OM Institute of technology and Management Hisar , Harayana Department of Electrical Engineering

Research methodology
Meaning of Research: The term research refer to the systematic method, consisting of enunciating the problem, formulating the hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solution(s) towards the concerned problem or in certain generalizations for some the theoretical formulation .

Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting, organizing and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions, and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. Objectives of Research.

The purpose of research is to find out the solutions of problems through the application of scientific methods and procedures, however the following are same of the objectives of research. 1. To attain new insights in to a phenomenon. Any research study carried on with this objective is known as exploratory or formulating research study. 2. To find out accurately the characteristics of a particular individual or a group or a situation. The studies with this object in view are called descriptive research studies. 3. To find out the frequency with which some thing occurs or with which it is associated with some thing else. (Studies with object in view are known as diagnostic research studies). 4. To test the hypothesis or a casual relationship between variables (such studies are known as hypothesis testing research studies) Motivating in research. 1. Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits. 2. Desire to face challenge in solving the unsolved problem. 3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work. 4. Desire to be of service to society. 5. Desire to get respectability. Types of Research. 1. Descriptive and Analytical Research.

Descriptive research is based on surveys and fact finding enquires of different kinds. It studies the description of the state of affairs as it exist today. variables. In analytical research, the research has to use facts or information already available. The information or facts are analyzed by the researcher to make a critical appraisal of the material. 2. Applied and fundamental Research. Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization. Fundamental research is mainly concerned with the generalization and the formulation of theory. 3. Quantitative vs Qualitative . Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research in concerned with qualitative phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. For instance we are interested in inventing the reasons for human behaviors i.e. why people think, or do certain things. 4. Conceptual or empirical. Conceptual research is that related to some abstract ideas or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. Empirical research relies Here the researcher has no control over the

on experience or observations alone, often without due regard for system and theory. 5. Historical Research One time research. Research approaches. There are two basic approaches viz. quantitative approach and the qualitative approach. Quantities approach involves generalization of data in quantitative term which can be subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis. Quantative research is of two types.(i) Inferential (ii)Experimental and simulation approach In inferential approach the purpose is to form a data base from which to infer characterastics or relationships of populations. This usually means survey research where a sample of population is studied to determine its characteristics and it is then inferred that population has the same characteristics. Experimental Approach is characterized by much greater control over the research environment and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe their effect on others variables. Simulation approach Involves the construction of an critical environment with in which relevant information and data can be generated. Qualitative

Approach is concerned with the qualitative phenomena i.e. relating to or involving quality or kind. For example when we are interested in investing the reasons for human behavior (i.e. why people think or do certain things). Such an approach to research generates results either in the non-quantitative form or in the form which are not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis. Research Methods May be understood as all those methods / techniques that are used for the conduction of research. Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. Research Process: Consists of series of action or steps necessary to effectively carry out the research and the desired sequencing of these steps. 1. Formulating the research problem. 2. Extensive literature survey. 3. Development of Hypothesis 4. Preparing the research design 5. Determine the sample size. 6. Collection of data. 7. Execution of the project. 8. Analyzes of the data.

9. Hypothesis testing 10. 11. Generalization and interpretation. Preparation of the report or the thesis. The research problem is one which require a

Research Problems.

researcher to find out the best solution for the given problem i.e. to find out by which course of action the objective can be attained optimally in the context of a given environment. There are several factors which may ressult in making the problem complicated. For instance environment may change affecting the efficiencies of the courses of action or the values of the out comes, persons not involved in making the decision may be affected by it and react to it favorably or unfavourably. All such elements may be thought of in context of research problem. Selecting the Problem. A research guide can be helpful to choose a subject. However the following points may be observed while selecting a problem. 1. 2. 3. Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, as it will he difficult task to throw any new light in such a case. Controversial subject should not become the choice of average researcher. Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.

4.

The subject selected for research should be familier and feasible so that the related research material or sources of research are with in ones reach. Research should contact a Professor or his guide who is already engaged in research.

5.

The importance of the subject, the qualification and the training of a researcher ,the cost involved, time factor are few other criterions which must he considered while selecting a problem.

6.

The selection of problem must be preceded by a preliminary study,specialty when the field of enquiry is new.

2.

Extensive Literature Survey. Once the problem is formulated. The researcher should undertake

extensive literature survey connected with the problem. A good library will be of great help to the researcher at this stage. Writing of synopsis is compulsory for PhD students. 3. Development of working hypothesis After extensive literature survey ,a researcher should state in clear terms the working hypothesis or hypothesis. Working hypothesis is an assumption on the basis of which inferences are drawn and tested logically. The tests and analysis of data dependent upon on

such hypothesis. It should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in which the research in engaged. 3. Preparing the research Design. Once the research problem has been formulated in clear cut terms, the research has to prepare a research design. The well prepared research design will provide maximum information to the researcher. It will provide a basis for collection of data with minimum cost. Under controlled conditions we can use the following designs. (i) CRD (ii) RBD (iii) LSD (iv)Factorial designs (v) IBD (Vi) BIBD, (Vii) PBIBD 5. Determine the sample size The researcher must decide the way of selecting a sample . Let us define the following. Population: Population is a group of items or subject which is under reference of study. Finite population. Infinite population. Steps in sample design (1) Type of Universe The first step in developing any sample design is to clearly define set of objects, technically called the universe to be studied. It may be finite or infinite. For example population of the city, number of

workers in the factory are the examples of finite population ,number of stars in the sky, listener of a specific radio programmed, throwing a dice are the example of infinite universal.

(2)

Sampling Unit A decision has to be taken regarding a sampling unit before

selecting a sample. Sampling unit can be district, village, house or flat or individual. (3) Source list It is known as sampling frame from which sample is to be drawn contain the list of all items of the universe . Such list should be comprehensive and appropriate. (4) Size of the sample. Number of item to be selected from the population. The size should not be too large or too small. It should the optimum. (5) Parameter of interest. In determing the sample design one must consider the specific population parameter which are of interest. For instance, we may be interested in estimating the proportion of persons with some characteristics in the population. Budgetary constraints

Cost considerations from practical point of view have a major impact upon decisions related to the size of sample. Sampling Procedure. He must decide about the technique to be used in selecting the items for the sample. There are many techniques of drawing a sample. Once must select that design which for a given sample size and for a given cost has a smaller sampling error. Sampling error: Inspite of the fact that one may used the best sampling method. The estimate obtained of various characters of the population differ from the population values obtained by census studies. Such discrepancies are termed as sampling error. The sampling error can not be completely eliminated but can he minimized. Choosing a proper sample of adequate size and adopting suitable method or estimation.

Characteristics of a good sample design (a) (b) Sample design must result in a truly representative sample. Sampling design must be such which results in a small sampling error.

(c) (d) (e)

Sample design must be viable in the context of funds available for the research study. Sample design must be such so that systematic bias can be controlled in a better way. Sample should be such that the result of the sample study can be applied in general to the universe with reasonble level of confidence.

Samples can be either Probablity samples or non- probability samples. Probability sampling Simple Random sampling. Stratified Sampling. Systematic Sampling. Cluster Sampling Multistage sampling. Sequential Sampling Non Probablity sampling Purposing, subject, Judgment sampling In purposing sampling the selection of units entirely depends on the choice of the investigator.This type of sampling is adopted when it is not possible to adopt any random procedure for selection of the sampling units. For instance a sample of patient suffering from TB has he drawn since it is not possible to ascertain a population of TB patients so the

persons turning to TB sanitoriums and havingTB are selected in the sample.Such a method is called purposing , subjective,judgment sampling. Quota Sampling This method of sampling is used in opinion pull survey and market research. Here the population is divided in to number of strata whose weights are obtained from a recent census or a large scale survey. Interviewers are then assigned quotas for the number of interviews to be taken from each stratum. For example an interviewer might he told to go out and select20 adult men and 20 adult women, 10 teenage girls and 10 teenage boys so that they could interview them about their television viewing. The interviewer is free to choose his sample provided the quota requirement are fulfilled. The main difference between quota sampling and stratified simpling is that in quota sampling the selecting of sample with in strata is not random. So sampling distributions of any statistics are unknown.

Methods of Data Collection Primary data are those which are collected a fresh and for the first time and thus happens to be original in character. The secondary data are those which have been already collected by some one else and which have already been passed through the statistical process. The researcher will decide which type of data will serve his purpose Collection of primary data. We collect primary data during the course of experiment in an experimental research and in descriptive research we perform survey, may be sample survey or censor survey. Primary data can also the collected through direct communication with respondent, or through personal interviews. Important methods are : i. ii. iii. iv. Observation method Interview method Through Questionaries Through schedules and other methods, like. a. Warranty cards b. Distributor audits c. Pantry and its consumer panel. d. Using mechanical devices, e. Through projective interviews

f. Through depth interview and content analysis. Observation methods: the information is sought by way of investigators own direct observation without asking from the respondent. For example in a study of consumer behavior, the investigator instead of asking the brand of wrist watch used by the respondent, may himself look at the watch. This method is particularly suitable in studies which deals with subjects (i.e. respondents) who are not capable of giving verbal reports of their feeling for one reason or the other. It is an expensive method and the information provided is very limited. Personal Interview: under this method of collecting data there is face to face contact will the person from which the information is to obtained. The interviews ask them questions pertaining to the survey and collect the desired information. Advantage: 1. Response is more encouraging as most people are willing to supply information when approached personally. 2. More accurate information can be obtained as the interviewer can clear up the doubts of the respond about certain questions and thus correct information. 3. It is possible through personal interview to collect supplementary information about the respondents personal characteristics and

environment and such information is very useful while interpreting the result. 4. The language of communication can be adopted to the status and the educational level of the person interviewed, 5. No response remains generally very low. Limitations. 1. 2. 3. 4. Costly, if the number of persons to be interviewed is large and spread over a wide area. Chances of bias are greater as compared to other methods. The interviewer have to be thoroughly trained otherwise they will not able to obtain the correct information. More time is required for collecting information under this method. Telephonic interviews: It is not widely used, but plays important part in industrial surveys particularly in developed regions. 1. It is faster than other methods. 2. It is cheaper than in personal interview method. 3. Recall is easy; call backs are simple and economical. 4. Generally higher rate of response. 5. Replies can be recorded without causing embarrassment to the responded. thus avoiding inconveniences and misinterpretation on the part of the informat.

6. No fixed staff is required. 7. Representative and wider distributions of sample is possible. Limitation: 1. Little time is given to the responded. 2. Survey is restricted to the respondent having telephone facilities. 3. Not suitable for intensive survey. 4. Questions have to be short and to the point. Questionnaires: Under this method a list of questions pertaining to the survey (as questionnaire) is prepared and sent to various informants by post. The questionnaire contains questions and provide space for answers. A request is make to the informats through a covering letter to fill the questionnaire and send it back in a specified time. Merits: This method can be adopted where the field of investigation is very vast and the information is spread over a large geographical area. 2. It is also relatively cheap. Demerits: 1. Cooperation on the part of the information may be difficult to presume. 2. The information provided by the informats may not be correct and it may be difficult to verify the accuracy. 3. It is suitable only the when the informats are literate people.

Questinaries:Should be carefully constructed. If it is not properly set up, then the survey is bound to fail. Pilot Survey. It is always advisable be test the questionaries through pilot survey. Weakness in the questionaries and the survey technique can be find out. These can be rectified in the main survey. Schedules: This method of data collection is very much like the collection of data through questionnaire. Here the schedules are being filled by the enumerators who are specially appointed for this purpose. The enumerations along with schedules go to the respondent, put to them the question from the Performa in the order the questions are listed and record the replies in the space meant for the same in the performa. Method is expensive and usually conducted by the Govt. or big agencies. Collection of the secondary data: It may be published or unpublished data Source of published data. Various publication of central, state, local Govt, (b) publication from foreign Govt.,, international bodies, (c) Technical and trade jouranls (d) Books, Journal, news papers (e) report and publication of various associations (f) report prepared by research scientist, Universities in different fields (g) public record and statistics, historical document, and other published information..

Unpublished data. They may be found in diaries, letters, unpublished biographies, autobiographies, research data available with scientist, universities,trade associations etc. Selection of appropriate method for data collection. The following factors may be kept in mind 1. Nature, scope and object of inquiry. 2. Availability of funds. 3. Time factor 4. Precision required. 7Execution of the project. The researchers should see that the project is executed in a systematic manner and in time. 8. Analysis of Data: Coding, tabulation, frequency distribution 1. Measurer of central Tendency 2. Measure of Dispersiones 3. Skewness and kurtosis. 4.Test of Hypothesis and Test of significance. 5. Correlating and recession studies. 6. Fitting of Distribution. 9. Hypothesis testing Z, t,F, chisquare test, Non parametric tests

10. Generalization and interpretation. 11. Preparation of report.

Preparation of the report or the thesis. Finally the researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by him. Writing of report must be done with great care keeping in view the following. 1. The lay out of the report should be as follows. a. Preliminary pages. b. Main texts c. The end matter. In the preliminary pages the report should carry title and date followed by acknowledgements and forward. Then table of contents followed by list of tables and list of graphs and charts if any given in the report. Main texts of the report should have the following parts. i. Introduction: It should contain a clear statement of the objective of the research and an explanation of the methodology adopted in accomplishing the research. The scope of the study along with various limitations should as well be stated in this part.

ii.

Summary of findings: After introduction there would appear a statement of findings and recommendations in non technical language. It the finding are extensive, they should he summarized.

iii. iv.

Main report: the main body of the report should the presented in logical sequence and broken down in to different chapters. Conclusion: Towards the end of the main text, researcher should again put down the result of his research clearly and precisely. Infact it is the final summing up.

At the end of the report: appendices should be inlisted in respect of all technical data. Bibliography i.e. list of books, journals, reports etc. consulted should he given in the end. Index should also the given specially in a published research report. 2. Report should be written in a concise and objective style in simple language avoiding vague expressions such as it seems, there may be, like. 3. Charts and illustrations in the main report should be used only if they present the information more clearly and forcibly

Criteria of good research: What ever may be types of research works and studies, they must satisfy the following criterias. 1. The purpose of the research should he clearly defined and common concepts be used. 2. The research procedure used should be described in sufficient details to permit another researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what has already been attained. 3. The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are as objective as possible. 4. The researcher should report with complete frankness,flaws in the procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings. 5. The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance and the method of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data should be checked carefully. 6. Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and limited to those for which the data provide an adequate basis.

7. Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced has a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity. Problems encountered by Researchers in India. Researchers in India are facing several problems. 1. The lack of scientific training in the methodology of research. Most of the work which goes in the name of research is not methodologically sounds. Research too many researchers and even to their guides is mostly a scissor and paste job without any insight shed on the collected material. Efforts should be mode to provide short duration intensive courses for meeting this requirement. 2. There is insufficient interaction between the university research department on one side and business establishments, government departments and research institutions on the other side. Efforts should be made to develop satisfactory liaison among concerned for better and realistic researches. 3. Most of the business units in our country do not have the confidence that material supplied by them to researchers will not he misused and as such they are reluctant to provide the needed information to the researchers. a business unit will not the misused. Thus there is the need for generating the confidence that the information /data obtained from

4. Research studies over lapping one another are under taken quite often for want of adequate information. This problem can be solved by proper compilation and revision at regular intervals of a list of subjects on which and the places where the research is going on. 5. There does not exist a code of conduct for researchers and inter university and interdepartmental rivalries are also quite common. Hence there is need for developing a code of conduct for researcher which if adhered sincerely can win oven this problem. 6. Many researchers in the country also face the difficulty of adequate and timely sectarial assistance, including computrial assistance .All possible efforts be made in this direction so that sectarial assistance is made available to researchers and that too well in time. 7. Library management and functioning is not satisfactory at many places. Much time and energy is spent for tracing out the books, Journals, reports etc. 8. There is also a problem that many of our libraries are not able to get copies of old and new Acts/rules, reports and other Governments publication in time. Efforts should the made for regular and speedy supply of government publications to reach our Libraries.

9. There is also the difficulty of timely availability of published data from various Govt. and other agencies doing this Job in our country.

Format of Research Report: A. Preliminary Section (1) (3) (5) Title page (2) Acknowledgement (if any) (4) List of tables(if any) Table of contents

List of figures (if any) (6) Abstract

B. Main Body: 1. Introduction a. Statement of the problem b. Significance of the problem (and historical background) c. purpose d. Statement of hypothesis e. Assumptions f. Limitations g. Definition of Terms. 2. Review of related literature (and analyses of previous research) 3. Design of study a. Description of Research design and procedure used

b. Sources of data c. Sampling procedure d. Methods and instruments of data collection. e. Statistical treatment 4. Analysis of data a. Text with appropriate tables and figures. b. Summary and conclusion c. Restatement of problem d. Description of procedures. e. Major findings f. Conclusions g. Recommendation for further investigation. Reference Section. 1. End notes (if in that format of citation) 2. Bibliography & Literature cited. 3. Appendics A format for Research Proposal Name, University name email address Abstract : A paragraphs summarizing your topic of research, who or what will be the object of data collection, how the data will be collected, how it will be analyzed and what result you expect (possible out comes)

The Problem: What problem do I want to address or what questions do I want to answer? Elaborate on the variables and their relationship. Body ground to the problems: Why is this problem or question important who else has worked on this or similiar problems what methods were used. What were the results or conclusions of previous research? In this section, show the relevance of your research to other research that has been done. Research Design: How will I limit my study? What data do I need to collect What methods will I use to collect the data and how I will justify them. Expected Results: How will I analyze the data? What results do I expect from my research? In this section elaborate how you will use your data to answer your research questions. To make generalization to defend assertions, to examine possible alternative outcomes to construct a plausible argument. Reference. Make sure there follows a recognized format and do so consistently .

Always use keywords for the search in google as an advanced sdarch use special workds twhen we need to take some particular in writing select any set of and then find synonym top avoid any problem worth the plagiarism.Auto sequence and then choose open as new document and put the summary file