Research Methodology
Research MethodologyS. S. ChauhanFaculty, Shobhit
university,Meerut
Meaning of Research MethodologyResearch comprises defining and
redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions;
collecting, organising and evaluating data; making deductions and
reaching conclusions; and at least carefully testing the
conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating
hypothesis.Research is original contribution to the existing stock
of knowledge making for its advancement.
Objectives of ResearchThe purpose of research is to discover
answers to questions through the application of scientific
procedure. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which
is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.To gain
familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it.To
portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group.To determine the frequency with which
something occurs or with which it is associated with something
else.
Motivation in ResearchWhat makes people to undertake research?
This is a question of fundamental importance. Desire to get a
research degree along with its consequential benefits;Desire to
face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern
over practical problems initiates research;Desire to get
intellectual joy of doing some creative work;Desire to be of
service to society;Desire to get respectability.
Importance of Research All progresses born of inquiry. Doubt is
often better than overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry, and
inquiry leads to inventionThe increasingly complex nature of
business and government has focused attention on the use of
research in solving operational problems.Research provides the
basis for nearly all government policies in our economic
system.Research has its special significance in solving various
operational and planning problems of business and industry.Research
is equally important for social scientist in studying social
relationship and in seeking answers to various social problems.To
those students who are to write a masters or Ph.D. thesis, research
may mean a careerism or a way to attain a high position in the
social structure.To professional in research methodology, research
may mean a source of livelihood.Application of Marketing
ResearchMalayalam ManoramaCadbury India LimitedProcter & Gamble
(P& G)Pepsi foodsWhirlpool Asia.Dwilliars Diamond
Source ( GC Beri) Marketing research
Process of Research1. Formulation the research problem2.
Extensive literature survey.3. Development of working hypothesis.4.
Preparing the research design5. Determine sample design6.
Collecting the data7. Execution of the project8. Analysis of data9.
Hypothesis Testing10. Generalisation and Interpretation11.
Preparation of the report or the thesis.
Research process in Flow ChartDefine Research ProblemReview
Concepts & theoriesReview Previous Research FindingFormulate
HypothesisDesign Research (including sample design)Collect Data
(Execution)Analysis Data (Test Hypothesis if any)Interpret and
ReportTypes of Research1. Descriptive vs. Analytical:- Descriptive
research includes surveys and fact findings enquiries of different
kinds.In analytical research, researcher has to use facts or
information already available, and analyses these to make a
critical evaluation of the material2. Applied vs. Fundamental:-
Applied research aims at findings a solution for an immediate
problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation,
whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalization and with the formulation of a theory .3.
Quantitative vs. Qualitative:- Quantitative research is based on
the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to
phenomenon that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative
research, on the other hand is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon, i.e. phenomenon relating to or involving quality or
kind.4. Conceptual vs. Empirical:- Conceptual research is that
related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to observation
alone, On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience
or observation alone, often without due regard for system and
theory.Defining Research ProblemWhat is a Research Problem? A
research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty which a
researcher experience in the context of either a theoretical or
practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same. A
research problem is one which requires a researchers to find out
the best solution for the given problem, i.e., to find out by which
course of action the objective can be attained optimally in the
context of a given environment. There are several factors which may
result in making the problem complicated. For instance, the
environment may change affecting the efficiencies of the course of
action or the value of the outcomes; the number of the alternative
course of action may be very large; Persons not involved in making
the decision may be affected by it and react to it favourably or un
favourably, and similar other factors.
Selecting the ProblemThe research problem undertaken for study
must be carefully selected. The task is difficult one, although it
may not appear to be so. Help may be taken from research guide in
this connection. However, the following points may be observed by a
researcher in selecting a research problem or a subject for
research:Subject which is overdone should not be normally
chosen.Controversial subject should not become the choice of an
average researcher.Too narrow or too vague problems should be
avoided.The subject selected for researcher should be familiar and
feasible so that the related research material or source of
research are within ones reach.The selection of a problem must be
preceded by a preliminary study.The importance of the subject, the
qualifications and the training of a researcher, the costs
involved, the time factor are few other criteria that must also be
considered in selecting a problem.Technique involved in defining a
problemStatement of the problem in a general wayUnderstanding the
nature of the problemSurveying the available literatureDeveloping
the ideas through discussionRephrasing the research problem
Research Design A research design is the arrangement of
conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that
aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in
procedure.What is the study about?Why is the study being made?Where
will the study be carried out?What type of data is required?Where
can the required data be found?What periods of time will the study
include?What will be the sample design?What techniques of data
collection will be used?How will the data be analysed?In what style
will the report be prepared?
Important Concepts Relating to Research DesignDependent and
independent variablesExtraneous variables. (Dependent variable are
termed as extraneous var.)Control. (the term control is used when
we design the study minimizing the effect of extraneous independent
variables)Confounded Relationship ( when the dependent variable is
not free from the influence of extraneous variables. The
relationship between the dependent and independent variables is
said to be confounded by an extraneous variable.)Research
HypothesisExperimental and non-experimental hypothesis testing
research.Experimental and control
group.TreatmentsExperimentExperimental unit (s)Types of Research
DesignAt the outset may be noted that there are several ways of
studying and tackling a problem. There is no single perfect design.
However, a frequently used classification system is to group
research designs under three broad categories- exploratory,
descriptive and causal.Exploratory ResearchIn the case of
exploratory research, the focus is on the discovery of ideas. In a
business where sales have been declining for the past few months,
the management may conduct a quick study to find out what could be
possible explanation the sales might have declined on account of a
number of factors, such as deterioration in the quality of the
product, increased competition, inadequate or ineffective
advertising, lack of efficient and trained salesman and trained
salesman or use of the wrong channels of distribution. In such a
case exploratory research may be conducted to find the most likely
cause.
Types of Research DesignDescriptive research Descriptive
research are known as many circumstances. When the researchers is
interested in knowing the characteristics of certain groups such as
age, sex, educational level, occupation or income, a descriptive
study may be necessary.The objective of such a study is to answer
the who, what, when, where and how "of the subject under
investigation.
Descriptive research Cross- sectional LongitudinalTypes of
Research DesignCross-sectional studiesAcross sectional study is
concerned with a sample of elements from a given population. Thus,
it may deal with households, dealers, retail stores or other
entities. Data on a number of characteristics from the sample
elements are collected and analysed. Longitudinal studies
Longitudinal studies are based on panel data and panel methods. A
panel is a sample of respondents who are interviewed and then
reinter viewed from time to time. For example, each family included
in the panel, records its purchases of a number of products at
regular interval, say, weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Over a period
of time, such data will reflect changes in the buying behaviour of
families.Types of Research DesignCausal Design (Research)As the
name implies, a causal design investigates the cause and effect
relationship between two or more variables.
Review of Literature
Ethics in Research
Thank You
