Statistics and Research Methods

1. Statistics and Research Methods An Introduction

2. The Objectives of this Course: • Develop students’ skills and knowledge in research methods. • To generate ideas that will help students in choosing research topics. • To provide students with the skills of drafting research proposal. • Develop student skills in data collection, analysis and hypothesis testing. • To improve student skills and knowledge in writing and presenting research projects.

3. References • Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2003) Research Methods for Business Students, Third Edition Prentice Hall. • الرفاعي، أحمد (1998) مناهج البحث العلمي، تطبيقات إدارية واقتصادية، دار وائل للنشر، عمان. • عبيدات، محمد وآخرون (1997) منهجية البحث العلمي، القواعد والمراحل والتطبيقات، دار وائل للنشر، عمان. • عبيدات، ذوقان وآخرون (1998) البحث العلمي، مفهومه وأدواته وأساليبه، دار الفكر للطباعة والنشروالتوزيع، عمان. • زويلف، مهدي وتحسين الطراونة (1998) منهجية البحث العلمي، دار الفكر للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع، عمان. • - اللحلح، أحمد عبد الله وأبو بكر، مصطفى محمود (2001) البحث العلمي: تعريفه- خطواتة- مناهجه- المفاهيم الإحصائية. الدار الجامعية. • - عليان، ربحي مصطفي وغنيم، عثمان محمد (2000) مناهج وأساليب البحث العلمي: النظرية والتطبيق. عمان: دار صفاء للنشر والتوزيع. • بو حوش عمار و الذنيبات محمد (1989) مناهج البحث العلمي: أسس و أساليب. الأردن: مكتبة المنارة. • مقداد، محمد والفرا ماجد (2004) مناهج البحث العلمي والتحليل الإحصائي في العلوم الإدارية، الطبعة الأولى، مكتبة الطالب الجامعة الإسلامية، غزة.

4. التقييم الإجمالي

5. Course Contents • General introduction • Formulating and clarifying the research topic • Critically reviewing the literature • Deciding on the research approach and choosing a research strategy. • Writing research proposal. • Selecting samples • Using secondary and primary data. • Analysis of qualitative data and hypothesis testing. • Writing and presenting your research.

6. Formulating and clarifying the research topic • Before you start your research you need to have at least some idea of what you want to do. • This is the most important step. Why? It is the starting point of your research. • Base of research topic you will be able to choose the most appropriate: Research strategy, data collection and analysis techniques.

7. Attributes of a good research topic • It meets the examination body’s requirements at university. • You are capable of undertaking.: excite your imagination, you feel comfortable, you can develop the skills needed, time available, Availability of financial resources, gaining access to data you need. Avoid sensitive topics: financial performance. • It is important to choose topic that can be linked to theory. • Clearly defined research question and objectives. • It is important to consider your career goal.

8. Techniques of Generating and refining research ideas • Rational thinking: • Examining your own strengths. • Looking at past project titles. • Discussion • Searching the literature. • Creative thinking: • Keeping a notebook of ideas. • Exploring personal preferences using past projects.

9. Techniques of Generating and refining research ideas • Creative thinking: • Keeping a notebook of ideas. • Exploring personal preferences using past projects. How to do it? First: Select 6 project that you like and answer the following questions: • What do you like about the project? • What is good about the project? • Why is the project good? Second: Select 3 projects that you do not like and answer the following: • What do you dislike about the project? • What is bad about the project? • Why is the project bad? 3. Brainstorming

10. The importance of theory in writing research question • Theory Definition: “a formulation regarding the cause and effect relationships between two or more variables, which may or may not tested”. • There is probably no word that is more misused and misunderstood in education than the word ‘theory’. • The specific meaning of theory: It refers to situations where if A introduced B will be the consequence

11. Critically reviewing the literature • Why reviewing the literature? • Helps in generate and refine research topic. • It is part of your research project proper. • To highlight researches that have be overlooked. • To discover explicit recommendations for further research. • To avoid repeating work that has been done already. • Gaining insights into the aspects of your research variables and concepts. • To choose the proper techniques and strategies to conduct your research. • Your work has value in relation to other people’s work (is it the same or different from them).

12. Contents of critical review of literature • Key academic theories within your chosen area. • Up to date your knowledge of your chosen area. • To show how your research relates to previous published research. • To assess strengths and weaknesses of previous works. • To justify your arguments by referring to previous research. • Through clear references, to enable those reading your research to find the original work you cite. • Literature review can be single chapter; series of chapters; throughout the project report as you tackle various issues.

13. Evaluating your literature review • Does your review start at more general level before narrowing down? • Does literature covered relate clearly to your research question? • Have you covered the key theories of recognized experts in the area? • Have you covered the key literature? • Have you summarized, compared and contrast the work of the key writers? • Is the literature you have covered is up to date? • Have you been objective in your discussion of other works? • Have you included other references that counter to your own opinion?

14. Defining parameters • Meaning: within which you need to search. Include define: • Subject area, e.g., marketing. • Business sector, e.g., sector. • Geographical area. • Publications and literature typpe. • Theories.