rm - foundations

8/3/2019 Rm - Foundations

1/31

RESEARCHMETHODOLOGY


2/31

CHAPTER ONE

FOUNDATIONS OF RESEARCH

MEANING of Research: Search for Knowledge careful investigationor inquiry to find out new facts in any branch of knowledge scientificand systematic investigation to acquire new knowledge.

NATURE and DEFINITION of Research: Two words RE andSEARCH. It is an investigation, recording and analyzing evidencesfor on going knowledge.

Research is not only for academic activity, but also for human activity.Important for complex situations, professionals, etc.

Critically examines the various aspects of professional work Helpfulfor managerial decision process.


3/31

In a nutshell, nature of research is:

A scientific process which requires proper sequences, right

from the identification of research problem, formulation of

hypothesis, testing of hypothesis, observation and relationship

of variables and drawing of conclusions.

OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH: The main objective of research is to take out the hidden facts

yet to be discovered. It is broadly classified as academic and

utility ones.

Academic Objectives.

Utility Objectives.


4/31

Academic Objective relates to development of new concept andaddition to old concept. Urge for knowledge.

Utility Objective provides for policy formulation provides forachievements in attending organizational objectives.

Utility objective can be further classified as per the purpose like:

1. Environmental based objective decisions in business requires

environmental research in which business operates state, investor,

customer, competition, etc.

2. Customer based objective customer to be assessed quality of

product, utility of product, satisfaction level, requirements, etc.

3. Market based objective Market research market share of

products, profit margin, sales volume, etc strategies development.

4. Profit and promotional based objective Profit maximization,

promotional activities, internal and external activities, etc.


5/31

MOTIVATION in Research: Motivations for doing research depends upon many factors:

To mention:

Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems,

that is, concern over practical problems initiates research; Desire to understand casual relationships, curiosity about new

things and the like;

Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;

Desire to get respectability;

Desire to be of service to society; etc and many more factorscompel or motives for doing research.


6/31

SIGNIFICANCE or IMPORTANCE of Research:The increasing complex nature of business and government has focusedattention on the use of research solving operational problems.

1. Research is an aid to economic policy: Research provides the basis fornearly all government policies in our economic system. Analyze the needsand desires of the population.

2. Research is considered necessary with regard to the allocation of nationsresources.

3. Research has its special significance in solving various operational andplanning problems of business and industry. Operations research (costminimization and profit maximization), market research (purchase,production and sales) along with motivational research (motives of human

behavior) is considered crucial and their results assist, in more than oneway, in taking business decisions.4. Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social

relationships and in seeking answers to various social problems.


7/31

Research Methods and ResearchMethodology

Research method the researchers use in performing researchoperations - techniques/methods used different methods of data

collection, statistical techniques to establish the unknown

relationships, methods to evaluate the accuracy, etc.

Research Methodology is a way to systematically solve theresearch problem. It shows how the research is done scientifically

(exactly) studying the research methods along with the logic (sense)behind them are part of the research methodology various steps.


8/31

TYPES of RESEARCH

Basic types of research are:

Pure and Applied Research:

Descriptive and Analytical Research.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research.

Conceptual and Empirical Research.

Social Research.

Miscellaneous Types of Research.


9/31

Pure and Applied Research Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental

(basic or pure) research.

Pure research is also called as fundamental approach (gatheringknowledge for knowledge sake is termed as pure research) - done for

knowledge enhancement - does not have immediate commercial

potential - done for human welfare, animal welfare and plant kingdomwelfare. - It helps us to find out various crucial factors.

Example: Government conducting census to know the population count, or Discovery

channel showing documentaries on animal life, etc.

Applied research is carried out on any real life problem or problemrequires immediate solution social problem which can be helpful inpolicy formulation by the concerned agency - problem oriented and

action directed - immediate and practical results - immediate

commercial potential.

Marketing research or market research are some of the examples of applied research.


10/31

Descriptive and Analytical research

Descriptive research is termed as ex-post-facto research. This type of research is mainly concerned with description of facts -

an explanation of state of affairs as they exist - includes surveys andfacts finding enquiries.

Here, researcher has no control on the variables under investigation;he can only describe things as they exist and discover the causes.

Example: frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data, etc.

Analytical Research relates to critical evaluation of the existingfacts and draw certain conclusions - uses secondary data(information which is already available) and analyze it to make acritical evaluation of the situation.

It aims at testing hypothesis - specifying and interpretingrelationships - Correlation technique.

Example: Economic surveys performance of various industry sectors in total exports orto identify the industries share in total exports, etc can be said as analytical type of

research.


11/31

Quantitative and Qualitative

Research Quantitative research denotes methods that generate data

comprising of numbers.

Quantitative research is conducted for the measurement of quantityand it is applicable to the work which can be express in terms ofquantity or amount only.

For example: to project the future sales, one can look at the total sales of the product interms of lakhs / crores or tones for a particular year and project the same for the futureyear. This type of research is of quantitative one.

Qualitative research relates to quality involved in assessment itgenerates the data that is verbal or subjective - useful in consumerbehavioral science. Qualitative data collection may be in form of

sentence completion, story completion or picture explanation, etc. Assessment of human behavior is a qualitative research. Opinion research conducted to know how people feel about the particular object or

subject is a qualitative research.


12/31

Conceptual and EmpiricalResearch

Conceptual research is conducted by the thinkers andphilosophers for developing new theories or for reinterpreting oldones - relates itself to abstract ideas.

For example, to develop an idea or concept about new brand launch can be said asconceptual research. Companies try to identify one common theme for brandpromotion, where consumer can respond favorably. To quote, Proctor and Gamble used

the platform of RD Burman Bollywood songs for Shampoo marketing.

Empirical Research is based on observation or experiencewithout due regards to theories- working hypothesis is providedthat is collected to prove or disprove this - sets up the design fordesired results. Data based research or experimental type ofresearch.

This research is characterized to study the effects of variableswhich can be verified by observation or experiment.

For example: Does RD Burman Bollywood songs for Shampoo marketing give positiveresults? This can be verified by doing empirical research.


13/31

Social Research Social research: A valid study of human behavior. OR

Social research can be defined as a scientific undertaking -- using logical and system technique - discovering new facts

and or verifying old facts - analyzing their sequences, interrelationships and casual explanations -developing newconcepts and theories - reliable and valid study of humanbehavior.


14/31

Miscellaneous Types ofResearch

Exploratory research. (hypothesis is developed here)

Formalized research. (hypothesis is tested here)

One-time research. (only once in a year/once in few years)

Longitudinal research. (several times in a year)

Field research. (research done at market place)

Laboratory research. (research done in-house/laboratory).

Case Study: It is a concept (idea or thought) and intensive(detailed) study of business situation - is a method ofinvestigation for exploring the live situations - form ofqualitative and quantitative analysis and careful observationof situation - uses various methods for collectinginformation - may be in form of interview questionnaires,observation and documentary analysis. The wide variety ofrelevant data collected provides the description of the

decision taken in particular situation.


15/31

SCIENTIFIC METHOD The scientific method can be described as a systematic enquiry into

a problem and generation of solutions. The accuracy and reliabilityof the method is predictable by the usage of some mathematical orjudgmental methods.

The four essential elements of scientific methods are: observations(inquiry of the subject), hypotheses (explanations of observations),predictions (from the hypotheses) and experiments (testing of all).

Define the question

Gather information and resources (observe)

Form hypothesis

Perform experiment and collect data Analyze data

Interpret data and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point fornew hypothesis

Publish results

Retest (frequently done by other scientists)


16/31

THE THOUGHT PROCESS IN SCIENTIFIC

METHOD:

The thought process or mode of thinking in scientific method isbased on deduction, induction or a combination of both.

Deduction and Induction (Deductive and Inductive Thinking).

In logic, we often refer to the two broad methods of reasoningas the deductiveand inductiveapproaches.

Deduction method approach is the backward movementfrom general to particular. A top-down approach.

Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the morespecific.

We might begin with thinking up atheory

about our topic ofinterest-narrow down into specific hypotheses that can betested- narrow down further to collect observationsto addressthe hypotheses- led to test the hypothesis with specific data- toconfirmthe theories.


17/31

Induction method approach moves forward from particularto the general. . A bottom-up approach.

Inductive reasoning works the other way, moving from specificobservations to broader generalizations and theories.

We begin with specific observations, begin to detect patterns,formulate some tentative hypothesesthat we can explore, andfinally end up developing some general conclusions ortheories.

These two methods have a different feel in research.

Inductive reasoning by its very nature is more open mindedand exploratory.

Deductive reasoning is narrower in nature and is concernedwith testing or confirming hypotheses.


18/31

Both are used sometimes in a social research / researchprocess:

to formulate hypotheses there is induction process;

to check the hypotheses there can be deduction process

(explaining the given facts). This is double movement of reflective thinking- a combination

of both.


19/31

CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENTIFIC

METHOD Validity: Validity means soundness/legality. It measures the effectiveness

of measurement in research. For example: surveying the people meter ona television set to know the viewer ship count. Probing into every detail isnecessary.

Reliability: Reliability means consistency/trustworthy. If the research isreliable, then any other investigator repeating it will obtain the sameresults. This characteristic is also known as objectivity. It is a measureof the investigators independence of the research.

Logic: Logic means sense/reason. Logic is necessary in designing andfollowing up a research process, and arriving at conclusions.

Systematic: Systematic means orderly/organized. The process ofresearch is marked by thoroughness and regularity, and so it is

considered to be systematic. Empiricism: Empiricism means an application of observation and

experiment. Research is done through observations that are based ondirect sense experience. Thus, it is empirical in nature.


20/31

UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF

RESEARCH:

(Terminology used in the scientific method):

Scientific Method follows the terminology of science. There arecertain terminologies which require understanding for theresearch process.

There are like:

Facts, Observations,

Variables,

Definitions,

Concepts,

Constructs,

Hypothesis,

Laws, Theories and Models.


21/31

Facts: Facts means truth or details or information.

Facts are phenomena that we believe are true. These facts donot change with the person who reports them. The sources offacts for research are the original documents and the factcollecting agencies, etc.

Observations: Observation is the process by which werecognize the facts or note the facts.

Observations are experimental in nature. It may be in the form

of expressions or perceptions. Or in other words, Observationsare the perceptions of the individuals based on theirexperience of reality. It changes from person to person.


22/31

Variables: Variables are a subject to variation. A

variable may be a physical or non-physical quantitythat can take any one of a predefined set of values,numerical or otherwise.

Variables are classified as:

Independent Variable (IV)

Dependent Variable (DV)

Moderating Variable (MV) Extraneous Variable (EV)

Intervening Variable (IIV)


23/31

If a variable is manipulated and tried to see its effects on someother variable, then it is called IV.

The measured variable is called DV.

The second independent variable in the study of relationship is

called MV. Outside the immediate relationship between IV and DV, but has

the impact on the relationship, but not measurable is EV.

If the relationship of IV and DV is proven indirectly throughother variable, then the other variable (used to prove the

relationship) is called IIV.


24/31

Concepts and Constructs:

Concepts are abstract ideas (guiding principles) generalizedfrom particular facts.

Concepts are associated with certain events, objects,

conditions, situations, etc, used to classify, explain andcommunicate a particular set of observations.

Concepts are also borrowed from other fields.

Constructs are highly abstract concepts. To draw somethingvery accurately. Constructs are not directly tied with reality but

are derived on the basis of other concepts. They are specifically invented for a specific research.

Example: Report Presentation.


25/31

Concepts Constructs

Content. Scope, objectives, study material used.

Communication ability. Clarity of thought and expression, correctusage of language, delivery style, eye-contact, body language.

Findings. Focused analysis of the findings,Substantiating them with practicalapplications.

Handling questions. Preparedness for questions, convincing andprecise response to questions.


26/31

Hypothesis:

Hypothesis means assumptions, or proposition,which states the relationship between two or morevariables that carry clear implications for testing the

stated relations.

They further classify research problems intostatements which can be tested.

They are considered as probable answers to the

research problem - Descriptive hypotheses(describes the state of variable relationalhypotheses (describes a relationship between twovariable with respect to each other), etc.


27/31

Law, theory and models:

The hypothesis if verified by numerous researchers in differentsituations, the relationship between the variables may beconsidered a law.

Theory is a set of statements that explains or predicts aphenomenon of interest. The statements may be facts,concepts, constructs, hypothesis or laws an imaginativestatement is not an theory, but a hypothesis a provenstatement becomes a theory.

Model is a system which represents phenomena in terms ofsymbols or physical analysis. Models explain theory better.


28/31

Research Process

The Ten steps in the research process are:

Formulation of the research problem: destination of ajourney - identify the right and meaningful problem narrowsdown the scope and subject matter of the study.

Review of the existing literature: Provides base forunderstanding the plan existing literature (conceptualwhich relates with concepts and empirical which concernedwith earlier studies) Literature review will avoid confusionand the problems in data collection for a researcher.

Development of Hypothesis: After review of literature andselection of research problem, the tentative base in the formof hypothesis can be formed should be clear and specificsharpens the thinking process -focus on the important factsof research.


29/31

Preparation of research design: (outline) Research design isa conceptual structure within its limit research work

supposes to be carried on design should specify relevantdata to be collected no wasteful expenditure specify thepurpose of study exploratory, description, experimentation,

etc. Preparation of sample design: Proper identification of the

sample selected for study population (population whereinformation can be taken), sampling unit (persons,household, companies, city blocks, etc), sampling method

(probability or non-probability, etc). Data collection: primary or secondary. If primary is it

observation (only current), interview (structured or simple-unstructured), questionnaire, schedules, etc.


30/31

Data analysis: Analysis as per the objective. The collected data isprocessed coding, tabulation, statistical measures, etc -computers.

Testing of hypothesis: To ascertain the facts various methods ofhypothesis. If researcher do not have hypothesis in beginning, thegeneral assumptions may be considered as hypothesis which canbe tested.

Data Interpretation: After testing is drawing of inferences(statements) ability lies in proper interpretation as per theobjectives.

Report writing: Reporting is the culmination of research effort.-This is the assembling effort of all the communication undertakenin the research process Technical detail, managerial implications

executive summary, methodology, list of tables, charts, graphs,index, reference material, appendixes, bibliography, etc.

Scope of study is in all fields.


31/31

End of the FOUNDATIONS

PPTs by Dr. Thirumagal. J.P.

rm - foundations

Documents