Includes bibliographical references (p. [269]-271) and index.

"Research Methodology will prove to be essential reading for undergraduates in many disciplines and for anyone new to research who is planning to undertake a research project for the first time. It is simple, assumes no prior knowledge and the theory is organised around the eight operational steps that constitute the research process. All the information required to carry out a step is provided at one place under important themes as shown below.

Research Methodology:
is a practical book - the organisation is operational in nature, follows a logical progression and is directly related to the practicalities of research;
is easy to understand as difficult procedures are explained in a step-by-step manner;
contains several flow charts to summarise and effectively communicate information;
contains many examples to reinforce the book's practical application; and
has a set of exercises to accompany each operational step to reinforce the concepts and to help to develop a research proposal." (Book Cover)

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Preface

Tables

Figures

1 Research: a way of thinking

Research: a way of thinking

Applications of research

Definitions of research

Characteristics of research

Types of research Application
Objectives
Types of information sought

Paradigms of research

Summary

2 The research process: a quick glance

The research process: an eight-step model Step I: formulating a research problem
Step II: conceptualising a research design
Step III: constructing an instrument for data collection
Step IV: selecting a sample
Step V: writing a research proposal
Step VI: collecting data
Step VII: processing data
Step VIII: writing a research report

Summary

Step I Formulating a research problem

3 Reviewing the literature

Reasons for reviewing the literature Bring clarity and focus to your research problem
Improve your methodology
Broaden your knowledge base in your research area

Procedure for reviewing the literature Search for existing literature
Review the literature selected
Develop a theoretical framework
Develop a conceptual framework

Writing up the literature reviewed

Summary

4 Formulating a research problem

The research problem

The importance of formulating a research problem

Sources of research problems

Considerations in selecting a research problem

Steps in the formulation of a research problem

The formulation of objectives

Establishing operational definitions

Summary

5 Identifying variables

The definition of a variable

The difference between a concept and a variable

Concepts, indicators and variables

Types of variable From the viewpoint of causation
From the viewpoint of the study design
From the viewpoint of the unit of measurement

Types of measurement scales The nominal or classificatory scale
The ordinal or ranking scale
The interval scale
The ratio scale

Summary

6 Constructing hypothesis

The definition of a hypothesis

The functions of a hypothesis

The characteristics of a hypothesis

Types of hypothesis

Errors in testing a hypothesis

Summary

6 Constructing hypothesis

The definition of a hypothesis

The functions of a hypothesis

The characteristics of a hypothesis

Types of hypothesis

Errors in testing a hypothesis

Summary

Step II Conceptualising a research design

7 The research design

The definition of a research design

The functions of a research design

Summary

8 Selecting a study design

The number of contacts The cross-sectional study design
The before-and-after study design
The longitudinal study design

The reference period The retrospective study design
The prospective study design
The retrospective-prospective study design

The nature of the investigation The experimental study design
Some other commonly used designs

Summary

Step III Constructing an Instrument for data collection

9 Selecting a method of data collection

Collecting data using primary sources Observation
The interview
The questionnaire

Collecting data using secondary sources Problems with using data from secondary sources

Summary

10 Collecting data using attitudinal scales

Functions of attitudinal scales

Difficulties in developing an attitudinal scale

Types of attitudinal scale The summated rating or Likert scale
The equal-appearing-interval or Thurstone scale
The cumulative or Guttman scale

The relationship between attitudinal and measurement scales

Summary

11 Establishing the validity and reliability of a research instrument

The concept of validity Types of validity

The concept of reliability Factors affecting the reliability of a research instrument
Methods of determining the reliability of an instrument

Summary

Step IV Selecting a sample

12 Sampling

The concept of sampling

Sampling terminology

Principles of sampling

Factors affecting the inferences drawn from a sample

Aims in selecting a sample

Types of sampling Random/probability sampling designs
Non-random/probability sampling designs
The 'mixed' sampling design

The calculation of sample size

Summary

Step V Writing a research proposal

13 Writing a research proposal

The research proposal

The preamble/introduction

The problem

The objectives of the study

The hypotheses to be tested

The study design

The setting

Measurement procedures

Sampling

Analysis of data

Structure of the report

Problems and limitations

Work schedule

Appendix

Summary

Step VI Collecting data

14 Considering ethical issues in data collection

Ethics

Stakeholders in research

Ethical considerations concerning research participants Collecting information
Seeking consent
Providing incentives
Seeking sensitive information
The possibility of causing harm to participants
Maintaining confidentiality

Ethical issues relating to the researcher Avoiding bias
Provision or deprivation of a treatment
Using appropriate research methodology
Correct reporting
Using information

Ethical considerations regarding the sponsoring organisation Restrictions imposed by the sponsoring organisation
The use of information

Summary Step VII Processing data

15 Processing

Editing data

Coding data Developing a code book
Pre-testing a code book
Coding the data
Verifying of coded data

Developing a frame of analysis Frequency distributions
Cross tabulations
Constructing the main concepts
Statistical procedures

Analysing data

The role of computers in research

The role of statistics in research

Summary

16 Displaying data

Tables Structure
Types of tables
Types of percentages

Graphs The histogram
The bar chart
The stacked bar chart
The 100 per cent bar chart
The frequency polygon
The cumulative frequency polygon
The stem-and-leaf display
The pie chart
The line diagram or trend curve
The area chart
The scattergram

Summary

Step VIII Writing a research report

17 Writing a research report

Research writing in general

Referencing

Writing a bibliography

Developing an outline

Writing about a variable

Summary

Appendix

References

Index