Research Process, Soft Skills

Research methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners

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The book of Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners integrates various quantitative and qualitative methodologies into eight practice-based-steps, providing lots of examples throughout to link theory with practice. Written specifically for students with no previous experience of research and research methodology, the writing style is simple and clear and the author presents this complex subject in a straightforward way that empowers readers to tackle research with confidence. The book has been revised and updated to include extended coverage of qualitative research methods in addition to existing comprehensive coverage of quantitative methods. There are also brand new learning features such as reflective questions throughout the text to help students consolidate their knowledge.

Main contentsSee more from basic to advanced

Research: a way to gather evidence for your practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the delivery of services based upon research evidence about their effectiveness; the service provider’s clinical judgement as to the suitability and

Research: an integral part of your practice

Research is undertaken within most professions. More than a set of skills, research is a way of thinking: examining critically the various aspects of your

Research methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners

The book of Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners integrates various quantitative and qualitative methodologies into eight practice-based-steps, providing lots of examples throughout to

The research process: an eight-step model

Research methodology is taught as a supporting subject in several ways in many academic disciplines at various levels by people committed to a variety of

Paradigms of research

There are two main paradigms that form the basis of research in the social sciences. It is beyond the scope of this book to go

Types of research

Types of research can be looked at from three different perspectives (Figure 1.2): applications of the findings of the research study; objectives of the study;

The research process: characteristics and requirements

From these definitions it is clear that research is a process for collecting, analysing and inter­preting information to answer questions. But to qualify as research,

Research: what does it mean?

There are several ways of obtaining answers to your professional questions. These methods range from the fairly informal, based upon clinical impressions, to the strictly

Applications of research

Very little research in the field is pure in nature. That is, very few people do research in research methodology per se. Most research is

Writing about the literature reviewed

Now, all that remains to be done is to write about the literature you have reviewed. As men­tioned in the beginning of this chapter, two

How to review the literature

If you do not have a specific research problem, you should review the literature in your broad area of interest with the aim of gradually

The place of the literature review in research

One of the essential preliminary tasks when you undertake a research study is to go through the existing literature in order to acquaint yourself with

Research Phase III: conducting a research study

Step VI: collecting data Having formulated a research problem, developed a study design, constructed a research instrument and selected a sample, you then collect the

Research Phase II : planning a research study

Step II: conceptualising a research design An extremely important feature of research is the use of appropriate methods. Research involves systematic, controlled, valid and rigorous

Research Phase I: deciding what to research

Step I: formulating a research problem Formulating a research problem is the first and most important step in the research process. A research problem identifies

The formulation of research objectives

Objectives are the goals you set out to attain in your study. Since these objectives inform a reader of what you want to achieve through

Steps in formulating a research problem

The formulation of a research problem is the most crucial part of the research journey as the quality and relevance of your research project entirely

Considerations in selecting a research problem

When selecting a research problem/topic there are a number of considerations to keep in mind which will help to ensure that your study will be

Sources of research problems

This section is of particular relevance if you have not yet selected a research topic and do not know where to start. If you have

The importance of formulating a research problem

The formulation of a research problem is the first and most important step of the research pro­cess. It is like the identification of a destination

The research problem in management research

Broadly speaking, any question that you want answered and any assumption or assertion that you want to challenge or investigate can become a research problem

Converting concepts into variables in management research

If you are using a concept in your study, you need to consider its operationalisation — that is, how it will be measured. In most

The difference between a concept and a variable

Measurability is the main difference between a concept and a variable. Concepts are mental images or perceptions and therefore their meanings vary markedly from individual

What is a variable?

Whether we accept it or not, we all make value judgements constantly in our daily lives: ‘This food is excellent’; ‘I could not sleep well

Formulating a research problem in qualitative research

The difference in qualitative and quantitative studies starts with the way you formulate your research problem. In quantitative research you strive to be as specific

Establishing operational definitions in management research

In defining the problem you may use certain words or items that are difficult to measure and/or the understanding of which may vary from respondent

The study population of management research

So far we have focused on only one aspect of a study, the research problem. But every study in social sciences has a second aspect,

The characteristics of a hypothesis in management research

There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when constructing a hypothesis, as they are important for valid verification. The wording of a

The testing of a hypothesis in management research

To test a hypothesis you need to go through a process that comprises three phases: (1) con­structing a hypothesis; (2) gathering appropriate evidence; and (3)

The functions of a hypothesis in management research

While some researchers believe that to conduct a study requires a hypothesis, having a hypoth­esis is not essential as already mentioned. However, a hypothesis is

The definition of a hypothesis in management research

The second important consideration in the formulation of a research problem in quantitative research is the construction of a hypothesis. Hypotheses bring clarity, specificity and

Types of measurement scale in management research

The frame into which we wish to make everything fit is one of our own construction; but we do not construct it at random, we

Types of variable in management research

A variable can be classified in a number of ways. The classification developed here results from looking at variables in three different ways (see Figure

The theory of causality and the research design

Now let’s turn to the second function of the research design — ensuring that the procedures undertaken are adequate to obtain valid, objective and accurate

The functions of a research design in management research

The above definitions suggest that a research design has two main functions. The first relates to the identification and/or development of procedures and logistical arrangements

What is a research design?

A research design is a plan, structure and strategy of investigation so conceived as to obtain answers to research questions or problems. The plan is

Hypotheses in qualitative research

One of the differences in qualitative and quantitative research is around the importance attached to and the extent of use of hypotheses when undertaking a

Errors in testing a hypothesis in management research

As already mentioned, a hypothesis is an assumption that may prove to be either correct or incorrect. It is possible to arrive at an incorrect

Types of hypothesis in management research

Theoretically there should be only one type of hypothesis, that is the research hypothesis — the basis of your investigation. However, because of the conventions

Differences in the methods of data collection in quantitative and qualitative research

Most methods of data collection can be used in both qualitative and quantitative research. The distinction is mainly due to the restrictions imposed on flexibility,

Other commonly used philosophy-guided designs

There are a number of other approaches to research that have acquired recognition, in terms of design and name, in the research literature. While not

Study designs in qualitative research

This section provides a brief description of some of the commonly used designs in qualita­tive research. For an in-depth understanding you are advised to consult

Other designs commonly used in quantitative research

There are some research designs that may be classified in the typology described above but, because of their uniqueness and prevalence, have acquired their own

Study designs in quantitative research

Some of the commonly used designs in quantitative studies can be classified by examining them from three different perspectives: the number of contacts with the

Differences between quantitative and qualitative study designs

In this chapter we will discuss some of the most commonly used study designs in both quan­titative and qualitative research. Overall, there are many more

3 thoughts on “Research methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners”

  3. Pat Linger says:

    It’s really a great and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

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