SESI PERKONGSIAN ILMU

PENYEDIAAN KERTAS CADANGAN

HADIAH LATIHAN PERSEKUTUAN (HLP)
PERINGKAT KEDOKTORAN (Ph.D)

Oleh
Unit Perancang Ekonomi
Dewan Mezzanine, Aras 2, Blok C1,
Prime Minister’s Department
Kompleks C, JPA
Putrajaya, Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA
21 Ogos 2015
Learning objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize benefits of engaging social / scientific research.

define what a ‘Research' is.
• List the major characteristics of research/ research proposal;.
• Describe steps of conducting a social / scientific research.
prepare a brief summary of a research proposal.
• Describe the main components of a research report.
Introduction

• Scientific / social research plays a very important role in our

efforts to advance technological / knowledge envelope

• Research helps us create new knowledge and develop proper

tools for the use of existing knowledge.

• Not only does it enable researchers/practitioners to diagnose

problems, research also provides evidence for policies and
decisions on socio-economic development
What is research?

Research is the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of

data to answer a certain question or solve a problem.

Characteristics of research:

• It demands a clear statement of the problem.

• It requires clear objectives and a plan (it is not aimlessly looking
for something in order to come across a solution).
• It builds on existing data, using both positive and negative
findings.
• New data should be systematically collected and analyzed to
answer the original research objectives.
Research Proposal – Definitions
“… the meaning of proposal … suggests looking forward, to what
the researcher plans to do in the future. …

The proposal lays out the problem for research, describes

exactly how the research will be conducted, and outlines in
precise detail the resources – both factual and instrumental – the
researcher will use to achieve the desired results.”
Leedy & Omrod, Practical Research. 8th ed, p. 117, 115 .

Essentially, to make the reader to understand :-

▫ What you are going to do
▫ Rational of the research
▫ Objectives of the research
▫ Methodology
▫ Expected output
What is a proposal ?
• A good proposal should
• An outline of the research problem consists of the first three
• A statement of the significance of chapters of the thesis
the problem • It should :-
• A review of related studies ▫ Begin with an Introduction -
• A discussion of the procedures statement of the
• Methods for data collection and problem/background
analysis information (Chapter 1)
• A note about the study’s limitations ▫ A review of the Literature
(Chapter 2)
▫ Defining of the Research
Methodology (Chapter 3)
 7

The Research Process For Applied and Basic Research

Steps of conducting a research:

A. Prioritizing and selecting a research topic

B. Review of literature and other existing information

C. Development of a Research Proposal

D. Implementation of study:

i. Data collection
ii. Data processing and analysis
iii. Interpretation of results
iv. Final report writing
v. Presenting the results: Scientific, presentation at
meetings, seminars, workshops or conferences, and
presentation for administrators and policy-
makers
Steps of conducting a research:
A. Prioritizing and selecting a research topic

Criteria for selecting a research topic:

1. Relevance: The topic you choose should be a priority problem.

Questions to be asked include:
• How large or widespread/depth is the problem?
• Who is affected?
• How severe is the problem?

2. Avoidance of duplication:
• Before you decide to carry out a study, it is important that you find out
whether the suggested topic has been investigated before, either within the
proposed study area or in another area with similar conditions.
• If the topic has been researched, the results should be reviewed to explore
whether major questions that deserve further investigation remain
unanswered.
• If not, another topic should be chosen
 Steps of conducting a research:
B. Literature review

Why is it important to review already available • Learning what is known and

information when preparing for a research? unknown

• It prevents you from duplicating work that • Learning how field of knowledge was
has been done before. developed (history)

• It helps you to find out what others have

• Showing you understand your field
learned and reported on the problem you • Confirming your own research is
want to study. This may assist you in worthwhile
refining your statement of the problem.
• Explaining how knowledge is
• It helps you to become more familiar with developed over time
the various research methods that might be
used in your study. • Justifying your research
• Identifying how you will make a
• It should provide you with convincing
contribution
arguments for why your particular research
project is needed. See Example,,,pg 31
Steps of conducting a research:
C. Development of a research proposal

Contents

a. Title of the research

b. Introduction: Background information and Statement of the
research problem (Scientific justification for the study)
c. Research objectives
d. Research hypothesis
e. Methodology
f. Work plan
g. Plan for utilization and dissemination of research results
h. References
i. Annexes
C. Development of a research proposal
a. Title of the research proposal

• A good title should be short, accurate, and concise

• It should make the central objectives of the study clear to the

reader

• It is important to specify what population will be investigated, and

where it will be conducted.

• E.g. Factors Influencing e-Bidding Adoption in the Public

Sector
C. Development of a research proposal

b. Introduction (Background information and Statement of the

research problem)

This section should convince the reader of the relevance of the study

It should provide enough background data for an outsider to

understand the different aspects of the problem, or the different
factors influencing the problem and the context in which it occurs.

Your review of available literature and reports should further illustrate

why the problem is important, not only in your own working area but
probably also beyond

Note: Be selective, remembering that this section serves to

justify your study, not to display your ability to read literature.

See example..pg 1
C. Development of a research proposal
c. Research objectives

Research objectives are the goal to be achieved by Example Objective To examine the
a research. User Factors and System Factors that
Influence eBidding Utilization among
Government Sourcing Officials in
Why should research objectives be developed? Malaysian Public Sector
The formulation of objectives will help you to:
Example Specific Objective:
• Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials) 1. To identify the variables that may
influence the adoption of eBidding
• Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly by government users
necessary for understanding and solving the problem
you have identified 2. To examine the effects of the
variables on the adoption of
• eBidding by government users
Organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases
- Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate 3. To propose a framework to analyze
the development of your research methodology and the adoption of eBidding by
will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation government users
and utilization of data.
- How should you state your objectives? 4. To examine if some of the
variables have moderating or
mediating effects on the
• The general and specific objectives should be relationships established as stated
included as stated in the proposal in objective 2
The Use of a Theoretical Framework in a
Research Proposal
Having examined the different
The theoretical framework plays an kinds of variables that could
important role in guiding the entire operate in a situation and how
process of the research study the relationships among these
can be established, it is now
• Theories are constructed in order to
possible to see how we can
explain, predict and master phenomena
develop the conceptual model or
(e.g. relationships, events, or the
the theoretical framework for our
behavior). In many instances we are
research.
constructing models of reality.
• A theory makes generalizations about If the framework is logically
observations and consists of an sound and substantiated by
interrelated, coherent set of ideas and previous research studies, there
models. is a strong possibility that the
predictions or hypotheses
evolving from that framework will
be supported
15
 The Use of a Theoretical Framework in a
Research Proposal
• The theoretical framework
• The variables considered
elaborates the relationships
relevant to the study should
among the variables, explains
be clearly defined.
the theory underlying these
• A conceptual model that
relations, and describes the
describes the relationships
nature and direction of the
between the variables in the
relationships.
model should be given.
• The theoretical framework
• A clear explanation of why
provides the logical base for
we expect these
developing testable
relationships to exist.
hypotheses.
• A conceptual framework is
used in research to outline
• see example pg 64
possible courses of action or
to present a preferred
approach to an idea or
thought.
Example of Theories Employed in Theoretical Framework

E.g. The eBidding adoption study and the model proposed will be based on:

 Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)

(Venkatesh et al., 2003)
An Information System (IS) framework for assessing an individual’s intention to
use an IS technology

 Information System Success Model (Delone and Mclean, 2003)

A system success can be evaluated in terms of information, system, and service
quality; these characteristics affect the subsequent use or intention to use and
user satisfaction

 Personal Innovativeness in Information Technology (Agarwal and

Prasad, 1998)
Domain-specific individual trait which reflects the willingness of a person to try
out a new information technology
Example : Models related to Technology/Innovation
adoption/acceptance/use

Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use

of Technology (UTAUT) (Venkatesh et
al., 2003)

IS Updated Success Model

(Delone and Mclean, 2003)

Moderator Model of Personal

Innovativeness in Information
Technology (PIIT)
(Agarwal & Prasad, 1998)
Example :Proposed Research Model
Personal
Personal Experience
Innovativeness
Innovativeness In
In IT
IT

Performance H1a
H2a
Expectancy H2b H4a
H1
H3a
Effort Expectancy
H2

Social Influence H3

eBidding
H4
Facilitating Adoption
Conditions
H5
Information
Quality
H6
System Quality

H7
Service Quality

H7a
H6a Satisfaction
H5 19
C. Development of a research proposal
d. Research hypothesis

A hypothesis can be defined as a prediction or explanation of the relationship

between : one or more independent variables (PREDISPOSING/RISK
FACTORS) and one dependent variable (OUTCOME/CONDITION/DISEASE)).

o a logical relationship between two or more variables expressed in the form of

a testable statement. A hypothesis, in other words, translates the problem
statement into a precise, clear prediction of expected outcomes.

o It must be emphasized that hypotheses are not meant to be haphazard

guesses, but should reflect the depth of knowledge, imagination and
experience of the investigator must be based on established theory/model

o Therefore, in the process of formulating hypotheses, all variables relevant to

the study should be identified.

o See example..pg 76 & 77

Example : Hypotheses

H1: Performance expectancy is significantly related to officials’ adoption

of eBidding

H2: Effort expectancy is significantly related to officials’ adoption of

eBidding

H3: Social influence is significantly related to officials’ adoption of

eBidding

H4: Facilitating conditions is significantly related to officials adoption of

eBidding
H5: Information quality is significantly related to eBidding adoption
H6: System quality is significantly related to eBidding adoption
H7 : Service quality is significantly related to eBidding adoption
H5a : Satisfaction significantly mediates relationship between information
quality and eBidding Adoption
C. Development of a research proposal
e. Methodology

This section summarizes the most The methodology you followed for the
important points of the research collection of your data should be
design including: described in detail.

Variables: It is necessary to identify the The methodology section should

variables that will be involved in the include a description of:
research project being designed. - the study type
- major study variables on which data
Independent (predisposing/risk was collected
factors/antecedents), - the study population, sampling
Dependent (outcome), see example method and the size of the
sample
It is also necessary to specify whether - data-collection techniques used
these variables are Numerical - how the data was collected and
(continuous/discrete), or Categorical by whom
(ordinal/nominal). - procedures used for data
analysis, including statistical
Operational definition of different study tests (see example)
variables should be clearly phrased.
Example : Operationalizing Research
Instrument
No Section Variables No. of Scale of Measurement References
Statements

1 A Performance expectancy 7 Interval Venkatesh et al., (2003)

2 B Effort Expectancy 7 Interval Venkatesh et al., (2003)

3 C Social influence 7 Interval Venkatesh et al., (2003)

4 D Facilitating Conditions 7 Interval Venkatesh et al., (2003)

5 E System Quality 7 Interval Delone and Mclean, (2003)

6 F Information Quality 7 Interval Delone and Mclean, (2003)

7 G Service Quality 7 Interval Delone and Mclean, (2003)

8 H Satisfaction 7 Interval Wixom and Todd, (2005)

 
 

9 I Experience 5 Interval Venkatesh et al., (2003)

   

10 J Personal Innovativeness in IT 5 Interval Agarwal and Karahanna, (2000)

 

11 K Actual Use 4 Interval Delone and Mclean, (2003)

Nominal  

12   Respondent’s profile      
 
An Example of Research Design
Extent of Study Measurement and
Type of
Purpose of Researcher Setting Measures
Investigatio
the of Study Interference
n Data
5 point Likert-
Minimal: Type Scale Analysis
Explanatory Studying Natural
(Hypothesis events as Setting (Adapted UTAUT,
Correlation
Testing) they IS Success Model,
(Non- PIIT Metrics)
normally 1. Feel for
occur contrived) Data

2.Goodness
of data
Problem
Statemen
t 3.
Hypothe
sis
Testing
Unit of Time Data Collection
Analysis Sampling Horizon Method
Design
Individual Survey
Probability: (Structured
Cross Questionnaire)
Simple Sectional
Primary Data
(One-Shot) source

Pilot Study

Adopted From Sekaran, 2003 (p.118)

Significance of the Study

• Why this study is significant?

• Why do it now?
• What will it contribute to the existing research literature?
• What implications your findings may have?
• Who will benefit from it?

[Scholarly acceptability] See Example

…References

The references in your text can be numbered in the sequence in which

they appear in the report and then listed in this order in the list of
references

Harvard Citation or author/date system references made in the text are listed in
alphabetical order by the surname of the first author in the bibliography at the
end of the text.
e.g.
Reference within essay: In his survey of the mating habits of frogs, Bloggs (1998) refuted that ...
Entry in bibliography:
Bloggs, B. 1998. Frogs and their mating habits . London: Tadpole Press

The Vancouver System or footnotes/endnotes or numeric system;

references are numbered consecutively in the order in which they are
first cited in the text.
e.g.
Reference within essay:
In his survey of the mating habits of frogs, Bloggs (1) refuted that ...
Entry in bibliography:
1. Bloggs B. Frogs and their mating habits. London : Tadpole Press; 1998
Let us Talk About Thesis
The classical thesis structure

INTRODUCTION What I want to do

LITERATURE What others say about it

DESIGN My plan for doing it

RESULTS What happened when I did it

DISCUSSION What this means

CONCLUSIONS What I found out

Simplified model of research

Punch, K. F. (2007). Developing Effective Research Proposals (2 ed.). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.
Writing a Thesis

…..Overall Main Components of a Thesis :

I. Title or cover page

II. Abstract
III. Introduction
IV. Objectives
V. Methodology
VI. Research results (findings)
VII. Discussion
VIII.Conclusions
IX. Recommendations
X. References
XI. Annexes or appendices (data collection tools, tables)
Main Components of a Thesis

• Chapter 1 : Introduction
• Background of the study
• Overview of research subject
• Broad to specific
• Problem statements
• Objectives of study
• Practical implications
• Theoretical contributions
• Study Limitations

• Chapter 2: Literature Review

• Past research related to study
• Global & local publications – journal and books
• Overview of theories related to research subjects – at least
5 or 3 key theories
• Review and critique
Main Components of a Thesis
• Chapter 3: Theoretical Framework
• Introduction
• Conceptual development
• Models/theories comparisons
• Which models as base of proposed model
• Proposed research model
• Hypotheses development
• Independent variables
• Dependent variables
• Moderating / mediating variables

• Chapter 4: Methodology
• Introduction
• Population and sampling
• Data Collection and Sampling procedure (target ; sampling
population ; size)
• Questionnaire design
• Measurement of variables
• Research design
• SEM- Measurement model
Main Components of a Thesis
• Chapter 5 : Data Analysis & Discussion
• Introduction
• Feel for data
• Frequency distribution of demographics
• Positions ; locations ; years of working ; gender
• Testing Goodness of Data
• Reliability and validity
• Results from SEM analysis
• Significant or not significant related to hypotheses
• Chapter 6 : Conclusions
• Introduction
• Discussions on results – conform to findings in literature ; if
not why..?
• Implications of Research Findings
• Theoretical Implications
• Practical Implications
• Policy Implications
• Recommendations for Future Research
• Limitations
…CONCLUSIONS

- The conclusions should follow logically from the discussion of the findings.

- As the discussion will follow the sequence in which the findings have been
presented (which in turn depends on your objectives) the conclusions should
logically follow the same order.

….RECOMMENDATIONS

- The recommendations should follow logically from the discussion of the

findings.
- Recommendations may be summarized according to the groups towards which
they are directed, for example:
Þ policy-makers / stakeholders
Þ program managers/implementing officials at different levels
Þ potential clients
Þ the community at large
….Plan for utilization and dissemination of research results

- The proposal should indicate what reports or other means of

disseminating research findings are planned.

- Any or all of the following are appropriate for disseminating the

results of the study:

Progress reports
Final report
Publications
Seminars, workshops, and conferences
Discussion with policymakers and program managers
….ANNEXES OR APPENDICES

The annexes should contain any additional information needed to

enable professionals to follow your research procedures and data
analysis.

Examples of information that can be presented in annexes are:

- Tables referred to in the text but not included in order to keep the
report short.
- Interview schedule/ questionnaires (and/or other data collection
tools).
- Informed consent form
- Institutional/Ethical approval for the study
Further Readings
1. Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, p. 97–127.
2.  Hernon, P. (2007). Editorial: what is problem statement? Library & Information Science
Research, 29, 307−309.
3. Hernon, P., & Metoyer-Duran, C. (1993). Problem statements: An exploratory study of
their function, significance, and form. Library & Information Science Research, 15,
71−92.
4. Metoyer-Duran, C., & Hernon, P. (1994). Problem statements in research proposals and
published research: A case study of researchers' viewpoints. Library & Information
Science Research, 16, 105−118.
5. Nitecki, D. A. (2010). Guest editorial: Finalizing a research paper—findings through
conclusion. Library & Information Science Research, 32, 1−3.
6. Sproull, N. L. (1988). Handbook of research methods: A guide for practitioners and
students in the social sciences. London: Scarecrow Press, p. 140.
7.  Teddlie, C., & Tashakkori, A. (2009). Foundations of Mixed Methods Research :
Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in the Social and Behavioral
Sciences. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, p. 120–124.
 BREAK
FOR
JUMAAT PRAYER