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Lecture Notes 2 - Research Methods

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13 views18 pages

Lecture Notes 2 - Research Methods

Learning material

Uploaded by

sampsonbasefeli
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1

HND II SEMESTER II

Research Methods – STA 202


Lecture Notes 2

5/26/2023
Lecturer: Mr Robert Ohene Adu
2.0 Research Proposal
2

What is a research proposal ?


 It is a systematic plan of procedure for the research to follow

 It can be likened to a building plan or a directional map (e.g planning your trip from

Sunyani to Accra)
 It is a detailed written plan for a research project. It describes the aims of the project,

why the research project is important ( justification or rationale) and how the project
will be carried out ( methodology).
 Research proposal indicates the timeframes and resources needed for the project.

Adequate knowledge and skills in composing good research proposals is central to


getting support, both professionally and financially for one’s research ideas and
prjects
5/26/2023
Research Design
3

 There are generally two types of research or study design, depending


on the research question
 (i) Cross-sectional study, and
 (ii) Longitudinal study

5/26/2023
5/26/2023

Cross-sectional Study
4

 This is an observational study that


allows a researcher to compare many
different variables at the same time or
over a short period
 Such a study gives information or
snap shot of a single or brief moment
in time
 It does not consider what happens
before or after the study is done
5/26/2023

Longitudinal Study
5

 A longitudinal study is an observational study in which researchers conduct several


observations of the same subjects over a longer period of time, sometimes lasting many
years.
 The benefit of a longitudinal study is that researchers are able to detect developments or
changes in the characteristics of the target population at both the group and the individual
level.
 Thus, longitudinal studies extend beyond a single moment in time and so can establish
sequences of events. For example, a study of the climate pattern in Sunyani;
 Or, a study on a service life or fatigue life of a new vehicle spring
 A study on the average CGPA score of HND 2 Production Students from Level 100 to Level
300.
Cross-sectional vrs Longitudinal study
6

Cross-sectional Study Longitudinal Study

( i ) It is quicker and brief ( i ) It takes a longer time

(ii) It establishes ( ii) It establishes cause-and-


links/associations between effect relationships
variables
(iii)It is usually broader than (iii) Usually deeper than broader
deeper

5/26/2023
Research Approach
7

There are usually 3 appoaches to research study, and they are:


 (i) Quantitative approach

 (ii) Qualitative approach

 (iii) Mixed-method approach

5/26/2023
The Quantitative and Qualitative Approach
8

 The quantitative research approach often uses deductive logic, in


which researchers start with hypotheses and then collect data which
can be used to determine whether empirical evidence exists to support
that hypothesis

 The qualitative research approach is often an inductive approach in


which researchers generate new insights into phenomena as well as
hypothesis, using in-depth interviews and focused group discussions

5/26/2023
5/26/2023

The Mixed-Method Approach


9

 The mixed-method approach combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches


as the nature of the research requires
Components of a Project Synopsis
10

1. Project Topic (Title Page)


2. Introduction (or Background)
3. Problem Statement
4. Aim
5. Specific Objectives
6. Rationale (Justification)
7. Methodology
8. Expected Outcome

5/26/2023
Title Page
11

 This is the page that captures


the title of the project. It must
also capture the name(s) of the
student(s), as well as the name
of the supervisor and date or
month of the start of the project

 An example is shown on the


right

5/26/2023
Introduction (or Background)
12

 The introduction gives a limited account or brief of what the project is


about and why it is worth the time of everybody else. It must contain
brief background information on the selected topic, and must identify
the importance of the study, its relevance and applicability of results:

 The introduction must be a true representative of the synopsis.

5/26/2023
5/26/2023

Problem Statement
13

 A problem statement is a concise E.g. Trouble-shooting on chain drives


description of an issue to be addressed Problem Statement:
i. Noisy Drive
or a condition to be improved upon. It ii. Rapid wear
identifies the gap between the current iii. Chain climbing the sprockets
iv. Stiff chain
state (problem) and desired state v. Broken chains or sprockets
(goal) of a process or product.
 It identifies issues such as:
1. Previous research done in the field
of study
2. Gaps in the literature
3. What questions remain? etc
5/26/2023

Aim and Specific Objectives


14

Aim
 This is the overall objective or purpose of the project. It is closely related to the
project title.
Specific Objectives
These are the specific steps or activities to enable the student achieve the overall aim or
objective. The objectives must be S.M.A.R.T
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable ( Attainable )
R – Realistic (results-oriented)
T – Time-bound (Timed)
15

S : Specific – Be specific about what you are going to achieve. Each objective should address only
one achievement

M: Measurable – Objectives should be quantified


A : Achievable – Can you achieve them ? Or are you attempting too much ?
R : Realistic – Do you have the resources to make the objectives happen (personnel, money, materials,
time ) ?

T : Time-bound – State when you will achieve the objective (e.g within a year, a month, by June 2020,
etc)

5/26/2023
Rationale (Justification)
16

 The rationale or justification gives a reason why the project is important


and worth researching into.

 Example of a Justification:
It is necessary to investigate the effect of tire pressures on saloon vehicles’
performance on Sunyani untarred roads. This study will go a long way to
broaden vehicle users’ knowledge on the condition of their tires and of tire
pressures and how they affect the performance of their vehicle on these roads

5/26/2023
Methodology (Materials and Methods)
17

 The methodology outlines the ‘hows’ of carrying out the objectives

 It provides the principles for organizing, planning, designing and


conducting research

5/26/2023
Expected Outcome
18

 Here, the researcher or student states the ‘deliverables’ expected at the


end of the project
 This includes a report, and a manufactured product, or design
specifications etc.

5/26/2023

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