Research Methodology Concepts For Accounts And Forms

Requirements of research design

Discuss about the Research Methodology Concepts for Accounts and Forms.

In the world of computing, there are various interventions that are coming up to have systems put in place. The systems that are designed aims at providing a particular solution to real-world issues. To ensure that the systems designed to meet the intended purpose, there is need to conduct a feasibility study which aims at gathering information that will be of importance to come up with a comprehensive technology (Fraenkel & Wallen, 2003). In the course of the feasibility study, the various stakeholders who affect the functionality of the systems either directly or indirectly are analyzed since they determine the extent of success. Gathering of information involves a research since this acts as a foundation for future steps that will take place. To have a reliable system in the future, proper research design should be incorporated as this will give the guidelines that will be followed in the implementation process. Also, in the gathering of data and information regarding a project, a proper methodology is required. The advantages and disadvantages using particular methods should be critically analyzed to ensure that the one that suits best is utilized (Harrington, et al. 2008). In the course of this paper, the focus will be geared towards examining various methodologies that are used in research design for data collecting giving the pros and cons of each and their applicability in the field of Information Technology.

Before commencing a research activity, it is important to have an outline of what is required to ensure some boundaries have been set to avoid too much analysis as well as well as reduce chances of failure. It is important to come up with research questions. The research questions define the scope of the study as the researcher will be answering the set priorities in an orderly manner.  The research questions are grouped in such a way that they are related regarding topics. In every subcategory of the research study, the approaches that are applicable are listed, and each analyzed differently, and the one that suits best is picked. Also in a particular subcategory, data collection methods are listed and analyzed differently to ensure that the best and most appropriate is picked. After the data has been collected using a particular method, it is mandatory that it is analyzed. Data analysis methods are brought on board, and the most appropriate and applicable is picked.

Methods of data collection

As mentioned earlier, research design is similar to a plan that will be used to a later date when the actual research will be carried out. It is important to include in the research design the various types of data that will consider essential as well as their sources. In should be understood that the data types and sources are in custody of a third party and, therefore, there is a need for the researcher to know how the various sources of information will be accessed without infringing the rights of the owner. Questions regarding the owner’s availability, datasets that exist, biographical accounts, form, and formality should be discussed. In addition, in research design, a researcher should have a crew of what the expectations look like as this helps in gauging the appropriateness of the planning process. A researcher should know the form in which the results will take to avoid uncertainty.

It is also important in the research design process to consider the time frame of each of the activities. Every research work is associated with a particular time frame, and this dictates the duration required before a fully functional system is completed. In this context, the time frame discussed is not the actual time to be taken but just an estimate. There are various tools such as Gantt Charts among others that are used in the representation of activities regarding time. It helps a researcher to have an overview of what is required through the weighing of the intensity of activity. The deadline which is given by the client of the system determines the time allocation of each activity. On the other hand, after knowing the time and the intensity of each activity of the project, a researcher can estimate the number of individuals who will be deployed to complete a given task. Also, through allocating time to particular activities, issues too with prioritization are easily achieved. In a carrying out research, some activities are run simultaneous and thus drawing a critical path to the activities is required.

Before deciding on the method of information gathering, it is advisable for the researcher to investigate whether qualitative or quantitative approaches should be taken. The approach in this context implies something more than the type of the data to be used. An approach simply means the orientation and claim types made during a particular study. Research projects can either use quantitative or qualitative data or even both, but this depends on the abilities, preferences and the suitability of a particular approach to the given topic (Onwuegbuzie & Leech, 2005). In particular, qualitative data is useful when a researcher wants to discover how particular forms that are common affects a group of people. A good example when qualitative data is used to formulate a research is when studying how a particular element such as drug abuse affects a given age group. On the hand, quantitative data is applicable when the study wants to investigate why a certain group of people gets involved in an unusual behavior. 

Literature-based method of data collection

There are several things that have to be put into consideration before settling on either qualitative or quantitative analysis. First, the researcher should consider the philosophical approach that is most preferable (Galliers & Land, 1987). The mostly used philosophical approaches are phenomenologist, realist, and constructionist. Secondly, a researcher should consider the abilities and skills one has regarding the data collection and analysis. When an individual is well versed in quantitative data usage, it is advisable that he or she follows that route for convenience and accuracy. Finally, the topic of interest determines the approach that is used. From the framing of the research questions and the responses expected, a researcher can predict the most appropriate analysis to be used.

After prior planning of the research activity, data collection comes next to help gather information that will help to generate the required outcome. Before deciding on a particular method of data collection, the research has to consider if the research is inductive or deductive. In a deductive nature of research, there are theories that are involved, and each of them needs to be tested. In a deductive research, particular theories have to be tested through hypothesis development and an experimental design have to be created (Knowles & Cole, 2008). It may use either quantitative or qualitative data or a combination of both to set up the experiments. On the hand, if research is deductive, it starts with an existing theory and a hypothesis is tested, for example, background of a social class and the privileges associated. Research shows that for a deductive research to be successful, there is a combination of both inductive and deductive elements considered.

In the literature based method of data correction, a researcher mainly depends on already researched to come up with a conclusion of the matter. In the literature-based research, theoretical analysis is most applicable. In the theoretical analysis, a comparison is made of the existing theories regarding a topic which ends up having a particular pattern of behavior. When a particular pattern has been arrived at, the researcher is tasked with the responsibility of analyzing if the combination can be applicable in arriving at the desired and expected solution. For a literature-based research to effective, there must be prior research that has been conducted and conclusions are given leaving room for further study where continuation is done.

Literature-based research has its advantages as well as disadvantages. One of the advantages is authenticity. A literature-based approach is authentic in that evidence such as textbooks and among other programs can be used for future reference when the need arises. Through authenticity, researchers are subjected to various cultures and social structures were similar incidences once happened (Zivkovic, 2012). Through subjection to various cultures and theoretical frameworks, a researcher can make comprehensive conclusions. Another advantage is that it gives the researcher high level of thinking skills. Research distributed by the International Reading Association and the National Reading Conference found that researchers who were perused to performed better on trial of vocabulary and perception. General perception comes through restating outcomes as well as expanding research through blending.

Advantages and disadvantages of different research methodologies

Literature-based research also has disadvantages. A few factors in the literature based perusing guideline can adversely influence student learning and development. In an assorted classroom, it might be hard to discover books that all research can identify with in the meantime, especially in classes where all courses are perused to at the same time (Jonassen, 2004). Utilizing one book for a whole class presents challenges as more unpredictable stories may be troublesome for all students to get it. Furthermore, with differing levels of vocabulary and appreciation capacities in a single classroom, it might be hard to pick stories that all understudies effortlessly get it. On the other hand, building up perusing educational modules in light of writing makes some extra work for the instructor. Books should be both a proper perusing level for most researchers and contain enough test to extend vocabulary and perception. Moreover, it might be hard to reuse similar writings a seemingly endless amount of time – stories or themes wind up plainly obsolete or less important to researcher’s lives. Educators may likewise need to pick a few books for every lesson to guarantee that all students have content to peruse that is proper for singular aptitudes.

Case studies include the use of particular occurrence in the course carrying a research by considering another similar incident. The conclusions that were made in a particular case are applied similarly. Case studies contextual investigations are an imperative and helpful strategy for information gathering, particularly in instances of uncommon occurrences. It would be amazingly untrustworthy to go taking parts of people group’s brains out just to influence a bigger example to size to utilize an alternate trial outline strategy. In any case, as information is gathered on new cases, it is essential to dependably allude back to past information keeping in mind the end goal to expand on existing learning and guarantee discoveries are as material to genuine as could reasonably be expected.

Case studies enable a ton of detail to be gathered that would not typically be effectively gotten by other research outlines. The information gathered is typically a considerable measure wealthier and of more noteworthy profundity that can be found through other exploratory outlines. Through contextual analyses have a tendency to be directed on uncommon situations where vast examples of comparable members are not accessible. A good example of this is the investigation of Phineas Gage by Harlow, J.M. This illustration likewise interfaces with the point above with the profundity of information acquired. Instances of mental harm are very insignificant, and it is greatly uncommon to discover individuals with precisely the same of the cerebrum influenced. To have the capacity to pick up learning of cerebrum works the harm between individuals must be correct to guarantee you are trying the best thing, this should for the most part just be possible through contextual investigations. Inside the contextual investigation, logical examinations can be led.  Also, contextual studies can enable experimenters to adjust thoughts and deliver novel speculations which can be utilized for later testing.

One of the fundamental reactions regarding case studies is that the information gathered can’t be summed up to the more extensive populace. This prompts information being gathered over longitudinal contextual investigations not continually being applicable or especially valuable. Some contextual analyses are not logical (Reeves, et al. 2008). Freud utilized contextual analyses for huge numbers of his hypotheses or studies. Such cases are that of Anna O and Little Hans (Chilisa, 2011). Both of these are not logical nor are they ready to be summed up. This can be ascribed to them being contextual analyses, yet additionally Freudian hypothesis all in all. Contextual analyses are for the most part on one individual, yet there additionally keeps an eye on just be one experimenter gathering the information. This can prompt predisposition in information gathering, which can impact comes about more than in various outlines. It is likewise tough to draw an unmistakable reason/impact from case studies.

References

Chilisa, B. (2011). Indigenous research methodologies. Sage Publications.

Fraenkel, J. R., & Wallen, N. E. (2003). How to design and evaluate research in education. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Galliers, R. D., & Land, F. F. (1987). Choosing appropriate information systems research methodologies. Communications of the ACM, 30(11), 901-902.

Harrington, K., Litosseliti, L., Sauntson, H., & Sunderland, J. (2008). Gender and language research methodologies. Palgrave Macmillan.

Jonassen, D. H. (Ed.). (2004). Handbook of research on educational communications and technology. Taylor & Francis.

Knowles, J. G., & Cole, A. L. (2008). Handbook of the arts in qualitative research: Perspectives, methodologies, examples, and issues. Sage.

Lassonde, C. A., Galman, S., & Kosnik, C. M. (Eds.). (2009). Self-study research methodologies for teacher educators. SensePublishers.

Libarkin, J. C., & Brick, C. (2002). Research methodologies in science education: Visualization and the geosciences. Journal of Geoscience Education, 50(4), 449-455.

Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Leech, N. L. (2005). On becoming a pragmatic researcher: The importance of combining quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. International journal of social research methodology, 8(5), 375-387.

Reeves, S., Kuper, A., & Hodges, B. D. (2008). Qualitative research methodologies: ethnography. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 337.

Will M. Bertrand, J., & Fransoo, J. C. (2002). Operations management research methodologies using quantitative modeling. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 22(2), 241-264.

Zivkovic, J. (2012). Strengths and weaknesses of business research methodologies: Two disparate case studies. Business Studies Journal, 4(2), 91-99.