Research Defined

Good research question?

• Research is an organized and systematic way to • Feasible • Ethical
find answers to questions – Subjects – Social or scientific value
– Resources – Safe
– Manageable • Relevant
• Research is a creative process
– Data available? – Advance scientific
• Interesting knowledge?
• Research is manipulation of things, concepts or • Novel – Influence clinical practice?
symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, – In relation to previous – Impact health policy?
correct or verify knowledge, whether that findings – Guide future research?
knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the • Confirm or refute?
practice of an art (Kothari) – New setting, new population
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The Research Idea
• Professional experience
Research Methodology & IPR • Burning questions
• Literature
M.Tech (2024-25)
• Professional meetings
By-Dr.Sharwari S. Solapure • Discussions
Associate Professor, IT Department, WCE Sangli
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Criteria of Good Research (characteristics)
1. Research is half complete, when objective or purposes
of it are clearly spelt out.
7. The methods of analysis should be appropriate.
2. It is necessary that every step followed in the process
of research is explained fully. 8. The validity and reliability of the data should be
3. The research design adopted for the study should be checked carefully.
clear and match with objectives. 9. The researcher should good command over
4. Research work should be based on carefully selected research methodologies and should be intelligent
analytical tools.
and experienced.
5.The research work is incomplete without
acknowledging the various data (or) facts. 10. Ethics in research refers to a code of conduct of
6. Limitations should be frankly revealed. behavior while conducting research.
Objectives Of Research How to ensure a good quality
• It develops Focus: To gain familiarity with some phenomena or to get to know Research?
more in depth it.
• For example, since the days of steam engine, the research continued to come up 1. Purpose should be clearly defined.
with more powerful locomotive which could be operated with alternative sources
of energy like diesel, electricity etc. 2.Common concepts should be used that can be
• It reveals characteristics: To clearly reveal the characteristics of an individual or a understood by all.
situation or a group like a society is another type of research objective. 3. Research procedures should be explained in
• For example in these days before a criminal is sentenced efforts are taken to
study why he had turned criminal.
detail.
• It determines frequency of occurrence: To determine the frequency with which 4. Research design should be carefully planned.
something occurs or with which it associated with something else. In social
research one of the major areas of repeated and continuous research is analysis of
5. Researcher should declare all the possible errors
poverty and unemployment. and their possible impact on findings.
• It tests hypothesis: To test a hypothesis about the casual relationship between 6. Analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to
variable being studied. This type of research is mainly to determine the
relationship between various factors so that necessary policy options could be
reveal significance.
framed.
1. Classification based on Application:
a. Pure / Basic / Fundamental Research Types of Research
b. Applied / Decisional Research
2. Classification based on Objectives: • Pure and Applied Research
• Exploratory or Formulative Research
a. Descriptive Research-only process • Descriptive Research
b. Co relational Research- no experiment • Diagnostic Study
c. Explanatory • Evaluation Studies
• Action Research
d. Exploratory Research
• Experimental Research
3. Classification based on Inquiry Mode: • Analytical study or statistical Method
e. Structured approach • Historical Research
f. Unstructured approach • Surveys
• Case Study
The categorization of research
depends on:
• Application of research study
• Objectives in undertaking the research
• Inquiry mode employed for research
 Purpose of Pure and Applied Research Purpose
• Pure
• To Generate new ideas
• It can contribute new facts
• It can put theory to the rest • To increase the researcher’s familiarity with
• It may aid in conceptual clarification the problem
• It may integrate previously existing theories. • To Make a precise formulation of the problem
Applied • To gather information for clarifying concepts
• It offers solutions to many practical problems. • To determine whether it is feasible to attempt
• To find the critical factors in a practical the study.
problem.
Pure and Applied Research Exploratory or Formulative Research
Pure Exploratory
• It is the study of search of knowledge. Exploratory research is preliminary study of an
unfamiliar problem about which the
researcher has little or no knowledge.
Applied – Literature Survey
– Experience Survey and
• It is the study of finding solution to a – Analysis of insight stimulating cases.
problem.
 Purpose Purpose
• It can focus directly on a theoretical point. • This study may also be concerned with
• It can highlight important methodological aspects of discovering and testing whether certain
data collection and interpretation.
variables are associated.
• It obtained in a research may be useful for prediction
about areas of social life outside in the boundaries of • To determine the frequency with which
research. something occurs or with which it is
• Descriptive studies are valuable in providing facts associated with something else.
needed for planning social action programmes.
Descriptive Research Diagnostic Study
• Descriptive study is a fact- finding investigation with • It is directed towards discovering what is
adequate interpretation. happening, why is it happening and what can
• It is the simplest type of research. be done about.
• It is designed to gather descriptive information and • It aims at identifying the causes of a problem
provides information for formulating more
sophisticated studies
and the possible solutions for it.
• Data are collected using observation, interview and
mail questionnaire.
 Purpose Purpose
• It directed to assess or appraise the quality • A baseline survey of the pre-action situation
and quantity of an activity and its • A feasibility study of the proposed action programme
performance. • Planning and launching the programme
• Concurrent evaluation of the programme
• To specify its attributes and conditions
• Making modifications and changes in the programme.
required for its success.
Evaluation Studies Action Research
• It is one type of applied research. • Researcher attempts to study action. E.g.
• It is made for assessing the effectiveness of social or Eradication of Malariya, Maritime Navigation
economic programmes implemented or for assessing the
impact of developmental projects area. • Action research is a reflective process of
• The determination of the results attained by some progressive problem solving led by individuals
activity designed to accomplish some valued goal or working with others in teams or as part of a
objectives. "community of practice" to improve the way
they address issues and solve problems
 Purpose Purpose
• Experiments are conducted to be able to • It aims at testing hypothesis and specifying
predict phenomenons. and interpreting relationship.
• To maintain control over all factors • It concentrates on analyzing data in depth and
• A blueprint of the procedure that enables the examining relationships from various angles
researcher to test his hypothesis by bringing in as many relevant variables as
possible in the analysis plan.
Experimental Research Analytical Study
• Experimental research is commonly used in sciences • Analytical study is a system of procedures and
such as sociology and psychology, physics, techniques of analysis applied to quantitative
chemistry, biology and medicine etc.
data.
• It is a systematic and scientific approach to research • A system of mathematical models or statistical
in which the researcher manipulates one or more techniques applicable to numerical data.
variables, and controls and measures any change in
other variables. • Ex. Scientometrics – a quantitative study of
science, communication in science, and
science policy
 Purpose Purpose
• To draw explanations and generalizations from the past • It is always conducted in a natural setting.
trends in order to understand the present and to anticipate • It seeks responses directly from the respondents.
the future.
• It can cover a very large population
• It enables us to grasp our relationship with the past and to
plan more intelligently for the future. • A survey may involve an extensive study or an intensive
• The past contains the key to the present and the past and study.
the present influences the future. • A survey covers a definite geographical area, a city,
• It helps us in visualizing the society as a dynamic district, state
organism and its structures and functions as evolving,
steadily growing and undergoing change and
transformation.
Historical Research Survey Research
• The systematic collection and evaluation of • Survey research is one of the most important
data related to past occurrences in order to areas of measurement in applied social
describe causes, effects, and trends of those research. The broad area of survey research
events that may help explain present events encompasses any measurement procedures that
and anticipate future events. involve asking questions of respondents. A
• Data is often archival-including newspaper "survey" can be anything form a short
clippings, photographs, etc.- and may include paper-and-pencil feedback form to an intensive
interviews. one-on-one in-depth interview.
 Purpose Cross-sectional research
• To examine limited number of variables • A cross-sectional study is a type of research
• case study methods involve an in-depth, design in which you collect data from many
longitudinal examination of a single instance different individuals at a single point in time.
or event. In cross-sectional research, you observe
• It provides a systematic way of looking at variables without influencing them
events, collecting data, analyzing information,
and reporting the results
Case Study Field research
• A case study is a research methodology • Field research has traditionally been thought
common in social science. different from methods of research conducted
• It is based on an in-depth investigation of a in a laboratory or academic setting.
single individual, group, or event to explore Purpose
causation in order to find underlying principles • The advantages of field research are that
people are closer to real world conditions and
design the research in the best way to discover
the particular information required.
 Other Types of Research • Ex-post Facto Research;
Based on observation made by inquiry in which the researcher
does not have direct control of independent variables because
their outcome have already occurred. This kind of research
• Research either as one-time research or longitudinal
based on a scientific and analytical examination of dependent
research. In the former case the research is confined and independent variables.
to a single time-period, whereas in the latter case the ▪ Panel Research:
research is carried on over several time-periods. Generally the survey research is valid for one time period which
• Research can be field-setting research or laboratory is known as “study period” and they do not reflect changes
occurring time. The consumer attitudes toward purchasing a
research or simulation research, depending upon the
particular product are not static. For measuring change over
environment in which it is to be carried out. time is known as longitudinal analysis which is done by the use
• Research can as well be understood as clinical or of panels. This methods are generally used in sales forecasting
diagnostic research. Such research follow case-study by consumer preferences for various products measuring
methods or in depth approaches to reach the basic audience size and characteristics for media programmes testing
new products.
causal relations.
• Research can also be classified as
Conceptual vs. Empirical conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented.
Decision-oriented research is always for the need
• Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research of a decision maker and the researcher in this
is that related to some abstract idea(s) or case is not free to embark upon research
according to his own inclination.
theory. It is generally used by philosophers
and thinkers to develop new concepts or to
• Operations research is an example of decision
reinterpret existing ones. On the other hand, oriented research since it is a scientific method of
empirical research relies on experience or providing executive departments with a
observation alone, often without due regard quantitative basis for decisions regarding
for system and theory. operations under their control.
 Sources of research problem Criteria for good research problem
• Brainstorming • KNOWLEDGE, CONVICTION(F), SIGNIFICANCE
• Intuition
• Common roles • Commonly used acronym is “FINER”
• Exposure field situations ▪ F – Feasible
• Consultations with experts ▪ I – Interesting
▪ N – Novel
▪ E – Ethical
▪ R – Relevant
Some sources of Research Problems may be identified
as follows:
Sources of research problem • Personal Experiences.
• Media: Documentation done on various issues, live coverage, panel
discussions etc.
• Personal experiences • Resources: Literature such as books, journals, news articles, periodicals etc.
• Government / Official Records: The orders passed by government. The
• Practical experience decisions given of courts, the petitions and surveys conducted
• People: A group of individuals
• Critical appraisal of literature • Discussions: by discussing the perspectives with peers, colleagues, seniors
in the field, guides etc.
• Previous research • Problems: It may be decided to examine the existence of certain issues or
problems relating to society, sciences or any subjects in reference.
• Existing theories • Programs: These may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of an
interference, involvement or intrusions.
• Consumer feedback • Phenomena: To establish the existence of regularity and to understand if a
procedure would yield similar results overtime when used repetitively. This
• Performance improvement activities includes causes and effects and relationships between variables.
• Ideas from external sources. Interdisciplinary Perspectives.
• Social issues
 Characteristics of research • Empirical nature of research means that the research has
been conducted following rigorous scientific methods and
procedures. Quantitative research is easier to prove
1. Generalized. scientifically than qualitative research. In qualitative
2. Controlled. research biases and prejudice are easy to occur.
3. Rigorous. • Systematic: The procedure or process being developed to
undertake a study should be carefully drafted to ensure
4. Empirical. that resources utilization is optimized.
5. Systematic • Reliability: If any research yields similar results each time it
6. Reliability. is undertaken with similar population and with similar
procedures, it is called to be a reliable research.
7. Validity.
• Validity & Verifiability: It is the extent to which a concept,
8. Employs hypothesis conclusion or measurement is well-founded and likely
9. Analytical & Accuracy. corresponds accurately to the real world.
10. Credibility.
11. Critical
Qualities of a good research1
• Generalized: The analytical information obtained from
1. Good research is systematic: studying the samples should be give a fair idea of total
2. Good research is logical: population of being follower of particular ideology,
beliefs, driving force, etc.
3. Good research is empirical:
4. Good research is replicable: • The concept of control implies that, in exploring
causality in relation to two variables (factors),
• Rigorous: One must be careful in ensuring that the
procedures followed to find answers to questions are
relevant, appropriate and justified.
• Credibility: The extent to which an analysis of
finding can be treated to be trustworthy is
termed as credibility.
• Critical: Critical scrutiny of the procedures
used and the methods employed is crucial to a
research enquiry. The process of investigation
must be foolproof and free from drawbacks.
• Employs Hypothesis: Any research definitely
begins with formulation of a hypothesis. In simple
words a hypothesis is an idea around which one
starts working before it is actually converted to
research. Hypothesis may prove to be wrong or
null or void after the study is conducted.
• Analytical & Accurate : A research should be
focused not only about what is happening but also
on how and why a particular phenomenon,
process draws certain conclusions.