Research Problem: The research problem starts with clearly identifying the problem you want to study and considering what possible methods will affect a solution. Essentials of a research problem The research problem should: Clearly state what you intend to do Identify your problem statement as a question, statement or hypothesis Briefly indicate the relevance of your question Comment on practical value of your research project.

Research Process: Formulating the research problem Extensive literature survey Development of working hypothesis Preparing the research design Determining the sample design Collecting the data Execution of the project Analysis of data Hypothesis testing Generalization and Interpretation Preparation of the report or the thesis

I. Formulating the research problem: Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the research problem. Understanding the problem thoroughly. Rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from an analytical point of view. II Extensive literature survey: Academic journal Conference proceedings Government reports Books etc.

III Development of working hypothesis: How does one go about developing working hypothesis? By: Discussion with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin and the objectives in seeking a solution. Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for possible trends, peculiarities and other clues. Review of similar studies in the area or the studies on similar problems

IV Preparing the research design: The preparation of the research design, appropriate for a particular research problem, involves the consideration of the following: The means of obtaining the information The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff(if any) Explanation of the way in which selected means of obtaining information will be organized and the reasoning leading to the selection. The time available for the research The cost factor relating to the research (funds available)

V DETERMINING SAMPLE DESIGN Methods of sampling SAMPLING METHODS NON PROBABILITY SAMPLING METHODS PROBABILITY SAMPLING METHODS SIMPLE RANDOM JUDGEMENTAL STRATIFIED QUOTA SYSTEMATIC CONVENIENCE CLUSTER

VI Collecting the Data: Primary Data: The data can be collected by any one or more of the following ways. By observation Through personal interviews Through telephone interviews By mailing questionnaires Through schedules

Secondary data: There are two main sources for collecting secondary data Published Non Published Published sources: 1. Govt. publications. 2. Semi-govt. publications. 3.Reports of committees and commissions. 4.Publications of trade associations 5. Publications of research Institutions. 6. Journals and papers. 7. Publications of research scholars. 8. International publications

Unpublished Sources: There are some unpublished secondary data as well. These data are collected by the govt. organizations and others,generally for their self use or office records

VII Execution of the project: The researcher should see that the project is executed in a systematic manner and in proper allotted time. The researcher should also ensure that the survey is under statistical control so that the collected information is in accordance with the pre defined standards of accuracy. VIII Analysis of the data: The researcher should classify the raw data into some purposeful and usable categories. Coding operation is done at this stage through which the categories of the data are transformed into symbols that may be tabulated and counted. Tabulation is also done to classify the data in the forms of tables. Analysis work is done by applying various well defined statistical formulae.

IX Hypothesis Testing Different types of tests used for testing the hypothesis are: Chi Square Test F-Test Z-Test t-Test etc. The hypothesis may be tested by using one or more above tests.

X Generalizations and Interpretation: After hypothesis testing, the researcher generalizes his research i.e building a theory. If the researcher has not taken any hypothesis, he interprets the findings. XI Preparation of the report or the thesis: Finally the researcher prepares the report of what has been done by him.

Research design: A research design is used to structure the research, to show how all of the major parts of the research project, samples or group, work together to try to address the central research questions. Design decisions: What is the study about Why the study being made Where will the study be carried What type of data is required and where it can be found etc.

Based on the above design decisions, the research design has following parts: The sampling design, which deals with the method of selecting items to be observed for the given study. The observational design, which relates to the conditions under which the observations are to be made. The statistical design, which concerns with the questions of how many items are to be observed and how the information and data gathered are to be analyzed. The operational design, which deals with the techniques by which the procedures specified in the sampling, statistical and observational designs are carried out.

A Classification of Research Designs: Conclusive Research Design Exploratory Research Design Descriptive Research Casual research Cross Sectional Design Longitudinal Research Single Cross Sectional Design Multiple Cross Sectional Design

Research Design for Exploratory Research: An important reason for conducting exploratory research is to test concepts before they are put in the market place. Exploratory research can be quite informal, relying on secondary research such as reviewing available literature. Types of research design methods used for exploratory research. Literature review: It attempts to summarize or comment on what is already known about a particular topic by collecting different sources together, synthesizing and analyzing critically and finally creating new knowledge or perspectives. Case Study: Case research excels at bringing us to an understanding of a complex issue or object and can extend experience or add strength to what is already known through previous research.

Survey: Here an empirical study involves collecting information from a larger number of respondents by using questionnaires. Also a survey might make use of already available data collected for another purpose. Experiment: This involves deliberate manipulation of an intervention in order to determine its effects. The intervention usually involves around pupils, teachers, school or some other units. If the allocation to these different treatment groups is decided at random it may be called a true experiment; but if the allocation is not random it is called as quasi experiment.