Page 23 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Methodology of Research and Statistical Techniques

Notes • avoid unnecessary (non-purposeful) repetition of research already undertaken. A researcher
often develops a brilliant insight into how to tackle a problem, only to discover, through
a study of relevant literature, that someone else has already done so;
• better evaluate the significance of his own findings. This applies especially in respect of
which techniques were used, and which contributions were made to gaining a better
understanding of the problem, etc;

• formulate his hypotheses with sharper insight;
• carry out his research more purposefully. In time he learns to eliminate the unnecessary.
He learns from the successes and failures of others.

Types of Literature
In studying works dealing with earlier (and acceptable) research, two types of sources, especially,
come to the fore:
• Comprehension literature, i.e., books and articles by experts in which they state their
opinions, experiences, theories and ideas on concepts and constructs within a specific
problem area, as well as their opinions on what is good or bad, desirable or undesirable,
valuable or worthless regarding insight into specific concepts or constructs. For the
young researcher it is very useful because it helps him to understand the validity of
correctness of theories (outdated, existing or newly formed) better. It also shows him
where there are shortcomings in a specific field (thus requiring research). It also shows
its strengths which he may wish to pursue.
• Research literature: This includes reporting in respect of research already undertaken in
the field (and is currently drawing attention) and gives the researcher a good indication
of successes and problems in respect of research procedures, design, hypotheses, techniques
and instruments.

• The results of studying these two types of literature are thus a personal frame of reference,
i.e., an insight into the body of basic knowledge, possible differences, underlying theories,
et cetera.
• It furthermore leads to a greater awareness of those matters within the field which have
already sufficiently been demonstrated and proved, as well as those matters still requiring
more in-depth research.

Primary and Secondary Sources
Primary sources of a specific type of information are the original works, books, magazine
articles, films, sound recordings, et cetera, which reflect the information firsthand. Secondary
sources include commentaries, explanations, elucidations et cetera, which other writers have
done on the primary sources.
It is desirable (especially in historical research) that, where possible, the primary source should
preferably be consulted. There are, however, problems with consulting primary sources.
• The source is out of print, has been destroyed or is unobtainable. Then secondary sources
have to be consulted.

• The primary source is in a foreign language, rendering it inaccessible for the researcher.
Translations have to be used with the expressed knowledge that such translations are
possibly inaccurate or even incorrect. Sometimes it helps to read an expert’s comment on
the translation.

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