This document provides an overview of research, including definitions, characteristics, objectives, types and motivation. Research is defined as a systematic investigation to discover and interpret facts through application of scientific principles. The main objectives are to gain new knowledge, describe characteristics, determine frequencies of occurrences and test hypotheses. Research can be descriptive or analytical, applied or fundamental, qualitative or quantitative, and conceptual or empirical. Motivations for research include obtaining degrees, solving problems, intellectual challenge, serving society and gaining respect.

1. Research Introduction , Meaning,
Objectives, Motives and Types
Himani Pandya
Research Department

2. What is Research
Research is an activity that leads us to finding new facts, information, assisting us in
verifying the available knowledge and in making us question for things that are difficult to
understand as per existing data.

3. Introduction to Research
 Research is defined as systematic gathering of data and information and its analysis for advancement
of knowledge in any subject.
 Research attempts to find answer intellectual and practical questions through application of
systematic methods.
 Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines research as "studious inquiry or examination; esp:
investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of
accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised
theories or laws".
 Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the known to the unknown.

4.  Research includes 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. Characteristics of Research
1. Research is directed towards the solution of a problem.
2. Research gathers new knowledge or data from primary sources.
3. Research is based upon observable experience or experimental evidence.
4. Research is logical and objective, applying every possible test to verify the data
5. Research is expert, systematic and accurate investigation.
6. Research demands accurate observation and description.
7. Research requires patience and courage.
8. The researcher should courageously face the unpleasant finding
9. Research is carefully recorded and reported. Everything must be carefully defined and described in
detail.

6. Objectives Of Research
 The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific
procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth : which is hidden and which has not
been discovered as yet

7. We may think of research objectives as falling
into a number of following broad groupings:
 To gain knowledge with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies with this object in
view are termed as exploratory or formulative research studies (Find out the nature of the problem));
 To describe accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group(studies with
this object in view are known as descriptive research studies);
 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);
 To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known as hypothesis-
testing research studies).

8. Types of research
Types of research can be classified in many different ways. some major ways of classifying research
include the following.
 Descriptive versus Analytical Research
 Applied versus Fundamental Research
 Qualitative versus Quantitative Research
 Conceptual versus Empirical Research

9. Descriptive versus Analytical Research
 Descriptive research is a type of research that is used to describe the characteristics of
a population. It collects data that are used to answer a wide range of what, when, and
how questions relating to a particular population or group.
 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.

10.  Subdivisions of Descriptive Research
 Survey Research
 The Case Study
 Correlational Study
 Comparative Study

11.  Analytical Research • Involves in-depth study and evaluation of available information in an
attempt to explain complex phenomenon
 The researcher has to use facts or information already available and analyze these to make
a critical evaluation of the material
 Subdivisions of Analytical Research
Historical Research
Philosophical Research
Review Research synthesis (meta analysis i.e. analysis of the review already
published)

12. Applied versus Fundamental Research
 Applied research is carried out to find answers to practical problems to be solved and as an
aid in decision making in different areas including product design, process design and
policy making.
 Fundamental research is carried out as more to satisfy intellectual curiosity, than with the
intention of using the research findings for any immediate practical application.

13. Quantitative and Quantitative Research
 Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, and allow you to systematically
measure variables and test hypotheses.
 Qualitative research deals with words and meanings. And allow you to explore concepts
and experiences in more detail.

15. Conceptual and Empirical Research
 Conceptual research is involves investigation of thoughts and ideas and developing new
ideas or interpreting the old ones based on logical reasoning.
 Empirical research is based on firm verifiable data collected by either observation of facts
under natural condition or obtained through experimentation
.

16.  Some Other Types of Research
All other types of research are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches,
based on either the purpose of research, or the time required to accomplish research, on the
environment in which research is done, or on the basis of some other similar factor.

17. MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH
1. Desire to get a research degree along with its significant benefits;
2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical
problems initiates research;
3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
4. Desire to be of service to society
5. Desire to get respectability.

18. Thank you