There are a lot of research methods used by students and researchers in the conduct of a research project. It is important to note that there is no direct answer regarding the kind of research method to be adopted in a particular research work. Instead, the choice of a particular research method is strictly a function of the nature of the research problem being investigated. In other words, the appropriateness of a given research method is determined mainly by the kind of investigation being conducted. This, in turn, determines the kind of data that will be collected in the course of the research…
There are a lot of research methods used by students and researchers in the conduct of a research project. It is important to note that there is no direct answer regarding the kind of research method to be adopted in a particular research work. Instead, the choice of a particular research method is strictly a function of the nature of the research problem being investigated. In other words, the appropriateness of a given research method is determined mainly by the kind of investigation being conducted. This, in turn, determines the kind of data that will be collected in the course of the research. Some of the commonly used research methods, according to Aina (2002), include the following namely: –
Seven (7) Research Methods
Social Survey Research Method.
Historical Research Method.
Case Studies Research Method.
Delphi Studies Research Method.
Bibliometric Research Method.
Citation Analysis Research Method.
Experimental Research Method.
Social Survey Research Method
This method is commonly referred to as Survey or Descriptive Research. It is the method associated with research situations, where the research subjects run into hundreds or even thousands, spreading across a large area. Its underlying principle is to seek the opinions of individuals on a particular problem, whereby the consensus of these opinions provides the needed solution to the problem at hand. One of its main characteristics is that of selected sample from a population, due to the sheer inability of the researcher to reach every member of the population as a result of their members and spread. With a carefully selected sample, the results obtained from the sample will be used to generalise the population. There is the choice, therefore, to obtain information from a sample population without necessarily seeking the opinions of the whole population. The one condition which must, however, be fulfilled here is ensuring that the selected sample is not only unbiased but also representative. Hence, the use of sampling techniques to determine the appropriateness of the sample. Thus, the questionnaire, interview and observation are often used as data collection instruments to obtain the opinions from the sample in a survey research (Issa, 2006). Example of a typical research topic using this method is The Impact of Language in the Business Operations of Market Women in Yaba Market, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Historical Research Method
Considering the Greek word historia, which means, searching to find out, historical research method is an inquiry into the past. Its aim is essentially to interpret past trends of attitudes, events and facts. In other words, it is targeted at gathering information about events of the past, personalities involved and the developments that have taken place. To this end, data would be collected mainly from the primary sources, which may include manuscripts, annual reports, and gazettes. In addition, the researcher arranges for interviews with personalities who are involved in or witnessed the developments (Issa, 2006). An instance of such projects can study “Statues: The Making of Very Important Personalities Statues in Nigeria from 1980s 2000s”. Sometimes, data have to be collected from secondary sources also. Historical sources may also be classified into two main categories namely: –
i. Documents, and
ii. Relics.
Whereas documents are usually written, relics are archaeological or geological remains like tools, utensils, equipment and implements. Documentary sources would include:
i. Official Records, Minutes of Meetings, Committee Reports and legal Documents.
ii. Institutional Records, Attendance Rolls and Bulletins.
iii. Memoirs, Biographies, Diaries and Personal Letters.
Case Studies Method
This method is used to study a particular case in point with a view to examining in great depth and extent, the characteristics of that individual unit. What is considered as a unit of a Case Study will vary from one study to another. It can be an individual person, a language, a family, an institution or even an entire community. This is the case with some case studies where emphasis is on pattern and sequences of growth and/or change as a function of time. This is why such studies are referred to as Developmental Case Studies. In any case, the critical issue about case studies is that all variables connected with the unit (internal and external), have to be thoroughly identified and evaluated. The ultimate goal here is to gather comprehensive information about that unit being studied. Some of the instruments used in collecting data for case studies include observations, questionnaires, interviews and documentary sources (Issa, 2006). The Phonological Study of Esuku Language of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo-Ondo States can be considered as a potential case study project topic.
Delphi Studies Method
This is a method of research, which Busha and Harter (1980) described as a systematic approach to the generation of some consensus opinions among a group of carefully selected and anonymous respondents. Using this method, the researcher sets out to collect his data from a list of selected experts on his field of study.Every member of the expert group chosen will be expected to compile a list of opinions on the topic of research. Once collected, all the responses would be synthesized into a form of questionnaire, which would in turn be made available to the experts for ranking. The data that the ranking process produces are subjected to statistical analysis. The new revised ranking will be incorporated into another questionnaire and made available again to the same set of chosen experts, who did the initial ranking. This process is further repeated until the researcher is able to present a consensus opinion of the experts. A research topic example is “A study to identify key factors affecting the diffusion of e-commerce in Sub-Saharan Africa between Chitu Okoli and Suzanne Pawlowski.”
Bibliometrics Research Method
This method of research applies mainly to research in the Library and Information Science profession. It involves the statistical analysis of any list such as bibliographies, inter-library loan enquiries and reference enquiries. The popular Bradfords Law of Scattering is usually applied as it enables the researcher to obtain the core area of a particular endeavor. Essentially, the Bradfords Law states that: – If scientific journals are arranged in order of descending productivity of articles on a given subject, they may be divided into nucleus of periodicals more particularly devoted to the subject and several other groups of zones contain the same member of articles as the nucleus. The method is quite popular among libraries in this part of the world mainly because it allows for the ranking of journals that are in regular use in libraries. Similarly, one can compile a list of journals in which staff members regularly publish their papers and then rank them. This can be done from a list of publications of staff of a university. One can also identity books commonly borrowed through inter-library loans, which the library can later acquire for its users. This can be done from inter-library loans. The outcome of this kind of study helps the library to decide on what copies of any particular material found to be regularly used or borrowed in the library are to be procured.For example, bibliometrics can study literature for its content, utilization of data, representation of a theme, or growth over time. Often, this type of research is accomplished through the use of indexes like Scopus or Web of Science.Citation Analysis Method
This is also common in the field of Library and Information Science like the Bibliometrics. In this method, cited references in selected journals are statistically analysed so as to find out the common journals cited by researchers in a particular discipline. The method is so similar to Bibliometric studies so much that it is even assumed to be a part of it (Issa, 2006).A project titled “Citation analysis of thesis submitted to the Department of Chemistry and Petroleum Engineering of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria Is a viable example.
Experimental Research Method
This is the most popular and perhaps the oldest form of research methods. It is a very predominant method of research in the pure and applied sciences. In this kind of research, we deliberately control and manipulate the conditions, which we have reason to believe determine the area in which we are interested.
In other words, independent variables are manipulated so as to watch the effects of this on the dependent variables. The thrust of experimental research design is therefore to establish causality (that one factor can cause effect on another factor). Experimental research takes place in the laboratory because it aims at finding out the relationship existing between two factors under controlled conditions (Issa, 2006). This method can be used in researching the following project topic; the effects of a new drug intended to treat Dementia medical condition, a case study of dementia patients in University of Ilorin Teaching hospital”..
Usually, there are two groups in this kind of research namely: –
i. The experimental group and,
ii. The control group.
Whereas the former is the group under manipulation, the latter is not. As the researcher exposes the experimental group to one or more treatment conditions, he is able to measure the effect, compared to the control group, which is not exposed to the same treatment(s). Thus, the experimental research strictly adopts the Scientific Method in its investigation (Issa, 2006). Essentially, this method involves the following process namely: –
i. Observation/problem statement.
ii. Formulation of hypotheses/theory.
iii. Testing.
iv. Conclusion.References
Aina, L. O. (2001). Research in Information Sciences: An African Perspective. Ibadan: Stirling-Horden. Pp. 1-31.
Busha, C. and S. R. Harter (1980). Research Methods in Librarianship: Techniques and Interpretation. New York. Academic Press.
Issa, A. O. (2006). Practical Guides to Project Writing For Students in Polytechnics, Colleges and Universities. Offa, Kwara: Department of Library and Information Science, The Federal Polytechnic, Offa.