MAFS 303 - Lecture 1

MAFS 303:Biostatistics and
Research Method
Lecture 1: Introduction to Research
Learning Objectives
• Research(Overview)
• Types of research
• Aspects and core elements of research
Research
• Research is a systematic process of inquiry that
involves gathering data, recording important
information, and then analyzing and interpreting
that data and information in accordance with
appropriate procedures established by academic
and professional disciplines.
• It involves inductive and deductive methods.
• Through research, information and knowledge

needed for problem solving and decision-making
are obtained.
Characteristics of Research
• The characteristics of a research shows whether it has flaws,
misconceptions, and subjective errors. A good research is characterized
by the terms;
1. Controlled
2. Rigorous
3. Empirical
4. Systematic
5. Employs Hypothesis
1. Controlled
➢The idea of control suggests that the research design should minimize the
influence of other factors affecting the relationship while examining causality in
respect to two variables (factors).
2. Rigorous
➢ A good research ensures that the methods used to get answers to questions are
relevant, appropriate, and justified requires caution.
3. Empirical
➢The processes adopted should be tested for the accuracy and each step should
be coherent in progression. This means that any conclusions drawn are based
upon firm data gathered from information collected from real life experiences or
observations.
4. Systematic
➢The procedure or process being developed to undertake a study should
be carefully drafted to ensure that resources utilization is optimized.
➢The steps should follow a logical sequence to get to the desired
outcome.
5. Employs Hypothesis
➢Making a hypothesis is the first step in any research project. It is a
theory or assumption put forward based on limited information as a
place to start looking into the matter further.
Types of Research
• Research can be classified into various
categories depending on the perspective
under which the research activity is initiated
and conducted.
• The categorization of research depends on
the following perspectives in general:
➢ Application of research study
➢ Objectives in undertaking the research
Types-Classification based on Application
• Pure / Basic / Fundamental Research
➢A research undertaken to examine some parts of a topic or issue for the first
time is referred to as fundamental or pure research. It entails developing and
testing ideas that the researcher finds intellectually demanding but may or may
not have immediate or long-term practical applications.
➢Pure research is universal but theoretical. It is more focused on generating
scientific data and recommendations for future research.
• Applied / Decisional Research
➢Applied research is carried out for the purpose of solve specific problems,
formulating policies, managing operations, and understanding processes
➢Applied research is carried out on the foundation of pure or fundamental
research.
Types- Classification based on Objectives
• Descriptive Research
➢It focuses on expanding knowledge on current issues through a
process of data collection.
➢ Descriptive studies describe the behavior of a sample

population.
➢Only one variable is required to conduct the study.
➢It is used to answer questions of who, what, when, where, and how
associated with a particular research question or problem.
• Explanatory Research
➢Explanatory research focuses on developing, clarifying, testing , or
explaining why something happens. The emphasis is more on
demonstrating, describing, and presenting what we currently have.
➢Running experiments is the most popular form. For example, a study

that is conducted to understand the effect of sea winds on the seasonal
variation in temperature and its impact on upwelling.
➢Explanatory research establishes the cause-and-effect connections that

enable generalizations to be made to comparable situations.
• Exploratory Research
➢Exploratory research is carried out to identify a solution for an issue that has
not yet been thoroughly investigated. It aims to set objectives, create
operational definitions, and enhance the final study design.
➢Exploratory research helps determine the best research design, data-
collection method and selection of subjects.
➢A researcher begins with a broad concept for this type of research and utilizes
it as a tool to pinpoint problems that could serve as the focus of more
investigation.
➢Such a research is usually carried out when the problem is at a beginning
stage.
Types of Research
• Qualitative Research
➢ Is a method of research that collects data using conversational
methods, usually open-ended questions. The responses collected
are essentially non-numerical. This method helps a researcher
understand what participants think and why they think in a
particular way.
• Quantitative research
• Deals with numbers and measurable forms. It uses a systematic
way of investigating events or data. It answers questions to
justify relationships with measurable variables to either explain,
predict, or control a phenomenon.
Types of Research
• Analytical research
➢ Is a method of research that, requires the researcher to use
facts or information already available, to analyze and make a
critical evaluation of a situation.
• Conceptual research
➢ Is associated to some theoretical idea(s) or presupposition and is
generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or
to get a better understanding of an existing concept in practice.
• Empirical research
➢ This type of research draws together the data based on experience or
observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory.
Comparing research types
Scientific method of research
• Five steps in scientific research
1. Observe and ask questions

2. Research
3. Formulate a hypothesis
4. Test hypothesis
5. Analysis and Conclusion
How to conduct accurate research
1 .Identify the main trends and issues, opportunities, and problems you observe.
Write a sentence describing each one.
2. Keep track of the frequency with which each of the main findings appears.
3. Make a list of your findings from the most common to the least common.
4. Evaluate a list of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that have
been identified in a SWOT analysis.
5. Prepare conclusions and recommendations about your study.
6. Act on your strategies
7. Look for gaps in the information, and consider doing additional inquiry if necessary
8. Plan to review the results and consider efficient methods to analyze and dissect
results for interpretation.
The End
Thank You

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MAFS 303:Biostatistics and

• It involves inductive and deductive methods.

• Through research, information and knowledge

➢ Descriptive studies describe the behavior of a sample

➢Only one variable is required to conduct the study.

➢Running experiments is the most popular form. For example, a study

➢Explanatory research establishes the cause-and-effect connections that

1. Observe and ask questions

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