Science and approaches of science

1. Science
&
Approaches of
Science
Muhammad Sajid us Salam
PhD Scholar
Department of English
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

2. WHAT IS RESEARCH ?

3. Definition of research
Research is a systematic process of inquiry
consisting of three elements or components :
1.A question, problem, or hypothesis
2.Data
3.Analysis and interpretation of data
David Nunan -1992
“research methods in language learning”

4. Definition of research
John W Creswell
"Research is a process of steps used to collect
and analyze information to increase our
understanding of a topic or issue".
It consists of three steps: Pose a question,
collect data to answer the question, and
present an answer to the question

5. Research is carried out in
order to :
 Get a result with scientific methods
objectively, not subjectively.
 Solve problems, verify the application of
theories, and lead on to new insights.
 Enlighten both researcher and any interested
readers.
 Prove/disprove new or existing ideas, to
characteristic phenomena, and to achieve
personal and community aims.

6. WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN
CONDUCTING RESEARCH?

7. 1. Identifying a research problem
2. Reviewing the literature
3. Specifying a purpose for research
4. Collecting data
5. Analyzing and interpreting the data
6. Reporting and evaluating research
“John W. Creswell”

8. Research Questions

9. WHAT IS A RESEARCH
QUESTION?
 Brief question that directs your efforts to
collect, critically read, and evaluate your
sources.
 A research question guides and centers your
research. It should be clear and focused, as
well as synthesize multiple sources to
present your unique argument.

10. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE
RESEARCH QUESTION
 The research question is the starting point of
the study.
 It will determine the population to be studied,
the setting for the study, the data to be
collected, and the time period for the study.
 A clear and concisely stated research
question is the most important requirement
for a successful study.

11. CHARACTERISTICS FOR A
RESEARCH QUESTION
➢ Are specific.
➢ Are clear.
➢ Refer to the problem or phenomenon.
➢ Note the target group of participants.

12. EXAMPLES OF A GOOD
RESEARCH QUESTION
 Will the use of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development
model for written expression improve the composition
skills of students with ADHD (Reid & Lienemann, 2006)?
 Would students in classrooms of teachers receiving
professional development in early literacy skills show
greater gains in cognitive development when
compared to those in control classrooms (Landry,
Swank, Smith, Assel, & Gunnewig, 2006)?

13. RESEARCH
QUESTION
₰ The methodological point of
departure of scholarly research
in both the natural and social
sciences.
₰ At an undergraduate level, the answer to the
research question is the thesis statement.
₰ The answer to a research question will help
address a "Research Problem" which is a
problem "readers think is worth solving“.

14. Types of Study
Quantitative study
Qualitative study
Mixed study
Therefore, the writer must first identify the types of study
(qualitative, quantitative, or mixed) before the research
question is developed.

15. How to Make
 Step 1:
Draft a research question/hypothesis.
e.g: What effects did monetary crisis have on the future plans of students
who were high school seniors at time of the terrorist attacks?
 Step 2:
Draft a purpose statement.
e.g: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the monetary
crisis on the future plans of high school seniors
 Step 3:
Revise and rewrite the research question.
e.g: What is the association between monetary crisis and future plans of
high school seniors.

16. Rules and Regulations
Questions should in some way:
Ѡ Be worth investigating
Ѡ Contribute knowledge & value to the field
Ѡ Improve educational practice
Ѡ Improve the human condition
Characteristics of a good research
question:
Ѡ The question is feasible
Ѡ The question is clear
Ѡ The question is significant
Ѡ The question is ethical

17. The Problem of
Research
“how to decide research problem?”

18. The Problem of Research
A research problem is a statement about an area
of concern, a condition to be improved, or a
troubling question that exists in scholarly literature,
in theory, or in practice that points to the need for
meaningful understanding and deliberate
investigation.

19. How to decide the problem of
research?
• Select which field that we want to
investigate
• Problems that we choose is up to date,
relevance, new findings, attract attention,
has a value, and based on fact
• Problems that we make must be identified
in the form of a question

20. THANK YOU