RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY
MODULE 1
 What is research?
 Research means finding answers to the questions.

 It is a systematic search for truth.

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 Through research, new and original information, ideas

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about the world we live in, are obtained.

 Research is search for knowledge.

 Research is defined as a scientific and systematic

search for information on a specific topic.

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
• “Organized scientific investigations to solve problems,
test hypotheses, develop or invent new products.”

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 Redman and Mory “Systematized effort to gain new

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knowledge”
DEFINING RESEARCH

Research comprises the following:

• Defining and redefining the problem

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• Formulating hypothesis

• Collecting, organizing and evaluating data

• Making deductions and reaching conclusions

• Carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether

they fit the hypothesis”
Objectives of Research
• To gain familiarity with a certain phenomenon or
gain new insights (Exploration)
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a

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particular individual, group or situation.
(Description)

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• To see the frequency with which some
phenomenon is associated with something else
(Diagnosis)
• Hypothesis of causal relationship between
variables (Hypothesizing)
Motivation for Research
• Getting a PhD with consequential benefits - promotion
• Facing the challenge in solving the unsolved problems
• Getting intellectual joy of doing some creative work
• Service to society

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• Getting respectability
• Directives of Governing bodies - AICTE

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• Employment conditions – Career progression
• Curiosity about new things
• Desire to understand causal relationships
• Social thinking and awakening
• Under pressure from Environment
• Pressing need to find the solution of a problem
 CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH
 Purpose clearly defined.
 Research process detailed.

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 Research design thoroughly planned.

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 High ethical standards applied.
 Limitations frankly revealed.
 Adequate analysis for decision maker’s needs.
 Findings presented clearly.
 Conclusions justified.
 Researcher’s experience reflected.
 PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH

• Uncontrollable variables
• Human tendencies

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• Time and money
• Lack of computerization

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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
RESEARCH METHODS
&
METHODOLOGY
 RESEARCH METHODS
• Methods
 Specific details and/or procedures to
accomplish a task.
 Methods the researchers use in performing
research operations.
• Methods fall under three groups
• Methods for collection of data
• Mathematical and statistical techniques used
for analysis of data
• Methods used for accuracy of results
 Research Methods
• Research Methods :All the methods and techniques which
are used by the researcher during the course of studying

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his/her research problem.

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Research Methods

Methods
for Methods
Collection of Data for Evaluation
of Results obtained
Statistical techniques
used for
establishing relations
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 Methodology means the systematic
study of the methods, principles,
procedures and rules applied within a
discipline.

Hence research methodology

 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• Way to systematically solve the research

problem
• General approaches or guidelines
• Science of studying how research is done
scientifically
 Research Methodology
• When we talk of research methodology, we not only talk

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about the research methods, but also consider the logic
behind, the methods we use in the context of our

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research study, and explain why we are using a particular
method, and not using others.

• This leads to research results ,which are capable of ,

being evaluated either by the researcher himself or
others.
Types of Research
• Descriptive Vs Analytical

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• Applied Vs Fundamental

• Quantitative Vs Qualitative

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• Conceptual Vs Empirical

• Other types
 Descriptive Vs Analytical
Descriptive Research (Ex post facto Research)

 Description of state of affairs as it is existing at

present.

 Researcher has no control over the variables

Analytical Research

 Researcher uses facts of information already available

and analyze these to make critical evaluation of the
material
Applied vs. Fundamental
Applied Research (Action research)
• Discover a solution for some pressing practical problem

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Example: Corrosion prevention, Environmental Pollution,
Alternative energy sources

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Fundamental Research (Pure Research)
• Finding information that has a broad base of
application and thus, adds to the already existing
organized body of scientific knowledge
Example: Research carried out in pure sciences
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative research
• Based on the measurement of quantity or

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amount.
• Applicable to phenomena that can be expressed

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in terms of quantity.

Qualitative Research
• Concerned with qualitative phenomenon.
• Phenomena relating to or involving quality or
kind
Conceptual vs. Empirical
Conceptual Research
• Related to some abstract ideas or theory.

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• Generally used by philosophers or thinkers to develop
new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones

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Empirical Research
• Data based research coming up with conclusions which
are capable of being verified by observation or
experiment
• Relies on observation or experiment alone often
without due regard for system or theory
One time vs. Longitudinal
One time research
• Research confining to single time period

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Longitudinal research

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• Research carried on over several time periods
Exploratory and Formalized
Exploratory research
• Development of hypothesis rather than its testing

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Formalized research

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• Research with substantial structure with specific hypothesis
to be tested
Exploratory Type of
Research
 Goal is to generate many ideas.
• Develop tentative theories and conjectures.

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• Become familiar with the basic facts, people and

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concerns involved.
• Formulate questions and refine issues for future
research.
• Used when little is written on an issue.
• It is the initial research.
• Usually qualitative research.
Conclusion Oriented vs. Decision
oriented
Conclusion Oriented research
• Researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the

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enquiry as (s)he proceeds, and is prepared to
conceptualize as (s)he wishes.

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E.g. Productivity and Performance Improvement
Decision oriented research
• 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.
E.g. Operations Research, Marketing research
Other Types of Research

Simulation Research
• Research carried out by simulating environment or

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setting laboratories
Eg. Experiments conducted on a model

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Diagnostic Research
• Case study methods or in depth approaches to reach
basic causal relations, using deep probing data
gathering devices
Eg. Real cases of organizations and objects
RESEARCH PROCESS

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