IRM1501 - Introduction to Research Methodology Study Notes

Introduction to Research Methodology


Table of Contents
SU1: What is research? .......................................................................................................... 2
Why research is important .................................................................................... 2
Scientific and non-scientific research ................................................................. 3
Basic research methods ....................................................................................... 4
Legal research ..................................................................................................... 4
Sources of South African law – Hierarchy of Legal Sources ............................ 5
SU2: Document-based Research ........................................................................................... 6
The research process ............................................................................................ 7
a. Planning research F I A.................................................................................... 7
SA Law Divisions (Public Law and Private Law) .................................................. 9
b. Keeping track ................................................................................................. 10
c. The problem statement .................................................................................. 11
Doing the research .............................................................................................. 12
Reporting on your research ................................................................................ 13
Basic structure of report IRAC ........................................................................... 13
SU3: Empirical Research ...................................................................................................... 14
Empirical Research = Quantitative and Qualitative .......................................... 14
Generic steps of empirical research .................................................................. 17
SU4: Accessing Information ................................................................................................ 18
Websites ............................................................................................................... 18
Library ................................................................................................................... 20
Referencing .......................................................................................................... 20
SU5: Transformative Constitutionalism in Research ........................................................ 22
Defining transformative constitutionalism ........................................................ 22
African research methodology (Ubuntu & social justice) ................................ 24
SU6: Ethics in Research ....................................................................................................... 25
Research ethics ................................................................................................... 27
Plagiarism ............................................................................................................. 28




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, IRM1501 Summary




SU1: What is research?

The Free Dictionary defines research as:
the systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on
a subject.

Creswell says research is:
a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our
understanding of a topic or issue.



Research
consists of posing a research collecting info / data to presenting answer(s)
3 steps: question answer question to the question



Research
process is:

explanding on existing
assessing existing criticising existing knowledge OR contributing
knowledge knowledge to the develoment of existing
knowledge



Other ideas behind the word “research”:

• Creative
• systematic
• increase stock of knowledge / increase understanding
• new information brings about reaching new understanding
• process of steps
• collect
• analyse
• studios enquiry
enhances
• examination knowledge - keeps increases personal
investigation knowledge on
• you up to date with
discovery topic = know more
• newest info
• interpretation of facts
• detailed study
clarifies confusion helps grasp proper
(when read expert understanding on
opnions) subject
Why research is important
It helps you to have a detailed analysis of
learn about introduces you to
everything that forms the basis of your methods and publishing =
research. issues that need enhances writing
only after conducting proper, in- more investigation skills
depth analysis – bear fruit +
enhance knowledge.
enables
Other benefits of research: coloaborative work
with others
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, IRM1501 Summary




Also:
• knowledge shared helps full body of knowledge grow
• innovation
• application of scientific processes
• helps find the truth not yet discovered – and makes available to public
• helps researchers become familiar with particular facts and phenomena
• can describe specificity of facts / phenomena
• capable of diagnosing facts / phenomena + frequency which could occur in future
• test accuracy of this likelihood using established variables = hypothesis testing

Scientific and non-scientific research
Science = (1) facts-based
- facts can be:
o observable (empirical)
o non-observable (non-empirical) e.g. principles
/ values

(2) logical and objective
- facts from science = product of rational process

(3) informed by desire to provide certainty

(4) scientific answers
- are always
o precise
o measureable

Scientific research defined: Scientific research:
Process
A systematic investigation • rational and methodical (techniques)
of scientific theories and certain • logical and rational
propositions. Thus, a particular o investigation / examination of facts (to
process or processes must be study a particular phenomenon)
followed. o = to acquire new knowledge or
§ improve / develop existing
knowledge
Findings must be
Scientific vs Scientific Non-Scientific • Reproducible
Non-scientific • Consistent
General approach: Empirical Intuitive
Observation: Systematic Casual, uncontrolled
Justifies: resources + time + effort
Reporting: Unbiased, objective Biased, subjective
Concepts: Clear definitions Ambiguous
Instruments: Accurate, precise Inaccurate, imprecise
Measurements: Valid and credible Not valid, not reliable
Hypothesis: Testable Untestable
Attitude: Critical, skeptical Uncritical, accepting




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