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UNIT–1 Introduction to Research
Methodology
Introduction to Research Notes
Methodology
(Structure)
1.1 Learning Objectives
1.2 Introduction
1.3 Objectives of Research
1.4 General Characteristics of Research
1.5 Types of Research
1.6 Stage 1: Formulating the Problem
1.7 Stage 2: Method of Inquiry
1.8 Stage 3: Research Method
1.9 Stage 4: Research Design
1.10 Stage 5: Data Collection Techniques
1.11 Stage 6: Sample Design
1.12 Stage 7: Data Collection
1.13 Stage 8: Analysis and Interpretation
1.14 Resource Planning For Your Study
1.15 Importance of Defining the Problem
1.16 Formulating the Problem
1.17 Sources for the Problem Identification
1.18 Self Questioning by the Researcher while defining the Problem
1.19 Types of Research Design
1.20 Exploratory Research
1.21 Conclusive Research
1.22 How to Prepare a Synopsis
1.23 Choosing a Research Design
1.24 Summary
1.25 Glossary
1.26 Review Questions
1.27 Further Readings
Self Learning Material 1
Research Methodology 1.1 Learning Objectives
After studying the chapter, students will be able to:
zzThe objectives of research;
Notes zzDifferent types of research;
zzMeaning of research methodology;
zzQualities of good research;
zzProblems encountered by researchers in India;
zzKnow the steps of a research process;
zzKnow understand the importance of formulating the problem and statement
of research;
zzKnow understand the tasks involved in problem definition;
zzKnow understand discuss the environmental factors affecting the definition of
the research problem;
zzKnow what are the different types of research design;
zzDiscuss what is descriptive research and what methods are adopted;
zzExplain what is experimental research and what are the methods of conducting
experimental research;
zzKnow what are the types of errors that affect research design.
1.2 Introduction
Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. Once can also define
research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific
topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation.
The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning
of research as “a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts
in any branch of knowledge.”
1. Redman and Mory define research as a “systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”
2. Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the known
to the unknown. It is actually a voyage of discovery. We all possess the vital
instinct of inquisitiveness for, when the unknown confronts us, we wonder and
our inquisitiveness makes us probe and attain full and fuller understanding of the
unknown. This inquisitiveness is the mother of all knowledge and the method,
which man employs for obtaining the knowledge of whatever the unknown, can
be termed as research.
Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used in a technical
sense. According to Clifford Woody research comprises defining and redefining
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problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organising and Introduction to Research
evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully Methodology
testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. D.
Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences define research
as “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising Notes
to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction
of theory or in the practice of an art.”
3. Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making
for its advancement. It is the persuit of truth with the help of study, observation,
comparison and experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective
and systematic method of finding solution to a problem is research. The systematic
approach concerning generalisation and the formulation of a theory is also research.
As such the term ‘research’ refers to the systematic method consisting of enunciating
the problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the
facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solutions(s) towards the
concerned problem or in certain generalizations for some theoretical formulation.
In this unit, we will show you the steps of conducting such a research project.
Figure 1.1 shows the stages in the research process. While these steps are presented in
order, you can be creative and adapt the steps to meet your business needs. Some steps
can be completed in parallel to speed the project as it begins to develop.
Problem Formulation
⇓
Method of Inquiry
⇓
Research Method
⇓
Research Design
⇓
Selection of Data Collection Techniques
⇓
Sample Design
⇓
Data Collection
⇓
Analysis and Interpretation of Data
⇓
Research Reports
Fig. 1.1: Stages in Research Process
There is a famous saying that “problem well-defined is half solved”. This statement
is strikingly true in market research, because if the problem is not stated properly, the
Self Learning Material 3
Research Methodology objectives will not be clear. If the objectives are not clearly defined, the data collection
becomes meaningless.
1.3 Objectives of Research
Notes
There are various objectives of research. Some of them are listed below.
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application
of scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is
hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its
own specific purpose, we may think of research objectives as falling into a number of
following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies
with this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative research studies);
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a
group (studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies);
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known as
diagnostic research studies);
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are
known as hypothesis-testing research studies).
1.4 General Characteristics of Research
The following characteristics may be gathered from the definitions of ‘Research’.
1. It gathers new knowledge or data from primary or first-hand sources.
2. It places emphasis upon the discovery of general principles.
3. It is an exact systematic and accurate investigation.
4. It uses certain valid data gathering devices.
5. It is logical and objective.
6. The researcher resists the temptation to seek only the data that support his
hypotheses.
7. The researcher eliminates personal feelings and preferences.
8. It endeavours to organise data in quantitative terms.
9. Research is patient and unhurried activity.
10. The researcher is willing to follow his procedures to the conclusions that may be
unpopular and bring social disapproval.
11. Research is carefully recorded and reported.
12. Conclusions and generalisations are arrived at carefully and cautiously.
4 Self Learning Material
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