1. Ques 1-Define Research. What are the features and types of Research?
Ans : The general perspective of research is that some scientists taking part in laboratory testing or presenting
the results in scientific discovery to the world-actually this was my view of research when I was young.
Simply speaking the purpose of research is to find a solution to a particular type of problem or showing the
problem a direction towards solution or putting some light in the unknown areas of knowledge for your
enlightenment to that particular area of knowledge-thus research actually help us to understand our reality more
clearly as well as help us to enjoy better living standard. So, research is kind of a project to find out some
answers or solutions for a particular area-research is kind of project because every project has its scope of work,
time-line and resources, that’s why you may easily interrelate research work with a project-in fact every
research work works on based on a well-devised project plan.
Every Research needs lots of dedication from the researcher’s part-the amount of dedication mainly depends on
the subject matter of the research. Before undertaking any research in any subject areas one must be sure about
the intended purpose of the research-this purpose determines what type of research one is going to undertake.
Any scientific research may fall into the following three broadly categories:
Exploratory research-This type of research may generate any novel idea in the domain of knowledge. It is
primarily done for the purpose of finding anything new in any subject arena and always tries to shed some light
in the unknown domain of knowledge. This kind of research also
Help us to generate new discipline in sciences and help us to identify problems of those particular research
areas.
Constructive research- This is mainly done by many technological corporates in order to find new/alternative
solutions to any particular crisis or problems. For example-renewable energy research or development of the
capacity of optical fiber may fall into this category of research.
Empirical research-This is very impressive observational type of research, where one observes or test on real-
life data or analysis the pattern of some specific events in order to identify the nature or the class of trend that
specific phenomenon maintains. Based on the test result, researchers try to draw lines in order to predict the
result of that type of incidents with certain level of confidence.
Ques 2- How is a research problem formulated? What are the sources from which one
may be able to identify research problems?
Ans -Formulating the research problem and hypothesis acts as a major step or phase in the research
methodology. In research, the foremost step that comes into play is that of defining the research problem
and it becomes almost a necessity to have the basic knowledge and understanding of most of its elements
as this would help a lot in making a correct decision. The research problem can be said to be complete
only if it is able to specify about the unit of analysis, time and space boundaries, features that are under
study, specific environmental conditions that are present in addition to prerequisite of the research
process. The selection of a problem is the first s tep in research. The term problem means a question or
issue to be examined. The selection of a problem for research is not an eas y task; itself is a
problem. It is least amenable to formal methodological treatment. Vision, an imaginative insight, plays
2. an important role in this process. One with a critical, curious and imaginative mind and is
sensitive to practical problems could easily identify problems for study.
The sources from which one may be able to identify research problems or develop problems
awareness are:
• Review of literature
• Academic experience
• Daily experience
• Exposure to field situations
• Consultations
• Brain storming
• Research
• Intuition
b. literature survey is important in research:
An exploratory study is concerned with an area of subject matter in which explicit hypothesis have not yet
been formulated. The researcher’s task then is to review the available material with an eye on the
possibilities of developing hypothes is from it. In some areas of the subject matter, hypothesis may
have been stated by previous res earch workers. The researcher has to tak e stock of these various
hypotheses with a view to evaluating their usefulness for further research and to consider whether
they suggest any new hypothesis. Sociological journals, economic reviews, the bulletin of abstracts of
current social sciences research, directory of doctoral dissertation accepted by universities etc afford a
rich store of valuable clues. In addition to these general sources, some governmental agencies and
voluntary organizations publish listings of summaries of research in their special fields of service.
Professional organizations, research groups and voluntary organizations are a constant s ource of
information about unpublished works in their special fields.
The survey of concerning literature happens to be the most simple and fruitful method of
formulating precisely the research problem or developing hypothesis.Hypothesis stated by earlier workers
may be reviewed and their usefulness be evaluated as a basis for further research. It may also be
considered whether the already stated hypothesis suggests new hypothesis. In this way the researcher
should review and build upon the work already done by others, but in cases where hypothesis have not yet
been formulated, his task is to review the available material for deriving the relevant hypothesis from it.
Besides, the bibliographical survey of studies, already made in one
area of interest may as well as made by the researcher for precisely formulating the problem. He
should also make an attempt to apply concepts and theories developed in different research contexts
to the area in which he is himself working. Sometimes the works of creative writers also provide a
fertile ground for hypothes is formulation as such may be look ed into by the researcher.
3. What are the types of Observations? What is the utility of Observation in
Business Research?
Ans – the types of Observations are following….
• Casual and Scientific observation
• Natural Observation
• Subjective and Objective observation
3. • Direct and Indirect observation
• Participant and Non Participant observation
• Structured and Unstructured observation
• Controlled and Non Controlled observation
Observation means viewing or seeing. Observation may be defined as a systematic viewing of a specific
phenomenon in its proper setting for the specific purpose of gathering data for a particular study. Observation is
classical method of scientific study.
General Characteristics of Observation Method
Observation as a method of data collection has certain characteristics.
1. It is both a physical and a mental activity: The observing eye catches many things that are present. But
attention is focused on data that are pertinent to the given study.
2. Observation is selective: A researcher does not observe anything and everything, but selects the range of
things to be observed on the basis of the nature, scope and objectives of his study. For example, suppose a
researcher desires to study the causes of city road accidents and also formulated a tentative hypothesis that
accidents are caused by violation of traffic rules and over speeding. When he observed the movements of
vehicles on the road, many things are before his eyes; the type, make, size and colour of the vehicles, the persons
sitting in them, their hair style, etc. All such things which are not relevant to his study are ignored and only over
speeding and traffic violations are keenly observed by him.
3. Observation is purposive and not casual: It is made for the specific purpose of noting things relevant to the
study. It captures the natural social context in which persons behaviour occur. It grasps the significant events and
occurrences that affect social relations of the participants.
4. Observation should be exact and be based on standardized tools of research and such as observation schedule,
social metric scale etc., and precision instruments, if any.
Use of Observation in Business Research
Observation is suitable for a variety of research purposes. It may be used for studying (a) The behaviour of
human beings in purchasing goods and services.: life style, customs, and manner, interpersonal relations, group
dynamics, crowd behaviour, leadership styles, managerial style, other behaviours and actions; (b) The behaviour
of other living creatures like birds, animals etc. (c) Physical characteristics of inanimate things like stores,
factories, residences etc. (d) Flow of traffic and parking problems
Ques- 4. What is Research Design? What are the different types of Research Designs?
Ans- A detailed outline of how an investigation will take place. A research design will typically include how
data is to be collected, what instruments will be employed, how the instruments will be used and the intended
means for analyzing data collected.
Types of Research Design
1 Philosophical/discursive
This may cover a variety of approaches, but will draw primarily on existing literature, rather than new empirical
data. A discursive study could examine a particular issue, perhaps from an alternative perspective (eg feminist).
Alternatively, it might put forward a particular argument or examine a methodological issue.
2 Literature review
This may be an attempt to summarise or comment on what is already known about a particular topic. By
collecting different sources together, synthesising and analysing critically, it essentially creates new knowledge
4. or perspectives. There are a number of different forms a literature review might take.
3 Case study
This will involve collecting empirical data, generally from only one or a small number of cases. It usually
provides rich detail about those cases, of a predominantly qualitative nature. There are a number of different
approaches to case study work (eg ethnographic, hermeneutic, ethogenic, etc) and the principles and methods
followed should be made clear.
4 Survey
Where an empirical study involves collecting information from a larger number of cases, perhaps using
questionnaires, it is usually described as a survey. Alternatively, a survey might make use of already available
data, collected for another purpose. A survey may be cross-sectional (data collected at one time) or longitudinal
(collected over a period). Because of the larger number of cases, a survey will generally involve some
quantitative analysis.
5 Evaluation
This might be an evaluation of a curriculum innovation or organisational change. An evaluation can be
formative (designed to inform the process of development) or summative (to judge the effects). Often an
evaluation will have elements of both. If an evaluation relates to a situation in which the researcher is also a
participant it may be described as ‘action research’. Evaluations will often make use of case study and survey methods
and a summative evaluation will ideally also use experimental methods.
6 Experiment
This involves the deliberate manipulation of an intervention in order to determine its effects. The intervention
might involve individual pupils, teachers, schools or some other unit. Again, if the researcher is also a
participant (eg a teacher) this could be described as ‘action research’. An experiment may compare a number of
interventions with each other, or may compare one (or more) to a control group. If allocation to these different
‘treatment groups’ is decided at random
it may be called a true experiment; if allocation is on any other basis (eg using naturally arising or self-selected
groups) it is usually called a ‘quasi-experiment’.
Ques- 5. Explain the Sampling Process and briefly describe the methods of Sampling.
Ans: In statistics and survey methodology, sampling is concerned with the selection of a subset of individuals
from within a statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole population. Two advantages of
sampling are that the cost is lower and data collection is faster.
Each observation measures one or more properties (such as weight, location, color) of observable bodies
distinguished as independent objects or individuals. In survey sampling, weights can be applied to the data to
adjust for the sample design, particularly stratified sampling (blocking). Results from probability theory and
statistical theory are employed to guide practice. In business and medical research, sampling is widely used for
gathering information about a population.
The sampling process comprises several stages:
• Defining the population of concern
• Specifying a sampling frame, a set of items or events possible to measure
• Specifying a sampling method for selecting items or events from the frame
• Determining the sample size
5. • Implementing the sampling plan
• Sampling and data collecting
Sampling methods
The sampling techniques may be broadly classified into
1. Probability sampling
2. Non-probability sampling
Probability Sampling:
Probability sampling provides a scientific technique of drawing samples from the population. The technique of
drawing samples is according to the law in which each unit has a probability of being included in the sample.
• Simple random sampling
Under this technique, sample units are drawn in such a way each and every unit in the population has an equal
and independent chance of being included in the sample. If a sample unit is replaced before drawing the next
unit, then it is known as simple Random Sampling with Replacement. If the sample unit is not replaced before
drawing the next unit, then it is case, probability ofdrawing a unit is 1/N, where N is the population size. In the
case probability of drawing a unit is 1/Nn.
• Stratified random sampling
This sampling design is most appropriate if the population is heterogeneous with respect to characteristic under
study or the population distribution is highly skewed.
Table: Merits and demerits of stratified random sampling
Merits Demerits
1. Sample is more representative 1. Many times the stratification is not effective
2. Provides more efficient estimate 2. Appropriate sample sizes are not drawn from
each of the stratum
3. Administratively more convenient
4. Can be applied in situation where different
degrees of accuracy is desired for different
segments of population
• Systematic sampling
This design is recommended if we have a complete list of sampling units arranged in some systematic order
such as geographical, chronological or alphabetical order.
Table: Merits and demerits of systematic sampling
Merits Demerits
1. Very easy to operate and easy to check. 1. Many case we do not get up-to-date list.
2. It saves time and labour. 2. It gives biased results if periodic feature
6. exist in the data.
3. More efficient than simple random
sampling if we have up-to-date frame.
• Cluster sampling
The total population is divided into recognizable sub-divisions, known as clusters such that within each cluster
they are homogenous. The units are selected from each cluster by suitable sampling techniques.
• Multi-stage sampling
The total population is divided into several stages. The sampling process is carried out through several stages.
Figure: Multistage sampling
Non-probability sampling:
Depending upon the object of inquiry and other considerations a predetermined number of sampling units is
selected purposely so that they represent the true characteristics of the population.
• Judgment sampling
The choice of sampling items depends exclusively on the judgment of the investigator. The investigator’s
experience and knowledge about the population will help to select the sample units. It is the most suitable
method if the population size is less.
Table: Merits and demerits of judgment sampling
Merits Demerits
1. Most useful for small population 1. It is not a scientific method.
2. Most useful to study some unknown traits of a 2. It has a risk of investigator’s bias being
population some of whose characteristics are introduced.
known.
3. Helpful in solving day-to-day problems.
• Convenience sampling
The sampling units are selected according to convenience of the investigator. It is also called “chunk” which
refer to the fraction of the population being investigated which is selected neither by probability nor by
judgment.
• Quota sampling
7. It is a type of judgment sampling. Under this design, quotas are set up according to some specified characteristic
such as age groups or income groups. From each group a specified number of units are sampled according to the
quota allotted to the group. Within the group the selection of sampling units depends on personal judgment. It
has a risk of personal prejudice and bias entering the process. This method is often used in public opinion
studies.
6. What is a Research Report? What are the contents of Research Report?
Ans: Definition of 'Research Report'
A document prepared by an analyst or strategist who is a part of the investment research team in a stock
brokerage or investment bank. A research report may focus on a specific stock or industry sector, a currency,
commodity or fixed-income instrument, or even on a geographic region or country. Research reports generally,
but not always, have "actionable" recommendations (i.e. investment ideas that investors can act upon).
CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH REPORT
The information in the first part of this section, Journal Articles, Books, Chapters in Books, Peer Reviewed
Published Conference Proceedings, Non-peer Reviewed Published Conference Proceedings is filtered and
extracted to formulate the Preliminary Publication Count for the Department of Education. This is a crucial step
in the subsidy calculation process and it is of the utmost importance that this information must be as
comprehensive accurate as possible. All research publications, which appeared in 2004, must be included, even
if they are "in press". There will be an opportunity early in February to submit volume and page numbers of
papers, which have appeared in the interim. Publications should be listed using the Harvard referencing system,
without using italics or bold. Journal names must appear in full. Abbreviations will be returned to departments
for expansion. (Theses passed for higher degrees are subsidy earning but this information is not included in the
Preliminary Publication Count.)
The second part of this section, Published Conference Abstracts, Patents, Theses & Dissertations passed for
Higher Degrees, University Publications & Publications of a Popular Nature - Unrefereed Journal Articles,
Newspaper Articles, CD's, Online Works, Extension and Development Work, Creative Work, Consultancy and
Other Activities based on Expertise Developed in Research (gives departments the opportunity to demonstrate
the extent and nature of their extension and development work), Motivation for the addition of a South African
Journal to the list of South African approved journals. The work included here is not subsidy earning but
nevertheless is an important aspect of scholarly activity at UCT.