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Basic Terminology What is Research?
What is Science?
What is Technology?
What is Methodology?
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Why Methodology? Need for methodology for Research? • Science is a collection and observation of data for certain questions. • While to find answers to further the knowledge we need to have systematic and universal of • collecting and observing the data. If not, it is chaos.
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Why Methodology - II? If systematic methods are followed, it is easy to Predict events and behavior of the finding. Merits and demerits of the data we are confronted with every day will be tabulated and identified easily
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Types of Research BASIC: Foundation upon which the applications are built. It is not helpful for real world.
APPLIED: Related to finding solutions to the
practical problems to be used by real world.
Program Evaluation: of existing programs in
areas of education, criminal justice, etc., and determine the effectiveness of these programs. DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
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Evaluation Example For example - Does capital punishment work? Think of all the issues surrounding this program and how hard it is to examine its effectiveness. The most immediate issue, how do you define the purpose and "effectiveness" of capital punishment? If the purpose is to prevent convicted criminals from ever committing that same crime or any other crime, than capital punishment is an absolute - 100% effective. However, if the point of capital punishment is to deter would-be criminals from committing crimes, then it is a completely different story.
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Research Approach Gather data • Non Scientific Authority Figures : by Teachers Larger Brain = Greater Intelligence Intuition : women are romantic than men? • Scientific Approach Testable : God exists? Provable or Falsifiable : Easy to prove or disprove – God exists?
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Scientific Methodology Goals • 1) Description - the citing of the observable characteristics of an event, object, or individual. begin to transform it from a general concept or idea into a specific, testable construct.
• 2) Prediction - here we formulate testable predictions
or HYPOTHESES about behavior. For example, one may hypothesize that as alcohol consumption increases driving ability decreases. (usually based on THEORIES).
• 3) Select Methodology & Design - chose the most
appropriate research strategy to address hypotheses.
• 4) Control - method of eliminating all unwanted factors
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Scientific Methodology - II • 5) Collect Data - data collection is simply the execution and implementation of your research design. • 6) Analyze & Interpret the Data - use of statistical procedures to determine the mathematical and scientific importance ...discovery of the causes of behavior, cognition, and physiological processes. • 7) Report/Communicate the Findings - Psychology is a science that is based on sharing – Just finding answers to questions is meaningless -through publications in scientific journals, books, presentations, lectures, etc. December 2006 Research Methodology: Best Practices 9 “How to conduct” Methodology Observation of system (no intervention- just natural) Case study investigate, examine thoroughly Survey questionnaire, verbal interview Psychological Testing provide a test and then score the answers to draw conclusions from. I.Q. tests Experimental Research Cause & Effect December 2006 Research Methodology: Best Practices 10 Writing Assignments Essay /Term papers Dissertation – Theses Reports
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Assignments Not covered in the lecture Critically important area Search and select material Marshal thoughts Independent study (educational value) Unlike Essay: Exercise for exam paper. Not for public library. Both will have remarks (for remedial purpose) December 2006 Research Methodology: Best Practices 12 Thesis Higher Degree student Unlike Essay Culmination of REAL OWN WORK Study about new invention Or refine the existing solution Scholarly Style
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How thesis? Good research – marred by bad presentation Talks the requirements of the department Readability and simplicity Not pompous, ambiguous Standard format No personal pronouns December 2006 Research Methodology: Best Practices 14 How Thesis? Consistency in Language Past tense if talks about work already done No cramming of jargons No sweeping statements or exaggerated claims Wider scope Unlike assignment
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Planning Limit the scope of problem • Wheat example Choose topic More you know the subject, more you know the gap Detect the problems Does it make contribution? Will it solve by investigation? December 2006 Research Methodology: Best Practices 16 Planning - II Sources: • Personal Association with institute, professors Selection of area of research (8 points) • Is there adequate supervision? • Does it interest you? • Required time completion? • Equipment available? • Library ? • subjects available? • Is it scientific? • Is it fesible?
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Planning III Literature Review • Should continue till end • Should not replicate the old • Lead to ideally new and original • Review relevant sources • Tertiary = Book etc • Secondary = Abstracts, encyclopedia, articles • Primary = Journals, Doctoral thesis
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Planning IV What to study (review)? • Two ways Empirical = experimental , Science Analytical = Arts • Common elements of Study • Clear statement of problem (hypothesis) • Statement of assumptions • Statement of limitation • Clear Definition of newer terms • Appropriateness of research • Description of samples • Control of errors (laboratory experiment) • Validity
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Planning - V Chapter sample • Introduction Problem statement Significance of study Limits of study • Conclusion Recommendation Directions of future research Claims
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CASE STUDY Do we need Computers?
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GENERAL FORMAT The thesis format may include • Preliminaries Title Page Preface + acknowledgement Table of content List of Tables List of Figures/Plates/Illustrations • Main Text Introduction Main body of thesis divided by Chapters Conclusion • Reference Bibliography Appendices Index if any
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B. and Are Forgiven by Their Followers and Are Forgiven by Their Followers Conj. F P C Re - Od - Sidue Textual Theme Rheme Verbal Behavioral Process Behaver Indicative: Declarative Proposition