Research Methodology - introduction

Research Methodology Chapter1
Introduction
1
Jakiun J. Mustafa
Introduction:
Research is an essential and powerful tool in leading man towards progress. Without systematic research
there would have been very little progress.
John W. Best has rightly said, “The secret of our cultural development has been research,pushing back
the areas of ignorance by discovering new truths, which, in turn, lead to better ways of doing things and
better products.”
Scientific research leads to progress in some field of life. New products, new facts,new concepts and new
ways of doing things are being found due to ever-increasing significant research in the physical, the
biological, the social and the psychological fields. Research today is no longer confined to the science
laboratory.
Meaning ofResearch:
Word ‘Research’ is comprises of two words = Re+Search. It means to search again. So research means a
systematic investigation or activity to gain new knowledge of the already existing facts.
Research is an intellectual activity. It is responsible for bringing to light new knowledge. It is also
responsible for correcting the present mistakes, removing existing misconceptions and adding new
learning to the existing fund of knowledge. Researches are considered as a combination of those activities
which are removed from day to day life and are pursued by those persons who are gifted in intellect and
sincere in pursuit of knowledge. But it is not correct to say that the research is restricted to such type of
persons, however, it is correct to say that major contribution of research comes from highly gifted and
committed workers. Thus the research is not at all mysterious and is carried on by hundreds of thousands
of average individuals.
Research is also considered as the application of scientific method in solving the problems. It is a
systematic, formal and intensive process of carrying on the scientific method of analysis. There are many
ways of obtaining knowledge. They are intuition, revelation, and authority, logical manipulation of basic
assumptions, informed guesses, observation, and reasoning by analogy. One of the branches of research
known as empirical research is highly goal-oriented technique.
Definitions ofResearch:
The following are the important definitions of research:
“Research is an endeavor / attempt to discover, develop and verify knowledge. It is an intellectual process
that has developed over hundreds of years ever changing in purpose and form and always researching to
truth.” J. Francis Rummel
“Research is an honest, exhaustive, intelligent searching for facts and their meanings or implications with
reference to a given problem. The product or findings of a given piece of research should be an authentic,
verifiable contribution to knowledge in the field studied.” P.M. Cook

Introduction
2
Jakiun J. Mustafa
“Research may be defined as a method of studying problems whose solutions are to be derived partly or
wholly from facts.” W.S. Monroes
“Research comprises defining and redefining problems ,formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions,
collecting ,organizing and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions and at last careful
testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulated hypothesis.”
Clifford Woody
“Research is a systematic effort to gain new knowledge.”
Redman & Mori
Research Methodology
It is a way to systematically solve a research problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how
a research is scientifically done, how we find out about things, and how knowledge is gained. In it we
study the various steps which are generally adopted by the researchers while studying a research problem
along with logic behind them. In other words, methodology is about the principles that guide our research
practices.
Research Method
Research methods refer to the behavior and instruments used in selecting and constructing research
techniques. These might be, for example, surveys, interviews, Photo voice, participant observations.
Collection of data.
Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are used for conduction of
research.
Purpose/Goal ofResearch:
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific
procedure. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been
discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, some general objectives of
research below:
(i) To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it. (Studies with this
object in view are termed as exploratory or formative research studies).
(ii) To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group.
(Studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies).
(iii) To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with
something else. (Studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research studies).
(iv) To test a hypothesis of a causalrelationship between variables. (Such studies are known as
hypothesis-testing research studies

Introduction
3
Jakiun J. Mustafa
Characteristics ofResearch:
Following are the characteristics of research;
 Research is directed toward the solution of a problem.
 Research requires expertise.
 Research emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles, or theories that will be
helpful in predicting future occurrences.
 Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidences.
 Research demands accurate observation and description.
 Research involves gathering new data from primary or first-hand sources or using existing data
for a new purpose.
 Research is characterized by carefully designed procedures that apply rigorous analysis.
 Research involves the quest for answers to un-solved problems.
 Research strives to be objective and logical, applying every possible test to validate the
procedures employed the data collected and the conclusions reached.
 Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity.
 Research is carefully recorded and collected.
 Research sometimes requires courage.
Types ofResearch:
There are varieties of ways through which we may classify it into different categories.
 Descriptive and analytical
 Applied and Fundamental
 Quantitative and Qualitative
 Conceptual and Empirical
Descriptive and analytical
Descriptive research (Also known as statistical research)
The descriptive research involves the surveys and fact findings enquiries of different kind. The major
purpose of the descriptive research is the description of the sate of affair as it exists at present.For
example, finding the most frequent disease that affects the children of a town. The reader of the research
will know what to do to prevent that disease thus, more people will live a healthy life.
Analytical research
The researcher has to use the facts or information of already available, and analyze these to make a
critical evaluation of the material.

Introduction
4
Jakiun J. Mustafa
Applied and Fundamental
Applied research
Aims to find the immediate solution for a problem facing a society and industrial organization.
For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to:
 Improve agricultural crop production
 Treat or cure a specific disease
 Improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation
Fundamental research
Basic research is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question. Gathering knowledge
for knowledge’s sake not to invent something is termed fundamental research.
For example,
 How did the universe begin?
 What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?
 What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?
Quantitative and Qualitative
Quantitative
This kind of research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can
be transformed into useable statistics.
Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys, longitudinal studies, and
systematic observations.
Qualitative
Qualitative research is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons,opinions, and motivations.
The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to fulfill a given quota.
Conceptual Vs. Empirical
Conceptual: Conceptual research focuses on the concept or theory that explains or describes the
phenomenon being studied.
For example, what causes disease? How can we describe the motions of the planets? What are the
building blocks of matter?
Empirical Research:It relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and
theory. It is data-based research,coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by
observation or experiment.

Introduction
5
Jakiun J. Mustafa
Approaches ofResearch
Qualitative approach
Quantitative approach
Research Process
Process ofResearch
It consists of logical sequence of actions and methods which are necessary to effectively solve of research
problem.
These processes are;
 Defining or formulating research problem,
 Extensive literature review
 Formulating hypothesis,
 Design research or determining the sample design,
 Collecting data,
 Analyzing data,
 Interpreting and report.

Introduction
6
Jakiun J. Mustafa
Defining or formulating research problem,
The researcher must choose the problem he wants to study and decide the area of interest and subject
matter he would inquire about.
There are essentially two steps of formulating a research problem i.e.
1. Understanding the problem thoroughly
2. Rephrasing the same into the meaningful terms in an analytical point of view.
Extensive literature review
After formulating the research problem, a brief summary should be written down. At this point the
researcher should undertake the literature survey connected with literature. This summary or literature
survey should be based on two types of literature
 the conceptual literature concerning the concepts and theories, and
 Empirical literature consisting of studies made earlier which are
similar to the one proposed.
Formulating hypothesis,
A working hypothesis must be stated in clear terms.
Following are the approaches which are involved in developing a working hypothesis.
 By finding the origins of the problem and studying its objectives,
 By discussing the problem to colleagues and experts,
 By examining the past data and records,
 By review the similar studies and similar problems.
Determining the sample design;
Sample design is a definite plan determined before any data is actually collected for obtaining the sample
from given population.
Samples can be either probability samples or non- probability samples.
The researcher must carefully choose the sampling procedure, sample size and look out for the sample
errors.
Collecting Data
There is a need of reliable and accurate data to carry out an affective research. Collection of data may be
done by any of the following;
 By observation (data collect in way by investigator’s own observation without interviewing
respondent)
 By personal interview (data is carried out in structured way, depends on the ability of interviewer
in large extent)

Introduction
7
Jakiun J. Mustafa
 By telephonic interview (collecting information involves contraction of respondent on telephone
itself)
 By questionnaire (by mailed to the respondent with request to return same after completing)
 By schedule (By filling of schedule by enumerators with the replies given by respondents)
Analyzing data or Hypothesis testing
After collecting data a researcher turn to the task of analyze the data. Analyzing involves different
techniques to classify the raw data into meaningful and purposeful categories.
 Coding ( transforming of data into symbols)
 Editing ( improve the quality of data for coding)
 Tabulation (data is put in the form of tables).
After analyzing the data, the researcher tests the hypothesis that he formulated earlier in his research
Interpretations and generalization
The result of hypothesis may be favorable or unfavorable. The researcher reachesat the generalization
based on the result of testing hypothesis, i.e. to build a theory.
If the researcher had no hypothesis at his start,so he might seek explain his findings on basis of some
theory. It is known as interpretation. In the process of interpretation often triggers off new question which
leads to more research.
Preparation of report
Finally the researcher has to prepare a report of what has been done by him. The layout of the report
should be as follows:
 Preliminary pages (The report must have a full title, foreword and acknowledgment in the
preliminary pages.)
 Main text (The main text of the report must have an introduction, summary of findings, main
report and conclusion.)
 End of the report (the end of report must have an appendices with respect of all the terms and data
used in report and end with the bibliography.)
Criteria of Good Research
 The purpose of research should be clearly defined and common concepts used.
 The procedure of research should be well described in detail to permit the research.
 The design should be yields to results that are objectives.
 The researcher must be reported completely with frankness and flaws.
 The analysis of data must be adequate and analysis procedure must be appropriate.
 The conclusion must be detailed to those justified with data and limited to those for which data is
not adequate.
 The researcher must be experienced has a good reputation and person of integrity.

Introduction
8
Jakiun J. Mustafa
Qualities ofGood Research
 It should be systematic.( the research must be structured with specified steps in specified
sequence and according to the well-defined set of rules.)
 It should be logical. (The research must be based on logical reasoning and logical process of
induction and deduction.)
 It should be empirical. (The research must be related in one or more aspects of reallife
situations.)
 It should be replicable. (People must be able to verify and replicate the original report of
research.)
Fields Where Business Research is Often Used
Sales and Marketing Research
 Market Potentials
 Market Share
 Market segmentation
 Market characteristics
 Sales Analysis
 Establishment of sales quotas
 Distribution channels
 New product concepts
 Test markets
 Advertising research
 Buyer behaviour
 Customer satisfaction
 Website visitation rates
Information Systems Research
 Knowledge and information needs assessment
 Computer information system use and evaluation
 Technical support satisfaction
 Database analysis
 Data mining
 Enterprise resource planning systems
 Customer relationship management system
 Corporate Responsibility Research
Ecological Impact
 Legal Constraints on advertising and promotion
 Sex, age and racial discrimination / worker equity
 Social values and ethics

Introduction
9
Jakiun J. Mustafa

Research Methodology - introduction

More Related Content

What's hot (20)

Similar to Research Methodology - introduction (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

Research Methodology - introduction