Introduction to Research Methodology

Meaning of Research:

Research can be defined as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.
Research is an art of scientific investigation.

The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of research as “a careful
investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”

Redman and Mory define research as a “systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”

Objectives of Research:

The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific
procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been
discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of research
objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings:

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:

The possible motives for doing research may be either one or more of the following:

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.

Many more factors such as directives of government, employment conditions, curiosity about new things,
desire to understand causal relationships, social thinking and awakening, and the like may as well
motivate (or at times compel) people to perform research operations.
 Introduction to Research Methodology

Types of Research

(i) 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 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.
(ii) 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.”
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.
(iii) 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.
(iv) 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. On the other hand, 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.
(v) Some Other Types of Research: 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 factor.

Form the point of view of time, we can think of research either as one-time research or
longitudinal research. In the former case the research is confined to a single time-period,
whereas in the latter case the research is carried on over several time-periods.

Research can be field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research,

depending upon the environment in which it is to be carried out.

Research can as well be understood as clinical or diagnostic research. Such research follows
case-study methods or in-depth approaches to reach the basic causal relations. Such studies
usually go deep into the causes of things or events that interest us, using very small samples
and very deep probing data gathering devices.

The research may be exploratory or it may be formalized. The objective of exploratory

research is the development of hypotheses rather than their testing, whereas formalized
research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypotheses to be tested.
 Introduction to Research Methodology

Historical research is that which utilizes 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 oriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry
as he proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented research is
always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case is not free to embark
upon research according to his own inclination. Operations research is an example of decision
oriented research since it is a scientific method of providing executive departments with a
quantitative basis for decisions regarding operations under their control.

Significance of Research

 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.
 Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system.
 Research has its special significance in solving various operational and planning
problems of business and industry.
 Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and in
seeking answers to various social problems.

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
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 vs. Methodology

 Introduction to Research Methodology

RESEARCH METHOD RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methods are the methods used by A Research methodology is systematic approach to
researchers to collect data to conduct research solve the research problem and to reach a new
on a particular research topic. conclusion.

The objective of the research method is to The objective of the research methodology is to
find the solution. determine the solution by applying correct procedures
of research.

Research methods are useful to apply during Research methodologies are applied in the initial
the latter stage of the research process. stage of the research being conducted.

Research methods are small part of research A Research methodology is a multi-dimensional

methodology. concept.

Research methods consist of various Research methodologies are used applied during the
techniques where various studies and initial stage of the research to explain the purpose of
experiments are used to conduct research and chosen methods and how they will serve its function.
reach an appropriate conclusion.

Research methods consist of different Research methodologies are a systematic strategy to

investigation techniques. achieve the decided objective.

Research method encompasses of carrying out Research methodology encompasses different

an experiment, survey, test and so on. techniques which are used during the performance of
the experiment, surveys, and test, etc.

Research Process

Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research
and the desired sequencing of these steps.

(1) Formulating the research problem; (7) Execution of the project;

(2) Extensive literature survey; 8) Analysis of data;
(3) Developing the hypothesis; (9) Hypothesis testing;
(4) Preparing the research design; (10) Generalizations and interpretation, and
(5) Determining sample design; (11) Preparation of the report or presentation of the results,
(6) Collecting the data;