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Research Methodology : A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

by: Kumar, Ranjit

Research Methodology : A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

by: Kumar, Ranjit

ISBN 13:
9780761962144
ISBN 10:
076196214X
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 01/01/1999
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
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Summary

This immensely practical book is designed for anyone new to research and planning to undertake a research project. The textbook is organized around eight operational steps that constitute the research process: formulating a research problem; conceptualizing a research design; constructing an instrument for data collection; selecting a sample; writing a research proposal; collecting data; processing data; and writing a research report.Ranjit Kumar has drawn on 20 years of teaching experience to demystify the research process and give students a helpful and informative guide.

Preface

Tables

xiii

Figures

xiv

Research: a way of thinking

(13)

Research: a way of thinking

(2)

Applications of research

(1)

Definitions of research

(3)

Characteristics of research

(1)

Types of research

(4)

Application

(1)

Objectives

(1)

Type of information sought

(2)

Paradigms of research

(1)

Summary

(1)

The research process: a quick glance

(9)

The research process: an eight-step model

(6)

Step I: formulating a research problem

(1)

Step II: conceptualising a research design

(1)

Step III: constructing an instrument for data collection

(3)

Step IV: selecting a sample

(1)

Step V: writing a research proposal

(1)

Step VI: collecting data

(1)

Step VII: processing data

(1)

Step VIII: writing a research report

(1)

Summary

(2)

Step I Formulating a research problem

(48)

Reviewing the literature

(9)

Reasons for reviewing the literature

(1)

Bring clarity and focus to your research problem

(1)

Improve your methodology

(1)

Broaden your knowledge base in your research area

(1)

Procedure for reviewing the literature

(5)

Search for existing literature

(3)

Review the literature selected

(1)

Develop a theoretical framework

(2)

Develop a conceptual framework

(1)

Writing up the literature reviewed

(1)

Summary

(1)

Formulating a research problem

(12)

The research problem

(1)

The importance of formulating a research problem

(1)

Sources of research problems

(1)

Considerations in selecting a research problem

(1)

Steps in the formulation of a research problem

(2)

The formulation of objectives

(1)

Establishing operational definitions

(4)

Summary

(1)

Identifying variables

(17)

The definition of a variable

(1)

The different between a concept and a variable

(1)

Concepts, indicators and variables

(3)

Types of variable

(6)

From the viewpoint of causation

(3)

From the viewpoint of the study design

(1)

From the viewpoint of the unit of measurement

(2)

Types of measurement scales

(4)

The nominal or classificatory scale

(1)

The ordinal or ranking scale

(1)

The interval scale

(2)

The ratio scale

(1)

Summary

(1)

Constructing hypotheses

(8)

The definition of a hypothesis

(2)

The functions of a hypothesis

(1)

The characteristics of a hypothesis

(1)

Types of hypothesis

(2)

Errors in testing a hypothesis

(1)

Summary

(1)

Step II Conceptualising a research design

(30)

The research design

(7)

The definition of a research design

(1)

The functions of as research design

(5)

Summary

(1)

Selecting a study design

(21)

The number of contacts

(5)

The cross-sectional study design

(2)

The before-and-after study design

(2)

The longitudinal study design

(1)

The reference period

(2)

The retrospective study design

(1)

The prospective study design

(1)

The retrospective-prospective study design

(1)

The nature of the investigation

(11)

The experimental study design

(7)

Some other commonly used designs

(3)

Summary

(2)

Step III Constructing an Instrument for data collection

101

(44)

Selecting a method of data collection

103

(24)

Collecting data using primary sources

105

(19)

Observation

105

(4)

The interview

109

(1)

The questionnaire

110

(14)

Collecting data using secondary sources

124

(1)

Problems with using data from secondary sources

124

(1)

Summary

125

(2)

Collecting data using attitudinal scales

127

(9)

Functions of attitudinal scales

128

(1)

Difficulties in developing an attitudinal scale

129

(1)

Types of attitudinal scale

129

(6)

The summated rating or Likert scale

129

(4)

The equal-appearing-interval or Thurstone scale

133

(1)

The cumulative or Guttman scale

134

(1)

The relationship between attitudinal and measurement scales

135

(1)

Summary

135

(1)

Establishing the validity and reliability of a research Instrument

136

(9)

The concept of validity

137

(3)

Types of Validity

138

(2)

The concept of reliability

140

(3)

Factors affecting the reliability of a research instrument

140

(1)

Methods of determining the reliability of an instrument

141

(2)

Summary

143

(2)

Step IV Selecting a sample

145

(22)

Sampling

147

(20)

The concept of sampling

148

(1)

Sampling terminology

149

(1)

Principles of sampling

149

(2)

Factors affecting the inferences drawn from a sample

151

(1)

Aims in selecting a sample

152

(1)

Types of sampling

152

(12)

Random/probability sampling designs

154

(6)

Non-random/probability sampling designs

160

(2)

The `mixed' sampling design

162

(2)

The calculation of sample size

164

(2)

Summary

166

(1)

Step V Writing a research proposal

167

(20)

Writing a research proposal

169

(18)

The research proposal

170

(1)

The preamble/introduction

171

(2)

The problem

173

(1)

The objectives of the study

173

(3)

The hypotheses to be tested

176

(1)

The study design

177

(1)

The setting

178

(1)

Measurement procedures

179

(1)

Sampling

179

(1)

Analysis of data

180

(2)

Structure of the report

182

(1)

Problems and limitations

183

(1)

Work schedule

184

(1)

Appendix

184

(1)

Summary

184

(3)

Step VI Collecting data

187

(10)

Considering ethical issues in data collection

189

(8)

Ethics

190

(1)

Stakeholders in research

191

(1)

Ethical considerations concerning research participants

192

(2)

Collecting information

192

(1)

Seeking consent

192

(1)

Providing incentives

193

(1)

Seeking sensitive information

193

(1)

The possibility of causing harm to participants

193

(1)

Maintaining confidentiality

194

(1)

Ethical issues relating to the researcher

194

(1)

Avoiding bias

194

(1)

Provision or deprivation of a treatment

194

(1)

Using appropriate research methodology

195

(1)

Correct reporting

195

(1)

Using information

195

(1)

Ethical considerations regarding the sponsoring organisation

195

(1)

Restrictions imposed by the sponsoring organisation

195

(1)

The use of information

196

(1)

Summary

196

(1)

Step VII Processing data

197

(44)

Processing

199

(26)

Editing data

200

(2)

Coding data

202

(17)

Developing a code book

203

(11)

Pre-testing a code book

214

(1)

Coding the data

214

(5)

Verifying of coded data

219

(1)

Developing a frame of analysis

219

(2)

Frequency distributions

219

(1)

Cross tabulations

220

(1)

Constructing the main concepts

221

(1)

Statistical procedures

221

(1)

Analysing data

221

(1)

The role of computers in research

222

(1)

The role of statistics is research

223

(1)

Summary

224

(1)

Displaying data

225

(16)

Tables

226

(4)

Structure

226

(2)

Types of tables

228

(1)

Types of percentages

229

(1)

Graphs

230

(10)

The histogram

231

(2)

The bar chart

233

(1)

The stacked bar chart

233

(1)

The 100 per cent bar chart

233

(1)

The frequency polygon

234

(2)

The cumulative frequency polygon

236

(1)

The stem-and-leaf display

237

(1)

The pie chart

237

(1)

The line diagram or trend curve

238

(1)

The area chart

238

(1)

The scattergram

239

(1)

Summary

240

(1)

Step VIII Writing a research report

241

(10)

Writing a research report

243

(8)

Research writing in general

244

(1)

Referencing

244

(1)

Writing a bibliography

245

(1)

Developing an outline

245

(2)

Writing about a variable

247

(2)

Summary

249

(2)

Appendix

251

(18)

References

269

(4)

Index

273

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Research Methodology : A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Research Methodology : A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

9780761962144

076196214X

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Research Methodology : A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Research Methodology : A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

9780761962144

076196214X

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

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