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    MODULE 3 Nature and Purpose of Research

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    Jamion Knight
    The document discusses the nature and purpose of research. It defines research as a careful, systematic investigation to establish facts and relationships. Research is characterized by being rigorous, carefully done, systematic, empirical and logical. The purpose of research is to generate new knowledge, validate theories, and solve problems through applied research. The document also discusses reliability, validity, and different types of research such as historical, descriptive, and experimental.

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    MODULE 3 Nature and Purpose of Research

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    Jamion Knight
    4K views8 pages
    The document discusses the nature and purpose of research. It defines research as a careful, systematic investigation to establish facts and relationships. Research is characterized by being rigorous, carefully done, systematic, empirical and logical. The purpose of research is to generate new knowledge, validate theories, and solve problems through applied research. The document also discusses reliability, validity, and different types of research such as historical, descriptive, and experimental.

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    The document discusses the nature and purpose of research. It defines research as a careful, systematic investigation to establish facts and relationships. Research is characterized by being rigorous, carefully done, systematic, empirical and logical. The purpose of research is to generate new knowledge, validate theories, and solve problems through applied research. The document also discusses reliability, validity, and different types of research such as historical, descriptive, and experimental.

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    4K views8 pages

    MODULE 3 Nature and Purpose of Research

    Uploaded by

    Jamion Knight
    The document discusses the nature and purpose of research. It defines research as a careful, systematic investigation to establish facts and relationships. Research is characterized by being rigorous, carefully done, systematic, empirical and logical. The purpose of research is to generate new knowledge, validate theories, and solve problems through applied research. The document also discusses reliability, validity, and different types of research such as historical, descriptive, and experimental.

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    MODULE 3

    INVESTIGATING HUMAN AND SOCIL


    DEVELOPMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN
    THE NATURE AND PURPOSE OF
    RESEARCH
    Nature of Research
    Research is a careful, systematic, patient investigation
    undertaken to discover or establish facts and
    relationships.
    (C.M. Charles 1988).
    Research is therefore:
    • Rigorous
    • Carefully done
    • Systematic
    • Empirical
    • Logical
    Characteristics
    • Research originates with a question or problem.
    • Research requires the clear articulation of a goal.
    • Research follows a specific plan of procedure.
    • Research is guided by a specific research problem,
    question or hypothesis.
    • Research requires certain critical assupmtions.
    • Research requires the collection and interpretation
    of data in an attempt to solve the problem that
    initiated the research.
    Purpose of Research
    1. Generation of new knowledge
    The subject of study is relatively new and unstudied.
    2. Validation of theory
    Testing, modifying and expanding theories. (A theory is
    an idea that attempts to explain reality).
    3. Solving problems
    An investigation is commissioned into a issue with a view
    to remedying the situation based on the research
    findings. This is referred to as applied research.
    Reliability and Validity in Research
    Reliability
    Reliability is the extent to which an experiment, test or any
    measuring procedure gives the same result on repeated
    trials. Without the agreement of independent observers
    able to replicate research procedures, or the ability to
    use research tools and procedures that yield consistent
    measurements, researchers would be unable to
    satisfactorily draw conclusions, formulate theories or
    make claims about the generalizability of their
    research.
    N.B. Data can be reliable without being valid, e.g. statistics
    on church attendance may be reliable, but they do not
    necessarily give a true picture of people’s commitment to
    religion.
    Validity
    Validity refers to the extent to which an empirical measure adequately
    reflects the real meaning of the concept under consideration. Data
    are valid if they provide a true picture of what is being studied.
    Researchers should be concerned with both external and internal
    validity.
    External validity: refers to the extent to which the results of a study are
    generalizable.
    Internal validity: refer to (1) the rigour with which the study was
    conducted, (e.g., the study’s design, the care taken to conduct
    measurements, decisions concerning what was or was not
    measured), a (2) the extent to which the designers of the study have
    taken into account alternative explanations for any causal relations
    they explore.
    Types of Research
    Historical Research
    Describes what was. Entails investigating, recording,
    analysing and interpreting the events of the past for
    the purpose of discovering generalisations that help
    us to understand both the past and the present, and
    possible implications for the future.
    Descriptive Research
    This type of research describes, records, analyses and
    interprets conditions that presently exist. It entails
    some type of comparison or contrast, and attempts to
    discover relationships between existing variables.
    Experimental Research
    This type of research focuses on variable
    relationships and describes what happens
    when the variables are carefully controlled
    or manipulated. Deliberate manipulation ia
    always a part of the experimental method.

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