Research Methods and Steps in the Research Process - Essay Example

Module Research Methods Describe the Steps in the Research Process. Why is the Research Process Useful to Researchers? A research process is a systematic procedure that is characterized by objectivity and gathering of a wide range of information for analysis after which a conclusion is drawn. The process is applicable in all evaluation projects. The study is documented in a systematic way that enables other people to follow the same procedure when undertaking the same study. A research process is a multiple-step process whereby all the steps are interlinked with each other. An effective research process is characterized by detailed basic steps undertaken with caution to prevent errors that can affect the results. The first step is identifying the research problem. The problem is normally the issue being identified by the researcher or a concept that requires more information or clarification (Blankenship 2). Research problems are normally the common issues that affect the community and form the focus of the whole process. The second step involves the review of literature which enables the researcher to learn more about the problem under investigation. Reviewing documented literature about the problem provides the foundational knowledge that shapes the whole process. Literature review informs the researchers on how the earlier studies related to the research topic were conducted and the conclusions earlier formulated. The knowledge attained through literature review guides the researcher when narrowing down the research topic and clarifying the problem. The third step is clarification of the problem whereby the scope is narrowed down from the broad initial topic. The concepts gained through literature review offer guidance on the relevant topic under focus by addressing the stated problem. After clarification of the problem, the researcher should define the terms and concepts applied when describing the study. This helps in minimizing the confusion that may emanate from the readers of the study. This is because the interpretation differs depending on the person reading the project. Definition of terms and concepts should be followed by the definition of the population or group to be involved in the study. The research question and study purpose determine the population. Defining the population enables the researcher to know the population they are supposed to deal with and the target group. Once the population is identified, the plan for the study is developed. This serves as the framework for the entire study. Data is then collected among the identified population. Data collection involves surveys, questionnaires and observation of literature (Blankenship 2). The stated steps provide data that undergo analysis to answer the research question. Data is analyzed according to the stated instrumentation plan. Analysis involves breaking down the notes into categories of topic themes and making a decision on how these categories relates to the theme. The researcher identifies the loopholes in the research process and repeats the process to look for any missing information. The information is then synthesized through refining the thesis in relation to the earlier information compiled and read in the literature review. The results are reviewed and summarized according to the research questions. This is occasionally followed by communication or presentation of the results. The research should be communicated in the format required by the professor with proper use of citations to avoid plagiarism. Research process enables researchers to inform action. The defined steps also negate any loopholes that may result to errors and eventual distortion of the conclusion drawn. Explain the Advantages and Disadvantages of Adopting the Case-Study Research Design. ADVANTAGES Case study is used to build upon the existing theory, formulate a new theory or challenge an existing theory. This provides the foundation for applying solutions to problems or during the description of a phenomenon. Case study is a reliable research process that promotes the understanding of a complex issue and strengthening the information provided by previous research. The case study design allows collection of detailed data that would be obtained through the use of other designs. The use of this method enhances the analytic and problem solving tactics of the researchers through identifying solutions for complex issues encountered in the field. The data collected is normally first hand with greater depth than the one collected by the other experimental designs. Case study designs allow the application of experimental procedures that promote the authenticity of the collected data. The case studies are suitable for conducting research in situations that lack a wide range of documented information of the stated problem (Bennett and Colin 455-476). Application of case study design enables researchers to develop new concepts in the field that shed light on the problem under investigation. Use of the process among students allows them to apply the theoretical concepts gained from the classroom into real life practice. The accessibility of the case study research results to the public and targeted professionals is enhanced through writing reports and presentations. DISADVANTAGES A case study involves a complex process that utilizes multiple sources of data and from several cases within a single area of study; this produces complex data for analysis. The data collected through case study design is normally specific to the sample population and can rarely be applied in other populations. This makes the process lose external validity while leaving it only applicable for internal validity. The rate of bias through the use of this design is normally high as the results are normally dependent on the researcher’s opinions about the population. Commenting in the Brighthub.com, Garger asserts that bias is normally pronounced because most researchers use the principle of falsification when collecting data in the field. Those that falsify the results assume the roles of observers who are disinterested in the outcome of the research process if genuine steps are followed. The involvement of few researchers in data collection can act as a loophole through which data can be manipulated. Drawing of definite causes and effects through the use of case studies is not easy owing to various opinions presented in the field. Many researchers will also make the mistake of heavily relying on the guide recommendations and findings. This makes them manipulate the process so that the findings can correspond to the known interpretation results. Works Cited Bennett, Andrew, and Colin Elman. "Qualitative Research: Recent Developments in Case Study Methods." Annual Review of Political Science 9.1 (2006): 455-476. Print. Blankenship, Diane. Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2010, Chapter 2. Garger, John. “Using the Case Study Method in PhD Research.” Brighthub.com. July 15, 2010. Web. October 4, 2012. Read More