INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

Research and experimental development is formal

work undertaken systematically to increase the
stock of knowledge, including knowledge of
humanity, culture and society, and the use of this
stock of knowledge to devise new applications It
is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the
results of previous work, solve new or existing
problems, support theorem, or develop new
theories.
 DEFINATION OF RESEARCH
Systematic investigation into a problem or
situation, where the intention is to identify
facts and/or opinions that will assist in
solving the problem or dealing with the
situation
"Research is a process of steps used to collect
and analyze information to increase our
understanding of a topic or issue".
It consists of three steps:
a) Pose a question,
b) collect data to answer the question,
c) present an answer to the question.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH
1) Fundamental research :
 Fundamental research means experimental or
theoretical work under taken primarily to
acquire new knowledge of the underlying
foundations of phenomena and observable
facts, without any direct practical application
or use in view."
2) Quantitative research :
 Quantitative research aim to measure the
quantity or amount and compares it with past
records and tries to project for future period.
3) Applied Research:
Aims at solving specific problems
 Aims at establishing policy programs that will
help to improve social life
 Types of applied research are action research,,
cost-benefit analysis, evaluation research
4) Longitudinal research:
 Longitudinal’ is a broad term. It can be defined
as research in which: (1) data are collected for
two or more distinct periods (implying the
notion of repeated measurements);(2) the
subjects or cases analysed are the same, or at
least comparable, from one period to the next
period.
5) Qualitative Research:
This type of research aims at discovering the
underlying motives & desires of human
behaviour. using indepth interviews for this
purpose.
6) Action Research:
It is application of fact findings to practical
problem solving in a social situation with a
view to improve quality of action within it,
involving collaboration and cooperation of
researchers, practitioners and laymen.
7) Descriptive Research:
 Usually it forms preliminary study of a
research project.
 It aims at describe social events, relations and
events.
 It provides background information about an
event in question.
8) Classification research:
 It aims at categorization of units into groups
 To demonstrate differences
 To explain relationships
9) Comparative Research:
 To identify similarities and differences between
units at all levels.
10) Exploratory Research:
 It aims at gaining information about an issue in
hand.
11) Explanatory Research:
 It aims at explaining social relations and
eventsm &To build, test or revise a theory.
12) Causal Research:
 Causal Research explores the effect of one thing
on another and more specifically, the effect of
one variable on another. The research is used to
measure what impact a specific change will have
on existing norms and allows market
researchers to predict hypothetical scenarios.
Objectives of research
 Research extends knowledge
 Research establishes generalizations and
general laws
 Research verifies and tests
 General laws developed through research
 Research analyze inter-relationships
 Applied research aims at finding solutions
 It aims to develop tools, concepts
 Rational decision making
Steps of research
 Formulating the research problem
Although the problem is identified in a broader
perspective, it needs to be defined specifically in
terms of what is to be researched. It is important
to define the problem in a precise manner. A well
defined problem gives the researcher a proper
direction for carrying out investigation. It also
helps in utilizing the resources provided for the
research effectively.
 Extensive literature survey
At this juncture the researcher should undertake
extensive literature survey connected with the
problem.
 Developing the hypothesis
A hypothesis is a statement based on some
presumptions about the existence of a
relationship between two or more variables
that can be tested through empirical data.
A hypothesis normally makes the research
question clearer to the researcher.
 Preparing the research design
Planning the research design is a crucial
step in the research design process. A
research design is the actual frame work of
research that provides specific details
regarding the process to be followed in
conducting the research.
 Determining sample design
A sample design is a definite plan
determined before any data are actually
collected for obtaining a sample form a given
population.
Types of sample designs
i. Deliberate sampling
ii. simple random sampling
iii.Systematic sampling
iv. stratified sampling
v. Quota sampling
vi.Cluster sampling
vii. Multi-stage sampling
viii. sequential sampling
 Collecting the data
In dealing with any real life problem it is often
found that data at hand are inadequate and
hence it become necessary to collect the data
which differ considerably in context of money
costs, time and other resources at the disposal of
the researcher.
 Primary data
 secondary data
 Execution of the project
The researcher should see that the project is
executed in a systematic manner and in time.
The steps should be taken to ensure that the
survey is under statistical control so that the
collected information is in accordance with the
pre-determined standards of accuracy.
 Analysis of data
The most important aspect of data
analysis is to convert the data collected
into a format which will facilitate the
manager in effective decision making.
 Editing
Coding
 Hypothesis testing
If there is any hypothesis , the next step
is to test it. Various tests such as Chi-
square test, t-test, F-test has been
developed by statisticians for this
purpose.
 Generalisations and interpretation
As a matter of fact, the real value of research lies
in its ability to arrive at certain generalisations. If
the researcher had no hypothesis to start with, he
might seek to explain his findings on the basis of
some theory.
 Preparation of the report for presentation of
the results
Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report
of what has been done by him. Writing of report
must be done with great care keeping in view the
following:
 layout
 reports should be written in concise
 charts and illustration
 calculated confidence limits must be mentioned
METHODS OF RESEARCH

1.Experimental method
 Laboratory
 Variables
 Degree of control
 Value of an experiment
2.Observational method
3.Survey method
4.Case studies
5.Test method
GENERAL INTRODUCTION

 Statement of the problem

 Objective of the study
 Scope of study
 Methodology