PROCESS OF

RESEARCH
 Introduction
Research refers to a search for knowledge. It is a
movement from known to unknown. Research
requires proper planning. Planning of research
means deciding the questions or issues which are
to be studied. Planning gives a direction to work.
 Research process
1. Tentative selection of the topic/problem
2. Initial survey of literature
3. Finalization or selection of research problem
4. Formulation of a problem
5. Formulation of hypothesis
6. Definition of concepts
7. Preparation of the research design
8. Determination of the sample design
9. Collection of data
10. Execution of the project
11. Analysis of data
12. Testing of hypothesis
13. Arriving at generalizations
14. Preparation of the report or thesis.
 1.Tentative Selection of topic or
research problem
◦The first task of a researcher is to identify the areas of
research or problem he wants to study.
◦Sources of problem:-
* Reading *Academic experience *Daily experience
* exposure to field situations * Discussions
 2. Initial survey of literature
◦In this a general overview of literature should be done.
◦Types of literature:-
1. Conceptual literature
2. Empirical literature
 3. Finalization or Selection of
Research problem
◦The researcher should select the problem and it
should rephrase into analytical or operational term.
◦While selecting the problem the following points
should be considered:-
1. Subject should not be too wide and uncontrollable in nature.
2. Should not be too narrow.
3. Suit to his academic background, research talent, knowledge and
experience.
4. Limitations such as time and cost availability.
 4.Formulation of a problem
◦Here the selected problem should be translated and
transformed into a scientific research question.
◦Steps in formulation
1. Develop a title
2. Workout conceptual model
3. Extensive literature survey(Literature review)
4. Defining the objectives of the study
5. Setting investigative questions.
 5.Formulation of Hypothesis
◦A hypothesis is a tentative assumption made in order to
draw out and it test its logical or empirical consequences.
◦There maybe one more hypothesis for the same study
◦The hypothesis should be formulated before collecting data
◦It should be very specific and a limited to the concerned
problem
◦The hypothesis are never proved, it is to be tested.
 6.Definition of concepts
Define the concepts involved in the title, objectives, investigative
questions and hypothesis.
7.Preparation of the research design
The function of the research design is to provide for the collection of relevant
evidence with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money. It depends
upon the purpose of research.The purpose of research can be grouped into
the following categories.
• Exploration
• Description
• Diagnosis
• Experimenatation.
 8. Determination of the Sample
Design
◦The researcher must decide the sample design to be used for
the research purposes by considering the nature of enquiry and
other factors.
◦A sample design is a definite plan determined before any data
are actually collected for obtaining a sample from a
population.
 9. Collection of Data
All kinds of research work require data. The data can be collected in
different ways. The secondary data or information may be collected
both from published and unpublished sources. Certain agencies provide
numerous data, which are useful for research. Primary data can be
collected through
1. Survey
2. Experiment
 10.Execution of the project
◦Aafthe execution of the project proceeds on correct lines, the data collected
would be adequate, dependable and sufficient.
◦ The researcher should see that the project is executed in properway.

11. Analysis of data

◦After data collection the next step is analysis of data. For the purpose
of analysis of data a number of operations are to be done.
◦ It includes establishment of categories, the application of these
categories to raw data through coding, tabulation and making
inferences.
 12.Testing of Hypothesis
◦He wants to see whether the analyzed data supports hypothesis or not.
◦There are various tests, which can be applied for testing hypothesis. They
are Chi square test, F test, t test.

13.Arriving at Generalisation
◦When a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, it may be elevated
to generalizations. That means a theory can be build.
◦If there is no hypothesis, the findings of their research should be explained
on the basis of certain theory. It is known as interpretation.
 14.Preparation of the Report or
Thesis
◦The last step of the research is to state the results of research or write the
conclusion derived from the study.
◦ The researcher prepares a report and it indicates what he has done to study the
concerned problem.
◦The report or thesis can be divided into different sections and chapter.
1. Preliminary pages
2. Text of thesis
3. End matter
 HYPOTHESIS
• Hypothesis means near assumptions or supposition
which are to be proved or disproved
• Hypothesis is a tentative proposition formulated for
empirical testing
• But for researcher hypothesis is a normal question
that he intends to resolve .
 Definition
“Hypothesis is a formal statement that present the expected relationship
between an independent and dependent variable”.– Creswell
Types of Hypothesis
1. Descriptive hypothesis
2. Relational hypothesis
3. Casual hypothesis
4. Working hypothesis
5. Null hypothesis
6. Statistical hypothesis.
 Importance of hypotheses
1. It gives a direction to the research
2. Its specifies the focus of the researcher
3. It helps in devising research techniques
4. It prevents from blind research
5. It ensures accuracy and precision
6. It saves resources- Time, Money and Energy
 RESEARCH DESIGN OR PLAN
◦Research design is a comprehensive plan of the series of operations that a
researcher intends to carry out to accomplish the research objectives. It is
the blue print for the study.
◦“A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and
analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research
purpose with economy in procedure “—Bernard S Philips.
◦It indicates decisions regarding-
*What, when, where, how much, by what means about a research
Study