Foundation of Communication Research

WEEK ONE
RESEARCH
Research refers to a systematic investigation of a problem or issue that aims to generate new
knowledge or validate existing knowledge. It involves a structural and organized process of
gathering and analyzing data to answer specific questions or solve problems. Research means
trying to find out why something happened or did not happen. Finding out the consistency of
happenings. Research can also give more than one answer .
METHODS OF RESEARCH
1. Observation
2. Survey
3. Interview
4. Experiment
TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. PURE RESEARCH/BASIC RESEARCH:
This seeks to advance knowledge in a specific area without a practical application in
mind. It prioritizes fundamental principles and concepts over practical problem solving. Although
the discoveries made in pure research can later have various practical applications, the primary
focus is on fundamental understanding.
2. APPLIED RESEARCH:
This is aimed at solving practical problems in a particular field. It is often conducted with
a specific application in mind and is focused on finding solutions to real-world problems.
3. POLICY RESEARCH:
Policy research gathers data to inform policy decisions, providing policy makers with
evidence based information. Its aim is to assess the effectiveness and impact of policies on
specific populations or areas of concern.
4. ACTION RESEARCH:
This is a research methodology that involves a cyclical process of planning,
implementing, observing, reflecting and modifying actions in a specific context. Its aim is to
improve practices and address practical problems while involving the participation of
stakeholders in the research process.
THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Process is a mechanism that determines the success of a particular activity.The research
process typically involves several stages including;
1. Identifying the research problem:
This involves defining the issue or topic that requires further investigation.
2. Formulating research questions or objectives:
This involves defining the specific questions or objectives that the research aims to
answer.
3. Selecting an appropriate research method:
This involves choosing the best approach to answer the research questions or
objectives.
4. Collecting data:
This involves gathering informations through various methods such as surveys,
interviews, or experiments.
5. Analyzing data:
This involves organizing, categorizing and interpreting the data to draw conclusions.
6. Drawing conclusions:
This involves summarizing the findings and making recommendations based on the
results of the research.
KEY CONCEPTS IN RESEARCH

1. Validity:
The extent to which the research accurately measures what it is intended to measure.
2. Reliability:
The consistency and stability of the research findings over time.
3. Sample:
The group of individuals or objects that are studied in the research.
4. Population:
The larger group of individuals or objects that the sample represents.
5. Bias:
Any factors that may influence the research findings in a particular directions such as
the researcher's belief or expectations.
6. Variables
In essence, research is a process that requires critical thinking, creativity and persistence.
Through research, we can broaden our knowledge and deepen our understanding of the world
around us.
WEEK TWO
COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Communication research is a systematic study of an occurrence in the process of
communication.
Research title:
This is the name or identifier for a particular research project.
Research topic:
This is the actual subject matter that a research is examining (what to pay attention to in the
research).
Assignment:
Discuss the different steps in communication research with relevant examples.
WEEK THREE
STEPS IN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH

1. Identifying the research problem
2. Revealing existing literature
3. Formulating research questions and objectives
4. Selecting an appropriate research method
5. Sampling: This has to do with selection of a group that you want to research
6. Data collection or data gathering
7. Analyzing data: You can analyze data using the qualitative or quantitative approach
8. Interpreting the data: Showing how relevant the data is to the research objective. Using the
data you gathered to answer your research questions.
9. Drawing conclusions
WEEK FOUR
CHALLENGES OF RESEARCH PROCESS

1. Time:
Research cam be time consuming.
2. Fidelity of response:
Not all people say the truth in questionnaires.
3. Finance:
The revenue cost of research is high.
4. Slow or no response:
This ultimately leads to delay in analysis.
5. It can be cumbersome i.e. too much
WEEK FIVE AND SIX
PARTS OF A RESEARCH
CHAPTER ONE (INTRODUCTION)
✓ Background to the study
✓ statement of the problem: identifying the research problems
✓ Research objective
✓ Research questions
✓ Scope of the study: area of confinement for your research item, geographical location,
population.
✓ Operational definition of terms: the peculiar way in which a particular term or terminology has
been used in a specific research.
CHAPTER TWO (LITERATURE REVIEW)

✓ Conceptual review: reviewing available literature on the key variables
✓Theoretical review
✓ Empirical review
WEEK SEVEN
CHAPTER THREE (RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGNS)
Research design
Research design can be defined as a systematic representation of approaches to achieving a
sired objective or goal. It states steps in order of importance.
There are two types of research design:
1. Quantitative design
2. Qualitative design
Quantitative Design: Often times when your population is very wide or is aimed at a large
population, you use quantitative design.
Qualitative Design: Sometimes if the topic being treated is specific with a limited or small
number of audience, you use qualitative.
Methods for research design

1. Quantitative design: methods used in quantitative design include: Surveys , Experimental,
and descriptive research.
2. Qualitative is about non-numeric data, it deals with meanings, perceptions and understanding
in-depth analysis of certain topics. Methods available are:
I) Interviews: divided into structured and unstructured interview.
II) Focus group discussion: this is simply a research method used to get information from a
selected group of people with common characteristics for the purpose or getting in-depth
analysis.
III) Observation: divided participant and non participant observation.
IV) Case studies : this is a qualitative approach; an identification of a particular phenomenon
that is of interest to the researchers with the purpose of conducting an in-depth analysis and
drawing conclusions that is relevant within the context of the case.
Protocol guiding in case study are:
✓ find out what happen
✓ What is the internet in the matter ?
✓ What are the available documents?
✓ who are the available people that can talk on the matter
✓ Content Analysis : can be both used in quantitative and quantitative research method. It
can be very numerical in nature and when doing your analysis, you check the tonality of your
content; it might be positive, negative or neutral.
SAMPLE SIZE
A sample size is the identification number that is representative of the sample population.
How to calculate Sample size:
✓ Recognize the population
✓Get the figure of the total population
✓ Put the figure on any sample size tool
✓ Set it at 95% confidence level, 5% error
Sample size tools include:
1. Survey monkey calculator
2. Calculator net
3. Raosoft.Com
4. Australian calculator
In qualitative study, the following are important ;

1. the research decision of population sample
2. You have to understand the capacity of that population to get the required information
3. The study of population must be relevant to the topic of research.
SAMPLING TECHNIQUE.
Sampling technique is how you are able to pick your respondents to your questions
Major ways in sampling are:
1. The probability sampling technique
2. Non probability sampling technique
Probability technique is the quantitative way of selecting your sample and it gives everyone
equal opportunity of being selected for the research. Probability technique is numeric.
Probability sampling method are
1. Simple random sampling
2. Stratified sampling
3. Cluster sampling
4. Systematic sampling
Non-probability sampling is subjective and is at the discretion of the researcher. It is also

qualitative.
Non probability sampling methods are:
1. Convenient sampling
2. Judgemental sampling
3. Purposive sampling
Research instruments that can be used

1. For surveys -questionnaires
2. Focus group discussion - focus discussion guide as instrument.
3. Interview, you use interview guide
4. For observation, you use observation protocol
5. Case studies—- mixing of the instruments depending on the case study. Case studies are
always broad
6. Content analysis—-the instrument is coding sheet and coding guide.
WEEK EIGHT
CHAPTER FOUR (DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION)
Approaches to data analysis are:
✓ qualitative approach
✓ quantitative approach
Respondents' demographic data analysis:

This is the natural characteristics of a particular population, the qualifications of the population
i.e age , gender and so on.
Data representation in line with research questions:

In doing this, tables or charts can be used. Analyzing data and representing then in statistical
tools i.e if you are using a qualitative data analysis method. but if you are using a qualitative
data analysis method, thematic or narrative analysis method can be used.
✓ Thematic analysis is a form of analysis where major themes , highpoint, or highlights from
an interview session forms the key or major sub heads in a qualitative analysis.
✓ Narrative analysis is a reporting kind of analysis. It is written in a story like form. Using your
research objectives to write your analysis in a narrative form.
Discussion on findings
Empirical review will be used in the discussion on findings.
CHAPTER FIVE (SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION)

This chapter is all about summary and conclusion of your whole research and
recommendations.
saturation stage:
Saturation stage is the stage at which the possibility that the response of the respondents in an
interview will be the same.
Types of referencing
1. APA style ( American Psychology Association)
2. Toribbean style
3. Chicago style
4. Harvard style
5. IEEE style
6. MLA style
Assignment
✓ Identify and briefly explain quantitative data analysis methods
✓ Explain the referencing styles listed.

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WEEK ONE

THE RESEARCH PROCESS

KEY CONCEPTS IN RESEARCH

STEPS IN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH

CHALLENGES OF RESEARCH PROCESS

WEEK FIVE AND SIX

CHAPTER TWO (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Methods for research design

In qualitative study, the following are important ;

Non-probability sampling is subjective and is at the discretion of the researcher. It is also

Research instruments that can be used

Respondents' demographic data analysis:

Data representation in line with research questions:

CHAPTER FIVE (SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION)

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