Research Methodology: An

Introduction
Source: Research Methodology-
Methods and Techniques
C R Kothari
 Research - meaning
• Research refers to search for knowledge.
• Research comprises defining and redefining problems,
formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting,
organising and evaluating data; making deductions and
reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the
conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating
hypothesis – Clifford Woody.
• Research refers to the systematic method consisting of
enunciating the problem, fomulating a hypothesis,
collecting the facts or data, analysing the facts and reaching
certain conclusions either in the form of solutions towards
the concerned problem or in certain generalisations for
some theoretical formulation.
 Objectives of Research
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve
new insights into it ; studies with this object in view are
termed as exploratory or formulative research studies
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group. Such studies are known
as descriptive research studies.
• To determine the frequency with which something
occurs or with which it is associated with something
else and this is known as diagnostic research studies.
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between
variables and such studies are known as hypothesis-
testing research studies.
 Types of Research
• Descriptive vs. Analytical: Descriptive research
includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of
different kinds. The methods of research utilized
in descriptive research are survey methods of all
kinds, including comparative and correlational
methods.
• In analytical research, the researcher uses facts or
information already available, and analyse these
to make a critical evaluation of the material.
 Types of Research
• Applied vs. Fundamental: Applied research aims at
finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a
society or an industrial/business organisation. Research
to identify social, economic or political trends that may
affect a particular institution or the marketing research
or evaluation research are examples of applied
research. Applied research aims at finding a solution
for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organisation.
• Fundamental research is concerned with generalisation
and with the formulation of a theory.
 Types of Research
• Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Quantitative research is
based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
• Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon. Attitude or opinion research (research
designed to find out how people feel what they think
about a particular subject or institution is also
qualitative research. This is specially important in the
behavioural sciences where the aim is to discover the
underlying motives of human behaviour. Through such
research we can analyse the various factors which
motivate people to behave in a particular manner or
which make people like or dislike a particular thing.
 Types of Research
• Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research is
that related to some abstract idea or theory. It is
generally used by philosophers and thinkers to
develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing
ones. Empirical research relies on experience or
observation alone. It is data-based research,
coming up with conclusions which are capable of
being verified by observations or experiment. It is
also called experimental type of research. This
type of research is appropriate when proof is
sought that certain variables affect other
variables in some way.
 Types of Research
• Some other types:
• Clinical or diagnostic research: follows case study
methods or indepth approaches to reach the
basic causal relations.
• Exploratory research: The objective is the
development of hypotheses rather than their
testing.
• Historical research: utilizes historical sources like
documents, remains, etc. to study events or ideas
of the past , including the philosophy of persons
and groups at any remote point of time.
 Types of Research
• Conclusion oriented research, a researcher is free to
pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry as he
proceeds and is prepared to conceptualise as he
wishes.
• Decision oriented research is always for the need of a
decision maker and the researcher in this case is not
free to embark upon research according to his own
inclination. Operations research is an example of
decision oriented research since it is a scientific
method of providing executive departments with a
quantitative basis for decisions regarding operations
under their control.
 Research Approaches
• Quantitative approach: Involves generation of data in
quantitative form which can be subjected to rigorous
quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid fashion. This
approach can be further classified into a) Inferential
approach : infer characteristics or relationships of
population. Ex. Survey research b)Experimental approach:
Observe the effect of manipulation of one variable over the
other. c) Simulation approach: construction of an artificial
environment within which relevant information and data
can be generated.
• Qualitative approach: subjective assessment of attitudes,
opinions and behaviour. Ex: in depth intervies, focus group
interviews, projective techniques.
 Significance of Research
• Research inculcates scientific and inductive
thinking and it promotes the development of
logical habits of thinking in an organisation.
• Research provides the basis for nearly all
government policies in our economic system.
• Research has its special significance in solving
various operational and planning problems of
business and industry.
• Research is equally important for social scientists
in studying social relationships and in seeking
answers to various social problems.
 Research Methods vs. Methodology
• Research methods or techniques refer to the
methods the researchers use in performing
research operations.
• Research methodology is a way to
systematically solve the research problem. In
it we study the various steps that are generally
adopted by a researcher in studying his
research problem along with the logic behind
them.
 Research Process
• Consists of series of actions or steps necessary to
effectively carry out research and the desired
sequencing of these steps. The steps are i)
formulating the research problem ii) extensive
literature survey iii) developing the hypothesis iv)
preparing the research design v) determining
sample design vi) collecting the data vii)
execution of the project viii) analysis of data ix)
testing of hypothesis x) generalisations and
interpretation xi) preparation of report or
presentation of the results.
• i) Formulating the research problem: The
researcher understands the problem
thoroughly , and rephrases the same into
meaningful terms from an analytical point of
view.
• ii) Extensive literature survey: Researcher
should go through academic journals,
conference proceedings, government reports,
books etc. must be tapped.
• iii) Development of working hypothesis: Working
hypothesis is a tentative assumption made in order to
draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences.
One could discuss with colleagues and experts about
the problem, its origin and the objectives in seeking a
solution; examine available data and records
concerning the problem for possible trends; review of
similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar
problems; exploratory personal investigation which
involves original field interview on a limited scale with
interested parties and individuals with a view to secure
greater insight into the practical aspects of the
problem.
• iv) Preparing the research design: This facilitates
research to be as efficient as possible yielding maximal
information. In other words, the function of research
design is to provide for the collection of relevant
evidence with minimal expenditure of effort, time and
money. The preparation of research design, involves
consideration of the following: a) the means of
obtaining the information b) the availability and skills
of the researcher and his staff c) explanation of the
way in which selected means of obtaining information
will be organised and the reasoning leading to the
selection d) the time available for research e) the cost
factor relating to research
• v) Determining sample design
• vi) Collecting the data
• vii) Execution of the project
• viii) Analysis of data
• ix) Hypothesis testing
• x) Generalisations and interpretation
• xi) Preparation of the report or the thesis
 Criteria of Good research
• Good research is systematic
• Good research is logical
• Good research is empirical
• Good research is replicable