Research Process Steps

STEPS IN THE RESEARCH
PROCESS
Dr. Shakeel Ahmed

Step 1 • Identification of problem
Step 2 • Reviewing of literature:
Step 3 • Setting objectives, and hypotheses
Step 4
• Choosing the study design
Step 5 • Collecting data
Step 6 • Processing and analyzing data
Step 7 • Writing the Report

A well-identified problem will lead the researcher to:
-accomplish all-important phases of the research process,
-starting from setting objectives to the selection of the research methodology.
But the core question is: whether all problems require research.
Researcher need to identify both;
What problem you are going to solve
What is your research question?
1. Identification of problem (statement of problem)

1. Identification of Problem
I - Non-research Problem (examples)
(those which are not possible to investigate)
Rises in the price of warm clothes during winter;
Preferring admission in public universities over private
universities;
Traffic jam in the city street after office hours;

ii- Research Problem (those who have a possibility of thorough verification
investigation)
three conditions of research problem Fisher et al. (1993)
-discrepancy between “what it is” and “what it should have been.”
Or : difference between “what exists” and the “ideal or planned situation”;
-A question about “why” the discrepancy exists.
-There should be at least two possible answers or solutions to the questions
or problems.

Statement of the Problem
A clear and well-defined statement
It point out
-why the proposed research on the problem should be undertaken
- what he hopes to achieve with the findings of the study.
-It lead the researcher to formulate the research objectives,
-to understand the background of the study, and
-to choose a proper research methodology.

Justifying the Problem
Once the problem situation has been identified and clearly stated, it is
important to justify the importance of the problem.
In justifying the problems, we ask such questions as to why the problem of
the study is important, how large and widespread is the problem, can others
be convinced about the importance of the problem and the like.
Answers to the above questions should be reviewed and presented in one or
two paragraphs that justify the importance of the problem.

Analyzing the Problem
critical attention should be given to accommodate the viewpoints of the
stockholders.
i.e. Managers users and researchers
identify the factors that may have contributed to the problems.

Problem Analysis:
identifying, defining, and analyzing a problem,
Exploratory research is accomplished through
such efforts as:
-Pilot survey
-Case studies
-Focus group interview and
-Experience survey

2. Reviewing of literature:
Search for literature
-Looking for all related works and articles published
-reading books
It enables the researcher
-to formulate his problem in terms of the specific aspects of the
general area of his interest that has not been explored.
-provides exposure to a larger body of knowledge
-Enhances knowledge to efficiently follow the research process.
-develop the coherence between the results of his study and
those of the others. (for proper discussion)

2. Reviewing of literature:
It enables the researcher
-It avoids duplication of the work that has been done in the recent past.
-It helps the researcher to find out what others have learned and reported
on the problem.
-It helps the researcher to become familiar with the types of methodology
followed by others.
-It helps to understand what concepts and theories are relevant
-It helps to understand if there are any significant controversies,
contradictions, and inconsistencies in findings.
-It allows to understand if there are any unanswered research

3. Setting objectives, and hypotheses
What is the objective of the study:
-Main objective (primary objective and subsequent objectives)
-An objective will precisely say what should be researched,
-to delineate the type of information that should be collected,
- provide a framework for the scope of the study.
-A hypothesis is an unproven statement or proposition that can be
refuted or supported by empirical data.
- Hypothetical statements assert a possible answer to a research
question.
-Difference between research hypothesis and statistical hypothesis

4. Choosing the study design.
The research design is the blueprint or framework
It is a master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting,
processing, and analyzing the collected data.
four basic research designs
I-survey,
II-experiment,
III-secondary data study, and
IV-observational study.
The choice of research design depends primarily on four factors:
The type of problem
The objectives of the study,
The existing state of knowledge about the problem that is being studied
The resources are available for the study.

5. Collecting data
the gathering of data may range from simple observation to a large-scale survey in any defined population. There
are many ways to collect data.
The approach selected depends on the objectives of the study, the research design, and the availability of time,
money, and personnel.
With the variation in the type of data (qualitative or quantitative) to be collected, the method of data collection
also varies.
The most common means for collecting quantitative data is the structured interview.
Studies that obtain data by interviewing respondents are called surveys. Data can also be collected by using self-
administered questionnaires. Telephone interviewing is another way in which data may be collected.
Other means of data collection include the use of secondary sources, such as the census, vital registration records,
official documents, previous surveys, etc.
Qualitative data are collected mainly through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, KII, and observational
studies.

6. Processing and analyzing data
The editing and coding of data. (ensure consistency
across respondents and to locate omissions).
Editing
-reduces errors in the recording,
-improves legibility,
clarifies unclear and inappropriate responses.
Coding.
-alphanumeric codes
-This coding process facilitates processing the data.
-The personal computer offers an excellent opportunity
in data editing and coding processes

6. Processing and analyzing data
Data analysis involves
-reducing accumulated data to a manageable size,
-developing summaries,
-searching for patterns,
-applying statistical techniques for understanding and
interpreting the findings under the research questions.
-Testing hypothesis.
The techniques may range from simple graphical technique
to very complex multivariate analysis depending on
-the objectives of the study, research design employed,
and the nature of data collected.

7. Writing the Report
Writing a proposal
A research proposal is a
work plan, prospectus,
outline, an offer,
a statement of intent or commitment from an individual researcher
or an organization to produce a product
or render a service to a potential client or sponsor.
The proposal will be prepared to keep in view the sequence presented in the
research process. The proposal tells us what, how, where, and to whom it will be
done.
It must also show the benefit of doing it. It always includes an explanation of the
purpose of the study (the research objectives) or a definition of the problem.

-It systematically outlines the particular research
methodology
- details the procedures that will be utilized at each
stage of the research process.
The end goal of a scientific study
-to interpret the results
- draw conclusions.
To this end, it is necessary to prepare a report aims to
transmit the findings
Provide recommendations to administrators,
policymakers, and program managers etc.

various forms of research reports:
-term papers,
-dissertations,
-journal articles,
-papers for presentation at professional
conferences and seminars,
-books,
Dissemination of findings
-to identify the most effective media channels to
reach different audience groups.

The dissemination may be made through
- a conference,
-a seminar,
-a report,
-or an oral
-or poster presentation.
The style and organization of the report will differ according
to:
-the target audience,
-the occasion,
-and the purpose of the research.
-client’s perspectives.
-The contributors

CONTENT OF A RESEARCH REPORT:
-An executive summary;
-Background of the problem;
-Literature review;
-Methodology;
-Findings;
-Discussion;
-Conclusions and
-Recommendations.
Note: These journals have their format and editorial policies.

Publication of Research
There are now ample opportunities for the researchers to publish
Many interesting studies have been conducted by the researchers without having
any effect in actual settings.
Ideally, the concluding step of a scientific study is to plan for its utilization in the
real world.
Although researchers are often not themselves in a position to implement a plan
for utilizing research findings, they can contribute to the process by including in
their research reports a few recommendations regarding how the results of the
study could be utilized for policy formulation and program intervention.

Research Process Steps

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