Running head: LIST AND REFLECT

List and Reflect Name Professor Course Date

LIST AND REFLECT Top 10 Things a Person Can Learn From Chapter 1 Purpose of Research 1. The purposes of conducting a research vary across issues and diverse scientific, social

and human resources disciplines and fields. At the basic level, the disciplines can be split into applied and pure research (Kumar, 2005). The fundamental purpose for conducting a research lies in the propagation and testing of hypothesis, and the prediction of outcomes. 2. Research has a purpose of explaining aspects within a field of study or interest. It tries to comprehend the operations in the universe. Research can be considered as a descendent of philosophy, whose aim lies in understanding the principles of existence. In this case, research aims at investigating issues or areas of interest, in which little work or exploration have been conducted (Kumar, 2005). For instance, this can be used in discovering the existence of problems or issues within an organization. 3. Research is implemented strategically, where researchers consider current situations and begin to speculate on future implications. For instance, the introduction of government policies has the potentials for raising implications for individuals involved in the implementation of the policy (Kumar, 2005). Research, in this case, might speculate the implications of the policies and seek to setup an inquest that has the potentials for informing future responses to the issues. 4. A descriptive research targets at gathering information and data that illustrate patterns, relationships and links that exist between variables. For instance, a research could investigate the relationship between course drop-out rates and students study skills (Kumar, 2005).

LIST AND REFLECT 5. An explanatory research aims at showing the existence of a relationship between the patterns, and links. For instance, a research can be established to show how study skills could be used to improve student retention. In this case, the research considers other factors that may influence the outcomes of the research (Kumar, 2005). Characteristics of Research 1. Research has empirical characteristics, because it relies on direct observations and experiences by the researcher (Kumar, 2005).

2. Research also has characteristics of being logical, because it is based on valid procedures and principles (Kumar, 2005). 3. It has a cyclical characteristic, because it is a cyclical process that begins with a problem and ends with a solution or answer to the problem (Kumar, 2005). 4. Research has analytical characteristics, as, while it gathers data and information, it utilizes proven analytical processes and procedures (Kumar, 2005). 5. Research also has critical characteristics, because it carefully and precisely exhibits judgment (Kumar, 2005).

LIST AND REFLECT Top 10 Things a Person Can Learn From Chapter 7 Include; Information about How to Carry Out Qualitative Research 1. In carrying out a qualitative research, it is vital to understand the scope of the research, and organize a focus group for the research (Kumar, 2005). 2. The next step involves the organization of resources and materials for the conduction of

the research. This means that the research should employ technology and strategies when collecting data through such an approach as an interview (Kumar, 2005). 3. The last step involves the analysis of the collected information and data (Kumar, 2005). Methods of Data Collection 1. Interviews 2. Questionnaires 3. Observations 4. Experiments Improving the Quality of a Research 1. A research can be improved through the appreciation of the application of technology based focus work group (Kumar, 2005). 2. It can also be improved through the application of projective techniques and their place in the framework of qualitative research (Kumar, 2005).

LIST AND REFLECT 3. Qualitative research can be improved through the incorporation of qualitative research techniques, such as semiotics and ethnography (Kumar, 2005).

LIST AND REFLECT Reference Kumar, R. (2005). Research Methodology. A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners. Sage Publishers. 2nd Edition. Print