RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

BINOY J FRANCISNIMITHA P.BNEETHU JOHNSON

CONTENTS

• WHAT IS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY?

• WHAT IS RESEARCH?

• DEFINITION OF RESEARCH

• OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH

• TYPES OF RESEARCH

• APPROACHES TO RESEARCH

• SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

WHAT IS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY?

The method of conducting research is called research methodology

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?

defined as a search for knowledge.

composed of two syllables “Re” and “Search”.

‘Re’ again ; over again ; new

‘Search’ to examine closely and carefully

Together they form a careful , systematic , patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge to establish principles or policies.

An ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way of FINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH

The systematic method consisting of enunciating the

problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or

data, analysing the facts and reaching certain conclusion

either in the form of solutions towards the concerned

problem or in certain generalisations for some

theoretical formulation.

OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH

to find out truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered yet .

to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it .

to portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group.

to determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else.

to test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables.

TYPES OF RESEARCH

DESCRIPTIVE / ANALYTICAL

APPLIED / FUNDAMENTAL

QUANTITATIVE / QUALITATIVE

CONCEPTUAL / EMPIRICAL

OTHER TYPES which include:

- One-time / Longitudinal

- Field-setting /Laboratory/Simulation

- Clinical / Diagnostic

- Historical

- Conclusion-Oriented / Decision-Oriented

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

Surveys & fact-finding enquiries

Description of state of affairs as it exists at present

Ex post facto research – social science & business research

Has no control over variables

Can only report what has happened or what is happening

ANALYTICAL RESEARCH

Has to use facts / information already available

Analyse these to make critical evaluation of material

FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

Generalisation

Formulation of a theory

Gaining knowledge for knowledge’s sake is ‘pure’ or ‘basic' research

Finding information

E.g. Research concerning natural phenomenon and research with view to make generalisation about human behaviour

APPLIED RESEARCH

Finding a solution for an immediate problem / for pressing practical problem

Society / industrial / business organisation

Aimed at certain conclusions

Subtypes :

- Marketing research

- Evaluation research

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Based on measurement of quantity or amount

Expressed in terms of quantity

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Concerned with qualitative phenomenon

Motivation research is an important type for discovering

underlying desires and motives

Attitude or Opinion research - another type

Eg: how people feel or what they think about a particular

subject or institution

CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH

Related to abstract ideas / theory

Generally used by philosophers and thinkers

To develop new concepts / reinterpret existing ones

EMPIRICAL RESEARCH

Data-based research

Relies on experience / observation alone

Verified by observation / experiment

Works to get enough facts to prove / disprove

hypothesis

Evidence gathered by this is most powerful support

possible for a given hypothesis

OTHER TYPES OF RESEARCH

Cross-sectional research/One - time

- Research is confined to a single time-period

Longitudinal Research

- Carried over several-time periods

Field-setting/Laboratory/Simulation

- Depends upon the environment

Clinical Research

- case-study method

Diagnostic research

- In depth approaches to reach basic casual relations

Historical research

- Utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc.

Exploratory Research

- Hypothesis development, rather than hypothesis testing

Conclusion-oriented Research

- Picking a problem, redesign enquiry, conceptualize

Decision-oriented Research

- For the need for a decision maker, researcher cannot embark upon research his own inclination

APPROACHES TO RESEARCH

There are 2 basic approaches to research

Qualitative approach

Quantitative approach

QUANTITATIVE APPROACH

Data generated in a quantitative form

Results are subjected to quantitative analysis

Quantitative approach is further subdivided into

a) Inferential Approach

b) Experimental Approach

c) Simulation Approach

Inferential Approach

Used to infer the characteristics of a population

Survey research carried out

Characteristics of sample population studied

Final inference is that the whole population has same

characteristics

Experimental Approach

Researcher conducts an experiment intentionally

During the course of experiment, datas are collected

Some variables are manipulated to change their effects on

other variables

Has greater control over research environment

Most sophisticated exacting and powerful approach

Simulation Approach

Artificial environment is created intentionally

Relevant information and data are generated within the

environment

Behaviour of system is studied under controlled

conditions

Used for building models for understanding future

conditions

QUALITATIVE APPROACH

The attitudes , opinions and behaviour are assessed

depends on researchers impressions

Results are not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis

Relatively tough job and requires the guidance of a expert psychologists.

Techniques used are interview method , projection techniques , depth interview etc.

Interview Method

Collection of data involves oral-verbal stimuli and responses

Can be through personal interview i.e., face to face contact with the interviewer and the person or telephonic interview i.e., contacting person on telephone

Projection Techniques

also called indirect interviewing technique

Used to infer the underlying motives , urges and intentions of the respondents unconsciously

Techniques used are :

- Word association test

- Sentence completion test

- Story completion test

- Verbal projection test etc.

Depth Interview

similar to projection technique

Used to infer the underlying motives , urges and intentions of the respondents unconsciously

Requires great skill and more time

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

“All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than over confidence, for it leads to inquiry and inquiry leads to

invention”.

- Hudson Maxim

Increase amount of research makes progress possible.

SIGNIFICANCE OF REASEARCH ON GOVERNMENT

Government Budgets – To analyze needs & desires of peoples and

to check the availability of revenues to meet them.

To device alternative policies & to check its consequences.

Research helps in decision making

Government can find programmes for dealing with all facets of

country’s various operations.

Research helps to know what is happening in the economy and

what changes are taking place, which is necessary for economy &

social structure of the nation.

IN CONTEXT OF GOVERNMENT, RESEARCH AS A TOOL TO ECONOMIC POLICY HAS 3 DISTINCT PHASES OF OPERATION.

Investigation of economic structure through continual compilation

Diagnosis of events that are happening & analysis of forces underlying them.

Prediction of future developments

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH ON BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Research is crucial and their results assist in taking business decisions.

Market Research is important for the structure & development of market for formulating efficient policies for purchasing, production & sales

Operations Research is the application of mathematical, logical & analytical techniques to the solution of business problems (Optimization Problems).

Motivational Research is to find out the consumer behaviour.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH ON BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Research helps industry to predict future demands and to adjust the supply schedule.

Helps in business budgeting which ultimately results in profit loss accounts.

Helps in business forecasting for planning efficient production & investment programme.

Research is required in business for more logical & scientific decisions.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH IN SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Research is important for studying social relationships and seeking answers to various social problems.

Helps research scientists to do something better or in an efficient manner on social problems.

Helps in development of a body of principles that helps in understanding the whole range of human interactions.

It is a practical guidance in solving immediate problems of human relations.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

For students, research is careerism or to attain high position in social structure.

For professionals, research is livelihood.

For philosophers & thinkers, research is an outlet of new ideas & insights

For literary men & women, research is development of new styles & creating work

To analysts & intellectuals, research is development of new theories.

CONCLUSION

Research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and an important source of providing guidelines for solving different business, governmental, & social problems.

It is a sort of formal training which enables one to understand the new developments in one’s field in a better way.

THANK YOU…