Lecture 1 - Introduction

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

Introduction Everywhere our knowledge is incomplete

and problems are waiting to be solved. We address the void in our knowledge, and those unresolved problems, by asking relevant questions and seeking answers to them.

The role of research is to provide a method for obtaining those answers by inquiring studying the facts, within the parameters of the scientific method.

Operational Definition ‘… that makes an original intellectual or creative

contribution to the discipline’.

‘… is the development of new knowledge or understanding in order to advance’.

‘… creating and communicating knowledge’.

The Nature of Research Systematic-identification by design, collecting

data and evaluation of the problem

Logical-to evaluate the conclusions drawn

Empirical-data on which to base decisions

Reductive-data uses them to establish general relationships

Replicable-to test the findings or for future research

Research on human nature;

- no two persons are alike.

- no one person are completely consistent.

- human are influenced by the research.

- lack of adequate definition.

Maximum Uncertainty Minimum uncertainty

BackgroundTheory

FocalTheory

DataTheory

Contribution

Writing up

Phase 1Phase 2 Phase 3

Proposal Viva

Stages

Field ofInterest

Possibletopics

ThesisProposal

Pilo

t Stu

dy

DataCollection

Time scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Tujuan Penyelidikan

Memperoleh sumber pengetahuan yang sah, boleh dipercayai, saintifik dan logik.

Mendapatkan bukti bagi keraguan.

Membetulkan stereotaip, tradisi dan kepercayaan yang tidak benar.

Alat ramalan kewujudan sesuatu fenomena.

Alat penjelasan terhadap sesuatu fenomena, perbezaan, hubungan dsbnya.

Research Continuum Basic research – deals with theoretical problems

Applied research- to address to immediate problems

Disciplined Inquiry Think systematically (scientific)

about thinking

Deductive – moving from the general assumption to a specific application

Inductive – moving from specific observations to generalizations

Using a Inductive and deductive Reasoning

Theory

More general explanation

The Ho together

More general explanation

Ho Ho Ho Ho

ObsObs Obs Obs Obs Obs

Begin with observations

ObsObs

Theory

Postulate Postulate Postulate Postulate

Replication of results lead to formulation of law

HoHo Ho HoHoHo

Comparison with reality

Inkuiri Penyelidikan

Kaedah Positivis

- menekankan ketepatan bukti penyelidikan menggunakan analisis numerikal.

Kaedah Interpretif

- menghuraikan fenomena menggunakan data verbal.

Kaedah Kritikal

- membaiki keadaan sosial dan kemanusiaan.

Science? A process of careful and systematic inquiry.

An approach to the gathering of knowledge.

2 primary functions

i. the development of theory;

ii. testing of substantive hypothesis deduced from theory.

Unscientific Versus Scientific Methods of Problem Solving

Tenacity/beliefs

Intuition

Authority

The rationalistic method

The empirical method (based on objective observations)

Step 1: Developing the problem

Step 2: Formulating hypotheses

Step 3: Gathering data

Step 4: Analyzing and Interpreting Results

Alternative Forms of Scientific Inquiry

Systematic Observation

Scientific method

Single case study

Shared experience

Introspection

Intuition

Don’t Know

Damn konfident

DK THEORY

Role of theory An attempt to develop a general explanation for

some phenomena

Defines non-observable constructs that are inferred from observable facts and events that thought to have an effect

Establishes a cause-and-effect relationships

Describes the relationships among key variables or explaining a current state or predicting future occurrences.

Hypothesis A formal affirmative statement predicting a single

research outcome; a tentative explanation of the relationship between two or more variables.

Deduced from theory or induced from empirical studies based upon logical reasoning.

Operationally defined.

The Null hypothesis relates to a statistical method of interpreting

conclusions about population characteristics.

used primarily in statistical test for the reliability of the results that there are no differences among treatments (or no relationships among variables).

Variable Independent – that the researcher is manipulating; also

called the experimental or treatment variable

Dependent – the effect of the independent variable

Control – a factor that could influence the results

Categorical –cannot be manipulated

Moderator

Extraneous – that could affect between IV and DV

Validity Ecological – to the extent research emulates the real

world.

Internal - the results can be attributed to the treatments used in the study.

External – the generalizability of the results of the study.

Operational Definition Observable phenomenon that enables the researcher

to empirically test whether or not the predicted outcomes can be supported.

Sampling To draw valid inferences on the basis careful

observation of small proportion of the population.

A population is any group of individuals who has one or more characteristics in common

A sample is a small proportion of a population selected for observation and analysis.

Randomness Selecting (who) are representatives of the

population

Equating experimental and control groups (equal independent chance of being assigned to each of the groups).

Simple random sampling

Systematic sample; Cluster sample

Non-probability samples

Sample size

Significance of the Study The Need for the Study

Importance of the Study

Rationale of the Study

Delimitations and Limitations Limitation – possible short coming or influence that

either cannot be controlled or is the result of the delimitations imposed the researcher.

Delimitations – a limitation imposed in the scope of the study; a choice the researcher makes to define a workable research problem.

Lecture 1 – Part B

Dimension I : Why? Discovery of new information and the resolving of old

problems.

Powers the world.

The ways in which we proceed to solve problems (methodology).

Purposes of Research Basic research / fundamentals – leads to knowledge

for knowledge’s sake; development and testing of theories.

Applied research – improving a product or process; to develop generalizations.

Types (classified/approach) of Educational Research Historical research – what was?

Descriptive research – what is?

Experimental research – what will be?

Actions research – focus on immediate application; local settings; to improve practices.

Dimension II : Steps1. Beginning with a problem.

2. Data relating to the problem. That was fact.

3. Rationalization, guess: logical reasoning; a hypothesis.

4. Another fact.

5. Confirmed the hypothesis

6. The problem was resolved.

Procedure/steps1. It originates with a problem

2. It ends with a conclusion

3. Process based upon observable facts [data]

4. It is logical

5. It is orderly

6. It is guide by a reasonable guess.

7. It confirms or rejects the reasonable guess

8. Conclusions on basis of the data, only data

9. Conclusion of the problem.

Basic Pure Research Subjective.

The skills of articulation.

Planning; how might be accomplished.

Problems and sub-problems.

Through appropriate hypotheses.

Assumptions provide the foundations.

Data - specific and measurable.

By its nature, is circular.

Research Process

Reading Relevant Literature

Theoretical Empirical

Problem

Hypothesis

Method

Participants – Data Collection – Procedures - Design

Findings

Discussion

Data collection & Analysis

Operational definitions

Inductive reasoningDeductive reasoning

Dimension III : What is Research The systematic and objectives analysis and recording

of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events [in education].

Quality Research Efforts .. Identification and delimitation of a problem. Searching, reviewing, and effectively writing about

relevant literature. Specifying and defining testable hypotheses Designing the research. Selecting, describing, testing, and treating the

participants. Analyzing and reporting the results. Discussing the meaning and implications of the

findings.

Dimension IV : Where ? Indexes

Citation

Abstracts

Volumes

Net

Journal

Reviews e.g Review of Educational Research

7 Areas of Scientific Dishonesty1. Plagiarism

2. Fabrication and Falsification

3. Non-publication of Data

4. Faulty Data-Gathering Procedures

5. Poor Data Storage and Retention

6. Misleading Authorship

7. Unacceptable Publication Practices

Aspek Etika Penyelidikan Penyertaan sukarela

Penentuan diri

Kecederaan/keselamatan fizikal/psikologi

Identiti pengkaji

Rahsia peribadi

Tanpa nama

Perjanjian sulit

Pengabaui tujuan

Hak cipta

Kod Etika Penyelidikan Nilai

Kesedaran Diri

Profesionalisme

Kebolehpercayaan

Panduan disiplin

Human Participants The right to privacy or nonparticipation.

The right to remain anonymous.

The right to confidentiality.

The right to expect experimenter responsibility.

Chapter 1 - Introduction1.1 Introduction

1.2 Background of the Study

1.3 Statement of the Problem

1.4 Conceptual Framework

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Aim of the Study

1.6 Objectives of the Study

1.7 Research Hypotheses

1.8 Operational Definition

1.9 Significance of the Study

1.10 Limitations / Delimitations of the Study

Bab 1 Pengenalan1.1 Pendahuluan

1.2 Latar belakang Kajian

1.3 (Kerangka Konseptual Kajian)

1.4 Pernyataan Masalah

1.5 Soalan Kajian

1.6 Tujuan Kajian

1.7 Objektif Kajian

1.8 Hipotesis Kajian

1.9 Definisi Operasional

1.10 Signifikan Kajian/ Kepentingan Kajian

1.11 Limitasi/ Delimitasi Batasan Kajian

Examples of Good Intro General introduction – In recent years there has been

growing ….

Background information – There has been considerable speculation about why…

Lead-In – One important area of inquiry, therefore, is to identify …

Tools of Research1. The library and its resources.

2. Techniques of measurement.

3. Statistics.

4. The computer and its software.

5. Facility with language.

Study Q11. Look through some recent issues of a selected

journals. Find and read a research article of interest that is quantitative in nature and another that you think is qualitative. Which of these did you find easier to understand? Why?

2. Find a article that you would classify as an applied research study or a more basic research study. Defend your choices.

3. Think of 2 problems needing a research and suggest how each problem might be researched.