Research_Methodology.pdf

124 Research Methodology in Commerce (M.Com.) (Sem.–II)
APPENDIX – A
Academic Tools to Write Research Proposal
for M.Phil. /Ph.D. / UG & PG Project
By Dr. Arvind S. Luhar
Research is a novel input to the existing store of understanding for making its
advancement. It is a hunt for truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and
experiment. It is a peregrination from an abstract to concrete. Research Methodology is a way
to solve a research problem systematically. It may be understood as a science of studying how
research is done scientifically. In it we study the incessant steps that are generally adopted by a
research scholar in studying his research problems along with the logic behind them. The recent
change inducted by University Grants Commission in qualification prescribed for appointment
of a lecturer in the university system has opened a new horizon for research degrees in India. In
this environ, the present tailor-made article assumes a great value to the M.Phil. / Ph.D.
research aspirants, as it talks about all the necessary information and tools required to carryout
the research work.
Following is the exclusive list of problems which often faced by the researcher right from
choosing the topic to present at viva and their appropriate rejoin.
Research Topic
Choosing research topic is probably the most important single decision one has to make in
doing research. Perhaps the most obvious things one has to do in thinking of a research topic
is :
a) to look at the previous work in the thesis department of the University.
b) to think of a title with respect to current news in the seminars, paper presentation and
conferences, news papers, TV channels.
c) to ask your guide/s, colleague/s and friends.
d) to just start anywhere but be prepared to change.
Types of research study
Following are the information at glance about various research methods :
a) Descriptive Study : Used where study includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries;
b) Analytical Study : Includes critical evaluation of already available facts,
c) Applied Study : Aims at finding of solution for an immediate problem facing by
society or an industry;
d) Fundamental / Basic / Pure Study : Deals with formulation of theory or gathering
knowledge;
e) Qualitative / Motivation Study : Used especially in the behavioral sciences where
the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior;
f) Conceptual Study : Generally used by philosopher and great thinkers to develop
new concepts to reinterpret existing knowledge;
g) Empirical Study : A data based research relies on observation and coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being verified by an experiment;
h) Case Study / Exploratory / Clinical / Diagnostic Study : Such study goes deep
into the causes of things or events that interest us by using very small samples;
i) Historical Study : Based on historical sources like documents to study events or
ideas of the past. It is generally a conclusion/decision oriented research.

Academic Tools to Write Res. Pro. for M.Phil. /Ph.D. / UG & PG Pro. 125
Research Guide
It goes without say that one can not get through research work without having a good
guide and a wonderful supervisory relationship. In order to have research guide :
a) one can get the list of research guide from P.G. Department of the concerned
University, and accordingly list out the names of various guides as per their expertise
and your interest;
b) one should never approach guide in hurry, because first impression is the last
impression.
Therefore, before you approach guide you should be clear about the concepts of research
methodology and at least you should have gone through the concerned literature of the
research problems. A research guide usually expects from their researcher/s :
a) to be independent;
b) able to produce a written work that is not just a first draft;
c) to have regular meetings;
d) to be honest when reporting upon their progress.
Tools Required for Preparing Proposal / Synopsis / Thesis
One has to identify a wide variety of potential sources of information depending on their
experience of using libraries. Following is the exclusive list of various tools :
a) Books, Thesaurus, Activator, Dictionary;
b) Research Journals/Periodicals;
c) Annual Report;
d) Popular Media;
e) Internet;
f) Memos, Minutes and Internal Reports;
g) Letters and Diaries;
h) Published and Unpublished Papers;
i) Primary Sources and Secondary Sources;
j) Doctoral Thesis and old Synopsis in the same field.
Originality in Research
The element of originality in ones research is, realistically, likely to very small (in terms of
topic, approach or presentation). A highly original research is very unusual, and one is setting
goal far off. Following is the acid test of originality, where one :
a) sets down a major piece of new information in writing for the first time;
b) shows originality in testing somebody else’s idea;
c) carries out an empirical work that has not been done before;
d) uses existing material but with a new interpretation;
e) trying out something in his own country that has previously done in other countries
only;
f) brings new evidence to bear on an old issue;
g) adding to knowledge in a way that hasn’t previously been done before.
Contents of Pre-Synopsis / Proposal of Ph.D. / M.Phil
At the time of registration for research degree, submit a research proposal consisting of
fifteen to twenty pages, written in future tense to the University department duly signed by his /
her guide with prescribed fees and format. The preparation of proposal generally takes three to
four months; it should be started only after getting consent from the research guide. Generally it
contains:

1. Introduction
It sets the scene. Start with general and progress to specific. Start strong. First paragraph
and first sentence should be clear, exciting, thought provoking and compelling. Give some
background to your research topic and argument with the most relevant work that has been
done in the recent past. Explain what it is that others haven’t done and what you plan to do,
summarize in strong sentences. Avoid excessive use of the future tense in describing your work.
State the problem you are solving and how your work differs from previous work. Point out the
gaps in the knowledge. Write introduction as a third person and place yourself in the
background. You must organize your ideas in such a way that they are conveyed logically.
2. Approach to the Problems/ Statement of Problems
A problem in general refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the
context of either theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same.
To define a problem correctly, a researcher must know: what are the current failures in the area
of research selected by him and what a problem is? A research problem cannot be borrowed.
Every research scholar arrives at well defined problem through review of literature. A well
defined problem is half-solved. Therefore formulation of problem is often more essential than
its solution. Some of the important sources from where one can locate the problem/s are as
follows :
a) intuition,
b) brain storming sessions,
c) inviting suggestions,
d) consultations,
e) daily experiences,
f) field survey,
g) academic discussions,
h) and voracious reading.
3. Review of the Literature (ROL)
It’s an account of what has been published on a topic, conflicts in theory, methodology
used, evidence and conclusions available, gaps in literature and immediate interest in the field.
The ROL should be with respect to research objectives, problems, hypothesis, and identify
what not known to others. It also suggests what knowledge is already established on a topic and
what its weakness are. The biggest advantage of ROL is that it avoids reinventing the wheel of
research work. It builds platform for existing knowledge and ideas, and one learn about the
other experts working in the same field and their opposing views.
4. Objectives of the Study
It should be closely related to the statement of problems. It suggests primary purpose of
research and sets scope for what will/will not be addressed. Generally, it starts with active verb
like-describe, determine, find out, identify. It focuses what you will do in your study, where and
for what purpose.
5. Hypothesis of the Study
All research starts either with hypothesis or ends with hypothesis. Hypotheses are the
assumptions to be proved or disproved and capable of being tested by scientific methods. It
should be clear, precise and should be well consistent with available techniques. It gives
direction to the study. Rejection of synopsis/thesis is based on quality of hypothesis formed. A
well defined hypothesis means well defined parameters. Sources of hypothesis are: intuition,
research studies, consultations, theory, observation, analogies, culture, and continuity of
research. Following are the types of hypothesis :
a) Null Hypothesis : It is in terms of statistical analysis and is more exact, free from any
ambiguity and vagueness. It is symbolized as H0. For e.g. students who receive

counseling will show a greater increase in creativity than students not receiving
counseling.
b) Experimental Hypothesis : It is broad and vague. For e.g. boys are taller than girls.
If a single girl is taller than or the same height as of boy could nullify the hypothesis.
c) Common Sense Hypothesis : For e.g. well paid employees are motivated than less
paid employees.
d) Some other types of hypothesis are : complex hypothesis, analytical hypothesis,
descriptive hypothesis, relational hypothesis, causal hypothesis, and working
hypothesis.
6. Research Methodology
It is a way to systematically solve the research problem. In it we study the various steps
that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic
behind them. Normally a research design includes questions : what is the study about, why is
the study being made, where will the study be carried out, what type of data is required, where
can the data be availed, what period of time will the study include, what will be the sample
design, what techniques of data collection will be used, how will the data be analyzed, and
what will be the style of research report. Suppose, one wants to study the problems faced by
the colleges affiliated to Mumbai University, the arrangement of methodology will be as
follows :
a) The Universe i.e. Population : There are approximately total seven hundred
colleges attached to the university which are situated at Mumbai, Thane, Ratnagiri etc.
b) Selection of Samples : Purposively twenty colleges are selected from Mumbai.
c) Reference Period : 1995-96 to 2005-06.
d) Techniques of Analysis (Statistical Tools) : Mean, median, mode, standard
deviation, correlation, probability, chi-square (x square), t-test etc. Selection of
appropriate statistical tool/s is solely depends on type and nature of parameters (sub-
parts of hypothesis).
7. Tools to be Used for Collection of Data
The task of data collection begins after a research problem has been defined and research
design chalked out. The researcher would have to decide which sort of data he would be using
for his study and accordingly he will have to select one or the other method of data collection.
For Primary data, one has to take help of :
a) Questionnaire
b) Interviews and discussions observation.
For Secondary data one has to take help of :
a) Published Sources
b) Web Sources
c) Annual Reports etc.
8. Significance of the Study
It should include :
a) what will you be going to add to the current literature?
b) how will your proposed research facilitate the decisions of the policy maker?
c) is your research work likely to create new direction to the present stock of research?
d) will your work solve a long standing problem that people want to know how to solve?
9. Scope and Limitations of the Study
No research is free from limitations and weakness. These arise from methodological
weakness, sampling imperfections, non-responses, data inadequacies, measurement
deficiencies and the like. Such limitations may vitiate the conclusions. Therefore a careful

statement of the limitations and weakness of the study should be made in order to enable the
reader to judge the validity of the conclusions and the general worth of the study. In the above
case out of four hundred colleges only twenty samples are selected for the study. Practically it is
not possible for the single researcher to reach at every college and collect the data; it is a
functional limitation of the study. Where as twenty selected sample colleges are exclusively
from Mumbai region, it is a geographical limitation of the study.
10. Chapter Scheme of Thesis / Dissertation
Generally researcher should mention tentative chapter planning of the thesis, which at
least include :
a) Introduction,
b) Review of the literature,
c) Last topic : Conclusions and Suggestions. It should be noted that chapter planning is
totally based on number of hypothesis, problems and objectives created in the
methodology. Researcher must mention in the last paragraph of every introduction of
each chapter about the hypothesis, problems and objectives it deals with.
Problems
A researcher may come across with the following setbacks during his research :
a) nothing has been written on my research topic,
b) there is too much literature in this field,
c) it’s all been done,
d) how to select volume and variety of literature,
e) conflicting arguments,
f) solution for above problems follow hypothesis of your study,
g) you may run out of time, access is refused by a key institution, a key contact in sample
organization leaves, you discover that someone has already done your research, you
may lose your job, your response rate may be very low, you may fall ill, you find that
you have too much /too little data to analyze, you may run out of money, your
computer crashes or data lost, the rat eats your drafts, the margins on your text are not
the right size for binding.
References
Any idea, conclusion, information or data specifically derived from the work of someone
else must be acknowledged and this process is known as documentation. There are two
methods of giving references which are author–date system and author-number system. You
should give reference to :
a) justify and support your arguments,
b) allow you to make comparisons with other research,
c) express matters better than you could have done,
d) to lend authority to your writing,
e) to explain complex material.
You should not use references to :
a) impress readers with the scope of your reading,
b) replace the need for you to express your own thoughts,
c) Misrepresent other authors.
Cost
Cost is an important part of the research routine; one can not over look this part before
starting research. Researcher has to plan and generate the fund to finance the following cost :
Fees, travel cost, cost of consumables such as paper etc. Charges to access certain websites or

institutions, equipment, purchase/hire, books, reports, journals, photocopy, printing and
publication, postage, telephone, library fines, and others.
Grammar
Many researchers, even experienced ones, have problems with grammar, punctuation and
spelling when they write up. Errors will detract from your ability to get your ideas across.
Following is the list of some do and don’ts of English writing :
a) try to avoid long sentences if you don’t want to loose the sense of what you are saying
get lost,
b) understand and make proper use of the full range of standard punctuation forms
including - colon (:), semicolon (;), comma (,), full stop (.), question mark (?),
exclamation mark (!), dash (--), slash ( /), hyphen (-), quotation mark (“ “), apostrophe
(‘),underline and italics, capitalization and abbreviation,
c) avoid sentences beginning with joining words such as ‘but’ ‘and’ ‘because’ these
should normally be used to link clause within sentences,
d) a verb has to agree with their subjects,
e) never end sentences with prepositions (about, above, across, before, without etc.),
f) passive voice should be avoided,
g) passive to active voice is the quickest route to improvement,
h) use prepositional phrases for better impact (according to, in place of, in spite of, etc.).
Editing
First spell check and then proof reading and then proof-read again. Check for grammatical
errors or basic style. Then proof reading again. After everything else have a friend proof-read
for you. Following are the fastest way of editing :
a) replace lengthy descriptions by tables or charts,
b) respond to the suggestions made by guide,
c) bring in new ideas- reduce the length of what you have written after removing whole
sections, or perhaps even chapters, where these are not central and relevant to your
arguments/hypothesis,
d) use double space in text writing,
e) use Times New Roman with 13 Font Size or as directed by your guide,
f) leave 2 spaces after period,
g) use 1 inch margin for top, bottom and right side of paper and 2 inches for left side
margin,
h) leave one space after commas and other marks of punctuation,
i) use white paper of the size 8 ½ x 11 inches and only one side of paper should be used
for print / type,
j) in case of title / topic, only first letter of each word is capitalized and others appear in
lower case / as suggested by your guide / check from the University guidelines,
k) a title is never underlined and nor put in quotation marks.
Viva
Following are some useful tips about what one should do before presenting his research
work :
a) find out who is going to be there as an expert, what are their interests and background,
b) information wise keep up to date, what has changed between the submission of your
thesis and viva,
c) you should be able to find out instantly anything you need to refer and respond from
your thesis,

d) practice with a friend or colleague responding to questions of a friendly or hostile
nature,
e) you know more about your particular piece of research than anyone else,
f) be prepared to defend and promote your work, while recognizing its limitations and
deficiencies,
g) initially welcome and accept the criticism,
h) if possible practice presenting the results by using audio-visual aids.
Useful Tips
Following are some useful tips which will benefit the researcher during the research in
decision making :
a) be prepared to research, you will often spend more time researching than writing,
b) have a friendly critique for you,
c) don’t take rejection personally,
d) act confident, act professional it will show in your writing,
e) keep journal for brain storming and pick up a simple topic every day and think-up
different articles you could write on that topic,
f) Number of pages in – Thesis : roughly 300 and above, Dissertation : roughly
200 and above,
g) maintain one research diary and record : observational notes, methodological
notes, theoretical notes and analytical memos.
h) always keep in mind that research is : expensive, time consuming, scientific,
often boring, can also be fun!, you can research anything, research can turn theory
into action.
i) methods of research : if you like talking to people – you might be well advised to
make use of interview method of data collection, if you don’t like talking to people –
you might think about undertaking library or archive based research.
j) Good Interview : be modest in your request – don’t start by asking for anything, use
your existing contacts effectively, be as clear as possible about what you are asking for
– which document and people and how long it will take, explain the reasons for doing
your research, why it will be of value, and what the outcomes might be,
k) Research Funding : research scholar may seek the funding from agencies like UGC
(passed NET with JRF), ICSSR etc. there are various schemes for the in-service
teachers especially one who is working in the 2F and 12B recognized degree colleges.
l) Useful electronic tools : Corel Draw (Drawing Package), GRASS (Geographic-
info. System), MINITAB (Statistical Package), NUDIST (Text Analysis), SAS (Data
Analysis & Graphics.
m) Support : who will ask you how is it going on, who will make cup of tea for you, who
will give you permission for do and don’t, if you don’t have people to fill the kind of
support roles, you may need to find them or develop them unless you are an
unusually confident, organized and self aware person.
n) Useful websites :
i) http://www.vidyanidhi.org.in (for duplication check),
ii) http://www.isidev.nic.in (to check articles appeared in around 125 Indian
journals & newspapers),
iii) http://www.igidr.ac.in (for e-journals and books in economics, banking and
finance),
iv) http://www.britishcouncil.org.in (books, e-journals of UK-paid service),

v) http://www.tiss.edu (research projects, research report, & research abstracts in
social science literature),
vi) www.icssr.org (for fellowships, awards, sources, surveys in SS),
vii) http://www.intute.ac.uk/socialsciences/lost.html (a web portal on social science
literature),
viii) http://www.infolibrarian.com/ejls.htm (for free e-journals).
vix) sodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/(for full text Ph.D. thesis of Indian Universities)
xv) sodhgangotri.inflibnet.ac.in/(for Ph.D. Research Synopsis / Proposals of Indian
Scholars from different Universities)
o) Impact factor : It is calculated annually based on the number of times articles /
papers published are cited in two or more of the preceding years. Impact factor (IF) is
a measure of its quality or prestige. Some of the reputed impact factor sources are :
i) thomsonretuters.com/en/products…/journal–citations–reports.html
ii) http://journal finder.elsevier.com/
iii) http://www.cabells.com/
iv) http://www.mla.org/
Above sources provides information on scope of the journal, details of the editors,
submission guidelines and whether a journal is peer–reviewed or not. The following
points are to be considered before publishing an article in a journal; scope of the
journal, types of articles published, evidence of the journal and time taken to publish.
Whereas fake impact factor journal generally do not fall in above merits, they charge
heavy money; fake editorial boards, using fake impressive words like : global,
international, advanced. And they welcome arts, science, commerce, law, education
etc. articles in one journal.
Note : This article is reproduced from Research Methodology in Commerce
ISBN….978–93–5149–165–1.

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