Transcription of Introduction to Research Methodology
1 NotesIntroduction to Research Methodology1 Self Learning MaterialUNIT 1 introduction to Research Methodology (Structure) Learning Objectives Introduction Objectives of Research General Characteristics of Research Types of Research Stage 1: Formulating the Problem Stage 2: Method of Inquiry Stage 3: Research Method Stage 4: Research Design Stage 5: Data Collection Techniques Stage 6: Sample Design Stage 7: Data Collection Stage 8: Analysis and Interpretation Resource Planning For Your Study Importance of Defining the Problem Formulating the Problem Sources for the Problem Identification Self Questioning by the Researcher while defining the Problem Types of Research Design Exploratory Research Conclusive Research How to Prepare a Synopsis Choosing a Research Design Summary Glossary Review Questions Further ReadingsNotesResearch MethodologySelf Learning Learning ObjectivesAfter studying the chapter, students will be able to.
2 ZzThe objectives of Research ;zzDifferent types of Research ;zzMeaning of Research Methodology ;zzQualities of good Research ;zzProblems encountered by researchers in India;zzKnow the steps of a Research process;zzKnow understand the importance of formulating the problem and statement of Research ;zzKnow understand the tasks involved in problem definition;zzKnow understand discuss the environmental factors affecting the definition of the Research problem;zzKnow what are the different types of Research design;zzDiscuss what is descriptive Research and what methods are adopted;zzExplain what is experimental Research and what are the methods of conducting experimental Research ;zzKnow what are the types of errors that affect Research Introduction Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge.
3 Once can also define Research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, Research is an art of scientific investigation. The Advanced Learner s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of Research as a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge. 1. Redman and Mory define Research as a systematized effort to gain new knowledge. 2. Some people consider Research as a movement, a movement from the known to the unknown.
4 It is actually a voyage of discovery. We all possess the vital instinct of inquisitiveness for, when the unknown confronts us, we wonder and our inquisitiveness makes us probe and attain full and fuller understanding of the unknown. This inquisitiveness is the mother of all knowledge and the method, which man employs for obtaining the knowledge of whatever the unknown, can be termed as Research . Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used in a technical sense. According to Clifford Woody Research comprises defining and redefining NotesIntroduction to Research Methodology3 Self Learning Materialproblems, 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.
5 D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences define Research as the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art. 3. Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its advancement. It is the persuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem is Research .
6 The systematic approach concerning generalisation and the formulation of a theory is also Research . As such the term Research refers to the systematic method consisting of enunciating the problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solutions(s) towards the concerned problem or in certain generalizations for some theoretical this unit, we will show you the steps of conducting such a Research project. Figure shows the stages in the Research process. While these steps are presented in order, you can be creative and adapt the steps to meet your business needs.
7 Some steps can be completed in parallel to speed the project as it begins to develop. Problem FormulationSelection of Data Collection TechniquesResearch MethodData CollectionMethod of InquirySample DesignResearch DesignAnalysis and Interpretation of DataResearch ReportsFig. : Stages in Research ProcessThere is a famous saying that problem well-defined is half solved . This statement is strikingly true in market Research , because if the problem is not stated properly, the NotesResearch MethodologySelf Learning Material4objectives will not be clear. If the objectives are not clearly defined, the data collection becomes Objectives of ResearchThere are various objectives of Research .
8 Some of them are listed 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. Though each Research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of Research objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings: 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.
9 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). General Characteristics of ResearchThe following characteristics may be gathered from the definitions of Research .
10 1. It gathers new knowledge or data from primary or first-hand It places emphasis upon the discovery of general It is an exact systematic and accurate It uses certain valid data gathering It is logical and The researcher resists the temptation to seek only the data that support his The researcher eliminates personal feelings and It endeavours to organise data in quantitative Research is patient and unhurried The researcher is willing to follow his procedures to the conclusions that may be unpopular and bring social Research is carefully recorded and Conclusions and generalisations are arrived at carefully and to Research Methodology5 Self Learning Types of ResearchThere are different types of ResearchExploratory Research is carried out at the very beginning when the problem is not clear or is vague.
