What is Research?

(part 1)

• Research Approaches
RESEARCH • Qualitative Research
METHODOLOGIES – Aimed at exploring
p g and understanding
g
meanings and experience
• Quantitative Research
DR IMRAN SHAFI – Tries to measure variables

1 MAR 2011

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Assignment 2 Qualitative research

• Assignment 2 is uploaded
– Write a review on Article by Garfield on Impact
Factor
• Explores attitudes, behaviour and
experiences through such methods as
interviews or focus groups.
p to g
• It attempts get an in-depth
p opinion
p from
participants. As it is attitudes, behaviour and
experiences which are important, fewer
people take part in the research, but the
contact with these people tends to last a lot
longer.

IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM

What is Research?
Quantitative research (part 1)
• Generates statistics through the use of large-
scale survey research, using methods such • Quantitative Research
as questionnaires or structured interviews. – data is often used to verify an existing theory,
and the hypothesis is formulated at the
pp yyou on
• If a market researcher has stopped beginning of the research
the streets, or you have filled in a • Qualitative Research
questionnaire which has arrived through the – an initial hypothesis may be formulated at the
post, this falls under the umbrella of beginning (can not be verified)
quantitative research. – and the data collected is often used to evolve an
on-going hypothesis

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1
 What is Research? What is Research?
(part 1) (part 1)

• Qualitative Research • The Quantitative Approach

“May be seen as a process of constant • Individual points raised may be lost in the
comparison,
p and the analysis
y of collected analysis
y
data to prove or disprove a hypothesis is • The Qualitative Approach
not necessarily the last stage of the
• Individual viewpoints are more likely to be
research”
expanded and focussed upon

IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM

What is Research? What is Research?

(part 1) (part 1)

• Types of Research • Exploratory Research

• Exploratory • Simple Research -
• “Do women eat more chocolate then men?”
• Descriptive
• Complex Research
• Predictive • The search for a vaccine for HIV
• Explanatory • The search for new ways to store information to
• Action support A.I.
(I.e. “If the information is stored as x,y,z, does the
computer appear to think?”)

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What is Research? What is Research?

(part 1) (part 1)

• Descriptive Research • Explanatory Research

• Computer Related Example - • Commonly used in fields such as -
• An examination of how p
people
p interact with • Social sciences ((e.g.
g health statistics))
computers today as opposed to 5 or 10 years ago • Life sciences (e.g. crime patterns)
• Computer Related Example -
• The use of computer simulation modelling
(e.g. manufacturing design layouts, pollution studies, traffic
flow studies etc.)

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2
 What is Research? What is Research?
(part 1) (part 1)

• Possible Reasons for Undertaking

• Action Research Research
• Possible Computer Related Example - • For interest or excitement
• The use of Neural Networks to monitor vibration • For personal satisfaction
frequencies and sound alarms or shut down • For fame or fortune
machinery • To gain higher qualifications
• To account for contradictory findings and fill gaps in
knowledge
• For the advancement of science
• For the good of mankind and our children’s future

IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM

What is Research? What is Research?

(part 1) (part 1)

Development
• A More Fundamental Reason for
Undertaking Research -
• The potential benefits it can bring
– More jobs Research

IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM

What is Research? What is Research?

(part 1) (part 1)

Development Development

Investment in Investment in
Innovation Innovation
Research Research

New Products
and Practices

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3
 What is Research? What is Research?
(part 1) (part 1)

Development Development

Investment in Investment in
Innovation Innovation
Research Research

New Products New Products

and Practices and Practices
Increased
Increased Investment Increased
Consumer Consumer
Company Pleasure Company Pleasure
Profits Profits

IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM

What is Research? What is Research?

(part 1) (part 1)

Higher Gross Development Higher Gross Development

National Profit National Profit

More Goods More Goods

Investment in Investment in
Innovation Innovation
More Jobs More Jobs
Research Research

New Products New Products

and Practices and Practices
Increased Increased
Investment Increased Investment Increased
Consumer Consumer
Company Pleasure Company Pleasure
Profits Profits

IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM IUIC Dr. Jamil Ahmad RM

What is Research? What is Research?

(part 1) (part 1)

• The Primary Negative Factor • We have covered in Part 1

• The initial cost of carrying out the research • The meaning of research
• Other Negative Factors • The difference between quantitative and qualitative
• It’s been done before research
• Lack of necessary skills • Different types of research
• Not enough time • Why research is necessary
• Unlikely to be a success
• Lack of recognition

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