Research Methodology

Meaning & Why Research Objectives and Motivation in Research. Characteristics of Good Research. Types of Research. Research Approaches. Research Process. Criteria For Good Research Limitations

Meaning : Discovery of facts , Development of facts and verification of facts.

Discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures.

Find the truth which is hidden & not discovered yet.

Systematic inquiry to provide information to solve managerial problem.

Art of scientific investigation.

“Systematic effort to gain new knowledge” Movement from known to unknown.

Clover and Balsely: “Process of systematically obtaining accurate answers to significant and pertinent questions by the use of scientific method of gathering and interpreting information.

Research comprises Defining and refining problemsFormulating hypothesis or suggested solutionsCollecting, Organizing & Evaluating dataMaking deductions and reaching conclusions & at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis

Characteristics of Research Prediction for future occurrences. Direction towards solution. Accuracy in observation and description. Basis of research is experience . Gathering of data. It is a scientific program. Patient activity. Quest for answers. Objective and logical. Carefully designed procedures. Need Expertise. Careful critical enquiry.

Why ResearchEnvironmental factors demanding managers to havemore & better information for decision making. More variables to consider in every decision. Knowledge increment in the field of management . Global and Domestic competition. Quality of theories and decision models getting

increased. Increased role of govt. Growth of commercial sites on web.

Workers, shareholders and customers wants to have their share in decision making.

Data mining or extraction of knowledge from internal database.

Use of technology (computers).

Tools used to conduct research have increased.

Objectives in research

Description Explanation Forecasting Control Modeling

1. To gain familiarity or to achieve new insights to the phenomenon. Exploratory or Formulative Studies.

2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group Descriptive Studies.

3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else. Diagnostic Studies.

4. To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables. Hypothesis testing Studies

Objectives in Research

Types of StudyReporting Most elementary level To generate some statisticsDescriptive Study- Observation Who, What, When, Where and sometimes How. Describe a subject by creating profile of problems, people

or events.Explanatory Study: Why Explains the reason . Use of theories or hypothesis to study the forces that

caused the event to occur.Predictive Study: Forecasting Predict when and in what situation the event will occur.

Motivation In Research Research Degree & its benefits. Face challenges in solving unsolved

problems. Joy of doing something creative. To serve the society. To get respect. Government directives. Employment conditions. Curiosity about new things. Social thinking and awakening.

Types of Research1.Descriptive To describe the event as it exists in present. Survey and fact finding enquiries of different

kind No control over the variable. Report what has

happened or happening. Most ex- post facto projects . E.g.. Frequency of shopping, Preferences of

people.

2. Analytical Research Use of facts and information already present to make the

critical evaluation of the event.

3. Applied Research To find solution for an immediate problem being faced by

a society or business organization.

4. Fundamental Research Concerned with generalization & formulation of a theory.

5. Quantitative Research Measurement of quantity or amount

6. Qualitative Research Based on qualitative analysis.

7. Conceptual Based on abstract idea or theory, Used to develop

new concepts or to reinterpret the existing ones.

8. Empirical Research Relies on experience and observation alone without

due regards for system or theory. Data based research with conclusions which are

capable of being verified by observation or experiments.

9. Exploratory Research Development of hypothesis rather than its

testing

10. Formularized Research These studies are with substantial structure & with

specific hypothesis to be tested.

11. Diagnostic Studies To determine the frequency with which something occurs

or with which it is associated with something else.

12. Historical Research Utilizes historical sources like documents , remains etc to

study events & ideas of past.

Research Approaches

Quantitative Approaches Deals with numerical measurements (i.e.

quantities). Quantitative approaches aim to test

hypotheses, and usually to identify numerical differences between groups.

Qualitative approaches Deals with how people understand their

experiences (i.e. qualities).

Quantitative approaches

Qualitative approaches

'Simple' numeric data 'Complex' rich dataMeasurement MeaningExplanation UnderstandingPrediction Interpretation

Generalisable account Contextual accountRepresentative population

samplePurposive/ representative

perspective sampleHypothesis-testing ExploratoryClaims objectivity Accepts subjectivity

Closed system (experimental control)

Open system(ecological validity)

Research Proposal

Research Design

Research StrategyType, Purpose, Time frame, Scope, Environment

Data Collection Design Sampling Design

Question & Instrument Pilot Testing

Instrument Revision

Data Collection & Preparation

Data Analysis & Interpretation

Research Reporting

Management Decision

Discover the Management DilemmaDefine the Management Question

Define the research QuestionRefine the research Question

Exploration Exploration

Research Process

Research Process1. Formulating the research Problem2. Extensive Literature Survey3. Development of working Hypothesis4. Preparing of research design5. Determining the sample design6. Collecting the data7. Execution of the project8. Analysis of data9. Hypothesis testing10. Generalization & interpretation11. Preparation of Report

Research Process Process Begins with Management Dilemma “Usually symptom of

actual Problem” Rising Cost Declining Sales Absenteeism Turnover

Management Research Question HierarchyManagement Dilemma

Management QuestionResearch Question

Investigate QuestionMeasurement Question

Management Decision

Formulating the research Problem Understanding the nature of problem

thoroughly Difference between Problem & symptom Discuss with who raised it. Pilot Survey.Surveying available literature. Academic Journals, Conference

Proceedings, government reports, books , internet etc.

Development of working HypothesisWorking Hypothesis is tentative assumptionmade in order to draw out and test its logicaland empirical consequences. Discuss with colleagues & experts. Examination of data & records. Review of similar studies. Personal investigations.

Preparing the Research Design Blueprint for fulfilling objectives & answering

questions Blueprint for collection , measurement & analysis

of data. Collecting relevant evidence with minimal

expenditure of effort, time & money.Four design Categories1. Exploration2. Description3. Diagnosis4. Experimentation.

Determining The Sample Design

Target Audience . A sample is a part of the target population,

carefully selected to represent that population.

Who and how many people to interview What and how many events to observe What and how many records to inspect.

Collecting The Data By observation Personal Interview Telephone Interviews Mailing of Questionnaire Etc.

Execution and Analysis .

Data analysis involves Reducing accumulated data to manageable

size, Developing summaries, Looking for patterns and Applying statistical techniques.

Testing of Hypothesis

Generalization and interpretation

Preparation of report

Criteria For Good Research Purpose Clearly Defined Research Process described in detail for further

enhancement Research Design Thoroughly Planned( Procedure ,

sample, Data collection) High Ethical Standards Applied Limitations frankly revealed Sufficient Analysis Findings presented unambiguously. Conclusion justifies Researcher's experience reflected.

Problems Encountered by Researchers in India Lack of training Insufficient interaction between government,

Business organization and research dept. Less confidence among business units

regarding misuse of there data. No code of conduct. Overlapping researches. Library availability. Timely availability of published data.