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THE RESEARCH PROCESS
The research process
Undertaking a research is similar to a journey that
demands two important decisions:
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO FIND OUT ABOUT (research
problem)

HOW TO GO ABOUT FINDING THE ANSWERS
(research design). This is where your knowledge base of
the research methods plays a very crucial role.

STEPS IN RESEARCH PROCESS
1. Formulating the Research Problem
2. Extensive Literature Review
3. Developing the objectives
4. Preparing the Research Design including Sample Design
5. Devising the research instrument
6. Collecting the Data
7. Analysis of Data
8. Generalisation and Interpretation
9. Preparation of the Report or Presentation of Results-
Formal write ups
FORMULATING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
the first and most crucial step in the research process
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Main function is to decide what you want to find out
about.
The way problems are formulated determines
almost every step that follows.
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
NATIONAL AND SOCIAL CONCERNS
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

In social sciences, research revolves around four Ps
People
Problems
Programs
Phenomena
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
EXPERIENCE work on something related to your
personal and professional background
DEDUCTION FROM THEORIES testing if the theory
work in a particular setting
PREVIOUS STUDIES related literature identifies
research gaps what has been done and what needs
to be done

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HOW TO LOOK FOR RESEARCH PROBLEM
Look for gaps/deficiencies/gray areas
Watch out for incongruence and contradictions

CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING RESEARCH PROBLEM
Interest: One should select topic of great interest
to sustain the required motivation.

Magnitude: It is extremely important to select a topic
that you can manage within the time and resources at
your disposal. Narrow the topic down to something
manageable, specific and clear.
CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING RESEARCH PROBLEM
Measurement of concepts: Make sure that you are
clear about the indicators and measurement of
concepts (if used) in your study.

Level of expertise: Make sure that you have
adequate level of expertise for the task you are
proposing since you need to do the work yourself.
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Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing
body of knowledge, bridges current gaps and is useful
in policy formulation.
CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING RESEARCH PROBLEM
Availability of data: Before finalizing the topic, make
sure that data are available.

Ethical issues: How ethical issues can affect the study
population and how ethical problems can be overcome
should be thoroughly examined at the problem
formulating stage.
References cited:
Adanza, E. et al.2009. Methods of Research: A primer
Roguel, S. 2004. Essentials of Research
Research Methodology. Retrieved 2012 April from
http://www.ihmctan.edu/PDF/notes/Research_Methodolo
gy.pdf