RESEARCH STUDY NOTES
RESEARCH STUDY NOTES
Purpose:
– Provide a general description of the study area to spark the reader’s interest.
– Establish context by summarizing relevant historical, social, or scientific background.
Key Tip:
– Clearly articulate the context so that readers understand why the topic is important.
Definition:
– A concise explanation of the problem being investigated.
– Should detail how the problem manifests and its potential implications.
How to Write:
– Link the problem to existing facts or statistics.
– Explain why the issue is significant and worthy of research.
Role:
– Serve as a roadmap for the study.
– Derived from the problem statement, they focus on aspects that need answers.
Characteristics:
– Specific, clear, and directly related to the main problem.
General Objectives:
– Outline the overall purpose of the research.
Specific Objectives:
– Break down the general objective into measurable components that the study will address.
Scope:
– Defines what will and will not be covered in the research.
– Helps in keeping the study manageable.
Delimitations:
– The boundaries set by the researcher regarding the study’s focus.
Purpose:
– Justifies why the research is important.
– Describes how the study contributes to existing knowledge and its practical implications for
stakeholders.
What to Include:
– Operational definitions for key concepts, unfamiliar terms, or acronyms used throughout the
research.
Benefit:
– Provides clarity and ensures that readers interpret terms as intended.
Outline:
– A brief summary of what each chapter or section will cover.
– Helps guide the reader through the structure of the document.
Literature Review
Purpose:
– To present an account of what has been published on the topic by credible scholars.
– Demonstrate the researcher’s understanding of the subject area.
Key Elements:
– Organization: Structure the review around your research questions or thesis statement.
– Synthesis: Summarize and integrate findings from multiple sources.
– Critical Analysis: Identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas of controversy in the literature.
– Gaps & Questions: Highlight what is not known and propose areas for further research.
Theoretical Framework
Definition:
– The set of theories and concepts that underpin your research study.
Role:
– Provides a lens through which the research problem is examined.
Usage:
– Guide the design of the study and interpretation of findings.
Components:
– Should align with the research objectives and provide clear guidance for data collection and
analysis.
Definition:
– The group of individuals or items from which data will be collected.
Tip:
– Use the “working population” (those who are accessible and relevant to your study).
Methods:
– Random sampling (for unbiased representation) or non-random methods (if justified).
– Explain why a particular sampling method is chosen.
Sample Size:
– Must be appropriate to address the research questions effectively.
Tools:
– Questionnaires, interviews, observation checklists, etc.
Development:
– Instruments should be designed to accurately measure the variables of interest.
Purpose:
– Pre-test your data collection tools to ensure reliability and validity.
Outcome:
– Use pilot results to refine and improve your instruments.
Relevance:
– Ensure procedures align with the scale and type of data collected.
Methods:
– Statistical tests, qualitative analysis techniques, software packages, etc.
Explanation:
– Provide a rationale for the chosen methods and how they will address the research questions.
Appendices:
– Include supporting documents such as the approved research proposal, sample
questionnaires, maps, and additional data.
References:
– List all sources cited in the proposal following the APA house style.
– Ensure all cited references appear in the reference list.
Front Matter:
Title/Cover Page
Declaration Page
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Acronyms
Main Body:
Chapter 1: Introduction
– Background, Problem Statement, Research Objectives, Significance, Scope, Limitations,
Organization.
Back Matter:
References
Appendices
Key Takeaways
Clear Structure:
A well-organized proposal follows a structured format that guides the reader from the research
problem to the proposed method of investigation.
Thorough Background:
Providing a comprehensive background and problem statement sets the stage for justifying the
study.
Rigorous Methodology:
A robust research design, including careful selection of methods and sampling techniques, is
essential to gather valid and reliable data.
Literature Integration:
The literature review should critically synthesize existing knowledge and highlight the research
gap your study aims to fill.
Practical Considerations:
Pilot studies, clear data processing procedures, and detailed analysis plans ensure that the study
is feasible and that the findings will be credible.
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