject
Talky CEO wants to launch its
company in Malaysia?
He is in a process of
Decision Making
Decision making Needs…

CONVICTION

Knowledge to
There should be Goals
justify
no doubts achievement
your decisions
Research?

Research is an
ORGANIZED and
SYSTEMATIC way of
FINDING ANSWERS to
QUESTIONS.
SYSTEMATIC
because there is a definite set of
procedures and steps which you will
follow. There are certain things in the
research process which are always done in
order to get the most accurate results.

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ORGANIZED

in that there is a structure or method in

going about doing research. It is a
planned procedure, not a spontaneous
one. It is focused and limited to a specific
scope.

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FINDING ANSWERS
is the end of all research. Whether it is the
answer to a hypothesis or even a simple
question, research is successful when we
find answers. Sometimes the answer is no,
but it is still an answer.
QUESTIONS
are central to research. If there is no
question, then the answer is of no use.
Research is focused on relevant, useful,
and important questions. Without a
question, research has no focus, drive, or
purpose.
Defining Research
1). A collection of methods and
methodologies that researchers apply
systematically to produce scientifically
based knowledge about the social
world.
(Neuman)
Defining Research
1). A collection of methods and
methodologies that researchers apply
systematically to produce scientifically
based knowledge about the social
world.
(Neuman)
• Methodology:
Methodology & methods, two terms are
often treated as synonyms.
Methodology is broader and envelops
methods. It is understanding the
social-organizational context,
philosophical assumptions, ethical
principals and political issues of the
enterprise of researchers who use
methods.
• Methods:
–Methods are set of specific
techniques for selecting cases,
measuring and observing aspects of
social life, gathering and refining
data, analyzing data and reporting on
results.
Defining Research
2). Research must be systematic and
follow a series of steps and a rigid
standard protocol. These rules are
broadly similar but may vary slightly
between the different fields of science.
Why Conduct Research?
To create new knowledge and/or
significantly add to existing literature

You search the Reason = Purpose

Scriptures because
you think that in them
you have eternal life;
It is these that testify
about Me.
(John 5:39)
 What is Research Methodology?

Is defined as a highly intellectual human

activity used in the investigation of nature and
matter and deals specifically with the manner
in which data is collected, analyzed and
interpreted

Dr. Derick Pattron

Dr. Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D. 18

 Types of Research
1. Quantitative Research
2. Basic Research
3. Applied Research
4. Longitudinal Research
5. Qualitative Research
6. Descriptive Research
7. Classification Research
 Types of Research
8. Comparative Research
9. Explorative Research
10.Explanatory Research
11 Causal Research
12 Theory-testing Research
13 Theory-Building Research
14 Action Research
 1). Quantitative Research
• It is based on methodological principals of
positivism and neo-positivism
• It adheres to standards of strict research
design.
• Statistical analysis is used in it.
 2). Basic Research

• Purpose of gaining knowledge

• It advanced understanding about social
world
• Help in supporting & rejecting existing
hypothesis & theories
 2). Basic Research

• Purpose of gaining knowledge

• It advanced understanding about social
world
• Help in supporting & rejecting existing
hypothesis & theories
 3). Applied Research

• Aims at solving specific problems

• Aims at establishing policy programs that
will help to improve social life
• Types of applied research are action
research, social impact studies, cost-
benefit analysis, evaluation research
 4). Longitudinal Research
• It involves study of sample at more than
one point in time or occasion
• e.g. Trend studies, Panel studies

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 4A). Cross sectional Research
• It involves study of many cases at one
point in time or occasion

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 5). Qualitative Research

• It is based on methodological principals of

phenomenology, symbolic interactionism,
hermeneutics.
• It aims at exploration of social world.
• Lazarsfeld: following elements are
there….exploration, relationship discovery,
establishing construct, testing hypothesis.

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 6). Descriptive Research
• Usually it forms preliminary study of a
research project.
• It aims at describe social events, relations
and events.
• It provides background information about
an event in question.

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 7). Classification research
• It aims at categorization of units into
groups
• To demonstrate differences
• To explain relationships

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 8). Comparative Research
• To identify similarities and differences
between units at all levels.

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 9). Exploratory Research
• It aims at gaining information about an
issue in hand.

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 10). Explanatory Research
• It aims at explaining social relations and
events.
• To build, test or revise a theory.

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 11). Causal Research
• It aims at establishing cause and effect
relationship among variables.

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 12). Theory testing Research
• It aims at testing validity of a theory

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13). Theory building Research
• To establish and formulate theory

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 14). Action Research
• It is application of fact findings to practical
problem solving in a social situation with a
view to improve quality of action within it,
involving collaboration and cooperation of
researchers, practitioners and laymen.
• It can be situational (diagnose a problem
and attempts to solve it), collaborative,
participatory (researcher take part in
implementation of findings) and self-
evaluation (it involves constant evaluation
and adjustment of research and practice)
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 Messages

 Research:
 Should be about some problem that encourages
enthusiasm (for you) and interest (for others)
 Is often generated from the thought “what we’ve got
now/from the past isn’t quite right/good enough – we
can do better…”
 Consists of work that leads to a meaningful
contribution
 Generates, in some way, a better solution to the
problem