Research Methlodgy

1. Prof. Tauseef Irfan

2.  Research is the Search for Knowledge
 It is an Art of Scientific Investigation
 According to Redman and Mory, Research is a
“Systematized effort to gain new knowledge”
 Research is an original addition to the available
knowledge, which contributes to it’s further
advancement
 In sum, Research is the search for knowledge,
using objective and systematic methods to find
solution to a problem

3.  To gain familiarity with new insights into a
phenomenon
 To accurately portray the characteristics of a
particular individual, group, or a situation
 To analyze the frequency with which
something occurs
 To examine the Hypothesis of a casual
relationship between two variables

4.  Research Methods are the methods that the
researcher adopts for conducting the
research Studies
 Research Methodology is the way in which
research problems are solved systematically.
 It is the Science of studying how research is
conducted Scientifically

5.  Quantitative Approach
(Uses experimental, inferential and simulation
approaches to research)
 Qualitative Approach
(Uses techniques like in-depth interview, focus
group interviews)

6.  Descriptive
 Analytical
 Applied
 Fundamental
 Quantitative
 Qualitative
 Conceptual
 Empirical
 Other Types

7.  In Descriptive Research, the Researcher has
to only report what is happening or what has
happened.
 In Analytical Research, the Researcher has to
use the already available facts or information,
and analyse them to make a critical
evaluation of the subject

8.  An attempt to find solution to an immediate
problem encountered by a firm, an Industry, a
business organization, or the Society is
known as Applied Research
 Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is
‘Pure’ or ‘Basic’ or ‘Fundamental’ Research

9.  Quantitative Research involves the
measurement of quantity or amount. (ex:
Economic & Statistical methods)
 Qualitative Research is concerned with the
aspects related to or involving quality or Kind.
(ex: Motivational Research involving
behavioural Sciences)

10.  The Research related to some abstract idea
or theory is known as Conceptual Research.
(Ex: Philosophers and Thinkers using this to
developing new concepts)
 Empirical Research relies on the observation
or experience with hardly any regard for
theory and system.

11.  One-time or Longitudinal Research (On the
basis time)
 Laboratory Research or Field-setting or
Simulational Research (On the basis of
environment)
 Historical Research

12.  Helps Researcher to develop disciplined
thinking
 The Researcher will confidently evaluate and
utilize the Research Findings
 Helps the Research consumer to evaluate
Research and make rational decisions
 The Researcher will be equipped with
knowledge of different tools to conduct
scientific Research

13.  Desire for accuracy of observation & precision
of statement
 An alert mind.
 Must practice “The art of enduring
intellectual hardships”
 Making statements cautiously

14.  According to Hudson Maxim “All progress is
born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than
overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry, and
inquiry leads to invention”

15.  1. Formulating the Research Problem
 2. Extensive Literature Survey
 3. Developing Hypothesis
 4. Preparing the Research Design
 5. Determining Sample Design
 6. Collecting Data
 7. Execution of the Project
 8. Analysis of the Data
 9. Hypothesis Testing
 10. Generalization and Interpretation
 11. Preparation of the Report or Presentation of the Results

16.  Research Problem is an unanswered question
that a researcher might encounter in the
context of either a theoretical or practical
situation

17. A research problem refers to some difficulty which a researcher
experiences and wants to obtain a solution for the same. The
components of a research problem are:
 There should be an individual or a group who have some difficulty or
problem
 There should be some objective to be pursued (A person or an
organization who wants nothing cannot have a problem)
 There should be more than one alternative means available to the
Researcher.
 There should be some doubt in the mind of the Researcher about the
choice of alternative means
 There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains

18.  I- an individual or an organization (to whom
the problem is attributed)
 Y-the environment where I is situated
 Z-the uncontrolled variables which control Y
 C1 & C2 two courses of action
 B1 & B2 two possible outcomes of the said
course (One outcome should be what
Researcher Wants)

19.  Statement of the problem in a general way
 Understanding the nature of the problem
 Surveying the available literature
 Developing ideas through discussions
 Rephrasing the research problem

20. It highlights decisions which include
1. The Name of the Study
2. The Purpose of the Study
3. The Location where the study would be conducted
4. The Nature of Data Required
5. From where the required Data can be collected
6. What time period the study would cover
7. The Type of Sample Design
8. The Techniques of Data Collection
9. The Methods of Data Analysis
10.In what style will the report be prepared

21.  The sampling design: method of selecting
items
 The observational design: the conditions
under which observations are to be made
 The statistical design: methods of data
analysis
 The operational design: the techniques by
which the procedures specified above can be
carried out

22.  Dependent and Independent variables
 Extraneous variables
 Confounded relationship
 Research hypothesis: A predictive statement that relates an
independent variable to a dependent variable
 Experimental and non experimental hypothesis testing
research: When the purpose of research is to test a research
hypothesis, it is term end as hypothesis testing research. It
can be of the experimental design or of the non experimental
design
 Experimental and control groups

23.  Research Design in case of exploratory
research studies
 Research Design in case of Descriptive and
Diagnostic research studies
 Research Design in case of Hypothesis-
testing Research Design research studies

24.  To formulate a Research Problem for an in-depth or
more precise investigation
 To discover new ideas and insights
 Three methods considered for such Research
Design
a) A Survey of related Literature
b) Experience survey
c) Analysis of insight-stimulating instances:
Suitable in areas where there is little experience to
serve as a guide

25.  Descriptive Research Design is concerned with describing
the characteristics of a particular individual or a group.
 Diagnostic Research Design is determines the frequency
with which a variable occurs or it’s relationship with other.
 The design for both studies is rigid and consists of the
following:
 Formulating the objective
 Data collection methods
 Sample selection
 Collection of data
 Analysis
 Reporting

26.  The Researcher tests the Hypothesis of
casual relationship between two or more
variables
 Such studies require experiments to be
conducted as experiments are unbiased. Thus
when we talk of research design in such
studies, we often mean the design of
experiments.

27.  The principle of replication: The experiment should
be repeated more than once to increase the
statistical accuracy of the experiments. In other
words, it is a complete run for all the treatments to
be tested in the experiment.
 The principle of randomization: Provides
protection against the effect the extraneous factors
 The principle of local control: The extraneous
factor is made to vary deliberately(application of
ANOVA)

28.  INFORMAL
 Before and after without control design
 After only with control design
 Before and after with control design
 FORMAL
 Completely randomized design
 Randomized block design
 Latin square design
 Factorial designs

29. Before and after without control
design

30. After only with control design

31. Before and after with control design

32. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

33.  There are 2 types of data: primary and
secondary
 Primary data is collected by the researcher
himself using surveys, observation and
experiments
 Secondary data is already available
beforehand
 Advantages and disadvantages of both types
of data?????????

35. Identify the need for secondary
data
Test for objectivity, relevancy, accuracy, Stop using
F
Utility of internal data sources internal sec.
currency, authenticity, action ability
data
Not useful
Utility of external data Test for objectivity, relevancy, accuracy, F Stop using
currency, authenticity, action ability external sec.
sources
data
Not useful
Stop using Use external data
external
sec. data

36.  There are two major methods of primary data
collection
 Survey: Gathering info through respondents
for any pre established research objective
 Observation: watching and recording the
behavior of test subjects without any
interaction with them

38.  Cost
 Time
 Response rate
 Speed of data collection
 Survey coverage area
 Bias due to Interviewer
 Quantity of data
 Anonymity of the respondents
 Question posing
 Question diversity

39. Observation research can be broadly classified
as:
 Direct vs Indirect: observing behavior vs observing the
outcome of behavior
 Structured vs unstructured: following a guideline vs not
following a guideline
 Disguised vs undisguised: subject unaware vs subject aware
 Human vs Mechanical

40.  Personal Observation
 Mechanical observation
 Audits (examination of particular records or inventory
analysis of the items under investigation)
 Content analysis (research technique used to objectively
and systematically make inferences about the intentions,
attitudes and values of individuals by identifying specified
characteristics in textual messages)
 Physical Trace Analysis(involves collection of data through
physical trace of the subjects in terms of understanding their
past behavior)

41. A questionnaire consists of formalized and pre
specified set of questions designed to obtain
responses from potential respondents. The
questions reflect the research objective under
investigation

42.  PART 1: Pre Construction Phase
 Specify the required info in light of the research objective
 Overview of respondent’s characteristics
 Selecting an appropriate survey technique
 PART 2: Construction Phase
 Decision regarding question format
 Decision Regarding question wording
 Decision Regarding question sequencing
 Decision Regarding question response choice
 Decision Regarding questionnaire layout
 Produce first draft of questionnaire
 PART 3: Post Construction Phase
 Go for pre testing
 Revisit the questionnaire
 Revise final draft
 Administer the questionnaire

44.  Open-ended questions
 Questions in which respondent answers in his own words
 Most beneficial in exploratory research
 Costs are much greater than for fixed questions due to
coding, editing, and analyzing the data.
 Fixed-alternative/Close-ended questions
 Question in which respondent selects one or more options
from pre-determined set of responses
 Alternatives should be mutually exclusive
 3 types: Simple dichotomy , MCQs and scales
Most questionnaires include both open-ended and close ended questions.

45.  Questions should be simple and easy to understand
 Eg: What is your perception about the new ad campaign?
 No Vague or ambiguous words
 Eg: in one year, how much will you spend on shopping?
 Avoid double barreled questions
 Eg: On weekends, would you prefer an outing with your family and where would you
like to go?
 Avoid leading and loaded questions
 Eg: Aren’t you satisfied with the new feature of this product?
 Eg: Every patriotic Indian will prefer an Indian brand of soap.
 In some situations, the split ballot technique is used

46.  Avoid using overstated words
 Avoid implied assumptions
 Do you think Company A should continue with its incentive scheme on
bulk purchase?
 Respondent’s memory should not be overtaxed
 Avoid generalization and estimation
 What is the average per person consumption of pulses by your family in
the past 6 months?
 Respondent’s ability to answer must be
considered

47.  Screening questions
 Opening questions
 Transition statements(movement from one set of
questions to another)
 Difficult to answer questions
 Identification and categorization questions
(basic info and demographic info)
 Logical order of questioning(Funnel technique,
Work technique, Section technique)

48.  As a general rule, researchers present a
question with five to seven response
alternatives, but these can vary in accordance
to the question being asked.
 Eg: which place would you like to visit during the holidays?
 Eg: how do you like to spend your time during the weekend?

49. Decision Regarding questionnaire
layout
Produce first draft of questionnaire

50.  PRE TESTING: Involves administering the questionnaire
to a small sample of the population to identify and eliminate
potential problems.
 4 methods are used: expert panel, conventional pre test,
behavioral interaction coding and cognitive interviews
 REVISIT THE QUESTIONNAIRE
 REVISE FINAL DRAFT
 ADMINISTER THE QUESTIONNAIRE