Various Methods of Research, Modes of Research, Action Research

1. Methods of Research

2. Modes/Methods of Research
• Research is a systematic investigation conducted to gain knowledge or solve a problem.
• There are various modes/methods or approaches to conducting research.
• Historical Research
• Experimental Research
• Descriptive Research
• Observational Research
• Survey Research
• Case Study Research
• Action Research
• Correlational Research

3. Historical Research
• A methodological approach that investigates past events, actions, and ideas to gain a
deeper understanding of the present.
• Historical research involves the systematic examination and analysis of historical sources to
interpret and understand the past.
• It aims to reconstruct events, identify causes and effects, and establish historical context

4. Characteristics of Historical Research
• Relies on existing documents and artifacts:
• It utilizes primary and secondary sources such as letters, diaries, newspapers, official records, photographs, and artifacts.
• Focuses on interpretation and analysis:
• Researchers analyze and interpret historical data to uncover meaning, patterns, and insights.
• Seeks to establish context:
• It aims to provide a contextual understanding of events, actions, and ideas within the specific time and place they occurred.

5. Stages of Historical Research
• Identify the research question or topic:
• Clear and specific research question.
• Scope and boundaries of the research.
• Collect and examine historical sources:
• Relevant primary and secondary source.
• Evaluate the credibility.
• Analyze and interpret the data:
• Identify key themes, patterns, and relationships.
• Use analytical tools and methodologies
• Draw conclusions and present findings:
• Draw informed conclusions about the research question.
• Present the findings in a coherent and logical manner.

6. Examples of Historical Research
• Political history: Studying the causes and consequences of significant political events or revolutions.
• Social history: Examining the social and cultural aspects of a specific time period.
• Economic history: Investigating economic systems, trade, and the impact of economic policies in the past.
• Intellectual history: Analyzing the development of ideas, philosophies, and ideologies over time.

7. Benefits and Limitations of Historical Research
Benefits:
• Provides insights and understanding of the past.
• Helps identify historical trends and patterns.
• Offers a basis for comparisons and lessons for the present
and future.
Limitations:
• Limited availability and accessibility of historical sources.
• Challenges in interpreting historical data due to biases
and gaps in records.
• Reliance on existing sources without the ability to
manipulate variables.

8. Application of Historical Research in LIS
• Origins: Origins of public library movement in the
princely State of Baroda (India)
• Growth: Growth of library profession in India
• Development: Development of library standards at the
international level
• Use: Use of storage media for storing of pamphlets in
special libraries
• Personalities: Contribution of leading personalities to the
development of library profession
• Theory: From descriptive theory to dynamic theory of
library classification
• History: History of information systems
Historical research is very popular in the field of library and information science.
A researcher can apply historical method of research to a vast range of topics such as:

9. Descriptive Research

10. Descriptive Research
• Methodological approach that aims to accurately and systematically describe characteristics, behaviors,
or phenomena of an entity without altering or manipulating them.
• It involves gathering data to provide an accurate depiction or description of a subject or phenomenon.
• It focuses on observing and documenting existing variables without attempting to establish cause-and-
effect relationships.

11. Characteristics of Descriptive Research
• Observational in nature: Descriptive research relies on direct observation or data collection
without intervention or manipulation of variables.
• Emphasizes accuracy and depiction: The goal is to provide a detailed and unbiased representation
of the subject or phenomenon.
• Often uses quantitative and qualitative data: Descriptive research can involve both numerical
data and qualitative descriptions.

12. Stages of Descriptive Research
• Define research objective or question:
• Clearly define the purpose and scope of the study.
• Determine what specific characteristics, behaviors, or phenomena will be described.
• Determine the sample and data collection methods:
• Identify the target population and select a representative sample.
• Decide on appropriate data collection methods such as surveys, interviews, or observations.
• Collect data through surveys, interviews, or observations:
• Administer surveys, conduct interviews, or perform observations to gather relevant data.
• Ensure data collection methods are reliable, valid, and appropriate for the research objective.

13. Stages of Descriptive Research
• Analyze and summarize the data:
• Organize and analyze the collected data using appropriate statistical or qualitative analysis techniques.
• Identify patterns, trends, or key characteristics within the data.
• Present the findings in a descriptive manner:
• Create a clear and concise summary of the findings.
• Use appropriate visual representations, charts, or graphs to enhance understanding.

14. Examples of Descriptive Research
• Market research surveys: Collecting data on consumer preferences, purchasing behaviors, or market trends.
• Demographic studies: Describing the characteristics and distribution of a specific population.
• Observational studies: Documenting behaviors or interactions in natural or controlled settings.
• Case studies: Providing an in-depth description and analysis of a particular individual, group, or phenomenon.

15. Observational Research
• It involves observing and recording behaviors or phenomena without manipulating variables.
• Characteristics:
• Naturalistic observation in real-world settings.
• No intervention or manipulation of variables.
• Qualitative or quantitative data collection methods.
• Examples: Ethnographic studies, participant observation.

16. Case Study Research
• It involves in-depth exploration of a particular individual, group, or phenomenon.
• Characteristics:
• Detailed investigation of a specific context or situation.
• Multiple data collection methods (interviews, observations, documents).
• Qualitative data analysis.
• Examples: Psychological case studies, organizational case studies.

17. Survey Research
• It involves collecting data through questionnaires or interviews to gather information about a
population.
• Characteristics:
• Structured and standardized questionnaires.
• Large sample sizes to ensure generalizability.
• Quantitative data analysis.
• Examples: Opinion polls, market research surveys

18. Advantages and Limitations of Descriptive Research
• Advantages:
• Provides a detailed understanding of the subject or
phenomenon.
• Allows for the exploration of complex and nuanced
characteristics.
• Offers a foundation for further research or hypothesis
generation.
• Limitations:
• Limited in establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
• Relies on self-reported data, which may be subjective or
biased.
• Generalizability of findings may be limited to the
specific sample or context

19. Experimental Research

20. Experimental Research
• A scientific approach used to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
• It involves manipulating independent variables and measuring their effects on dependent
variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships
• It aims to determine the impact of specific variables through controlled experiments.

21. Characteristics of Experimental Research
• Manipulation of variables: Researchers deliberately manipulate one or more independent
variables to examine their impact on the dependent variable.
• Control over extraneous variables: Researchers carefully control and minimize the influence of
extraneous variables to isolate the effects of the independent variable.
• Random assignment: Participants are randomly assigned to different groups or conditions to
ensure fairness and reduce bias.
• Quantitative data analysis: Experimental research often involves statistical analysis to assess the
significance of the results.

22. Stages of Experimental Research
• Formulating the research question and hypothesis:
• Clearly define the research question and develop a testable hypothesis.
• Specify the independent and dependent variables.
• Designing the experiment:
• Determine the appropriate research design (e.g., between-groups, within-groups, factorial design).
• Establish the control group and experimental groups.
• Participant selection and random assignment:
• Select a sample that represents the population of interest.
• Randomly assign participants to different groups or conditions to ensure equal distribution of characteristics.

23. Stages of Experimental Research
• Implementing the experiment:
• Administer the experimental treatment to the experimental group(s)
• Collect data through measurements, observations, or other appropriate methods.
• Analyzing and interpreting the data:
• Analyze data using statistical techniques to examine the effects of the independent variable.
• Interpret the findings and draw conclusions based on the results.

24. Procedures in Experimental Research
• Pre-experimental procedures:
• Pilot testing.
• Pretesting.
• Intervention and manipulation:
• Implement the experimental treatment.
• Ensure consistency and control.
• Post-experimental procedures:
• Post testing.
• Data analysis.
• Reporting.

25. Advantages and Limitations of Experimental Research
Advantages:
• Forms cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
• Allows for control over extraneous variables.
• Provides a high level of internal validity.
Limitations:
• May not fully capture real-world complexity or
generalizability.
• Ethical considerations for certain types of experimental
manipulations.
• Time-consuming and resource-intensive

26. Action Research
• It involves conducting research to solve real-world problems and improve practices.
• Characteristics:
• Collaborative approach involving researchers and practitioners.
• Cyclical process of problem identification, action, reflection, and revision.
• Mix of qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Examples: Educational interventions, organizational improvement projects.

27. Correlational Research
• It examines the relationship between two or more variables without establishing cause-and-effect.
• Characteristics:
• Measures the degree of association or correlation between variables.
• No manipulation of variables.
• Quantitative data analysis.
• Examples:
• Studying the relationship between smoking and lung cancer, analyzing the correlation between student performance
and sleep duration.