Chapter 14

GROUP TWO

SUMMARY CHAPTER 14: THE RESEARCH PROCESS

The chapter went through the different steps in the research process and design of hypothetical deductive studies. The chapter brought out the role of both qualitative and quantitative studies in research. Every hypothetical-deductive study must have had its genesis in prior qualitative investigation. The chapter concluded that both qualitative and quantitative studies are integral part of scientific investigations –each having their distinct role to play.
Scientific research involves the formulation and testing of one or more hypotheses. A hypothesis cannot be proved directly, so a null hypothesis is established to give the researcher an indirect method of testing a theory. Sampling is necessary when the population is too large, or when the researcher is unable to investigate all members of the target group. Random and systematic sampling is the best methods because they guarantee that each member of the population will have an known non-zero chance of being selected. Ultimately the induction and deduction process is what leads to problem solving.