MODULE 1

SYLLABUS OBJECTIVE 4:
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Definition:
 Research is the systematic gathering of
information in order to investigate or to draw
conclusions on an issue.
 Research is a PROCESS.
THE PROCESS OF RESEARCH

STEP 1
Enquire, ask questions

STEP 2

Document findings
STEP 3
Draw Conclusions
THE PROCESS OF RESEARCH
(DETAILED)
 Statement of the problem i.e. the topic (obtained
from research questions)
 Formulation of Hypothesis

 Data Collection

 Classification and analysis of data.

 Presentation of Findings.
EXAMPLE
Issue:
Level of deviancy in form 5 students at Hillview.

Research Questions:
What factors contribute to deviancy?
What are the negative\ positive effects of this kind
of behavior?
What are the possible solutions?
THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research question determines HOW you will
investigate and WHAT focus you will take.
Scope of your research is important.

Eg. Topic with broad scopes

Teenage Pregnancy- Is teenage pregnancy a
worldwide problem?, what are the contributing
factors worldwide?, effects, solutions?
Topic with narrow scope
Teenage Pregnancy in my community, at a
particular school.
DATA
 Definition:
The information that specifically leads to the
conclusion is called data.
Primary data- First hand information.
Examples: interviews, surveys, observations,
questionnaires, historical documents.
Secondary data-Already exists.
Examples: Newspapers, Books, Journals, Articles
from Websites.
SOURCES
 Specialized data is obtained from sources.
 Sources must be consulted in order for research
to be successful.
DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES
 A source is a place or person from which
information can be obtained.
Examples of possible sources:
1. Enclycopedia- general information- not specific
to topic (eg. Not specific to deviancy in
Hillview.) But it can be used as good
background reading and contribute indirectly to
guide you.
2. Article- will be directly related to your specific
topic.
SOURCES
 Sources must be:
1. Reliable
2. Credible
3. Relevant- up to date
4. Based on facts (not opinions)
See definitions of creditability, reliability, facts,
opinion in class notes.
EXERCISE
 Define the following terms:
1. Reliable
2. Credible
3. Relevant
SOURCES
 Sources MUST be able to provide specific
information on your topic.
 Sources must give insight, broaden your
understanding on the topic by providing
definitions, a background, examples, evidence,
different points of view\ perspectives on the
topic.
(All the information may not be relevant therefore
keep your aims\ objectives and research
questions in mind.
Also, all information may not be reliable.
Some information may not even be up to date
(relevant).
EVALUATING SOURCES
 1. The Author.
-Is the author an authority? i.e. specialized, qualified in the field.
-Does the author have an interest, purpose i.e. can benefit from it OR is
the author neutral.
-Generally commentators, journalists, lecturers are neutral since they
have nothing to gain from writing pieces.

2. The Publication Date.

-Is the source up to date\ relevant?
-Has it been revised in light of new discoveries hence unreliable

3. The Language
-Is the language hyperbolic, exaggerated?
-Is language emotive (intension to persuade?) or is language neutral?
-Does the author make broad generalizations or stick to figures, data,
facts?
-Is only one side of the argument presented?
Once you have selected who and what your most
reliable sources are, then decide on how you will
obtain information from such persons.
This is called the Data collection process.
DATA COLLECTION
 Data is collected through instruments.
 These instruments are utilized in order to obtain
factual information.
DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS:
PRIMARY SOURCES.
 Interviews, questionnaires, surveys.
INTERVIEW
 Structured interview: includes a formal, written,
questioned approach. It is usually tested
questions that have academic validity.
 Unstructured interview informal approach where
the interviewee narrates his\ her thoughts and
perceptions. Eg. Interview with a patient
suffering with Lupus, HIV etc.
Provides a first hand account, opinion based on
experience, qualitative significance (emotional
insight.)
QUESTIONNAIRES
 A questionnaire is a formal document
administered to the target group with questions
that deal with the subject under investigation.
 There 3 types of approaches

1. Use of open-ended questions.

2. Fixed Questions (Yes\ No OR a,b,c,d

options)
3. Scaled\ Measured questions.
EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONNAIRES
Fixed questions
What religious Group do you belong to?
 Hinduism
 Islam
 Christianity
 Other: ______________

How often do you and your family take part in religious
practices
 Very Seldom
 Seldom
 Never
 Often
 Very Often
Open ended questions
Do you belong to any religious organizations in
your community?

If yes, would you say that your participation in

this organization helps make you a more morally
and socially sound person?
 Explain.
 _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
___________________________________
Scaled\ Measured questions
 How has your religion influenced:

 Your choice of friends. 1 2 3 4

 The type of social gatherings you attend. 1 2
3 4
 Your choice of hobbies/past times. 1 2 3
4
 Your attitudes towards sex. 1 2 3 4
 Your type of career choice. 1 2 3 4
 Your decisions about drinking alcohol. 1 2 3
4
 Your decisions about smoking. 1 2 3 4
CLASSIFICATION OF DATA
 Qualitative data- data that cannot be measured
and often includes opinions, thoughts and
emotional insights. Evident in open ended
questions eg. What are your thoughts on same
sex schools.
 Quantitative data- data that can be measured
and transferred into statistics. Evident in close
ended questions. Eg. Do you agree with same sex
schools Yes No
25% of 100 respondents said yes.
75% of 100 respondents said no.
CHOOSING YOUR SELECTED\ TARGETED
GROUP

 The process of selecting\choosing your target

group out of the entire population is called
sampling.
 The most popular ways of selecting your sample
is by the foll:
1. Random sampling

2. Probability sampling

3. Systematic Sampling
INTERPRETING DATA

 Once you have collected your data, you then have

to calculate the totals, categorize them and
display the data so it can be easily interpreted.

 Presenting and interpreting data can be done un

a number of ways:
 1. Graphic presentation

 2. Bar charts

 Line graphs
PIE CHART
Ways Social
Networking affects
students

Academic

Physical
Activity
Social

4th Qtr
BAR GRAPH
6

Series 1
3
Series 2

2 Series 3

0
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4
DATA COLLECTION METHODS
QUESTIONNAIRES
ADVANTAGES
 Easy to obtain a LARGE
cross section of views
(numbers)
 Not time consuming.
 Allows greater
statistical analysis.
 Trends easily identified.
 Allows anonymity.
DISADVANTAGES
 Difficulty receiving a
response\ Getting back
questionnaires.
 May not be taken
seriously-invalid info
 Uncoperative, hostile
public.
 Misinterpretation may
occur.
 Questions may be worded
poorly.
 INTERVIEWS
Advantages
 Researcher will have an
input-engage in discussion
of the issues in depth.
 Authenticity will be likely-
the interviewee will take
questions seriously and
honestly respond (due to
face to face interaction.)
 Provides a first hand
account i.e. the subjects
view based on experience.
 Can be targeted research
i.e. one or two people will
be the sample group.
Disadvantages
 Time consuming
 Hostile\ Unwilling
interviewee
 Unfocused interviewee who
provides irrelevant info.
 Interviewee may be biased
(0ne-sided approach based
on their
LIMITED, subjective
experience.)
 Difficulty documenting info
(if writing and not using a
tape recorder).
 Prevents anonymity.
 Prevents statistical
info, uses a subjective
approach.
 OBSERVATIONS

Advantages Disadvantages

 Usually accurate  Time consuming

(because one can  Difficulty of gaining
VIEW the situation accessibility to
first hand.) subjects.
 Useful for studying  Observer may be
behavioral patterns, biased.
psychological studies
EXERCISE
 Create a table
 Discuss some of the advantages and
disadvantages of secondary sources such as
articles, online sources and journals.