RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY
Nagendra B.V
Department of Economics & Quantitative Techniques and Business Analytics
WHAT IS A RESEARCH?
Research refers to the systematic method consisting of enunciating the problem, formulating
a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analysing the facts and reaching certain conclusions
either in the form of solution(s) towards the concerned problem or in certain generalizations
for some theoretical formulations.

The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of

scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and
which has not been discovered as yet.
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
1. 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)
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group
(studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies)
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated
with something else (studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research
studies)
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known as
hypothesis testing research studies)
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Descriptive Research: Descriptive research includes surveys and fact finding enquiries of
different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs
as it exists at present. In social science and business research we quite often use the term Ex
post facto research for descriptive research studies. The main characteristic of this method is
that the researcher has no control over the variables, he can only report what has happened or
what is happening. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey
methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlation methods.
Examples: frequency of shopping, preferences of people, correlations etc.,

Analytical Research: In analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or information
already available and analyse these to make a critical evaluation of the material. Analytical
research aims at ‘why’ and ‘how’.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Applied Research: Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a
society or an industrial/business organization. Research aimed at certain conclusions facing a concrete
social or business problem is an example of applied research. Other examples include, research to
identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution, marketing research,
evaluation research etc., The central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing
practical problems.
Fundamental Research: Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the
formulation of a theory. Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed as fundamental research.
Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are part of fundamental
research. Research studies concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalisations
about human behaviour are also part of fundamental research. Fundamental research is directed towards
finding information that has a broad base of applications and thus adds to the already existing organized
body of scientific knowledge.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Quantitative Research: Quantitative research is based on the quantitative measurements of
some characteristics. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of
quantities.

Qualitative Research: Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, that

is phenomenon relating to or involving quality or kind. Examples are study of human
behaviour, consumer perceptions etc., Motivation research is an important type of qualitative
research which aims at discovering underlying motives and desires using in depth interviews
for the purpose.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Conceptual Research: Conceptual research is related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is
generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop a new concepts or to reinterpret
existing ones.

Empirical Research: Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone. Often

without due regard for system or theory. It is data based research, coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment. It is also
known as experimental research. Empirical research is appropriate when proof is sought that
certain variables affect other variables in some way. Evidence gathered through experiments
or empirical studies are considered to be the most powerful support possible for testing a
given hypothesis.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Research

Quantitative Qualitative

Motivation
Inferential
Behavioural
Experimental
Attitude
Simulation
Opinion
OTHER RESEARCH TYPES
RESEARCH SKILLS
1. Curiosity and penchant for ideas
2. Problem identification skills (think innovatively, take something to another step)
3. Analysis and synthesis thinking
4. Attention to detail( being careful not to miss out anything)
5. Top-notch Problem-Solving skills (both convergent and divergent problem solving)
6. Ability for abstraction and look at general aspects ( some amount of mathematical sophistication)
7. Intellectual stamina
8. Experimentation skills
9. Technical writing,(general writing skills: digest something and put it out in elegant prose, know the
order in which things should be presented, so it is easy to understand
10. Presentation skills (sell your ideas to anyone, technical or non-technical)
PROBLEM DEFINITION
A research problem in general refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of
either a theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same. The components
of a research problem are as below:

1. There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty or the problem
2. There must be some objectives(s) to be attained at. If one wants nothing, one cannot have a
problem
3. There must be alternative means for obtaining the objective(s) one wishes to attain
4. There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the selection of
alternatives
5. There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains
SELECTING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
The following points may be observed by a researcher while selecting a research problem:

1. Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a difficult task to throw any
new light in such a case
2. Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average researcher
3. Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided
4. The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the related research material
or sources of research are within one’s reach
5. The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of a researcher, the cost involved ,
the time factor are to be considered in selecting the problem
6. The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study
HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis or working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test
its logical or empirical consequences. The manner in which the research hypothesis are
developed is particularly important since they provide the focal point for research. They also
affect the manner in which tests must be conducted in the analysis of data and indirectly the
quality of data which is required for the analysis. Hypothesis should be very specific and
limited to the piece of research in hand because it has to be tested. The role of hypothesis is
to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track.
It sharpens his thinking and focuses attention on the more important facets of the problem.
It also indicates the type of data required and the type of methods of data analysis to be used.
VARIABLES, METRIC AND MEASUREMENT

A concept which can take on different quantitative values is called a variable.

Example: Height, weight, income

Phenomena which can take on quantitatively different values even in decimal points are called
“continuous variables
If the variables are expressed in integer values, they are called as “discrete variables”

Measurement is a value associated with a variable

Metric is what is deduced from measurements

 RESEARCH PROCESS
Literature Review

FF
Review concepts
and theories
Define Research Design Research
Formulate Collect Analyse Data Interpret and
Problem (including sample
Hypothesis Data(Execution) (test hypothesis) Report
design)
Review previous
research findings F F

FF Feed forward (Serves the vital function of providing

criteria for evaluation
F Feedback (helps in controlling the sub-system to which
it is transmitted)
HOW DOES ONE DEVELOP HYPOTHESIS?

1. Discussion with colleagues and domain experts about the problem, its origin and the
objective in seeking a solution
2. Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for possible
trends, peculiarities and other clues
3. Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems
4. Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews on a limited
scale with interested parties and individuals with a view to secure greater insights into the
practical aspects of the problem
RESEARCH PURPOSE AND RESEARCH
DESIGN
A research design is a conceptual framework within which the researcher conducts the research. The
preparation of research design facilitates research to be as efficient as possible yielding maximum
information. In other words the function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant
evidence with optimum effort, time and expenditure. A research design can be experimental or
non-experimental. The experimental designs include, Completely Randomized Design, Randomized
Block Design, Latin Square Design, Simple and Complex factorial designs.
A research design has the following components:
1. Means of obtaining the information
2. Research skills availability
3. Organization of information
4. Time availability for research
5. Cost of research
RESEARCH PURPOSE AND RESEARCH
DESIGN
A research design is a conceptual framework within which the researcher conducts the research. The
preparation of research design facilitates research to be as efficient as possible yielding maximum
information. In other words the function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant
evidence with optimum effort, time and expenditure. A research design can be experimental or
non-experimental. The experimental designs include, Completely Randomized Design, Randomized
Block Design, Latin Square Design, Simple and Complex factorial designs.
A research design has the following components:
1. Means of obtaining the information
2. Research skills availability
3. Organization of information
4. Time availability for research
5. Cost of research
SAMPLE AND POPULATION

All the items under consideration in any field of inquiry constitute a ‘universe’ or population. A
complete enumeration of all the items in the population is known as a census inquiry. We often collect
a good representation of population in smaller number which constitute a ‘sample’. Sampling costs
‘money’. There are probability and non-probability sampling techniques.

Non-probability sampling: Deliberate sampling, Quota sampling, Snow-ball sampling

Probability sampling: Simple Random Sampling (SRS), Systematic sampling, Stratified sampling, Quota
sampling, Cluster sampling, Area sampling, Multi-stage sampling, Sequential sampling
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN
RESEARCH
In addition to conceptualizing the writing process for a proposal, researchers need to
anticipate the ethical issues that may arise during their studies. Research involves
collecting data from people, about people. Writing about these anticipated ethical
issues is required in making an argument for a study as well as being an important
topic in the format for proposals. Researchers need to protect their research
participants; develop a trust with them; promote the integrity of research; guard
against misconduct and impropriety that might reflect on their organizations or
institutions; and cope with new, challenging problems. Ethical questions are apparent
today in such issues as personal disclosure, authenticity, and credibility of the
research report; the role of researchers in cross-cultural contexts; and issues of
personal privacy through forms of Internet data collection.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH
DATA SOURCES
CLASSIFCATION OF DATA
Primary data is original, problem or project specific and collected for the
specific objectives and needs spelt out by the researcher. The authenticity and
relevance is reasonably high.

Secondary data is information that is not topical or research specific and has
been collected and compiled by some other researcher or investigative body. It
is recorded and published in a structured format.
BENEFITS OF SECONDARY DATA
Resource advantage

Accessibility of data
Accuracy and stability of data
Assessment of data
 DRAWBACKS OF SECONDARY
DATA
Applicability of data: the purpose for which the information was earlier
collected was unique to that study and thus the information might not be
absolutely applicable or relevant for the current study objective.

Accuracy of data: the source and data credibility is a serious issue of concern
when using past data and records.