Research Methodology
What is research?
Research can be defined as the search for knowledge or as any systematic investigation to
establish facts.
defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis/objectives;
collecting, organizing and evaluating data;
making deductions and reaching conclusions;
testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis/objectives
Why do research?
To get a research degree along with its consequential benefits
To face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems
To get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
To be of service to thesociety
Desire to get respectability
Directives of government, employment conditions etc
Improve methods
Demands of the Job
For publication/patent
Characteristics of Research You can choose any area of research
systematic Based on an idea
logical Based on your experience
empirical Based on your reading
replicable Originality
The important features of a research design
A plan
Specify the sources & types of information relevant to the research problem
A strategy
Which approach will be used for gathering and analyzing the data
The time and budgets
Most studies are done under these two constraints
Types of Research Experimental Research
Pure and Applied Research Analytical study or statistical Method
Exploratory or Formulative Research Historical Research
Descriptive Research Surveys
Diagnostic Study Case Study
Evaluation Studies Action Research
Pure and Applied Research
Pure
it is the study of search of knowledge.
1
, Applied
It is the study of finding solution to a problem.
Exploratory
Exploratory research is preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which the researcher
has little or no knowledge.
Descriptive Research
Descriptive study is a fact- finding investigation with adequate interpretation.
It is the simplest type of research.
It is designed to gather descriptive information and provides information for formulating more
sophisticated studies
Data are collected using observation, interview and questionnaire.
Diagnostic Study
It is directed towards discovering what is happening, why is it happening and what can be done
about it.
It aims at identifying the causes of a problem and the possible solutions for it.
Evaluation Studies
It is one type of applied research.
It is made for assessing the effectiveness of social or economic programmes implemented or for
assessing the impact of developmental projects area.
The determination of the results attained by some activities designed to accomplish some
valued goal or objectives.
Action Research
Researcher attempts to study action. E.g. Eradication of Malaria
Action research is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working
with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they address
issues and solve problems
Experimental Research
Experimental research is commonly used in sciences such as sociology and psychology, physics,
chemistry, biology, and medicine.
It is a systematic and scientific approach to research in which the researcher manipulates one or
more variables, controls and measures any change in other variables.
Analytical Study
Analytical study is a system of procedures and techniques of analysis applied to quantitative
data. A system of mathematical models or statistical techniques applicable to numerical data.
Historical Research
The systematic collection and evaluation of data related to past occurrences in order to describe
causes, effects, and trends of those events that may help explain present events and anticipate
future events.
Data is often archival-including newspaper clippings, photographs, etc.- and may include
interviews.
Survey Research
Survey research is one of the most important areas of measurement in applied social research.
The broad area of survey research encompasses any measurement procedures that involve
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What is research?
Research can be defined as the search for knowledge or as any systematic investigation to
establish facts.
defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis/objectives;
collecting, organizing and evaluating data;
making deductions and reaching conclusions;
testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis/objectives
Why do research?
To get a research degree along with its consequential benefits
To face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems
To get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
To be of service to thesociety
Desire to get respectability
Directives of government, employment conditions etc
Improve methods
Demands of the Job
For publication/patent
Characteristics of Research You can choose any area of research
systematic Based on an idea
logical Based on your experience
empirical Based on your reading
replicable Originality
The important features of a research design
A plan
Specify the sources & types of information relevant to the research problem
A strategy
Which approach will be used for gathering and analyzing the data
The time and budgets
Most studies are done under these two constraints
Types of Research Experimental Research
Pure and Applied Research Analytical study or statistical Method
Exploratory or Formulative Research Historical Research
Descriptive Research Surveys
Diagnostic Study Case Study
Evaluation Studies Action Research
Pure and Applied Research
Pure
it is the study of search of knowledge.
1
, Applied
It is the study of finding solution to a problem.
Exploratory
Exploratory research is preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which the researcher
has little or no knowledge.
Descriptive Research
Descriptive study is a fact- finding investigation with adequate interpretation.
It is the simplest type of research.
It is designed to gather descriptive information and provides information for formulating more
sophisticated studies
Data are collected using observation, interview and questionnaire.
Diagnostic Study
It is directed towards discovering what is happening, why is it happening and what can be done
about it.
It aims at identifying the causes of a problem and the possible solutions for it.
Evaluation Studies
It is one type of applied research.
It is made for assessing the effectiveness of social or economic programmes implemented or for
assessing the impact of developmental projects area.
The determination of the results attained by some activities designed to accomplish some
valued goal or objectives.
Action Research
Researcher attempts to study action. E.g. Eradication of Malaria
Action research is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working
with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they address
issues and solve problems
Experimental Research
Experimental research is commonly used in sciences such as sociology and psychology, physics,
chemistry, biology, and medicine.
It is a systematic and scientific approach to research in which the researcher manipulates one or
more variables, controls and measures any change in other variables.
Analytical Study
Analytical study is a system of procedures and techniques of analysis applied to quantitative
data. A system of mathematical models or statistical techniques applicable to numerical data.
Historical Research
The systematic collection and evaluation of data related to past occurrences in order to describe
causes, effects, and trends of those events that may help explain present events and anticipate
future events.
Data is often archival-including newspaper clippings, photographs, etc.- and may include
interviews.
Survey Research
Survey research is one of the most important areas of measurement in applied social research.
The broad area of survey research encompasses any measurement procedures that involve
2
