Research Methodology
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Senior Professor/Kalasalingam Univ
Research?
Research in common jargon refers to a search for knowledge.
Research is an art of scientific investigation. Dictionary definition of
research is a careful investigation or inquiry specially through
search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
Some people consider research as a movement from the known to
the unknown.
2
Whatisresearch?
• Research is a careful and detailed study into a specific problem, concern, or
issue using the scientific method.
• Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. One can
also define research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic.
• In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. Some people consider
research as a movement from the known to the unknown. It is the pursuit of
truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment.
• In short, the search for knowledge through objectives systematic method of
finding solution to a problem is research.
Objectives ofresearch
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies
withthisobjectinviewaretermedas )
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a
group(studieswiththisobjectinviewareknownas )
• To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known as
)
• To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables (such studies are
knownas )
CriteriaofGoodResearch
The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts be
used.
The research procedure used should be described in suffi cient detail to permit
another researcher to repeat the researcher for further advancement, keeping the
continuity of whathas alreadybeenattained.
The procedural design of the research should carefully planned to yield results that
are as objective as possible. The researcher should report with complete frankness,
flaws in procedural design and estimate their effects upon thefindings.
The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance and
the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of
thedata should be checked carefully .
Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and
limitedto those forwhichthe data provide anadequatebasis.
Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has a
good reputationinresearch and is a person of integrity.
QualitiesofgoodResearch:
• Good research is systematic: It means that research is
structured with specified steps to be taken in a
specified sequence in accordance with the well
defined set of rules.
• Good research is logical: This implies that research is
guided by the rules of logical reasoning and the
logical process of induction are of great value us
carrying out research.
• Good research is empirical: It implies that research is
related basically to one or more aspects of a real
situation and deals with concrete data that
provides a basis for external validit y to research
results.
• Good research is replicable: T his characteristics
allows research results to be verified by
replicating the study and thereby building a sound
basis fir decisions.
TYPESOFRESEARCH
• DescriptiveResearch
• AnalyticalResearch
• AppliedResearch
• FundamentalResearch
• QuantitativeResearch
• QualitativeResearch
• ConceptualResearch
• EmpiricalResearch
• SomeotherTypesofResearch
DescriptiveResearch
• It includes survey fact-finding enquires of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive
research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present .
• Most research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to
measure such items as, forexample,frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data.
studies also include attempts by researchers to discover cause even when they cannot
control the variables.
• The methods of research utilised in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds,
including comparative and correlational methods.
AnalyticalResearch
In analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or information
already available, and analyse these to make a critical evaluation of the
material.
AppliedResearch
• It aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business
organisation.
• Research aimed at a certain conclusions facing concrete social or business problem.
• Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution,
marketing research, evaluation research are examples.
• The central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical
problems, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base
of applications and thus, adds to the already existing organised body of scientific knowledge.
FundamentalResearch
• It is mainly concerned with generalisations and with t he formulation of a theory.
• Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake.
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics.
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics.
• Similarly, research concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalisations
about human behaviour.
Quantitative
• It is based on the quantitative measurements of some characteristics.
• It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantities.
Qualitative
• It is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e.,phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.
• For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviour(i.e., why people
think or do certain things)
• This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives, desires, using in depth interviews
of the purpose.
• It is specially important in the behavioural sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying
motives of human behaviour.
• Through such research we can analyse the various factor motivate people to behave in a particular
manner
• While doing such research, one should seek guidance from experimental psychologist.
ConceptualResearch
• It is related to some abstract idea’s or theory. It is generally used by philopshers and thinkers to
develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
EmpiricalResearch
• It relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory.
• It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable f being verified by observation or
experiment.
• We can also call it as experimental type of research.
• Insuch a research it is necessary to get facts at firsthand, at their source, and actively to go about doing a
certain things to stimulate the production of desired information.
• The researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as the probable results.
• This research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other variables in s one way.
• Evidence gathered through experiments are considered to be the most powerful support possible for testing
given hypothesis.
Someothertypesofresearch
• All other types of research are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches, based on
either the purpose of research, or the time required to accomplish research, on the environment in
which research is done, or on the basis of some other similar factors.
• Historicalresearchis that which utilises historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to study events or
ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any remote point of time.
• Research can also be classified as conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented.
• While doing conclusion-orientedresearch, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry a she
proceeds. And Iprepared to conceptualise as he wishes.
• Decisionorientedresearchis always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case is not free
to embark upon research since it is a scientific method of providing executive departments with a
quantitative basis for decisions regarding operations under their control.
