CHAPTER ONE:

Introduction To Research Methods

2024
 Session objective

• To understand meaning and type of research

• To understand the characteristics of good research
• To understand the ethical issue behind research
• To understand how to write research proposal
 Introduction
What do Mean by research?

➢A scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.

➢The term ‘research’ being derived from the French compound word “re-” + “cerchier”, or “sercher”
• Re - expressing intensive force, again and again
• Cerchier – to search

➢An active, diligent, and systematic process of inquiry in order to discover, interpret or revise facts,
events, behaviours, or theories, or to make practical applications with the help of such facts, laws, or
theories.

➢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.”
Cont.
• A collection of information about a particular subject.

• Creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to

- increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this

stock of knowledge to devise new applications.

• Original investigation undertaken in order to gain knowledge and understanding

• Research is supposed to add to the world’s body of knowledge and understanding (in contrast to

add to the researcher’s knowledge and understanding)

 Cont.
An art of investigation of new and innovative aspect of any branch of knowledge.

It comprises of

o defining and redefining problems,

o formulating hypothesis,

o suggest solutions or solution approaches,

o collecting and analyzing data,

o deriving, experimenting, and

o eventually validating the hypothesis or deducing new conclusions.

 Cont.
Search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of
─ finding solution to a problem or
─ developing foundational theories.

• Research is a culture
─ To be practice through continual quest for innovation

• Research needs
─ hard work,
─ dedication,
─ perseverance, and
─ an appropriate attitude
 Objective of research Cont.
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific
procedures.

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)
 Benefit Of Research
Importance of knowing the methodology of research or how research is done
stems from the following considerations:
• It inculcate the ability of a researcher to evaluate and use research results with
reasonable confidence
• enables use to make intelligent decisions concerning problems facing us in practical
life at different points of time
• Helps the consumer of research results to evaluate them and enables him to take
rational decisions. Meanly, you can knows how adequately judge the given research
result.
• For one who is preparing himself for a career of carrying out research. It helps him to
develop disciplined thinking or a ‘bent of mind’ to observe the field objectively
 Motivation In Research

• Intellectual satisfaction of doing something innovative and creative

• Meaningful and long-lasting contributions towards the advancement of mankind and

society

• Enjoy the challenges of solving unsolved problems

• Attain higher level of understanding of fundamental concepts as well as practical

significances

• Degrees, financial benefits, and respect comes along the way

 Types of Research
• Researches can be divided based on different scenario, e.g. 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.

1. Descriptive vs. Analytical:

o 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.

o Analytical research : use facts or information already available, and analyse these to
make a critical evaluation of the material.
 Types of Research
2. Applied vs. Fundamental:

Applied research(or action)

• aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organisation.

Fundamental research (to basic or pure)

• is mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a
theory.
e.g. “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake
3) Quantitative vs. Qualitative:

• Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount.

• Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena
relating to or involving quality or kind.

E.g. ‘Motivation Research’; aims at discovering the underlying motives and

desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose.

• specially important in the behavioural sciences where the aim is to

discover the underlying motives of human behaviour.
• practically is relatively difficult job to conduct it. So it requires guidance
from experimental psychologists.
4) 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.
Characteristics of Empirical research

⁍ It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are

capable of being verified by observation or experiment.
⁍ It is type of experimental type of research.
⁍ it is necessary to get at facts first-hand, at their source, and actively to
go about doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired
information.
⁍ appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other
variables in some way
 Research approaches

❑ Research approaches can be defined as the collection of procedures and

plans that decide the overall process of research.
❑Research approach decides the methods for data collection, analysis, and
interpretation.
❑Two type
1. Quantitative approach sub-classified into inferential, experimental and
simulation approaches to research.
i. Inferential approach: to research is to form a data base from which to infer
characteristics or relationships of population.
 ii. Experimental approach: is characterised by much greater control over the
research environment and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe
their effect on other variables.
iii. Simulation approach involves the construction of an artificial environment within
which relevant information and data can be generated.
• can also be useful in building models for understanding future conditions.

2. Qualitative approach to research is concerned with subjective assessment

of attitudes, opinions and behaviour. Research in such a situation is a
function of researcher’s insights and impressions.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research

• Qualitative research is a process to understand the uniqueness of situations in a

particular context.

• The researchers focus towards data collection and analysis process during the
qualitative research.

• Qualitative research involves a lot of fieldwork. The emphasis is on observing the

respondents in their natural settings, i.e., their homes, workplaces, entertainment spots,
etc.

• The research strategy which is employed in qualitative research is inductive in nature.

This research methodology relies on abstractions, concepts, testing of hypothesis rather
than relying on a body of existing theory.
 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” is a famous Hudson
Maxim
• 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.
 Research methods vs methodology
• 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.
• It lays on 3 groups

Data collection
Data preparation System
and analysis evaluation
 Research methods vs methodology
• 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.

Thus, 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
 Research Method Vs. Research Methodology
Research method Research methodology

1 defined as the procedure or technique applied a system of methods, used scientifically for
by the researcher to undertake research solving the research problem
2 nothing but the behavior or tool, employed in implies the science of analysing, the manner
selecting and building research technique in which research is conducted appropriately.
3 is concerned with carrying out experiment, concerned with learning various techniques
test, surveys, interviews, etc. which can be employed in the performance of
experiment, test or survey.
4 covers various investigation techniques which consists of complete approach aligned
towards the attainment of purpose.
5 intends to discover the solution to the aspires to apply appropriate procedures, with
problem at hand. a view to ascertaining solutions.
 Research and scientific methods
• Research can be termed as “an inquiry into the nature of, the reasons for, and
the consequences of any particular set of circumstances, whether these
circumstances are experimentally controlled or recorded just as they occur.
• Scientific method is the pursuit of truth as determined by logical
considerations.
• . In this context, Karl Pearson writes, “The scientific method is one and same
in the branches (of science) and that method is the method of all logically
trained minds … the unity of all sciences consists alone in its methods, not its
material; the man who classifies facts of any kind whatever, who sees their
mutual relation and describes their sequences, is applying the Scientific
Method and is a man of science.”8
 Scientific method
• Scientists use
• Observations and
• Reasoning
• To develop technologies and propose explanations for natural phenomena in the form of
hypotheses
• Predictions from these hypotheses are tested by experiment and further
technologies developed
• Any hypothesis which is cogent enough to make predictions can then be
tested reproducibly in this way
• Once it has been established that a hypothesis is sound, it becomes a theory.
• Sometimes scientific development takes place differently with a theory first
being developed gaining support on the basis of its logic and principles
 Elements of a scientific method
• The essential elements of a scientific method are iterations, recursions,
interleaving's and orderings of the following:
• Characterization's
• (Quantifications, observations and measurements)
• Hypotheses
• (Theoretical, hypothetical explanations of observations and
measurements)
• Predictions
• (Reasoning including logical deduction from hypotheses and theories)
• Experiments
• (Tests of all of the above)
• Both characterisations and experiments involve data collection
The scientific method is, thus, based on certain basic postulates
which can be stated as under:

1. It relies on empirical evidence;

2. . It utilizes relevant concepts;
3. It is committed to only objective considerations;
4. It presupposes ethical neutrality, i.e., it aims at nothing but making
only adequate and correct statements about population objects;
Cont.

5. It results into probabilistic predictions;

6. Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical
scrutiny are for use in testing the conclusions through
replication;
7. It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be
termed as scientific theories.
Research process

3-27
Simplified form of Research process
 Criteria of scientific research

⁋ The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common

concepts be used.
⁋ The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail
(keeps continuity and advancement of the research).
⁋ The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield
results that are as objective as possible.
⁋ The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural
design and estimate their effects upon the findings.
 Criteria of scientific research

⁋ 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.
⁋ 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
 Criteria of Good research
• Systematic : means structured with specified steps to be taken in a
specified sequence in accordance with the well defined set of rules

• Logical : research is guided by the rules of logical reasoning and the

logical process of induction(a part to the whole) and deduction(some
premise to a conclusion) are of great value in carrying out research.

• Empirical : research is related basically to one or more aspects of a

real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a basis for
external validity to research results.

• Replicable: allows research results to be verified by replicating the

study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions.
 Structure of Research Proposal
i. Title : a concise and descriptive title reflecting the essence of the
research

ii. Introduction: background and context of the research , problem

statement or research question, justification for the study and its
significance

iii. Literature and review: overview of existing literature related to the

research topic , identification of the gap, controversies or areas needing
further exploration.
 Structure of Research Proposal
iv. Research objective and hypothesis: Cleary state the objective or hypothesis
outlining what the study aims to achieve.

v. Methodology: research design(qualitative or quantitative or mixed methods),

sampling strategy and sampling size, data collection methods and instruments,
data analysis techniques

vi. Ethical consideration: explanation of how ethical principle will be addressed

and ensured through the research.

vii. Significance of the study: discussion of the potential impact and contribution
of the research.
Continue…
viii. Limitations : identification of potential constraints or limitations of the study.

ix. Timeline : a proposed schedule outlining the key milestones and activities.

x. Budget: estimation of costs associated with the research, if applicable.

xi. Expected results: anticipated outcomes and contributions to the field.

xii. References : a list of all source cited in the proposal

 Research ethics
• Research ethics means a principle and guideline that ensure the responsible
and ethical conduct of research.

This include

• Obtaining informed consent from participants

• Maintaining privacy and confidentiality
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Adhering to ethical standards in data collection
• Analysing and publication
Research ethics encompass various principle and guidelines, including :

i. Informed consent: ensuring that participant have adequate information about the
study and voluntarily agree to participate.

ii. Confidentiality and privacy: protecting the identity and personal information of
research participant

iii. Honesty and integrity: maintaining truthfulness and accuracy throughout the
research process, from data collection to reporting.
iv. Avoidance of harm: minimizing any potential physical or
psychological harm to participants.

v. Fairness and equality: treating all participant fairly and avoiding

discrimination or bias in research procedure and outcomes.

vi. Respect for participant: recognizing the autonomy, dignity, and

rights of research participants

vii. Transparency: cleary disclosing research methods, procedures, and

potential conflicts of interest.
 Research ethics
vii. Data management: handling and storing data securely and responsibly
to prevent misuse.

viii.Compliance with regulations: adhering to legal and institutional

requirements governing research.

ix. Publication ethics: ensuring ethical practices in reporting and

publishing research results, including avoiding plagiarism and giving
proper credit.
End of chapter two
?