Research Methodology: Its Nature and Scope

Sasmita Mishra

What is Research?

Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.

It is a careful investigation or enquiry specially through search for knowledge.

It is a movement from known to unknown.

Objectives of Research Methodology

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon to achieve new insights into it - Exploratory/formulative research.

To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group - Descriptive research.

To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else - Diagnostic research.

To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables – hypothesis testing research

What makes people to undertake research?

Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits

Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems. Ex. 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.

Types of Research

Descriptive vs. Analytical Applied vs. Fundamental Quantitative vs. Qualitative Conceptual vs. Empirical Others Cross sectional or longitudinalField setting or laboratoryClinical or diagnostic research Conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented

Research Approaches

Qualitative Quantitative

Inferential Experimental Simulation

Methods: Focus group discussions, projective techniques, and depth interviews.

Significance of Research

Research Provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system

It solves various operational and planning problems of business industry

It is important for social scientists in studyin social relationships and in seeking answers to various social problem.