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Motivation
To enable researchers, irrespective of their discipline, in developing the most appropriate methodology for their research studies To make them familiar with the art of using different research methods and techniques.
Syllabus
Unit - I Understand the Research Process. Unit - II Problem Identification and hypothesis formulation. Unit - III Research Design Unit - IV Methods, Tools and Techniques Unit - V- Data Processing and Data Analysis Unit - VI Reporting Research
What is Research ?
Research is : Study whatever everybody has done and think whatever nobody has thought An activity which critically evaluate some problem. Undertaking structured investigation which hopefully result in greater understanding of the chosen interest area. Ultimately this investigation become available to the public. To collect and analyze the data in specified field with the purpose of proving your theory.
Definition of Research
The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Investigation using Scientific procedure , by searching again and again to find out the truth.
What is Research ?
Research is carried out in order to : Get a result with scientific methods objectively not subjectively. Solve problems, verify the application of theories, and lead on to new insight. Enlighten both researchers and any interested reader.
Scope of Research
Premises form the basis upon which this research rests. Delimitations define the scope of the research. Premise: A statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn. Delimitation : A line that indicates a boundary. Scope of investigation defines where and when the study was conducted and who the subject were. The scope sets the delimitations and establishes the boundaries of the study.
Limitation of Research
Limitation is a phrase or aspect of the investigation which may affect the result adversely but over which you have no control. Limitation must be stated honestly.
Significance of Research
Research indicates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organization. Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system. Research has its special significance in solving various operational and planning problems of business and industry. Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relation. To those students who are to write a masters or Ph.D. thesis, research may mean a careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure.
Significance of Research
To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of livelihood. To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and insights. To literary men and women, research may mean the development of new styles and creative work. To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new theories.
Research : A Journey
A strong foundation for the research is the querying attitude. Everything and anything is questionable and these questions make way for a research. Knowledge in the arena of proposed research topic, Analytical/ Numerical/Experimental skills are the prerequisites for a researcher. The hard work, consistency and immense patience are a few desirable qualities of a researcher apart from the skills and knowledge . A researcher needs to be committed to the research work to find fruits in the research.
Research Characteristics
Originate with question or problem. Require clear articulation of a goal. Follow a specific plan or procedure. Often divides main problem into sub problems. Guided by specific problem , question or hypothesis. Accept certain critical assumptions. Require collection and interpretation of data. Cyclical in nature.
Descriptive
To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group.
Diagnostic
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else
Hypothesis Testing
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
Objectives of Research
To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it - Studies with this objective 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.
Exploratory Research
also termed as formulative research studies The main purpose
formulating a problem for more precise investigation of developing the working hypotheses from an operational point of view The major emphasis is on the discovery of ideas and insights
Research: A Motivation
Research : A Motivation
Intrinsic motivation - The love of the work itself. Intrinsic motivations include: interest, challenge, learning, meaning, purpose, creative flow. Research has shown that high levels of intrinsic motivation are strongly linked to outstanding creative performance.
Research : A Motivation
Extrinsic motivation - Rewards for good work or punishments for poor work. Extrinsic motivations include: money, fame, awards, praise, status, opportunities, deadlines, commitments, bribes, threats. Research shows that too much focus on extrinsic motivation can block creativity.
Research : A Motivation
Personal motivation - Individual values, linked to personality. Examples include: power, harmony, achievement, generosity, public recognition, authenticity, knowledge, security, pleasure. Each of us prioritizes some values over others. understanding your own values and those of people around you is key to motivating yourself and influencing others.
Research : A Motivation
Interpersonal motivation - Influences from other people. Much of our behavior is a response to people around us, such as: copying, rebellion, competition, collaboration, commitment, encouragement.
Research : A Motivation
Research : A Motivation
Motivation leading to research for search of ways out of a situation
Phases of Research
Idea-generating phase Problem-definition phase Procedures-design phase Observation phase Data-analysis phase Interpretation phase Communication phase
Types of Research
Descriptive Research
Designed to describe something e.g. 1. characteristics of users of a given product ; The degree to which product use varies with income , age , gender or other characteristics. 2. The number who saw specific television show. It includes only collect data for definite purpose. Includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. Objective and understanding should be clear and specific. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlational methods. Often use in social science and business research. Researcher has no control over the variables, he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Example : Frequency of shopping, Preferences of people,etc.
Analytical Research
Researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
Fundamental Research
Concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory. Gathering knowledge for knowledges sake is termed pure or basic research. Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research. Basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base of applications and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge. Research studies, concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behavior.
Quantitative Research
Objective is: 1. To quantify data and generalize results from a sample to the population of interest. 2. To measure the incidence of various views and opinions in a chosen sample. 3. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ Mathematical Models, Theories and/or Hypothesis pertaining to phenomena. Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Expression of a property or quantity in numerical term. Quantitative research is more scientific.
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research, concerned with phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. e.g. why people think or do certain things ? e.g.find out how people feel or what they think about a particular subject or institution. Aim is to discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose. This type of research is specially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior. This type of research can analyze the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or which make people like or dislike a particular thing. It is more naturalistic and more subjective. Qualitative research produces observations, notes, and descriptions of behavior and motivation. Research methods in this category include: Interviews, Focus groups, Reviews, Observation.
Conceptual Research
Related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. Researcher breaks down a theorem or concept into its constituent parts to gain a better understanding of the deeper philosophical issue concerning the theorem. Popular method of research in social sciences, and philosophy and psychology.
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. It is experimental type of research. The researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as to the probable results.
Exploratory Research
When a researcher has a limited amount of experience with or knowledge about a research issue, exploratory research is a useful preliminary step. Exploratory research is undertaken when few or no previous studies exist. The aim is to look for patterns, hypotheses or ideas that can be tested and will form the basis for further research. The objective of exploratory research is to identify key issues and key variables.
Exploratory Research
Researchers conduct exploratory research for three interrelated purposes: (1) diagnosing a situation, (2) screening alternatives, and (3) discovering new ideas.
1. Diagnosing a situation : when an advertising agency got an account for a new coffee containing chicory, the firm began the research process with exploratory research to diagnose the situation. The researchers learned that almost nobody had heard of chicory. It wasnt being used, and nobody seemed to know how to use it. This led to the hypothesis that the advertising could portray the chicory ingredient any way the client wanted. 2. Screening Alternatives : When several opportunities, such as new product ideas, arise at once, but budgets dont allow trying all possible options, exploratory research may be used to determine the best alternatives. 3. Discovering New ideas : Marketers often conduct exploratory research to generate ideas for new products, advertising copy, and so on.
Exploratory Research
Exploratory research might involve a literature search or conducting focus group interviews. Exploratory research is broad in focus and rarely provides definite answers to specific research issues. Exploratory studies can be extremely valuable in social research. They are essential when a researcher is breaking new ground and they typically yield new insights into a topic for research. e.g. In the business environment might be an exploratory study of a new management technique in order to brief a management team. Situations : 1. Quality of service is declining and we dont know why? 2. Would people be interested in our new product idea?
Case studies : Obtain information from one or a few situations that are similar to the researchers problem situation. Pilot studies : A pilot study is a research project that involves sampling, but it relaxes the rigorous standards used to obtain precise, quantitative estimates from large, representative samples.
Descriptive Research
Descriptive research seeks to provide an accurate description of observations of a phenomena. Descriptive research can be used to identify and classify the elements or characteristics of the subject, e.g. number of days lost because of industrial action. e.g. The object of the collection of census data is to accurately describe basic information about a national population at a particular point in time. Situations : 1. Did last years product recall have an impact on our companys share price? 2. What have been the trends in organisational downsizing over the past ten years?
Research Approaches
Quantitative Approach
Inferential Approach
The purpose of this approach 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 Approach
It is 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 approaches
This approach 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.
Research Approach
Qualitative Approach
This approach is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions and behavior. Research in such a situation is a function of researchers insights and impressions. Such an approach to research generates results either in non-quantitative form or in the form which are not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis. Generally, the techniques of focus group interviews, projective techniques and depth interviews are used.
Research Process
Quantitative problems
Specific Closed Static Outcome oriented Use of specific variables
Qualitative problems
General Open Evolving Process oriented
Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand because it has to be tested. The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track. It sharpens his thinking and focuses attention on the more important facets of the problem. It also indicates the type of data required and the type of methods of data analysis to be used.
Stratified Sampling
If the population from which a sample is to be drawn does not constitute a homogeneous group, then stratified sampling technique is applied so as to obtain a representative sample. If the items selected from each stratum is based on simple random sampling the entire procedure, first stratification and then simple random sampling, is known as stratified random sampling.
Sequential sampling
ultimate size of the sample is not fixed in advance but is determined according to mathematical decisions on the basis of information yielded as survey progresses. This design is usually adopted under acceptance sampling plan in the context of statistical quality control.
8. Analysis of Data
After collecting the data the researcher turns to the task of evaluating it.
Editing : Is the procedure which improves the quality of data. Coding : Categories of data are transformed into symbols. Tabulation : Data put in form of tables. Statistical Calculation
8. Analysis of Data
Researcher should classify the raw data into some purposeful and usable categories. Approach to de-synthesizing data, informational, and/or factual elements to answer research questions Categories of Data Analysis
Narrative (e.g. laws, arts) Descriptive (e.g. social sciences) Statistical/mathematical (pure/applied sciences) Audio-Optical (e.g. telecommunication) Others
8. Analysis of Data
Goal of an Data Analysis
To explain cause-and-effect phenomena To relate research with real-world event To predict/forecast the real-world Phenomena based on research Finding answers to a particular problem Making conclusions about real-world event based on the problem Learning a lesson from the problem
9. Hypothesis Testing
Do the facts support the formulated hypothesis? Or it happens to be contrary? Various tests
Chi-Square test T-test F-test
Summary of finding
After introduction there would appear a statement of findings and recommendations in non-technical language. If the findings are extensive, they should be summarized.
Main Report
The main body of the report should be presented in logical sequence and broken-down into readily identifiable sections.
Conclusion
Towards the end of the main text, researcher should again put down the results of his research clearly and precisely. In fact, it is the final summing up.