This document provides an overview of research planning and report writing, specifically focusing on research methodology. It defines key terms like research and describes the various types of research such as pure research, applied research, descriptive research, and correlative research. It also outlines important steps in the research process like defining the problem, formulating hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and reaching conclusions. Additionally, it discusses different research methods like library research, field research, and laboratory research. Finally, it covers important topics like the characteristics of good research, methods of data collection, and the qualities of an effective researcher.

1. Course Title: Research Planning and Report writing: Research Methodology
The study of conducting research is Research Methodology.
Research: The word research is composed of two syllables “Re” and “Search”.
“Re” is the prefix meaning ‘Again or over again or a new’
“Search” is the latter meaning ‘to examine closely and carefully’ or ‘to test and try’.
Together they form, a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge
undertaken to establish principles / policies.
Research can also be defined as:
1. Search for knowledge
2. Systematic and scientific search for getting relevant answers on any taken up specific topic.
3. Scientific enquiry into a subject.
4. Research is a movement from the unknown to the known.
5. It is the voyage of discovery
According to Bulmer: Research is primarily committed to establishing systematic, reliable and valid
knowledge about the social world.
According To Clifford Woody:
Research comprises of
1) Defining and redefining problems 2) Formulating hypothesis (basic idea) 3) Collecting 4) Organizing
5) Evaluating data’s 6) Making decisions 7) Suggesting solutions 7) Reaching conclusions 8)
Finally, carefully testing the conclusions (To determine whether they fit the formulated Hypothesis.
Research Methods:
May be understood as all those methods or techniques that are used by a researcher for conducting a
Research depending upon the methods.
(1) Library Research:
Analysis of historical records and documents. - Statistical compilation, references, abstracts, guides
manipulation (handle with skill).
(2) Field Research:
Observation, questionnaires, personal, Group or telephonic interviews, case study. Group (team) study,
use of audio visual tools.

2. (3) Laboratory Research:
In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research
problem logically.
When we talk of Research Methodology, we not only talk of research methods but also consider the
logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research study and explain why we are using a
particular method or we are not using a particular method or technique so that research results are
capable of being evaluated either by the researcher or others.
Steps:
1) Why a particular research study has been undertaken?
2) How the Research problem has been defined?
3) What way and why the hypothesis (basic idea) has been formulated?
4) Why a particular technique of analyzing data is used? (Or) How the data were collected?
5) How the collected data were interpreted?
6) What deletion was made?
7) What was the conclusion?
Finally what was the solution for the Research problem?
Importance of knowing the subject – research Methodology:
A student preparing himself for a career of carrying out research as his profession:
Will be trained better to do research,
Will help him develop disciplined thinking,
Will help him observe the field objectively,
Will enable thoroughly to understand the logic behind the research problem,
Will increase the ability to evaluate the results,
Face the evaluated results with confidence,
Useful in various fields such as Govt. Business, administration, community development & social work.

3. The Research adapted should process certain characteristics,
It must as far as possible be 1) Controlled 2) Rigorous 3) Systematic 4) Valid and
Verifiable 5) Empirical 6) Critical
1. Controlled: The research problem should not be affected or influencedby external factors (i.e. variables
other than the participating facts).
2. Rigorous: The procedures followed to find answers to questions should be relevant, appropriate &
justified. But the degree of rigour may vary from one problem to another problem.
3. Systematic: The investigation should follow a certain logical sequence (Not in a haphazard manner)
4. Valid & Verifiable: The findings should be valid & can be verified by you or others at any time.
5. Empirical: The conclusions drawn should be based on hard evidence, gathered from real life experiences or observations.
6. Critical: The process of investigation must be foolproof and free from drawbacks. The process adapted
and the procedures used must be able to withstand any critical scrutiny.
Types of Research
Research can be classified from the view point or perspectives as,
Application view point: (1) Pure Research (2) Applied Research
Objective view point: (1) Descriptive (2) Correlative
Inquiry Mode: (1) Quantitative Research (2) Qualitative Research
These types of research add knowledge to the already existing organized body.
Applied Research: To find an immediate solution for a pressing practical problem. Example: Social,
economical and political trends prevailing in a country.
Descriptive Research: Survey or fact finding enquires of different kinds. It describes the actual prevailing
state of affairs, existing at present. Example: Frequency of shopping, customer preference etc.
Correlative Research: Goes on to discover the existing relationship or interdependence between two or
more aspects / variables.
Example: Investigates association between variables.
Analytical Research: The researcher has to use facts / information already existing and analyze these
data to make a critical evaluation.
Example: document study / historical evidence.
Explanatory Research: Attempts to clarify or explain why and how, any particular research problem
arises and can be solved. This study undertakes to explore a new area or an unknown destination.

4. Other types of Research are
Conceptual Research: Research related to some abstract idea or theory • Used by philosophers or
thinkers for developing new concepts.
Empirical research (based on experiments or experience) • Otherwise known as experimental type of
Research. • The result obtained by adapting Empirical Research is considered to be most powerful
(evidence enclosed) Based on the time consumed to complete a particular research, a) one time Research:
restricted to a single time period. b) Longitudinal Research: Conducted over several time period.
Qualities of a Researcher
Top 10 qualities of a Researcher
1) Analytical mind: Constant analysis on a variety of factors.
2) A people person: For respondents to get the best out of interviews / focus groups.
3) The ability to stay calm: especially when you have pressing deadlines. Keep well focused and think
logically there will always be an end point.
4) Intelligence: Researcher requires critical analysis, but most of all common sense.
5) Curiosity: Have curiosity and be passionate about developing deeper to unearth more insight.
6) Quick thinker: Things don’t always go as you plan, so you need to be able to think fast.
7) Commitment: Research is a tough job, the hours may be long, the deadlines short.
8) Excellent written and verbal communication skills: So that different audience can clearly understand the findings.
9) Sympathetic: Having a sympathetic ear when listening to some respondents (cry etc) is a good skill, to have.
10) Systematic: Check, check and check again. Spending a proper amount of time for checking always pays.
METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
INTRODUCTION:
Various methods of collecting data are employed by social scientists. Here we will discuss the varied
dimensions relevant to: data generation and attempt to arrive at an abstract typology involving stimuli,
responses and setting for data collection. The task of data collection begins after a research pr oblem has
been defined and research design /plan chalked out.
TYPES OF DATA:
1) PRIMARY DATA: Are those which are collected afresh and for the first time and thus happen to be
original in character and known as Primary data.

5. 2) SECONDARY DATA: Are those which have been collected by someone else and which have already
been passed through the statistical process are known as Secondary data.
COLLECTION OF PRIMARY DATA:
There are several methods of collecting primary data, particularly in surveys and descriptive researches. In
descriptive research, we obtain primary data either through observation or through direct communication
with respondents in one form or another or through personal interviews.
COLLECTION OF SECONDARY DATA:
These are already available i.e. they refer to the data which have already been collected and analyzed by
someone else. Secondary data may either be published or unpublished data. Researcher must be very
careful in using secondary data, because the data available may be som etimes unsuitable.
1) OBSERVATION METHOD: Observation method is a method under which data from the field is collected
with the help of observation by the observer or by personally going to the field. In the words of P.V. Young,
“Observation may be defined as systematic viewing, coupled with consi deration of seen phenomenon.”
2) INTERVIEW METHOD:
This method of collecting data involves presentation or oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral-verbal
responses. There are different types of interviews as follows:
A) Personal interviews: the interviewer asks questions generally in a face to face contact to the other
person or persons.
B) Telephonic interviews: When it is not possible to contact the respondent directly, then interview is
conducted through –Telephone.
C) Structured interviews: In this case, a set of pre-decided questions are there.
D) Unstructured interviews: In this case, we don’t follow a system of pre-determined questions.
E) Focused interviews: Attention is focused on the given experience of the respondent and its possible effects.
F) Clinical interviews: Concerned with broad underlying feelings or motivations or with the course of individual’s
life experience, rather than with the effects of the specific experience, as in the case of focused interview.
G) Group interviews: A group of 6 to 8 individuals is interviewed.
H) Qualitative and Quantitative interviews: Divided on the basis of subject matter i.e. whether qualitative or quantitative.
I) Individual interviews: interviewer meets a single person and interviews him.
J) Selection interviews: done for the selection of people for certain jobs.

6. K) Depth interviews: it deliberately aims to elicit unconscious as well as other types of material relating
especially to personality dynamics and motivations.
3) QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD:
This method of data collection is quite popular, particularly in case of big enquiries. Th e questionnaire is
mailed to respondents who are expected to read and understand the questions and write down the reply in
the space meant for the purpose in the questionnaire itself. The respondents have to answer the questions
on their own.
HOW TO CONSTRUCT A QUESTIONNAIRE:
Researcher should note the following with regard to these three main aspects of a questionnaire: General
form Question Sequence Determine the type the Questions:
A) Direct Question
B) Indirect Question
C) Open Form Questionnaire
D) Closed Form Questionnaire
E) Dichotomous Questions
F) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
4) SCHEDULE METHOD: It is one of the important methods for the study of social problems. In the words
of Thomas Carson Macormic: “The schedule is nothing more than a list of questions which it seems
necessary to test the hypothesis.”
5) CASE STUDY METHOD:
It is essentially an intensive investigation of the particular unit under consideration. Its important
characteristics are as follows: a) The researcher can take one single social unit or more of such units for
his study purpose. b) The selected unit is studied intensively i.e. it is studied in minute details.
6) SURVEY METHOD:
One of the common methods of diagnosing and solving of social problems is that of undertaking surveys.
Festinger and Kat of the opinion that, “Many research problems require systematic collection of data from
population through the use of personal interviews or other data gathering devices.”
7) PANEL METHOD:
In this method, data is collected from the same sample respondents at the some interval either by mail or
by personal interview. This is used for studies on: 1) Expenditure Pattern 2) Consumer Behaviour 3)
Effectiveness of Advertising 4) Voting Behaviour and so on