This document outlines the key aspects of research including: defining research as a systematic process of investigating a problem through collecting data to answer a question; describing the main types of research such as fundamental, quantitative, applied, and qualitative; and explaining the common steps of research such as formulating the problem, developing hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting results. The overall goal of research is to increase knowledge and understanding of a topic.

1. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Research and experimental development is formal
work undertaken systematically to increase the stock
of knowledge, including knowledge of humanity,
culture and society, and the use of this stock of
knowledge to devise new applications It is used to
establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of
previous work, solve new or existing problems,
support theorem, or develop new theories.

2. DEFINATION OF RESEARCH
Systematic investigation into a problem or situation, where
the intention is to identify facts and/or opinions that will
assist in solving the problem or dealing with the situation
"Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze
information to increase ourunderstanding of a topic or
issue".
It consists of three steps:
a) Pose a question,
b)collect data to answer the question,
c) present an answer to the question.

3. TYPES OF RESEARCH
1) Fundamental research :
• Fundamental research means experimental or
theoretical work under taken primarily to acquire
new knowledge of the underlying foundations of
phenomena and observable facts, without any
direct practical application or use in view."
2) Quantitative research :
• Quantitative research aim to measure the quantity
or amount and compares it with past records and
tries to project for future period.

4. 3) Applied Research:
Aims at solving specific problems
• Aims at establishing policy programs that will
help to improve social life
• Types of applied research are action research,,
cost-benefit analysis, evaluation research
4) Longitudinal research:
• Longitudinal’ is a broad term. It can be defined as
research in which: (1) data are collected for two
or more distinct periods (implying the notion of
repeated measurements);(2) the subjects or cases
analysed are the same, or at least comparable,
from one period to the next period.

5. 5) Qualitative Research:
This type of research aims at discovering the
underlying motives & desires of human
behaviour. using indepth interviews for this
purpose.
6) Action Research:
It is application of fact findings to practical
problem solving in a social situation with a view
to improve quality of action within it, involving
collaboration and cooperation of researchers,
practitioners and laymen.

6. 7) Descriptive Research:
• Usually it forms preliminary study of a
research project.
• It aims at describe social events, relations and
events.
• It provides background information about an
event in question.
8) Classification research:
• It aims at categorization of units into groups
• To demonstrate differences
• To explain relationships

7. 9) Comparative Research:
• To identify similarities and differences between units at
all levels.
10) Exploratory Research:
• It aims at gaining information about an issue in hand.
11) Explanatory Research:
• It aims at explaining social relations and eventsm &To
build, test or revise a theory.
12) Causal Research:
• Causal Research explores the effect of one thing on
another and more specifically, the effect of one
variable on another. The research is used to measure
what impact a specific change will have on existing
norms and allows market researchers to predict
hypothetical scenarios.

8. Objectives of research
 Research extends knowledge
 Research establishes generalizations and general laws
 Research verifies and tests
 General laws developed through research
 Research analyze inter-relationships
 Applied research aims at finding solutions
 It aims to develop tools, concepts
 Rational decision making

9. Steps of research
• Formulating the research problem
Although the problem is identified in a broader
perspective, it needs to be defined specifically in terms
of what is to be researched. It is important to define
the problem in a precise manner. A well defined
problem gives the researcher a proper direction for
carrying out investigation. It also helps in utilizing the
resources provided for the research effectively.
• Extensive literature survey
At this juncture the researcher should undertake
extensive literature survey connected with the
problem.

10. • Developing the hypothesis
A hypothesis is a statement based on some
presumptions about the existence of a
relationship between two or more variables that
can be tested through empirical data.
A hypothesis normally makes the research
question clearer to the researcher.
• Preparing the research design
Planning the research design is a crucial step in
the research design process. A research design is
the actual frame work of research that provides
specific details regarding the process to be
followed in conducting the research.

11. • Determining sample design
A sample design is a definite plan determined before
any data are actually collected for obtaining a sample
form a given population.
Types of sample designs
i. Deliberate sampling
ii. simple random sampling
iii.Systematic sampling
iv. stratified sampling
v. Quota sampling
vi.Cluster sampling
vii. Multi-stage sampling
viii. sequential sampling

12. • Collecting the data
In dealing with any real life problem it is often found
that data at hand are inadequate and hence it become
necessary to collect the data which differ considerably
in context of money costs, time and other resources at
the disposal of the researcher.
 Primary data
 secondary data
• Execution of the project
The researcher should see that the project is executed
in a systematic manner and in time. The steps should
be taken to ensure that the survey is under statistical
control so that the collected information is in
accordance with the pre-determined standards of
accuracy.

13. • Analysis of data
The most important aspect of data analysis is to
convert the data collected into a format which
will facilitate the manager in effective decision
making.
 Editing
Coding
• Hypothesis testing
If there is any hypothesis , the next step is to test
it. Various tests such as Chi-square test, t-test, F-
test has been developed by statisticians for this
purpose.

14. • Generalisations and interpretation
As a matter of fact, the real value of research lies in its
ability to arrive at certain generalisations. If the
researcher had no hypothesis to start with, he might
seek to explain his findings on the basis of some
theory.
• Preparation of the report for presentation of the
results
Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of
what has been done by him. Writing of report must be
done with great care keeping in view the following:
 layout
 reports should be written in concise
 charts and illustration
 calculated confidence limits must be mentioned

15. METHODS OF RESEARCH
1.Experimental method
• Laboratory
• Variables
• Degree of control
• Value of an experiment
2.Observational method
3.Survey method
4.Case studies
5.Test method

16. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
• Statement of the problem
• Objective of the study
• Scope of study
• Methodology