Basic Concepts of

Research
Module 1
Research-
Meaning
Human society is always eager to find answers for questions
arising from their inner mind.
For example: Why there is day & night? Is there any planet in
universe like earth?
Human society started to search answers to all such
questions
When that search is a systematic search, it is called research.
Simply, research means- “Something new – physical or
conceptual knowledge”
• Basically, research is a human activity engaged in
intellectual pursuit of discovering something new.
• Research can be defined as a – “Studious inquiry” or
“Systematic investigation of some phenomenon or
series of phenomena by the experimental method.
• As a layman is concerned-research is an activity
performed by a scientist in the laboratory to find a new
• Man used different methods for acquiring knowledge
• The basic methods adopted for acquiring knowledge are
through
• Natural or evolutionary changes
• Trial & error
• And generalizing from experiences and facts
• Today men acquire knowledge through a systematic
search, which is generally known as “RESEARCH”
Definitions

• Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge

and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and
creative way so as to generate new concepts,
methodologies and understandings.

• This could include synthesis and analysis of previous

research to the extent that it leads to new and creative
outcomes
Different authors have defined research in different
ways, but some common themes include:

1. Research is a systematic, formal, rigorous and precise process

employed to gain solutions to problems or to discover and interpret new
facts and relationships. Waltz and Bansell (1981).

2. Research is a pursuit of trust with the help of study, observation,

comparison and experiment, the search for knowledge through objective
and systematic method of finding solutions to a problem. Kothari (2006).

3. Research is the process of looking for a specific question in an

organized, objective, reliable way. Payton (1979).

4. Research is a systematic controlled, empirical and critical

investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations
among natural phenomena. Kerlinger (1873).
What is the Need of Research?
 • Research is a fundamental
activity that propels humanity
forward by helping us discover
new things and answer
Advanci questions.

ng
• For example, early civilizations'
society curiosity about the night sky led
to our understanding of space.
 • Research helps us better
understand issues by
Improving
understandin • gathering data
g • reporting findings,
• and considering fundamental
questions about truth and reality
 • Research can help us find new

Finding ways to use things or make them

more efficient

new • A great example of research

leading to new uses for existing

ways to things is the development of

"upcycled" materials where old

use plastic bottles are transformed

into building materials like bricks

things
or fibers for clothing, essentially
giving discarded items a new,
valuable purpose.
 • Research can help you pursue your
interests and learn something new
• If you're interested in sustainable
Pursuin farming practices, researching
different composting methods could
g allow you to delve deeper into your
passion for environmentally friendly

interest
gardening, potentially leading you
to discover new techniques like
vermicomposting or Bokashi that
s you weren't aware of before, thus
expanding your knowledge and
allowing you to pursue your interest
further
 • Research can help you hone
your problem-solving skills and
Developi challenge yourself in new
ways.
ng
problem- • For Example: Identifying

solving patterns- Researching patterns

can help you understand why
skills something happened, such as
a decrease in revenue
 • Research findings can add
value to businesses.
Adding
value to • For example, a business can
identify underserved
businesse customers, find new marketing

s techniques, and plan for new

product innovations.
Seeking
• Research can help you seek
new
new opportunities based on
opportuniti your interests
es
Research –
Objectives?
 • These objectives aim to provide a
detailed and accurate description
Descripti of a phenomenon, event, or
subject.
ve • They focus on answering

Objective questions about what, who,

where, and when.
s • Example: "To detail the key steps
involved in a specific
manufacturing
process.": (Focuses on "what"
and "how")
 • Exploratory objectives are used
when researchers seek to gain a
Explorato better understanding of a topic,
especially when there is limited
ry existing knowledge. They often
involve preliminary
Objective investigations.

s • Example: “To investigate the

possible determinants impacting
consumer inclinations towards
sustainable products.”
 • Explanatory objectives are
designed to identify the
Explanat relationships between variables

ory and explain the causes or reasons

behind certain phenomena.
Objective
s • Example: “To examine the causal
relationship between smoking
habits and the development of
lung cancer.”
 • These objectives involve
comparing two or more
variables, groups, or situations
Comparati to identify similarities,
ve differences, patterns, or trends.

Objectives
• Example: “To compare the
performance of two different
marketing strategies in terms
of their impact on sales.”
 • Predictive objectives aim to
forecast or predict future
outcomes or trends based on
Predicti existing data or patterns.

ve
• Example: “To forecast
Objecti customer attrition rates within

ves an online subscription service

by utilizing historical usage
patterns and satisfaction data.”
 • Normative objectives involve

Normati establishing standards,

guidelines, or
ve recommendations for a specific
area of study.
Objectiv
es • Example: “To develop industry-
specific ethical guidelines for
the responsible use of artificial
intelligence.”
 • Qualitative objectives are used
in qualitative research to
explore and understand
Qualitativ experiences, perceptions, and

e behaviors in-depth.

Objective • Example: "To uncover the

s underlying motivations and
emotions of participants in a
qualitative interview study"
 • Quantitative objectives involve
the collection and analysis of
numerical data to measure and
Quantitat quantify specific phenomena.

ive
• Example: “To ascertain the
Objective relationship between income
s levels and the availability of
educational resources among a
selected group of households.”
 • Longitudinal objectives involve
studying the same subjects or
entities over an extended period
Longitudin to track changes or
al developments.

Objectives • Example: “To assess the

cognitive development of
children from kindergarten
through high school graduation.”
 • Cross-sectional objectives
involve the study of a sample at
Cross- a single point in time to gather
data about a population’s
Section characteristics or attitudes.

al
• Example: “To assess the present
Objecti employment situation and job
satisfaction levels among
ves healthcare sector employees.”
Types of Research
Basic research
• Aimed at expanding the existing
body of knowledge without
immediate practical applications

• It seeks to understand
fundamental principles and
theories
Applied Research
• Conducted to solve several practical problems
• The goal is to provide solutions to real world issues or to
improve existing practices
Quantitative research
• Involves the collection and analysis of numerical data
• This type of research seeks to quantify relationships,
patterns and trends
Qualitative research
• Focuses on non-numerical data such s words, images or
observations
• It aims to explore and understand complex phenomena
in-depth.
Experimental research
• Involves manipulating one or more variables to observe
their effect on another variable
• It aims to establish cause and effect relationship
Non-experimental research
• Observes and analyses variables without intervening or
manipulating them directly.
• This type includes observational studies, surveys and
correlational studies
Descriptive research
• Seeks to describe and present the characteristics of a
phenomenon
• It provides a detailed account of the subject under study
without manipulating variables
Exploratory research
• Conducted to explore a new area or gain insights into a
poorly understood phenomenon.
• It helps in formulating hypothesis or research questions
for further investigation
Longitudinal research
• Involving studying subject or phenomena over an
extended period, collecting data at multiple points in
time
• This allows researchers to observe changes over time
cross-sectional research
• Collects data from participants at a specific point in
time
• It is often used to examine relationships or
characteristics within a populations
Action research
• Conducted by practitioners to address specific issues
within their own organizational or community context.
• It often involves collaboration between researchers and
practitioners.
Case-study research
• In-depth examination of a specific individual, group,
event or situation.
• Case studies provide detailed context rich insights
Survey research
• Involves collecting data from a sample of individuals
through standardized questionnaires or interviews.
• It aims to gather information about opinions, attitudes
or behaviors.
Historical research
• Investigates past events, developments or trends to
understand their significance and impact on the
present.
• It relies on historical documents or records
Comparative Research
• Compare different groups, populations or variables to
identify similarities, differences or patterns.
• It aims to draw conclusions about the relationship
between variables
Research Methods vs
Methodology
Research Methods
• Research methods are the tools, techniques, or procedures used to
collect and analyze data in a study.
• These are the specific steps researchers take to gather information.
• Example of Research Methods:
• Surveys: A researcher uses a questionnaire to ask people about their
opinions on a new product.
• Experiments: A psychologist sets up an experiment to study the effect
of sleep deprivation on memory retention.
• Interviews: A social scientist conducts in-depth interviews with
participants to understand their experiences of workplace
discrimination.
Methodology
• Methodology is the overall strategy or blueprint that guides how the
research will be conducted, including the choice of methods.
• It explains the rationale behind selecting certain methods and how they fit
into the broader research framework.
• Example of Methodology:
• Quantitative methodology: A researcher chooses to use a large-scale
survey and statistical analysis because they aim to measure variables (like
age or income) numerically and identify patterns across a population.
• Qualitative methodology: A researcher chooses interviews and thematic
analysis to understand people’s experiences and how they perceive certain
social phenomena, focusing on depth rather than numbers.
•Research methods are the specific tools or procedures
(like surveys, interviews).

•Methodology is the bigger picture, explaining why

certain methods are used and how they fit into the
research's goals.
 Research
Approaches
• A research approach is closer to research methodology and
includes a broader plan and procedure like research
objectives, questions, research methods, data collection and
analysis tools and report.
• A research approach may be taken as a broad framework or
paradigm that includes different methods inside.
• It is an overall theoretical structure of the study within which
the researcher employs different methods and tools like
empirical methods of surveying, interviewing, observation
etc.
• Based on inference, the research approaches could be
inductive(qualitative), deductive(quantitative) or mixed
or (integrated).
Deductive
Approach(Quantitative)
• If you have formulated a set of hypotheses in a research
work that must be verified after testing, you are
following a deductive approach.
• In deductive approach, also called the top-down
approach, the researcher bases or deduces his
argument or question on a set principle or rule or theory
which must be tested by developing hypothesis
Inductive Approach (Qualitative)
• in inductive approach,
• also called the down to top approach inference is made
and general principle is set.
• Hypothesis is not tested as it starts with its own
research questions. Sometimes research approach is
also defined in terms of presentation of data and
findings like descriptive, comparative, analytical and
explanatory.
Other Approaches
• Furthermore, the researchers also use different
• approaches in social sciences like normative approach (ethics and values),
• philosophical approach (ideology and thought like Marxist, Gandhian,
Ambedakarite etc.),
• Empirical approach (use of scientific method).
• All these approaches involve distinct sets of research methods or tools to
be followed during the project.
• Research approach is closer to research methodology that involves larger
part of how the research is to be carried out against methods that speak
of specific ways and tools to be used.
Qualitative research Approach

• Qualitative research is primarily based on the first-hand data obtained through

participation, observation, interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, participant-
observation, recordings made in natural settings, documents, and artefacts.
• The data are generally non-numerical in nature.
• Qualitative research is the approach usually associated with the social
constructivist paradigm which emphasises the socially constructed nature of
reality.
• It is about recording, analysing and attempting to uncover the deeper meaning
and significance of human behaviour and experience, including
contradictory beliefs, behaviours and emotions.
• Researchers are interested in gaining a rich and complex understanding of
people’s experience and not in obtaining information which can be generalized
to other larger groups.
The process of Qualitative Research

• The approach adopted by qualitative researchers tends to be inductive which

means that they develop a theory or look for a pattern of meaning based on
the data that they have collected.

• This involves a move from the specific to the general and is sometimes called
a bottom-up approach.

• However, most research projects also involve a certain degree of

deductive reasoning.

• In the qualitative research the investigator needs not formulate hypotheses

(which is optional) as it is with quantitative research and the research
is guided by the research questions and objective with the help of a
broader theoretical lines.
• The approach to data collection and analysis is methodical but allows for
greater flexibility than in quantitative research.

• Data is collected in textual form based on observation and interaction with the
participants e.g., through participant observation, in-depth interviews and focus
groups.

• It is not converted into numerical form and is not statistically analysed.

• Data collection may be carried out in several stages rather than once and for all.

• The researchers may even adapt the process mid-way, deciding to address
additional issues or dropping questions which are not appropriate on the
basis of what they learn during the process.
• In some cases, the researchers will interview or observe a set number of
people.
• In other cases, the process of data collection and analysis may continue
until the researchers find that no new issues are emerging.
• The advantage with qualitative research is that it allows data
triangulations and spontaneous moves of data collection according
to situation.
• Besides interviewing and observation method offers lots of
avenues like discussions, attending functions or festivals and listening
to the views, opinions and experiences of the respondents which are
beneficial for the research output
Quantitative Research Approach

• Quantitative research, as the term suggests is concerned with the collection and analysis of data
in numeric form.

• Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with collecting and analysing data in as
many forms, chiefly, non-numeric.

• In the quantitative approach, the data is subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis. This includes
Inferential; Experimental; & Simulation.

• The qualitative approach deals with data subjective to assessment of attitudes, opinions, and
behaviour.

• The basic features shared by all these different kinds or views of research are that they are
or aim to be systematic and reliable ways of finding out or deepening understanding.

• Most of the studies which rely on data collection, its numericizing and application of
statistical tools are quantitative in nature.

• It usually involves collecting and converting data into numerical form so that statistical calculations
can be made, and conclusions drawn.
The process of Quantitative Research

• Researchers will have one or more hypotheses.

• These are the questions that they want to address
which include predictions about possible relationships
between the things they want to investigate (variables).
• To find answers to these questions, the researchers will
also have various instruments and materials (e.g. paper
or computer tests, observation check lists etc.) and a
clearly defined plan of action
Pragmatic approach
 A pragmatic approach in research focuses on finding practical solutions
to real-world problems, rather than engaging in theoretical debates.
 Researchers begin by identifying a problem in its broader context,
leading to an inquiry aimed at understanding and solving the issue.
 Pragmatism allows for flexibility, often combining both quantitative and
qualitative methods to address the problem effectively.
 Researchers choose techniques that best fit the research problem,
acknowledging that each method has its limitations.
 For example, they might conduct interviews or focus groups, then use
the findings to create a large-scale questionnaire for statistical analysis.
The key is prioritizing practical outcomes over abstract theories.
The Participatory Approach
• The Participatory Approach, especially Participatory Action Research (PAR),
focuses on collaboration and change by working directly with communities.
• Instead of just observing, researchers and participants work together as co-
researchers to explore important issues, giving a voice to marginalized
groups.
• PAR aims to empower these groups by involving them in every stage of the
research and often advocates for reforms. Unlike traditional research, PAR
emphasizes working "with" people rather than "on" or "for" them,
highlighting their experiences and social context.
• Researchers may form close relationships with participants and report
findings in their own words.
• NGOs commonly use this approach to help communities address challenges
through active engagement.
Role of research
in Business
• Informed Decision-Making: Research provides data and insights that help business
leaders make informed decisions, reducing uncertainty and risk in areas such as market
expansion, product development, and strategy formulation.
• Identifying Opportunities and Threats: Through market research and competitive
analysis, businesses can spot potential opportunities for growth or identify threats from
competitors, changing market trends, or external economic factors.
• Improving Efficiency: Research helps businesses optimize operations by identifying
inefficiencies, improving processes, and minimizing waste, which leads to cost savings
and improved profitability.
• Customer Understanding: By conducting consumer research, businesses can gain
deep insights into customer preferences, needs, and behaviors, enabling them to tailor
products, services, and marketing strategies effectively.
• Innovation and Competitive Advantage: Research fuels innovation by uncovering
new technologies, methods, and trends, allowing businesses to stay ahead of
competitors and continuously improve their offerings.
Researc
h
Process