3. MEANING OF RESEARCH
Research in general refers to….
• A search for knowledge.
• A scientific and systematic search for relevant information on a specific topic.
• Research is a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in
any branch of knowledge.
• “Redman and Mory” defined research as “systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”
• Research is a movement, a movement from the known to the unknown.
• A voyage of discovery.
• “Clifford Woody” defines research as “a comprises defining and redefining problems,
formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating
data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the
conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulatinghypothesis”.
4. CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
• Research is directed towards the solution of a problem.
• Research demands accurate observation and description.
• Research involves gathering new data from primary sources or using existing data
for a new purpose.
• Research activities are characterized by carefully designed procedures.
• Research requires expertise i.e., skill necessary to carryout investigation, search the
related literature and to understand and analyze the data gathered.
• Research is characterized by patience and unhurried activity.
• Research is carefully recorded and reported.
5. CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH
• Purpose clearly defined.
• Research process detailed.
• Research design thoroughly planned.
• High ethical standards applied.
• Limitations frankly revealed.
• Adequate analysis for decision maker’s needs.
• Findings presented unambiguously.
• Conclusions justified.
• Researcher’s experience reflected.
6. QUALITIES OF GOOD RESEARCH
• Systematic
• Logical
• Empirical
• Replicable
• Creative
• Use of multiple methods
7. RESEARCH MOTIVATIONS
The possible motives for doing research are:
• Desire to get a research degree along with its associated benefits.
• Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems.
• Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work.
• Desire to serve the society.
• Desire to get respect and status.
• Other motivating factors are: directives of government,
employment conditions, curiosity about new things, desire to
understand causal relationships, social thinking and awakening.
28. PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH
• Not similar to science
• Uncontrollable variables
• Human tendencies
• Time and money
• Lack of scientific training in the methodology of research
• Insufficient interaction between universityies research departments
and business establishments
• Lack of confidence on the part of business units to give information
• Poor library management and functioning
• Difficulty of timely availability of published data.
• Ignorance
29. RESEARCH APPROACHES
There are two basic approaches to research
• Quantitative approach
• Qualitative approach
Research
Approaches
Quantitative
Approach
Inferential
approach
Experimental
approach
Simulation
approach
Qualitative
Approach
30. 1. Quantitative approach
• Quantitative approach involves the generation of data in quantitative form which can be
subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid fashion.
• This approach can be further sub-classified into
• Inferential approach
• Experimental approach
• Simulation approach
• The purpose of inferential approach to research is to form a data base from which to
infer characteristics or relationships of population.
• This usually means survey research where a sample of population is studied (questioned or
observed) to determine its characteristics, and it is then inferred that the population has the
same characteristics.
• Experimental approach is characterized by much greater control over the research environment
and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe their effect on other variables.
• Simulation approach involves the construction of an artificial environment within which
relevant information and data can be generated.
• This permits an observation of the dynamic behavior of a system under controlled conditions.
Simulation approach useful in building models for understanding future conditions.
31. 2. Qualitative approach
• Qualitative approach to research is concerned with subjective assessment
of attitudes, opinions and behavior.
• Research in such a situation is a function of researcher’s insights and
impressions.
• Such an approach to research generates results either in non-quantitative
form or in the form which are not subjected to rigorous quantitative
analysis.
• Generally, the techniques of focus group interviews, projective techniques
and depth interviews are used.
32. RESEARCH PROCESS
• Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to
effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of these
steps.
• The chart shown in Figure well illustrates a research process.
• The chart indicates that the research process consists of a number of
closely related activities, as shown through I to VII.
• However, the following order concerning various steps provides a
useful procedural guideline regarding the research process:
33.
34. (1) Formulating the research problem
(2) Extensive literature survey
(3) Developing the hypothesis
(4) Preparing the research design
(5) Determining sample design
(6) Collecting the data
(7) Execution of the project
(8) Analysis of data
(9) Hypothesis testing
(10) Generalizations and interpretation
(11) Preparation of the report or presentation of the results
