Research Methodology The research methodology is the systematic, theoretical analysis of the procedures applied to a field of study (Kothari, 2004). It involves procedures of describing, explaining and predicting phenomena so as to solve a problem; it is the ‘hows’; the process or techniques of conducting research. A Methodology does not set out to provide solutions but offers the
View Article...Monthly Archives: August 2012
Month: August 2012 Research Designs: Experimental Research Designs
There are as many types of research designs as there are types of research. For the purpose of this guide, this section provides an overview of the major types of research and designs that are commonly adopted by the students of research and practitioners. The designs are broadly classified into two: descriptive and Experimental research designs. Experimental Research
View Article...Month: August 2012 Non-experimental Research Designs
Besides experimental research designs (which rely more on random and laboratory controls), there are other types of research and designs which are more descriptive and may not necessarily rely on random and laboratory controls. These include but not limited to Case study research design, Content Analysis research design , Causal Comparative (Ex Post Facto) research design, Ethnographical Research Design, Grounded Theory
View Article...Month: August 2012 Non-experimental Research Designs – continued
Grounded Theory Research Design According to Creswell (2003), in grounded theory research a researcher attempts to derive a general, abstract theory of a process, action, or interaction grounded in the views of participants in a study” (p. 14). Leedy and Ormrod (2001) further observes that grounded theory research begins with data that develops into a theory. The term grounded provides
View Article...Month: August 2012 Survey Research Design
Survey research design is one of the most popular descriptive research designs used by students of research, practitioners and scholars. Surveys are broadly classified into two, namely cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys. Cross-sectional Survey Cross-sectional Surveys are primarily used to determine prevalence which equals the number of cases in a population at a given point in time (Levin, 2006). Typically,
View Article...Month: August 2012 Research Approaches: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Approaches
Owing to the confusion surrounding research designs and approaches, this guide briefly explores two major research paradigms, namely qualitative and quantitative along with a ‘tier approach’, namely Mixed Method Approach (Creswell, 2003). It should be noted that all the research designs fall either under qualitative or quantitative approach or both, that is mixed research approach. Quantitative Research Approach
View Article...Month: August 2012 Mixed Research Approach
A mixed methods research design is a procedure for collecting, analysing, and “mixing” both quantitative and qualitative research approaches in a single study to understand a research problem. With the mixed methods approach to research, researchers incorporate methods of collecting or analyzing data from the quantitative and qualitative research approaches in a single research study (Creswell, 2003; Tashakkori &
View Article...Month: August 2012 Target Population
The target population in a study is the entire set of units for which the study data are to be used to make inferences (Cox, 2013). Defining the target population in any study is as important as identifying the study objectives. According to Gall, Borg and Gall (2003), a target population provides a solid foundation and first step upon
View Article...Month: August 2012 Sample Size Determination
3.4.1 Sample Size A sample is a smaller (but hopefully representative) collection of units from a population used to determine truths about that population (Field, 2005). Sample size determination involves establishing the number of observations to include in a statistical sample while ensuring representativeness. Determination of sample size differs depending on the research design. For instance, survey research design requires
View Article...Month: August 2012 Sample Size Determination Using Krejcie and Morgan Table
The ever increasing need for a representative statistical sample in empirical research has created the demand for an effective method of determining sample size. To address the existing gap, Krejcie & Morgan (1970) came up with a table for determining sample size for a given population for easy reference. Table 1: Table for Determining Sample Size for a Finite
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