Subject: - Research Methodology

1. What is Research?
Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In
fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. Dictionary definition of research is a careful
investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
Somme people consider research as a movement from the known to the unknown. Research is
basically a systematic investigation into and study of materials in order to establish facts or reach
some new conclusions about them. Further it can also be asserted as an endeavor to discover new
facts or to collect old facts by the scientific study of a subject. It is characterized by the following
elements:
a) Empirical approach,
b) Observations,
c) Questions,
d) Hypotheses,
e) Experiments,
f) Analyses,
g) Conclusions,
h) Replication.

1.1. Objectives of research

The principal aim and objective of research is finding the truth which is either hidden or not
discovered till date. But apart from this primary objective, the secondary aim of pursuing
research varies from person to persons. They can be listed in form of different groups of studies.
They are as follows:
a) Exploratory or Formulative Research Studies: To gain acquaintance with a particular
topic in order to develop insights into it.
b) Descriptive Research Studies: To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group.
c) Diagnostic Research Studies: To determine the frequency of occurrence of a particular
phenomenon or its association with some other facts by continuous observations.
d) Hypothesis Testing Research Studies: To determine the relationship between different
variables.

1.2. Motivations of research

There are different factors which motivate one to pursue research. These factors usually range
from one’s likeliness towards a particular field to one’s job responsibility of doing it. The
different motivations of pursuing research can be outlined as follows:
a) Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits.
b) Desire to face the challenges in solving the yet unsettled problems and explore new
possibilities.
c) Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work.
d) Desire to be of service to society.
 e) Desire to earn respect.
Moreover, apart from these factors there can be curiosity about new things and happenings,
social thinking and also awareness that may indulge one to pursue research.

1.3. Classification of research

The basic types of research can be categorized as follows:
a) Descriptive and Analytical: Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding
enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of this research is description of the state
of affairs as it exists at present. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research
are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlational methods. In
analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information
already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
b) Applied and Fundamental: Research can either be applied (or action) research or
fundamental (basic or pure) research. Applied research aims at finding a solution for an
immediate social or an organizational problem, whereas fundamental research is mainly
concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory.
c) Quantitative and Qualitative: Quantitative research is based on the measurement of
quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of
quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.
d) Conceptual and Empirical: Conceptual research relates to some abstract ideas or theory.
It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret
existing ones. On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience or observation
alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, resulting
into conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment.
e) Other Types: All other types of research are mixtures of one or more of the above stated
approaches, based on either the purpose of research, the time required to accomplish
research, the environment in which research is done, or on the basis of some other similar
factor.

1.4. Various research approaches

In the previous section, various types of research have been discussed. Generalizing all the types
two specific approaches of carrying out research can be figured out. They are viz. Quantitative
approach and Qualitative approach. The former involves the handling of experimental results in
the form of data and involves rigorous calculations thus relating to quantity. It can be further
classified into inferential, experimental and simulation approach of research. The purpose of
inferential approach is to form a database from which various characteristics and the relationship
between variables can be inferred. Experimental research approach shows a greater control over
the research environment and here some variables and modified to observe their change on other
variables. Simulation approach of research involves the construction of an artificial environment
by means of some software or tools, within which relevant information and data can be
generated. Thus observation of dynamic behavior of a system in controlled environment is
achieved. Moreover, the future behavior of a system can also be predicted. Qualitative research
approach, however, involves the subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions and behavior.
Research of this type largely depends upon researcher’s insights and intuitions. Mostly this types
of research results into a nonquantitative form or a quantitative from which is devoid of rigorous
mathematical calculations.

1.5. Significance of research

The significance or importance of research is manifold. They are briefly elaborated in the
subsequent sections.
a) Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it also promotes the
development of logical habits.
b) Research is mainly a miniature version of the future developments and policies.
c) Research helps in solving various operational and planning problems related to business
and industry. Operations research and market research, along with motivational research,
are considered crucial and their results assist, in more than one way, in taking business
decisions.
d) Research is also important for social scientists in studying social relationships and
seeking answers to various social problems. It provides the intellectual satisfaction of
knowing a few things just for the sake of knowledge and also has practical utility for the
social scientist to know for the sake of being able to do something better or in a more
efficient manner.

2. Research methodology
“Research Methodology” involves the planning of the said research work in due course of time
and gives a systematic approach to progress with one’s bunch of ideas and views. Research
methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a
science of studying how research is done scientifically. It is necessary for the researcher to know
not only the research methods or techniques but also the methodology. Researchers not only
need to know how to develop certain tests, how to calculate mathematical problems or how to
apply particular research techniques, but they also need to know which of these methods or
techniques, are relevant and which are not, and what would they mean and indicate and why.
Researchers also need to understand the assumptions underlying various techniques and they
need to know the criteria by which they can decide that certain techniques and procedures will be
applicable to certain problems and others will not. All this means that it is necessary for the
researcher to design his methodology for his problem as the same may differ from problem to
problem. Thus research methodologies can be put into the following three groups:
a) Methods which involve collection of data. They are used when the already available data
are not sufficient to arrive at the required solution.
b) This type of method consists of statistical techniques which are used to establish a
relationship between the data and unknown variable.
 c) Methods belonging to this group are used to evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained.
Thus it is clear that research methodology has many dimensions and research methods do
constitute a part of the research methodology. The scope of research methodology is wider than
that of research methods.

2.1. Importance of research methodology

The study of research methodology gives the student the necessary training in gathering material
and arranging them, participation in the field work when required, and also training in techniques
for the collection of data appropriate to particular problems, in the use of statistics,
questionnaires and controlled experimentation and in recording evidence, sorting it out and
interpreting it. In fact, importance of knowing the methodology of research or how research is
done arises from the following considerations:
a) For one who is preparing himself for a career of carrying out research, the importance of
knowing research methodology and research techniques is obvious since the same
constitute the tools of his trade. The knowledge of methodology provides good training
especially to the new research worker and enables him to do better research. It helps him
to develop disciplined thinking or a ‘bent of mind’ to observe the field objectively.
Hence, those aspiring for careerism in research must develop the skill of using research
techniques and must thoroughly understand the logic behind them.
b) Knowledge of how to do research will inculcate the ability to evaluate and use research
results with reasonable confidence. In other words, we can state that the knowledge of
research methodology is helpful in various fields such as government or business
administration, community development and social work where persons are increasingly
called upon to evaluate and use research results for action.
c) When one knows how research is done, then one may have the satisfaction of acquiring a
new intellectual tool which can become a way of looking at the world and of judging
every day experience. Accordingly, it enables us to make intelligent decisions concerning
problems facing us in practical life at different points of time. Thus, the knowledge of
research methodology provides tools to look at things in life objectively.
d) In this scientific age, all of us are in many ways consumers of research results and we can
use them intelligently provided we are able to judge the adequacy of the methods by
which they have been obtained. The knowledge of methodology helps the consumer of
research results to evaluate them and enables him to take rational decisions.

2.1. Procedure of pursuing research

Research process consists of a series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out
research. These steps should in a sequential order. The various steps of research are discussed in
the subsequent sections:

2.1.1 Formulating the research problem:

There are two types of research problems, viz., those which relate to states of nature and those
which relate to relationships between variables. At the very beginning the researcher must find
out the problem he wants to study, i.e., he must decide the general area of interest or aspect of a
subject-matter that he would like to inquire into. Initially the problem may be stated in a broad
general way and then the ambiguities, if any, relating to the problem be resolved. Then, the
feasibility of a particular solution has to be considered before a working formulation of the
problem can be set up. The formulation of a general topic into a specific research problem, thus,
constitutes the first step in a scientific enquiry. Essentially two steps are involve in formulating
the research problem, viz., understanding the problem thoroughly, and rephrasing the same into
meaningful terms from an analytical point of view. The best way of understanding the problem is
to discuss it with one’s own colleagues or with those having some expertise in the matter. In an
academic institution the researcher can seek the help from a guide who is usually an experienced
man and has several research problems in mind. Often, the guide puts forth the problem in
general terms and it is up to the researcher to narrow it down and phrase the problem in
operational terms. In private business units or in governmental organizations, the problem is
usually earmarked by the administrative agencies with whom the researcher can discuss as to
how the problem originally came about and what considerations are involved in its possible
solutions. The researcher must at the same time examine all available literature to get himself
acquainted with the selected problem. He may review two types of literature—the conceptual
literature concerning the concepts and theories, and the empirical literature consisting of studies
made earlier which are similar to the one proposed. The basic outcome of this review will be the
knowledge as to what data and other materials are available for operational purposes which will
enable the researcher to specify his own research problem in a meaningful context. After this the
researcher rephrases the problem into analytical or operational terms i.e., to put the problem in as
specific terms as possible. This task of formulating, or defining, a research problem is a step of
greatest importance in the entire research process. The problem to be investigated must be
defined clearly for that will help discriminating relevant data from irrelevant ones. Care must be
taken to verify the objectivity and validity of the background facts concerning the problem. In
fact, formulation of the problem often follows a sequential pattern where a number of
formulations are set up, each formulation more specific than the earlier one, each one phrased in
more analytical terms, and each more realistic in terms of the available data and resources.

2.1.2 Extensive literature survey:

Once the problem is formulated, a brief summary of it should be written down. It is compulsory
for a research worker writing a thesis for a Ph.D. degree to write a synopsis of the topic and
submit it to the necessary Committee or the Research Board for approval. At this moment the
researcher should undertake extensive literature survey connected with the problem. For this
purpose, the abstracting and indexing journals and published or unpublished bibliographies are
the first place to go to. Academic journals, conference proceedings, government reports, books
etc., must be studied depending on the nature of the problem. In this process, it should be
remembered that one source will lead to another. The earlier studies, if any, which are similar to
the study in hand should be carefully studied. A good library will be a great help to the
researcher at this stage.

2.1.3 Development of working hypothesis:

After extensive literature survey, researcher should state in clear terms the working hypothesis or
hypotheses. Working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its
logical or empirical consequences. As such the manner in which research hypotheses are
developed is particularly important since they provide the focal point for research. They also
affect the manner in which tests must be conducted in the analysis of data and indirectly the
quality of data which is required for the analysis. In most types of research, the development of
working hypothesis plays an important role. Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to
the piece of research in hand because it has to be tested. The role of the hypothesis is to guide the
researcher by delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track. It sharpens his
thinking and focuses attention on the more important facets of the problem. It also indicates the
type of data required and the type of methods of data analysis to be used.

The approaches that should be undertaken during hypothesis are as follows:

a) Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin and the
objectives in seeking a solution
b) Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for possible
trends, peculiarities and other clues
c) Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems
d) Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews on a
limited scale with interested parties and individuals with a view to secure greater
insight into the practical aspects of the problem.
Thus, working hypotheses arise as a result of a-priori thinking about the subject, examination of
the available data and material including related studies and the counsel of experts and interested
parties. Working hypotheses are more useful when stated in precise and clearly defined terms. It
may as well be remembered that occasionally we may encounter a problem where we do not
need working hypotheses, especially in the case of exploratory or formulative researches which
do not aim at testing the hypothesis. But as a general rule, specification of working hypotheses in
another basic step of the research process in most research problems.