SIMAD University

Research Process

Ali Yassin Sheikh

Introduction – Overview of Research Process

• Introduction • Types of Research• Research Process• Contemporary Issues in Public Admin Research• Conclusion

Types of Research1. Descriptive vs. Analytical2. Applied vs. Fundamental3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative4. Conceptual vs. Empirical• Some others

– Action research– Historical research– Laboratory research

Descriptive vs. Analytical

• Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present.

• The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.

Descriptive vs. Analytical

• In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

Applied vs. Fundamental:

• Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization. example marketing research

• Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory. research studies, concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behaviour, are also examples of fundamental research

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

• Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.

• Quantitative research generates statistics through the use of large-scale survey research, using methods such as questionnaires or structured interviews.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

• Quantitative research involves the collection of numerical data in order to explain, predict and control phenomena of interest, data analysis being mainly statistical. It involves collecting data in order to test hypotheses or answer questions concerning the current status of the subject of the study.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

• Qualitative research explores attitudes, behavior and experiences through such methods as interviews or focus groups. It attempts to get an in-depth opinion from participants.

• Qualitative research seeks to investigate deeply in to the research setting in order to obtain understandings about the ways things are, why they are that way, and how the participants in the context perceive them.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

• Qualitative research is not predetermined or pre structured by hypotheses and procedures that might limit its focus, scope and operation.

• Qualitative research is embedded in a process of communication between researcher and respondent. There is no attention to establish independences of researcher from the respondent.

Conceptual vs. Empirical

• Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.

• Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment.

Some Other Types of Research

• All other types of research are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches, based on either the purpose of research, or the time required to accomplish research, on the environment in which research is done, or on the basis of some other similar factor.

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Two Types of Empirical Research

• Theory testing empirical research– Surveys (interview, mail, internet, phone)– Experiments (university setting)– Quasi experiments: that there is no random assignment of

participants to groups. (university or company)– Secondary data (financial, operational, personnel)

• Theory building empirical research– Qualitative research (interview, observation, text)– Case methods (interviews, text, secondary data)

Research Approaches

• Quantitative approach– Inferential, – experimental and – Simulation (model)

• Qualitative approach

Research Process• Formulate and clarify your research topic (define research

problem)• Critically review the literature• Understand your philosophy and approach• Formulate your research design• Negotiate access and address ethical issues• Plan your data collection • Analyze your data• Write your project report and prepare your presentation• Submit your project report and give your presentation

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Deductive research

Inductive research

Theoretical research

A Simplified Scientific Research Processand Types of Research

Descriptive research

1. ResearchQuestion

3. Theory and Hypotheses

4. The empirical study

2. Literature review

Figure 1.2 The research processSource: © Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 2006

Figure 1.2 The research process (Continued)Source: © Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 2006

Contemporary Issues in Public Admin Research

• Comparative public Administration issues• Electoral studies and public opinion• Federalism/ State and Local• International Affairs/International relations• Public Policy• Feminism/ participation of women in politics• Failure of state/ Corruption • Post conflict economic recovery using public

private partnership

Conclusion

• Do’s– `Very careful when you decide which type of

research to choose– Read more about the research types

• Don’t– Developing a topic without considering problem

statement– Not following the right research process