The document outlines the nature of educational research, defining the term and its characteristics while differentiating between various types of research methodologies such as fundamental, applied, correlational, action, and experimental research. It emphasizes the systematic and structured approach to generating knowledge, including the importance of hypotheses, conceptual frameworks, and methodological principles in conducting research. Additionally, it discusses the relevance and application of educational research in understanding societal behaviors and trends, as well as the practical implications of its findings.

1. Educational Research
Ani Vadakke PurayilM.Com, M.Ed. NET(Com),NET(Edu),SET
Faculty
Department of Teacher Education
Kannur University
Kannur, Kerala.
anivpknr@gmail.com

2. Research
The term research has two words Re + search .
Re= again; and search = find out something
new.
It is a systematic, rigorous investigation of a
situation or problem in order to generate new
knowledge or validate existing knowledge
Research is oriented towards the discovery of
relationship that exists among different
phenomena of the world

3. Definition
Research is systematic, controlled, empirical and critical
investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed
relations among natural
phenomenon.
-Kerlinger
defined as the systematic method ofResearch may be
discovering new facts or verifying old facts, their sequences,
interrelationships, casual explanations and the natural laws
which govern them.
-Young PV

4. • CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
• It is a scientific investigation. Research (re-search) means to
͞search again.͛ It connotes patient study and scientific
investigation.
• It develops concepts and the theories.
• It is solution oriented and directed towards the solution of
a problem.
• It determines the relation between two or more variables.
• Research emphasizes to the development of theories,
concept, principles and generalization that are helpful in
predicting future occurrences.
• Research is replicable. The design, procedures and result of
scientific research should be replicable so that any person
other than researcher may assess the validity of research.
• Research requires that researchers have full knowledge of
the problem under the study.

5. • Logical and objective
• Hypothesis oriented
• Gather new knowledge

6. • AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
• It͛s main aim is to find out the truth which is
hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to
achieve new insights into it.
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a
particular individual, situation or a group.
• To determine the frequency with which
something occurs or with which it is associated
with something else.
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship
between variables

7. • Types of Research
Fundamental Research/Pure Research/Basic Research:
• It is undertaken for the sake of knowledge without any
intension to apply it in practice.
• This research helps in developing theories by
discovering broad generalization and principles.
• It is organized through different procedures of research
like sampling, hypothesizing facts, etc. It can be
experimented in a psychological laboratory.
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or
relating to pure mathematics, research studies
concerning human behavior carried on with a view to
make generalizations about human behaviour are
examples of fundamental research.

8. 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?

9. Applied
• Aims at finding a solution for an immediate
problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organization.
• Solve practical problem of the modern world,
rather than to acquire knowledge for
knowledge sake.
• Marketing research is an example of applied
research.

10. CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
Correlational research refers to the systematic investigation or
statistical study of relationships among two or more variables,
without necessarily determining cause and effect. It Seeks to establish
a relation/association/correlation between two or more variables
that do not readily lend themselves to experimental manipulation.
For example, to test the hypothesis “ Listening to music lowers
blood pressure levels” there are 2 ways of conducting research
Advantages:
1) Can collect much information from many subjects at one time.
2) Can study a wide range of variables and their interrelations.
3) Study variables that are not easily produced in the laboratory.
Disadvantages:
1) Correlation does not indicate causation( cause and
effect).
2) Problems with self-report method .

11. .
Action Research
• Its aim is immediate application but not any
development of theory.
• It is research either initiated to solve the
immediate problem or if the researcher finds any
problem during the course of his field
investigation and observation he applies it.

12. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
Descriptive research refers to research that provides an
accurate portrayal of characteristics of a particular
individual, situation, or group. Descriptive research, also
known as statistical research.
These studies are a means of discovering new meaning,
describing what exists, determining the frequency with
which something occurs, and categorizing information.

13. Descriptive study
• Includes surveys and fact findings enquiries of
different kinds.
• The major purpose of descriptive research is
description of the state of affairs, as it exists at
present.
• In social science and business research the
term often used is ex-post fact research.

14. Evaluation Study
• It is a type of applied research.
• It is made for assessing and taking stock of
effectiveness of social or economic programmes.
• For example : Family planning scheme, Irrigation
project.
Diagnostic Study
• Similar to descriptive study but with a different
focus, which is directed towards discovering what
is happening? Why is it happening and what can
be done about it?
• It aims at identifying the causes of problems and
possible solutions for it.

15. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
The simplest experimental design includes two variables and two
groups of participants.
The two variables(Independent versus Dependent variables).
• The Independent Variable is the predictor variable whereas
the Dependant variable is the outcome variable.
• Researchers manipulate and control the Independent Variable
to study it's effect on
the Dependant variable

16. GROUNDED THEORY RESEARCH
Grounded theory research is a research approach
designed to
discover what problems exist in a given social environment
and how the persons involved handle them; it involves
formulation, testing, and reformulation of propositions
until a theory is developed. Grounded theory is a research
method that operates almost in a reverse fashion from
traditional research and at first may appear to be in
contradiction to the scientific method.

17. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
Exploratory research is a type of research conducted for a
problem that has not been clearly defined. Exploratory
research helps determine the best research design, data
collection method and selection of subjects.
• It is a preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about
which researcher has little or no knowledge
• The results of exploratory research are not usually useful for
decision-making by themselves, but they can provide
significant insight into a given situation
• Exploratory research is not typically generalizable to the
population at large.

18. HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Historical research gives a social scientist a better
context for making realistic decisions.
Strengths
• Provides a comprehensive picture of historical
trends
• Uses existing information
• Provides evidence of on-going trends and
problems

19. Variables
A variable is a feature or aspect of an event , function or
process, which is being studied.
Types of variable
Experimental Variable: an experiment is conducted in order to
see the effect of a variable or treatment is known as
experimental variable
Controlled variable : when the effectiveness of an
experimental variable is examined by comparing with
other variables is known as controlled variable
Dependent variable : the basis on which the effectiveness of
the experimental variables is established or studied is
known as the depended variable
Intervening variable : there are a number of abstract
(invincible) variable working in educational experiment
which intervene the effect of experimental variables or
dependent variable eg: attitude, motivation, learning
process etc

20. Research Methods
• Tools, techniques or processes that are used
for conduction of research. Aims at finding
solutions to research problems.
Research Methodology
principles that guide our research• The
practices. Research methodology aims at the
employment of the correct procedures to find
out solutions.

21. • Educational Research
• Educational research refers to
Educationists , which follows by the
research conducted by
systematic plan.
Educational research is the scientific study of society. More
specifically, Educational research examines a society͛s
attitudes, assumptions, beliefs, trends, stratifications and
rules. Educational research determines the relationship
between one or more variables.
• Educational research methods can generally vary along a
quantitative/qualitative dimension. Quantitative designs
approach Educational phenomena through quantifiable
evidence, and often rely on statistical analysis of many cases
• Qualitative designs emphasize understanding of Educational
phenomena through direct observation, communication with
participants, or analysis of texts, and may stress contextual
and subjective accuracy over generality. Related to quality.

22. • Objectives of Educational Research
• Educational Research is a scientific approach of adding to the
knowledge about Education and Educational phenomena.
Knowledge to be meaningful should have a definite purpose and
direction. The growth of knowledge is closely linked to the methods
and approaches used in research investigation. Hence the
Educational research must be guided by certain laid down
objectives enumerated below:
• Development of Knowledge:
•
•
•
•
Scientific Study of Social Life:
Welfare of Humanity:
Classification of facts:
The ultimate objective of many research undertaking is to make it
possible, to modify the behavior of particular type of individuals
under the specified conditions. In Educational research we generally
study of the Educational phenomena, events and the factors that
govern and guide them.

23. • Hypothesis of the Study
• A hypothesis is a logical supposition, a reasonable
guess, an educated conjecture. It provides a
tentative explanation for a phenomenon under
investigation.͟ (Leedy and Ormrod, 2001).
• Hypotheses are testable explanations of a
problem, phenomenon, or observation.
• Both quantitative and qualitative research involve
formulating a hypothesis to address the research
problem.
• Hypotheses that suggest a causal relationship
involve at least one independent variable and at
least one dependent variable

24. • Type of Hypothesis
• Below are some of the important types of
hypothesis
• 1.
• 2.
• 3.
• 4.
• 5.
• 6.
• 7.
Simple Hypothesis
Complex Hypothesis
Empirical Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
Alternative Hypothesis
Logical Hypothesis
Statistical Hypothesis

25. Simple Hypothesis
• Simple hypothesis is that one in which there exists
relationship between two variables one is called independent
variable or cause and other is dependent variable or effect.
Complex Hypothesis
• Complex hypothesis is that one in which as relationship
among variables exists. In this type dependent as well as
independent variables are more than two.
Empirical Hypothesis
• Working hypothesis is that one which is applied to a field.
During the formulation it is an assumption only but when it is
put to a test become an empirical or working hypothesis.

26. Null Hypothesis
• Null hypothesis is contrary to the positive statement of a working
hypothesis. According to null hypothesis there is no relationship
between dependent and independent variable. It is denoted by
͚H0͟. When a null hypothesis is rejected it shows the difference is
existed between two variables
Alternative Hypothesis
• An alternative hypothesis is to assert that the two samples drawn
from population having the same mean. It is denote by ͞H1͟.
• It involves two types of error
• Type I error or Alpha error – when an alternative hypothesis H1
may accepted and H0 is rejected. It exhibit that the difference does
not exist due to chance error
• Type II error or Beta Error – when null hypothesis H0 is accepted
and alternative hypothesis H1 is rejected . It exhibit that the
difference is due to chance/sampling error

27. Logical Hypothesis
• It is that type in which hypothesis is verified
logically. J.S. Mill has given four area of these
hypothesis e.g. agreement, disagreement,
difference and residue.
Statistical Hypothesis
• A hypothesis which can be verified statistically
verifies it, it will be statistical hypothesis.
called statistical hypothesis. The statement
would be logical or illogical but if statistic

28. • Conceptual Framework
• Conceptual Framework is a written or visual presentation that
explains either graphically, or in narrative form, the main
things to be studied – the key factors, concepts or variables
and the presumed relationship among them.
• The conceptual framework identifies the research tools and
methods that may be used to carry out the research
effectively The main objective in forming a conceptual
framework is to help the researcher give direction to the
research..
• Theoretical Framework
• The theoretical framework enhances overall clarity of the
research. It also helps the researcher get through the research
faster as he has to look only for information within the
theoretical framework, and not follow up any other
information he finds on the topic. The objective of forming a
theoretical framework is to define a broad framework within

29. Steps of Research
• Formulation of Research Problem
• Literature Survey
• Developing Hypothesis
• Preparing Research Design
• Determining Sample Design
• Collection of Data
• Execution of Project
• Analysis of data
• Hypothesis Testing
• Generalization and Interpretation
• Preparation of Report

30. •Methods of Research
Experimental Method
• An experiment is a test, a procedure used to find out something not
presently known. Experiments are usually carried out in order to discover
the cause of a phenomenon. The experimental method is a matter of
logic, not of location. Even so, most experimentation takes place in special
laboratories, chiefly because the control of conditions commonly requires
special equipment that is best housed and used in one place.
Observational Method
• In the observation method, the investigator will collect data through
personal observations. In this method the investigator will observe the
behavior of the respondents in disguise. Continuous monitoring of stock
exchange index and share prices movements through newspaper and
magazines is an example of observational method which will help
investment companies and individuals effective management of portfolios.

31. Survey Method (Field Studies)
• Those problems which are difficult to study by direct observation may be studied
through the use of questionnaires or interviews. Surveys are usually appropriate in
case of social and behavioural sciences. Surveys are concerned with describing,
recording, analyzing and interpreting conditions that either exist or existed. The
researcher does not manipulate the variable or arrange for events to happen.
Thus, in surveys, variables that exist or have already occurred are selected and
observed. The survey method gathers data from a relatively large number of cases
at a particular time.
Case Studies
• The case study method involves careful and complete observation of a social unit a
person, a family, an institution, a cultural group or even the entire community. The
case study is essentially an intensive investigation of the particular unit under
consideration. The objective of the case study method is to locate the factors that
account for the behavior patterns of the given unit as an integrated totality.
Test Method
• This method is used to measure all kinds of abilities, interests, attitudes, and
accomplishments. Tests enable the psychologist to obtain large quantities of data
from people with minimum disturbance of their living routines and without
elaborate laboratory equipment. A test essentially presents a uniform situation to
a group of people who vary in aspects relevant to the situation (such as
intelligence, manual dexterity, anxiety, and perceptual skills).

32. References:
1. Research in education; John W Best , James V Kahn: Publisher PHI India.
2. Teaching aptitude published by upakar prakashan ,Agra
3. http://www.vkmaheshwari.com/WP/?p=2472
4. http://www.simplynotes.in/entrance-exams/important-dates/cbse-net-
aper-1/study-material-research-aptituderesearch-methodology-notes/