Research Methodology

DR. PRASHANT
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
UPES
DEHRADUN – 248007.
 What is research?

 Research can be defined as the search

for knowledge or as any systematic
investigation to establish facts.
 Characteristics of Research

 Empirical
 Logical
 Cyclical
 Critical
 Analytical
 Replicable
 Methodological
 Types of Research

 Pure and Applied Research

 Inductive and Deductive Research
 Exploratory or Formulative Research
 Descriptive Research
 Diagnostic Study
 Evaluation Studies
 Action Research
 Experimental Research
 Analytical study or statistical Method
 Historical Research
 Surveys
 Case Study
 Pure and Applied Research

Pure
 it is the study of search of knowledge.

Applied
 It is the study of finding solution to a
problem.
 Examples

 This research aims to understand the brain's

memory mechanisms without focusing on solving a
specific problem.

 This research applies memory theories to create a

tool that solves a real-world problem.
 Purpose of Pure and Applied Research

 Pure
 It can contribute new facts
 It can put theory to the rest
 It may aid in conceptual clarification
 It may integrate previously existing theories.
Applied
 It offers solutions to many practical
problems.
 To find the critical factors in a practical
problem.
 Inductive Research

 Inductive research starts with specific

observations or data and works toward forming
a general theory or conclusion.
 Example

 Example:
1. Observation: Customers frequently complain
about slow service at a restaurant.
2.Pattern: Most complaints occur during weekends.
3.Conclusion: The restaurant is understaffed during
busy times, leading to slow service.
 This research moves from specific complaints to the
general conclusion that staffing levels need
improvement.
 Deductive Research

 Deductive research starts with a general theory or

hypothesis and tests it using specific observations or
experiments.
 Example

1. Hypothesis: Improved customer service training

will increase customer satisfaction.
2.Experiment: Implement a training program for
employees and measure customer satisfaction before
and after.
3.Result: Post-training, customer satisfaction scores
improve, confirming the hypothesis.
 Inductive and Deductive

•Inductive builds theories by observing

patterns in data.
•Deductive tests theories by applying
them to specific scenarios.
 Exploratory or Formulative Research

Exploratory
Exploratory research is preliminary study of
an unfamiliar problem about which the
researcher has little or no knowledge.
 Example

 Objective: Understanding why customers are not buying a new

product.
 Steps:
1. Conduct informal interviews with a few customers.
2. Hold focus group discussions to gather opinions about the
product.
3. Observe customer behavior in stores or online to see how they
interact with the product.
 Outcome:
• Insights might reveal that the product is too expensive, difficult
to use, or not well-advertised.
 Purpose

 To Generate new ideas

 To increase the researcher’s familiarity with
the problem
 To Make a precise formulation of the
problem
 To gather information for clarifying
concepts
 To determine whether it is feasible to
attempt the study.
 Descriptive Research

 Descriptive research is used to describe

the characteristics of a population,
phenomenon, or situation. It answers
the "what," "where," and "how" of a
research question without focusing on
the causes or effects.
 Example

 Objective: To describe customer satisfaction with a

restaurant.
 Steps:
1. A survey is conducted asking customers about their
satisfaction with food quality, service, ambiance, and
price.
2. Questions like "Rate your satisfaction on a scale of 1 to
10" are included.
3. Data is collected and analyzed to determine averages,
percentages, or trends.
 Outcome:
• Findings reveal that 80% of customers rate the food as
excellent, while 60% feel service needs improvement.
 Purpose

 It can focus directly on a theoretical point.

 It can highlight important methodological aspects
of data collection and interpretation.
 It obtained in a research may be useful for
prediction about areas of social life outside in the
boundaries of research.
 Descriptive studies are valuable in providing facts
needed for planning social action programmes.
 Diagnostic Study

 It is directed towards discovering what is

happening, why is it happening and what
can be done about.
 It aims at identifying the causes of a
problem and the possible solutions for it.
 Purpose

 This study may also be concerned with

discovering and testing whether certain
variables are associated.
 To determine the frequency with which
something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else.
 Evaluation Studies

 It is one type of applied research.

 It is made for assessing the effectiveness of social or
economic programmes implemented or for assessing
the impact of developmental projects area.
 The determination of the results attained by some
activity designed to accomplish some valued goal or
objectives.
 Purpose

 It directed to assess or appraise the quality and

quantity of an activity and its performance.
 To specify its attributes and conditions required for
its success.
 Action Research

 Researcher attempts to study action. E.g. Eradication

of Malariya, Maritime Navigation
 Action research is a reflective process of progressive
problem solving led by individuals working with
others in teams or as part of a "community of
practice" to improve the way they address issues and
solve problems
 Purpose

 A baseline survey of the pre-action situation

 A feasibility study of the proposed action programme
 Planning and launching the programme
 Concurrent evaluation of the programme
 Making modifications and changes in the programme.
 Experimental Research

 Experimental research is commonly used in sciences such as

sociology and psychology, physics, chemistry, biology and
medicine etc.

 It is a systematic and scientific approach to research in

which the researcher manipulates one or more variables, and
controls and measures any change in other variables.
 Purpose

 Experiments are conducted to be able to predict

phenomenons.
 To maintain control over all factors
 A blueprint of the procedure that enables the researcher to
test his hypothesis
 Analytical Study

 Analytical study is a system of procedures and

techniques of analysis applied to quantitative data.
 A system of mathematical models or statistical
techniques applicable to numerical data.
 Ex. Scientometrics
 Purpose

 It aims at testing hypothesis and specifying and

interpreting relationship.
 It concentrates on analyzing data in depth and
examining relationships from various angles by
bringing in as many relevant variables as possible in
the analysis plan.
 Historical Research

 The systematic collection and evaluation of data related to

past occurrences in order to describe causes, effects, and
trends of those events that may help explain present
events and anticipate future events.
 Data is often archival-including newspaper clippings,
photographs, etc.- and may include interviews.
 Purpose

 To draw explanations and generalizations from the past

trends in order to understand the present and to anticipate
the future.
 It enables us to grasp our relationship with the past and to
plan more intelligently for the future.
 The past contains the key to the present and the past and the
present influences the future.
 It helps us in visualizing the society as a dynamic organism
and its structures and functions as evolving, steadily
growing and undergoing change and transformation.
 Survey Research

 Survey research is one of the most important areas of

measurement in applied social research. The broad area of
survey research encompasses any measurement
procedures that involve asking questions of respondents.
A "survey" can be anything form a short paper-and-pencil
feedback form to an intensive one-on-one in-depth
interview.
 Purpose

 It is always conducted in a natural setting.

 It seeks responses directly from the respondents.
 It can cover a very large population
 A survey may involve an extensive study or an
intensive study.
 A survey covers a definite geographical area, a city,
district, state
 Case Study

 A case study is a research methodology common in social

science.
 It is based on an in-depth investigation of a single
individual, group, or event to explore causation in order to
find underlying principles
 Purpose

 To examine limited number of variables

 case study methods involve an in-depth, longitudinal
examination of a single instance or event.
 It provides a systematic way of looking at events,
collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting the
results
 Field research

 Field research has traditionally been thought different

from methods of research conducted in a laboratory or
academic setting.
Purpose
 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.
 Research Design

 The term “research design” means ‘drawing for

research’.
 It is a systematic planning of conducting research.
 It aims to achieve goals of the research.
 Definition

 ‘as the arrangement of conditions for collection and

analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine the
relevance to the research purpose with economy in
procedure’-by Jahoda

 ‘a master plan, specifying the methods and procedures for

collecting and analyzing the needed information’-by
Zikmund
 Need and Purpose

 It helps in smooth sailing of the research process.

 It saves the money, manpower and materials.
 It helps the researchers for advance planning and avoids
duplication.
 It helps to modify the research if any difficulties.
 It gives reality to research.
 Research Design Process

 Selection of research topic/problem,

 Framing research design,
 Framing sampling design,
 Collection of data,
 Data analysis/editing, coding, processing and
preservation
 Writing research reports
 Characteristics of Good Research Design

 Theory-Grounded,
 Environment,
 Feasibility of Implementation,
 Redundancy,
 Efficient.

Cont…
 It should be flexible
 It should be economical
 It should be unbiased
 It should fulfill the objectives of the research
 It should be more appropriate to all the aspects of
research.

Cont…
 It should guide him to achieve correct results.
 It provides scientific base for his research.
 It also should facilitate to complete the research
work within the stipulated time.
 Functions of Research Design

 It provides a blueprint of research.

 It limits (dictates) the boundaries of the research
activities.
 It enables investigation to anticipate potential
problems
 Components of Research Design

 Title of the investigation

 Purpose of the study
 Review of related literature
 Statement of the problem
 Scope of the investigation

Cont…
 Objectives of the study
 Variables
 Hypothesis
 Selection of sample
 Data Collection
 Analysis of data