COLLEGE OF AGRI.

AND NATURAL SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
AND STATISTICS

STA 399: RESEARCH METHODS

3 CREDIT COURSE
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 STA 399: RESEARCH METHODS

Youarewarmlywelcomestudents!!!

Introduction
Lecturersname:

Courseoutline:distributionanddiscussion

Anyotherbusiness:
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 STA 399: RESEARCH METHODS

Why are we interested in research?

What is research?

Key concepts and issues

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 STA 399: RESEARCH METHODS
Understanding research

help make informed decisions

need to produce research in career

evaluating research in the media, etc

assist in classes work (at all levels)

etc
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What is research?

Knowledge acquired
through reasoning
through intuition
but most importantly through the use of
appropriate methods.
The Scientific Method
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STA 399: RESEARCH METHODS
Research definitions
The main goal of research is the gathering and interpreting of
information to answer questions (Hyllegard, Mood, and
Morrow, 1996).

Research is a systematic attempt to provide answers to

questions (Tuckman, 1999).

Research may be defined as the systematic and objective

analysis and recording of controlled observations that may
lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or
theories, resulting in prediction and possible control of
events (Best and Kahn, 1998).

Research is a systematic way of asking questions, a systematic

method of inquiry (Drew, Hardman, and Hart, 1996).
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Characteristics of Research

1. Systematic research process

2. Logical induction/deduction

3. Empirical evidence based

4. Reductive generalisation

5. Replicable methodology.
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Development of Research Skills

Learning how to conduct good research:
New skills (that many people do not have)
Better understanding and interpretation of
the literature
Recognize new questions that need
investigation
Objectivity is the key element of research
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Review the Available
Literature

Publish Findings Formulate a

Question

Research Process
Interpret Findings Select an Appropriate
Research Design

Collect Relevant Data

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B
Beliefs
Biases
A Perceptions
C
? We all see
the world
differently

Truth non truth

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Search for Truth

Five sources of evidence in the pursuit
of truth:
1. Custom and tradition
2. Authority (academic, legal, institutional,)
3. Personal experience
4. Deductive/Inductive reasoning
5. Scientific inquiry
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Deductive Reasoning
A.k.a., Logic.
In deductive reasoning, thinking proceeds from general
assumption to specific application
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Aristotle and other early philosophers
Drawing conclusions through categorical syllogism.
All philosophers are moral. Socrates is a philosopher. Therefore,
Socrates is moral.
Resistance training makes one big and bulky by increasing body
mass. Sandi is resistance training. Therefore, Sandi will become
big and bulky.
Not sufficient as a source of new truth
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Inductive Reasoning
Conclusions about events (general) are
based on information generated through
many individual and direct observations
(specific).
SPECIFIC GENERAL
Researchers observe an individual or group of
individuals from a larger population based
on these observations, generalizations are
made back to the larger population.
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Inductive Reasoning
Two kinds of induction:
Perfect
Conclusions based on observations made from
ALL members of a group or population
Imperfect
Conclusions based on observations made from a
random sample of members of a population

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Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning

Deductive:
Every mammal has lungs. All rabbits are
mammals. Therefore, every rabbit has lungs.
Inductive:
Every rabbit that has been observed has
lungs. Therefore, every rabbit has lungs.

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Scientists face same problem:
sorting out the truth from non
truths.
Solution: they devised a
methodical framework within
which to work called

The scientific method

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