RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (FEM3002) CREDIT HOUR - 3(2+1)

LECTURE 1

COURSE OBJECTIVESFEM 3002 is a compulsory course for the Bachelor Science (Human Development) programme. At the end of this modul students will be able to:

discuss the philosophy of research, and the concepts of science and the scientific methods.

describe the research design in human development describe the steps in preparing and conducting a

research project analyze and interpret research data and prepare a

research report.

Introduction to research design and analysis in Human Development. Meaning of science, scientific research and its application in Human Development. Research planning process, data analysis and interpretation, report writing and presentation of research findings.

(Pengenalan kepada rekabentuk dan analisis penyelidikan di dalam Pembangunan Manusia. Pengertian Sains, penyelidikan saintifik dan penggunaannya di dalam Pembangunan Manusia. Perancangan dan proses penyelidikan, analisis dan interpretasi data, penulisan dan penyampaian hasil penyelidikan).

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Beins, B. C. (2003). Research methods: A tool for life. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

2. Charles, S. (2007). Research methods for the behavioral sciences (3rd. ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Miffin Co.

3. Creasey, G. L. (2006). Research methods in lifespan development. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

4. Devlin, A. S. (2006). Research methods: Planning, conducting and presenting research. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth

5. Gravetter, F. J. (2006). Research methods for the behavioral sciences. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth

6. McBurney, D. H. (2004). Research methods (6th ed.). Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth

7. Trochim, William M. (2006). The Research Methods Knowledge Base, 2nd Edition. Internet WWW page, at URL: <http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/>

REFERENCES

OUTLINE

I. What is Research?II. Definition of Research by Past ScholarsIII. Philosophy of ResearchIV. Why do we do Research? V. Characteristics of Research

I. WHAT IS RESEARCH?

RE

SEARCH

Old French word “cerchier”, meaning to search or seek.

The word “re” means again.

So, the search is done many times.

Why Re? Why do so many times?

To be sure ……To be certain ……

…………that something really occur…………that something really happen…………that a phenomena really exist

Through repetitive experiments:

Madame Curie discovered radium.Alexander Graham Bell --- telephone.Wright Brothers --- aeroplane.Other examples?

Basicly, the word research means:

StudyExplorationExaminationInvestigationInquiry

What is Research?

Research is a / an ……….……. seeking activity investigation facts finding discovering activity solving problem activity data collection activity establishing empirical evidence structured activity using the scientific

method

Research Concept

II. DEFINITION OF RESEARCH BY PAST SCHOLARS

Scholar Meaning Kerlinger (1973) An effort to analyze data using the scientific method

in a formal and systematic way. Its purpose is to find answers to questions or problems.

Grosof & Sardy (1985) Proces, prosedure, or strategy using the scientific method.

Touliatos and Compton (1988)

An effort in discovering new ideas, describing situations and events, as well as describing phenomena.

Ahmad Mahdzan(1992) Systematic method used by humans to increase knowledge.

Salkind (1994) A process of discovering new knowledge.

Barbie (2001) An investigation using the scientific method that is frequently used by human to describe/predict events or future happenings.

III. PHILOSOPHY OF RESEARCH

PHILOSOPHY OF RESEARCH

The term philosophy derives from a combination of the Greek words

philos = lovesophia = wisdom

Nature of knowledge and belief.

In research the concerned is on the investigation of what distinguishes mere belief from knowledge.

SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE

1. INTUITIVE KNOWLEDGE2. AUTHORITATIVE KNOWLEDGE3. LOGICAL KNOWLEDGE4. EMPIRICAL KNOWLEDGE

1. Intuitive Knowledge belief, faith, intuition, etc. based on feelings, not hard, cold "facts."

2. Authoritative Knowledge information from people, books, a

supreme being, etc. Its strength depends on the strength of

these sources.

3. Logical Knowledge based on reasoning from "point A" (which is generally

accepted) to "point B" (the new knowledge).

4. Empirical Knowledge based on demonstrable, objective facts

(gathered thro’ observation and/or experimentation).

Research often makes use of all four of these ways of knowing:

1. INTUITIVE (when coming up with an initial idea for research)

2. AUTHORITATIVE (when reviewing the professional literature)

3. LOGICAL (when reasoning from findings to conclusions)

4. EMPIRICAL (when engaging in procedures that lead to these findings)

The empirical knowledge, is what most modern research acquisition aims at establishing, which is known as empirical research.

IV. WHY DO WE DO RESEARCH?

WHY DO WE DO RESEARCH?

To discover new information.

To expand existing knowledge.

To investigate specific questions or problems

To validate past information

To investigate existing phenomena.

To determine new uses of, and applications for, existing goods and services.

It provides answers for questions like what, where, when, how and why.

Brings out information that might not be discovered in ordinary course of life

It contributes to theory and generalizations Verifies existing theories and facts.

May enable us to predict events Helps in establishing inter-relationships and derive

explanations Helps developing new tools, concepts and

theories to study phenomenon.

Research essential for Advancement of scientific knowledge and/or development of newer technologies improvement of quality of life

‘Today’s research is for tomorrow's advancement’

For students in social science, research is directed toward

finding, applying & interpreting data

that can promote betterment in individual and family life, and of the society.

V. RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS

RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS Originates with a question or problem. Requires clear articulation of a goal. Follows a specific plan or procedure. Often divides main problem into subproblems. Guided by specific problem, question, or

hypothesis. Accepts certain critical assumptions. Requires collection and interpretation of data. Cyclical (helical) in nature.