APPLIED QUANTITATIVE METHODS (RPG 131)

Semester 2, Academic Session 2012/2013

Topic: How To Start A Research

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Dr.Norazmawati Md.Sani @ Abd.Rahim (Dr.Nora)

E08/102B04-6533161

norazmawati@usm.my http://drnorazmawati.blogspot.com

28 Februari 2013

CONTENT

1. How To Start A Research?2. Hypothesis3. Variable4. Hypothesis Development5. Nature of Study6. Conclusions

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How To Start A Research?

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Start with…1. Title

2. Abstract3. Introduction

4. Research Problem5. Research Question6. Research Objective

7. Research Framework8. Literature Review

9. Research Methodology10. Analysis11. Results

12. Discussion13. Conclusion

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What is a Title?

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Concise. Avoid redundant words.

Avoid Investigation of, Studies on, Abbreviations.

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Title

Unambiguous but adequate. Contains key words describing the

work.

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Title

Descriptive. Providing idea of results & focus of research.

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Title

5-6 WORDS.

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Title

Examples of Title

Homeownership affordability in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Low cost housing affordability in Malaysia.

Entrepreneurial Intention Among USM students.

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WHAT IS Abstract?

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Concise description of research article, without

providing details.

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Abstract

Accurate portrayal of title & study.

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Abstract

May contain brief introductory statement, objective, methodology, interpretation/conclusion, results &

findings.

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Abstract

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Do not include references & extra

information.

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Abstract

Advisable to write last.

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Abstract

Use past tense!.

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Abstract

Examples of AbstractMany variables can determine housing affordability, including household income, household expenditures, and housing prices. Nevertheless, owning a house can be difficult, especially for low-income individuals in Malaysia. The objective of this research is to examine the level of affordability and other variables that affect low-cost homeownership amongst the low-income group in Kuala Lumpur. The affordability of homeownership for an individual is generally determined by income. If his income is sufficient to pay for a house, buy other essential necessities, and obtain services in a

market, then a home is affordable for that individual. The sample for this research comprises 300 individuals who own a low-cost house managed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall in Kuala Lumpur. The systematic sampling technique was utilized to generate this sample. This research utilizes binary logistic regression as its analytical tool.

The findings indicate that low-income earners can afford to own a low-cost house in Kuala Lumpur. The main variables that affect the ability of the low-income group to own a low-cost house include household income, household expenditures, occupation, education level,

whether household members work and monthly payment for housing. 18

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Introduction

Establish context of the work. Short review of the literature,

summarizing current stage of knowledge.

Highlight knowledge gap.

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Introduction

State the purpose of the work.

Define the research question/reasons for carrying out the study.

May conclude method used in the study & why.

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Introduction

Explain the rationale of the work.

Ends with objective(s)of the

study.

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Examples of an IntroductionMalaysian economy-affected by the financial crisis 1997- Large number of firms & factories were closed down. The rate of unemployment was high. There is also an increasing number

of unemployment graduate in Malaysia. At the same time, the government was trying to

emulate the development of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Government developed a

policy relating to SMEs which involve 12 ministries & 40 departments. This includes 11 comprehensive programs for the development

of SMEs e.g., easy loan, financial support scheme etc.

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What is a Research Problems?

Research Problems

Does the problem/topic indicate a particular focus of

study?

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Research Problems

Is the problem “researchable”?

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Research Problems

May include: What are you discovering? What problems are you solving? What grave situations are you

helping to alleviate? How it will value-add?

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Research Problems Significance of the problem? (Quantitative) variables &

statement of relationship.

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Research Problems

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Resource, knowledge & skill to carry out the proposed research.

Research Problems

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Are based on your literature review.

Research Problems

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From Research Problems, you; Can determine your research title. Can identify the variable of your

research. Can identify the population of your

research. Can identify the relationship of

variables. Can get your framework of research.

Examples of Research Problems

Lately, government come out with new policy that entrepreneurial subject should

be thought for all public institution of higher learning in Malaysia. Previous study

focused on the determinants of entrepreneurship among business owners

or working adults.

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What is a Research Question?

Research Questions

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Def: is the methodology point of departure of scholarly research in both the natural & social sciences.

The research will answer any question posed.

Research Questions

Research Question & Research Problem are related with Objective & Title.

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Research Questions

1. What are the level of entrepreneurial personality & intention of USM students.

2. What are the impacts of demographic variables such as gender & ethnicity on entrepreneurial intention & personality traits?

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Examples of Research Questions

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What is a Research Objectives?

Research Objectives

Will achieved.

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Research Objectives

Will translate your research problem into statements of intent.

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Research Objectives

Use “verbs”:to identify, to formulate, to evaluate, to produce, to examine,

to develop etc.

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Research Objectives

Be realistic on the number of objectives.

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Research Objectives

Remember that the fulfillment of each objective will be evaluated at

the end of the research.

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Examples of Research Objectives

The objectives of this study are:1. To examine the level of entrepreneurial personality & intention of USM students.

2. To examine the impact of demographic variables such as gender & ethnicity on entrepreneurial intention & its determinants (work ethic, pursuit of excellence etc).

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Research Framework Def; Is the foundation on which the

entire research project is based. It is logically developed, described & elaborated network of associations

among the variables deemed relevant to the problem situation & identified through such processes

as interviews, observations & literature survey.

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After examining the different kind of variables.

Research Framework

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Already identify how the relationships among these can be established.

Research Framework

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Introduction

Housing Affordability:Literature Review

Analysis of Ownership of

Housing Affordability

Conclusion

Research MethodologyLow Cost

Ownership In Malaysia

Low CostHouse

In Kuala Lumpur

Homeownership Affordability In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Examples of Research Framework

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What is a Literature Review?

Literature Review

Scope of your review is appropriate for your degree level/research work.

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Literature Review Reviewed the sources

relevant to your research topic.

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Literature Review

There has been full critical engagement with the literature.

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Literature Review It is clear how your research

objectives/questions fit in with previous scholarly work.

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Literature Review Judge how feasible & useful your research

project is going to be.

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Literature Review

Judge how it will add to the current body of knowledge.

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Examples of Literature Review

What are the impacts of demographic variables such as gender & ethnicity on entrepreneurial intention & personality traits?

Define entrepreneurship & entrepreneurial intention.

Explanation on specific variables (IV &DV) & dimensions. Demography. Entrepreneurial intention. Personality traits (Work Ethic, Pursuit of excellence, Mastery, Chance,

Internal, Powerful others etc).

Explanation on past studies that look into the relationship between demographic & personality traits, entrepreneurial intention & contextual elements).

What were the results of their studies e.g., Mazzarol et al. (1999) found that females were less likely to be founders of

new business. Ramayah (2004) found that male students had significantly higher self

efficacy, …….. 55

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What is a Research Methodology?

Research Methodology

Def; the section of a research proposal in which the methods to be used are described. The

research design, the population to be studied,& the research instruments/tools, to be used are

discussed in the research methodology.

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Research Methodology

Described in appropriate details. eg. organisms, subjects, size, respondents,etc.

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Research Methodology

Methodically address the issue. Include data analysis & summary.

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Research Methodology

Described so that it is easily understood & may be repeated.

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Research Methodology

Statistically acceptable. Sample size. Number of

respondents.

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Research Methodology

Use past tense & avoid using a single sentence to relate a single action.

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Analysis

Def; the use of statistical methods to analyze data.

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Analysis

Are the data analysis able to answer the research questions?

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Analysis

Are the expected outcomes stated?

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Analysis

Are the significance of the study highlighted?

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Analysis

1. Profile of respondents-Frequency.2. Level of entrepreneurial

intention/personality-Frequency.3. Relationship- Correlation/Regression.

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Examples of Analysis

Results Def; a statement that solves a problem

/explains how to solve the problem.

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Results

Presented in a logical, sequential, thorough but concise manner.

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Results Details

provided should be

informative.

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Results

Inclusion of Figures & Tables in appropriate sequence & based on

necessity.

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Results Accurate & clear presentation

(opinions versus facts).

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Results

Avoid interpreting data.

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Results

Use past tense & wise to start first!.

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What Is A Discussion?75

Discussion

Def; the examination/consideration of a matter in writing.

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Discussion

Accurate interpretation of research . Connects with introduction & describes how your

findings have contributed to the problem.

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Discussion

Include & acknowledge previous studies,

gaps in knowledge.78

Discussion

Acknowledge limitations of study & use the right words.

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Discussion

Project importance of your contention.

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Discussion

Organize according to results but not recapitulate it.

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Discussion Do not overwrite; do not introduce new

results!.

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Conclusion

Def; a position/opinion/judgment reached after consideration.

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Conclusion

Do not repeat abstract/results/discussions.

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Conclusion

Make conclusions based on work done & results obtained.

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Conclusion

Conclusions should be focused & to the point.

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Conclusion Recommendations are generally

included for further of future research.

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Conclusion

Should answer the objectives of the research.

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Hypothesis

Def; Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument/investigation; an assumption.

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Hypothesis

Can be defined as a logically conjectured relationship between

2/> variables expressed in the form of a testable statement.

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Hypothesis

Relationships established in the theoretical framework formulated for the

research study.

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Hypothesis

By testing the hypothesis, it is expected that solutions can be found to correct the problem encountered.

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Variable Def; A quantity capable of assuming any of a set of values.

Is anything that can take on differing values.

eg: gender (male/female), the level of motivation (very low /very high).

Dependent Variable (DV)= is the variable of primary interest to the main issue.

Independent Variable (IV)= is one that influence the DV in either –/+ way.

Example:

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1. There is a positive relationship between father’s educational level & student’s performance.

2. There is a positive relationship between level of effort & student’s performance.

Independent Variables

Dependent Variables

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Hypothesis Development (Using DV & IV)

Research studies indicate that successful new product development has an influence on the stock market price of the company.

Hypothesis=More successful new product, the higher will be the stock market price of the company.

A manager believes that good supervision & training would increase the production level of the workers.

Hypothesis=The better the supervision & training, the higher will be the production level of the workers.

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Nature of

Study

Exploratory DescriptiveHypothesis

TestingCase study

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Exploratory Study Def; serving in/intended for exploration/discovery.

When not much is known about the situation at hand/no information is available on how similar problems/research issues have been solved in the past.

Involved extensive interview to understand the situation & actual phenomena/when facts are known but more information needed for developing theoretical framework.

eg., before formulated theories of managerial roles, Henry Mintzberg interviewed managers to explore the nature of managerial works.

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Descriptive Study Def; Involving/characterized by description.

To ascertain & to describe the characteristics of the variables.

eg., group of people (students), the age, educational level, area of specialization etc.

Normally, descriptive studies been used to explain the profile of the respondents.

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Hypothesis Testing

To explain the nature of certain relationships/

establish the differences among groups.

eg., If advertising is increased, then sales will also go up.

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Involved in depth, contextual analyses of matters relating to similar situations

in other organization.

Case Study

Also useful in understanding phenomena, & generating further

theories for empirical testing.

CONCLUSIONS

13 Elements To Start A Research. Hypothesis = an assumption Variable = A quantity capable of assuming

any of a set of values. Hypothesis Development = By Using DV &

IV. 4 types of Nature of Study.

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References

Research methods for business: A Skill Building Approach by Uma Sekaran. John wiley and Sons,Inc.1992.

Basic Statistics for business and Economics: Third Edition by Douglas A. Lind, Robert D. Mason and William G. Marchal, Mc Graw Hill, 1994.

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