RESEARCH

METHODS

LECTURE 1
Objectives of the
course
• Students should be able to:

• Sharpen the analytical skills.

• Develop their understanding of the research
concerns.
• Develop the ability to convert the research
concerns into a research problem.
• Prepare a roadmap or blueprint of the
research – using appropriate methodologies.
• Conduct the research by following the
complete research process.
Methodology
 Textbook
• Neuman, W. L. (2000).
Social Research Methods:
Qualitative and Quantitative
Approaches.
Boston: Allyen and Bacon.
Supplementary books:
• 1. Zikmund, W. G. (2003).
Business Research Methods.
Mason, Ohio: South Western.
• 2. Sekaran, U. (2004) .
Research Methods for
Business
New York: John Wiley & Sons
 What is research?
• Gathering information needed
to answer a question, and
thereby help in solving a
problem.
• Systematic and organized effort
to investigate.
What is the value of
research?
 Research offers the
pleasure of solving a
puzzle.
 Generating
Theories – Models
 Identifying
problems and
solutions
Research helps to
develop new
methodologies.
 We are
surrounded
by
social research
SCIENTIFIC
METHOD
 Every human
knowledge is not
science
Science is
a method
• A procedure
to produce
knowledge i.e.
discovering
uniformities/
principles,
laws in this
universe.
 Process of “sensory
experiences”

• Observation  Repetition 
Re-observation.
• By repeating the observation
researchers want to be
definite/positive.
• This approach is called
positivism
Results are
organized,
systematized, and
made part of the body
of knowledge.
 Special
Features of Scientific
Method
 1. Empirical
Observable phenomenon
 2.Verifiable
Use senses to confirm or refute the
observation. “Sensory experiences.”
Intuitions (an ability to understand or know
something immediately without needing to
think about it, learn it or discover it by using
reason ) and revelations are out.
Replicability (do something again in exactly
the same way ) needed.
3. Cummulative

Knowledge grows. Need not

start from scratch.
4. Deterministic

Explains why things

happen? Parsimony 
Minimum No. of variables
that explain variance.
 5. Ethical and
ideological neutrality

Value free. Objectivity. Is it

possible?
 6. Statistical
generalization

Subjecting information to
statistical analysis.
(Statistics is a device for
comparing what is observed
and what is logically
expected).
7. Rationalism
the belief or principle that
actions and opinions should be
based on reason rather than on
emotion Employ rigorous rules
of logic. Argumentation.
 All features are
interrelated.
Scientists not necessarily
adhere to all these
characteristics.
 Two power bases of
knowledge
• Empiricism: Sensory
experience  positivism.
• Rationalism: Explanation
for regularity. Consequential
arguments. Logical.
 Any body following
the said procedure of
research is doing
scientific research.
Logical positivism i.e.
theory + observation
+ statistics
CLASSIFICATION
OF
RESEARCH
Four main dimensions:
1. Purpose of doing research.
2. Intended uses of research.
3. How it treats time  time
dimension.
4. The research techniques used
1. Purpose of Research
What the researcher trying to
accomplish.
a. Exploratory/Formulative
b. Descriptive
c. Explanatory
Studies can be multipurpose
a. Exploratory
Research
• Initial research
conducted to clarify
and define the nature
of the problem.
Exploring a new topic.
• Specifically there could
be number of goals of
exploratory research.
 Goals of Exploratory Research
• Become familiar with the topic. Develop
well grounded picture of the situation.
• Develop tentative(uncertain ) theories.
• Determine the feasibility of study.
• Formulate questions and refine issues
for more systematic inquiry.
• Develop techniques and a sense of
direction for future research
b. Descriptive Research
• Research designed to describe
characteristics of the
phenomenon understudy.
• Helps in diagnostic analysis
• Specific goals can be:
Goals of Descriptive Research
• Describe the situation/characteristics.
Provide an accurate profile of a group.
• Give a verbal or numerical picture (%).
• Present basic background information.
• Create a set of categories or classify.
• Clarify sequence, set of stages.
• Focus on ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘where’
and ‘how’ but not on ‘why’.
c. Explanatory Research
• Also called as causal research i.e.
• ‘Why’? Explanation.
• Identify cause and effect
relationship among different
factors.
Goals of Explanatory Research
• Explain things not just reporting. Why?
• Which explanation is better.
• Determine the accuracy of theory.
• Advance knowledge about underlying
process
• Build and elaborate a theory  complete.
• Extend a theory or principle into new areas.
• Provide evidence to support or refute an
explanation or prediction.
What is a phenomenon?
Something that exists and
can be seen, felt, tasted, etc.,
especially something which
is unusual or interesting
Gravity is a phenomenon.
2. The Uses of Research
• a. Basic Research
• Pure/fundamental/academic
• Developing/refuting/supporting
theories. Expand knowledge.
• Explanatory research is the
most common
• Applied can also contribute.
b. Applied Research
• Solve specific problems  help
practitioners. Market new product.
• Choose one policy over the other.
• For improving productivity 
problem with machines, raw
material, persons working.
Types of applied research
- Action research: Those who are being
studied participate in research process;
research incorporate popular knowledge;
focus on power with goal of empowerment
increase awareness; tied to political action
- Impact Assessment: Estimate the likely
consequences of planned change.
- Evaluation Research: Did the program
work? Measures the effectiveness of
program.
3. Time Dimension of Research
• Cross-Sectional Research: Observe at one
point in time. Snapshot study.
• Longitudinal Research: Examine at more
than one time. Can be 
• - Time series study:
• which the same type of information is collected on a group of people or
other units across multiple time periods

• - Panel study:
• the researcher observes exactly the same people, group, or organization
across time periods.
Time Dimension of Research conti…..
• - Cohort study – Category of people who
share the same experience.
• is similar to the panel study, but rather than
observing the exact same people, a category of
people who share a similar life experience in a
specified time period is studied. The focus is on
the cohort, or category, not on specific
individuals. Commonly used cohorts include all
people born in the same year (called birth
cohorts); all people hired at the same time, all
people retire on one or two year time frame, and
all people who graduate in a given year .
4. Research Techniques Used
• Experimental technique.
• Surveys. Quantitative

• Content analysis.
• Use of existing statistics.
• Field research.
• Case study. Qualitative
• Focus group discussions
» Mixed methods/techniques
What is Evidence?
Quantitative Data = evidence in the
form of numbers.
Qualitative Data = evidence in the
form of visual images, words or
sounds.