Departments › Applied Statistics › Module I › Research Methods

Research Methods

Applied Statistics · Level 6  ·  9 Chapters

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Careers after Research Methods

Mastering research methods opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities across Kenya’s diverse economic sectors. Whether you aim to work in the bustling jua kali sector, contribute to agribusiness innovations, or support county government development projects, strong research skills will empower you to solve real-world problems effectively and make informed decisions that drive success.

  • In agribusiness companies like KTDA, research skills help you analyze crop production challenges and improve farming methods, boosting yields and farmer incomes.
  • At KenGen or other energy firms, you’ll use research methods to investigate sustainable energy solutions, helping Kenya meet its power demands while protecting the environment.
  • In the matatu industry, understanding customer needs and traffic patterns through research can improve service delivery and safety, enhancing profitability.
  • Working with county government departments or construction sites, you’ll identify community needs and project impacts, ensuring development initiatives are well-targeted and efficient.
  • In the hospitality sector, research helps you track customer preferences and market trends, enabling businesses to tailor services and stay competitive.
  • For entrepreneurs in the jua kali sector, research skills allow you to identify market gaps, test new products, and make data-driven decisions that grow your business sustainably.

By mastering research methods, you position yourself as a valuable asset who can contribute to innovation, efficiency, and growth in any workplace. Your ability to investigate problems, analyze data, and apply findings will set you apart and open doors to rewarding careers and entrepreneurial ventures across Kenya’s vibrant economy. Keep pushing forward—your future is bright!

Chapters

1
Formulating the Research Problem
9 topics
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2
Carry out Literature Review
7 topics
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3
Develop research objectives
6 topics
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4
Develop Research Design and Sample Design
14 topics
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5
Develop research budget proposal & Time plan
5 topics
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6
Collecting research Data
10 topics
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7
Analysis of collected research Data
3 topics
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8
Interpretation of Research Findings
2 topics
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9
Presentation of research findings
4 topics
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What Research Methods covers: 51 main topics in 9 chapters

1. Formulating the Research Problem

  1. 1.1 Definition of research Philosophies
  2. 1.2 Types of research
  3. 1.3 Characteristics of research
  4. 1.4 Validity and reliability
  5. 1.5 The research processes
  6. 1.6 Identification of a research problem
  7. 1.7 Sources of research problems
  8. 1.8 Identification of a research problem
  9. 1.9 Formulation of research problems

2. Carry out Literature Review

  1. 2.1 Reviewing the literature
  2. 2.2 Sources of literature
  3. 2.3 Theoretical framework
  4. 2.4 Conceptual framework
  5. 2.5 Referencing and citations
  6. 2.6 Introduction to Google scholar,research gate
  7. 2.7 Internet search engines

3. Develop research objectives

  1. 3.1 Formulation of objectives
  2. 3.2 Main objectives
  3. 3.3 Sub-objectives
  4. 3.4 Characteristics of objectives
  5. 3.5 Characteristics of research hypothesis
  6. 3.6 Formulation of research hypothesis

4. Develop Research Design and Sample Design

  1. 4.1 Preparing the research design
  2. 4.2 Identifying Variables
  3. 4.3 Measurement scales
  4. 4.4 Study research design
  5. 4.5 Types of Sampling techniques
  6. 4.6 Probability and non- probability
  7. 4.7 Sample size

5. Develop research budget proposal & Time plan

  1. 5.1 Budget and Costing budget proposal and time plan Development
  2. 5.2 Factors to consider when costing
  3. 5.3 Development of Time plan

6. Collecting research Data

  1. 6.1 Types of data
  2. 6.2 Methods of Data Collection and their limitations
  3. 6.3 Research instruments/ data collection tools
  4. 6.4 Types of Written tests
  5. 6.5 Questionnaires
  6. 6.6 Design of questionnaires
  7. 6.7 Constructing questionnaires
  8. 6.8 Digitizing questionnaires Mobile technology (ODK)
  9. 6.9 Piloting the Questionnaire Ethical issues concerning research participants
  10. 6.10 Ethical issues relating to the researcher

7. Analysis of collected research Data

  1. 7.1 Data Processing
  2. 7.2 Data management
  3. 7.3 Data Analysis Written tests

8. Interpretation of Research Findings

  1. 8.1 Interpretations parameters
  2. 8.2 Predicting of values Written tests

9. Presentation of research findings

  1. 9.1 Reporting of findings
  2. 9.2 Research Report Format
  3. 9.3 List of References
  4. 9.4 Bibliography Written tests Suggested Methods Instructions

Revise this unit

Exam-style questions 126 Written to CDACC standard, with answers Test yourself 359 Multiple-choice, one at a time Practise questions 219 Quick recall — check you know the facts
3 more for this unit
Oral exam preparation 89 What the assessor asks, and how to answer out loud Worked calculations 21 Step-by-step maths with the common mistakes Quick cards 1,781 Myth busters, skill tips and scenarios

Beyond the syllabus

Decision simulator 9 On site, what would you do? Workplace scenarios 160 Real site situations — what would you do? Turn this into income 60 Where this skill earns — what to charge, how to find clients

Other units in Module I