RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

STUDY MATERIAL

THIRD SEMESTER

MCM3C13

For

M.Com
(2019 ADMISSION ONWARDS)

UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT

SCHOOL OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

Calicut University P.O, Malappuram, Kerala, India 673 635

190613
 School of Distance Education

UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT
SCHOOL OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

STUDY MATERIAL
THIRD SEMESTER

M.Com
(2019 ADMISSION ONWARDS)

Research Methodology
MCM3C13
Prepared by:
Dr. Yakoob.C
Reader and Research Guide,
S S College, Areekode.

©Reserved

Research Methodology Page 2

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CONTENTS

Name of Unit

1. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - BASIC CONCEPTS

2. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

3. CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH

4. APPLICATION OF RESEARCH
5. METHODS OF RESEARCH

6. RESEARCH PROCESS
7. RESEARCH PROBLEM

8. LITERATURE REVIEW
9. DEVELOPMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
10. RESEARCH DESIGN

11. POPULATION CENSUS AND SAMPLE STUDY

12. SAMPLE DESIGN
13. DETERMINATION OF SAMPLE SIZE
14. DATA COLLECTION
15. MEASUREMENT AND DATA
16. SCALING
17. DATA PREPARATION AND PROCESSING
18. DATA ANALYSIS
19. INTERPRETATION OF DATA
20. RESEARCH REPORT WRITING

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Research Methodology
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UNIT 1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY : BASIC CONCEPTS

Introduction
Quite commonly, these days people talk of research - both in academic institutions
and outside. Research in common parlance refers to search for further knowledge. More
than a set of skills, research is a way of thinking. It is critically examining various aspects
of your day to day work, or operations, formulating guiding principles and procedures, and
developing and testing new theories, for common good.
Some people consider research as a progressive movement from the known to the
unknown. It is actually a voyage towards discovery. We all possess the vital instinct of
inquisitiveness. When the unknown confronts us, our inquisitiveness makes us probe and
attain understanding of the unknown. This inquisitiveness is the mother of all knowledge
and the method, which one employs for obtaining knowledge of whatever be the unknown ,
can be termed as research.
Basic concepts
.Research involves both theoretical and practical aspects. A large number of
concepts, principles, procedures and practices govern successful conduct and completion of
research. Definitions, meaning, characteristic features, classification, objectives,
approaches, significance, process, formulation of problem, literature review, hypothesis
formulation, research designs etc will promote the understanding of research in its proper
sense.

Definitions
In fact research is the art of scientific investigation. Dictionary definition of research
is "careful investigation or inquiry, through searching for new facts in any branch of
knowledge". This definition is exhaustive in the sense that it includes every study under
research, but at the same time, it is not specific. Research is an academic activity, and the
term should be more specific and to is be used in technical sense.
According to Clifford Woody " research comprises defining and redefining
problems, formulating hypotheses, collecting and evaluating data, making deductions
reaching conclusions, testing such conclusions and thus formulating solution or theories."
D. Slessinger and M Stephenson defined research as "manipulation of concepts and
symbols for the purpose of generalizing, verifying and extending knowledge , in order to
aid in building theory or to promote practice of art."
According to Kerlinger, scientific research is "systematic, controlled , empirical and
critical investigation, of propositions about presumed relationships between various
phenomena".
These definitions are more inelusive in nature, and focuses on the functions of
research, ie, defining problems, formulating hypothesis, collecting data, manipulation ,
generalizing, building theory, etc.
Research is, thus, original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge, making
for its advancement. It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison

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and experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic
method of finding solution to a problem, is research. Systematic approach concerning
generalization and the fonnulation of theory is also research.
Meaning
Generally research refers to scientific and deep search for knowledge. Research can
also be viewed as scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific
topic. Literal meaning research is a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search
for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
Some people consider research as a movement from the known to unknown. It is a
long voyage in quest of discovery. It is quenching our never ending quest for knowledge it
is the solution for inquisitiveness and understanding unknown.
Research is an academic activity and as such the term may be used in a technical
sense. Research comprises identifying and defining problem or issue, formulating
hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting , organizing and evaluating relevant data
making deduction, reaching conclusions, testing conclusions , verifying hypotheses making
generalizations and building theory. Thus research refers to systematic method consisting of
enunciating problem, designing the plan of study, formulating possible propositions
collecting and analyzing data, reaching valid conclusions regarding solution to problem or
certain generalization ofsome theoretical formulation.
Characteristics of research
From these definitions, it is clear that research is a process for collecting, analyzinw
and inteipreting information n to answer questions. So, to qualify as research the process
must have certain characteristics.
• Systematic
Different activities of research must be performed systematically. It must be
undertaken and finished in a step by step approach, starting from
identification of a problem and ending on finding a solution or suggestions
for improvement.
• Problem based
o Researches should be problem or issue based. It must addrecc :
dn issue or
solve practical problem, and thus add to existing stock of knowledge
• Generalizing
' o Research may lead to generalizing concepts or theories through deduct"
'' induction methods. Research must establish facts or orinrini^c .
■ , ""-ipies applicable in
similar general cases.
5 • Control
Ir In most researches, causes and effects are linked. Studying cer
isolating others is called control. Research will give true resuhT^^'"
variables and their causes are properly controlled. ^

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• Validity
o Conclusions and findings revealed by research must be valid in similar
situations and could be verified by anybody. It should give consistent results.

• Empirical
o Conclusions drawn are to be based upon solid evidence, should be gathered
from information collected from real life experiences and observations. ,
, "i

• Critical i
o Research could be subjected to critical scrutiny of procedures used and
method employed. The process of investigation must be fool proof, and free
from any drawbacks. The procedures adopted must be able to withstand
critical testing and reasoning.
Objectives j
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application
of scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out truth which is hidden and
which has not been discovered as yet. Though each research study has it own specific
purpose, we mention some general objectives of research below.
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon to achieve new insights into it. Studies with
this objective in view are termed as exploratory or formularize research studies.
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual situation or a
group. These kinds of studies are known as descriptive research studies.
• To determine the frequency with which some event occurs or it is associated with
something else . Studies with this objective 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.
Approaches to research
Descriptions and meanings of research bring to light the fact that there are two basic
approaches to research - quantitative approach and qualitative approach. ,
Quantitative approach .=
This approach involves generation of data in quantitative form which can be
subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis in a fonnal and rigid fashion. This approach can
be further sub classified into inferential, experimental and simulation approaches to
research.
The purpose of inferential approach is to form a data base to infer characteristics or
relationships of population. This usually means survey research where a sample qI"
opulation is studied, questioned or observed, to determine the characteristics, and it is
fhen inferred that the population has the same characteristics or not.

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Experimental approach 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 approach involves the constiuction of an artificial environment within
which the relevant information and data can be generated. This permits an obseiwation of
the dynamic behavior of a system or its sub systems under controlled conditions.
The term simulation in the context of business and social sciences applications
refers to operation of a numerical model that represents the structure of dvnamic process
Given the values of initial conditions, parameters and exogenous variables, simulation is a
process to represent behaviors of the process over time. Simulation approach can also be
useful in building models for understanding future conditions.
Qualitative approach
Qualitative approach to research is concerned with subjective assessment of
attitudes, opinions and behavior. Research in such a situation is a function of researcher's
insights and impressions. Such an approach to research generates results whether in non
quantitative fonn or in the form which is not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis
Generally, the techniques of focus group interview, projective techniques and dentli
interviews are used.
Scientific method in research
Research is a scientific, in-depth study of an issue or topic. Accordingly, for a clear
perception of the term research, one should know the meaning of scientific method The
two terms - research and scientific method, are closely related.
In research, we study the nature, reasons and the consequences of set of
circumstances which are controlled experimentally or observed as they appear. Researcher
is usually interested in particular results, the reactions of those results, and generalizations
On other hand, the philosophy common to all research methods and techniques, althou h
they may vary considerably, from one science to another, is usually given the name of
scientific method. In this context, Karl Pearson wrote "the scientific method is one and
same in various branches of science and that method is the method of all logically trained
TITilTl^ls ■
Scientific method is the pursuit of truth and determined by logical consideration
The ideal of science is to achieve a systematic inten'elation of facts. Scientific
attempts to achieve this ideal by experimentation, observation and logical ar<nimentr fr ^
accepted postulates, and a combination of these three processes in varvino
In
r
scientific
' j.'£•
method,1 logic
t ' -
aids to formulating propositions
'
explicitly and
•' o Proportions,

so that their possible alternatives become clear. Further, logic develops the c
such alternatives, and then these are compared with obseiwations or
becomes possible for the researcher or the scientist to state which alternative
harmony , with observed facts. All this is done through experimentatio
investigations, which constitute integral pans of scientific method ' and survey

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Experimentation is done to test hypothesis and to discover new relationships, if any,

among variables. However, sometimes the conclusions drawn on the basis of experimental
data may be misleading for faulty assumptions, poorly designed experimentation, badly
executed experiments or faulty interpretation. As such the researcher must pay all possible
attention while developing the experimental design and drawing inferences. The purpose of
survey investigations may also be to provide scientifically gathered information to work as
a basis for the researchers for their conclusions.
Principles of scientific method
The scientific method is based on certain basic postulates or principles, which can be
stated as under.
• It relies on empirical evidence
It utilizes relevant concepts
It is committed to only objective considerations.
It aims making only adequate and correct statements about population
It results into probabilistic predictions
Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical scrutiny.
It aims at formulating most general axioms or theory building.
Thus scientific method encourages rigorous, method oriented investigation, wherein the
researcher is guided by rules of logical reasoning, based on experimentation and
observation. It is a method wherein the investigation proceeds in an orderly manner and a
method that implies internal consistency.
Criteria of good Research
Certain conditions must be satisfied to make a research successful and fhiitful.
Following are those conditions or criteria.
• Certainty - the purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common
concepts to be used. Research should remove ambiguity.
• Continuity - the research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to
permit another researcher to repeat the r esearch for further advancement, keeping
the continuity of what has already been attained.
• Objectivity - the procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to
yield results that are as objective as possible.
• Transparency - the researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in
procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings.
• Validity - analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance
and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity land reliability
of data should be checked carefully.
• Data based - conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the
research and limited to those for which the data provide an adequate basis.
• Confidential - greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is
experienced, has a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity.

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Qualities of good research

Research will be eritieally evaluated, examined and valued. Some researchers are
good while certain others are bad and required to be resubmitted after con-ection and
rectifieation. Following are qualities of good research.
• Systematic - it means that research is structured with specified steps to be taken in
a specified sequence in accordance with well defined set of rules. Systematic
characteristic of the research does not rule out creative thinking but it certainly
does reject the use of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions.
• Logical — this implies that research is guided by the rules of logical reasoning and
logical process of induction and defection are of great value in carrying out
research. Induction is the process of reasoning from a part to the whole where as
deduction is the process of reasoning from some premise to a conclusion which
follows from that very premise. In fact, logical reasoning makes research more
meaningful in the context of decision making.
• Empirical - by empirical it is implied that research is related basically to one or
more aspects of a real situation and deals with practical, concrete data that
provides a basis for external validity of research results.
• Replicable - this quality allows research results to be verified by replicating the
study and there by building a sound basis for decisions.
Problems in research
Researchers in India, particularly those engaged in empirieal researeh, are facing
several problems, some of which are as follows;
• Insufficient training in methodology - lack of scientific training in the methodology
of research is a great impediment for researchers in our country. There is a paucity
of competent researcher. Many researchers take a leap in the dark without
knowing research methods. Most of the work which goes in the name of research is
not methodologically sound. Research to many researchers and even to their
guides, is mostly a Scissor and paste job without any insight shed on the collected
materials. The consequence is obvious, vis, the research results, quite often, do not
reflect the reality or realities. Thus a systematic study of research methodology is
an urgent necessity. Before undertaking research project, researchers should be
well equipped with all the methodological aspects. As such, efforts should be made
to provide short duration intensive courses for meeting this requirement.
• Lack of interaction - there is insufficient interaction between the university
research departments on one side and business establishments, government
departments and research institutions on the other side. A great deal of primary
data of non confidential nature remains untouched or untreated by the researchers
for want of proper contacts. Efforts should be made to develop satisfactory liaison
among all concerned for better and realistic researches. There is need for
developing some mechanisms of university-industry interaction programmes so
that academics can get ideas from practitioners on what needs to be researched
and practitioners can apply the research done by the academics.

Research Methodology