RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

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.
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.
It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the
research methods/techniques but also the methodology.
Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain
indices or tests, how to calculate the mean, the mode, the
median or the standard deviation or chi-square, how to apply
particular research techniques, but they also need to know
which of these methods or techniques, are relevant and which
are not, and what would they mean and indicate and why.
 Researchers also need to understand the assumptions
underlying various techniques and they need to know the
criteria by which they can decide that certain techniques and
procedures will be applicable to certain problems and others
will not.
All this means that it is necessary for the researcher to design
his methodology for his problem as the same may differ from
problem to problem.
E.g., an architect, who designs a building, has to consciously
evaluate the basis of his decisions, i.e., he has to evaluate why
and on what basis he selects particular size, number and
location of doors, windows and ventilators, uses particular
materials and not others and the like.
Similarly, in research the scientist has to expose the research
decisions to evaluation before they are implemented. He has to
specify very clearly and precisely what decisions he selects and
why he selects them so that they can be evaluated by others
also.
 Research methodology has many dimensions and research
methods do constitute a part of the research methodology. The
scope of research methodology is wider than that of research
methods.
Thus, when we talk of research methodology we not only talk of

the research methods but also consider the logic behind the
methods we use in the context of our research study and explain
why we are using a particular method or technique and why we
are not using others so that research results are capable of being
evaluated either by the researcher himself or by others.
Why a research study has been undertaken, how the research

problem has been defined, in what way and why the hypothesis
has been formulated, what data have been collected and what
particular method has been adopted, why particular technique
of analyzing data has been used and a host of similar other
questions are usually answered when we talk of research
methodology concerning a research problem or study.
 RESEARCH PROCESS
Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary
to effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of
these steps.
The research process consists of a number of closely related
activities, but such activities overlap continuously rather than
following a strictly prescribed sequence.
At times, the first step determines the nature of the last step to
be undertaken.
If subsequent procedures have not been taken into account in the
early stages, serious difficulties may arise which may even
prevent the completion of the study.
One should remember that the various steps involved in a
research process are not mutually exclusive; nor they are
separate and distinct. They do not necessarily follow each other
in any specific order and the researcher has to be constantly
anticipating at each step in the research process the
requirements of the subsequent steps.
Steps involved in a Research
Process
1) Formulating the research problem
2) Extensive literature survey
3) Developing the hypothesis
4) Preparing the research design
5) Determining sample design
6) Collecting the data
7) Execution of the project
8) Analysis of data
9) Hypothesis testing
10)Generalisations and interpretation
11)Preparation of the report or presentation of the
results
Formulating the Research
Problem
The research process begins with the
recognition of a problem or an opportunity.
Essentially two steps are involved in
Research Process:
formulating the research problem, viz.,
understanding the problem thoroughly,
rephrasing the same into meaningful terms
from an analytical point of view.

FIND A TOPIC OF INTEREST TO YOU

Step One: Define Research Problem
There are two types of research problem, viz.,
those
relate to states of nature
relationship between variables.

Essentially two steps are involved in define

research problem, viz.,
understanding the problem thoroughly and
rephrasing the same into meaningful terms
Problem Statement
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.
Selecting the problems:
1. Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen.
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 ones reach.
5. The cost involved, the time factor are few other criteria
that must also be considered in selecting a problem.
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
M. D. UNIVERSITY--ROHTAK

RESEARCH
PROBLEM

Submitted to : Submitted by:

Prof. Harish Dureja Davinder Kumar
Ph.D Research Scholar
 CONTENTS :

1. INTRODUCTION

2. DEFINITION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

3. IDENTIFICAION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

4. SOURCE OF PROBLEM

5. SELECTING THE PROBLEM

6. WHY TO DEFINE RESEARCH PROBLEM

7. OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

8. TECHNIQUES INVOVLED IN DEFINING RESEARCH PROBLEM

 INTRODUCTION
A research problem is a question that researcher wants
to answer or a problem that a researcher wants to solve.
Identification & formulation of a research problem is the
first step of research process.
Selection of research problem depends upon several
factors such as researchers knowledge, skills, expertise,
motivation & creativity with respect to the subject of
inquiry.
It is believed that most of good research studies needs
lots of time for selection of research problem
 RESEARCH PROBLEM
Definition :

Research problem 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.
IDENTIFY A RESEARCH
PROBLEM
Identification of the problem is the first step in
Research Methodology.

Decides research strategy

Gives directions for the study

For e.g. A physician , who takes the history of

patients, examines all the symptoms, carries out the
preliminary test in order to identify medical
problem.
Identify a Research Problem.
SOURCES OF PROBLEM
SELECTING THE
PROBLEM
Selecting the problem................
WHY TO DEFINE RESEARCH
PROBLEM
OBJECTIVES OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM

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TECHNIQUES OF DEFINING
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Defining a research problem properly and clearly is
a crucial part of a research study and must in no
case be accomplished hurriedly. However, in
practice this is frequently overlooked which causes
a lot of problems later on. Hence, the research
problem should be defined in a systematic manner,
giving due weightage to all relating points.
The technique for Defining a research problem
involves the following steps generally one after the
other
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General
topic Selection of a research areas

Reviewing the literature & theories

Delimiting the research topic

Evaluating the research problem

Specific
Formulating final statement of research
topic problem
STEP 1 STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM IN A GENERAL WAY
Problem should be stated in a broad general way,
keeping in view either some practical concern or some
scientific or theoretical aspects.
For this purpose, the researcher must immerse himself
thoroughly in the subject matter concerning which he
wishes to pose a problem.
The researcher can himself state the problem or he
can seek the guidance of the guide or the subject
expert in accomplishing this task.
STEP 2 - UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE
OF PROBLEM
1) Understand its origin and nature clearly

2) Discuss it with those who first raised it in order to

find out how the problem originally came about
and with what objectives in view.

3) If the researcher has stated the problem himself,

then for a better understanding of the nature of
the problem involved, he can enter into discussion
with those who have a good knowledge of the
problem concerned or similar other problems.

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STEP 3- SURVEYING THE AVAILABLE
LITERATURE
All available literature concerning the problem must be surveyed and
examined.
The researcher must be well- conversant with relevant theories in
the field, reports and records as also all other relevant literature. He
must devote sufficient time in reviewing of research already
undertaken on related problems. This is done to :

I. know what data and other materials are available for operational
purposes.

II. to know if there are certain gaps in the theories.

. Knowing what data are available often serves to narrow the
problem itself as well as the technique that might be25used.
 STEP 4 - DEVELOPING THE IDEAS
THROUGH DISCUSSIONS
Discussion concerning a problem often produces useful
information. Various new ideas can be developed through
such an exercise
A researcher must discuss his problem with his colleagues
and others who have enough experience in the same area
or in working on similar problems.
This help the researcher to sharpen his focus of attention
on specific aspects within the field.
STEP 5- REPHRASING THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM:

Finally, the researcher must sit to rephrase the research

problem into a working proposition.
Through rephrasing, the researcher puts the research
problem in as specific terms as possible so that it may
become operationally viable and may help in the
development of working hypotheses.

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Extensive literature survey
Once the problem is defined, a brief
summary of it should be written down.
It involves:
critically
reading literature
Evaluating the literature

organising existing literature

For this purpose, abstracting and indexing

journals manuals, company records,
conference proceedings etc.
Extensive literature survey
Looking for Information

Primary Sources: Documents, individuals, pictures,

videos, articles, reports etc.
Secondary sources: news, overview, scholarly, point of
view

How much information is required depends on the final

product (paper, speech, presentation, dissertation etc)
Step Two: Review of
Literature
Once the problem is defined, a brief
summary of it should be written down. It is
compulsory for a research worker writing a
thesis for a Ph.D. degree to write a synopsis
of topic and submit it to necessary
committee or the research board for
approval.
Literature Review
An overview of previous research on your
research topic.
A comprehensive review of all published
research that is relevant to your proposed
investigation and guided by your research
objectives.
Purpose of a Literature
Review
Convey the depth and breadth of research that has
been accomplished on a subject.
Supports the motivation and significance of the
research.
Identify important issues and link to hypotheses.
Identify key areas of missing knowledge.
Describe methodologies used.
Describe existing data sets.
Link proposed research to previous and ongoing
research efforts -- provide context.
Helps you learn everything about your subject.
Ensures that you are not reinventing the wheel.
Helps you learn about the people in the field.
Identify Resources
Books
Journals
Conference Papers
Dissertations
Bibliographies
Maps
Internet
Indexes/Abstracts Printed
Electronic Databases
Government publications
Theses
Interviews and other unpublished research
Developing the hypothesis
Working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in
order to draw out and test its consequences
provide the focal point for research
should be very specific and limited to the piece of
research in hand
role of the 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.
Step Three: Formulate Hypothesis
Formulate hypothesis is tentative assumption
made in order to draw out and test its logical
or empirical consequences. Hypothesis
should be very specific and limited to the
piece of research in hand because it has to be
tested.
The role of the hypothesis is to guide the
researcher by delimiting the area of research
and to keep him on the right track.
Preparing Research Design
Design a conceptual structure within which
research would be conducted
The function of research design is to provide for
the collection of relevant evidence with minimal
expenditure of effort, time and money.
Research purpose may be grouped into four
categories, viz.,
(1) Exploration,
(2) Description,
(3) Diagnosis, and
(4) Experimentation.
Step Four: Preparing the Research
Design
The function of research design is to provide
for the collection of relevant evidence with
minimal expenditure of effort, time and
money.

Research purpose may be grouped into four

categories, viz., (1) Exploration, (2)
Description,(3) Diagnosis, and (4)
Experimentation.
Research Purpose
Exploratory studies are study of collection
of data in informal manner and unstructured
Descriptive Studies are undertaken to
learn and describe the characteristics of a
group of employees
Diagnosis Studies: determines the
frequency with which something occurs or its
association with something else
Experimentation Studies: effect of
independentvariable on the dependent
variable
Determining Sample
Design
Probability Sampling: method of sampling
that utilizes some form of random selection
Non Probability Sampling: Involves a
process that does not give all individuals in
the population equal chances of being
selected.
Collation of Data
Primary Data collation can be collected
through:

By Observation
Through personal interview
Through telephone interviews
By mailing of questionnaires
Through schedules
Step Five: Data Collection
Primary data can be collected through:
By Observation
Through personal interview
Through telephone interview
By mailing of questionnaires
Through Schedules
Analysis of Data
Analysis of data means studying the
material in order to determine inherent facts
or meanings
Step Six: Data Analysis
The analysis of data requires a number of
closely related operations such as
establishment of categories.

This stage mainly include :

1. Coding
2. Editing
3. Tabulation
Hypothesis testing
A hypothesis is a statement or an
assumption about relationship between
variables.
Hypothesis-testing will result in either
accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it.
The hypotheses may be tested through the
use of one or more statistical tests
This is one of the self-correcting
mechanisms associated with the scientific
method.
Generalizations and
Interpretation
Analysis and Interpretation are the central
steps in the research process.
The goal of analysis is to summaries the
collected data in such a way that they
provide answer to questions that triggered
while research.
Interpretation is the research for border,
meaning of research finding
Generalization in
Research
Presentation of the results
The main text of the report should have the following
parts:
1. Introduction:
A clear statement of the objective of the research
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.
2. Summary of finding
3. Main report:
Logical sequence and broken-down into readily identifiable
sections.
4. Conclusion:

Presentation of the results
The "hourglass" notion of research
begin with broad questions
narrow down, focus in
operationalize
OBSERVE
analyze data
reach conclusions
generalize back to questions
Step Seven: Interpretation and
Report Writing

Researcher has to prepare the report of what

has been done by him.

Writing of report includes:

1. the preliminary pages;
2. the main text, and
3. the end matter.
HYPOTHESIS & TESTING OF HYPOTHESIS

Anjali Saharan
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
M.D.U. Rohtak-124001
HYPOTHESIS

It is an assumption that we make about

the parameter of a population.
It is made as a basis of reasoning.
It is defined as some assumption or
supposition which is to be proved.
For researchers, hypothesis is a formal
question that he intends to resolve.
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STEPS INVOLVED IN TESTING OF
HYPOTHESIS
The various steps involved in the testing of hypothesis are:
Set up a hypothesis
Set up a significance level
Setting a test criterion
Doing computation
Making decision

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SET UP A HYPOTHESIS

The first thing in hypothesis testing is to set up a hypothesis

about the parameter of a population
Then we collect data , produces sample statistics and use this
information to decide how likely our hypothesized population
parameter is correct.
The conventional approach to set up two hypothesis for hypothesis
testing.
These hypothesis must be so constructed that if one of them is
rejected then the other is accepted.
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TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis can be of two types:

1. Null hypothesis in its simplest form the hypothesis asserts

that there is no real difference in the sample and the
population matter under consideration and the difference
found is accidental an unimportant arising out of the
fluctuation of sampling.

2. Alternate hypothesis specifies those values that the

researcher believes to hold true and he hope that the sample
data lead to acceptance of this hypothesis as true.
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 SET UP A SIGNIFICANCE LEVEL

The confidence with which an experimenter

rejects or retains the null hypothesis depends on
the level of significance.
Level of significance depends on-size of sample,
variability of measurements and the magnitude
of difference between sample means.
Generally significance level of p< 0.05 is settled.
This simply means there is 5% probability of
rejecting a null hypothesis if it is true.

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 SETTING A TEST CRITERION

This involves selecting an appropriate probability

distribution for a particular distribution i.e. the
probability distribution which can be properly
applied.
If the size of the sample is small then the normal
distribution would be appropriate.
The most commonly used probability distribution
are- t, F and chi- square. 57
COMPUTATIONS

After designing the suitable test the next step is the

performance of various computation- from a random
sample of size n, necessary for the test.
Calculation includes the testing statistics an the
standard error of the testing statistics.
Standard error are of two types- type-1(alfa) and
type-2 error (beta).
Type-2 error is used to calculate the power of
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hypothesis.
 MAKING DECISION

Draw conclusions and take decisions.

The decision will depend upon whether the
compute value of the test criterion falls in the
acceptance region or in the rejection region.
If the hypothesis is testing at the 5% level an the
observed probability is less than the 5% we
consider the difference between the sample
statistics and the hypothetical parameter
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significant.