Defination, types, importance of research methods. Characteristics, methods of research, Qualitative & Quantitative research, Objectives of research, difference of research methods, research in pharmacy, criteria for good research
3. ď Thirst for knowledge through objectives
ď A particular way of studying something in order to
discover new information about it or understand it
better using scientific methods
ď A systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict and
control the observed phenomenon. Research is an
organized and systematic way to find answers to
questions
ď Research is a creative processâŚâŚ.
4. ď Research is done with the help of study, experiment,
observation, analysis, comparison, and reasoning.
ď Research is in fact ubiquitous.
e.g. We know that cigarette smoking is injurious to
health; heroine is addictive; cow dung is a useful source of
biogas; malaria is due to the virus protozoan plasmodium;
AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) is due to
the virus HIV (Human Immuno Deficiency Virus).
How did we know all these?
ď We became aware of all these information only through
research.
ď More precisely, it seeks predictions of events,
explanations, relationships and theories for them.
5. Engineering Research
Engineering research is based on the principles of
scientific research which, in turn, are based on the
scientific method, in which observations
(experiments), theories, calculations and models
are derived from the existing body of scientific
knowledge and verified independently by others
who are experts in the field (peer reviewer).
6. ď
ď To discover new facts
ď To verify and test important facts
ď To analyze an event or process or phenomenon to
identify the cause and effect relationship
ď To develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories
to solve and understand scientific and nonscientific
problems
ď To overcome or solve the problems occurring in our
every day life.
Prime objectives of research
7. ďSome of the motivations are the following:
ď To get a research degree (Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)) along with its benefits
like better employment, promotion, increment in salary, etc.
ď To get a research degree and then to get a teaching position in a college or
university or become a scientist in a research institution
ď To get a research position in other countries and settle there
ď To solve the unsolved and challenging problems
ď To get joy of doing some creative work
ď To acquire respectability
ď To get recognition
ď Curiosity to find out the unknown facts of an event
ď Curiosity to find new things
ď To serve the society by solving social problems.
What Makes People do Research?
9. ď
Criteria for developing a good research
question
ďFeasible
ďInteresting
ďNovel
ďEthical
ďRelevant
10. ď
Research methods are the strategies,
processes or techniques utilized in the
collection of data or evidence for analysis
in order to uncover new information or
create better understanding of a topic.
What are research methods?
11. ď
ďResearch involves inductive and deductive
methods.
ďInductive research methods are used to analyze
the observed phenomenon whereas, deductive
methods are used to verify the observed
phenomenon.
ďInductive approaches are associated with
qualitative research and deductive methods are
more commonly associated with quantitative
research
Research methods
14. ď
Qualitative Research
ď Qualitative Research gathers data about lived
experiences, emotions or behaviors, and the meanings
individuals attach to them. It assists in enabling
researchers to gain a better understanding of complex
concepts, social interactions or cultural phenomena.
ď Peopleâs judgements, feelings of comfort, emotions,
ideas, beliefs etc. can only be described in words. These
record qualities rather than quantities, hence they are
called qualitative data
15. ď
ď This type of research is useful in the exploration of how or why
things have occurred, interpreting events and describing actions.
ď E.g. Explaining how digestion of food takes place in our body is
a qualitative description. It does not involve any numbers or
data and quantities.
ď The detection of a particular compound is a qualitative analysis.
This can be done by carrying out physical or chemical tests.
Qualitative Research
16. ďď This is a non- statistical research method.
ď Qualitative research is heavily dependent on the
experience of the researchers and the questions used
to probe the sample.
ď The sample size is usually restricted to 6-10 people in
a sample. Open-ended questions are asked in a
manner that one question leads to another. The
purpose of asking open-ended questions is to gather
as much information as possible from the sample.
Characteristics of
Qualitative Research
17. ď
ď It is non-numerical, descriptive, applies reasoning
and uses words.
ď Its aim is to get the meaning, feeling and describe the
situation.
ď Qualitative data cannot be graphed.
ď It is exploratory.
ď It investigates the why and how of decision making.
Characteristics of
Qualitative Research
18. ď Issues can be examined in detail and depth.
ď The researcher is not restricted to specific questions or
lists.
ď The research framework and direction can be quickly
revised as new information emerges.
ď Methods are adaptable for use with a wide range of
subjects. For example, visual representation and mapping
exercises can be done with people with low levels of
literacy.
ď Data collection can be more informal, relaxed, and fun,
which encourages subjects to participate in the research.
ď Research can be done with an analytical mind along with
pen and paper. Computer skills may not be needed.
20. ď
Qualitative methods used
for data collection
ď Observations: On-site, in-context or role-play options.
ď Interviews: these can be structured, semi-structured or
unstructured in-depth sessions with the researcher and
a participant.
ď Focus groups: with several participants discussing a
particular topic or a set of questions. Researchers can
be facilitators or observers.
ď Surveys or questionnaires: which ask the same
questions to large numbers of participants
21. ď
Quantitative Research
ď Deal with numbers and anything that can be dealt with a
measurable form, in a systematic way of investigating the
phenomenon. It is used to answer questions in terms of
justifying relationships with measurable variables to
either explain, predict or control a phenomenon.
ď E.g. Determination of exact amount of a particular
compound present in a volume is essentially quantitative
analysis. This can be done by volumetric, gravimetric and
colorimetric methods or instrumental methods.
ď Experimental and simulation studies are generally
quantitative research.
22. ď
ď Gathers numerical data which can be ranked, measured or
categorized through statistical analysis.
ď Assists with uncovering patterns or relationships, and for
making generalizations.
ď This type of research is useful for finding out how many,
how much, how often, or to what extent.
ď It is an iterative process whereby evidence is evaluated. The
goal of quantitative method is to determine whether
predictive generalization of theory hold is true.
ď The results are often presented in tables and graphs.
ď It is conclusive.
Characteristics of
Quantitative Research
23. ď
Quantitative methods for data
collection
ď Experiments: testing hypotheses in laboratories, testing cause
and effect relationships, through field experiments, or via
quasi- or natural experiments.
ď Surveys or questionnaires: which ask the same questions to
large numbers of participants or use Likert scales which
measure opinions as numerical data.
ď Observation: which can either involve counting the number
of times a specific phenomenon occurs, or the coding of
observational data in order to translate it into numbers.
ď Document screening: sourcing numerical data from financial
reports or counting word occurrences.
24. ď
Mixed Methods Research
ď Integrates both Qualitative and Quantitative
Research.
ď It provides a holistic approach combining and
analyzing the statistical data with deeper
contextualized insights.
ď Enables Triangulation, or verification, of the data
from two or more sources.
ď E.g: You can interview a selection of participants
from those you have surveyed to determine why
they answered in a particular manner.
25. ď
Qualitative vs quantitative
ďQualitative means focusing on qualities â
usually with small samples studied in depth
ďQuantitative usually means statistical â often
with large samples
ďDisadvantage with qualitative approaches is
that case(s) studied may be untypical and canât
be used for statistical generalisation
ďDisadvantage with statistical approaches is that
the data on each case is often very superficial
26. ď If one wishes to investigate why certain data
are random then it is a qualitative research. If
the aim is to study how random the data is,
what is the mean, variance and distribution
function then it becomes quantitative.
ď Often best to use both approaches. This is
known as âmixed methodsâ
ď Qualitative research is exploratory i.e.
hypothesis-generating while quantitative
research is more focused and aims to test
hypotheses
