This document provides an introduction to research and outlines the key components of the research process. It defines research as a systematic effort to gain new knowledge and discusses the objectives of research such as exploration, detailed study, and testing relationships. The document then covers how to conceptualize research through reviewing literature and formulating a research problem. It also explains how to generate research questions and hypotheses and introduces different research designs such as quantitative, qualitative, experimental, and case studies. Finally, it outlines the seven stages of the research process from asking a question to reporting results.

1. RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL
COMMUNICATION :
Introduction to Research
Communication
Unit 1

2. WHAT IS RESEARCH ?
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A mean to search or quest for knowledge.
It is a scientific and systematic information on specific topic.
Systematized effort to gain knowledge.
It is more of careful investigation or inquiry for new facts in any branch of
knowledge.
Research need to have a structured way of going about performing over
routine.
Purpose of research is to answer the questions asked by the researcher itself
and acquire new knowledge.
(RE + SEARCH) Search again
Activity engaged in intellectual pursuits of discovering something new and
meaningful.

3. OBJECTIVE TO DO RESEARCH
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To gain familiarity with phenomenon or to achieve new insights. (New
Knowledge Creation / Exploration)
For in-depth / detailed study about a particular individual, situation or a group.
To determine the frequency or accuracy, effectiveness / efficiency with which
something occurs.
To test the relationship (causal / association / correlation) between variables.

4. CONCEPTUALISATION RESEARCH
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Conceptualisation process is not just a process of not
only selecting topic, but able to formulate a defensible
and researchable problem.
It is more than just generating a list of the interesting
topic.
Moving from the general topic to a clear problem .

5. HOW TO USE LITERATURE TO
CONCEPTUALIZE RESEARCH
PROBLEM
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Identify key : theories, terminologies, concepts, method data and
interpretations presented in the literature.
Identify, what is not known, missing or problematic in the literature.
Unless you are already very well versed in the literature, your initial review will
require a lot of time.
Literature is seen as the powerful conceptualisation tool and can help you
identify theories and terminologies or concepts, method or data.
It demonstrate, how study addresses an unanswered problem in the literature.

6. GENERATING RESEARCH QUESTION
AND HYPOTHESIS
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The first : choosing a topic
Engage with the current or the past research.
Let your interest guide you – so you ca be committed for longer period.
Think of this as a chance to do something totally new.
Turning A Topic Into A Research Question.
Brainstorm several narrower “slices” of your topic.
During the brainstorming process, talk with your adviser, faculty
members, graduate students, classmates, and friends.
During this time, you should also start to read broadly on your topic.
After brainstorming several narrower topics, start developing questions.

7. WHAT IS A RESEARCH QUESTION?
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A research question guides and centers your research.
It should be clear and focused, as well as synthesize multiple sources to
present your unique argument.
Clear: provides enough specifics
Focused: it is narrow enough.
Concise: it is expressed in the fewest possible words.
Complex: requires synthesis and analysis of ideas and sources.
Arguable: are open to debate rather than accepted facts.

8. STEPS TO DEVELOPING A RESEARCH
QUESTION:
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Choose an interesting general topic.
Do some preliminary research on your general topic.
Consider your audience.
Start asking questions.
Evaluate your question.

9. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
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Research hypothesis : It is nothing but a specific version of the
research question that are summarizes the main elements of the
study that establishes the basis for statistical test significance.
Two types of research question need to used for constructing a
hypothesis of research.
Descriptive question
Analytical question

10. CHARACTERISTIC OF HYPOTHESIS
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Research hypothesis are defined as the formal statement of the tentative or
expected prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more
variables in a specified population. (For example ; cause and effects )
A hypothesis helps to translates the research problem and objectives into a
clear explanation or prediction of the expected result or outcome of the study.
It can indicate the types of research design.
It directs the research study process.

11. CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD
HYPOTHESIS
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Simple : One exposure and one outcome
Specific : No ambiguity
Stated in advance : need to be discovered at a later part
of the study and hypothesis need to be focused around
primary objectives.

12. PLANNING AND RESEARCH DESIGN
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Blue print or the conceptual structure within which research could be
conducted.
Facilitates research to be more efficient as possible, so the
maximum information can be yield.
Collection of relevant evidence with minimal expenditure of effort,
time and money.
Researcher adopts three basic research design
Exploratory design
Descriptive design
Causal design

13. TWO TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN
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Quantitative or fixed design
Experimental
Non experimental
Qualitative or flexible design
Case study
Ethnographic study

14. SEVEN STAGES IN RESEARCH
PROCESS
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Ask a question – research problem
Research existing sources – review of literature
Formulate a hypothesis - research questions
Design and conduct a study – data collection
Analysis of data – qualitative and quantitative
Draw conclusion
Report result

15. Thank you