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FADA - Postgraduate Research Support: Research Process

Research support guide for faculty and students.

Research Process Explained

1. Purpose

A statement of purpose is a sentence that you write, which states, in some details, what you want to learn about your research project. It explains what you want to accomplish and succinctly create scope direction and means of data collection

2. Research question

A research question is a question that the research project set out to answer. In actual fact, a research study may be set out to answer several questions. The methodology used for that study and the tools used to conduct research, all depends upon the research questions being asked.

3. Literature review

A literature review is a critical analysis of published sources or literature, on a particular topic. It is an assessment of literature, comparison, and evaluation. At postgraduate level, literature reviews can be incorporated into an article, research report or thesis.

4. Sampling method

Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group from the population under study. Read more on sampling 

5. Data collection methods

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer the research question, test hypotheses and evaluate outcomes.

Research Process Cycle

                                                                                              

 

  • How is research used?
  • Different types of research
  • How do we do research?
  • Tools for analyzing research

Research Process Explained

6. Research methods

It refers to researchers general approach in carrying out the research project. The focus is on the research process and the kind of tools and procedures used to gathering and analyzing data

7. Quality  criteria

This refers to the scientific process encompassing all aspects of study design in particular. It pertains to the judgment regarding the match between methods and acquisitions, selection of subject measurement, bias, nonsystematic bias and inferential error.

8. Data analysis

It is the process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, suggestion conclusion and supporting decision making.

9. Report writing

Report writing covers the following headings: Title page, abstract, table of contents, introduction, methodology, findings/results, discussion, conclusion, recommendations, and references.

Notice

 

N.B. Please note that this guide is designed to give you the basic background on research, in some areas you may find that you need to follow your lecturer's document/reference etc.