Researches fundamentals are of great importance in disciplines and interested people on searching various knowledge or solution to a phenomenon. The main purpose of the book is to share scholarly knowledge about research and its complexity. This book can be used to train the basics and techniques involved on doing inquiries from different views. The experience shows that, no one single cure for all diseases. So when comes to research, there is no single research methodology or technique which fits all circumstances. Hence, the book tries to identify a family of approaches towards various research situations and distinguish their outcomes. Thus, various disciplines example human resource management, accounts and project management have different environmental set up i.e. matters in question, study elements involved and the study plan can determine research context. The study consulted scholars in different disciplines through their publications that explain various research methodologies. Generally the books highlighted some technical guide lines on conducting researches and report writing which provide overview on research plans. In chapter one, the book tried to explain how to choose among the methods of inquiries. It includes the meaning of research, research approaches and types. Chapter two addressing the types of variables deployed in a study. Either, chapter three tells how to generate research idea. Rather, the book through chapter four described how to develop a re-searchable topics. Meanwhile chapter five gives explanation on how to carry out literature survey that forms a crucial party of studies. Then chapter six is critically explain research designs and research management. The book concludes with the application of computer software in research process. Therefore, the book intended to guide researchers, academician and groom young researchers to conduct different inquiries. This is due to the fact that, human activities and environmental changes created complexity in life as well as challenges. So far; challenges need answers from fundamental questions such as what, where, who and how. It is the main reason for interested groups such as researchers, academician and practitioners to seek guidance during research. This is done to attain answers towards fundamental questions.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Chapter One: Introduction
- Meaning of research
- Research approaches
- Research types
- Chapter Two: Research Variables
- Chapter Three: How to Develop Research Idea and Topics
- Chapter Four: Characteristic of Searchable Topics
- Chapter Five: Literature Search/Survey
- Chapter Six: Research Methodology
- Research design
- Data collection techniques
- Data handling and its interpretation
- How to develop research proposals
- Research management
- Chapter Seven: Computer Application in Research
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The main objective of this book is to provide a comprehensive guide to social science research methodology, covering various approaches and techniques. It aims to equip researchers, academics, and students with the necessary skills to conduct effective inquiries across diverse disciplines. The book emphasizes the lack of a single "best" method and promotes a nuanced understanding of selecting appropriate methodologies based on specific research contexts.
- Selecting appropriate research methodologies
- Understanding different types of research variables
- Developing and refining researchable topics
- Conducting thorough literature reviews
- Utilizing computer applications in research
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter establishes the foundational concepts of social science research. It defines research, exploring various approaches like qualitative, quantitative, and triangulation research. The chapter distinguishes between deductive and inductive approaches and clarifies the different types of research designs available, emphasizing the context-dependent nature of methodology selection. The importance of understanding the research question and choosing a methodology that best fits this question is stressed throughout the chapter.
Chapter Two: Research Variables: This chapter focuses on the crucial role of variables in research. It meticulously defines dependent, independent, intervening, and background variables, providing clear examples to illustrate their distinctions and relationships within a research framework. Understanding these variables is presented as fundamental to designing a robust and meaningful research study, and the chapter emphasizes the importance of carefully considering which variables are relevant and how they interact.
Chapter Three: How to Develop Research Idea and Topics: This chapter provides a practical guide to generating and refining research ideas. It details various methods for identifying research gaps through literature review, discussions, and consultations, demonstrating how to translate these gaps into well-defined research problems. The chapter stresses the iterative nature of this process and offers actionable strategies for formulating clear and focused research topics.
Chapter Four: Characteristic of Searchable Topics: This chapter delves into the criteria for formulating strong and researchable topics. It outlines the characteristics that distinguish a successful research topic from one that is too broad or unfocused. The chapter's importance lies in its guidance on creating research questions that are both significant and feasible to investigate given the available resources and time.
Chapter Five: Literature Search/Survey: This chapter focuses on the critical process of conducting a thorough literature review. It details how to effectively collect and analyze relevant information, guiding the reader through the steps involved in identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing existing research. The chapter stresses the importance of critically evaluating sources and identifying gaps in the existing literature, and this is shown to be crucial for developing a strong research foundation.
Chapter Six: Research Methodology: This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of research design and management. It explains different research designs, including experimental and non-experimental approaches. It also covers various sampling techniques (probability and non-probability), data collection methods (questionnaires, interviews, observations), data analysis techniques (t-tests, correlation, regression), and the importance of research proposal development. The chapter highlights the significance of data handling, interpretation, and the validity and limitations of research findings.
Chapter Seven: Computer Application in Research: This chapter explores the role of computers and software in various stages of research. It discusses the use of the internet for literature searches, data collection, and communication. It also emphasizes the importance of using specific software for data analysis and presentation, covering aspects such as correlations and regression analysis. The chapter illustrates how technology significantly enhances research efficiency and capabilities.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Research methodology, research types, research variables, literature review, research design, data analysis, computer applications, research management, qualitative research, quantitative research.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to Social Science Research Methodology
What is the overall objective of this book?
The primary goal is to offer a thorough guide to social science research methodologies, encompassing diverse approaches and techniques. It aims to equip researchers, academics, and students with the skills needed for effective research across various disciplines. The book emphasizes that there's no single "best" method, promoting a nuanced understanding of choosing appropriate methodologies based on the specific research context.
What topics are covered in the book's chapters?
The book systematically covers fundamental research concepts, starting with an introduction to research, its approaches, and types. Subsequent chapters delve into research variables, developing research ideas, characteristics of searchable topics, conducting literature reviews, and a comprehensive overview of research methodologies, including design, data collection, and analysis. Finally, it explores the role of computer applications in various research stages.
What are the key themes explored in the book?
The core themes revolve around selecting suitable research methodologies, understanding different research variable types, developing and refining researchable topics, conducting thorough literature reviews, and leveraging computer applications in research. The book underscores the importance of adapting methodologies to specific research contexts and thoroughly understanding the research process.
What types of research are discussed?
The book discusses both qualitative and quantitative research approaches, along with triangulation research, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. It emphasizes choosing the most appropriate methodology based on the specific research question and context. Deductive and inductive approaches are also explained.
How does the book explain research variables?
The book meticulously defines and differentiates between dependent, independent, intervening, and background variables, using clear examples to illustrate their relationships within a research framework. The importance of carefully selecting and understanding these variables for designing robust and meaningful research studies is stressed.
What guidance does the book offer on developing research ideas and topics?
The book provides practical steps for generating and refining research ideas. It details methods for identifying research gaps through literature reviews, discussions, and consultations, demonstrating how to transform these gaps into well-defined research problems. It emphasizes the iterative nature of this process and offers strategies for formulating clear and focused research topics.
How does the book address conducting a literature review?
The book provides a detailed guide on conducting thorough literature reviews, explaining how to effectively collect and analyze relevant information. It guides readers through identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing existing research, stressing the critical evaluation of sources and identifying gaps in the literature to build a strong research foundation.
What aspects of research methodology are covered?
The book comprehensively covers research design (experimental and non-experimental), sampling techniques (probability and non-probability), data collection methods (questionnaires, interviews, observations), data analysis techniques (t-tests, correlation, regression), and research proposal development. It also highlights the significance of data handling, interpretation, and understanding the validity and limitations of research findings.
What is the role of computer applications in research, as discussed in the book?
The book explores how computers and software enhance various research stages, including literature searches, data collection, and communication. It emphasizes using specialized software for data analysis and presentation, covering techniques like correlation and regression analysis. The book showcases how technology improves research efficiency and capabilities.
What are the key words associated with the book's content?
Key words include research methodology, research types, research variables, literature review, research design, data analysis, computer applications, research management, qualitative research, and quantitative research.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. George Kanire (Autor:in), 2012, Social Science Research Methodology: Concepts, Methods and Computer Applications, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/203950
