RESEARCH METHODOLOGY TRAINING Prof. JOSEPH MAGALI The Open University of Tanzania 26th February 2024 • TITLE, ABSTRACT AND SUMMARY OF CHAPTER ONE Learning outcomes • At the end of this training the student should: • Compose title of your research • Formulate the problem statement of your research • Write the general and specific objectives of your research • Create the empirical literature review matrix (Table) and determine the theory you will use in your research Abstract Summarizes objectives, methodology, results and conclusion of your study • Show the summary of the study • There are different formats • The standard abstract contains: i. The general and specific objectives ii. The methodology (sample size, sampling design, data collection methods and analysis) iii. The findings iv. The conclusion and recommendations Meaning of research-RE-SEARCH • Continuous search by building the base of arguments using previous studies/literatures • Every research should consider the findings of previous studies • Then innovative points are established Meaning of Research…. • The one who innovated the flight studied the bird • The researcher studied the echo to innovative the desk phone then mobile phone • Innovative points usually cover only one or few variables Characteristics of Good Title: The title Should be short, clear and concise • Should be short, clear and concise • Number of word-OUT Prospectus 2023/2024- Words-maximum 20 (Page 143) • Avoid repetition of words in the title • Indicate the relationship between the independent and dependent variables • Eg. Determinants of income earning in Rwanda: the moderating of culture In CHAPTER ONE • IN BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH PROBLEM • Make sure that you explain the problem happening to the dependent variable with support of data/references-This is the one which motivated you to conduct the research. For instance if You are assessing the influence of HRM practices on SACCOS performance state what is the current problems of SACCOS performance and what are the causes of the problem? • Explain with references and data why the selected study areas is reasonable-What challenges are happening to the study area or variables? • Then summarize the findings from studies done on each variables of your specific objectives and state the gaps left from each variable which have motivated your to conduct your study • Present in summary the “ theoretical gaps” probably in one paragraph In problem statement • State the problem which motivated you to conduct the study. This is the summary of what has been presented in the background information • Support the problem with data and references • Present the research gaps as part of the problem In objectives (General & Specific • State the general and specific objectives of your study • The specific objectives should be related with variables of your study • The variables should be confirmed by the literature review (should be cited in previous literature) • The variables should be compatible with theories/models that guides your study • For quantitative analysis, relate the independent and dependent variables of your study • The objectives should be smart In the scope of the study • State what you study will cover in terms of • Study variables • Geographical coverage • State the justifications for selecting the study variables and geographical coverage In the significance of the study • State the significance of the study: • Practically – How it will assist the participants of the research and the community or organizations where the research is carried out • Theoretically-state in brief what theoretical gaps your study will cover • In Policy-state what recommendations you study will contribute to the policy-whether policy establishment or ammendment In organization/structure of the study • Summarize each sub-section of each chapter-Do not leave even single item • Include only the contents of the proposal which are three chapters • The contents should be summarized LITERATURE REVIEW •Literature review is divided into: i. Theoretical literature review ii. Empirical literature review Theoretical literature review include: •Definition of terms & concepts-Give at least three definitions and state what definition you will adopt •Write the policy related with the title and state if there is a policy gap. Components of theoretical literature • Write the statement of the theory For instance, “Giving monetary motivation increases the employee performance” A Statement of the theory shows relationship between two or more variables (Zhou et al.,2017) Theoretical analysis/framework • After deciding what theory you will use: • Present the statement of the theory, initial authors and year of establishment • State the variables of the theory THEORETICAL ANALYSIS/FRAMEWORK • Present the studies that have used the theory include the most current (2024) studies and state what gaps are left by studies • Link the theory with variables of specific objectives (If possible make the variable of theory as variables of specific objectives) • Present the theoretical gap(s)-A gap explain the Variables of the theory which have not covered by previous studies. • A gaps in theory also can be explained through applying the theory in new way/Example using a psychological theory in a business field . Example of Model & Theories: • Technological Acceptance Model (Davies, 1986)TAM is the framework that underpin the relationship between the individual reaction to Technological usage and the actual usage of such technology. Variables are Perceived easy of use, perceived usefulness, Perceived risk, Attitude towards use, Behavioural intentions. • Consumer Trust Theory (Mayer et al.,1995)Customer’s trust on MMS believe on competence, integrity and reputation. • Perceived Risk Theory (Bauer, 1960). Technological usage involves risk such that any decision produces consequences that are likely to be unpleasant. 18 THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK • The conceptual framework presents variables in the title and specific objectives • The conceptual framework presents the independent, intervening or mediating/moderating/control and dependent variables Conceptual Framework Mobile Money Services Usage Perceived Usefulness H1 Perceived Trust H2 SMEs Operations H3 Perceived Risk Source: Syntheses of Literature Review (2016) 20 The Conceptual Framework 2/29/2024 21 Hypotheses A hypothesis is: • a statement of the predicted outcome/ predicted answer to the problem • a hypothesis is normally stated in the form of declarative sentences which are testable in order to prove the statement correct or wrong. • It is categorized into null or alternative hypothesis. Hypotheses Are employees retention rates related to leadership styles? (Examples of hypothesis statement) • Employee retention rates are unrelated to leadership styles (NULL) • Employee retention rates are related to leadership styles (ALTERNATIVE) Research hypothesis • Is a proposed relationship between the two variables • Type of hypothesesi. Null-Negative hypothesis ii. Alternative-Positive hypothesis iii. Hypotheses with direction iv. Hypotheses without direction Hypothesis are formulated after thorough review of literature Hypotheses are proposed if the purpose of the study is to test the relationship between variables YOU HAVE TO USE A DATA ANALYSIS MODEL LIKE CORRELATION OR REGRESSION Empirical literature review • Empirical literature explains findings provided by real studies done through research process (problem investigation, hypotheses, data collection and analysis and reporting the results) • It is advisable to prepare a literature review framework matrix. • A matrix which shows author(s) of the article, year of publication, Title, country, methods of data analysis, sample size, theory used and the research gap (s) • A matrix helps you to critique the literatures and identify the gap (s) very clearly. In order to create the matrix effectively: • Know how to search literatures by using Boolean logic (“and” “or” “and not” • You can search using search engine or directly to the data base • Areas to search in the literature i. Abstract ii. Conclusion iii. By searching using the edit menu or “control + F” iv. Searching in the needed sections only such as methodology, results and discussion, etc. Research gaps • What previous authors have not focused on: • Is derived from specific objectives • A gaps (s) can be traced by looking: i. Coverage in terms of variables of study (specific objectives-contextual or empirical gaps) ii. Study designs (exploratory, descriptive and explanatory) if single design was applied you extend to mixed method designs-methodological iii. Methods for data collection and analysis iv. Areas under study (weak gaps) v. Duration of the previous study (if situation has changed) Plagiarism as an Academic offense Plagiarism is a deliberate attempt of using ones ideas or writings your own (Burns and Burns, 2008:63) without acknowledging the original source of the ideas (Easterby-Smith et al., 2008). Is copying and pasting word by word the work of others. Plagiarism is an academic offense. How to prepare the Empirical literature review Matrix Title example: Determinants of insurance demand for SMEs in Tanzania: Variables of Specific objectives variables: i. Insurance costs ii. Level of income iii. Level of Education Note: Include ONLY the summarized information based on the title and the variables of the study. Do not include detailed and irrelevant information. TITLE: The factors affecting insurance demand: VARIABLES OF SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: level of income, insurance costs and level of education S/N Author, year and country Title of study Method of data analysis Study findings Study gap theory used and sample size 1. Makoka et al. (2007) in Malawi Determinants of Private Descriptive and Regression Income and age health insurance 2. (Variables not covered by the study) Ibiwoyo et al. (2010) in Nigeria The determinants of Life insurance The study did not assess how Method, sample size 300, No education theory influence insurance demand Regression, Demand Theory for insurance cost of Gross domestic product, The study did not assess education, Insurance, Inflation, sample size 180 and Return on insurance cost and income level Investment and, Political stability 3 Sekyere and Chiaraah (2014) Demand in Ghana for Health Regression method, insurance in Ghana. What theory, sample size 90 curative factors education and level of influence Enrollment? 4 care, study focused on health high insurance and not business insurance income. Education, income The study did not assess how level of inflation, social security, for life insurance the case The dual Theory of choice interest rates, income influence insurance demand dependency ratio, of Canada. under risk, sample size 430 financial development and life expectancy Mapharing et al.(2015) in Determinants of Demand Regression method Botswana and Canada No Sex, marital status, cost of The How to convert the empirical matrix into sentences in the literature review section Makoka et al. (2007) assessed the determinants of private health insurance in Malawi using descriptive and regression analysis. The study revealed that income and age influenced positively and significantly the insurance demand. However, the study did not examine how education and insurance cost influence insurance demand. Moreover, the study concentrated on health insurance and not business insurance. In additional, the study has been done in Malawi which differs with Tanzanian operating environments. Methods of data analysis • Qualitative data analysis (contents analysis and grounded theory, thematic, systematic literature review, literature review and meta analysis) • Quantitative data analysis: i. Descriptive analysis (use of frequency and percentages, means, tables) ii. Correlational analysis iii. Regression/Logistic regression analysis iv. Chi-square analysis v. Factor analysis vi. Structural equation modelling (SEM) NOTE: Sampling design types such as random, purposive or snowball sampling, methods of data collection such as survey, focused group discussion, interview and questionnaire should not mentioned as methods of data analysis. FOR PROPER WRITING •Please read the complete already defended proposal or the completed research report which has already been hand bounded.
