Introduction to Research Methodology

1. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
402 – Research Methodology
Unit 1 - Session-No. 1
Introduction to Research Methodology
Presented By:
Dr. S.P. Ghodake
1
Sanjivani College of Engineering,
Kopargaon
www.sanjivanimba.org.in

2. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
Content
Meaning & Definition of Research
Significance & Limitations of Research
Types of Research

3. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
Research
• Research is the careful consideration of study regarding a
particular concern or problem using scientific methods.
• “Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain,
predict, and control the observed phenomenon.”
• Research in common parlance refers to a search for
knowledge.
• Once can also define research as a scientific & systematic
search for pertinent information on a specific topic.

4. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
• 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 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 formulating hypothesis.

5. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
According to (Thyer, 2001)
“The word research is composed of two syllables, re and search. re is a prefix meaning
again, anew or over again, search is a verb meaning to examine closely and carefully,
to test and try, or to probe.
Together they form a noun describing a careful, systematic, patient study and
investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles."
According to (Rocco, 2011)
"Research is a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts
in any branch of knowledge."

6. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
It involves inductive and deductive methods.”
Inductive methods analyze an observed event, while deductive methods verify the observed
event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research, and deductive methods are
more commonly associated with quantitative analysis.
Research is conducted with a purpose to:
• Identify potential and new customers
• Understand existing customers
• Set pragmatic goals
• Develop productive market strategies
• Address business challenges
• Put together a business expansion plan
• Identify new business opportunities

7. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
What are the characteristics of research
1. Good research follows a systematic approach to capture accurate data. Researchers need
to practice ethics and a code of conduct while making observations or drawing
conclusions.
2. The analysis is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive
methods.
3. Real-time data and knowledge is derived from actual observations in natural settings.
4. There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies associated
with it.
5. It creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create more research
opportunities.
6. It is analytical and uses all the available data so that there is no ambiguity in inference.
7. Accuracy is one of the most critical aspects of research. The information must be accurate
and correct. For example, laboratories provide a controlled environment to collect data.
Accuracy is measured in the instruments used, the calibrations of instruments or tools, and
the experiment’s final result.

8. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
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).

9. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
TYPES OF RESEARCH
(i) Descriptive vs. Analytical:
• Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds.
• In social science and business research we quite often use the term Ex post facto
research for descriptive research studies.
• The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the
variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.
• The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all
kinds, including comparative and correlation methods.
• In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information
already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

10. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
Descriptive research (What)
Example :
• If a school district wishes to evaluate teachers’ attitudes about using
technology in the classroom.
• By conducting surveys and observing their comfortableness using technology
through observational methods, the researcher can gauge what they can help
understand if a full-fledged implementation can face an issue.
• This also helps in understanding if the students are impacted in any way with
this change.

11. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
Analytical research (Why)
Example :
• For example, analytical research can explore why the value of the Japanese
Yen has fallen. This is because analytical research can look at questions of
“how” and “why.”

12. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
Comparing Examples
Our research focuses on helping disabled people. So, let’s share some examples of
research questions on disability.
Descriptive Analytical
How many disabled people
face social isolation?
What causes social isolation in
disabled people?
What is the unemployment rate
for disabled people?
Why do disabled people have a
harder time finding work?
How many siblings of people
with Down syndrome have
positive experiences?
Why do so many siblings of
people with Down syndrome
have positive experiences?

13. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
TYPES OF RESEARCH
(ii) Applied vs. Fundamental:
• Applied (or action) research : aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem
facing a society or an industrial/business organization,
• Applied research refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical
problems.
• Applied research is used to find solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, and develop
innovative technologies, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake.
• For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to:
• Improve agricultural crop production
• Treat or cure a specific disease
• Improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation

14. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
• Fundamental (to basic or pure) research: is mainly concerned with
generalizations and with the formulation of a theory.
• Fundamental research is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a
scientific question.
• The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent
something.
• There is no obvious commercial value to the discoveries that result from
basic research.
• For example, basic science investigations probe for answers to questions
such as:
• How did the universe begin?
• What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?
• How do slime molds reproduce?
• What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?

15. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
TYPES OF RESEARCH
(iii) Quantitative vs. Qualitative:
• Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
• Quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of any
phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. The objective
of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories
and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena.
• Quantitative research is generally made using scientific methods, which can
include:
• The generation of models, theories and hypotheses
• The development of instruments and methods for measurement
• Experimental control and manipulation of variables
• Collection of empirical data
• Modelling and analysis of data
• Evaluation of results

16. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
• Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.
• Qualitative research is research dealing with phenomena that are difficult or
impossible to quantify mathematically, such as beliefs, meanings, attributes,
and symbols.
• Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human
behaviour and the reasons that govern such behaviour. The qualitative method
investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where, when.

17. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
TYPES OF RESEARCH
(iv) Conceptual vs. Empirical:
• Conceptual research : is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory.
• Conceptual research is defined as a methodology wherein research is
conducted by observing and analyzing already present information on a
given topic.
• Conceptual research doesn’t involve conducting any practical experiments. It
is related to abstract concepts or ideas.
• Philosophers have long used conceptual research to develop new theories or
interpret existing theories in a different light.

18. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
• Empirical research ; It is data-based research, coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or
experiment. We can also call it as experimental type of research.
• Empirical research is a type of research methodology that makes use of
verifiable evidence in order to arrive at research outcomes.
• In other words, this type of research relies solely on evidence obtained
through observation or scientific data collection methods.
• Empirical research can be carried out using qualitative or quantitative
observation methods, depending on the data sample, that is, quantifiable
data or non-numerical data.
• Unlike theoretical research that depends on preconceived notions about the
research variables, empirical research carries a scientific investigation to
measure the experimental probability of the research variables

19. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
(v) Some Other Types of Research:
• One-time research or longitudinal research. In the former case the research is
confined to a single time-period, whereas in the latter case the research is carried on
over several time-periods.
• Field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research, depending
upon the environment in which it is to be carried out.
• Clinical or diagnostic research. Such research follow case-study methods or in-
depth approaches to reach the basic causal relations.
• Conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented. While doing conclusion-oriented
research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry as he
proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes.

20. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
(v) Some Other Types of Research:
• The exploratory research or it may be formalized.
• The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypotheses rather than
their testing, whereas formalized research studies are those with substantial
structure and with specific hypotheses to be tested.
• Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, reports,
etc. to study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and
groups at any remote point of time.

21. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
• The benefits of research are many and varied. It helps us to understand the world
around us, find solutions to problems, and to develop new technologies. It also
plays a vital role in the advancement of knowledge. Here are some of the key
benefits of research:
1. Understanding the World Around Us:
2. Finding Solutions to Problems:
3. Developing New Technologies:
4. Advancement of Knowledge:
Significance of Research

22. Dept. of MBA, Sanjivani COE, Kopargaon
Thank You