METHODS OF RESEARCH

RGPENEYRA

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

Do we need Research?
What is research?

Research is defining and redefining problems,

formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions;
collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making
deductions and reaching conclusions; and finally
testing the conclusions carefully to determine
whether they fit the hypothesis formulated.

Research Objectives
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.
Research objectives fall into the following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new
insights into it (known as exploratory or formulative research
studies);
2. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or
with which it is associated with something else (known as
diagnostic research studies);
3. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
(known as hypothesis-testing research studies).

Research Approaches
1. Descriptive Research vs. Analytical
Research
- descriptive research is description of the state of
affairs as it exists at present
- analytical research makes a critical evaluation of
the material by analyzing facts and information already
available

Research Approaches
2. Applied Research vs. Fundamental Research
- descriptive research is description of the state of
affairs as it exists at present
- analytical research makes a critical evaluation of
the material by analyzing facts and information already
available

Research Approaches
3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative
- Quantitative research is applicable to phenomena
that can be expressed in terms of quantity
- Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon.

Research Approaches
4. Conceptual vs. Experimental (or Empirical)
- Conceptual research is that related to some abstract
idea(s) or theory
- experimental (empirical) research relies on
experiment or observation alone, often without due
regard for system and theory

How to Approach Research

Quantitative
involves the
generation of data in
quantitative form
which can be
subjected to rigorous
quantitative analysis
in a formal and
rigorous fashion

Qualitative
concerned with
subjective assessment
of attitudes, opinions
and behavior
a function of
researcher's insights
and impressions

More on Quantitative Approach

SUB-CLASSIFICATION
Inferential - to form a data base from which to infer characteristics or
relationships of population; survey research where a sample of population
is studied (questioned or observed) to determine its characteristics, and it
is then inferred that the population has the same characteristics
Experimental - characterized by much greater control over the research
environment and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe
their effect on other variables
Simulation - construction of an artificial environment within which relevant
information and data can be generated, i.e. it permits an observation of the
dynamic behavior of a system (or its subsystem) under controlled
conditions approaches research; useful in building models for
understanding future conditions.

Research Methods
Methods/techniques that are used for conducting
research
THREE GROUPS
1.methods which are concerned with the collection/
acquisition of data; these methods will be used where
the data already available are not sufficient to arrive
at the required solution
2. mathematical/statistical techniques which are used
for establishing relationships between the data and
the unknowns
3.those methods which are used to evaluate the
accuracy of the results obtained

Research Methodology
a way to systematically solve the research problem
a science of studying how research is done scientifically
various steps that are to be adopted by a researcher in studying
his research problem along with the logic behind them
know not only the research methods/techniques but also the
methodology
know which of these research methods or techniques, are
relevant and which are not, and what would they mean and
indicate and why
understand the assumptions underlying various techniques
it is necessary for the researcher to design his methodology for
his problem as the same may differ from problem to problem

Research Methods vs Research Methodology

research methodology has many dimensions
and research methods do constitute a part of
the research methodology
research methodology is not only about 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

Simplified Research Process

Idea
Literature Review
Problem and Hypothesis

System
[Prototype]

Experimental Design/Analysis
Theory Paper/ New Knowledge/Object

The Black Crow Parody

Closing Remarks