Steps in the Research Process - Assignment Example

PART QUESTION ONE Stages of the research process give the basis for reporting the outcomes of research in a research study. The process of research is a detailed way of efficiently identifying information for an investigation project, a research paper, dissertation and oral presentation of any research work assigned by the instructor, (Baggs and Clubine 67). Since research itself is a process, the researcher needs to allocate adequate time to investigate the topic. This part will give an intensive presentation of various steps involved in the research process. Research process steps includes the following, Identifying research problem or topic This involves identification of the topic of interest to be researched on throughout the study. The research problems should be refined based on the purpose of research and should be defined in a detailed manner. Similarly, an adequately defined topic or problem allows an appropriate direction when conducting the investigation, and aids in utilizing the available resources for effective research. Identifying the research objectives and questions This aims at intensive understanding of the issue or topic and helps to identify and state certain goals and objectives of the study. Research goals should be detailed, and specific enough to guide the research process. Literature review It summarizes the significance of the topic and helps to synthesize more information about the research topic, and identify existing knowledge gap. Developing research hypothesis This is a statement anchored on certain presumption concerning the existence of a linkage amidst some variable that can be investigated via empirical data. When developing a research hypothesis, the researcher attempts to assume a solution for certain questions and test its validity. Hypothesis formulation enables a researcher to create some presumptions and, therefore, it ensures all fundamental research aspects are addressed in study design. Formulating research design This is the actual research basis that gives certain information concerning the process of research. The study is designed in terms of the formulated objectives during the starting stages of research. The design entails all information about the study for instance, sources of information, time and budget allocated for the research process, appropriate techniques, measurements and the process of sampling. Selecting methods of research This involves identifying appropriate methods for research. The four key methods include research surveys, secondary data investigations, experiments and participant observation method. Identifying sampling procedure Sampling process utilizes a small group, number or portion of the item or population to generalize about the entire population. A sample, which is a portion of the entire study population, should have similar attributes as the wider population. In addition, a sample result reflects the attributes of the wider study population. Some researchers use probability techniques while others use non-probability methods depending on research requirements. Collection of data Data is gathered from the sample units, and diverse data gathering approaches are employed. For instance, use of questionnaires, participant observation methods, subject interviews, FGD and study surveys. Data analysis This involves data interpretation of collected data using various analytical techniques based on the needs of the management. Various statistical tools and procedures are utilized to make the process of data analysis appropriate for efficient making of the decision. For instance, statistical data analysis may be simple frequency data distribution tables or complicated multivariate investigation. Data presentation This involves organization of the research findings or results and its presentation. Results may be presented orally or written down. Advantages of the research process to researchers Research process gives researchers the basis for reporting the outcomes of research in an article. The process of research is a detailed way of efficiently identifying information for an investigation project and helps researchers to understand the topic more. Research process is crucial to indicate the topic or problem the researcher proposes to explore and is vital enough to allow the research. Research process allows researchers to plan for their study, allocate appropriate time and resources for each step and determine the outcomes of research. Research process allows intensive and careful understanding and investigation of the problems so that fruitful results can be realized. Finally, it allows researchers to outline research goals and strive to attain them. PART 11 QUESTION TWO Advantages and disadvantages of adopting case study research design Case study research design allows an in depth investigation and interpretation of social behavior. Advantages Case study approach is widely employed in social science studies, ecological studies and anthropology and psychology research. This approach of research is intensively vital for attempting to examine theoretical approaches by applying then in real life conditions. For instance, if anthropologists were to stay amidst an indigenous tribe, their observations could provide no qualitative information, but they are still relevant to social science. A case study offers an extensive investigation of a certain case instead of a passing through activity provided by other statistical surveys. It is significant for determining whether empirical theories and approaches actually bear fruits in the practical world situations. Investigation is always carried out in the context of data utilization. In other words, data examination takes place within the context in which it occurs, (Yin 34). In addition, a case study may focus on the process such that an informant understands a relevant text. Therefore, to investigate the reader’s strategies, the research should observe the informant within his environment. Similarly, variations based on intrinsic, collective strategies and instrumental mechanisms to case study design permit for qualitative as well as quantitative data analysis. Certain longitudinal analyses of individual subjects depend on qualitative information from journals, which provide explanatory accounts of attributes or behavior. Some case studies draw evidence from categorical, and numerical reactions of subjects, therefore, warns researchers to differentiate qualitative research from cases studies. He should understand that case studies can be focused mainly on qualitative evidence. A brief, qualitative account resulting from case study, aids researchers to explore or explain the data in actual life context, and describe the dynamics of real-life conditions that may be identified through survey research or experimental research. In addition, case study research can provide access to both numerical information about the approaches used and rationales for approach use, and how these approaches are utilized in relation with other approaches. Limitations Case study critics argue that cases studies provide little or no basis for establishing research results reliability. Some believe that the extensive exposure of the method subjects the outcomes to some biases. Some researchers blame case study research design for inadequate rigor. Some scholars suggest that, in most cases, the investigator may be sloppy and allow equivocal evidence or distorted opinions to influence the results of the findings or generalizations. Similarly, case study research offers reduced framework for empirical generalization as they utilize small proportions or numbers of informants, with some carried out with one informant. Case study researches are too long, hard to carry out and producing an intensive number of Documentations. In other words, ethnographic or longitudinal based case studies can elicit an extensive data for a long time. The challenges occur when data is mismanaged or not organized systematically, (Yin 67). Another limitation of case study is that they are high flexible. For instance, while some scientists are attempting to approve or reject a hypothesis, the methods may introduce some unexpected or unpredictable outcomes during the course of study, and lead to the study taking new directions. Case study research relies on a single exploration of a case; this makes case studies challenging to draw a generalizing solution or conclusion. Some scholars label cases study research design as microscopic because it involves few sampling cases. Works cited Baggs, Mary, and Susan Clubine. Steps in the Research Process. Whitby, Ont: S&S Learning Materials, 1996. Print. Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 1994. Print. Read More