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UNIT-1 RESERACH METHODOLOGY MEANING: It Is a Scientific And

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UNIT-1 RESERACH METHODOLOGY MEANING: It Is a Scientific And UNIT-1 RESERACH METHODOLOGY MEANING: It is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent (correct) information on a specific topic. It is an art of scientific investigation. It is the search for knowledge through objectives and systematic approach concerning generalization and formulation of a theory. DEFINITION: According to advance learner‟s dictionary of current English, “research methodology is a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge”. According to Redman & Mery, “It is a systemized effort to gain knowledge”. According to Clifford woody, “research comprises defining and redefining problems; formulating hypothesis or suggest solutions; collecting, organising and evaluating data; making deduction and reaching conclusion and at last carefully testing the conclusion to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis” According to D.sleinger and M.stephenson, in the encyclopaedia of social sciences defined research as, “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art” OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH: 1. To gain familiarity with the phenomenon or to achieve new in size into it. 2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group. 3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with it is associated with something else. 4. To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH: 1. It gives the research the necessary training in gathering material and arranging them; participation in the field work when required; training in techniques for the collection of data appropriate to particular problem; in the use of statistics, questionnaires, control experimentation and in recording evidence; sorting it out and in recording evidence; sorting it out and interpreting it. 2. The knowledge of research methodology provides good training especially to the new research worker and enables him to do better. 3. Helps him to develop disciplined thinking to observe the field objectively. 4. Knowledge of how to do research will inculcate the ability to evaluate and use research results with reasonable confidence. 5. Knowledge of research methodology provides tools to look at things in life objectively. 6. Help the consumer of research results to evaluate them and enables him to take rational decisions. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH: 1. Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organisation. 2. The role of research in several field of applied economics whether related to business or to the economy as a whole has greatly increased in modern times. 3. Research provides basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system. 4. Research has its special significance in solving various operations and planning problems of business and industry market research. 5. Research is equally important for social scientist in the studying social relationship and in seeking answers to various social problems. It provides the intellectual satisfaction of knowing practical solutions. 6. Thus, research provides guidelines for solving different business, governmental and social problems TYPES OF RESEARCH: 1. Descriptive Vs Analytical 2. Applied Vs Fundamental 3. Quantitative Vs Qualitative 4. Conceptual Vs Empirical (experiment) 5. Other types of research a) One time research b) Longitudinal research c) Laboratory research (Field setting research or Simulation research) d) Clinical (or) diagnostic research e) Exploratory research f) Historical research g) Conclusion oriented research h) Decision oriental research. I i) Descriptive – Descriptive research includes survey and fact finding enquiries of different kinds. It is used mostly in social science and business research. It is otherwise called as Export facts Research. This research describes the state of affairs as it exist at present. The main characteristics of the variables. The researcher reports only what has happened or what of all kind. This methods of research aims at answering what and why of the current stateof some system. Eg. This type of research is used to measure such items like : Frequency of shopping, b) attrition rate, c) Preferences of people, d) level of job satisfaction. Analytical Research – The research has to use facts information already available and analyze these information make a critical evaluation. Applied Vs Fundamental :- i) Applied Research – Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society. Eg an industry or business organization. The aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical problem. This research is aimed at certain conclusions facing a concrete social or business problem. Eg:- Researech to identify social, economic or business or political trends that may affect a particular organization. ii) Basic/ fundamental research / pure research – gathering knowledge for knowledge sake. It means the investigation of problems to further and develop existing knowledge. This research is mainly concerned with generalization and formulation of theories Eg. Investigation into natural phenomena, mathematics, physics or astronomy, study on the behavior of individuals to make some generalization about their social learning, memory pattern and intelligence level. III). Quantitive and Qualities: i) Quanititative research : This research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phomena relating to or involving quality. This research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires using indepth interviews for the purpose. Motivation research is an important type of qualitative research. Eg : - Word ariciaf test, sentence completion test, story completion test, projective techniques. This research is specially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives, interests, personality and attitudes of human beings. IV)Conceptual vs. Empirical : i) Conceptual research : This research is related to some abstract ideas or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concept or to re – interpret the existing ones. ii) Empirical Research (Experimental) – This research mainly relies on experience or observation alone without due regard for system and theory. The research should collect enough data to prove or disprove his hypothesis. It is considered that evidence gathered through experiment or empirical study provides the most powerful support possible for the given hypothesis. IV) Other types of research :- a) One time research – research is confined to a single time period. b) Longitudinal research – research is carried on over several time periods. c) Laboratory research (Field setting research or simulation research) – the emphasis in laboratory research is on controlling certain variables in such a way as to observe the relationship between two or more variables. d) Clinical (or) diagnostic research – This research follows case study method or in- depth approaches to reach the basic casual relationship. It takes only a few samples and studies the phenomenon in depth and observes the effect. e) Exploratory research - the objective of this research is the development of hypothesis rather than their testing f) Historical Research – It utilizes historical sources like documents, literature etc to study or ideas of the past. Involved in defining a problem 1.Statement of the problem in a general way. 2.Understanding the nature of the problem. 3.Surveying the available literature. 4.Developing the ideas through discussions. 5.Rephrasing the research problem. 6.Technical terms with special meanings used in the statement of the problem should be clearly defined. 7.Basic assumptions relating to the research problem should be clearly stated.. 8.The suitability of time period,sources of data available must also been considered. 9.Scope and limitations of the study must be mentioned explicitly RESEARCH DESIGN: Research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure. It is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted. It is the blueprint for the collection , measurement and analysis of data. TYPES OF RESEAECH DESIGN: Sampling design-deals with method of selecting items for the observation design- it relates to the conditions under which observation are to be made. Statistical design-it concern with how manage to be observed and how information and data gathered are to be analyzed. Operational design-deals with the techniques by which the procedures specified can be carried out. FEATURE OF GOOD RESEARCH DESIGN: It‟s a plan,that specifies the sources and type of information relevant to the research problem. It is a strategy specifying which approach will be used for gathering and analyzing the data . it also includes time and cost. NEED FOR RESEARCH DESIGN: For smooth sailing if conduct of the various research operations. Making research efficient. For yielding maximum information with minimum expenditure of effort,time and money. It stands for advance planning of the method to be adopted for collecting the data. Help the researcher to organize his ideas where by it will be possible for him to look for flaws and inadequacies.
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