Unlocking Research Methodology

Research methodology is a well-known course designed to train students in the process of conducting research. After teaching research methodology in various universities, supervising both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and engaging in discussions with researchers from around the world, the book's authors recognized that university students and novice researchers face challenges when it comes to writing dissertations and scientific papers. This book provides the guidance needed for crafting dissertations and scientific articles. It serves as a step-by-step guide for those interested in learning about academic writing and publishing. One of the main challenges for novice researchers and scientists in the realm of academic writing is understanding how to publish and what to publish. The authors of this book have personally faced these challenges and have created this book as a solution for fellow young researchers. The book focuses on the various components of dissertations and scientific papers, detailing how they should be written, formatted, and what key elements should be included in each section, which sets the book apart from others that have been published. It offers insights into the research process and provides a thorough explanation of each part of a dissertation, from the research title to the results and discussion of findings. This volume will be a valuable resource for university students working on their dissertations as well as for researchers and lecturers who teach research methodology courses or prepare scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Callixte Yadufashije, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases at the INES Ruhengeri Institute of Applied Sciences in Rwanda, where he also served as Director of Research and Consultancy and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research. He is also an Africa Research Excellence Fund fellow, awarded by the Medical Research Council in the UK. He has been teaching research methodology courses for medical students for the last six years at different universities across Africa. He has participated in academic mobility programs funded by the Inter University Council for East Africa and has attended national, regional, and international conferences. Dr. Yadufashije has supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate research in his field of specialization. He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles in international journals and serves as Associate Editor of the East African Journal of Science, Technology, and Innovation, in the thematic area of health and medicine. He is a reviewer for BMC journals and was nominated as External Grant Reviewer of the National Council for Science and Technology in Rwanda.

Foreword by John Aluko Orodho, PhD, Associate Professor at Kenyatta University, Kenya Preface CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTANDING CENTRAL ELEMENTS IN RESEARCH Definitions . Research title . Problem statement . Justification or rationale . Research objectives . Research questions . Hypothesis . Variables and conceptual framework CHAPTER 2 : TYPES OF RESEARCH Enquiry mode . Qualitative and quantitative research . Objectives . Descriptive research . Correlational research . Exploratory research . Causal research . Application . Basic research and applied research . Research Process CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction . Types of literature review . Source of Literature . importance of literature review in research CHAPTER 4: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Definition of the research methodology . Study or research design . Study area and population . Sampling . Types or methods of sampling CHAPTER 5: METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION Definition . Primary Data Collection Methods . Secondary data collection methods CHAPTER 6: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Types of statistical analysis . Descriptive statistics . Inferential statistics CHAPTER 7: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results . Goals and structure of the results section . Writing results section in research: Steps . Errors to avoid in result section writing . Discussion . What is a discussion section? . Steps of writing the discussion section . Writing a good discussion section CHAPTER 8: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN RESEARCH Introduction . Reasons for the need of the research ethics . Application for ethical approval . Ethical issues types CHAPTER 9: PROPOSAL WRITING Introduction . Goals and length of a research proposal . Structure of a research proposal . Mistakes to avoid when writing a research proposal CHAPTER 10: ACADEMIC PUBLICATION Definition . Terminologies used in academic publishing . Top academic publishing indexing database . Types of publication . Journal selection for publication