Unit - 1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH Research - Meaning - Definitions - Characteristics - Criteria of Good Research - Objectives - Types of Research - Methods of Research - Significance of Research - Scope of Business Research - Problems encountered in Research. 1. What is research ? The search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding a proper and feasible solution to a problem, is popularly known as research. 2. Define research. Research, according to Redman and Mory is a "systematised effort to gain new knowledge”. In the words of Slesinger and Stephenson, research is, “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 a theory or in the practice of an art", 3. What are the characteristics of a research? i) Research is directed towards the solution of a problem. ii) Emphasis on the development of generation of principles or theories that will help in predicting future occurrences, is yet another characteristic of research. iii) Research is based upon observable experience and or empirical evidence.1.2 iw) Expertise skill to carry out investigation, to search fo, ire and to understand and analyse the the related literatu n data gathered, is the pre-requiste of a research. v) Research is carefully recorded and reported. 4. Explain the various criteria of good research. a) At the outset there should be a clear-cut declaration of the purpose of the research. b) The research procedure adopted should be described in detail to help succeeding researchers to repeat the research for further advancement, maintaining the continuity of what has already been attained. c) The analysis of data should be adequate to reveal its significance and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data should be checked and cross-checked with utmost care. 5. Write down the objectives of a research. The main aim of the research is to find out the hidden truth of a particular problem hither to undiscovered. The following are the other objectives : i) To highlight the significance of the phenomenon under study: ii) To develop new tools, concepts and theories for a better study. iii) To focus on the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or group. iv) To determine the frequency of occurrence of a particular thing which is associated with something else. v) To test the hypothesis of casual relationship between variables. vi) To write the report based upon the findings of the research. vii) Research aids planning and thus contributes to national development. .1.3 6. Explain the various types of research. There are various types of research. Based on the objective, the important classifications are listed below : #y Applied Research iy Analytical Research i#f Descriptive Research iv) Exploratory Research v) Experimental Research vif Pure or Fundamental or Basic Research vii) Historical Research wirgOther types of Research ued} seri i) Applied Research : Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem faced by the society or a business _organisation. For example, a research undertaken to study the causes of Dengue fever in a particular. area is applied research. The study conducted to identify the problems of marketing of a particular product is also an example of applied research. Thus the main aim of an applied research is to discover a solution for the existing problem. This type of research has practical utility to the society, individuals and business organisations. Pail 1 Analytical Research: : In this type of research the available information or data are ughly analysed and critical evaluations are [Link] solve the problems. The study on the growth of population during post independence period conducted by the census department falls under this category. A study on the financial performance of, say; State Bank of India is another example of this type. iii) Descriptive Research : This type of research aims, at highlighting the state-of. affairs of existing problems. It is a simple report of happenings ‘both past ar ‘and present. It < It also reports the characteristics of a ‘particular Individual, Situation or group and also the frequency of occurrence of event like, the frequency of accidents in a particular place If the report presents the results on the basis of1.4 a appenings such descriptive research is callec actual happt gs Sirs) h i Expose Factor Research’. iv) Exploratory Research : ay The research-with-an-indepth or detailed analysis, is calle ~Séxploratory research. This type of research is applied when conelusive results could not be obtained in the first o / preliminary level of study of the problem. The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypotheses rather ‘than their testing: ae “The main purpose of an exploratory study is to genérate new ideas or to increase the researcher's familiarity with the problem or-to'make a precise formulation of the problem, v) Experimental Research : Greater control over th earch-environment is the chief characteristic of ¢ experimental. ‘esearch. It involves.a-laboratory experiment which is the basic tool of [Link] the natural and physical-sciences. This type of research is helpful to know the cause and effect relationship under the controlled experiments, ‘This research cai bé Cafried out either on the basis of trial and error method or under controlled experiment method. ~~ vi) Pure or Fundafehtal or Basic Research : The—research relating to natural phenomenon or. jure mi atics or human behaviour is called mental research. This type of research is mainly concerned with generalisation and ga ca The main aim of such research is finding information, from the existing organised body of scientific knowledge, that has a broad base of applications. The findings of pure research formed the basis_for innumerable scientific and technological inventions like steam engine, telecommunication etc., which have developed and bettered our human life. Hence the pure research is helpful in the iscovery of new theories and development of existing theories, : vii) Historical Research : ~~ Proper and prompt use of historical sources such as documents, remains, sculptures, coins and the like for the study1.5 of events or ideas of the past, or its trend, facts and attitudes makes a research Historical Research. Hence, the researcher is expected to possess much social insight and _ historical orientation for this purpose. viii) Other types of Research : Quantitative research is that type of research which is [Link] the measurement of quantity. Qualitative research is that type of research which is based on qualitative phenomenon. 7. Distinguish between Pure Research and Applied Research Aims at contributing to ‘Aims at solving a problem theory and techniques of the discipline. ii) |Studies any problem. Studies problems with important social standing ii) Studies a problem usually {Often social disciplines from the focus of one collaborate for solving the discipline. problem. }) |Requires mainly technical [Requires additional sense of judgement. ‘what the situation and personalities can bear. ¥) |Concludes in generalisation [Often studies individual cases without the objective to generalise. Accepts the hypothesis that |Recognises that other unmeasured variables variables are constantly remain constant changing vii) [Looks for the basic processes |Looks for any variable which makes the desired ~\ vi) differences aS ‘Tries to say why things Tries to say how things can happen. be changed. ix) Reports in technical Reports in common language language of the disciplinea 1.6 3. Enumerate the various approaches to research, The following are the various approaches to research, i) Quantitative Approach ii) Qualitative Approach iii) Inferential Approach iv) Experimental Approach v) Simulation Approach 9. Discuss the various methods of research. The important methods of research are discussed below : I. SURVEY METHOD : Survey is a ‘fact finding’ study. Under this method of research the researcher is interested in knowing something about the whole population. But rarely he does it. He studies only samples drawn from population. The data are collected directly from the sample by observation or interviewing or mailing questionnaires at a particular period of time. Functions of Survey Method : The followings are the functions of the survey metliod : i) It is always conducted in a natural setting ii) It is a field study. iii) It seeks responses directly from the respondents. iv) It covers a very large population. " vy) It may involve an extensive study or an intensive study. vi) It covers a definite geographical area. ; Purpose of Survey: i) To provide information to government or planners or business enterprises. ii) To make comparisons of demographic groups or real groups. iii) To make predictions and demand forecasting based on consumer behaviour with cause and effect relationships.1.7 Advantages of Survey Method : The major advantages of the survey method are : i) Possibility of collection of many types of information from individuals. ii) Ability to draw generalizations about large population on the basis of samples. iti) Useful instruments for verifying theories. iv) To uncover facts previously unknown to the researcher. v) Use of various methods of collection of data. Limitations : The following are the limitations of the survey method : i) This method is used to collect data from primary sources. Hence, its feasibility depends upon the willingness and co-operation of the respondents, ii) It is subject to sampling errors. ui) This method depends primarily on verbal behaviour. Henee, it is subject to response errors and memory bias. iv) There is a limit of the number of information that can be collected in a single survey. v) This method is time-consuming and money consuming. Examples of survey method : The subject matter of surveys may be broadly categorized into: a) A study of political leadership in .. b) A study of managerial style of top business executives ¢) A study of factors affecting industrial location. 4) A study of buyer behaviour in the purchase of Office Furniture. e) A study on customers’ attitude towards Nokia Cell Phone. ) A study of attitude of college teachers towards Income-Tax. 8) A study of income and expenditure pattern of salaried class.| 1.8 I. CASE STUDY METHOD : A case study is the most popular method of research. a qualitative, intensive, stimulating and comprehensive i es a social phenomenon. Though the field of study is comparati se limited unlike the other types of research it is an io-dage comprehensive study of a person, a social group, an ues _ process, a situation, a programme, a community, an institutiog or any other social unit. Functions : i) Case Study method provides much information about the unit of study which may provide clues and ideas fo; further research. : ii) It provides an opportunity for the intensive analysis of many specific details. iii) It examines complex factors involved in a situation to identify causal factors operating in it. iv) It employs more techniques than one. v) Itis useful to develop ideas, concepts or testing concepts. Advantages i) All methods of data collection can be used for case studies. ii) It can extend virtually to any dimension of the topic studies. iii) In this method data are collected in natural settings. iv) It is a less expensive method. v) Case studies give to the researcher a wider range of insights into human life, which cannot be gained through a general survey. vi) It is useful for generating hypothesis for late studies. ) It helps to generalise knowledge and substa: research activities. viiilt is useful in enhancing the ability and sl researcher. eful in understanding the social change- er full-scale vil initiates the Kill of the ix) It is us1.9 Limitations of case study method : The major limitations of the case study are : i) Insufficiency in making meaningful generalizations to larger social aggregates, as only one unit of a defined population is studied under this method. ii) More time consuming than other methods. iii) Always a less accurate and subject to varying interpretations. iv) Inadequate for an analysis of macro-problems. v) It is difficult to compare the results obtained from one case with other case. vi) This method can be used in a limited scope. £xamples of case study : i) ii) iii) A social study of a rural or tribal community moving from one culture to another (or) persons, groups or industrial concerns moving from one place to another. a) Impact of Gulf money on villagers in Tanjore Distric b) Localization of Match Industries in Sivakasi c) Village labour mobility to Construction Industries in town - a case study in Trichy town. Individual, groups or institutions passing from one stage of development to another : a) A Study of bonded labour in Kodaikanal Hills b) A Study of Labour participation in Management in Kothari Mills. c) A Study of Juvenile delinquency d) A study of life-style of working women. Behavioural study on the economic, social or political stimuli. a) Impact of prohibition on lottery in Tamil Nadu. b) Impact of the introduction of VAT in Tamil Nadu. iv) A causative study of a failure or successful unit. a) The failure of Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., - A Case Study.1.10 y) Case Study of general Nature a) A study of slum dwellers around Periyar Bus Stang in Madurai. b) A study of Urban Muslim Poor. c) Astudy of Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka. a) A study of Child Labour in Match industry of Sivakasi. III. EX-POST FACTO METHOD : It is a systematic field study which aims at discovering the relations and interactions among variables in social institutions and actual life situations. A social or institutional situation js selected and the relations among the attitudes, values, perceptions and behaviours of individuals and groups in the selected situation are studied. Purpose of Ex-Post Facto research : It serves the purposes of exploratory, descriptive and hypotheses testing. Advantages of Ex-Post Facto Method : i) Very much realistic since it is conducted in real world situations. ii) It facilitates use of different independent measures, iii) Data on a large number of variables can be obtained from the subject. Limitations of Ex-Post Facto Method : i) It is difficult to obtain the co-operation of different organisations, institutions etc. ii) Its most serious weakness is its ex-post facto character. iii) It is difficult to keep extraneous variables constant. iv) Lack of precision in the measurement of field variables due to the greater complexity of field situations. ¥) It is expensive and time consuming.1.17 10. Distinguish between case study method and survey method. Case Study It is an intensive|It is a broad based investigation investigation of phenomenon. ii) | It is a study of a single | It covers a large number of unit or group units iii) |The findings of a case | The findings of a study can study cannot be | be generalised when it is generalized based on a_ representative sample. iv) | It is useful for ,testing]It is useful for testing hypostheses about the | hypothesis about larger structural and procedural | social aggregates. characteristics of oa specific social unit. [Link] the significance of research. (or) Explain the role of research. (or) Explain the importance of research. The complexity of the modern world makes it a breeding ground of. number of problems. These problems require early and proper solution. Various techniques on a scientific basis are applied by the intelligentia to arrive at a solution. Research, one of such tecniques, with deep ingenuity, wide knowledge and sharp wisdom plays a vital role in problem solving. The importance of research is detailed below : 5) Tt deepens the researcher's scientific thinking and widens his and logical reasoning; it also, promotes the development of solutions to the problems. ¥ It plays a vital role in the formation of economic policies of a country. 1) In the field of economics it has greatly developed, because it provides guidence to social planning. iv) Its report helps the policy - maker with enormous haven in decision making, that too quickly.ir oe vy) It is used as an importat tool in the allocation of Nationa) resources. *vi) It focuses on the changes in economic and structure of the nation. vii)It helps in forecasting the future development variable. viiiPeriodic research in agricultural field leads development in the production of agricultural Produce and marketing of the same. ix) It helps in solving various operational and planning problems of business organisations and industries, The problems of human relations are solved through research by the social scientists by studying the social relationship relating to the social problems. xi) In addition to the above, research plays a vital role in the development of academic career of the following persons, those who are doing their Ph.D. (or) undertaking a research work in a college / university. 1.12 Socia) of ‘any x) a b) those professionals who are undertaking market survey (or) pre-poll and exit poll analysis etc. c) Philosophers and creative thinkers. d e) Analysts and intellectuals. Literate men and women. 12. Explain-the scope of business research. Now-a-days, the entrepreneurs or managers of a modern _ business have to take various decisions to solve business problems. Hence, they conduct research to get facts and figures, with the purpose of solving the problem and attaining the basic objectives. The Business researches may be conducted for both internal and external systems. Therefore, the scope for business research is more and relating to the following aspects of study : 4) To findout the benefits of acquisition and amalgamation. iif To findout the benefits of forward and backward merget1.13 Giiy To findout marketing practices. ivf To analyse the employee morale. yo understand the job statisfaction among employees. vi) To findout Market potentials for a particular product or a line of products. yii"To findout profitability. viiiyTo evaluate performance ix) ‘To evaluate cost and returns x)“ To findout productive efficiency. bg findout the problem of workers in a particular Industry. xiiy Research in marketing of a product or product line. xiil)Research in Marketing functions. xivyBrand preference and Brand loyalty. Research in Human Resources Management. Research in pricing and price - spread eseal demand and arrivals. = ‘ustomer satisfaction xix) Research in Advertising and sales promotion. 13. What are the main sources of information in social research? The sources of information for a researcher on the subject of his interest is given below : \ i) Document: Documents such as books, articles published in various periodicals, technical reports given by various concerns and submitted by various persons, charts, drawings of various kinds and periods, maps and the like. ii) Discussion : Discussion with specialists, employees, co-workers, guide, experts, government officials, authorities on the subject and the like.1.14 iii) Participation : Participation in various seminars, conferences, 5 ; : ‘YMPOSiums and similar meetings give various pieces of inforamtion in Social] research. iv) Information dissemination centre : Information dissemination centre such as a documer centre, a data analysis centre and a professional associa some main sources of information in social research, ntation tion are 14. Explain the use of information in research Research is a subject, which like economics, commerce leads to a new idea to any of the following either Jointly or severally : a) ») °) New interpretation of a known idea. New data based on fresh observation and analysis; Viewing the subject from a new perspective Establishing correlation between different subjects or ideas. Be °) Evaluation of an existing theory with the help of latest techniques, : ) Propounding a substitute for ant existing theory, which has been found inadequate, application of a known idea from another subject can be used for the development of the subject under study. Presenting known ideas in a new setting, 8) h) 15, What are the difficulties of carrying out social research? There are several difficulties in the social research. ¥) Problem of Finding Good Investigators. The researcher should not allow his prejudices to influence the research. He must be devoted to the cause which he has undertaken upon himself. Hence, it is very difficult to find out good investigators who can work with missionary zeal. It is a1.15 usual complaint that the social research investigators cook the material, do not take the trouble of going to the field for getting first - hand information. ii) Problem of collecting Information : It is very difficult to collect information from the people. People are not prepared to co-operate and find no justification in divulging the secrets with researchers. In many cases the researchers are given either suppressed or exaggerated information due to non availability or by mistake. Both will not serve the purpose of the research. iii) Problem of Analysing data : Findings of the rearcher would always depends on the interpretation of data which is analysed by the analyser in such a way that suits his convenience and attitude. It is usually difficult to find out such analysers who do not introduce basis while interpreting and analysing data. iv) Problem of Questionnaire : In a Questionnaire, the difficulty arises when it is not structured with a view on interpretation and analysis of data to be collected and if it creates communication gap between what is intended and what is communicated. v) Complexity of social Data : Social studies are based on social data’ related to human behaviour which depends on several factors such as physical, social, temperamental, psychological, biological, socio-cultural and so on. This complexity of social data, makes it difficult or impossible for human beings to be put to scientific test. vi) Dynamic Nature of social Phenomena : The human society undergoes constant change. What is true today may not be useful tomorrow. The techniques used in the past may prove useless for the present and future studies. On ezcount of this dynamic nature of social Phenomena our task of analysing data becomes very much complicated and the inferences drawn may be misleading.¥ | 1.16 > vii) Problem of Maintaining Objectivity The problem of impartiality is, in ‘part, the objectivity. It is generally argued that the social so; less objective than natural scientists because their 9 is affected by the findings of their studies, hence prejudice and bias. Problem ientists an wn interes, leading 5 viii) Difficulty in the verification of the inferences : The events of social sciences are non-repetitive social scientists are ill-equipped with their tools inferences. and the to Verify f ix) Unpredictability In case of social data predictability is not Possible. Heneo, the social scientists can roughly estimate the behavi our of the group. xi) Inadequacy of Funds : In case of social science research a small amount of finance i is made available to them. It is not sufficient to conduct, research effectively. | 16. Explain the problems to be encountered by ! researchers in India. Generally a researcher has to overcome many problems for ; successfully completing his research. The Indian researchers in | particular face many more problems. The following are some of rei the important problems, which make a stumbling. block. i) Non-availability of sufficient data : It is very difficult to obtain the secondary data as. they are not published in any journal or hook or net. Most of the data relating to foreign organisations can easily be obtained through net whereas Indian industries or organisations are reluctant to allow such a free access to their data by third parties. ii) Untrained Researcher : A systematic study of research methodology is indispensable 4 for research./ Unfortunately most of the researchers lack this1.17 basic quality. This leads to darkness in the minds of the researcher about the research. Hence before taking up research the researcher should equip himself with proper training of methodology. iii) Lack of co-operation : The relationship among the members of the research department, or university is generally not cordial. This ultimately leads to lack of co-operation which, in turn, obstructs the researcher in the attainment of goal. iv) Insufficient interaction by the researcher : Discussion about the topic or title and its feasibility with guide and experts is an imperative factor for the successful completion of the research. But in practice mostly, the interaction is not sufficient. The haste both in the selection of title and submission of thesis may, more often, lead to wrong findings. v) Poor library facility : Library plays an important role in the successful completion of the research. The library is the only place where the supporting documents and the data, relating the topic can generally be obtained. But such a facility is not available here due to the poor library management. The data bank (library) also has to be updated. vi) Inordinate delay : The delay in the publication of information relating to a particular department by the Government also poses a big problem to the researcher. For example it is difficult to get the current publication of ‘Press in India’, as the Govt, releases the same after one year of its submission in the parliament. vii) Under utilisation of Modern Technology : The researchers in India hardly use the modern technology like computer, internet, CD, floppy and the like. If and when the purchase and possession of a computer is not affordeble the researcher should develop an inclination to utilise the service offered by private agencies. To make use of these facilities he must be computer - literate. ij