Research Process

Unit 1: Introduction of Research

Research refers to search of knowledge.
One can also define research as a scientific and systematic
search for pertinent information on a specific topic.
Research refers to the systematic method consisting of:
s enunciating the problem,
s formulating a hypothesis,
s collecting the facts or data,
s analyzing the facts and
s reaching certain conclusion
either in the form of solution(s) towards a concerned
problem or in certain generalization for some theoretical
formulation.
 What is Research ?
s According to Webster, “Research is studious inquiry or
examination – critical and exhaustive investigation or
experimentation having for its aim the discovery of new facts
and their correct interpretation”.
s It also aim the discovery of new facts or practical applications
of such new or revised conclusion.
s Scientific research is essentially compounded of two elements:
observation, by which knowledge of certain facts is obtained
through sense-perception; and reasoning, by which the
meaning of these facts, their interrelations and their relation
to the exiting body of knowledge.
• Research refers to the process of systematic
inquiry or investigation into a specific problem or
issue that leads to new or improved knowledge
for solving the problems.

• “Research is a systematic , controlled, empirical

and critical investigation of hypothetical
propositions about the presumed relations
among natural phenomena”
F.N Kerlinger
 Characteristics of Research
• Research is directed towards the solution of a problem
• Research emphasis the development of generalization,
principles or theories.
• Research is based on observable experience or empirical
evidence.
• Research demands accurate observation and description
• Research involves gathering new data from primary and
first hand sources or using existing data for a new
purpose.
• Research requires expertise.
• Research strives to be logical and objective.
• Research is characterized as patient and unhurried
activity.
• Research is carefully recorded and reported
• Research sometimes require courage.
 Nature of Research
1. Objective
❖ It should be objective and must answer research
question
❖ It is also based on certain hypothesis
2. Controlled
❖ It should control all the variables in the research
❖ It happens while selecting the subjects, sample size and
experiment
❖ Research control the influence of other variables
3. Generalizability
❖ The result developed by the researcher considering
sample and methods should give same results of
research can be applied in practice
❖ The findings found from the sample should be
applicable to large population.
4. Free from Personal Biases
❖ It should be objectivity and free from personal biasness
❖ The methodology which control the use of researcher
5. Systematic
❖ Research should follow planned steps
❖ Use of steps in research helps to bring uniformity in
research work.
6. Solution to Problem
❖ Research identifies problems and investigate every aspect of
problem
❖ It also finds probable solution to the problem through in-depth
study
7. Logical
❖ Research does not only present the result on the basis of analysis
but should prove those results using various logics.
❖ Inductive and deductive are the approach used
8. Replicable
❖ Conducting the research using same methodology is replicability
❖ Conducting research in the same subject repeatedly helps to
increase the reliability of research
❖ Thus, the research should provide clear methodology in its report
so that it can be replicated
 Types of research
• Basic or Fundamental Research: A
research method that is used in social
science research which helps to contradict,
alter or modify any existing theory or
theories is known as basic research.
• Applied or Action Research: A research
which is conducted to find out a solution
for an immediate problem faced by the
society or industry/business organization
is known as applied research.
 Scientific Research
• Scientific research is an investigation
followed by experimentation, observation
and logical arguments from accepted
postulates.
• “Scientific research is a systematic, empirical
and critical investigation of propositions
about the presumed relationship among the
variables.”
F.N. Kerlinger
 Features of scientific
Research
1) Rigorous
2) Purposive
3) Replicability
4) Objective
5) Testability
6) Precision
7) Operational definition
8) Generalizability
9) Parsimony (Simplicity)
(Refer Book)
 Process of scientific research
1. Realizing a problem
2. Identification of problem
3. Review of literature
4. Hypothesis formulation
5. Research design formulation
6. Sample design
7. Collection of data
8. Data analysis and interpretation of findings
9. Reporting and generalization
 Social Science Research
Social science research is the systematic method of
discovering the new facts or verifying old facts, their
sequences, interrelationship, causal explanations and
the natural laws which govern them.
• Method of discovering the new facts
• It is interrelated with every dimension of human
beings
• It covers the research in anthropology, psychology,
sociology and management
• It is particularly related to human behaviour
• Questionnaire are collected through structured and
unstructured way.
Difficulties in Applying Scientific
Methods to Social Science
Research
• Social science research are related to human
behaviour and Human behaviour is complex
• Every social problems cannot be proved through
research
• We see that scientific method are used in social
science research
• It is very complex to use scientific method in
social science research
• Scientific method are not applied in social science
research because of the following reasons:
1. Complexity of Subject Matters
• Social science has unlimited uncontrollable factors
• It is because behaviour, needs, interest, value and
norms are different
• However, scientific research are only used in
controllable situation
• The complexity of subject matters, it is difficult to
use scientific method in social science research
2. Difficult to obtain accurate measurement
• Scientific method requires specific measurement
• However, social science research variables like
feeling, perception, attitude etc are not exactly
measurable
• It is very difficult to measure accurately to the social
factors by the use of scientific tools
3. Misconceived impression of society
• Society has different perception
• Due to difference in feeling, people do not like to
give opinion even if they are ready to give opinion,
they do not give right information
• For example people in remote area do not give
right information about family planning
• They provide opinon on the basis of preoccupied
conceptions
• Such information cannot use scientific method
4. Emotional Tendencies
• People opinion differ in general and specific
situation
• It mean behaviour and method of person depends
on emotional tendicies
• It is difficulty to use scientific method in social
science research.
5. Vested interest of researcher
• Social science researcher conduct research on vested
interest
• They conduct research on the basis of intended
conclusion but scientific method draws some
objective results
• Therefore researcher do not like to use scientific
method in social science research
6. Lack of Universality of Social Events
• Similar social events are not perceived in the similar
manner all over the world
• People of different context and place may understand
the events differently
• Thus social science research does not get
pervasiveness character.
 Management Research
• Management research is the act of studying various
dimension of organizational problems
• It is a study of various organizational problems and to
advice for proper managerial solution
• It is a research that is conducted to solve the problems
related to planning, organizing, directing, controlling etc
Zikmund “ management research is the systematic and
objectvive process of gathering, recording and analyzing
data for aid in making business decision”
V.P. Michael “ Research in management is a systematic activity
directed towards investigating managerial problems, which
may result in discovery of management tools for problem
solving and decision making “
 Business Research
• Business research is the application of the
scientific method in searching for the truth
about business phenomena.

• The process includes:

• Indentify research issue and problem definition
• searching for and collecting information
• analyzing data
• communicating the findings and their implications
 Steps of business research
✔ To know where the problem areas exist in the
organization.
✔ To identify as clearly and specifically as
possible the problems that need to be studied
and resolved.
✔ Gather information, analyze the data, and
determine the factors that are associated
with the problem and solve it by taking the
necessary corrective measures.
 Types of Business Research
• Purpose
– Applied Research
– Basic Research
• Application
– Policy Research
– Managerial Research
– Action Research
– Evaluation Research
• Research Design
– Exploratory Research
– Descriptive Research
– Causal Research
 Importance of Research for
Management
1. Identify Problem
• Business research helps to identify existing
problems in the organization
• It scans the environment and helps to
identify potential problems that takes place
in the organization
2. Diagnose and Assess Problems and
Opportunities
• After the first stage is complete, potential
problems and opportunities are identified
• If there is problem, they need to specify the
cause of it
• It there is opportunity, they need to explore,
clarify and refine it
3. Selecting course of action
• After analyzing the problems and opportunities, specific course of
action need to be formulated in order to solve the problems and
grab the opportunity
• Therefore selecting the best course of action is very important
• For eg, If the manufacturer wants to establish mill in Kathmandu
or Butwal, it need to evaluate various criteria like market
potential, cost, sale to select the best course of action,
4. Implementing a Course of Action
• Manager need to identify the tactics to implement the course of
action
• Research provides real information of existing situation so that
the manager can prepare subsidiary plan to implement it.
5. Evaluating the Course of Action
• It is the formal and objective measurement and appraisal of the
extent to which a given activity, project or program has achieved
its objectives.
• Managers may use evaluation research to provide feedback for
evaluation and control of strategies and tactics.
Ethical Issues in Management Research
• Ethics in business research refers to a code of conduct of behavior
while conducting research.
• Ethical conduct applies to the organization and the members that sponsor
the research, the researchers who undertake the research, and the
respondents who provide them with the necessary data.
• The goal of ethics in research is to ensure that no one is harmed or suffers
adverse consequences from research activities.
1. Ethics to participant
• Voluntary participation: No force to participation
• Informed consent: Taking approval before collecting data
• The right to be informed: Give information about purpose, use etc
• The right to be safe:
• No deception of participants: No hiding of information
• Assuring privacy of information: Guarantee of secrecy of information
• Rewarding: Can offer small incentive
2. Ethics to the sponsor
• Competency: Show capability to do assigned work
• Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality of report
• Quality work: maintain high quality in the process of conducting
research
• No fabrication: No change in data with intention
• Professional practice: should use correct tools for survey and
analysis
3. Ethics to the team members
• Safety and security: should provide tools that are essential to
maintain safety
• Open relation: should be open to meet research team members
• Co-operation: should provide every support to a large extent
4. Ethics towards society
• Be objective: should provide exact result
• Maintain scientific rigour: should follow the scientific process
• Report results: should provide full information of research results
to the society
 Unethical Research Practices
• Put pressure on the participants to grant access to
information
• Violate an individual’s right to privacy
• Force the respondents to provide personal and confidential
data
• Fabricate the entire set of data
• Replace actual data with false data
• Alter data to make them “look better” or fit with a theory
• Select only the best data for reporting
• Claim credit for the work done by others (Plagiarism)
• False reporting of data or event
• Not maintaining confidentiality and anonymity
• Report data without permission from the organization
• Unauthorized sharing of research results
• Publish the same paper in two different journals without
telling the editors (Parallel Publication)
 Research philosophy
Research philosophy refers to the set of
beliefs, assumptions, and methodologies
that guide the way researchers approach
their investigations. It provides a framework
for understanding the nature of knowledge,
the role of the researcher, and the methods
used to gather and interpret data. There are
several research philosophies, but three of
the most widely recognized and influential
ones are positivism, interpretivism, and
pragmatism.
 Positivism
Positivism is a research philosophy that
originated in the natural sciences and gained
prominence in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. It is based on the belief that
scientific knowledges should be derived from
empirical observation and objective
measurement. Positivists assume that there
is a single reality that exists independently of
our perceptions and that this reality can be
understood through systematic and rigorous
scientific methods.
Key principles of positivism are:
• Objectivity: Positivists emphasize the importance of objectivity in
research. They argue that researchers should strive to eliminate bias and
personal opinions from their investigations. Objectivity is achieved
through careful design and execution of experiments, reliance on
measurable and observable data, and the use of statistical analysis to
draw conclusions.
• Determinism: Positivism assumes that the social world operates
according to universal laws that can be discovered through scientific
inquiry. It suggests that human behavior is determined by external
factors such as social structures, cultural norms, and economic
conditions. This deterministic view implies that social phenomena can be
predicted and explained using objective and generalizable laws.
• Reductionism: Positivists often employ reductionism, which involves
breaking down complex phenomena into smaller, more manageable
parts. They believe that by studying the individual components of a
system, they can gain a better understanding of the whole. Reductionism
allows researchers to isolate specific variables and test their effects in
controlled conditions.
• Quantitative Methods: Positivism favors quantitative research
methods, such as surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis. These
methods provide numerical data that can be analyzed statistically to
identify patterns, correlations, and cause-and-effect relationships.
Positivists value the reliability and replicability of quantitative research,
as it allows for precise measurement and comparison.
 Interpretivism
Interpretivism, also known as constructivism or
hermeneutics, emerged as a response to the
limitations of positivism in the social sciences. It
emphasizes the subjective nature of human
experience and focuses on understanding social
phenomena through the meanings and
interpretations that individuals assign to them.
Interpretivists believe that social reality is socially
constructed and context-dependent and that it
cannot be reduced to objective laws or
generalizations.
Basic principles of interpretivism are:
• Subjectivity: Interpretivism acknowledges that individuals have unique
experiences, perspectives, and interpretations of the world. Researchers aim to
understand these subjective meanings by engaging in dialogue and interaction
with research participants. They seek to uncover the complex and diverse ways in
which individuals create and attribute meaning to their actions and social
interactions.
• Social and Historical Context: Interpretivists emphasize the importance of
understanding social phenomena within their specific social and historical
contexts. They recognize that individuals’ beliefs, values, and behaviors are
shaped by their cultural, historical, and institutional backgrounds. Researchers
employ qualitative methods, such as interviews, observations, and textual
analysis, to capture the richness and complexity of these contextual factors.
• Reflexivity: Interpretivism promotes reflexivity, which involves acknowledging
and reflecting upon the influence of the researcher’s own background, biases,
and assumptions on the research process. Researchers recognize that their
interpretations are inherently subjective and influenced by their own
perspectives. Reflexivity helps researchers identify and address potential biases
and enhances the credibility of their findings.
• Inductive Reasoning: Interpretivists often employ inductive reasoning, which
involves deriving general conclusions from specific observations. They emphasize
the importance of exploring and discovering patterns and themes in qualitative
data, rather than starting with preconceived theories or hypotheses. This
approach allows for the emergence of new insights and theories grounded in the
data.
 Positivism Vs Interpretivism
Aspect Positivism Interpretivism
Socially
Objective,
Nature of Reality constructed,
measurable reality
subjective reality
Research Quantitative, Qualitative,
Approach empirical interpretive
Numerical data, Textual data,
Data Collection
statistical analysis thematic analysis
Researcher’s Active participant
Objective observer
Role and interpreter
Natural sciences, Anthropology,
Examples large-scale social sociology, cultural
studies studies
 Pragmatism
Pragmatism is a research philosophy that seeks to
bridge the gap between positivism and interpretivism.

It emphasizes the practical consequences of

knowledge and encourages researchers to adopt a
flexible and problem-solving approach.

Pragmatists believe that the value of knowledge lies in

its usefulness and its ability to address real-world
problems.
Basic principles of pragmatism are:
Practicality: Pragmatism prioritizes the practical applications of knowledge.
Researchers are encouraged to focus on solving real-world problems and
addressing the needs of individuals and communities. Pragmatists believe
that research should have practical implications and be relevant to the
concerns of society.
Pluralism: Pragmatism recognizes that different research methods and
approaches can be useful in different contexts. It promotes a pluralistic view
that values the integration of multiple perspectives and methods.
Researchers are encouraged to select the most appropriate methods based
on the research question, context, and desired outcomes.
Mixed Methods: Pragmatists often employ mixed methods, combining both
qualitative and quantitative approaches, to gain a more comprehensive
understanding of research phenomena. They believe that this integration of
methods can provide a more holistic and nuanced perspective, drawing on
the strengths of each approach.
Pragmatic Truth: Pragmatism defines truth in terms of its practical
consequences. Rather than seeking absolute or universal truth, pragmatists
focus on the usefulness and effectiveness of knowledge in solving problems
and improving outcomes. Truth is seen as a dynamic and evolving concept
that is subject to revision based on new evidence and experiences.
Thank You