Research Method I

At the end of this course students will be able to: 1. differentiate between research and research methodology; 2. distinguish between scientific and non-scientific research; 3. explain types of data, sources and handling techniques; 4. explain the research process; 5. demonstrate the structure of sections of the students’ research report; and 6. analyze the problems and prospects of research in Nigeria.

Conceptual definitions of research and research methodology. Types of research: Scientific and non-scientific. Types of scientific research methodology such as experimental, survey, case study and historical. The concept and importance of research in Environmental standards. methodology of Environmental Standards research. Qualitative and quantitative researches. The research process, types and sources of data and handling techniques. Layout of the research report: guidelines for the Cover page and preliminary pages, background of the study, research problem selection, meaning and formulation of research questions, research objectives and hypothesis, scope/delimitation of the study, significance of the study, literature review. Meta analysis in literature selection. Conceptual literature/framework. Theoretical literature. Empirical literature. Gap and value addition. Research methodology (Theoretical framework, area of the study, population, sample and sampling techniques. Instrument for data collection and description. Validation and reliability of instruments. Instrument administration. The research model. Analytical tools/ scaling and measurement techniques and procedure. Sources of data. Handling primary and secondary data in research. Problem of missing data. Data interpolations and extrapolations. Presentation, interpretation and discussion of findings. Summary. Conclusion. Recommendation. Policy implications. Contribution to knowledge. Limitation of the study. Suggestion for further research. References. Appendices. Prospects and problems of environmental research in Nigeria.