Research Methodology Course - Unit 1.ppt
- 1. DR. S.V.A.R.Sastry, B . T e c h ( N I T - J ) , M . T e c h ( I I T - D ) , P h . D Associate Professor Of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Technology, & Associate Dean, Research & Development, Harcourt Butler Technical University , KANPUR-208002, (U.P) INDIA Research Methodology (Unit-1)
- 2. What is Research? Research can be defined as the search for knowledge or as any systematic investigation to establish facts.
- 3. 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).
- 4. Motivation in Research Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits; Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical problems initiates research; Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work; Desire to be of service to society; Desire to get respectability.
- 5. Criteria of Good Research 1. The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts be used. 2. The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to permit another researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what has already been attained. 3. The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are as objective as possible. 4. The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings. 5. 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 the data should be checked carefully. 6. 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. 7. Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity.
- 6. Characteristics/ Qualities of Good Research Systematic Logical Empirical Reductive Replicable
- 7. Significance of Research “All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to invention”. Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organization. The role of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or to the economy as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times.
- 8. Research Process in Flow Chart
- 9. Types of Research (Traditional Approach) Descriptive vs. Analytical Applied vs. Fundamental Quantitative vs. Qualitative Conceptual vs. Empirical
- 10. 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. 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.
- 11. 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 organization, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations 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. Similarly, research studies, concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behavior, 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.
- 12. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior. Through such research we can analyze the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or which make people like or dislike a particular thing.
- 13. 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 experiment. We 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.
- 14. Types of Research (Modern Approach) Pure and Applied Research Exploratory or Formulative Research Descriptive Research Diagnostic Study Evaluation Studies Action Research Experimental Research Analytical study or statistical Method Historical Research Surveys Case Study
- 15. Pure and Applied Research Pure It is the study of search of knowledge. Applied It is the study of finding solution to a problem.
- 16. Purpose of Pure and Applied Research Pure It can contribute new facts It can put theory to the rest It may aid in conceptual clarification It may integrate previously existing theories. Applied It offers solutions to many practical problems. To find the critical factors in a practical problem.
- 17. Exploratory or Formulative Research Exploratory Exploratory research is preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which the researcher has little or no knowledge.
- 18. Purpose To Generate new ideas To increase the researcher’s familiarity with the problem To Make a precise formulation of the problem To gather information for clarifying concepts To determine whether it is feasible to attempt the study.
- 19. Descriptive Research Descriptive study is a fact- finding investigation with adequate interpretation. It is the simplest type of research. It is designed to gather descriptive information and provides information for formulating more sophisticated studies Data are collected using observation, interview and mail questionnaire.
- 20. Purpose It can focus directly on a theoretical point. It can highlight important methodological aspects of data collection and interpretation. It obtained in a research may be useful for prediction about areas of social life outside in the boundaries of research. Descriptive studies are valuable in providing facts needed for planning social action programmes.
- 21. Diagnostic Study It is directed towards discovering what is happening, why is it happening and what can be done about. It aims at identifying the causes of a problem and the possible solutions for it.
- 22. Purpose This study may also be concerned with discovering and testing whether certain variables are associated. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else.
- 23. Evaluation Studies It is one type of applied research. It is made for assessing the effectiveness of social or economic programmes implemented or for assessing the impact of developmental projects area. The determination of the results attained by some activity designed to accomplish some valued goal or objectives.
- 24. Purpose It directed to assess or appraise the quality and quantity of an activity and its performance. To specify its attributes and conditions required for its success.
- 25. Action Research Researcher attempts to study action. E.g. Eradication of Malariya, Maritime Navigation Action research is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they address issues and solve problems
- 26. Purpose A baseline survey of the pre-action situation A feasibility study of the proposed action programme Planning and launching the programme Concurrent evaluation of the programme Making modifications and changes in the programme.
- 27. Experimental Research Experimental research is commonly used in sciences such as sociology and psychology, physics, chemistry, biology and medicine etc. It is a systematic and scientific approach to research in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables, and controls and measures any change in other variables.
- 28. Purpose Experiments are conducted to be able to predict phenomenons. To maintain control over all factors A blueprint of the procedure that enables the researcher to test his hypothesis
- 29. Analytical Study Analytical study is a system of procedures and techniques of analysis applied to quantitative data. A system of mathematical models or statistical techniques applicable to numerical data. Ex. Scientometrics
- 30. Purpose It aims at testing hypothesis and specifying and interpreting relationship. It concentrates on analyzing data in depth and examining relationships from various angles by bringing in as many relevant variables as possible in the analysis plan.
- 31. Historical Research The systematic collection and evaluation of data related to past occurrences in order to describe causes, effects, and trends of those events that may help explain present events and anticipate future events. Data is often archival-including newspaper clippings, photographs, etc.- and may include interviews.
- 32. Purpose To draw explanations and generalizations from the past trends in order to understand the present and to anticipate the future. It enables us to grasp our relationship with the past and to plan more intelligently for the future. The past contains the key to the present and the past and the present influences the future. It helps us in visualizing the society as a dynamic organism and its structures and functions as evolving, steadily growing and undergoing change and transformation.
- 33. Survey Research Survey research is one of the most important areas of measurement in applied social research. The broad area of survey research encompasses any measurement procedures that involve asking questions of respondents. A "survey" can be anything form a short paper-and-pencil feedback form to an intensive one-on-one in-depth interview.
- 34. Purpose It is always conducted in a natural setting. It seeks responses directly from the respondents. It can cover a very large population A survey may involve an extensive study or an intensive study. A survey covers a definite geographical area, a city, district, state
- 35. Case Study A case study is a research methodology common in social science. It is based on an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event to explore causation in order to find underlying principles
- 36. Purpose To examine limited number of variables case study methods involve an in-depth, longitudinal examination of a single instance or event. It provides a systematic way of looking at events, collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting the results
- 37. Field Research Field research has traditionally been thought different from methods of research conducted in a laboratory or academic setting. Purpose The advantages of field research are that people are closer to real world conditions and design the research in the best way to discover the particular information required.