MECK KIMARIO

QUESTION: With examples, identify and account for approaches of research. INTRODUCTION The definition of research includes any gathering of data, information, and facts for the advancement of knowledge. Another definition of research is given by John W. Creswell, who states that research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue". It consists of three steps: pose a question, collect data to answer the question, and present an answer to the question. Also the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines research in more detail as "a studious inquiry or examination; especially investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of "In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information, and facts for the advancement of knowledge. Amsterdam, (Antill, 1985). There are various types of research such as applied Research, problem oriented research, Problem solving, quantitative Research, qualitative Research. Also Research can be classified in many different ways on the basis of the methodology of research, the knowledge it creates, the user group, the research problem it investigates. Basic Research, This research is conducted largely for the enhancement of knowledge, and is research which does not have immediate commercial potential. The research which is done for human welfare, animal welfare and plant kingdom welfare it is called basic, pure, fundamental research. The main motivation here is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent something. According to Travers, “Basic Research is designed to add to an organized body of scientific knowledge and does not necessarily produce results of immediate practical value.” Such a research is time and cost intensive. (Antill, 1985). Applied Research, Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. The goal of applied research is to improve the human condition. It focuses on analysis and solving social and real life problems. This research is generally conducted on a large scale basis and is expensive. As such, it is often conducted with the support of some financing agency like the national government, public corporation, World Bank, UNICEF, UGC, Etc. According to Hunt, “applied research is an investigation for ways of using scientific knowledge to solve practical problems” for example:- improve agriculture crop production, treat or cure a specific disease, improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, how can communication among workers in large companies be improved? Applied research can be further classified as problem oriented and problem solving research. Boland, R. J. (1985). Phenomenology Problem oriented research; Research is done by industry apex body for sorting out problems faced by all the companies. Example World Trade Organization (WTO) does problem oriented research for developing countries, in India agriculture and processed food export development authority (APEDA) conduct regular research for the benefit of agri-industry. Problem solving, this type of research is done by an individual company for the problem faced by it. Marketing research and market research are the applied research. For example Videocon international conducts research to study customer satisfaction level; it will be problem solving research. In short, the main aim of problem solving research is to discover some solution for some pressing practical problem. (Boland, 1985). Quantitative Research, This research is based on numeric figures or numbers. Quantitative research aim to measure the quantity or amount and compares it with past records and tries to project for future period. In social sciences, “quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships”. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories or hypothesis pertaining to phenomena. (Miles & Huberman, 1994). The process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides fundamental connection between empirical observation and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships. Statistics is the most widely used branch of mathematics in quantitative research. Statistical methods are used extensively with in fields such as economics and commerce. Qualitative Research, Qualitative research presents non-quantitative type of analysis. Qualitative research is collecting, analyzing and interpreting data by observing what people do and say. Qualitative research refers to the meanings, definitions, characteristics, symbols, metaphors, and description of things. Qualitative research is much more subjective and uses very different methods of collecting information, mainly individual, in-depth interviews and focus groups. (Strauss, 1987). The nature of this type of research is exploratory and open ended. Small number of people are interviewed in depth and or a relatively small number of focus groups are conducted. Qualitative research can be further classified in the following type phenomenology, thnography,case study, Grounded theory, and Historical research: THE IMPORTANCES OF RESEARCH A Tool for Building Knowledge and Efficient Learning, Research is required not just for students and academics, but for all professionals. It is also important for budding and veteran writers, both offline and online. Among professionals and scribes, finding an interesting topic to discuss and/or to write about should go beyond personal experience. Determining either what the general public may want to know about or what researchers want others to realize or to think about can serve as a reason to do research. The Brain Research Trust acknowledges the importance of research. Undoubtedly, it is crucial to finding possible cures for diseases, as well as how to prevent them. Thus, research becomes a must to ascertain if one’s ideas are supported by previous studies or if these ideas still need proof to be considered as knowledge. (Kaplan, 1988). Means to Understand Various Issues, Television shows and movies ooze with research - both on the part of the writer(s) and the actors. Though there are hosts who rely on their researchers, there are also those who exert effort to do their own research. This helps them get information that hired researchers missed, build a good rapport with the interviewee, and conduct a good interview in the process. For their part, some film and TV actors would take time to interview detectives, boxers, scientists, business people, criminals, and teachers, among others. Others would even immerse themselves in situations that would make them understand social and personal issues like living behind bars or in a drug rehabilitation center. Many would read literature, biographies, or journals to have a better view or context of the story. (Boland, 1985). Scientists also deal with research to test the validity and reliability of their claims or those of other scientists'. Their integrity and competence depend on the quality - and not just quantity - of their research. Nonetheless, not everything scientists come up with get accepted or learned by everyone, especially when factors like religion, state suppression, and access to resources and social services (e.g., education and adequate health programs) either feed the poor majority with lies or deter them from knowing truths to preserve the status quo. Professional and credible journalists undertake thorough research to establish the veracity of their stories. The movie "Shattered Glass" shown in 2003 tells the rise-and-fall story of a real-life journalist who used to work for the long running. The New Republic based in New York City. Sans investigative research done by fellow journalists, Stephen Glass could have written more fictitious pieces for said editorial magazine. With the use of internet technology and social media, pseudo journalism has become a social concern. (Strauss, 1987). TO IDENTIFY THE APPROACHES OF RESEARCH From various types of research conceptual, empirical, applied, fundamental and descriptive or analytical specifically, qualitative and quantitative are considered to be the main approaches to research undertaking Qualitative Approach, This involve peoples perceptions of the world such a as individuals and groups. Also the approach concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions and behaviour whereas research in function of researchers insights and impressions. Such an approach to research generates results either in non quantitative form or in the form which are not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis. (Kaplan, 1988). Quantitative Approach, The approach seek to gather factual data and to study relationships between facts and how such facts and relationships accord with theories and the findings of any excited previously. Scientific techniques are used to obtain measurements in form of quantified data. Analysis of data normally yields quantified results and conclusions derived from evaluation of the results in the light of the theory and literature. Also the approach involves generalization of data in a quantitative form and subjected to quantitative analysis in a formal or rigid fashion. This can further be classified into three sub categories such as; inferential approach, OK approach and simulation approach. (Miles, 1994). FEATURES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH Control, this is the most important element because it enables the scientist to identify the causes of his or her observations. Experiments are conducted in an attempt to answer certain questions. They represent attempts to identify why something happens, what causes some event, or under what conditions an event does occur. . (Kaplan, 1988). Control is necessary in order to provide unambiguous answers to such questions. To answer questions in education and social science we have to eliminate the simultaneous influence of many variables to isolate the cause of an effect. Factual data and operational definition, this means that terms must be defined by the steps or operations used to measure them. Such a procedure is necessary to eliminate any confusion in meaning and communication. However, starting an operational definition forces one to identify the empirical referents, or terms in this manner, ambiguity is minimized. Again, introversion may be defined as a score on a particular personality scale, hunger as so many hours since last fed, and social class as defined by occupation. (Bernard, 1989). Replication, to be replicable, the data obtained in an experiment must be reliable; that is, the same result must be found if the study is repeated. If observations are not repeatable, our descriptions and explanations are thought to be unreliable. This made quantitative research to have what so-called universality characters as data are consistent even though they may be carried out in other places but under same circumstances or conditions. Hypothesis Testing, The systematic creation of a hypothesis and subjecting it to an empirical test. Quantitative research consists of those studies in which the data concerned can be analyzed in terms of numbers the term suggests, concerned with the collection and analysis of data in numeric form. It tends to emphasize relatively large-scale and representative sets of data, and is often, falsely in our view, presented or perceived as being about the gathering of `facts. (Punch, 1998). KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Events can be understood adequately only if they are seen in context. Therefore, a qualitative researcher immerses her/himself in the setting. The contexts of inquiry are not contrived; they are natural. Nothing is predefined or taken for granted, in this approach belief opinion and alike are invested, since data are not structured but tend to be detailed and rich in scope and content. Interactive process, qualitative researchers want those who are studied to speak for themselves, to provide their perspectives in words and other actions. Therefore, qualitative research is an interactive process in which the persons studied teach the researcher about their lives through various ways such as questionnaires and after then the researcher will reach the intended or expected outcome through interactions with variables. (Delamont, 1992). Understanding experiences, qualitative researchers attend to the experience as a whole, not as separate variables. The aim of qualitative research is to understand experience as unified. Qualitative implies a direct concern with experience as it is `lived' or `felt' or `undergone' ... Qualitative research, then, has the aim of understanding experience as nearly as possible as its participants feel it or live it. (Punch, 1998) Subjectivity, the approach is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes opinion and behavior hence requires researchers’ insight and impression so as to pin objectivity. Generally the technique such as focus group interviews, projective techniques and depth interview are largely used. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE APPROACHES OF RESEARCH Both approaches can be used for testing hypothesis, Whilst quantitative research may be mostly used for testing theory it can also be used for exploring an area and generating hypotheses and theory. Similarly qualitative research can be used for testing hypotheses and theories even though it is mostly used for theory generation. Both approaches involves the collection of data, in the qualitative research the qualitative data are often includes quantification that is statements such as more than, less than, most as well as specific numbers. Similarly to quantitative research whereby quantitative methods like questionnaire approaches can be used for collection of qualitative data through open ended questions. (Bernard, 1989). Relationship between macro and micro levels, employing both quantitative and qualitative research may provide a means of bridging the macro-micro gulf. Qualitative research can tap large-scale structural features of social life while qualitative research tends to address small-scale behavioral aspects. The findings from one type of study can be checked against the findings deriving from the other type. (Punch, 1998). For example the results of a qualitative investigation might be checked against a quantitative study. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE APPROACHES OF RESEARCH Quantitative research is concerned with the collection and analysis of data in numeric form. It tends to emphasize relatively large-scale and representative sets of data, and is often, falsely in our view, presented or perceived as being about the gathering of `facts'. While the qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with collecting and analyzing information in as many forms, chiefly non-numeric, as possible. It tends to focus on exploring, in as much detail as possible, smaller numbers of instances or examples which are seen as being interesting or illuminating, and aims to achieve `depth' rather than `breadth'. (Blaxter, 1996). Qualitative research is harder, more stressful and more time-consuming than other types. Whatever finished quickly and easily do straightforward questionnaires study. Qualitative research is only suitable for people who care about it, take it seriously, and are prepared for commitment (Delamont, 1992). Contrary to the quantitative research as it based more directly on its original plans and its results are more readily analyzed and interpreted hence it simple and non-time consuming. In qualitative research, contexts, situations, events, conditions and interactions cannot be replicated to any extent nor can generalizations be made to a wider context than the one studied with any confidence. While in quantitative research the context, events and conditions are replicable that is great ability to produce causality statements, through the use of controlled experiments. Bernard, 1989). The work of the research process of the qualitative approach of research is often inductive that is the characterized by the inference of general laws from particular instances or makes broad generalizations from specific observations. Contrary to the quantitative approach of research of which is primarily deductive that’s characterized by or based on the inference of particular instances from a general law and logical process in which a conclusion is based on the concordance of multiple premises that are generally assumed to be true. REFERENCES Antill, L. (1985). Selection of a Research Method. Research Methods in Information Systems. Amsterdam, Elisiver Science Publishers. Bernard, H. (1989). Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, London, Sage Blaxter, L. & at el. (1996). How to Research, Buckingham, Open University Press Boland, R. J. (1985). Phenomenology: A Preferred Approach to Research on Information Systems. Research Methods in Information Systems. E. Mumford, G. Fitzgerald, R. A. Hirschheim and A. T. Wood-Harper. Amsterdam, Elisiver Science Publishers. Delamont, S. (1992). Fieldwork in Educational Setting: Method, Pitfalls and Perspectives, London, Falmer. Kaplan, B. and D. Duchon (1988). "Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Information Systems Research: A Case Study." MIS Quarterly 12 (4): 570-586. Miles, M. B. and A. M. Huberman (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, California, Sage Publications. Punch, K. (1998). Introduction To Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative