V. Krishna Murthy PES University Bangalore Research Methodology: Research Meaning Why? What 1

Meaning of Research - “A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge” Definition: Scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic 1.To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (EXPLORATORY OR FORMULATIVE RESEARCH STUDIES) 2.To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group (DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH STUDIES) 4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (HYPOTHESIS - TESTING RESEARCHSTUDIES). 3.To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH STUDIES) Objectives of Research

1.DESCRIPTIVE vs. ANALYTICAL RESEARCH: Major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present (Expostfacto Research) TYPES OF RESEARCH Characteristic: The researcher has no control over the variables- he can only report what has happened, or what is happening; e.g.: frequency of shopping, preferences of people Methods used: Comparative and correlation. In analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or information already available and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

2.APPLIED vs. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH: TYPES OF RESEARCH Characteristic: The research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (or basic or pure) research Market research, design, safety, health, pollution, societal, environmental, industrial, pharmaceutical etc. e.g. pure mathematics, theoretical physics, generalization of human behavior FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH Mainly concerned with generali- zations and with the formulation of a theory APPLIED RESEARCH Aim is at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial business Organization aimed at conclusions)

3.QUANTITATIVE vs. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: TYPES OF RESEARCH QUALITATIVE RESEARCH is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., involving quality or kind Aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior; Attitude or opinion research (how people feel or think about a particular subject or institution) difficult job; should seek guidance from experimental psychologists. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH Based on the measurement of quantity or amount Controlled, rather easy to carryout Objective and repeatable Easy to draw conclusions and decisions

4.CONCEPTUAL vs. EMPIRICAL RESEARCH: TYPES OF RESEARCH Evidence gathered through experiments or empirical studies is today considered to be the most powerful support possible for a given hypothesis CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH Related to some abstract idea(s) or theory; generally used by philosophers and thinkers to-develop new concepts or to re-interpret existing ones EMPIRICAL RESEARCH Relies on experience or observation alone, without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment. Characterised by the experimenter's control over the variables under study and his deliberate manipulation of one of them to study its effects

Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organisation. "All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than over- confidence, for it leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to invention" - Hudson Maxim Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system: Devise alternative policies and can as well examine the consequences of each of these alternatives Facilitates the decisions of the policy maker The plight of cultivators, the problems of big and small business and industry, working conditions, trade union activities, the problems of distribution, size and nature of defence services, the allocation of nation's resources SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

1. Investigation of economic structure through continual compilation of facts; 2. Diagnosis of events that are taking place and the analysis of the forces underlying them; and 3. Prognosis, i.e., the prediction of future developments. Government research as a tool of economic policy has three distinct phases of operation SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

Operations and market Research as a tool solving various operational and planning problems of business and industry Operations research refers to the application of mathematical, logical and analytical techniques to the solution of business problems of cost minimisation or of profit maximisation Motivations underlying the consumer (market) behaviour Business budging, forecasting, investment plans etc. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

Research in social sciences is concerned both with knowledge for its own sake and with knowledge for what it can contribute to practical concerns. Society Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and in seeking answers to various social problems SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

Other points of significance of RESEARCH (a)To those students who are to write a master's or Ph.D. thesis, research may mean a careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure (b) To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of livelihood (c) To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and insights (d) To literary men and women, research may mean the development of new styles and creative work (e) To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new theories. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

Research Methodology answers the following questions: Why a research study has been undertaken - Aim How the problem has been defined In what way and why the hypothesis was formulated What data have been collected What particular method has been adopted and Why particular technique of analyzing data has been used Research methodology : Means not only research methods but also consider the logic behind the methods used in the context of research study and explain why a method or technique was and why others are not used so that research results are capable of being evaluated either by the researcher or by others

Importance of knowing Research Methodology Helpful in various fields such as government or business administration, community development and social work where persons are increasingly called upon to evaluate and use research results for action. The knowledge provides good training to the new research worker and enables him to do better research. It helps to develop disciplined thinking or a 'bent of mind' to observe the field objectively. Enables us to make intelligent decisions concerning problemsin practical life at different points of time. Helps the consumer of research results to evaluate them and enables him to take rational decisions.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Meaning of Research Research is composed of two syllables: a prefix re and a verb search Re means again, a new, over again Search means to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, to probe The two words form a noun to describe a careful and systematic study in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principle Research is an organized and systematic way of finding answers to questions

Meaning of Research “A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge” Definition: Scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic 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 formulation.

OBJECTIVES of Research - The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through application of scientific procedures Aim: main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet 1.To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (EXPLORATORY OR FORMULATIVE RESEARCH STUDIES) 2.To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group (DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH STUDIES)

4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (HYPOTHESIS - TESTING RESEARCHSTUDIES). OBJECTIVES of Research 3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH STUDIES)

1. Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits 2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems. i.e., concern over practical problems initiates research 3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work 4. Desire to be of service to society 5. Desire to get respectability MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH The possible motives for doing research :

Step 1: Ask Meaningful Question or Identify significant problem Step 2: Attempt to answer question or Pose solution to problem Step 3: Answer to question as a Scientific hypothesis or Proposed solution to problem Continued... The Scientific Method

Step 4: Test hypothesis to allow confirmation and validity Step 5: Accept, modify or reject hypothesis Step 6: Construct, support, or cast doubt on a scientific theory AcceptModify Reject The Scientific Method

Define research problem Review concepts & theories Review previous res. findings Formulate hypotheses Design research (including sample design) Collect data (execution) Analyze data( Test hypothesis) Interpret & Report I II III IV V VI VII F FF Review of literature F = feed back (Helps in controlling the sub-system to which it is transmitted FF = feed forward (Serves the vital function of providing criteria for evaluation RESEARCH PROCESS IN FLOW CHART F F

The order concerning various steps provides a useful procedural guideline regarding the 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) Generalizations and interpretation, and (11) Preparation of the report or presentation of the results, i.e., format write-up of conclusions reached. RESEARCH PROCESS: Series of steps, closely related activities, not mutually exclusive, necessary to effectively carry out research.