Introductory
A research process is an established framework that not only helps in the identification of a problem but also in how to approach the solution to that problem from the lens of a researcher. The journey begins from observation to search for the problems, generation of hypotheses (a problem statement that needs to be proven or disproven) when the problem is identified, testing of that hypothesis through the accumulation of relevant data, and an objective analysis of that data to draw a conclusion from it and that conclusion results in proving or disapproving of the previously generated hypothesis.
Six Phases of Research Process
Some researchers suggest that there are seven or eight phases of the research process, but most agree on the six minimum phases of research.
Defining Problem: The first phase in any research process is the clear identification of the problem. The readers must be clearly informed about the scope of the problem you will tackle in your research, the objectives, as well as explaining any complex terms so they are able to approach the topic regardless of their different backgrounds.
Literature Review: Knowledge gets doubled every 10 years. Every new research is based on the existing knowledge and the research surrounding it. Literature review is the finding and analysis of existing knowledge and research that aligns well with and is relevant to your research. You should look for reputed resources and you should avoid Indian researchers as their research is mostly fabricated.
Selecting Research Design: A research design is the blueprint (of tasks and data gathering techniques) behind a research project, and the research methodology is the answer to "how" that blueprint is implemented practically. The research designs will vary in the techniques of data gathering that we will discuss in detail.
Gathering of Data: The fourth phase in the research process is the accumulation of data. But before you set out to launch your Google Form to the public, test it first by yourself to see the form is working properly. Survey questionaires must be clearly stated so that the respondents are not left scratching their heads to decode your questions.
Analysis of Data: The next step after data gathering is to conduct an analysis of it. We may divide the data into distinct demographic features. For example, we may categorize the number of Saraiki and Urdu speakers in Mianwali based on gender, age and their occupation.
Drawing Conclusion: The analysis of that gathered data helps in proving and disproving of the hypothesis we generated earlier. When drawing conclusions in your research, inform your readers how this research could be used for other projects.
The Research Designs
There are 4 research designs that we will explain in detail below:
Cross-Sectional Design: This research design contains a vast amount of data related to the behaviours of people but within a certain time-frame. This data is basically a snapshot, just like a local WhatsApp backup on your smartphone, which only contains messages from the time when that backup was made.
Longnitudinal Design: Researchers collect data over long periods of time and see the change in variables after comparing the readings of such variables over different time periods.
Time-Series Design: Readings of the same exact variables are taken at regular time intervals. Time-Series Design helps in studying the change in variables over-time after establishing a baseline, while also foreshadowing short-term future trends. Though the data might be easy to collect, we can't show more than one variable in time.
Panel Design: The researchers following this research design take periodic measurements of the same people. The changes are highlighted on an individual level. The few downsides of this research design are we cannot keep the same people over a long period of time, and repeated measurements may affect how individuals report.
Sources and Suggested Readings
Lecture and Slides Provided by Sir Tariq Usman
