1. The document discusses research, defining it as a systematic, methodical process involving defining a problem, formulating hypotheses, collecting and evaluating data, testing hypotheses, and reaching conclusions. 2. It explains that research methodology is the process of systematically solving a research problem through defining steps and the logic behind them. 3. The key components of a research problem are identified as an individual or group with a difficulty or problem to solve, objectives to attain, and alternative means or courses of action to achieve the objectives.

1. 11
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Introduction to ResearchIntroduction to Research
andand
Research ProblemResearch Problem

2. 22
Research is the foundation of
knowledge for the sake of
knowledge

3. 33
RESEARCHRESEARCH
AcademicAcademic
Degrees/DiplomasDegrees/Diplomas
Problem SolvingProblem Solving
(operations)(operations)
New IdeasNew Ideas
(Discovery)(Discovery)
Planning &Planning &
Decision MakingDecision Making
Predicting FuturePredicting Future
(Prognosis)(Prognosis)
EvaluationEvaluation
IntellectualIntellectual
SatisfactionSatisfaction
PolicyPolicy
MeasuresMeasures
What to achieve?What to achieve?
ProblemProblem
areasareas

4. 44
Search for knowledge.
Systematic search for relevant information on
a topic.
Search again and again for new facts.
Systematized effort to gain new knowledge.
In the process of discovering facts, ideas…
Understanding Research ………….?Understanding Research ………….?

5. 55
What it is ???What it is ???
Systematic, Methodical
Defining Problem
Formulating Hypothesis
Collecting, organizing and evaluating data
Testing Hypothesis
Reaching Conclusions
Policy Implications

6. 66
Research means……….Research means……….
Search for knowledge through objective
and systematic method of finding
solution to a problem
An original contribution to the existing
body of knowledge.

7. 77
Purpose of ResearchPurpose of Research
ResearchResearch
Familiarity with aFamiliarity with a
phenomenonphenomenon
(Exploratory/Formulative)(Exploratory/Formulative)
Narrating characteristicsNarrating characteristics
of a situationof a situation
(Descriptive)(Descriptive)
Determining frequencies with whichDetermining frequencies with which
something occurssomething occurs
(Diagnostic)(Diagnostic)
Testing of hypothesisTesting of hypothesis
( Hypothesis testing)( Hypothesis testing)
Finding hidden truthFinding hidden truth
(Fact findings(Fact findings))

8. 88
What they are…….?What they are…….?
1.1. Research Techniques & Principles ?Research Techniques & Principles ?
2.2. Research Methods ?Research Methods ?
3.3. Research Methodology ?Research Methodology ?

9. 99
Research Techniques…….Research Techniques…….
Instruments used in performing
research operations
Making observations, Recording
data, Processing data………..

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Research Methods……….Research Methods……….
Methods used by the researchers forMethods used by the researchers for
conduction of research.conduction of research.
Instruments used in selecting andInstruments used in selecting and
constructing research techniques.constructing research techniques.
Methods generate techniquesMethods generate techniques

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Research Methodology……Research Methodology……
Way to systematically solve theWay to systematically solve the
research problem.research problem.
Steps adopted by the researcher inSteps adopted by the researcher in
studying the problem along with thestudying the problem along with the
logiclogic behind them.behind them.

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Data CollectionData Collection
Type of ResearchType of Research MethodsMethods TechniquesTechniques
Field Research Personal
Interview
Interviewer uses a detailed
schedule with open and
closed questions
Mass
Observation
Recording mass behaviors in
public places by observers
Group
Interview
Small groups of respondents are
interviewed simultaneously
Telephone
Survey
Collecting information and
also used as a follow up of
questionnaire

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Scope of Research Methodology is wider thanScope of Research Methodology is wider than
that of Research Methodsthat of Research Methods
Why a research study has been undertaken ?Why a research study has been undertaken ?
How the research problem has been defined?How the research problem has been defined?
What way the hypothesis has been formulated?What way the hypothesis has been formulated?
Why the hypothesis has been formulated?Why the hypothesis has been formulated?
What particular method has been adopted?What particular method has been adopted?
Why particular technique of analyzing data hasWhy particular technique of analyzing data has
been used, etc.?been used, etc.?
Methodology includes:

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Research ProblemResearch Problem
Research forms aResearch forms a cyclecycle, it starts with a, it starts with a
problemproblem and ends with aand ends with a solutionsolution to theto the
problem.problem.
A research problem is theA research problem is the demarcationdemarcation of aof a
problem area within a certain contextproblem area within a certain context
involving theinvolving the WHOWHO oror WHATWHAT, the, the WHEREWHERE,,
thethe WHENWHEN and theand the WHYWHY of the problemof the problem
situation.situation.
Problem Identification – SourcesProblem Identification – Sources
Own experienceOwn experience
Experience of othersExperience of others

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Inadequacies in scientific literature (whenInadequacies in scientific literature (when
certain field is not covered).certain field is not covered).
Shortcomings in theories.Shortcomings in theories.
Determining the Research ProblemDetermining the Research Problem
Task 1 : Clarify Management’sTask 1 : Clarify Management’s DecisionDecision
ProblemProblem
Task 2 : Determine theTask 2 : Determine the Research ProblemResearch Problem
Task 3 : Develop theTask 3 : Develop the Research DesignResearch Design

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Task 1:Task 1:
Components of a Decision:Components of a Decision:
The decision makerThe decision maker (D)(D) is operating in someis operating in some
environmentenvironment (E)(E) in which there is a problem.in which there is a problem.
There are at leastThere are at least two coursestwo courses of actionof action (A(A11,,
AA22, A, Ann)) that D can follow.that D can follow.
If D chooses to follow AIf D chooses to follow A11, there are at least, there are at least
two possibletwo possible outcomesoutcomes of that choiceof that choice (O(O11 andand
OO22)) and D prefers one of these outcomes toand D prefers one of these outcomes to
other.other.
There is a chance, but not an equal chance,There is a chance, but not an equal chance,
that each course of action will lead to thethat each course of action will lead to the
desired outcome.desired outcome.

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Decision MakerDecision Maker
The Researcher needs to know:The Researcher needs to know:
Decision maker’sDecision maker’s decision making styledecision making style andand
tolerance fortolerance for riskrisk taking.taking.
PoliticalPolitical circumstances decision maker iscircumstances decision maker is
operating under.operating under.
Decision maker’sDecision maker’s objectivesobjectives..
How the decision maker will use theHow the decision maker will use the
informationinformation??
EnvironmentEnvironment
Things the Researcher needs to know:Things the Researcher needs to know:

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Background of theBackground of the problemproblem – what factors– what factors
brought the problem?brought the problem?
What are theWhat are the symptomssymptoms and what are theand what are the
root causes?root causes?
What are theWhat are the constraintsconstraints, if any, exist – time,, if any, exist – time,
money, resources, etc.money, resources, etc.
AlternativesAlternatives
Things the Researcher needs to know:Things the Researcher needs to know:
What are theWhat are the statedstated alternatives?alternatives?
What are theWhat are the unstatedunstated alternatives?alternatives?
What are the otherWhat are the other possiblepossible alternatives?alternatives?

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Task 2 :Task 2 :
Determine the Research ProblemDetermine the Research Problem
Decision problem involvesDecision problem involves what needs to bewhat needs to be
donedone, whereas, the research problem states, whereas, the research problem states
whatwhat information needs to be gatheredinformation needs to be gathered toto
make an informed decision.make an informed decision.
DP: Develop package for a new product.DP: Develop package for a new product.
RP: Evaluate effectiveness of alternativeRP: Evaluate effectiveness of alternative
package designs.package designs.
DP: Introduce a new product.DP: Introduce a new product.
RP: Design a test market through which theRP: Design a test market through which the
likely acceptance of the new productlikely acceptance of the new product
can be assessed.can be assessed.

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DP: Allocate advertising budgetDP: Allocate advertising budget
geographically.geographically.
RP: Determine current level of marketRP: Determine current level of market
penetration in the respective areas.penetration in the respective areas.
DP: Increase market penetration through theDP: Increase market penetration through the
opening of new stores.opening of new stores.
RP: Evaluate prospective locations.RP: Evaluate prospective locations.
Task 3:Task 3:
Develop the research objectives & designDevelop the research objectives & design
Research objectives are statements of whatResearch objectives are statements of what
a research project willa research project will attempt to achieveattempt to achieve..

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Research Design is a blueprint whichResearch Design is a blueprint which
guides the process of research byguides the process of research by
specifying the information that needs to bespecifying the information that needs to be
gathered.gathered.
Components of a Research ProblemComponents of a Research Problem
There must be an individual or a groupThere must be an individual or a group
which has somewhich has some difficultydifficulty or theor the problemproblem..
There must be someThere must be some objective(s)objective(s) to beto be
attained at.attained at.
There must beThere must be alternative meansalternative means or theor the
courses of action for obtaining thecourses of action for obtaining the
objectives.objectives.

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Research must answer the questionResearch must answer the question
concerning theconcerning the relative efficiencyrelative efficiency of theof the
possible alternatives.possible alternatives.
There must beThere must be some environmentsome environment to whichto which
the difficulty pertains.the difficulty pertains.
Steps involved in defining a ProblemSteps involved in defining a Problem
Defining a problem involves the task ofDefining a problem involves the task of
laying downlaying down boundariesboundaries within which awithin which a
researcher shall study the problem with aresearcher shall study the problem with a
pre-determined objectivepre-determined objective in view.in view.

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Steps:Steps:
StatementStatement of theof the problemproblem in a general way.in a general way.
Understanding theUnderstanding the naturenature of theof the problemproblem..
SurveyingSurveying the availablethe available literatureliterature..
Developing the ideas throughDeveloping the ideas through discussionsdiscussions..
Rephrasing the research problem into aRephrasing the research problem into a
working propositionworking proposition..
Statement of the problem in a general wayStatement of the problem in a general way
Problem should be stated in a broadProblem should be stated in a broad
general way.general way.
Undertake some sort ofUndertake some sort of preliminary surveypreliminary survey
(pilot survey).(pilot survey).

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Narrow the problem toNarrow the problem to specific issuespecific issue andand
phrase the problem inphrase the problem in operational termsoperational terms..
Thinking and rethinking over the problem willThinking and rethinking over the problem will
clear several ambiguities.clear several ambiguities.
Understanding the nature of the ProblemUnderstanding the nature of the Problem
Understand theUnderstand the originorigin of the problem.of the problem.
DiscussDiscuss the problem with others having athe problem with others having a
good knowledge of the problem concerned.good knowledge of the problem concerned.
Surveying the available literatureSurveying the available literature
Must be well-conversant with relevantMust be well-conversant with relevant
theoriestheories in the field.in the field.

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ReportsReports andand recordsrecords be surveyed.be surveyed.
ReviewReview researchresearch already undertaken onalready undertaken on
related problems.related problems.
Find out theFind out the datadata andand materialsmaterials available foravailable for
operational purposes.operational purposes.
AssessAssess gapsgaps in theories and how far thein theories and how far the
existing theoriesexisting theories applicableapplicable to the problem.to the problem.
Developing ideas through DiscussionsDeveloping ideas through Discussions
Discuss about theDiscuss about the problem with othersproblem with others
having enough experience in the same area.having enough experience in the same area.
Focus attentionFocus attention on specific aspects.on specific aspects.

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Discussions should also be on theDiscussions should also be on the
techniquestechniques andand possible solutionspossible solutions, etc., etc.
Rephrasing the Research ProblemRephrasing the Research Problem
Rephrase the research problem intoRephrase the research problem into workingworking
proposition.proposition.
Develop the problem in as specific terms asDevelop the problem in as specific terms as
possible for developingpossible for developing working hypothesesworking hypotheses..
Additional Points for defining a problemAdditional Points for defining a problem
Technical termsTechnical terms andand wordswords used in theused in the
statement of the problem should be clearlystatement of the problem should be clearly
defined.defined.

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BasicBasic assumptionsassumptions relating to the problemrelating to the problem
should be clearly stated.should be clearly stated.
CriteriaCriteria for the selection of the problemfor the selection of the problem
should be provided.should be provided.
Suitability of theSuitability of the time-periodtime-period andand sourcessources ofof
datadata must be considered.must be considered.
ScopeScope of the investigation must beof the investigation must be
mentioned.mentioned.
LimitationsLimitations within which the problem is to bewithin which the problem is to be
studied must be stated in defining researchstudied must be stated in defining research
problem.problem.