RM&IPR
Module-1
Prepared by
Dr. Rashmi N
Associate Professor
And
Dr. Asha G H
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of ECE,BMSITM
Module 1
• Research Methodology:
i. Meaning of Research,
ii. Objectives of research,
iii. Types of research,
iv. Research approaches,
v. Significance of research,
vi. Research Process: Formulating research problem, Research
methods verses methodology, Research and scientific method.
vi. Criteria of good research.
• Defining the Research Problem:
i. What is a Research Problem?
ii. Selecting the Research Problem
iii. Necessity of Defining the Problem, Techniques Involved in
Defining a problem.
Definitions of Research
Research in common Research is an art of The Advanced Learner’s
parlance refers to a scientific investigation. Dictionary of Current
search for knowledge. English lays down the
One can also define meaning of research as “a
research as a scientific careful investigation or
and systematic search for inquiry specially through
pertinent information on search for new facts in any
a specific topic. branch of knowledge.
Redman and Mory Research as a
define research as a movement, a movement
“systematized effort to from the known to the
gain new knowledge. unknown. It is actually a
voyage of discovery
Definitions of Research
According to Clifford Woody D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the
research comprises defining and Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences
redefining problems, formulating define research as “the manipulation of
hypothesis or suggested solutions; things, concepts or symbols for the
collecting, organizing and evaluating purpose of generalizing to extend,
data; making deductions and correct or verify knowledge, whether
reaching conclusions; and at last that knowledge aids in construction of
carefully testing the conclusions to theory or in the practice of an art.”
determine whether they fit the
formulating hypothesis.
The search for knowledge through Research’ refers to the systematic
objective and systematic method of method consisting of enunciating the
finding solution to a problem is problem, formulating a hypothesis,
research. The systematic approach collecting the facts or data, analyzing
concerning generalization and the the facts and reaching certain
formulation of a theory is also conclusions either in the form of
research. solutions(s) towards the concerned
problem or in certain generalizations
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 to do 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
• Research can be classified in various ways
based on its purpose, methods, and
environment. Understanding the different
types of research is crucial for designing
effective studies and drawing meaningful
conclusions. This presentation will explore
the key distinctions between the major
types of research, providing a
comprehensive overview to guide
researchers and decision-makers.
Descriptive vs. Analytical Research
Descriptive Research Analytical Research
Descriptive research focuses on describing Analytical research goes a step further,
the current state of affairs, often through analyzing available facts and information to
surveys and fact-finding inquiries. The make critical evaluations.
researcher has no control over the variables The researcher uses existing data to uncover
and simply reports what is happening. This underlying causes and draw conclusions.
type of research is useful for understanding This type of research is more focused on
trends and patterns. understanding the "why" behind
Ex:Customer satifaction survey phenomena.
Demographic study Ex:Impact of teaching methods
Behavioral observation Correlation b/w exercise and mental health
Effectiveness of marketing strategies
Applied Vs Fundamental research
Applied Fundamental research
Applied research aims to find solutions Fundamental research, also known as
for immediate, practical problems basic or pure research, is concerned
facing society or organizations. It is with expanding the overall body of
focused on discovering information that scientific knowledge. It seeks to
can be directly applied to real-world uncover new theories and make
challenges. generalizations, rather than solving
Ex:Medicine,Computer specific problems.
science,Agriculture Ex:Physiscs,Biology,mathematics,Astron
omy
Quantitative vs. Qualitative:
Quantitative Qualitative
Quantitative research is based on the Qualitative research, on the other hand,
measurement of quantity or amount. It is concerned with qualitative
is applicable to phenomena that can be phenomena, such as investigating the
expressed in terms of quantity, such as reasons behind human behavior. It
statistics and numerical data. often uses in-depth interviews and
Ex: Surveys,Experiments,statistical projective techniques to uncover
analysis underlying motives and desires.
Ex: Interviews,focus groups,case studies
Conceptual Vs Empherical
Conceptual Empherical
Conceptual research is related to Empirical research, on the other hand,
abstract ideas or theories. It is often relies on experience or observation. It is
used by philosophers and thinkers to data-driven and involves experiments
develop new concepts or reinterpret or observations to test hypotheses and
existing ones. draw conclusions.
Ex:Philosophical research Ex:pharmaceutical companies use
empirical research to test specific drugs
on controlled or random groups, using
both qualitative methods and testing
instruments to study cause and effect.
Other Types of research
Time-based Environment-based
Research can be either one-time or Research can be conducted in a field
longitudinal, depending on the time setting, laboratory, or through
frame of the study. simulation, depending on the
environment.
Purpose-based Historical
Research can be exploratory, Historical research utilizes historical
formalized, clinical, or decision- sources to study ideas and events of the
oriented, depending on its purpose. past.
Significance of research
• Research is crucial for progress and invention,
driven by inquiry and doubt.
• It encourages scientific, inductive thinking and
logical organization.
• Research has become more important in applied
economics, solving business and government issues.
• It serves as a foundation for government policies,
including budgeting and resource allocation.
• Research helps in formulating alternative policies
and assessing their potential impacts.
Significance of research
• Research supports policy-making, even if decision-
making itself isn’t a direct part of research.
• Government programs are closely linked to economic
conditions, requiring research for effective solutions.
• Research helps allocate national resources effectively,
covering various sectors like agriculture, business,
industry, and defense
• .Collecting data on the nation's economic and social
structure is essential and involves complex research
efforts.
• Government research has three phases: investigating the
economic structure, diagnosing current events, and
forecasting future developments.
Significance of research
• Research is crucial in solving business problems through
operations, market, and motivational research, aiding decision-
making. Market research helps businesses formulate policies on
purchasing, production, and sales by understanding market
trends and structure.
• Operations research uses mathematical and analytical
techniques to solve optimization problems in business, like cost
reduction and profit maximization.
• Business budgeting, sales forecasting, and production planning
are all grounded in research, replacing intuitive decisions with
scientific ones.
• Social science research seeks to understand human interactions
and provide practical solutions for improving social
relationships and addressing societal issues.
In addition to what has been stated above, the
significance of research can also be understood keeping
in view the following points
• To those students who are to write a master’s or
Ph.D. thesis, research may mean a careerism or a
way to attain a high position in the social structure;
• To professionals in research methodology, research
may mean a source of livelihood;
• To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean
the outlet for new ideas and insights;
• To literary men and women, research may mean the
development of new styles and creative work;
• To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean
the generalizations of new theories.
Research method and Methodology
• Research methods may be understood as all those
methods/techniques that are used for conduction of
research. Research methods or techniques, thus, refer
to the methods the researchers use in performing
research operations.
• In other words, all those methods which are used by
the researcher during the course of studying his
research problem are termed as research methods
• Since the object of research, particularly the applied
research, it to arrive at a solution for a given
problem, the available data and the unknown
aspects of the problem have to be related to each
other to make a solution possible
Research method and Methodology
Keeping this in view, research methods can be put into the
following three groups:
1. In the first group we include those methods which are
concerned with the collection of data. These methods
will be used where the data already available are not
sufficient to arrive at the required solution;
2. The second group consists of those statistical techniques
which are used for establishing relationships between
the data and the unknowns;
3. The third group consists of those methods which are
used to evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained.
Research and Scientific Method
Research methodology is a way to systematically
solve the research problem. It may be
understood as a science of studying how
research is done scientifically. In it we study
the various steps that are generally adopted by
a researcher in studying his research problem
along with the logic behind them. It is
necessary for the researcher to know not only
the research methods/techniques but also the
methodology
Research methodology
when we talk of research methodology we not
only talk of the research methods but also
consider the logic behind the methods we use
in the context of our research study and
explain why we are using a particular
method or technique and why we are not
using others so that research results are
capable of being evaluated either by the
researcher himself or by others.
Importance of Knowing How
Research is Done
• Knowledge of research methodology is essential for aspiring
researchers as it equips them with the tools and techniques
necessary for effective and objective research.
• Understanding research methods helps individuals develop
disciplined thinking and improves their ability to conduct and
evaluate research confidently.
• This knowledge is valuable in various fields like government,
business administration, and social work, where research
results inform decision-making.
• Learning research methodology offers an intellectual tool for
understanding and analyzing everyday experiences and
practical problems objectively.
• In a scientific age, familiarity with research methods enables
consumers of research results to critically evaluate their validity
and make informed, rational decisions.
Defining research problem
❖Meaning
❖Selecting the research problem
❖Need for defining the problem
❖Technique for defining a Problem
22
Research problem-Meaning
• A research problem is a specific question , problem, or
difficulty that needs to be investigated or analysed.
• A research problem is a specific and well defined issue or
question that a researcher seeks to investigate through
research. It is the starting point of any research project , as it
sets the direction, scope, and purpose of the study
• A research problem, is some difficulty which a researcher
experiences in the context of either a theoretical or practical
setting and wants to obtain a solution for the same
23
Research problem- components
• There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.
• There must be an Individual/A group which has some difficulty
or the problem.
• There must be alternative ways for obtaining the objectives(s)
one wishes to attain.
• There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty
pertains
24
Research problem –selection
• Following points must be considered:
❖The importance of the subject , the qualifications and expertise &
training of a research , the costs involved, the time factor are must be
considered in selecting a problem.
❖Topic which is overdone should not be normally chosen , as it will be
difficult task to draw new conclusion on that topic.
❖Controversial subject should not normally be chosen.
❖Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
❖The topic selected for re-search should be familiar & feasible so that
they related research materials or sources of research are within
one’s reach.
❖The selection of a problem must be preceded by preliminary study 25
Defining the problem-Need
“A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved”
➢A properly defined research problem will enable the researcher to be
on the track whereas an ill –defined problem may confuse the
researcher.
➢Step of highest importance.
26
Defining a problem -techniques
• State the problem in general way
• Understanding the nature or problem.
• Survey the available literature
• Developing the ideas through discussions
• Rephrasing the research problem.
27
Continued..
•State the problem in a general way: Identify the broad issue or
question that you want to investigate.
•Understand the nature of the problem: Delve deeper into the problem,
exploring its scope, context, and potential implications.
•Survey the available literature: Review existing research, theories, and
studies related to your problem to gain insights and identify knowledge
gaps.
•Developing the ideas through discussions: Collaborate with others,
such as experts or peers, to discuss and refine your research ideas.
•Rephrasing the research problem: Based on your understanding and
discussions, refine the problem statement into a clear, focused, and
researchable question. 28
