2. Introduction to Research
• What is research?
• Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after a
thorough study and analysis of the situational factors.
1. To identify and find solutions to the problem
2. To help make decisions
3. To find alternative strategies
4. To develop new concepts
3. .What is business research?
• Research provides the needed information that guides
managers to make informed decisions to successfully deal
with problems.
• The information provided could be the result of a careful
analysis of data gathered firsthand or of data that are already
available (in the company).
4. Objectives of Research
• Promotes decision making
• Basis for information
• Identifies problem areas
• Helps in forecasting
• Formulation of policies and strategies
• Development of new products
• Optimal utilization of resources
• Evaluating marketing plans
5. Types of Research
• Exploratory research
• Descriptive research
• Applied research
• Pure/Fundamental research or Basic research
• Conceptual research
• Causal Research
• Historical Research
• Ex-post facto research
• Action research
• Evaluation research
• Library research
6. Criteria or Characteristics of a good research
• A good research should be systematic
• A good research should be logical
• A good research should be empirical
• A good Research is Replicable
7. Research Process
• What is a research problem?
• What is research methodology?
• How to design a research plan?
• What are the steps involved in designing research?
8. Research Problem
• Difficulty which an organization faces and wishes to obtain a
solution for the same.
• “Problem clearly stated is half solved”
• Define the problem correctly
9. SELECTING THE PROBLEM
• Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a
difficult task to throw any new light in such a case
• Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average
researcher
• Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided
• The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the
related research material or sources of research are within one’s reach
• The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of a
researcher, the costs involved, the time factor are few other criteria that
must also be considered in selecting a problem
10. DEFINING THE PROBLEM
• A proper definition of research problem will enable the researcher to
be on the track whereas an ill-defined problem may create hurdles.
Questions like:
• What data are to be collected?
• What characteristics of data are relevant and need to be studied?
• What relations are to be explored. What techniques are to be used
for the purpose?
11. TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A
PROBLEM
1. Statement of the problem in a general way – Pilot survey
2. Understanding the nature of the problem – Discussion with experts
3. Surveying the available literature – Identifying gap
4. Developing the ideas through discussions – Experience survey
5. Rephrasing the research problem - Hypothesis
Ex: Why is productivity in Japan so much higher than in India”?
12. TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A
PROBLEM
What factors were responsible for the higher labour
productivity of Japan’s manufacturing industries during the
decade 2001 to 2005 relative to India’s manufacturing
industries?”
13. What is research methodology?
• It is a method to solve the research problem systematically
• Blue-print of the research
14. Research design/Plan
• Important steps in marketing research
• Plan to achieve the objectives of the study
• Questions to be answered
15. Steps involved in designing a
research/Research process
Formulate the problem
Evaluate the cost of the research
Prepare the list of information
Research design decision
Determine the sample size
Organize the field work
Data collection
Analyze the data and report preparation
16. Difference between management and
research problem
Management problem
• Objective is to prevent the
problem or to minimize the
impact of problem
• Focus on the symptoms of the
management problem
• Action oriented
Research Problem
• It is about the data collection,
sampling and analysis of data
• Focus on the cause only
• Data oriented
17. Research Brief
• What is the research requirement?
• Clear picture of what to collect?
• Helps to avoid disputes between the client and the researcher
18. How to write research proposal?
• Purpose of proposed research
• Type of study
• Target population/group to be defined
• Sample size
• Sample design
• Data collection
• Research instrument
• Benefits
• Estimation of the cost of the project
• Profile of the research firm
• Presentation
