Research materials for UGC-NET Paper - I

1. Research
Movement from known to the unknown
Session – I
Dr. M. Saravanan., MBA., M.Com., Ph.D.,
Department of Commerce
Sri Kumara Gurupara Swamigal Arts College,
Srivaikuntam

2. Research - Meaning
• Research refers to a search for
knowledge
• Research as a scientific and systematic
search for relevant information on a
specific topic.
• Research is an art of scientific
investigation.
• Research is actually a voyage of
discovery.

3. Research - Definition
 According to Redman and Mory define
research as a “systematized effort to gain
new knowledge”.
 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.

4. Research – Objectives
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon
(occurrence) or to achieve new insights into.
(studies with the object in view are termed as
exploratory or formulative research studies)
• To depict accurately the characteristics of a
particular individual, situation or a group.
(studies with the 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)

5. Research – Objectives
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship
between variables (such studies are known as
hypothesis-testing research studies)

6. Research – Types
• Descriptive Vs. Analytical
• Applied Vs. Fundamental
• Quantitative Vs. Qualitative
• Conceptual Vs. Empirical
• Some other types of Research

7. Descriptive Research
• Includes surveys and fact finding enquiries of
different kinds. The major purpose of
descriptive research is description of the state
of affairs as it exists at present
• Ex post facto research for descriptive research
studies. The main characteristic of this method
is that the researcher has no control over the
variables, it only report
•What was happened
•Or what is happening

8. Analytical Research
The researcher has to use facts or
information already available, and
analyze these to make a critical
evaluation of the material.

9. Applied Research
• Or action research aims at finding a
solution for an immediate problem
facing a society or an
industrial/business organization.

10. Fundamental Research
• Or basic or pure research is mainly
concerned with generalizations and
with the formulation of a theory.
• Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s
sake is termed pure or basic research

11. Quantitative Research
• Measurement of quantity or amount.

12. Qualitative Research
• Is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon.
• This type of research aims at
discovering the underlying motives
and desires, using depth interviews for
the purpose. Other techniques of such
research are word association tests,
sentence completion tests, story
completion tests etc.

13. Conceptual Research
• Is related to some abstract idea(s) or
theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop
new concepts or reinterpret existing
one.

14. Empirical Research
• Relies on experience or observation
alone, often without due regard for
system and theory. It is data-based
research coming up with conclusions
which are capable of being verified by
observation or experiment.

15. Other types of Research
• One time research:
The research is restricted to a single time
period.
• Longitudinal research:
The research is carried on over several
time periods.
• Field-setting research/laboratory
research / simulation research
Depending upon the environment in
which it is to be carried out

16. Other types of Research
• Historical research:
Is that which utilizes historical sources like
documents, remains etch to study events or
ideas of the past including the philosophy of
persons and groups at any remote point of
time.
• Conclusion oriented:
A researcher is free to pick up a problem,
redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is
prepared to conceptualize as he wishes

17. Other types of Research
• Decision oriented:
Is always for the need of a decision maker
and the researcher in this case is not free to
embark upon research according to his own
inclination. (Ex. operations research)

18. Research Methods
• May be understood as all those
methods/techniques that are used for
conduction of research. Research methods
or techniques, thus refer to the methods the
researchers use in performing research
oprations.

19. Research Methods – 3 groups
1. Those methods which are concerned with
the collection of data.
2. Those statistical techniques which are used
for establishing relationships between the
data and the unknowns.
3. Those methods which are used to evaluate
the accuracy of the results obtained.

20. Research Methods –
Types Methods Techniques
Library research 1. Analysis of
historical records
2. Analysis of
documents
Recording notes,
content analysis.
Reference and abstract
guides, contents
analysis
Field research 1. Non-participant
direct observation
2. Mass observation
3. Mail questionnaire
4. Personal interview
Observational behavioral
scales
Use tape recorder.
With open ended and
close ended questions
Laboratory
research
Small group study of
random behavior and
role analysis
Use audio video
recording devices, use
of obervers.

21. Criteria of good research
•Good research is systematic
•Good research is logical
•Good research is empirical
(external validity to research
results)
•Good research is replicable
(results to be verified)

22. Problems encountered by researches in
India
• The lack of a scientific training in the
methodology of research.
• Library management and functioning is
not satisfactory at many places.
• There is also the difficulty of timely
availability of published data from
various government and other
agencies
• There does not exist the code of
conduct for researchers.

23. Research process
• Define research problem
• Review the literature
Review the concepts and theories
Review previous research finding
• Formulate hypotheses
• Design research (including sample design)
• Collect data (Execution)
• Analyse data (Test hypotheses if any)
• Interpret and report

24. Define research problem
• A proper definition of research problem will
enable the researcher to be on the track
whereas an ill-defined problems may create
hurdles.

25. Techniques involved in defining research
problem
1. Statement of the problem in a general way
(pilot study)
2. Understanding the nature of the problem
3. Surveying the available literature
4. Developing the ideas through discussions
5. Rephrasing the research problem

26. Review of literature
The researcher should undertake extensive
literature survey connected with the
problem. For this purpose, the abstracting
and indexing journals, conference
proceedings, govt. reports, books etc.,
A good library will be a great help to the
researcher at this stage.

27. Development of working hypotheses
Working hypothesis is tentative assumption
made in order to draw out and test its
logical or empirical consequences.

28. Research Design
“ A resign design is the arrangement of
conditions for collection and analysis of
data in a manner that aims to combine
relevance to the research purpose with
economy in procedure”.

29. Research Design
1. What is the study about?
2. Why is the study being made?
3. Where will the study be carried out?
4. What type of data is required
5. Where can the required data be found?
6. What periods of time will the study include?
7. What techniques of data collection will be
used?
8. How will the data be analysed?
9. In what style will the report be prepared?

30. Research Design - Parts
1. A sampling design
2. Observational design
3. Statistical design
4. Operational design

31. Research Design - Parts
1. A sampling design
2. Observational design
3. Statistical design
4. Operational design

32. Need for good Research Design
Flexible, appropriate, efficient, economical ,
Generally the which minimum bias and
maximizes the reliability of the data.

33. Research design and type of study
Research Design Exploratory of
formulative
Descriptive/diagnostic
Overall design Flexible design Rigid design
1. Sample design Non probability sampling
design
Probability sampling
design
2. Statistical design No pre-planned design
for analysis
Pre-planned design for
analysis
3. Observational
design
Unstructured instruments
for collection of data
Structured or well
thought out instruments
for collection of data
4.Operational design No fixed decisions about
the operational design
Advanced decisions about
operational procedures

34. Determining the sample design
• Way of selecting a sample is known as
sample design.
• All items in any field of inquiry
constitute a “universe” or population.
• A complete enumeration of all items in
the population is known as a censes
inquiry.

35. Determining the sample design
• Way of selecting a sample is known as
sample design.
• All items in any field of inquiry
constitute a “universe” or population.
• A complete enumeration of all items in
the population is known as a censes
inquiry.

36. Chart showing basic sample design
Element
selection
technique
Representation basis
Probability
sampling
Non-
probability
sampling
Unrestricted
sampling
Simple
random
sampling
Convenience
sampling
Restricted
sampling
Complex
random
sampling
Purposive
sampling

37. Non probability sampling
• Deliberate sampling, purposive
sampling, judgment sampling.
• Under this method the organizers of the
inquiry purposively choose the
particular units of the universe for
constituting a sample on the basis that
the small mass that they so select out
of a huge one will be typical or
representative of the whole

38. Probability sampling
• Random sampling or chance sampling.
Under this sampling design every item
of the universe has an equal chance of
inclusion in the sample.
• Tippett’s random table (statisticians)

39. Complex Probability sampling
• Systematic sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Area sampling
• Multi-stage sampling
• Sampling with probability proportional
to size
• Sequential sampling

40. Collection of data
• Primary data: those are collected a
fresh and for the first time
• Secondary data: those which have
already been collected by someone else
an which have alredy been passed
through the statistical process

41. Case study
• Form of qualitative analysis and involves a
careful and complete observation of a social
unit a person, a family, an institution, a
cultural group or even the entire community.

42. Collection of primary data
• Survey and descriptive researches.
Method of collection of primary data
1. Observation method
2. Interview method
3. Questionnaire
4. Through schedules
5. Depth interview
6. Content analysis
7. Pantry audits
8. Using mechanical devices
9. Projective techniques

43. Processing and analysis of data
• Processing
1. Editing: detect errors and omissions and
correct these when possible
2. Coding: assigning numerals or other symbols
to answer so that responses can be put into
a limited number of categories or classes.
3. Classification: homogeneous groups if we
are to get meaning full relationships.
4. Tabulation: to arrange the same in some
kind of summarizing and logical order

44. Analysis of data
• Descriptive analysis
• Inferential analysis(statistical analysis)
• Analysis of one variable(uni dimensional
analysis)
• Analysis of two variables (bi variate analysis)
• Analysis of more than two (multivariate
analysis)

45. Analysis of data
• Descriptive analysis
• Inferential analysis(statistical analysis)
• Analysis of one variable(uni dimensional
analysis)
• Analysis of two variables (bi variate analysis)
• Analysis of more than two (multivariate
analysis)

46. Analysis of data
• Uni dimensional analysis
1. Measures of central tendency
2. Measures of dispersion
3. Measures of skewness
4. One way ANOVA, Time series analysis
5. Simple correlation, simple regression

47. Analysis of data
• Uni dimensional analyis
1. Measures of central tendency
2. Measures of dispersion
3. Measures of skewness
4. One way ANOVA, Time series analysis
5. Simple correlation, simple regression

48. Analysis of data
• Bivariate analysis
1. Simple regression and simple correlation
2. Association of attribute (coefficient of
association and coefficient of contingency
3. Two way ANOVA

49. Analysis of data
• Multivariate analysis
1. Multiple regression
2. Multiple discriminant analysis
3. Multi-anova
4. Canonical analysis
5. Factor analysis, cluster analysis

50. Analysis of data
Estimation of parameter values
• Point estimate
• Interval estimate

51. Analysis of data
Testing hypotheses
• Parametric tests
• Non-parametric test

52. Analysis of data
Testing hypotheses
• Parametric tests
• Non-parametric test

53. Testing hypotheses- some basic concepts
Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis:
HO Ha
Test the level of significance: 5% (great care)

54. Testing hypotheses- some basic concepts
Type I and Type II errors
Decision
______________________
Accept Ho Reject Ho
-------------------------------
Ho (true) correct Type I
Decision Error(alpha)
Ho(false) Type II error Correct
(beta) Decision
_____________________________________________

55. Important parametric tests
Z test
T-test
X2 test
F test

56. Nonparametric tests
The normality of the population
distribution forms the basis for making
statistical inferences about the sample
drawn from the population. But no such
assumptions are made in case of non
parametric test.

57. Some important Nonparametric tests
• Test of a hypothesis concerning some single value
for the given data (such as one sample sign test)
• Test of hypothesis concerning no difference among
two or more sets of data (two sample sign test,
Fisher-irwin test, Rank sum test)
• Test of a hypothesis of relationship between
variables (such as rank correlation, Kendall’s
coefficient of concordance and other tests for
dependence)
• Test of hypothesis concerning variation in the given
data (ANOVA Kruskal wallis test)

58. Some important Nonparametric tests
• Test of a hypothesis concerning some single value
for the given data (such as one sample sign test)
• Test of hypothesis concerning no difference among
two or more sets of data (two sample sign test,
Fisher-irwin test, Rank sum test)
• Test of a hypothesis of relationship between
variables (such as rank correlation, Kendall’s
coefficient of concordance and other tests for
dependence)
• Test of hypothesis concerning variation in the given
data (ANOVA Kruskal wallis test)

59. Interpretation and Report writing
• Interpretation refers to the task of drawing
inferences from the collected facts after an
analytical and or experimental study.

60. Interpretation and Report writing
• Interpretation refers to the task of drawing
inferences from the collected facts after an
analytical and or experimental study.
• If hypothesis is tested and upheld several time, it
may be possible for the researcher to arrive at
generalization i.e., to build a theory,
• Finally the researcher has to prepare the report of
what has been done by him.

61. LAYOUT OF THE RESEARCH REPORT
1. Preliminary pages
title and date
acknowledgements
List of tables
List of contents
2. Main test
Introduction
Statement of findings and recommendations
The results
The implications drawn from the results
The summary
3. End Matter

62. Types of report
1. Technical report
is used whenever a full written report of the study is
required whether for record keeping or for public
dissemination
2. Popular report
simplicity and attractiveness. The simplification
should be sought through clear writing,
minimization of technical details and liberal use of
charts and diagrams, attractive layout with large
print, many sub headings even an occasational
cartoon

63. Mechanics of writing a report
1. Size and physical design
Unruled 8.5” x 11 “ in size. Margin one inches.

64. Mechanics of writing a report
2. Treatment of quotations
Single spaced and indented at least half an inch to the right of
the normal text margin
3. Footnotes
Are means cross references, citation of authorities and sources,
acknowledgement or explanation of point of view.
Foot notes should be numbered consecutively, usually
beginning with 1 in each chapter separately.
Foot notes always typed in single space though they are
divided from one another by double space.

65. A Research should be
a) Objective
b) Valid
c) Reliable
d) All
Longitudinal approach is related with
1. Long term researches
2. Transverse researches
3. Horizontal researches
4. All the above

66. A good synopsis is considered as
a) A half-way research
b) A complete research
c) A partial research
d) All the above
Nature of the hypothesis
1. conceptual
2. Declarative
3. Action oriented
4. All

67. Non-probability sampling the probability
a) Insufficient population
b) Limitation of data
c) Both a and b
d) None
Ex post facto method of research is associated to
1. sample
2. Control
3. Validity related with inferences
4. All

68. Descriptive study is related with
a) Survey research method
b) Experimental research method
c) Case study method
d) All
Ex post facto method of research is associated to
1. sample
2. Control
3. Validity related with inferences
4. All

69. Mechanics of writing a report
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