RESEARCH METHODS STUDY NOTES
Definitions
Research: The word research is composed of two syllables “Re” and “Search”.
“Re” is the prefix meaning ‘Again or over again or a new’ and “Search” is the latter meaning ‘to
examine closely and carefully’ or ‘to test and try’.
Together they form, a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of
knowledge undertaken to establish principles / policies.
Research can also be defined as
1. Search for knowledge
2. Systematic and scientific search for getting relevant answers on any taken up specific topic.
3. Scientific enquiry into a subject.
4. Research is a movement from the unknown to the known.
5. It is the voyage of discovery
Acc to Bulmer,
Research is primarily committed to establishing systematic, reliable and valid knowledge about the
social world.
Acc. To Clifford Woody,
Research comprises of
Defining and redefining problems.
Formulating hypothesis (basic idea)
Collecting
Organizing
Evaluating datas
Making decisions
Suggesting solutions
Reaching conclusions
Finally, carefully testing the conclusions
To determine whether they fit the formulated Hypothesis.
Research Methods: May be understood as all those methods or techniques that are used by a
researcher for conducting a Research depending upon the methods.
(1) Library Research: analysis of historical records and documents.
- Statistical compilation, references, abstracts, guides manipulation (handle with skill)
(2) Field Research: Observation, questionnaires, personal, Group or telephonic interviews, case
study.
(3) Laboratory Research:
Group (team) study, use of audio visual tools.
Research Methodology: is the way do systematically solve the research problem.
In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his
research problem logically.
PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA Page 1
,Research Methodology, considers the logic behind the methods used in the context of research study
and explains using a particular method or not using a particular method or technique so that research
results are capable of being evaluated either by the researcher or others.
Steps:
1) Why a particular research study has been undertaken?
2) How the Research problem has been defined?
3) What way and why the hypothesis (basic idea) has been formulated?
4) Why a particular technique of analyzing data is used? (or) How the data were collected?
5) How the collected data were interpreted?
6) What deletion was made?
7) What was the conclusion?
Finally what was the solution for the Research problem?
Importance of knowing the subject – research Methodology:
1) A student preparing himself for a career of carrying out research as his profession –
- Will be trained better to do research
- Will help him develop disciplined thinking
- Will help him observe the field objectively.
- Will enable thoroughly to understand the logic behind the research problem.
- Will increase the ability to evaluate the results.
- Face the evaluated results with confidence.
- Useful in various fields such as Govt. Business, administration, community development
& social work.
To qualify a Research or study:
To be a Good or perfect one,
The Research adapted should process certain characteristics,
It must as far as possible be 1) Controlled
2) Rigorous
3) Systematic
4) Valid
5) Verifiable
6) Empirical
7) Critical
1. Controlled: The research problem should not be affected or influenced by external factors (i.e.
variables other than the participating facts).
2. Rigorous: The procedures followed to find answers to questions should be relevant, appropriate
& justified. But the degree of rigiour may vary from one problem to another problem.
3. Systematic: The investigation should follow a certain logical sequence (Not in a haphazard
manner)
4. Valid & Verifiable: The findings should be valid & can be verified by you or others at any time.
5. Empirical: The conclusions drawn should be based on hard evidence, gathered from real life
experiences or observations.
PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA Page 2
,6. Critical: The process of investigation must be foolproof and free from drawbacks. The process
adapted and the procedures used must be able to withstand any critical scrutiny.
Types of Research
Research can be classified from the view point or perspectives as,
From the view point
Application objective Inquiry mode
1) Pure Research 1) Descriptive 1) Quantitative Research
2) Applied Research 2) Correlative 2) Qualitative Research
3) Exploratory
4) Explanatory
1) Pure Research: (Basic or Fundamental Research)
Gathering, knowledge is termed as ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research. Just to gather knowledge in order
to formulate or generalize theories or policies.
Eg) Research on mathematics.
This types of research adds knowledge to the already existing organized body.
Applied Research: To find an immediate solution for a pressing practical problem.
Eg: Social, economical and political trends prevailing in a country.
Applied Vs Fundamental Based on the objectives of Research:
1) Descriptive Research:
Survey or fact finding enquires of different kinds. It describes the actual
prevailing state of affairs, existing at present.
Otherwise known as ex post facts means existing position of facts / issues.
Here the variable influencing the research has no control or the researcher
has no control over the variables.
Eg: Frequency of shopping, customer preference etc.
2) Correlative Research:
Goes on to discover the existing relationship or interdependence between two
or more aspects / variables.
Otherwise known as comparative study.
Investigates association between variables.
Eg: Sum of humour and job satisfaction, (related variable)
Research problem is workers turnover
Analytical Research:
The researcher has to use facts / information already existing and analyze these data to make a critical
evaluation.
Eg: document study / historical evidence.
Descriptive Vs Analytical Research:
Explanatory Research:
Attempts to clarify or explain why and how, any particular research problem arises and can
be solved.
PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA Page 3
, 4. Exploratory Research: Study undertake to explore a new area or an unknown destination.
III. Based on the Inquiry Mode:
1) Quantitative Research:
Relates to aspects that can be quantified and expressed in terms of quantity.
Otherwise known as structured Research.
In this type of Research, the objectives, design, sample and all the other factors
influencing the research is pre determined.
The research problem and its solution will be expressed in terms of quantity and hence
statistical and economic analysis is adapted in this type of Research.
Quantitative Research:
Otherwise known as unstructured research.
The aspects related to quality / kind or texture.
Eg: Behaviour science
Apart from the above, other types of Research are,
Conceptual Research: Research related to some abstract idea or theory
Used by philosophers or thinkers for developing new concepts.
Empirical research
(based on experiments or experience)
Otherwise known as experimental type of Research.
The result obtained by adapting Empirical Research is considered to be most powerful
(evidence enclosed)
Based on the time consumed to complete a particular research,
a) one time Research: restricted to a single time period.
b) Longitudinal Research: Conducted over several time period.
Qualities of a Researcher
Top 10 qualities of a Researcher
1) Ananalytical mind: Constant analysis on a variety of factors.
2) A people person : For respondents to get the best out of interviews / focus
groups.
3) The ability to stay calm: especially when you have pressing deadlines. Keep well
focused and think logically there will always be an end point.
4) Intelligence : Researcher requires critical analysis, but most of all common sense.
5) Curiosity: Have curiosity and be passionate about developing deeper to unearth more
insight.
6) Quick thinker: Things don’t always go as you plan, so you need to be able to think fast.
7) Commitment: Research is a tough job, the hours may be long, the deadlines short. ‘
8) Excellent written and verbal communication skills: So that different audience can clearly
understand the findings.
9) Sympathetic: Having a sympathetic ear when listening to some respondents (cry
etc) is a good skill, to have.
10) Systematic: Check, check and check again. Spending a proper amount of time for
checking always pays.
PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA Page 4
Definitions
Research: The word research is composed of two syllables “Re” and “Search”.
“Re” is the prefix meaning ‘Again or over again or a new’ and “Search” is the latter meaning ‘to
examine closely and carefully’ or ‘to test and try’.
Together they form, a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of
knowledge undertaken to establish principles / policies.
Research can also be defined as
1. Search for knowledge
2. Systematic and scientific search for getting relevant answers on any taken up specific topic.
3. Scientific enquiry into a subject.
4. Research is a movement from the unknown to the known.
5. It is the voyage of discovery
Acc to Bulmer,
Research is primarily committed to establishing systematic, reliable and valid knowledge about the
social world.
Acc. To Clifford Woody,
Research comprises of
Defining and redefining problems.
Formulating hypothesis (basic idea)
Collecting
Organizing
Evaluating datas
Making decisions
Suggesting solutions
Reaching conclusions
Finally, carefully testing the conclusions
To determine whether they fit the formulated Hypothesis.
Research Methods: May be understood as all those methods or techniques that are used by a
researcher for conducting a Research depending upon the methods.
(1) Library Research: analysis of historical records and documents.
- Statistical compilation, references, abstracts, guides manipulation (handle with skill)
(2) Field Research: Observation, questionnaires, personal, Group or telephonic interviews, case
study.
(3) Laboratory Research:
Group (team) study, use of audio visual tools.
Research Methodology: is the way do systematically solve the research problem.
In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his
research problem logically.
PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA Page 1
,Research Methodology, considers the logic behind the methods used in the context of research study
and explains using a particular method or not using a particular method or technique so that research
results are capable of being evaluated either by the researcher or others.
Steps:
1) Why a particular research study has been undertaken?
2) How the Research problem has been defined?
3) What way and why the hypothesis (basic idea) has been formulated?
4) Why a particular technique of analyzing data is used? (or) How the data were collected?
5) How the collected data were interpreted?
6) What deletion was made?
7) What was the conclusion?
Finally what was the solution for the Research problem?
Importance of knowing the subject – research Methodology:
1) A student preparing himself for a career of carrying out research as his profession –
- Will be trained better to do research
- Will help him develop disciplined thinking
- Will help him observe the field objectively.
- Will enable thoroughly to understand the logic behind the research problem.
- Will increase the ability to evaluate the results.
- Face the evaluated results with confidence.
- Useful in various fields such as Govt. Business, administration, community development
& social work.
To qualify a Research or study:
To be a Good or perfect one,
The Research adapted should process certain characteristics,
It must as far as possible be 1) Controlled
2) Rigorous
3) Systematic
4) Valid
5) Verifiable
6) Empirical
7) Critical
1. Controlled: The research problem should not be affected or influenced by external factors (i.e.
variables other than the participating facts).
2. Rigorous: The procedures followed to find answers to questions should be relevant, appropriate
& justified. But the degree of rigiour may vary from one problem to another problem.
3. Systematic: The investigation should follow a certain logical sequence (Not in a haphazard
manner)
4. Valid & Verifiable: The findings should be valid & can be verified by you or others at any time.
5. Empirical: The conclusions drawn should be based on hard evidence, gathered from real life
experiences or observations.
PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA Page 2
,6. Critical: The process of investigation must be foolproof and free from drawbacks. The process
adapted and the procedures used must be able to withstand any critical scrutiny.
Types of Research
Research can be classified from the view point or perspectives as,
From the view point
Application objective Inquiry mode
1) Pure Research 1) Descriptive 1) Quantitative Research
2) Applied Research 2) Correlative 2) Qualitative Research
3) Exploratory
4) Explanatory
1) Pure Research: (Basic or Fundamental Research)
Gathering, knowledge is termed as ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research. Just to gather knowledge in order
to formulate or generalize theories or policies.
Eg) Research on mathematics.
This types of research adds knowledge to the already existing organized body.
Applied Research: To find an immediate solution for a pressing practical problem.
Eg: Social, economical and political trends prevailing in a country.
Applied Vs Fundamental Based on the objectives of Research:
1) Descriptive Research:
Survey or fact finding enquires of different kinds. It describes the actual
prevailing state of affairs, existing at present.
Otherwise known as ex post facts means existing position of facts / issues.
Here the variable influencing the research has no control or the researcher
has no control over the variables.
Eg: Frequency of shopping, customer preference etc.
2) Correlative Research:
Goes on to discover the existing relationship or interdependence between two
or more aspects / variables.
Otherwise known as comparative study.
Investigates association between variables.
Eg: Sum of humour and job satisfaction, (related variable)
Research problem is workers turnover
Analytical Research:
The researcher has to use facts / information already existing and analyze these data to make a critical
evaluation.
Eg: document study / historical evidence.
Descriptive Vs Analytical Research:
Explanatory Research:
Attempts to clarify or explain why and how, any particular research problem arises and can
be solved.
PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA Page 3
, 4. Exploratory Research: Study undertake to explore a new area or an unknown destination.
III. Based on the Inquiry Mode:
1) Quantitative Research:
Relates to aspects that can be quantified and expressed in terms of quantity.
Otherwise known as structured Research.
In this type of Research, the objectives, design, sample and all the other factors
influencing the research is pre determined.
The research problem and its solution will be expressed in terms of quantity and hence
statistical and economic analysis is adapted in this type of Research.
Quantitative Research:
Otherwise known as unstructured research.
The aspects related to quality / kind or texture.
Eg: Behaviour science
Apart from the above, other types of Research are,
Conceptual Research: Research related to some abstract idea or theory
Used by philosophers or thinkers for developing new concepts.
Empirical research
(based on experiments or experience)
Otherwise known as experimental type of Research.
The result obtained by adapting Empirical Research is considered to be most powerful
(evidence enclosed)
Based on the time consumed to complete a particular research,
a) one time Research: restricted to a single time period.
b) Longitudinal Research: Conducted over several time period.
Qualities of a Researcher
Top 10 qualities of a Researcher
1) Ananalytical mind: Constant analysis on a variety of factors.
2) A people person : For respondents to get the best out of interviews / focus
groups.
3) The ability to stay calm: especially when you have pressing deadlines. Keep well
focused and think logically there will always be an end point.
4) Intelligence : Researcher requires critical analysis, but most of all common sense.
5) Curiosity: Have curiosity and be passionate about developing deeper to unearth more
insight.
6) Quick thinker: Things don’t always go as you plan, so you need to be able to think fast.
7) Commitment: Research is a tough job, the hours may be long, the deadlines short. ‘
8) Excellent written and verbal communication skills: So that different audience can clearly
understand the findings.
9) Sympathetic: Having a sympathetic ear when listening to some respondents (cry
etc) is a good skill, to have.
10) Systematic: Check, check and check again. Spending a proper amount of time for
checking always pays.
PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA Page 4
