RESEARCH METHODS

About this Course

This course aims to equip students with the necessary research skills to conduct research in the field of Office Systems and Management. Students will be exposed to research methodologies appropriate to their discipline as well as those most commonly used in other disciplines. Throughout this course, the students will make extensive use of library resources.

Course Learning Outcomes

1) Explain the purpose for conducting research
2) Identify a problem and write a research proposal.
3) Design a review of literature related to the proposed project.
4) Analyze data using appropriate statistical tools.

Course Syllabus

+ Course Syllabus

1) INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Title page
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter 3: Methodology
References
Appendices

2) CHAPTER 1: THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
Definition, purpose and the importance of research.
Characteristic of Research
The Steps in Research Process
Types of research
Descriptive (emphasized)
Historical
Correlational
Experimental
Applied (Action Research)
Exploratory
Quasi Experimental
Basic vs Applied Research

3) CHAPTER 2: THE RESEARCH PROCESS: COMING TO TERMS
Types of Variables
Dependent
Independent
Control
Extraneous
Moderator
Types of Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
Research Hypothesis
Directional Hypothesis
Non-Directional Hypothesis
Samples and Population
The Concept of Significance

4) CHAPTER 3A: SELECTING A PROBLEM AND REVIEWING THE RESEARCH
Selecting a Problem
Defining Your Interest
From Idea to Research Question to Hypothesis
Reviewing the Literature (Types of Sources)
Reading and Evaluating Research
Using Electronic Tools in Your Research Activities
Using journals
Using abstracts
Using indexes
Using CD-ROMs
On-line
Writing the Literature Review
Basic Principles of Ethical Research
Ensuring High Ethical Standards


CHAPTER 3B: THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTISING ETHICS IN RESEARCH
Basic Principles of Ethical Research
Ensuring High Ethical Standards

5) CHAPTER 4: SAMPLING AND GENERALIZABILITY
Populations and Samples
Probability Sampling Strategies
Simple Random Sampling
Systematic Sampling
Stratified Sampling
Cluster Sampling
Nonprobability Sampling Strategies
Convenience Sampling
Quota Sampling
Estimating Sample Size and Sampling Error

6) CHAPTER 5: MEASUREMENT, RELIABILITY, AND VALIDITY
Levels of Measurement
Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio
Reliability
Validity

7) CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO SPSS
Preparation of the Data
Instrument Development
Observation
Interview
Survey
Preparation of the Questionnaire with Cover Letter
Alignment of Questionnaire Based on Research Objectives
Getting Ready with Data Collection
The Data Collection Process

8) CHAPTER 2: PREPARATION OF THE DATA
Defining Variable
Entering Data
Choosing Appropriate Graph
Bar Chart
Pie Chart
Line Graph

9) CHAPTER 3: DATA SCREENING AND TRANSFORMATION
DATA SCREENING
Checking for Errors
Assessing for Normality
Graphical
Histogram
Boxplot
Stem and leaf plot
Normal probability plot
Detrended normal plot
Statistical
Kolmogorov Smirnov with Shapiro Wilk Statistics
Skewness
Kurtosis

10) CHAPTER 3: DATA SCREENING AND TRANSFORMATION
DATA TRANSFORMATION
Recode
Negatively worded scale items
Collapsing continuous to categorical variable
Compute
Total score
Mean sore

11) CHAPTER 4: DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
Frequency Distribution
Measures of Central Tendency and Variability

AND

Distribution of Scores
Measures of Central Tendency
Mean
Mode
Median
Measures of Dispersion
Standard Deviation
Range
Variance
The Normal Curve (Bell-Shaped Curve)

12) CHAPTER 4: DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
CHOOSING THE RIGHT STATISTICS
Continuous vs Categorical Variable
Concept of Answering Research Objectives Through Data Analysis
Data Analysis
Relationship
Comparison Analysis

13) RELIABILITY ANALYSIS: INTERNAL CONSISTENCY
Examples from Journals on Reliability Cronbach Alpha values

14) RELIABILITY ANALYSIS: INTERNAL CONSISTENCY
Examples from Journals on Reliability Cronbach Alpha values

Frequently Asked Questions

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