This is lesson 1 of the course on Research Methodology conducted at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

1. EMGT 3172 (1:15)
B.A. (Special) Degree Program
Monday 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Hall: EML
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
P.B. Dharmasena
0777-613234, 0717-613234
dharmasenapb@ymail.com, dharmasenapb@gmail.com
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
P.B. Dharmasena
0777-613234, 0717-613234
dharmasenapb@ymail.com, dharmasenapb@gmail.com
https://independent.academia.edu/PunchiBandageDharmasena
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Punchi_Bandage_Dharmasena/contributions
http://www.slideshare.net/DharmasenaPb
LESSON
ONE

2. 1. INTRODUCTION - Research and research methodology,
characteristics of research, types of research, Steps
involved in the research process
2. SELECTION OF RESEARCH TOPIC - Importance of a
research programme, types of research topics, selecting
a research topic, criteria for selecting a research topic
3. ANALYSIS & PROBLEM STATEMENT- Analysis of a
problem, problem statement, points to be included in
the problem statement
4. LITERATURE REVIEW – Importance (why?), resources
available for a review, Recording information obtained
from literature
5. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES – Need, general and specific
objectives, specific objectives and hypotheses
COURSE CONTENT

3. 6. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - Questions to consider, various
components of the methods section
7. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION – Stages of data collection,
logistics, ensuring quality of data, types of data collection
methods, handling data
8. PARTICPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL – PRA techniques, types
and objectives, conducting PRA
9. WORKPLAN AND BUDGET - Components in work plan,
preparation of budget
10. WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL – Important sections,
logical approach
COURSE CONTENT

4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Learning objectives
• Define research and research
methodology
• Understand the characteristics of
research
• Identify the different types of
research
• Describe the components (steps)
involved in the research process
Lesson-1
LESSON
ONE
INTRODUCTION

5. Definition of Research
• Research is a scientific inquiry aimed at
learning new facts, testing ideas, etc. It is the
systematic collection, analysis and
interpretation of data to generate new
knowledge and answer a certain question or
solve a problem.
• Research – Systematic investigation to
establish facts
Lesson-1

6. Lesson-1
OBSERVATION SKILLS
Are You a Good Observer?

7. Lesson-1

8. Definition of Research Methodology
• Highly intellectual
human activity
used in the
investigation of
nature and
matter and deals
specifically with
the manner, in
which data is
collected
analyzed and
interpreted
Lesson-1
Hypothesis: Climate change
Prediction: Rainfall decreases
Observation: Long-term rainfall data
Test of prediction: Rainfall analysis

9. Characteristics of Research
• It demands a clear statement of the problem
• It requires a plan (it is not aimlessly “ looking”
for something in the hope that you will come
across a solution)
• It builds on existing data, using both positive
and negative findings
• New data should be collected as required and
be organized in such a way that they answer
the research question(s)
Lesson-1

10. TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. Descriptive research
2. Analytical research
3. Applied research
4. Basic research
5. Quantitative research
6. Qualitative research
7. Conceptual research

11. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
• Surveys & fact finding
inquiries of different kinds
• Purpose is description of
the state of affairs as it
exists at present.
• Researcher has no control
over the variables; he can
only report what has
happened or what is
happening.

12. Planning of Research
Library Research:
These studies rely on a Literature survey on the subject of research
and the use of logic and analysis of the obtained references, many
of these research studies are theoretical research known as office
studies or desk studies, where the researcher reads the old and
modern references on the subject and analyses them carefully.

13. Planning of Research
Field Research:
These studies rely on the collection of
samples outdoor, the researcher goes
down to the field and collects data
from a group or from a sample of the
population using tools such as:
observation , interview, questionnaire
etc.

14. Planning of Research
Exploratory Research:
This is a reconnaissance or
scouting as the name indicates.
The researcher explores the
circumstances surrounding the
event, and revealed aspects and
dimensions. This type of
research helps the researcher and
his colleagues in the formulation
of the problem of research and in
preparation of the drafting
precise discussion at a later
stage. they also assist researchers
in a research essay to assume
hypotheses to solve the problem.

15. SUBDIVISIONS OF DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
• Survey research
• The case study
• Job analysis
• Observational
research
• Correlation study
• Comparative study

16. Concept of Survey
• Surveying is an important tool
used in the exploratory and
descriptive research.
• The survey is known as the
scientific study of the conditions,
needs and problems in order to
provide a program for reform.
• This type does not consider the
problem in depth but gives a
general idea about the status and
not the deep analysis of each
sample.
• One of the advantages of a survey
is the accessibility to the data
required for the different variables
of the study, and it is an
appropriate strategy for data
relied upon relatively large
scientific community.

17. Some examples of Social Surveys
–In the study characteristics of the housing and
economic development of societies such as
(population , age, sex, type, family, children ... ).
–Study of the social and economic environment of
societies such as (income and living standards, and
the factors affecting the economic and social levels).
–Study of various activities of a group or society, such
as universities (kind of leisure activities , types of
newspapers and magazines read by them ... ).
–Study people's views and attitudes towards some of
the topics and political issues
–Study of crime in society and the characteristics and
types of edges, and the factors that cause them and
their consequences and /or the study of the best ways
of crime prevention and response.

18. Case Study
• A case study is the most used and effective
methodology in the Descriptive studies in which
the researcher is interested in the study of a unit
representing the rest of units.
• The case study approach, is concerned with all
aspects of the problem adopted on only one unit
or one position.
• A case study is the kind of in-depth examination
of the case by collecting information and data on
the status of one existing situation ,and past
experience and relationship with the
environment.

19. Application of Case Study
• In studying different and detailed characteristics of a certain situation in
the social, cultural, economic and scientific events
• In studying the evolutionary history of something (use of washing
substance)
• To know the truth about the internal life of a person as representative of
a group or community, and wishes to examine the motives and
problems as representative model for people in the same community
(case study of one drug addicts or criminals).
• The advantages of a case study is to provide information that may not
be provided with other tools.
• One drawback is the difficulty of the selection of the representative
unit (case) and the right way of compilation of data and the sentencing.
• The difficulty is also to apply all the findings to all other cases
“disseminate the results of one case”.

20. ANALYTICAL RESEARCH
• Involves in-depth study
and evaluation of
available information in
an attempt to explain
complex phenomenon.
• The researcher has to use
facts or information
already available and
analyze these to make a
critical evaluation of the
material.

21. APPLIED / ACTION RESEARCH
• Finding a
solution to an
immediate
problem based
on findings of
basic research,
principles,
theories and
experience

23. BASIC /PURE/ FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH
• Generalization and
with the formulation of
theory
• Natural phenomenon
and mathematics are
the examples of basic
research
• Finding information in
broad base.

24. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• Based on
measurement
of quantity or
amount
• Weighing,
measuring are
the examples
of quantitative
research

25. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
• Phenomena relating
quality or kind
• Character, personality
and man kind are the
examples of variable
used to measure the
qualitative research
• Word association test,
Sentence completion
test are the examples
of qualitative research

26. CONCEPTUAL / EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
• Related to some
abstract ideas /
theory
experiment
• Attempt to
establish cause
and effect
relationship

27. Research Process
1. Formulating a research problem
2. Conceptualizing a research
design
3. Constructing an instrument for
data collection
4. Selecting a sample
5. Writing a research proposal
6. Collecting data
7. Processing data
8. Writing a research report
WHAT?
HOW?
ACTUALLY
DOING
Lesson-1
Planning
Conducting
Decision