Research Methodology

Research methodology means the method used for the purpose of the research. It aims at finding
out the right fashion to come to a solution. The purpose of this section is to explain and justify the
main methodological choices made for the study and their likely limitations. The methods used
for conducting the research included collection of primary data, analysis of data, making case
studies based on analysis and the literature review, analysis of cases and interpretation of the
results.

Research Philosophy
Positivist

Interpretivist/Phenomenological

Research Reasoning

Deductive

Inductive

Quantitative or Qualitative Research

Quantitative and qualitative researches are the two research types. Qualitatative approach involves
collection of quantitative data and their analysis with the use of statistical method. Whereas
qualitative approach collection of qualitative data and their analysis with the use of interpretative
method.

The quantitative method is generally used to determine relation between cause and effect, while
qualitative method is used for describing an on-going process. Where for quantitative research the
process of hypothesising is prior to the commencement of investigation, while in the qualitative
research the hypothesis is developed during the investigation. Quantitative research is deductive in
nature while qualitative research is inductive in nature. The quantitative research’s reliability and
validity is determined by statistical and logical method whereas in the case of qualitative
research it is determined through triangulation. Where quantitative research studies the
behaviour in artificial and natural settings, the qualitative research studies behaviour in
natural settings.

Research Design

After the formulation of a research problem, the next step is of designing the research. This includes
being aware of the information required by researcher, its gathering procedure and its analysis and
interpretation. It even includes anticipating the problems that he might face during research and the
precautions and measures required to overcome it.
Research design has the following three charateristics:

1. It categorises the source and type of information relevant for the research
2. It specifies strategy of gathering and analysing the data
3. It includes time and cost budgeting

Research design refers to the entire process of planning and carrying out a research study. The steps
involved in it can be grouped into following four major stages:

i. The planning stage

ii. The design stage
iii. The operational stage
iv. The completion stage

In the planning stage research problem is identified, selected and formulated besides developing
hypothesis along with its linkages with theory and other existing literature. In design stage, the
design of experiment or inquiry is drawn, and variables, sampling procedures, tools and techniques
of gathering data are defined and measured. In the operational stage the finances and budgets are
drawn alongside recruitment and training of the staff, if required. In the completion stage analysis
and interpretation of data is done.

Experimental
It is also known as Empirical Research or Cause and Effect Method. It is mainly a data-based
Research. The conclusions drawn here are verifiable with observation or experiment. It is suitable for
cases where proof is required for verifying that a certain variables affect the other variables. This
research is generally characterised by the experimenter’s control over the variables under
study and its calculated alteration of the one to study its effects. Therefore it is necessary to get at
facts first hand, at their source, and actively go about doing certain things to stimulate the
production of desired information.

Case Study
It is descriptive and generally qualitative in nature. It involves illustrating and translating the present
events, conditions, circumstances or situations. It engages and reports the complexities of social
activity so as to represent the values that individual social actors bring to their social settings. It gives
an understanding of complex issues or object, if not this then provides additional strength to the
already existing knowledge. This method is widely used for examining contemporary real-life
situations and providing the base for application of ideas and expansion of methods.

Some case studies might be quantitative in nature. This happens when they deal with cost-
effectiveness, cost-benefit analysis or institutional effectiveness. While there are many studies
performed as a combination of qualitative and quantitative approach. The method of case studies
varies from general field studies to interview of a single individual or group.
Action research

Surveys

Cross-sectional

Longitudinal

Comparative.

Data Collection
The collection of data is a process with the help of which inference and conclusion for the study is
drawn. It is done after formulation the research problem, development a study design, construction
of a research instrument and selection a sample. It can be done through interviews, mailing out
questionnaire, conducting experiment and/ or making observations. This whole process of data
collection involves some ethical issues in relation to the participants and the researcher

Observation Structured/Participative

Interviews, structured and semi-structured

Structured Surveys: use formal lists of questions asked of all respondents in the same

way.

Questionnaires, open and closed questions

Interview schedule is the process where the researcher asks the questions and document the
respondent’s reply on the interview schedule. As there are many ways to ask questions, the
questionnaire is very flexible. Questionnaire should be developed and tested carefully before being
used on a large scale.

There are two basic types of questionnaire:

• Closed –ended

• Open-ended

1.Closed –ended Questionnaire:

It includes prewritten responses and the respondents are asked to choose from the given choices. As
there is a format in these questions, most responses can be entered easily into a computer for ease
of analysis, greater numbers can be distributed.

. 2. Open-ended Questionnaire:
It gives the respondents to respond in their own words. The questionnaire involves a blank space to
express whatever the respondent feels. -Open-ended questions allow respondents to answer in their
own words. As there is no standard answer to these questions, the data analysis becomes difficult.

Focus Groups
It is one of the major research tool used for understanding the thoughts and feelings of people. It
contains six to ten people gathered for a few hours along with a moderator. The moderator needs
objectivity, knowledge of the subject and industry, and some understanding of group behaviour. The
group discussions generally start with a broad question before moving to specific ones. The
comments from the groups are recorded and studied later.

Sampling