Advanced Research Methods and Techniques (ARMT)

Course Instructor:

Dr. Mustaghis-ur-Rahman Professor & MS/PhD Coordinator

Open House Perception, Expectation, Learning targets, Threats/Opportunities

Reflections on Research

What is Research? In simple term: Research is a way of going about finding answers to the questions In the broadest sense: Research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge In technical term: The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions

On the basis of the above go through the list in the next slide and answer which is really a research?

Research is: 1. Based on facts alone, without theory or judgment 2. Read and used only by experts or college professors 3. Done only in Universities by people with PhD degrees 4. Going to the library and finding articles on a topic 5. Hanging around some place and observing 6. Conducting an experiment in which people are tricked into doing something 7. Drawing a sample of people and giving them questionnaires 8. Looking up lots of tables from government reports or books 9. Using computers, statistics , charts and graphs

Research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge Is research only source of advancement/creation of knowledge ?

No. There are other sources of knowledge too, such as;

- Authority - Tradition - Common Sense - Media Myths - Personal Experience Then why to go for research? Because knowledge from alternatives/other sources is often correct, but knowledge based on research is more likely to be true and has fewer potential errors. However, research does not always produce perfect knowledge.

Human Experience of the Reality

Kinds of Research Basic Research Applied Research (Concerned with knowledge for the sake of theory; academic purpose) (applies the findings of research to a specific "practical setting)

Dimensions of Research 1. Purpose -Exploration (Un-defined subject; Responds to What?) -Description(Defined subject; Responds to How and Who?) -Explanation/Experiment ( Builds on What and How and
responds to Why?)

2. Use -Advancement in knowledge (Basic research) -Solution to specific problem (Applied Research)

3. Time Aspects -Cross Sectional (At one point of time) -Longitudinal (At multiple time frames) -Case Study (Over a duration of time) 4. Research Technique -Qualitative (Inductive: Experiments/Explanatory,
Survey, Content analysis) -Quantitative (Deductive: Field Research, Historical Comparative)

-Mixed (Both)

Quantitative
Measure objective facts Focus on variables Reliability is key Value free Independent of context Many subjects Statistical analysis Researcher is detached

Qualitative
Construct social reality, cultural meaning Focus on interview processes, events Authenticity is key Values are present and explicit Situation constrained Few subjects Thematic analysis Researcher is involved

Results and Findings

Interpretation

Research Processes

Data Presentation & Analysis

Data Collection Research Design Research Question Topic Selection

Research Proposal Writing; Important points

1. Introduction to the Research 1.1 Background of the Study (Literature Review) 1.2 Problem Statement 1.3. Research Objective 2. Research Methodology 2.1.Types/Kinds of Research 2.2.Universe and Target Population 2.3. Sampling Design and Technique 2.4. Instruments and Protocols 3. Conceptual Framework 3.1. Question Raising 3.2. Hypothesis Formulation 4. Focus of the Research 5. Research Limitation

Citation, Referencing, Bibliography

Ethical Issues in Research

How to get published your research