The design is the structure of any scientific work. It gives direction and systematizes the research.

The method you choose will affect your results and how you conclude the findings. Most scientists are interested in getting reliable observations that can help the understanding of a phenomenon. There are two main approaches to a research problem:
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Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

What is the difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Research? In a nutshell, quantitative research generates numerical data or information that can be converted into numbers. Only measurable data are being gathered and analyzed in this type of research. Quantitative research design is the standard experimental method of most scientific disciplines.

Qualitative Research on the other hand generates non-numerical data. It focuses on gathering of mainly verbal data rather than measurements. Gathered information is then analyzed in an interpretative manner, subjective, impressionistic or even diagnostic. Qualitative research design is a research method used extensively by scientists and researchers studying human behavior and habits Heres a more detailed point-by-point comparison between the two types of research:

1. Goal or Aim of the Research

The primary aim of a Qualitative Research is to provide a complete, detailed description of the research topic. Quantitative Research on the other hand focuses more in counting and classifying features and constructing statistical models and figures to explain what is observed.

2. Usage
Qualitative Research is ideal for earlier phases of research projects while for the latter part of the research project, Quantitative Research is highly recommended. Quantitative Research provides the researcher a clearer picture of what to expect in his research compared to Qualitative Research.

3. Data Gathering Instrument

The researcher serves as the primary data gathering instrument in Qualitative Research. Here, the researcher employs various data-gathering strategies, depending upon the thrust or approach of his research. Examples of data-gathering strategies used in Qualitative Research are individual in-depth interviews,

structures and non-structured interviews, focus groups, narratives, content or documentary analysis, participant observation and archival research. On the other hand, Quantitative Research makes use of tools such as questionnaires, surveys and other equipment to collect numerical or measurable data.

4. Type of Data
The presentation of data in a Qualitative Research is in the form of words (from interviews) and images (videos) or objects (such as artifacts). If you are conducting a Qualitative Research what will most likely appear in your discussion are figures in the form of graphs. However, if you are conducting a Quantitative Research, what will most likely appear in your discussion are tables containing data in the form of numbers and statistics.

5. Approach
Qualitative Research is primarily subjective in approach as it seeks to understand human behavior and reasons that govern such behavior. Researchers have the tendency to become subjectively immersed in the subject matter in this type of research method. In Quantitative Research, researchers tend to remain objectively separated from the subject matter. This is because Quantitative Research is objective in approach in the sense that it only seeks precise measurements and analysis of target concepts to answer his inquiry.

DIFFERENT RESEARCH METHODS

There are various designs which are used in research, all with specific advantages and disadvantages. Which one the scientist uses, depends on the aims of the study and the nature of the phenomenon:

Descriptive Designs
Aim: Observe and Describe Descriptive research design is a scientific method which involves observing and describing the behavior of a subject without influencing it in any way.
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Descriptive Research Case Study Naturalistic Observation Survey (The Questionnaire is also a technique used in many types of research designs)

Correlational Studies

Aim: Predict
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Case Control Study Observational Study Cohort Study Longitudinal Study Cross Sectional Study Correlational Studies in general

Semi-Experimental Designs
Aim: Determine Causes
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Field Experiment Quasi-Experimental Design Twin Studies

Experimental Designs
Aim: Determine Causes
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True Experimental Design Double-Blind Experiment

Reviewing Other Research

Aim: Explain
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Literature Review Meta-analysis Systematic Reviews

Test Study Before Conducting a Full-Scale Study

Aim: Does the Design Work?
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Pilot Study

TYPICAL EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS

SIMPLE EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES
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Pretest-Posttest Design Control Group Randomization Randomized Controlled Trials Between Subjects Design Within Subject Design

COMPLEX EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS

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Factorial Design Solomon Four-Group Design Repeated Measures Design Counterbalanced Measures Design Matched Subjects Design Bayesian Probability

WHICH METHOD TO CHOOSE?

What design you choose depends on different factors.
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What information do you want? The aims of the study. The nature of the phenomenon - Is it feasible to collect the data, and if so, would it be valid/reliable? How reliable should the information be? Is it ethical to conduct the study? The cost of the design Is there little or much current scientific theory and literature on the topic?

Quantitative Research Designs

Descriptive

Describe phenomena as they exist. Descriptive studies generally take raw data and summarize it in a useable form. Can also be qualitative in nature if the sample size is small and data are collected from questionnaires, interviews or observations. The art of planning and implementing an experiment in which the research has control over some of the conditions where the study takes place and control over some aspects of the independent variable(s) (presumed cause or variable used to predict another variable) A form of experimental research. One in which the researcher cannot control at least one of the three elements of an experimental design: Environment Intervention (program or practice) Assignment to experimental and control groups Qualitative Research Designs

Experimental

Quasiexperimental

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Historical

Collection and evaluation of data related to past events that are used to describe causes, effects and trends that may explain present or future events. Data are often archival. Data includes interviews. The collection of extensive narrative data over an extended period of time in natural settings to gain insights about other types of research. Data are collected through observations at particular points of time over a sustained period. Data include observations, records and interpretations of what is seen. An in-depth study of an individual group, institution, organization or program. Data include interviews, field notes of observations, archival data and biographical data.

Ethnographic

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Case Studies

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Research:A careful investigation or inquiry specially through

search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
What is Research? The task of research is to generate accurate information for use in decision making. The emphasis of research is on shifting decision makers from intuitive information gathering to systematic and objective investigation. Research is defined as the systematic and objective process of gathering, recording and analyzing data for aid in making decisions. Why is Research needed / Important / Necessary? Research facilitates effective management. At many companies research drives every aspect of major decision making. For example, at ford motor company, research is to fundamental that management makes hardly any significant decision without the benefit of some kind of research. Characteristics of Research 1. Research begins with a problem in the form of a question in the mind of the researcher. 2. Research demands the identification of a problem, stated in clear, unambiguous terms.

3. Research requires a plan. 4. Research deals with the main problem through appropriate sub-problems. 5. Research seeks direction through appropriate hypotheses and is based upon obvious assumptions. 6. Research deals with facts and their meaning. 7. Research is circular. When Research is Needed? A manager faced with two or more possible courses of action faces the initial decision of whether or not research should be conducted. The determination of the need for research centers on Time constraints- Conducting research systematically takes time. In many instances management concludes that, because a decision must be made immediately, there will be no time for Research. 1 BUSINESS RESEARCH MBA SEM II Prof. PARUL GUPTA Availability of data - Often managers already possess enough information to make sound decisions with business research. When they lack adequate information, however, research must be considered. Managers must ask themselves if the research will provide the information needed to answer the basic questions about a decision. Furthermore, if a potential source of data exists, managers will want to know how much it will cost to obtain the data. Types of Business Research: The two main types are Basic and Applied research. Basic Research -The basic research is fundamental research driven by a scientist's curiosity. The main motivation behind it is to expand his knowledge, not to invent something.

Applied research - Applied research on the other hand is designed to solve practical problems, rather than to gain knowledge. Applied research sets out to prove a specific hypothesis of value to the clients paying for the research. For example, a cigarette company might commission research that attempts to show that cigarettes are good for one's health. Many researchers have ethical misgivings about doing applied research. 1. Descriptive Vs Analytical 2. Applied (Basic) Vs Fundamental (Applied) 3. Quantitative Vs Qualitative 4. Conceptual Vs Empirical 5. Special types of research Other Types of Research - Based on the purposes for which the researches are conducted, they may be divided into following categories: 1. Baseline/Bench-mark survey/Research. 2. Evaluation Research: a) Formative Evaluation (Mid-term) b) Terminal Evaluation. 3. Impact assessment/research 4. Feasibility studies. Baseline Survey- A baseline survey is a research in which data on preproject socio-economic and business aspects are generated in order to facilitate the assessment of future impact of project intervention. A baseline survey is conducted in the absence of available published data on various socio-economic and business aspects. Evaluation Research a. Formative or mid term evaluation is done to assess whether the project is in the right track. It is usually done to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. On the basis of the findings of the formative evaluation research corrective measures are taken to attain the goals of the project. b. Terminal Evaluation research is conducted to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the project/intervention. o Effectiveness: is the ratio of actual and planned activities The extent of attainment of goal or the degree of target fulfillment determines the level of

effectiveness. 2 BUSINESS RESEARCH MBA SEM II Prof. PARUL GUPTA o Efficiency: - Attaining maximum output with minimum input. Impact Assessment- The research, which is undertaken to measure the quantitative benefits derived out of project intervention and qualitative changes that occurred due to project intervention, is known as an impact assessment research. This type of research also provides information for identifying the negative impact of the project. Feasibility Studies - This type of research is undertaken prior to starting of any business enterprise or any business related project. This type of research is done to assess the technical, economic, market and financial viability of the project. The issue whether the project is socially desirable and environmentally acceptable is also taken into consideration

Objectives
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to explore new ideas 2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group 3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated 4. To establish a cause and effect relationship and test the relationship between two variables Nature of Research a. BR- As an economic resource b. BR- As a system of authority c. BR- as an activity of business management d. BR- As a Team effort e. BR- AS an art or science f. BR- As a profession g. BR- as an interdisciplinary system

Scope & Its applications in different functions of management

1. Advertising Research

a. Motivation research b. Copy research c. Media research d. Studies of advertisement effectiveness e. other

2. Business economic and corporate research

a. Short range forecasting b. Long range forecasting c. Studies of business trends d. Pricing studies e. Plant and warehouse location studies f. product mix studies g. Acquisition Studies h. Export and international studies i. Others

3. Corporate responsibility research a. Consumers rights to know studies

b. Ecological impact studies c. Studies of legal constraints d. Social values and policies studies e. Others

4. Product research 5. Packaging research

(IV) Determining Research designs (including sample design)

Research Design is the basic framework which provides guidelines for the rest of the research work. It is a map or a blueprint according to which the research is to be conducted Research design categories a. Exploratory research designs b. Descriptive research designs c. Causal research designs Following points must be considered while selecting any of the research designs available

1. The means of obtaining the information 2. The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff 3. Time available 4. Cost factor 5. sampling plan Sample design: A sample design is a definite plan determined before any data is actually collected for obtaining a sample from a given population. It provides answer to the following four questions;
1. What sampling unit should be studied ? 2. What should be the sample size? 3. What sample procedure should be used? 4. What contact method should be used?

(IV) Data collection

1. By observation 2. Through personal interview 3. Through telephone interviews 4. Through Schedules 5. By mailing questionnaire

(V) Analysis of data

The researcher should classify the raw data into some purposeful and usable categories Three operations have to de done before the raw data is brought in a form to be analyzed further a. Coding b. Editing c. Tabulation After successful completion of above operations following three steps are there to follow to complete Data analysis 1. Hypothesis Testing a. Chi Square b. F- test c. Z test 2. Generalization 3. Interpretation (VII) Interpretation and Implications

(VIII) Actionable Implications (IX) Report preparation PROBLEM IDENTIFIACTION AND DEFINITION What Is A Research Problem:-It refers to some difficulty which a
researcher experiences in context of either a theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same

Components of a research problem

1. There must be an individual or a group or an organization 2. There must be at least two courses of action

3. There must be at least two possible outcomes 4. The courses of actions available must provide some chance of obtaining the objective 5. There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains

Selecting a problem
Following points to be avoided while selecting a problem, 1. Overdone Subject 2, Controversial subject 3. Too narrow and too vague problem 4. Unfeasible subject 5. Uneconomical and time consuming problem

Steps involved in defining a problem (1) General definition of the problem

(2) Understanding the nature of the problem (3) Surveying the literature available (4) Developing the ideas (5) Rephrasing the problem

Research question

Questions in the mind of researcher

All are able to achieve research objective/ to solve research problem if put together

Three types of Research questions

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A. Descriptive questions
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B. Comparison Questions
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C. Relational Questions Association Questions (Happening together) Causal Questions a. Concomitant Variation (two things vary together) b. Time sequence of the variable (Occurrence of two variables) c. Cause variable (Reasons behind)

Illustration (1) What sport matches your personality

Research questions

1.S ociabili ty
2. Spontaneity 3. Discipline 4, Aggressiveness 5. Competitiveness 6. Mental focus 7. Risk taking It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words. It should include theres earch question, the rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any), the method and the main findings. 3. Introduction

The main purpose of the introduction is to provide the necessary background or context for your researchproblem

Try to place yourres earch question in the context of either a current "hot" area, or an older area that remains viable.

Secondly, you need to provide a brief but appropriate historical backdrop.

Thirdly, provide the contemporary context in which your proposedresearch question occupies the central stage.

Finally, identify "key players" and refer to the most relevant and representative publications. The introduction generally covers the following elements:

State theres earch problem, which is often referred to as the purpose of the study.

Provide the context and set the stage for your research question in such a way as to show its necessity and importance.

Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing.

Briefly describe the major issues and sub-problems to be addressed by yourres earch.

Identify the key independent and dependent variables of your experiment. Alternatively, specify the

phenomenon you want to study.

State your hypothesis or theory, if any. For exploratory or phenomenologicalres earch, you may not have any hypotheses. (Please do not confuse the hypothesis with the statistical null hypothesis.)

Set the delimitation or boundaries of your proposedres earch in order to provide a clear focus.

Provide definitions of key concepts. (This is optional.) 4. Literature Review

Ensures that you are not "reinventing the wheel".

Gives credits to those who have laid the groundwork for yourres earch.

Demonstrates your knowledge of theres earch problem.

Demonstrates your understanding of the theoretical andresearch issues related to yourresearch question.

Shows your ability to critically evaluate relevant literature information.

Indicates your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature.

Provides new theoretical insights or develops a new model as the conceptual framework for your research.

Convinces your reader that your proposedres earch will make a significant and substantial contribution to the literature (i.e., resolving an important theoretical issue or filling a major gap in the literature). Literature reviews suffer from the following problems: 1. Lacking organization and structure 2. Lacking focus, unity and coherence 3. Being repetitive and verbose 4. Failing to cite influential papers 5. Failing to keep up with recent developments 6. Failing to critically evaluate cited papers 7. Citing irrelevant or trivial references 8. Depending too much on secondary sources 5. Methods (Methodology)

The Method section is very important because it tells yourR es earch Committee how you plan to tackle yourres earch problem

In short, what actions are you going to take in order to answer the question? When will you know whether the hypothesis has been proven wrong, or has survived enough tests to be considered, for now, valid? Those tests and the way you are supposed to handle them to give rigor to yourres earch is what is understood under methods.

Methods divide in qualitative (interviews, questionnaires) and quantitative (statistics, stuff that deals intensively with numbers) For quantitative studies, the method section typically consists of the following sections:

Design -Is it a questionnaire study or a laboratory experiment? What kind of design do you choose?

Subjects or participants - Who will take part in your study? What kind of sampling procedure do you use?

Instruments - What kind of measuring instruments or questionnaires do you use? Why do you choose them? Are they valid and reliable?

Procedure - How do you plan to carry out your study? What activities are involved? How long does it take? 6. Results & Discussion You also need to mention the limitations and weaknesses of the proposedres earch, which may be justified by time and financial constraints as well as by the early developmental stage of you research area. Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing 1. Failure to provide the proper context to frame theres earch question. 2. Failure to delimit the boundary conditions for yourres earch. 3. Failure to cite landmark studies. 4. Failure to accurately present the theoretical and empirical contributions by other researchers. 5. Failure to stay focused on theres earch question.

6. Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposedres earch. 7. Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues. 8. Too much rambling -- going "all over the map" without a clear sense of direction. (The best proposals move forward with ease and grace like a seamless river.) 9. Too many citation lapses and incorrect references

7. Synopsis
1. Statement of Problem A. Introduction to subject B. Specific problem formulation 2. Objective of study 3. Scope of study 4. Research methodology a. Hypothesis Formulation C. Data collection D. Analysis and presentation of data E. Limitation of study 5. Presentation of Study 6. Bibliography