Research Methodology

Abba Hailegebriel Girma (PhD, EdD)

2016/2024
 Definition of Research
01
& Methodology Outline
Features & Purpose of
02
Research

03 Ethics & Types of

Research
04 The Structure of the
Research Paper
 Introduction
•The module intends to help students
develop a broad understanding of research
methods.

•It takes a practical approach to different research

methods and their application to theological and
social research.

•The module introduces students to research

methodology and its application across theological
and professional studies as preparation for lifelong
inquiry.
What is Research?
 What is meant by Research?
• Research is a systematic inquiry process that entails data
collection, documentation of critical information; and
analysis and interpretation of that data or information,
according to suitable methodologies set by specific
professional fields and academic disciplines.
•Research may be understood in the following terms
also:
• Research is a continuous activity in many disciplines.
• It is helpful in critical assessment of the way we
work and give instructions on our knowledge.
• It is the systematic observation of processes to find better
ways to do things and to reduce the effort being put in to
achieve an objective and identifying the validity of the
targets.
What is Research
Methodology?
 What is Research Methodology?

• “Method” is “how we do something.”

• “Methodology” is “why we do it that way, rather

than another way.”

• Chaturvedi (2018) defined research

methodology as “the specific procedures or
techniques used to identify, select, process,
and analyze information about a topic” (p. 38).
Features of Research
 Research has several features:
• A systematic approach must be followed for accurate data.
Rules and procedures are an integral part of the process
that set the objective.
• Research is based on logical reasoning and involves both
inductive and deductive methods.
• The data or knowledge that is derived is in real-time
from actual observations in natural settings.
• Research creates a path for generating new questions. Existing
data helps create more opportunities for research.
• Research is analytical in nature.
• Accuracy is one of the most important aspects of
research. The information that is obtained should be
accurate and true to its nature.
Purpose of Research
 The Purpose of Research
• The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions
through the application of scientific procedures.
• The main objective of the research is to find out the
truth which is hidden and which has not been
discovered as yet.
• The research objectives are:
➢To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights
into it;
➢To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group;
➢To determine the frequency with which something occurs or
with which it is associated with something else;
➢To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables.
Motivation in Research
 What makes people to undertake research?
• The possible motives for doing research may be
either one or more of the following:
1. Desire to get a research degree along
with its consequential benefits;
2. Desire to face the challenge in solving unsolved
problems, i.e., concern over practical problems
initiates research;
3. Desire to get the intellectual joy of doing some
creative work;
4. Desire to be of service to society;
5. Desire to get respectability.
Research Ethics
 Research Ethics
• Ethics are the moral principles that govern a person’s behavior.
• Research ethics may be referred to as doing what is morally
and legally right in research.
• The application of fundamental ethical principles to topics
like
➢The design and implementation of research
involving human experimentation, animal
experimentation
➢Various aspects of academic scandal, including scientific
misconducts (such as fraud, fabrication of data and
plagiarism),
• The ethical principles of research are also divided into three
areas:
➢Respecting the autonomy of research subjects,
➢Avoiding harm and
➢Privacy and data protection.
Codes of Research
Ethics
 Ethical Principles have Several Codes:
Codes Description
Honesty It reports data, results, methods and procedures, and
publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent
data.
Objectivity Avoid or minimize bias or self-deception.
Integrity Keep our promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive
for consistency of thought and action.
Carefulness Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically
examine your own work and the work of your peers.
Confidentiality Protect confidential communications
 Ethical Principles have Several Codes:
Codes Description
Respect for Intellectual Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual
Property property.
Social Responsibility Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate
social harms through research, public education, and
advocacy.
Non-Discrimination Avoid any discrimination against others.
Competence Maintain and improve your own professional competence
and expertise .
Human Subjects Minimize harms and risks and respect human dignity and
Protection privacy,
Types of Research
 Types of Research
• The type of research is classified as
✓Applied research:- Practical
✓Pure or Basic or Fundamental research:-
Theoretical
o Descriptive Research – Observation, Case Study,
Survey
o Analytical Research – Reviews, Philosophical,
Historical
o Conceptual Research – Experimental, Survey
oEmpirical Research – Using empirical evidence
o Exploratory Research – Defining the problem.
Theological Research
Preparation
 Theological Research Preparation
• This focuses on the foundational questions, such as:
• What is our topic? And why does it interest us?
• From what disciplinary perspective will you approach
it?
✓Theological,
✓Pastoral,
✓Biblical,
✓Historical Approach
• What questions emerge as we reflect on the topic?
• Where would we begin searching for relevant sources?
The Structure of the
Research Paper
 Structure
•Chapter 1 – Introduction. It also includes the
following sections:
➢Background of the Problem
➢Statement ofthe Problem
➢Purpose ofthe Study
➢Research Questions or Objectives
➢Definition of Terms
➢Delimitations and Limitations ofthe Study
➢Summary ofChapter One
 Structure
• Chapter 2 – Literature Review
• Covers important theories and research findings
upon which the research problem was based.
• Chapter 3 – Research Methodology
• Describes in detail how the research will be
conducted
• Chapter 4 – Findings
• Focuses on the data gathered throughout the
procedures used in the study.
• Chapter 5 – Summary, Discussions,
Conclusions, and Recommendations