I
,RM1501 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 2 2024 - DUE 10 October 2024
; 100% TRUSTED Complete, tr
QUESTION 1 Discuss empirical research and its components and
provide examples where necessary. (15 marks)
Empirical Research and its Components
Empirical research is a type of research that relies on
observation, experimentation, or experience rather than theory
or logic. It involves gathering data through direct or indirect
observation and using this data to answer research questions,
test hypotheses, or evaluate outcomes. The purpose of
empirical research is to produce verifiable knowledge through
systematic investigation, which can then be used to support or
refute theories or make informed decisions.
Components of Empirical Research
1. Research Question or Hypothesis:
o The research question or hypothesis is the starting
point of any empirical research. It defines the
problem or the issue that the researcher aims to
address. For example, a research question could be:
"Does the use of technology in classrooms improve
student engagement?"
2. Literature Review:
, o A literature review provides context for the research
by summarizing previous studies related to the topic.
It helps identify gaps in knowledge, refine the
research question, and establish a theoretical
framework. For example, if the topic is about the
impact of technology on education, the literature
review would summarize studies on digital learning
tools, their effectiveness, and previous findings on
student engagement.
3. Research Design:
o The research design outlines the approach and
methods used to conduct the study. It includes
specifying the type of research (qualitative,
quantitative, or mixed-method), the methodology
(e.g., experimental, survey, case study), and the data
collection methods (e.g., observation, interviews,
questionnaires). For example, a quantitative study
might use a randomized control trial to evaluate the
effectiveness of a new teaching method.
4. Data Collection:
o Data collection involves gathering information
relevant to the research question. The data can be
primary (collected directly by the researcher through
surveys, experiments, or observations) or secondary
(obtained from existing sources like published studies
or databases). An example of data collection is
, conducting surveys among students to measure their
engagement levels before and after using digital tools
in the classroom.
5. Data Analysis:
o Data analysis involves processing and interpreting the
collected data to identify patterns, trends, and
relationships. Depending on the type of data,
statistical techniques, thematic analysis, or content
analysis may be used. For instance, if the data is
numerical, statistical software like SPSS can be used to
analyze the impact of technology on student
performance.
6. Results:
o The results section presents the findings of the
research, either confirming or refuting the hypothesis.
It includes tables, graphs, and descriptive summaries
of the data. For example, the results may show that
students who used technology in their learning had
significantly higher engagement scores compared to
those who did not.
7. Discussion and Conclusion:
o The discussion interprets the findings, relating them
to the research question and existing literature. It also
addresses limitations, implications for practice, and
suggestions for future research. The conclusion