CHAPTER 2

The Research Process: A Quick Glance

 The first is to decide what to find out about & to decide how to go about finding their answers.

Phase I: deciding Step I: formulating a research problem most important step in the research process
what to research
what we intend to research
to decide what we want to find out about

Step II: conceptualising a research design Have to use of appropriate methods

to explain how we will find answers to our research questions
should include: the study design per se and the logistical arrangements that we propose
to undertake, the measurement procedures, the sampling strategy, the frame of analysis
and the timeframe
Phase II: planning The selection of an appropriate research design is crucial in enabling us to arrive at valid
a research study findings, comparisons and conclusions
it is important to ensure that it is valid, workable and manageable in selecting r.design

collecting information - ‘research tool’ or a ‘research instrument’. e.g:

Step III: constructing an instrument for
data collection
observation forms, interview schedules, questionnaires and interview guides.
to collect data (primary data), we need either to construct a research instrument or to
select one that has already been constructed.
secondary data - (information already collected for other purposes), need to
identify what information is needed and then develop a form to extract the required
data
Field testing (or pre-testing) a research tool is an integral part of instrument
construction
 Step IV: selecting a sample basic objective - to minimise, within the limitation of cost, the gap between the values
obtained from our sample and those prevalent in the study population
we should attempt to achieve 2 key aims of sampling the avoidance of bias in the selection of a sample &
the attainment of maximum precision for a given outlay of resources.
Phase II: planning
a research study 3 categories of sampling design : random/probability sampling designs, non-random/non-probability
sampling designs and ‘mixed’ sampling design.

Step V: writing a research It tells about our research problem and how we are planning to investigate
proposal
must have following informations: objectives, hypothesis, study designs, setting, instrument, sample size,
data processing, chapters, problem & limitations and time-frame

Step VI: collecting data collect the data through interviews, mail out a questionnaire, conduct nominal/focus group discussions
or make observations
collecting data through any one of the methods may involve some ethical issues

Phase III: conducting Step VII: processing Analyse the information –depend upon 2 things: the type of information (descriptive, quantitative,
a research study and displaying data qualitative or attitudinal) & the way we want to communicate our findings to readers

Step VIII: writing a 2 categories of reports: quantitative & qualitative

research report
Report should be written in an academic style & be divided into different chapters & sections based
upon the main themes of our study