Meaning of Research

The word ‘Research’ is composed of two words ‘Re’ and

‘Search’, ‘Re’ means again, anew, repeat, frequent or over
again and ‘Search’ means to find or to examine or to test or to
explore or to seek something.
So, together research means a careful, systematic, patient, &
scientific investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken
to establish facts or principles.
According to F.N Kerlinger, “ Research is a systematic,
controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical
prepositions about the presumed relations among natural
phenomenon.”
According to Uma Sekeran(2013), “Research is an
organized, systematic, data-based, critical, scientific enquiry
or investigation into a specific problem undertaken with the
objective of findings answers or solutions to it.”
In conclusion, Research is the search for knowledge which
provides an analytical framework to any issue to be
investigated.

Research manipulates things and concepts for the purpose

of the pursuit of truth and thereby extends, corrects,
validates the knowledge.

Research involves gathering, processing and interpretation

of the relevant data and arriving at a generalization
 Scientific Research
The term ‘scientific’ means the systematized and organized body of
knowledge and ‘research’ means o search again or investigation.
So, Scientific Research is a systematic, logical and scientific attempt of
investigation concentrated on the pursuit of knowledge determined by
coherent consideration.
According to Uma Sekeran, “ Scientific research is a step-by-step logical,
organized, and rigorous method to identify problems, gather data, analyze
the data, and draw valid conclusions .”
Features or Characteristics of Scientific
Research
1. Purposiveness
2. Replicability
3. Testability
4. Objectivity
5. Rigorous
6. Precision and confidence
7. Parsimony
8. Generalizability
1.Purposiveness
A research work must have a concentration on a specific purpose
and definite aim.
Without a clear vision or destination, the research work becomes
directionless and research work becomes indeterminate.
2.Replicability
Scientific research requires that the same findings are drawn from
two or more research conducted by different researchers based on
the same research design and methods.
Replicable feature of research makes the research more
acceptable, confidential and reliable.
3.Testability
The purpose of scientific research is to develop and test the
hypothesis.
Research studies, which do not develop and test the hypothesis, do
not meet the criteria of scientific research.
4.Objectivity
The scientific research is committed to achieve certain
objectives.
By carefully following the major purpose of the study, the
researcher can reduce the possibility of making major
errors and increase the possibility of meaningful results.
5.Rigorous
Research work is undoubly a rigorous process because it
involves a carefully thought-out research methodology and
based on specified and systematic theoretical framework.
In the absence of rigor, the research process may select an
improper research design, subjective or biased data
gathering, data interpretation and report preparation.
6. Precision and confidence
The conclusion drawn from the scientific research must be nearer to
the actual results.
Precision in the research can be achieved by strictly controlling the
research process, particularly the sample design and selection,
application of the appropriate analysis tools and correct
interpretations of the findings.
Confidence is the degree of assurance the research provides that the
research findings are close to the reality.
7.Parsimony
Scientific research should not be easy so that the process and
findings can be easily understood. For that simplicity of the research
design, data collection process and analysis is required.
8. Generalizability
The findings of the scientific research should have wider
applicability.
The findings from one research should be applied in another setting.
Scientific Research Process
1. Sensing or realizing the problem
2. Identification of the problem
3. Setting of research objectives
4. Literature review
5. Theoretical framework
6. Hypothesis formulation
7. Research design
8. Data gathering
9. Data processing and analysis
10. Generalization
11. Report writing and presentation
1.Sensing or Realizing problem

• There are large number of problems& events in the

society.
• The researcher should sense or realize the research
problem on the basis of own interest, ability, available
resources, data etc.
• This is the first and most essential step in the research
work.
2.Identification of problem
• Research problem can be identified from an
appropriate literature survey or a consult with experts.
• Problem identification helps to set the ways and the
destination of the research work.
3.Setting of research objectives
• The expected results of the research problems are the objectives of the
research.
• Objective may be general or specific objectives.
4. Literature review

• Literature survey is a reviewing and documentation of

published and unpublished conceptual matters related
to the research.
• It helps to know past studies in the related field as their
findings, conclusions and lacking and then provides a
basic idea to the researcher for further research to be
conducted.
 5. Theoretical framework
• A theoretical framework is a base of any research.
• A theoretical framework guides the research in
degerming what things that the researcher is going to
measure, and what statistical relationships looking for.
6. Hypothesis Formation
• Research hypothesis is a declarative statement of how
expect the research to be turned out.
• It should be brief, noted important variables, and suggest
something to test or descriptively investigate.
 7.Research Design
• It is plan, structure and strategy specifying the procedures to
undertaken the research.
• It is a systematic roadmap or blueprint or guideline or a framework
for collecting , processing, analyzing and report writing.
• One can decide in advance what to do?, how to do? of ongoing
research project.
8.Data collection
• Researcher collects data according to research problem
and objectives.
• Data can be either qualitative or quantitative.
• Data can be collected by using:- i) observation method.
ii)interview method iii) questionnaire method etc.
 9.Data processing and analysis
• After collection of required data, data is analyzed to draw an
appropriate inference.
• Data processing is the process of classification, tabulation,
measurement and presentation of data.
• Different statistical tools and techniques can be used to analyze
the data.
10. Generalization
• The results of research can be generalized for wider applicability.
11. Report writing and presentation
• Research result should be drafted and presented in a systematic
and organized way.
• The researcher has to follow certain universally accepted rules or
code of conducts or format while writing report.
• The research report shows the creativity and skill of the
researcher.
 Types of Research
Basis of Basic research
difference
Definition A research is conducted in
order to gain the in-depth
knowledge about any issue
Objective To pacify the researchers
curiosity
Nature Search of new knowledge
Concentrati To generate the new
on knowledge and improve the
existing knowledge
Implication No immediate
implementation in real life
practice
Applied Research
It is task oriented study
and aims at finding a
logical conclusion of
practical social problem
Is to benefit the entire
society
Application of existing
knowledge
To find the immediate
solution of current
problem
Results are immediately
implemented in real life
practice
Time There is no time There is time
constraint constraint constraint to the
researcher
Nature of Based on technical Based on individual
analysis analysis and situational
analysis
generalization Findings of basic Focus on specific issue
research can be so generalization
generalized for all cannot be made and it
similar type of case is not necessary and
not possible too.
conclusion Knowledge is end Knowledge is just a
means
 Research paradigms
• The word paradigm refers to a set of thoughts or way of
thinking or philosophy to observe and view the natural world
and phenomenon.
• In research field, paradigm means guiding principles or set of
rules or set of assumptions to be followed while conducting
research.
Two types of paradigm are:-
1.Positivism
2.Interpretivism
 1. Positivism
• The positivism paradigm refers to the systematic and logical investigation
over any social science phenomenon fully based on the quantitative data.
• It aims to establishing truth through structured hypothesis testing and also to
predict the future phenomenon.
Features:-
1.Truth is absolute.
2.Considers only the quantitative data.
3.Entire research process is free from subjective bias and value judgement.
4.Uses only precise and objective facts.
Assumptions:-
1.All reality is meaningless, independent from human feelings, ideas and
perceptions.
2.Social phenomena have to be treated like physical objects.
3.Knowledge is value free, objective and measurable.
4.Knowledge can be assed through a scientific approach.
5.The world can be objectively experienced and described.
 2.Interpretivism
• Interpretivism is a system of viewing the human through
subjective point of view.
• Qualitative research is a research under interpretivism.
• Interpretivism is an approach to study of human society, human
activities, human attitudes, feelings, perceptions, experiences etc.
Features:-
1.Social science phenomenon are studies from subjective point of
view.
2.Considers only the qualitative data.
3.Research process is influenced from subjective bias and value
judgement.
4.It considers moral ethics, norms and culture.
 Assumptions
1.Reality is meaningful, and is socially constructed by
individuals who participate on it.
2.There is not one absolute truth, but different truths and
realities.
3.Knowledge is subjective, dependent on human minds, values,
perceptions and related to specific context.
4.There is no particular right or correct path to knowledge, no
special method that automatically leads to intellectual progress.
 Management research

Concept
• Management is what managers do.
• It is a set of objectives carried out by the manager including
planning, organizing, controlling, directing, leading all
organizational resources for achieving organizational goals in most
effective and efficient manner.
• Management research indicates to a set of activities directing
towards the study of various dimensions of the business problems
and to find the appropriate way to solve such business problems.
• Management research involves the systematic way of gathering
processing, analyzing data to make an appropriate business
decision.
• Management research helps the managers to minimize risk and
proper utilization of resources.
 Nature of management research
Management research is an organized, systematic and
logical investigation directed towards identifying business or
managerial problems and acquiring an appropriate tool for
solving such problems.
The nature of management research are:-
1. Committed to Business Drives and Commercial
Advantage.
2. Systematic
3. Identifies Business or Managerial Problems.
4. Generalizability
5. Ethical Neutrality purposive and Goal Oriented
6. Qualitative as well as Quantitative
7. Fundamental as well as Applied Research
 Value of Management Research in Business Decision Making

Business research methods vary depending on the size of the

company and the type of information needed.
Management research is a systematic and logical order of activities
concentrated towards exploring managerial problematic issues.
The aim of business research is reducing risks and uncertainties and
provides true and accurate information to the business manager.
The value of management research in business decision making can be
explained as follows.
i. Generates or expand knowledge
ii. Provides necessary management information
iii. Identifying and diagnosing the management problems
iv. Assessing business challenging and opportunities
v. Planning, formulating and executing business strategies
vi. Evaluating the business strategies
Applying scientific thinking to management problems
• Management problems refer to those all problems that he managers
often encounter in day to day managerial course of action.
• Managers frequently face problems related to managerial functions.
• Managerial functions are setting business objectives, designing
strategies; formulate business policies and plans, setting up
organizational structure, mobilization of resources.
• Managerial problems are really complex and challenging.
• Changing scenario in every aspect of the society, globalization,
social responsibilities, quality management, environmental issues,
human resource management, cultural sensitivity, etc. are some
notable managerial challenging and associated problems.
• So, management research cannot be rigid as pure science research
methodology.
• A scientific technique can be applied to solve all these managerial
problem systematically.
• Therefore, in order to increase managerial performance, managerial
problems should be identified and addressed in a systematic manner.
• For this, certain scientific thinking, methods and techniques can be
used as follows:-
I. Realizing the managerial problems
II. Managerial problem identification
III. Searching managerial literatures
IV. Setting managerial objectives
V. Theoretical framework
VI. Hypothesis formulation
VII.Research design
VIII.Data collection
data processing and analysis
IX. Generalization
 Ethical concern in research
• The term ‘ethics’ refers to the norms or moral behaviors or believes
about what is wright and wrong.
• Research ethics are the accepted norms or behavior of the
researchers or team in research work in terms of moral and legal
grounds.
• Research must be designed so that a participant does not suffer
physical harm, discomfort, pain, embracement, or loss of privacy.
• The principal objective of ethics in research is to make sure faire
behavior and no one should be suffered and affected from research
objectives.
• Unethical behavior in research may be in the form of violating legal
terms and conditions, disclosing secrecy of respondents,
misrepresenting research results.
• So, the researcher must be aware in maintaining the ethical behavior
at every stage of research work.
The major ethical concerns that to be expected can be pointed as
follows:-
1.Not to put unnecessary pressure to the respondents
 While getting information, the researcher must be aware that he/she
should not put any mental, physical or moral pressure to the
respondents.
2.Not to force the respondents to provide personal and secret information
 If the respondents are unwilling to provide personal and secret
information then the researcher should not force to provide because it
may be the violation of individual right.
3.Not to violate an individual’s right to for the freedom
 The researcher should not collect data by providing wrong information
and by hiding the real objective of the investigation.
4.No discrimination
 The researcher must show the neutral and indifferent behavior to all
respondents belonging to any gender, cast, race, religion, culture
,qualification etc.
5.Honesty
The researcher should be honest and sincere in every step of
research work.
Honesty in collecting data, selecting the data collection techniques,
processing the data, analyzing the data, selecting the techniques of
analyzing the data and writing the research report to lead to find the
accurate research result.
6.No fabrication and manipulation of data
The researcher should make the appropriate research design without
personal bias and prejudice.
Modification, fabrication and manipulation in exact findings of
research may mislead.
7.Aware and respect of intellectual property right
While reviewing the literatures related to own research, the
researcher must be aware and respect the intellectual property right
of concerned writers and researchers.