SRI BALAJI UNIVERSITY

SY MCA Semester - III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND ETHICS

Dr. Savita V. Mohurle

What is Research?
• Research is "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of
knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of this
stock of knowledge to devise new applications [1].
• Research is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting
information (data) in order to better understand a phenomenon about which we are
interested or concerned[2].
• Research is a systematic controlled, empirical and critical investigation of
hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural
phenomena[3].
 Introduction
• Research is defined as careful consideration of study regarding a particular
concern or problem using scientific methods.
• Research is "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the
stock of knowledge“.
• Research is the process of discovering new knowledge.
• Research is a careful and detailed study into a specific problem, concern,
or issue using the scientific method.
• Research refers to investigator's efforts to learn about a topic and develop
new knowledge.
 Characteristics of Research Process
• Generalized - is the extent to which the findings of a research study may be transferred beyond the case sampled to
a larger population or setting.
• Controlled - Controlling factors in research are controlling variables that may interfere with the results, ensuring that
only what the study intends to is being tested. By controlling extraneous factors, researchers are able to isolate the
independent variable's effects on the dependent variable
• Rigorous
• Empirical - is based on observable and measurable evidence. It involves establishing or proving facts through
collecting data,
• Objectivity - not holding any biases and remaining neutral in the study's design and interpretation
• Systematic - Good research is conducted with a systematic and logical approach-all of which have a planned step-by-
step process executed on the basis of sound reasoning
• Reliability - there is consistent reproduction of results under similar circumstances.
• Validity - is the degree to which a study measures what it intends to measure.
• Employs hypothesis -
• Analytical & Accuracy - the precision in measurement and proper data collection, which are significant determinants
of good accuracy.
• Credibility - the researcher and his/her research process are trustworthy and expert.
Characteristics of Research Process

• Replicable - is a constituent of good research, meaning that the study may be repeated by other
researchers who would get similar results. The replicability of study means that the findings are
not due to chance or error, which thereby enhances the reliability and validity of the study.
• Critical
• Lengthy process
• Focused
• Specific
• Intensive
• Accumulative and educational
• Information gathering
• Transportation of facts from one location to another
• Not rummaging for information - searching through something in a haphazard or disorganized
manner.
Attempt In-quiz

1. Research is

Searching again and again Finding solution to any problem

Searching again and Finding solution to

again any problem

None of the above

Working in a scientific way to search for truth of any problem

Working in a scientific None of the above

way to search for truth
of any problem
 Introduction

• According to Clifford Woody research comprises :

➢defining and redefining problems,
➢formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions;
➢collecting, organizing and evaluating data;
➢making deductions and reaching conclusions;
➢at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit
the formulating hypothesis
 Introduction

• D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences

“the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of

generalising to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that
knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art.”
 Objectives of research
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it
(studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative
research studies).
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group (studies with this object in view are known as
descriptive research studies).
3. 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 diagnostic research studies).
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such
studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies).
 Motivation in research

1. Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits.

2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e.,
concern over practical problems initiates research.
3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work.
4. Desire to be of service to society.
5. Desire to get respectability
 Types of research

• Descriptive vs. Analytical

• Applied vs. Fundamental
• Quantitative vs. Qualitative
• Conceptual vs. Empirical
• Some Other Types of Research
 Introduction
• The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the
meaning of research as
“a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts
in any branch of knowledge.”

• Redman and Mory define research as a “systematized effort to gain new

knowledge.”

• Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the

known to the unknown.
 What is Academic Research?

• “Systematic investigation into a problem or situation, where the

intention is to identify facts and/or opinions that will assist in solving
the problem or dealing with the situation”.
• Also, called academic or scholarly research focuses on research
goals/questions that arise from independent researchers.
• Uses formal, scientific and systematic procedures to discover
answers.
• Scholarly research is guided by an already existing theory in order to
reject or support the theory.
Ex: Enhancing an algorithm
 What is Professional Research?

• Professional research focus on research goals/questions that emerge from certain

requirements.
• Work performed to promote an individual’s profession.
• May or may not use the formal, scientific and systematic procedures to discover answers.
• May or may not grounded in theories and may or may not require a representative
sample.
A Typical Academic Research Process Cycle
 What is Professional Research?

• Used to solve a specific, practical issue affecting an individual or group

• Example:
➢Investigating which treatment approach is the most effective for
reducing anxiety.
➢Researching which strategies work best to motivate workers.
➢Studying different keyboard designs to determine which is the most
efficient and ergonomic.
➢Introducing a new convincing policies for someone who is in stress.
➢Investigating the effect does fast food have on overall health
A Typical Professional Research Process Cycle
 Difference between Academic
Research and Professional Research
 Academic Research Professional Research
Called as Scholarly Research Called as Applied Research
Search to add to a larger “body of Search to find solutions to problems and
knowledge” issues
Question tends to be more conceptual Problem tends to be more practical
Theoretically focused Practically and organizationally focused
Findings are generally made public Findings are generally kept private
• ResultGeneralized - is the extent to Results are generally used internally to
which the findings of a research study make decisions and set up strategy
may be transferred beyond the case
sampled to a larger population or
setting.
• Controlled - Controlling factors in
research are controlling variables that
may interfere with the results, ensuring
that only what the study intends to is
being tested. By controlling extraneous
factors, researchers are able to isolate
the independent variable's effects on
the dependent variable
• Rigorous
• Empirical - is based on observable and
 Common between Academic
Research and Professional Research
 Commons:
• Questions asked
• Problems established
• Phenomenon observed
• Seeks to validate the field and profession
• Draws upon a much larger research community
• Results bring in new information/knowledge
• Uses widely accepted research methods ( i.e. scientific methods)
• Adheres to ethical standards
Take Away
• Introduction to
➢Academic research
➢Professional research
• Differences and commons
• Worries
• Focus
 Reference:

1. [Link], “Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques”, New Age

International, 2004.
2. N. Walliam“Research Methods: The Basics: 2nd Edition”, macmillan education.
3. [Link]
Attempt Out-quiz

1. The essential qualities of a researcher are

Spirit of free enquiry

Spirit of free enquiry

Reliance on observation and evidence

Reliance on observation
and evidence
Systematization or theorizing of knowledge

Systematization or
theorizing of
knowledge
All the above

All the above

 Criteria of Good Research

• Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the

research and limited to those for which the data provide an adequate
basis.
• Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is
experienced, has a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity.
The qualities of a good research

• Good research is systematic

• Good research is logical
• Good research is empirical
• Good research is replicable
Problems Encountered by Researchers in India
• The lack of a scientific training in the methodology of research
• Insufficient interaction - Efforts should be made to develop satisfactory
liaison among all concerned for better and realistic researches.
• There is the need for generating the confidence that the information/data
obtained from a business unit will not be misused.
• Research studies overlapping one another are undertaken quite often for
want of adequate information.
• There does not exist a code of conduct for researchers
• The difficulty of adequate and timely secretarial assistance
• Library management and functioning is not satisfactory at many places
• There is also the problem that many of our libraries are not able to get copies
of old and new Acts/Rules, reports and other government publications in
time.
 Problems Encountered by Researchers in India

• There is also the difficulty of timely availability of published data from various
government and other agencies doing this job in our country.
• There may, at times, take place the problem of conceptualization and also
problems relating to the process of data collection and related things.
 SELECTING THE PROBLEM
• Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a
difficult task to throw any new light in such a case.
• Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average
researcher.
• Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
• The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the
related research material or sources of research are within one’s reach.
• The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of a
researcher, the costs involved, the time factor are few other criteria.
• The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.
 The components of a research problem
• There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty or the
problem.
• There must be some objective(s) to be attained at. If one wants nothing, one
cannot have a problem.
• There must be alternative means (or the courses of action) for obtaining the
objective(s) one wishes to attain. This means that there must be at least two
means available to a researcher for if he has no choice of means, he cannot
have a problem.
• There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the
selection of alternatives. This means that research must answer the question
concerning the relative efficiency of the possible alternatives.
• There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains.
Study of Researchers
• Whether he is well equipped in terms of his background to carry out the
research?
• Whether the study falls within the budget he can afford?
• Whether the necessary cooperation can be obtained from those who must
participate in research as subjects?
 Research Design

• “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.”1

• 1 Claire Selltiz and others, Research Methods in Social Sciences, 1962, p. 50.
 Research Design
• A research design is a plan or
framework outlining how a
research study will be conducted,
specifying the methods for
collecting and analyzing data to
answer research questions or test
hypotheses.
• It's a structured approach that
guides the entire research process,
from initial planning to the final
analysis and interpretation of
findings.
• Serves as a blueprint for how a
study will be carried out, including
the methods and techniques that
will be used to collect and analyze
data.
 My Research Objectives
1. To propagate fuzzy probability theory with machine learning.
2. To develop a classical model to find uncertainties and quality of certain
data.
3. To investigate the behaviour of machine learning-based fuzzy probability
theory for quantifying the effect of organic waste for compost.
4. To analyze MSW compost data by finding the probability and possibility
of minerals/elements present in data.
5. To use a machine learning-based fuzzy probability approach to calculate
the acceptance level of MSW compost.
 Research Design
Key elements of research design include:
• Research Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of the research study. What is the research trying to achieve or
investigate?
• Research Questions or Hypotheses: Formulating specific research questions or hypotheses that address the objectives of the study.
These questions guide the research process.
• Data Collection Methods: Determining how data will be collected, whether through surveys, experiments, observations, interviews,
archival research, or a combination of these methods.
• Sampling: Deciding on the target population and selecting a sample that represents that population. Sampling methods can vary, such
as random sampling, stratified sampling, or convenience sampling.
• Data Collection Instruments: Developing or selecting the tools and instruments needed to collect data, such as questionnaires,
surveys, or experimental equipment.
• Data Analysis: Defining the statistical or analytical techniques that will be used to analyze the collected data. This may involve ,
depending on the qualitative or quantitative methods and research goals.
• Time Frame: Establishing a timeline for the research project, including when data will be collected, analyzed, and reported.
• Ethical Considerations: Addressing ethical issues, including obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring the privacy and
confidentiality of data, and adhering to ethical guidelines.
• Resources: Identifying the resources needed for the research, including funding, personnel, equipment, and access to data sources.
• Data Presentation and Reporting: Planning how the research findings will be presented and reported, whether through written
reports, presentations, or other formats.
Research Design – Decision Making
Research Design – Decision Making

One may split the overall research design into the following parts:
• The sample design
• The observational design
• The statistical design
• The operational design
 Research Design

• It is a plan that specifies the sources and types of information relevant

to the research problem.
• It is a strategy specifying which approach will be used for gathering and
analyzing the data.
• It also includes the time and cost budgets since most studies are done
under these two constraints.
Research Design

• Research design must, at least, contain—

(a) a clear statement of the research problem;
(b) procedures and techniques to be used for gathering information;
(c) the population to be studied;
(d) methods to be used in processing and analysing data.
 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 juncture 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
tapped 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.
 Research purposes may be grouped into four categories, viz., (i)
Exploration, (ii) Description, (iii) Diagnosis, and (iv) Experimentation.
Few hypothesis statements

➢"Students who receive tutoring will show a greater improvement in their math scores
compared to those who do not."
➢"Increased exposure to sunlight will lead to a higher growth rate in plants."
➢"There will be a negative correlation between the amount of sleep and the time it takes
to complete a task."

Null hypothesis (H0):

• This proposes no relationship or effect between the variables. For example, "There is no
difference in the test scores of students who use a calculator and those who do not."
Alternative hypothesis (Ha):
• This proposes a relationship or effect between the variables. For example, "Students who
use a calculator will have higher test scores than those who do not."
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
Descriptive vs. Analytical
• Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds.
The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it
exists at present. In social science and business research we quite often use the
term Ex post facto research for descriptive research studies.
• The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over
the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.
• Most ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the
researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping,
preferences of people, or similar data.
• Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even
when they cannot control the variables.
• 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.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
Applied vs. Fundamental
• Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure) research.
• Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organisation, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalisations and with the formulation of a theory.
• “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.”
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples
of fundamental research.
• Research studies, concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalisations
about human behaviour, are also examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at
certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example
of applied research.
• Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution
or the copy research (research to find out whether certain communications will be read and
understood) or the marketing research or evaluation research are examples of applied
research.
• Thus, the central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical
problem, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base
of applications and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
• Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure) research.
• Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organisation, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalisations and with the formulation of a theory.
• “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.”
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of
fundamental research.
• Research studies, concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalisations
about human behaviour, are also examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at
certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of
applied research.
• Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution or
the copy research (research to find out whether certain communications will be read and
understood) or the marketing research or evaluation research are examples of applied research.
• Thus, the central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical
problem, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base of
applications and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Conceptual vs. Empirical
• Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
• Empirical research 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 of
being verified by observation or [Link] can also call it as experimental type of
research.
• In such a research it is necessary to get at facts firsthand, at their source, and actively to go
about doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired information.
• In such a research, the researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or
guess as to the probable results. He then works to get enough facts (data) to prove or disprove
his hypothesis.
• He then sets up experimental designs which he thinks will manipulate the persons or the
materials concerned so as to bring forth the desired information.
• Such research is thus characterised by the experimenter’s control over the variables under
study and his deliberate manipulation of one of them to study its effects.
• Empirical research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other
variables in some way. Evidence gathered through experiments or empirical studies is today
considered to be the most powerful support possible for a given hypothesis.
Research Process
Research Process
The following order concerning various steps provides a useful procedural guideline
regarding the research process:
(1) formulating the research problem;
(2) extensive literature survey;
(3) developing the hypothesis;
(4) preparing the research design;
(5) determining sample design;
(6) collecting the data;
(7) execution of the project;
(8) analysis of data; (9) hypothesis testing;
(10) generalisations and interpretation,
(11) preparation of the report or presentation of the results, i.e., formal write-up of
conclusions reached.
Thank You