Introduction to research

definition
the finding of answers related to the

questions. an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its development. Kothari it is the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data to generate new knowledge and answer a certain question or solve a problem.

Qualities of a good research

Demands a clear statement of the problem It requires a plan (it is
not aimlessly looking for something in the hope that you will come across a solution) It builds on existing data, using both positive and negative findings New data should be collected as required and be organized in such a way that they answer the research question. Controlled the concept of control implies that, in exploring causality in relation to two variables (factors), you set up your study in a way that minimizes the effects of other factors affecting the relationship
if you cannot control external factors, you attempt to quantify their impact.

Rigorous- must be scrupulous in ensuring that the procedures

followed to find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate and justified

Qualities of a good research

Systematic-this implies that the procedure
adopted to undertake an investigation follow a certain logical sequence. The different steps cannot be taken in a haphazard way. Some procedures must follow others Validity: refers to how well the data collection and data analysis of the research captures the reality being studied.

Qualities of a good research

Reliability-if one person were to repeat the
specific research study he should be able to obtain the same results Empirical-this means that any conclusion drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered from information collected from real life experiences or observations. Critical

Purpose of research
to discover answers to questions through the application of
scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative research studies); 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); 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); To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies)

Betterment of human conditions

Motivation to research
Desire to get a research degree along

with its consequential benefits Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work Desire to be of service to society Desire to get respectability.

Types of research
Application
Pure/basic research-involves developing and testing theories and hypotheses that are intellectually challenging to the researcher but may or may not have practical application at the present time or in the future. The knowledge produced through pure research is sought in order to add to the existing body of research methods. Applied. research is done to solve specific, practical questions; for policy formulation, administration and understanding of a phenomenon. It can be exploratory, but is usually descriptive. It is almost always done on the basis of basic research. Applied research can be carried out by academic or industrial institutions. Often, an academic institution such as a university will have a specific applied research program funded by an industrial partner interested in that program.

Types of research
Objectives
descriptive research attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem phenomenon, service or programme, or provides information about , say, living condition of a community, or describes attitudes towards an issue. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present
The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.

analytical research -used to test hypotheses concerning the relationship between a suspected risk factor and an outcome and to measure the magnitude of the association and its statistical significance. correlational research attempts to discover or establish the existence of a relationship/ interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation. explanatory research attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two or more aspects of a situation or phenomenon. Exploratory research is undertaken to explore an area where little is known or to investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular research study (feasibility study / pilot study).

Types of research
Inquiry mode
Qualitative Quantitative

Types of research(qualitative)
Qualitative
Qualitative-phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior. Subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions and behavior. concerned with developing explanations of social phenomena. That is to say, it aims to help us to understand the world in which we live and why things are the way they are. It is concerned with the social aspects of our world and seeks to answer questions about; Why people behave the way they do How opinions and attitudes are formed

Types of research(qualitative)
How people are affected by the events that go on around them How and why cultures have developed in the way they have Why? How? Methods
- Ethnography-study of cultural patterns and experience in aa holistic fashion - Discourse analysis-focusing on forms and rules of conversation - Narrative research-focusing on stories in studies in which the purpose is to determine how individuals make sense of events in their lives - Case study-in depth investigation of a single entity

Types of research
Data generation
In depth interviews Informal interviews Observations Focused group discussions Document analysis and journaling

Data analysis
- Thematic analysis and thick description

Why dont men go to the doctor when they are sick?

Types of research(Quantitative)
Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. This approach can be further sub-classified into inferential, experimental and simulation approaches to research. Inferential - The purpose of inferential approach to research is to form a data base from which to infer characteristics or relationships of population. This usually means survey research where a sample of population is studied (questioned or observed) to determine its characteristics, and it is then inferred that the population has the same characteristics. Experimental Characterized by much greater control over the research environment and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe their effect on other variables. Simulation involves the construction of an artificial environment within which relevant information and data can be generated. This permits an observation of the dynamic behavior of a system (or its sub-system) under controlled conditions

Types of research(Quantitative)
Measurement of quantity or amount how much? How many? How often? To what extent? etc. Methods
- Surveys and experiments Data generation - Questionnaires, tests, or verify theories, - observations in experiments Data analysis - Statistical procedures - Use of numeric data

Health research
Health research is the application of principles of research
on health. It is the generation of new knowledge using scientific method to identify and deal with health problems. Categories
Essential health research: Consists of activities to define the health problems of a given country or community, to measure their importance and to assure the quality of activities to deal with them. Much of this research comes within the category of health service research Clinical research: In its widest sense, this group of topics ranges from studies of the prevention and diagnosis of diseases through new methods of treatment to problems of care and rehabilitation. Eg clinical trials of disease prevention and the design of new chemotherapeutic agents.

finally
All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to invention is a famous Hudson Maxim in context of which the significance of research can well be understood