The following research process is recommended for any researcher who wishes to embark on the business of research. It is also the process that is applicable to research activities in English, with little or no modifications in relation to the problem of the study.
3.3.1 Identification and Description of the Problem
In undertaking a research project in English studies, the first step is to identify a problem that is worthy of investigation and, more importantly, a problem whose solution is considered to be useful to the status of English in its major areas of language and literature studies. This problem could emanate from different sources, such as books, previous research reports, personal experiences, etc. At first, the researcher may not be very clear about the problem situation but he possesses strong feelings of unsatisfactory state of affairs, which demands some basic attention. It is this unsatisfactory situation that presents the problem area. Once this position is identified the researcher focuses their attention on it and tries to sharpen his idea in a declaration or question form, in order to present precisely what the problem is.
3.3.2 Review of Literature
Having identified and stated the problem in a concise and clear term, the next step is the review of related literature. This demands consultation of the library in order to find out what have been written on the problem area. They refer to books, journals, magazines, etc., that are likely to have some information, which may be directly or indirectly related to the problem. The essence of the literature review, among other things, is to help the researcher to become aware of the state of knowledge in the problem area. With this awareness, the researcher eliminates the duplication of what has been done. Moreover, the review provides that avenue for useful hypothesis and helpful suggestions for significant investigation.
3.3.3 Formulation of Research Questions and/or Hypothesis
The third stage is the formulation of research questions and/or hypothesis. Normally, in the consideration of the research problem, the researcher reflects on a number of questions in relation to various dimensions of the problem to be solved. They formulate these questions and note them down for clarity. These are referred to as research questions. The conduct of the research will be targeted to providing answers to these questions. In most cases, the investigator possesses only some faint idea about what the solution is most likely to be. As a result, they sharpen their focus on the problem by formulating a hypothesis or hypotheses. There are, however, some studies where the formulation of hypothesis is not necessary. The research questions and hypothesis serve as guides in the conduct of the research. They provide clues to the researcher on where to search for the solution of the problem. Put differently, research questions and hypothesis further clarify the nature of the problem and the logic underlying the investigation. They give direction on the process of gathering the research information.
3.3.4 Designing the Study
The research design constitutes the next stage. It is the stage where the researcher designs a study in order to collect the pertinent empirical data, which will form the basis for answering the research questions and testing the formulated hypotheses. It usually consists of the description of the subjects, the development of the relevant instruments for data collection, and the methods for data analyses. They select the persons or things that will be studied and states how they will be studied. If the research would concentrate on only a part of the population, persons or things to be studied, the researcher will resort to drawing samples; otherwise, there will be no need for sampling and sampling techniques.
3.3.5 Collection of Data
The next stage deals with the actual collection of information which, in research is known as data, from his sample or population as the study demands. Using one or varieties of techniques, the researcher obtains some reasonable data that will enable him to provide answers for the research questions and uphold or discard the hypotheses.
3.3.6 Organization of Data
Having collected the pertinent data, the researcher now settles on the sixth stage where they assemble and organize the data so collected in an acceptable form.
3.3.7 Analysis of Data and Presentation of Results
On the seventh stage, he subjects the data to one form of appropriate statistical analysis or the other in order to obtain from it new information, not previously apparent with non-analysed data; thereby presenting the results of the study. This stage of data analysis is of considerable importance. This is because the data, if not analysised, will, in their pool, make little or no meaning. They are, as Nworgu (1991: page) puts it: ―lifeless and has no meaning per se‖. It is the analysis to which they are subjected that injects life/meaning into the data.
Whether the meaning is rich or limited is dependent upon how penetrating or superficial the analysis is. The choice of the statistical analysis must be in accord with the research questions and hypotheses, as well as the nature of the data obtained with the research instruments.
3.3.8 Interpretation and Generalization of Results
Having concluded with the data analysis, the next stage involves the interpretation of data. This will be followed by the generalization of results.
3.3.9 Conclusion
At stage nine, the researcher draw their conclusions in line with the major aims and objectives of the research, which in our own case is the solution to a problem in the area of English studies.
3.3.10 Writing the Report
With the conclusions drawn, the researcher settles for the tenth stage, where he writes the proceedings of the research in the form of a report.
3.3.11 Publication
The step in number eleven is the publication stage. This is the final stage of a research process. It involves the submission of the report to a form of publishers, research organizations or government bodies or agencies for purposes of distribution to the learned world and other stakeholders in the field being investigated.
The eleven sequential steps presented above, as research process, should not be seen as the only satisfactory procedure, neither should they be followed rigidly as if mandatory.
There is always room for modifications in one way or the other, depending on the desires of the research worker or institution, or the demands of the research topic.
Self-Assessment Exercise 3.3
List the steps involved in the process of research in English studies.