The document discusses several common research methods including historical research, descriptive research, experimental research, action research, and correlational research. Historical research examines past events and sources to understand the present. Descriptive research aims to systematically describe characteristics without manipulation. Experimental research establishes cause-and-effect through controlled manipulation of variables. Action research involves practitioners collaborating to solve real-world problems. Correlational research examines relationships between variables without determining causation.

1. Methods of Research

2. Modes/Methods of Research
• Research is a systematic investigation conducted to gain knowledge or solve a problem.
• There are various modes/methods or approaches to conducting research.
• Historical Research
• Experimental Research
• Descriptive Research
• Observational Research
• Survey Research
• Case Study Research
• Action Research
• Correlational Research

3. Historical Research
• A methodological approach that investigates past events, actions, and ideas to gain a
deeper understanding of the present.
• Historical research involves the systematic examination and analysis of historical sources to
interpret and understand the past.
• It aims to reconstruct events, identify causes and effects, and establish historical context

4. Characteristics of Historical Research
• Relies on existing documents and artifacts:
• It utilizes primary and secondary sources such as letters, diaries, newspapers, official records, photographs, and artifacts.
• Focuses on interpretation and analysis:
• Researchers analyze and interpret historical data to uncover meaning, patterns, and insights.
• Seeks to establish context:
• It aims to provide a contextual understanding of events, actions, and ideas within the specific time and place they occurred.

5. Stages of Historical Research
• Identify the research question or topic:
• Clear and specific research question.
• Scope and boundaries of the research.
• Collect and examine historical sources:
• Relevant primary and secondary source.
• Evaluate the credibility.
• Analyze and interpret the data:
• Identify key themes, patterns, and relationships.
• Use analytical tools and methodologies
• Draw conclusions and present findings:
• Draw informed conclusions about the research question.
• Present the findings in a coherent and logical manner.

6. Examples of Historical Research
• Political history: Studying the causes and consequences of significant political events or revolutions.
• Social history: Examining the social and cultural aspects of a specific time period.
• Economic history: Investigating economic systems, trade, and the impact of economic policies in the past.
• Intellectual history: Analyzing the development of ideas, philosophies, and ideologies over time.

7. Benefits and Limitations of Historical Research
Benefits:
• Provides insights and understanding of the past.
• Helps identify historical trends and patterns.
• Offers a basis for comparisons and lessons for the present
and future.
Limitations:
• Limited availability and accessibility of historical sources.
• Challenges in interpreting historical data due to biases
and gaps in records.
• Reliance on existing sources without the ability to
manipulate variables.

8. Application of Historical Research in LIS
• Origins: Origins of public library movement in the
princely State of Baroda (India)
• Growth: Growth of library profession in India
• Development: Development of library standards at the
international level
• Use: Use of storage media for storing of pamphlets in
special libraries
• Personalities: Contribution of leading personalities to the
development of library profession
• Theory: From descriptive theory to dynamic theory of
library classification
• History: History of information systems
Historical research is very popular in the field of library and information science.
A researcher can apply historical method of research to a vast range of topics such as:

9. Descriptive Research

10. Descriptive Research
• Methodological approach that aims to accurately and systematically describe characteristics, behaviors,
or phenomena of an entity without altering or manipulating them.
• It involves gathering data to provide an accurate depiction or description of a subject or phenomenon.
• It focuses on observing and documenting existing variables without attempting to establish cause-and-
effect relationships.

11. Characteristics of Descriptive Research
• Observational in nature: Descriptive research relies on direct observation or data collection
without intervention or manipulation of variables.
• Emphasizes accuracy and depiction: The goal is to provide a detailed and unbiased representation
of the subject or phenomenon.
• Often uses quantitative and qualitative data: Descriptive research can involve both numerical
data and qualitative descriptions.

12. Stages of Descriptive Research
• Define research objective or question:
• Clearly define the purpose and scope of the study.
• Determine what specific characteristics, behaviors, or phenomena will be described.
• Determine the sample and data collection methods:
• Identify the target population and select a representative sample.
• Decide on appropriate data collection methods such as surveys, interviews, or observations.
• Collect data through surveys, interviews, or observations:
• Administer surveys, conduct interviews, or perform observations to gather relevant data.
• Ensure data collection methods are reliable, valid, and appropriate for the research objective.

13. Stages of Descriptive Research
• Analyze and summarize the data:
• Organize and analyze the collected data using appropriate statistical or qualitative analysis techniques.
• Identify patterns, trends, or key characteristics within the data.
• Present the findings in a descriptive manner:
• Create a clear and concise summary of the findings.
• Use appropriate visual representations, charts, or graphs to enhance understanding.

14. Examples of Descriptive Research
• Market research surveys: Collecting data on consumer preferences, purchasing behaviors, or market trends.
• Demographic studies: Describing the characteristics and distribution of a specific population.
• Observational studies: Documenting behaviors or interactions in natural or controlled settings.
• Case studies: Providing an in-depth description and analysis of a particular individual, group, or phenomenon.

15. Observational Research
• It involves observing and recording behaviors or phenomena without manipulating variables.
• Characteristics:
• Naturalistic observation in real-world settings.
• No intervention or manipulation of variables.
• Qualitative or quantitative data collection methods.
• Examples: Ethnographic studies, participant observation.

16. Case Study Research
• It involves in-depth exploration of a particular individual, group, or phenomenon.
• Characteristics:
• Detailed investigation of a specific context or situation.
• Multiple data collection methods (interviews, observations, documents).
• Qualitative data analysis.
• Examples: Psychological case studies, organizational case studies.

17. Survey Research
• It involves collecting data through questionnaires or interviews to gather information about a
population.
• Characteristics:
• Structured and standardized questionnaires.
• Large sample sizes to ensure generalizability.
• Quantitative data analysis.
• Examples: Opinion polls, market research surveys

18. Advantages and Limitations of Descriptive Research
• Advantages:
• Provides a detailed understanding of the subject or
phenomenon.
• Allows for the exploration of complex and nuanced
characteristics.
• Offers a foundation for further research or hypothesis
generation.
• Limitations:
• Limited in establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
• Relies on self-reported data, which may be subjective or
biased.
• Generalizability of findings may be limited to the
specific sample or context

19. Experimental Research

20. Experimental Research
• A scientific approach used to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
• It involves manipulating independent variables and measuring their effects on dependent
variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships
• It aims to determine the impact of specific variables through controlled experiments.

21. Characteristics of Experimental Research
• Manipulation of variables: Researchers deliberately manipulate one or more independent
variables to examine their impact on the dependent variable.
• Control over extraneous variables: Researchers carefully control and minimize the influence of
extraneous variables to isolate the effects of the independent variable.
• Random assignment: Participants are randomly assigned to different groups or conditions to
ensure fairness and reduce bias.
• Quantitative data analysis: Experimental research often involves statistical analysis to assess the
significance of the results.

22. Stages of Experimental Research
• Formulating the research question and hypothesis:
• Clearly define the research question and develop a testable hypothesis.
• Specify the independent and dependent variables.
• Designing the experiment:
• Determine the appropriate research design (e.g., between-groups, within-groups, factorial design).
• Establish the control group and experimental groups.
• Participant selection and random assignment:
• Select a sample that represents the population of interest.
• Randomly assign participants to different groups or conditions to ensure equal distribution of characteristics.

23. Stages of Experimental Research
• Implementing the experiment:
• Administer the experimental treatment to the experimental group(s)
• Collect data through measurements, observations, or other appropriate methods.
• Analyzing and interpreting the data:
• Analyze data using statistical techniques to examine the effects of the independent variable.
• Interpret the findings and draw conclusions based on the results.

24. Procedures in Experimental Research
• Pre-experimental procedures:
• Pilot testing.
• Pretesting.
• Intervention and manipulation:
• Implement the experimental treatment.
• Ensure consistency and control.
• Post-experimental procedures:
• Post testing.
• Data analysis.
• Reporting.

25. Advantages and Limitations of Experimental Research
Advantages:
• Forms cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
• Allows for control over extraneous variables.
• Provides a high level of internal validity.
Limitations:
• May not fully capture real-world complexity or
generalizability.
• Ethical considerations for certain types of experimental
manipulations.
• Time-consuming and resource-intensive

26. Action Research
• It involves conducting research to solve real-world problems and improve practices.
• Characteristics:
• Collaborative approach involving researchers and practitioners.
• Cyclical process of problem identification, action, reflection, and revision.
• Mix of qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Examples: Educational interventions, organizational improvement projects.

27. Correlational Research
• It examines the relationship between two or more variables without establishing cause-and-effect.
• Characteristics:
• Measures the degree of association or correlation between variables.
• No manipulation of variables.
• Quantitative data analysis.
• Examples:
• Studying the relationship between smoking and lung cancer, analyzing the correlation between student performance
and sleep duration.