1.What is Research?

Research is the systematic investigation into existing or new knowledge. It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field. In order to test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may replicate elements of prior projects, or the project as a whole. The primary purposes of basic research are documentation, discovery, interpretation, or the research and development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences. Research must be systematic and follow a series of steps and a rigid standard protocol. These rules are broadly similar but may vary slightly between the different fields of science. Research is the investigation of a particular topic using a variety of reliable, scholarly resources. The three major goals of research are establishing facts, analyzing information, and reaching new conclusions. The three main acts of doing research are searching for, reviewing, and evaluating information.

2. Why do we conduct research?

Research usually starts with a question. In many cases there is a principal who puts a question to a researcher and has the financial means to let a researcher conduct the research. Furthermore, researchers at universities also have specific questions that they would like to be answered; therefore they conduct all types of research. There are two main types: descriptive and evaluative research. Usually in educational research it is about describing opinions and other characteristics of persons or to determine the value of an intervention. Students characteristics are described, for example information about students backgrounds: their social background, repeating a class, participation in special education, achievement scores and behavioral observations. A researcher can put this information in a table or figure and point out possible changes in outcomes during a certain period. Descriptive research outlines and presents data in a clear and understandable way.

Evaluative research identifies, for example, the value of a new educational program, a new learning method, an educational course for parents, or a literacy course for adults. We would like to determine if the new educational programs or interventions are implemented according to the ideas of the innovators and whether they have showed the expected effects. Example: A large primary school has the plan to purchase a new remedial mathematics program for students who are not good at mathematical figures. The school would first like to know whether the new program leads to better results than the old program. We conduct research-

To monitor a situation. To assess a situation to evaluate the impact of something. To develop a model that predicts the likely cause of events given particular intervening variables or circumstances. To create or test a theory. To find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon. To determine the frequency. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular.

3. Why do we study research methodology?

Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them. We study methodologyTo know the research methods/ techniques. To know how to develop certain indices or tests, how to calculate the mean, median, mode or the standard deviation or chi square. To know how to apply particular research techniques. To know which of these methods or techniques are relevant and which are not.

To understand the assumption underlying various techniques. To know the criteria by which we can decide the certain techniques and procedures will be applicable to certain problem.

The purpose of research is to inform action. Thus, the study should seek to contextualize its findings within the larger body of research. Research must always be high quality in order to produce knowledge that is applicable outside of the research setting with implications that go beyond the group that has participated in the research. Furthermore, the results of the study should have implications for policy and project implementation.

4. Write down the steps of research?

The steps in research are as follows: 1. Formulating the Research Problem 2. Extensive Literature Review 3. Developing the objectives 4. Preparing the Research Design including Sample Design 5. Collecting the Data 6. Analysis of Data 7. Generalization and Interpretation 8. Preparation of the Report or Presentation of Results-Formal writes ups of conclusions reached. Step1. Formulating the research problem: It is the first and most crucial step in the research process - Main function is to decide what you want to find out about. - The way you formulate a problem determines almost every step that follows. Step2. Reviewing the literature: -Essential preliminary task in order to acquaint yourself with the available body of knowledge in your area of interest. -Literature review is integral part of entire research process and makes valuable contribution to every operational step. -Reviewing literature can be time-consuming, daunting and frustrating, but is also rewarding.

Step3. The formulation of objectives: -Objectives are the goals you set out to attain in your study. -They inform a reader what you want to attain through the study. -It is extremely important to word them clearly and specifically. Objectives should be listed under two headings: a) Main objectives; b) Sub-objectives. Step4. Preparing the Research Design Research design is the conceptual structure within which research would be conducted. The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant information with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money. Step5. Collecting Data Having formulated the research problem,, developed a study design, constructed a research instrument and selected a sample, you then collect the data from which you will draw inferences and conclusions for your study. Depending upon your plans, you might commence interviews, mail out a questionnaire, conduct experiments and/or make observations. Step6. Processing and Analyzing Data Processing and analyzing data involves a number of closely related operations which are performed with the purpose of summarizing the collected data and organizing these in a manner that they answer the research questions (objectives). Step7. Generalization and Interpretation Generalization and Interpretation involves interpreting the collected data to find the real report of the research. Step8. Reporting the Findings Writing the report is the last, and for many, the most difficult step of the research process. The report informs the world what you have done, what you have discovered and what conclusions you have drawn from your findings. The report should be written in an academic style. Language should be formal and not journalistic.

5. Describe the different types of research with example.

Research can be conducted in a number of different ways for many different purposes. Most research conducted today is in the corporate sector, and the reasons for this should be obvious. Descriptive research: Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. In social science and business research we quite often use the term. For example: frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data. Analytical research: In analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material. Applied vs. Fundamental: Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure) research. Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory. Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research. Similarly, research studies, concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behavior, are also examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at certain conclusions facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research. Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

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 reinterpret existing ones. On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment.

One-time research or longitudinal research: In the former case the research is confined to a single time-period, whereas in the latter case the research is carried on over several timeperiods Field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research- depends upon the environment in which it is to be carried out. Clinical or diagnostic research: Such research follow case-study methods or in depth approaches to reach the basic causal relations. Such studies usually go deep into the causes of things or events that interest us, using very small samples and very deep probing data gathering devices. The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypotheses rather than their testing, whereas formalized research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypotheses to be tested. Historical research: Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any remote point of time. Conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented: While doing conclusion oriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented research is always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case is not free to embark upon research according to his own inclination. Operations research is an example of decision oriented research since it is a scientific method of providing executive departments with a quantitative basis for decisions
regarding operations under their control.

6. State 20 research problem/ topic in business.

Twenty research topics in business are given below:

1) Spirits and challenges of tribal women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. 2) Emerging fashion house in Sylhet region; future prospect of this sector. 3) Propensity to become an entrepreneur. 4) Opportunity and constraints of agro-based business in Bangladesh. 5) Different aspects of community center in Sylhet. 6) Problems and prospects of women entrepreneur in beauty parlour. 7) Problems and prospects of e-payment. 8) The socio-economic impact of tourism industry in Bangladesh. 9) Present status and future needs of tea industry in Bangladesh. 10) Condition of SME in Sylhet region. 11) Present condition of restaurant business in Sylhet region. 12) Stone business in Sylhet. 13) Emerging tourism industry in Sylhet. 14) Brand consciousness among the householder. 15) Problem and prospects of EPZ in Bangladesh. 16) Market position of an emerging niche market. 17) Garments industry in Bangladesh. 18) The contribution of foreign remittance in Bangladesh economy. 19) Conditions of small entrepreneur in Bangladesh. 20) Rising sweets business in Sylhet.

7. What are the advantages of research in a business?

There are various benefits of conducting business research.

 Firstly, it can help businesses to communicate with their stakeholders like customers,

suppliers etc. They can derive important conclusions through business research. Secondly, it helps businesses to identify the opportunities and threats. Thirdly, risks and uncertainties can be minimized through business research. Business research is very important for evaluating the progress of the business and to exploit more opportunities. It can help the businesses to track their benchmark and to avoid any loss which they can incur without having market and business information. Finally, research provides a business with a chance to update itself on the latest market trends; such knowledge will prove helpful in the formulating of useful concepts and tactics for success in the market. All things considered, it is through research that a business is able to make educated and informed decisions. In addition research helpsSolving various operational and planning problems of business and industry. Help in taking business decisions. Formulating efficient policies for purchasing, production and sales. Solving cost minimization and profit maximization problems in business. Helping in business budgeting. Projected profit, loss account sales estimates depends on business research.

8. What are the qualities of a good research?

Whatever may be the types of research works and studies, one thing that is important is that they all meet on the common ground of scientific method employed by them. One expects scientific research to satisfy the following criteria: 1. The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts be used. 2. The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to permit another researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what has already been attained. 3. The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are as objective as possible. 4. The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings. 5. The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data should be checked carefully. 6. Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and limited to those for which the data provide an adequate basis. 7. Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity. In other words, we can state the qualities of a good research as under: 1. Good research is systematic 2. Good research is logical 3. Good research is empirical 4. Good research is replicable.

9. What is the motivation in research as a student in business?

Motivation in research means that some possible factors that motivate people to undertake and perform a systematic research operations. Such possible factors may be either one or more of the following:

Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits.

Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work. Desire to be of service to society. Desire to get respectability. Desire to understand casual relationships. Desire to govt. employment conditions, curiosity about new things, social

thinking and awakening will motivate people to perform research operations.