research methods -introduction

8/2/2019 Research Methods -Introduction

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ADVANCED RESEARCH

METHODS

Chapter 1


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Meaning

Research is an Endeavour to discover answers to intellectual and

practical problems through the application of scientific method.

Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge.

-Redman and Mory

Research is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing

information (data) in order to increase our understanding of

the phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested.


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The random house dictionary of English language

defines research as a diligent and systematic inquiry

or investigation into a subject in order to discover or

revise facts ,theories and applications

The above definition explains research involves

acquisition of knowledge Research means search for truth Researcher is in

the pursuit of truth with the help of study

,observation ,comparison and experimentation.


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Research refers to the process of Defining theproblem

Formulating an hypothesis

Collecting the facts or data

Analyzing the data

Reaching certain conclusions in the form of

solutions to the problem .


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Objectives of Research

The purpose of research is to discover answers through theapplication of scientific procedures.

The objectives are:

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights

into itExploratory Research.

To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular

individual, situation or a groupDescriptive Research.

To determine the frequency with which something occurs or withwhich it is associated with something elseDiagnostic Research.

To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables

Hypothesis-Testing Research.


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Characteristics of Research

Research is directed towards the solution of a problem.Research is based upon observable experience or empirical

evidence.

Research demands accurate observation and description.

Research involves gathering new data from primary sources orusing existing data for a new purpose.

Research activities are characterized by carefully designed

procedures.

Research requires expertise i.e., skill necessary to carryout

investigation, search the related literature and to understand andanalyze the data gathered.

Research is objective and logical

Research involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems.

Research is carefully recorded and reported.


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RESEARCH IS A SCIENTIFIC

METHOD

Science refers to the body of systematic and organizedknowledge which makes use of scientific method to acquireknowledge in a particular field of enquiry.

Scientific method is the systematic collection of data (facts) and

their theoretical treatment through proper observation,experimentation and interpretation.

Scientific method attempts to achieve a systematic interrelation of

facts by experimentation, observation, and logical arguments fromaccepted postulates and a combination of these three in varyingproportions.


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Purpose clearly defined.

Research process detailed.

Research design thoroughly planned. High ethical standards applied.

Limitations frankly revealed.

Adequate analysis for decision makers needs.

Findings presented unambiguously. Conclusions justified.

Researchers experience reflected.

CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH


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QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCH

Systematic

Logical

Empirical

Reproducible

Creative

Use of multiple methods


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NEED FOR RESEARCH

EXPLORATION

DESCRIBE

DIAGNOSE

HYPOTHESIS

INDUCTIONS AND DEDUCTIONS-Induction

method is the process of reasoning whereby we

arrive at generalizations from particular facts .


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Ex- it is observed from number of cases that if price

increases less is purchased .

Generalization is when price increases ,demand

falls Deduction is a way of making a particular inference

from a generalization .it is a movement of knowledge

from general to a particular.


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PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH

Lack of scientific training in the business research

methodology.

There is a disagreement between researchers and

supervisors .

Companies feel that investment in research is a

wastage of resources .

Decision makers do not appear to be very keen onimplementing the findings of R&D .


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Insufficient interaction between university

research departments and business

establishments

Lack of confidence on the part of business units

to give information

Lack of code of conduct to educate about ethical

practices of research .

Inadequate secretarial and computer assistance .


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Poor library management and functioning

Difficulty of timely availability of published data.

Duplication of data

Research for the sake of research-limited practical

utility though they may use high sounding

business jargon.


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ROLE OF RESEARCH

IN

DECISION-MAKING

Decision-making is the process of selecting the bestalternative from the available set of alternatives.

Management is chiefly concerned with decision-making and its implementation.

These decisions should be based on appropriate

studies, evaluations and observations.

Research provides us with knowledge and skills neededto solve the problems and to meet the challenges of afast paced decision-making environment.


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According to Herbert A Simon, decision-

making involves three activities:

Intelligence Activity - scanning theenvironment for identifying conditions necessary

for the decision.

Designing Activity - identifying, developing andanalyzing the alternative courses of action.

Choice Activity - choosing the best course ofaction from among the alternatives.


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FACTORS THAT AFFECT MANAGERIAL

DECISIONS

INTERNAL FACTORSfactors present inside anorganisation such as resources, technology, tradeunions, cash flow, manpower etc.

EXTERNAL FACTORSfactors present outside theorganisation such as government policies, politicalfactors, socio-economic factors, legal framework,geographic and cultural factors etc.

QUANTITATIVE FACTORSfactors that can bemeasured in quantities such as time, resources, costfactors etc.


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QUALITATIVE FACTORSfactors that cannot bemeasured in quantities such as organizationalcohesiveness, sense of belonging of employees, risk oftechnological change etc.

UNCERTAINITY FACTORSfactors which cannot

be predicted.


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TYPES OF RESEARCH

Descriptive vs Analytical Research

Descriptive Research is a fact findinginvestigation which is aimed at describing the

characteristics of individual, situation or a group (or)describing the state of affairs as it exists at present.

Analytical Research is primarily concerned withtesting hypothesis and specifying and interpretingrelationships, by analyzing the facts or informationalready available.


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Applied vs Fundamental ResearchApplied Research or Action Research is carried

out to find solution to a real life problem requiring anaction or policy decision.

Fundamental Research which is also known as

basic or pure research is undertaken for the sake ofknowledge without any intention to apply it in practice.

It is undertaken out of intellectual curiosity andis not necessarily problem-oriented.


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Quantitative vs Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research is employed formeasuring the quantity or amount of a particularphenomena by the use of statistical analysis.

Qualitative Research is a non-quantitative typeof analysis which is aimed at finding out the quality ofa particular phenomenon.


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Conceptual vs Empirical Research

Conceptual Research is generally used byphilosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts orto reinterpret existing ones.

Empirical Research is a data based researchwhich depends on experience or observation alone. It isaimed at coming up with conclusions without dueregard for system and theory.


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Some other types of research..

One-time ResearchResearch confined to a single

time period. Longitudinal ResearchResearch carried on over

several time periods.

Diagnostic ResearchIt is also called clinical researchwhich aims at identifying the causes of a problem,frequency with which it occurs and the possiblesolutions for it.

Exploratory ResearchIt is the preliminary study ofan unfamiliar problem, about which the researcher has

little or no knowledge. It is aimed to gain familiaritywith the problem, to generate new ideas or to make aprecise formulation of the problem.


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Experimental ResearchIt is designed to assess theeffect of one particular variable on a phenomenon by

keeping the other variables constant or controlled.

Historical ResearchIt is the study of past recordsand other information sources, with a view to find theorigin and development of a phenomenon and todiscover the trends in the past, inorder to understandthe present and to anticipate the future.


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RESEARCH PROCESS

DefineResearch

Problem

Review

Concepts

And

theories

Review

Previous

Research

findings

Formulatehypothesis

Design

Research

(Including

Sample

Design)

Collect

Data

(Execution)

Analyse

Data

(TestHypothesis

if any)

Interpretand

report

FF

F

F F

FF

I

II

III IV V VI VII

F

FF

Feed Back

Feed Forward

Review the literature

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