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Chapter 1Chapter 1Introduction to ResearchIntroduction to Research

andandResearch Problem Research Problem

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Research is the foundation of knowledge for the sake

of knowledge

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RESEARCHRESEARCH

Academic Academic Degrees/DiplomasDegrees/Diplomas

Problem Problem Solving Solving

(operations)(operations)

New IdeasNew Ideas(Discovery)(Discovery)

Planning & Planning & Decision MakingDecision Making

Predicting Predicting FutureFuture

(Prognosis)(Prognosis)

EvaluationEvaluation

Intellectual Intellectual SatisfactionSatisfaction

Policy Policy MeasuresMeasures

What to achieve?What to achieve?

Problem Problem areasareas

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Search for knowledge. Systematic search for relevant

information on a topic. Search again and again for new facts. Systematized effort to gain new

knowledge.In the process of discovering facts,

ideas…

Understanding Research Understanding Research ………….?………….?

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What it is ???What it is ???Systematic, Methodical

Defining Problem Formulating Hypothesis Collecting, organizing and evaluating

data Testing Hypothesis Reaching Conclusions Policy Implications

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Research means……….Research means……….

Search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problemAn original contribution to the existing body of knowledge.

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Purpose of ResearchPurpose of Research

Research Research

Familiarity with a Familiarity with a phenomenonphenomenon(Exploratory/(Exploratory/Formulative)Formulative)

Narrating Narrating characteristics of a characteristics of a

situationsituation(Descriptive)(Descriptive)

Determining frequencies with Determining frequencies with which something occurswhich something occurs

(Diagnostic)(Diagnostic)

Testing of Testing of hypothesishypothesis

( Hypothesis ( Hypothesis testing)testing)

Finding hidden truthFinding hidden truth(Fact findings(Fact findings))

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What they are…….?What they are…….?

1.1. Research Techniques & Research Techniques & Principles ?Principles ?

2.2. Research Methods ?Research Methods ?3.3. Research Methodology ?Research Methodology ?

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Research Techniques…….Research Techniques…….

Instruments used in performing research

operations

Making observations, Recording data, Processing

data………..

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Research Methods……….Research Methods……….

Methods used by the researchers Methods used by the researchers for conduction of research.for conduction of research. Instruments used in selecting Instruments used in selecting and constructing research and constructing research techniques.techniques. Methods generate techniquesMethods generate techniques

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Research Methodology……Research Methodology…… Way to systematically solve the Way to systematically solve the research problem. research problem. Steps adopted by the researcher Steps adopted by the researcher in studying the problem along with in studying the problem along with the the logiclogic behind them. behind them.

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Data CollectionData Collection

Type of Type of ResearchResearch

MethodsMethods TechniquesTechniques

Field Research

Personal Interview

Interviewer uses a detailed schedule with open and closed questionsMass

Observation

Recording mass behaviors in public places by observersGroup

InterviewSmall groups of respondents are interviewed simultaneously

Telephone Survey

Collecting information and also used as a follow up of questionnaire

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Scope of Research Methodology is wider Scope of Research Methodology is wider than that of Research Methodsthan that of Research Methods

Why a research study has been undertaken ?Why a research study has been undertaken ?How the research problem has been defined?How the research problem has been defined?What way the hypothesis has been formulated?What way the hypothesis has been formulated?Why the hypothesis has been formulated?Why the hypothesis has been formulated?What particular method has been adopted? What particular method has been adopted? Why particular technique of analyzing data has Why particular technique of analyzing data has

been used, etc.?been used, etc.?

Methodology includes:

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Research ProblemResearch ProblemResearch forms a Research forms a cyclecycle, it starts with a , it starts with a problemproblem and ends with a and ends with a solutionsolution to the to the problem.problem.A research problem is the A research problem is the demarcationdemarcation of a of a problem area within a certain context problem area within a certain context involving the involving the WHOWHO or or WHATWHAT, the, the WHERE WHERE, , the the WHENWHEN and the and the WHYWHY of the problem of the problem situation.situation.Problem Identification – SourcesProblem Identification – SourcesOwn experienceOwn experienceExperience of othersExperience of others

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Inadequacies in scientific literature (when Inadequacies in scientific literature (when certain field is not covered).certain field is not covered).Shortcomings in theories.Shortcomings in theories.

Determining the Research ProblemDetermining the Research Problem

Task 1 : Clarify Management’s Task 1 : Clarify Management’s Decision Decision Problem Problem

Task 2 : Determine the Task 2 : Determine the Research ProblemResearch ProblemTask 3 : Develop the Task 3 : Develop the Research DesignResearch Design

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Task 1:Task 1:Components of a Decision:Components of a Decision:The decision maker The decision maker (D)(D) is operating in some is operating in some environment environment (E)(E) in which there is a problem. in which there is a problem.There are at least There are at least two coursestwo courses of action of action (A(A11, , AA22, A, Ann)) that D can follow. that D can follow.If D chooses to follow AIf D chooses to follow A11, there are at least , there are at least two possible two possible outcomesoutcomes of that choice of that choice (O(O11 and and OO22)) and D prefers one of these outcomes to and D prefers one of these outcomes to other.other.There is a chance, but not an equal chance, There is a chance, but not an equal chance, that each course of action will lead to the that each course of action will lead to the desired outcome. desired outcome.

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Decision MakerDecision MakerThe Researcher needs to know:The Researcher needs to know:Decision maker’s Decision maker’s decision making styledecision making style and and tolerance for tolerance for riskrisk taking. taking.Political Political circumstances decision maker is circumstances decision maker is operating under.operating under.Decision maker’s Decision maker’s objectivesobjectives..How the decision maker will use the How the decision maker will use the informationinformation??EnvironmentEnvironmentThings the Researcher needs to know:Things the Researcher needs to know:

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Background of the Background of the problemproblem – what factors – what factors brought the problem?brought the problem?What are the What are the symptomssymptoms and what are the and what are the root causes?root causes?What are the What are the constraintsconstraints, if any, exist – time, , if any, exist – time, money, resources, etc.money, resources, etc.AlternativesAlternativesThings the Researcher needs to know:Things the Researcher needs to know:What are the What are the statedstated alternatives? alternatives?What are the What are the unstated unstated alternatives?alternatives?What are the otherWhat are the other possible possible alternatives? alternatives?

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Task 2 :Task 2 :Determine the Research ProblemDetermine the Research ProblemDecision problem involves Decision problem involves what needs to be what needs to be donedone, whereas, the research problem states , whereas, the research problem states what what information needs to be gatheredinformation needs to be gathered to to make an informed decision.make an informed decision.DP: Develop package for a new product.DP: Develop package for a new product.RP: Evaluate effectiveness of alternative RP: Evaluate effectiveness of alternative

package designs. package designs.DP: Introduce a new product.DP: Introduce a new product.RP: Design a test market through which the RP: Design a test market through which the

likely acceptance of the new product likely acceptance of the new product can be assessed. can be assessed.

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DP: Allocate advertising budget DP: Allocate advertising budget geographically. geographically.

RP: Determine current level of market RP: Determine current level of market penetration in the respective areas. penetration in the respective areas.DP: Increase market penetration through the DP: Increase market penetration through the

opening of new stores. opening of new stores.RP: Evaluate prospective locations. RP: Evaluate prospective locations. Task 3:Task 3:Develop the research objectives & designDevelop the research objectives & designResearch objectives are statements of what Research objectives are statements of what a research project will a research project will attempt to achieveattempt to achieve. .

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Research Design is a blueprint which guides Research Design is a blueprint which guides the process of research by specifying the the process of research by specifying the information that needs to be gathered.information that needs to be gathered.Components of a Research ProblemComponents of a Research ProblemThere must be an individual or a group There must be an individual or a group which has some which has some difficultydifficulty or the or the problemproblem..There must be some There must be some objective(s)objective(s) to be to be attained at.attained at.There must be There must be alternative meansalternative means or the or the courses of action for obtaining the courses of action for obtaining the objectives.objectives.

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Research must answer the question Research must answer the question concerning the concerning the relative efficiencyrelative efficiency of the of the possible alternatives.possible alternatives.There must be There must be some environmentsome environment to which to which the difficulty pertains.the difficulty pertains.Steps involved in defining a ProblemSteps involved in defining a ProblemDefining a problem involves the task of Defining a problem involves the task of laying down laying down boundariesboundaries within which a within which a researcher shall study the problem with a researcher shall study the problem with a pre-determined objectivepre-determined objective in view. in view.

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Steps:Steps:StatementStatement of the of the problemproblem in a general way. in a general way.Understanding the Understanding the naturenature of the of the problemproblem..SurveyingSurveying the available the available literatureliterature..Developing the ideas through Developing the ideas through discussionsdiscussions..Rephrasing the research problem into a Rephrasing the research problem into a working propositionworking proposition. . Statement of the problem in a general wayStatement of the problem in a general wayProblem should be stated in a broad general Problem should be stated in a broad general way.way.Undertake some sort of Undertake some sort of preliminary survey preliminary survey (pilot survey).(pilot survey).

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Narrow the problem to Narrow the problem to specific issuespecific issue and and phrase the problem in phrase the problem in operational termsoperational terms..Thinking and rethinking over the problem will Thinking and rethinking over the problem will clear several ambiguities.clear several ambiguities.Understanding the nature of the ProblemUnderstanding the nature of the ProblemUnderstand theUnderstand the origin origin of the problem. of the problem.Discuss Discuss the problem with others having a the problem with others having a good knowledge of the problem concerned.good knowledge of the problem concerned.Surveying the available literatureSurveying the available literatureMust be well-conversant with relevant Must be well-conversant with relevant theoriestheories in the field. in the field.

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ReportsReports and and recordsrecords be surveyed. be surveyed.Review Review researchresearch already undertaken on already undertaken on related problems.related problems.Find out the Find out the datadata and and materialsmaterials available for available for operational purposes.operational purposes.Assess Assess gapsgaps in theories and how far the in theories and how far the existing theories existing theories applicableapplicable to the problem. to the problem.Developing ideas through DiscussionsDeveloping ideas through DiscussionsDiscuss about the Discuss about the problem with othersproblem with others having enough experience in the same area.having enough experience in the same area.Focus attentionFocus attention on specific aspects. on specific aspects.

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Discussions should also be on the Discussions should also be on the techniquestechniques and and possible solutionspossible solutions, etc., etc.Rephrasing the Research ProblemRephrasing the Research ProblemRephrase the research problem into Rephrase the research problem into working working proposition.proposition.Develop the problem in as specific terms as Develop the problem in as specific terms as possible for developing possible for developing working hypothesesworking hypotheses..Additional Points for defining a problemAdditional Points for defining a problemTechnical termsTechnical terms and and wordswords used in the used in the statement of the problem should be clearly statement of the problem should be clearly defined. defined.

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Basic Basic assumptionsassumptions relating to the problem relating to the problem should be clearly stated.should be clearly stated.CriteriaCriteria for the selection of the problem for the selection of the problem should be provided.should be provided.Suitability of the Suitability of the time-periodtime-period and and sourcessources of of datadata must be considered. must be considered.ScopeScope of the investigation must be of the investigation must be mentioned.mentioned.LimitationsLimitations within which the problem is to be within which the problem is to be studied must be stated in defining research studied must be stated in defining research problem. problem.