Research methods module 1

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RM – 14MBA23 Notes M1
Business Research – Meaning, types, process of
research- management problem, defining the
research problem, formulating the research
Hypothesis, developing the research proposals,
research design formulation, sampling design,
planning and collecting the data for research, data
analysis and interpretation. Research Application
in business decisions, Features of good research
study.

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RM – 14MBA23 Notes
“Business Research is identifying „Business Related
Problems‟ and steps to solve, or minimize the problem”.
Business Research is said as searching, gathering
information and establishing objectives to reach or achieve
the specific pre determined goal in business.
Business Research is used to solve business related problems
arising from time to time, which requires adequate planning,
discussion/ meetings with related heads to conclude on
steps, policies to be adopted to reach or achieve the specific
objectives.

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Business Research can be also defined, as the
systematic and objective process of gathering,
recording and analysing data for aid in making
decisions.
Business Research can also be defined, as a
systematic inquiry that provides information to
guide business decisions.

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Objectives of research:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomena or to achieve
new insights,
2. To promote better decision makings,
3. To identify problem areas and form basis for
innovations,
4. To test causal relationships between variables,
5. To aid for forecasting, planning and decision
making in an organizations,

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Objectives of research:
6. To develop new tools, concepts and
theories for studing unknown phenomena,
7. To determine the association or
independence of an activity,
8. To extend knowledge of human beings, social
life and environment
9. To establish generalization laws and contribute
to theory building in various fields,

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Objectives, and Research study:
Now lets relate the objective with different types
of researches:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomena or to
achieve new insights,
This study with a object which is termed as
Exploratory Research or Formulative Research
studies.

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Objectives and Research study:
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of
an individual, situation or a group,
This study is termed as Descriptive Research
Studies.

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Objectives and research study:
3. To determine the frequency with which
something occurs or with which it is associated
with something else.
This study would be termed as Diagnostic
Research.

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Objectives and research study:
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship
between the variables.
Such study are known as Hypothesis Testing
Research Studies.

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Characteristics of a Good Research:
 Clearly defined purpose,
 Objectivity,
 Systematic,
 Empirical,
 Generalisability,
 Replicability, (Repeat research again and again)
 Adequate Analysis,
 Finding presentated unambiguos,
 High ethical standards

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Significance of research: Every research need
to emphasize on the following:
 Government Policies in a economic system,
 Government's allocation of the natural resources,
 Research need to collect, gather information on the
economic and social structure of the nation, (Statistical
data)
 Research is helpful in the welfare and progress of
humanity and the society.
In brief, Research should not be against the government, the
organization represented and of the society and it need to
update the on-going progress of the nation and eradicate the
wrong notions in the society.

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Purpose of Research:
There are various types of researches and now we shall
go ahead with comparative study of each two types
of researches:
 Descriptive Vs Analytical Research.
 Applied Vs Fundamental (Pure) Research,
 Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research,
 Conceptual Vs Empirical Research,
 One Time Vs Longitudinal Research,
 Field Setting Research Vs Laboratory Research,

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Purpose of Research:
 Conceptual Vs Empirical Research,
 One Time Vs Longitudinal Research,
 Field Setting Research Vs Clinical or Laboratory
Research,
 Historical Research and so on
(Last Two not so important)
 (TYPES OF RESEARCH MENTIONED
BELOW, HERE ONLY COMPARITIVE)

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Deseciptive Vs Analytical Research:
Descriptive Research would refer to surveys
and fact finding enquiries from different
kinds, while,
Analytical Research on the other hand, would
mean that the researcher has to use the facts
or information already available and analyze
these to make a critical evaluation of a material.

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 Applied Vs Fundamental Research:
 Applied Research aims at finding a solution to
an immediate problem facing a society or
industry/ organization, on the other hand,
 Fundamental research is mainly concerned
with generalization and formulation of the
theory. Gathering information for the sake of
knowledge is also termed as Fundamental
Research.

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Quantitative Vs Qualitative Research:
Quantitative Research is based on Quantitative
Measurement of some characteristics. It is
expressed in the terms of Quantities. While.
Qualitative Research is concerned with the
Qualitative Phenomena.

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Conceptual Vs Empirical Research:
Conceptual Research is related to some
abstract or an idea or an theory. It is generally
used by Philosophers and Thinkers to develop
new concepts or to interpret the existing ones,
while,
Empirical Research relies on experiences or
observations alone, often without due regard for
system and theory. It is also called as Data
Based Research.

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One Time Research Vs Longitudinal
Research:
One time Research is confined to one single
time period, while,
Longitudinal Research is the research which is
carried over several time period.

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What is Research Methods?:
 Research Methods or Research Techniques are the
Methods/ Techniques used by the researcher for
conducting a Research. These can be grouped into three:
1. The First group are concerned with methods 'Collection
of Data, but is insufficient to arrive at the required
solution'.
2. The Second group consist of those 'statistical
techniques which are used for establishing relationships
between the data and the UNKNOWNs,
3. The Third group consist of those methods which are used
to evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained.

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What is Research Methods and Research
Techniques?.
 Research Methods would refer to the behavior
and instruments used in selecting and
constructing the research technique, while
 Research Techniques would refer to the
behavior and instruments used in performing
research operations, Ex: Observations,
Recording data, or Techniques for processing
the data.

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Example 1 on Methods and Techniques:
For Library Research (Type 1), the 'Method is
Analysis of the historical records', while the
'Technique is Recording of Notes, Contents,
Tapes and Film Listening and Analysis'.
Again for Library Research (Type 2), the
'Method is Analysis of Documents', while the
'Technique is Statistical Compilation and
Manupulations, References and Abstract
Guides and Content Analysis'.

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Example 2 on Methods and Techniques:
 Field Works (Type 1), The Method can be
'Personal Interview', while the 'Technique can
be Interviewer uses a detailed schedule with
open and closed ended questions'.
 Field Work (Type 2), The Method can be
'Group Interview' and the Technique used can
be that the small groups of respondents are
interviewed simultaneously.

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What is Research Methodology?
 Research Methodology on the other hand, can be
said as a science of studying how research can
be scientifically.
 Here in Research Methodology, the researcher
need to not only know the 'METHODS and
TECHNIQUES' but also the METHODOLOGY,
which means that the researcher may be knowing
various Methods or Techniques, like Mean, Median
or Mode or Standard Deviations or Chi Square, but
they should also know which technique can be
used and which are relevant.

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Conclusion on Research Methods and
Research Methodology:
 'Research Methodology has various
dimensions, while Research Methods constitute
a part of the Research Methodology.
 The scope of Research Methodology is wider
than Research Methods.

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SOME TYPES OF RESEARCH:
Research are of various types for different
situations, like, a) Descriptive Research, b)
Exploratory Research, c) Applied Research, d)
Fundamental Research, e) Quantitative
Research, f) Qualitative Research, g)
Conceptual Research, h) Empirical Research, i)
Experimental Research, j) Historical Research.
(Explaination follows:)

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1. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH: a) Descriptive
Research is the simpliest form of Research, identifies
relevant variables but does not aim at testing
hypothesis and applies simple statistical techniques like
Averages and Percentages.
b) Descriptive Research provides accurate description of
observations of a phenomena.
c) Descriptive Research is the fact finding investigation with
accurate investigation,
d) Descriptive Research is designed to gather descriptive
information (data) and provide information for formulating
sophisticated studies.

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2. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH: a) Exploratory
Research is the priliminary study of an unfamiliar problem,
about which the researcher has little or no knowledge,
b) Exploratory Research objective is to identify the Key
Issues and Key Variables, by exploring certain unfamiliar
problem. Hence Exploratory Research is broad in focus
but rarely provides definite answer to specific
research issues,
c) The purpose of Explotratory Research is to generate new
ideas, to increase the researcher's familiarity with the
problem, to make a precise formulation of the problem, to
determine whether it is feasible to attempt for the study.

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3. APPLIED RESEARCH: Applied Research is
designed to solve practical problems in the day-to-day
activity, Applied Research is solving practical issues rather
than to acquire knowledge, Applied Research is meant to
solve real life issues and make the social and business
environment better, Applied Research can be in large
scale basis.
Applied Research is classified into 2:
a) Problem Oriented Research,
b) Problem Solving Research.

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4. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH OR PURE
RESEARCH: Fundamental Research or Pure Research
explains the how the world operates, what makes things
happen, why social relations are in a certain way and why
society changes.
Fundamental Research is concerned with the Fundamental
Knowledge about the human world.
FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH MAY BE EXPLORATORY, OR
DESCRIPTIVE OR EXPLANATORY.
Fundamental Research generates new ideas, principles and
theories for modern progress and development in different
fields.
 FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH CAN ALSO SAID AS
"GATHERING INFORMATIONS FOR KNOWLEDGE SAKE".

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5. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH:
a) Quantitative Research is based on measurement of
quantity or amount.
b) Quantitative Research refers to the systematic empirical
investigation of quantitaive properties and phenomena and
their relationships.
c) Quantitative Research is the study to provide the
fundamental connection between empirical observations
and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships.

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6. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH:
a) Qualitative Research is the research concerned with the
qualitative phenomena.
b) Qualitative Research, refers to explain the meaning,
defination, characteristics, types and descriptions of
things.
c) Qualitative Research is concerned with collecting
informations about individuals in depth like Individual
Interview in depth, or Group interviews.
d) Qualitative Research is important in the study of
behavioural sciences.

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7. CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH:
a) Conceptual Research is used in research to outline
possible courses of action or to present a preferred
approach to an IDEA or THOUGHT.
b) Conceptual Research involves investigation of thought
and ideas and developing new ideas or interpretating the
old ones based on logical reasonings.
c) Conceptual Research is related to some abstract, idea
or theory and is the preferred method in Social Sciences
and Philosophy, to reach or produce better results.

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8. EMPIRICAL RESEARCH:
a) Empirical Research is the research based on Experience/
experiments and Observation.
b) Empirical Research is a data-based research.
c) Researchers where the study is not possible in a
laboratory setting, they combine Qualitative and
Quantitative forms of analysis for better solutions to the
problems,
d) Empirical Research requires evidence gathering through
experiments or Empirical studies which is considered as
one of the powerful support for a given hypothesis.

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9. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH:
a) Experimental Research is based/ designed on
experiments, to access the effects of particular
variables on a phenomena.
b) Experimental Research is the study on how, and at what
manner the variables are related to each other. There is a
dependable, which are influenced by other factor while the
independent factors are the other factors which is not been
influenced.
c) In Experimental Research, the researcher manipulates
conditions for the purpose of determining their effect on
behavior. Hence the results depend on the 'Subject'.

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 10. HISTORICAL RESEARCH: a) Historical
Research is the research where there is induction of
principles of the past and social forces which have shaped
the present.
b) It is the systematic studying the past records with an view
to reconstruct the origin and development of an institution
or system and discovering trends of the past,
c) The signifiance of Historical Research is to discover the
past, to get answers of certain unanswered questions, to
identify the relationship between the past and present, to
evaluate the individual, institution, or an agency and to
assist in understanding the culture in which we live.

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RESEARCH PROCESS:
1. Defining the research problem ,
2. Review of literature (Review concepts and Theories and
Review previous research findings),
3. Formulation of Hypothesis,
4. Developing the research design (Including sample design),
5. Data Collection (Execution)
6. Data Analysis and Interpretation (Test Analysis, if any),
7. Research Reporting.

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1. Defining the Research Problem: Problem
may be any situation a gap between the actual
and desired results. And defining a Research
Problem shall include that the problem must
be clear, precise and the 'investigated
(Problem)' must have a gap of finding an
answer or solution.
 The component in designing shall include:
1. The Research Problem must state that
Individuals or a Group or Institutions must
be facing some difficulty.

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Defining the Research Problem:
The component in designing shall include:
2. The Research Problem must have an
objective or objectives to be attained,
3. There must be alternative course of action
to attain the objectives,

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The Criteria for selecting the Research Problem
can be in five steps:
1. Identify a broad problem area,
2. Literature Review,
3. Identifying the research question,
4. Refining the research question (Defined
research question can be re-defined),
5. Developing investigative questions

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What is a research proposal?
"A research proposal is a manuscript written by
the researcher that provides a detailed
description of the proposed program. Its the
outline of the entire research process that gives
the reader a summary of the information
discussed in a project".

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What are the elements in developing a research
proposal?
1. Title of the research,
2. Abstract, (Normally its in 250-300 words),
3. Introduction (Back ground information and
purpose),
4. Objective of the study (Need to be general and
specific),

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What are the elements in developing a research
proposal?
5. Variables (Identify the key variables and method of
measuements – There are 4 types of variables
namely, a) Independent Variables, b) Dependent
Variables, c) Mixed Influence Variables and d) Basic
Variables like Sex, Education and so on...
6. Questions and/ or Hypothesis and,
7. Methodology adopted,

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2. Review of Literature: Review of literature is
the 'Literature Survey', (the secondary sources
of past literature), in the area of interest of the
researcher. It is to identify the document/
articles relevant for the proposed study, Its to
enable the researcher to develop the problem
statement in a precise and clear manner, It
helps the researcher to identify the research
gap (Actuals and Desired Results), Its to
motivate/ stimulate the researcher to go ahead
with the study and so on....

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2. Review of Literature: This basically has three
steps:
1. Identifying the sources – Library or on-line sources like
EBSCO, Prowess, Google Scholar, Science Direct and so
on, (Science Direct too has a number of articles in Social
Science Subjects),
2. Gathering relevant information – The Citing and
References can help to further sources of information,
3. Presenting the Literature Review – The presentation
need to be clear, precise and in a logical manner by citing
the author, year of study, objective of the research, major
findings and implications.

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3. Formulation of Hypothesis:
A hypothesis may be defined as a logically conjectured
relationship between two or more variables, expressed
in the form of a testable statement. Relationship is
proposed by using a strong logical argumentation.
This logical relationship may be put of theoretical
framework of the study.
"A hypothesis can be said as a tentative prediction
or explanation of relationship between 2 or more
variables".

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Why is Hypothesis important in Reseach:
1. Hypothesis guide the direction of study,
2. Hypothesis identifies facts that are relevant
and those that are not,
3. Hypothesis suggests which form of research
design is likely to be most appropriate,
4. Hypothesis provides a framework for
organizing the conclusions of the findings.

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What are the characteristics of a Hypothesis?
1. Hypothesis must be conceptual clear,
2. Hypothesis must have impirical referents (Can be tested
by observations, experiments etc)
3. Hypothesis must be specific,
4. Hypothesis must be related to the available techniques of
research,
5. Hypothesis must be related to the body of the theory.
(Go through on, Hypothesis in the earlier slides too)

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What are the types of Hyposthsis:
A hypothesis can be a:
1. Descriptive Hypothesis: Also called Univariate
Hypothesis – Describing in detail the variables, may be a
Individual, a Situation, Institution, Group or an Association,
2. Rational Hypothesis: Describes the relationship between
two variables,
3. Co-relational Hypothesis: Various variables occur
together in similar or some specific manner,

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4. Explanatory or Causal Hypothesis: Implies the Cause
and Effect of variables,
5. Null Hypothesis: (Denoted H0) Hypothesis formulated by
researcher for testing. Researcher treat evidence that
supports differently from the evidence that opposes it.
Example: H0 = There is no relationship between the level of
job commitment and the level of efficiency (or)
H0 = The relationship between the level of job commitment
and the level of efficiency is Zero.

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6. Alternative Hypothesis: The Alternative Hypothesis is
the alternative to Null Hypothesis, where there is
relationship between the variables of study.

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4. Developing the research Design:
A Research Design is the specification of the
methods and procedures for acquiring the
information needed to structure or to solve
problems.
A Research Design must be simple, economical,
Reliable, Flexible, Accurate, Calculatable or
Measurable and Validity.
A Researcher must consider 4 factors, which
include:

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A Research Design will include, the researcher
should consider:
1) The Design Technique,
2) The Type of Data,
3) The Sampling Methodology and Procedure,
and
4) The Schedule and the Budget.

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Process of a Research Design: (9 Steps)
Step 1 – Selection and Definition of the problem,
Step 2 – Sources of Data,
Step 3 – Nature of Study (Scientific, Social
Sciences, etc),
Step 4 – Object of Study (Objective (s) of the
study)

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Process of a Research Design:
Step 5 – Socio-Cultural Context,
Step 6 – Temporal Context (Temporal means,
matter related to ordinary and not religious or
spritual issues),
Step 7 – Dimension,
Step 8 – Basis of Selection,
Step 9 – Techniques of Data Collection.

14MBA23 – Research Methods
 Research Design Process (Also refer M1 – 9
steps in research design)
Step 1: Selection and Definition of the problem:
Step 2: Sources of Data:
Step 3: Nature of Study:
Step 4: Objective of Study:
Step 5: Socio and Cultural Context:
Step 6: Comporal Context:
Step 7: Dimension:
Step 8: Basis of selection:
Step 9: Technique of Data Collection:

Step 1: Selection and Definition of the problem:
The Researcher need to
1. Define the problem clearly, so to what is his objective,
2. Which data is relavance for his study,
3. The researcher need to define clearly on operational terms
too.

Step 2: Sources of Data:
Second step in Research Design Process is the
a. Primary Sources of Data Collection and/ or
b. Secondary sources of data collection, relavant for his
study.

Step 3: Nature of Study: This will include, whether it is
1. Experimental type of study,
2. Comparitive type of study, or
3. Statistical type of study.

Step 4: Objective of Study: The objective of the study can
be
a. Welfare notion or
b. Theoritical understanding or
The researcher can express the objective of his study to
enable respondents to be sincere on the responses.

Step 5: Socio and Cultural Context:
The researcher can base the socio-cultural basis, Ex: Study
of the fertility rate in the economically backward areas.

Step 6: Comporal Context:
This refers that the research is specific to the population and
the area selected. (Geographical Limit and Applicable to
specific group)

Step 7: Dimension:
This refers to the specific selected respondent, who can
provide a valid answers. Dimension is important as
research cannot be performed One by One and hence
Dimension is performed.

Step 8: Basis of selection: The selection of respondents
can be,
a. Random,
b. Stratified and Purposive,
c. Double clustered or quota sample
This is done for arriving at a valid sample size.

Step 9: Technique of Data Collection: Techniques can be
a. Observations,
b. Interview,
c. Questionnaire,
As it is collected/ gathered, it can be analyzed, interpreted.

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5. Data Collection: Data Collection or Data
Gathering begins with 'PILOT TESTING'.
What is a Pilot Testing?
A Pilot Testing is a small test comprising of 25 to 100
respondents, before the final or actual test is to be
exercised.
Example Questionnaire by email first 25 questionnaire
are sent by mail and after this exercise, the
questionnaire need to be redesigned with redefined
questions and procedures.
 A Pilot test can be said as Pre Testing.

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5. Data Collection:
Data Collection can be done through Primary
Data or Direct Collection of Data personally
from the respondents and the other is
secondary data, where the data is already
available, which can include in different forms.
Primary data can be done through various ways
as stated below:,

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5. Data Collection:
Primary data can be done through various ways
as stated below:,
1. By Personal Interview,
2. By Questionnaire Method,
3. By Observations,
4. By Telephonic Interviews,
5. By Group Focus Interviews,
6. By Emailing of Questionnaire and so on...

68
6. Data Analysis and Interpretation:
"Convertion of Raw Data to provide Information"
This is the most important phase where various
techniques is used (Statistical Tools/
Techniques), Tables, Graphs and so on....
Presently various softwares are available in the
Internet and the Market to convert the Raw
Data into Information...

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7. Research Reporting:
There is three phases in a report:
1. Preliminary Pages,
2. Main Text,
3. Conclusive Pages.

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1. Preliminary Pages: The preliminary pages
include:
a) Title, Author's Name and Address,
b) Acknowledgement, Thanks,
c) Foreword (Foreword, is the introduction by the
author or by someone else)

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2. Main Text: The main report consist of,
a) Introduction: Statement, Scope, Limitations.,
b) Summary of findings,
c) Main Report: Presented in logical sequence,
d) Conclusions: The researcher pens down his final sum
of the research.

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3. Conclusive Pages.:
a) Appendices, (in respect to technical data,
references for Important Contents with Page Nos)
b) Bibliography, (List of books, Journals etc,
referred by the Author with complete
information).
c) Charts/ Questionnaire and other Annexures
as desired by the researcher

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The End
Module 1
The contents are the basic information
for the entire syllabus......

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ASSIGNMENT AND PRESENTATION 1
3 Groups of 18 Students each as per attendance order,
scheduled for Thursdays only.
 Preparing a questionnaire,
1. A Open Ended Questionnaire and
2. A Closed Ended Questionnaire, on the same topic.
 Students are premitted to use devices/ books, for
references....
 TO BE PRESENTED AND SUBMITTED INDIVIDUALLY
BY NEXT THURSDAY

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 Team 1: Prepare a questionnaire on 'Brand
Awareness' of any consumer product in Rural
India. (Marketing Topic) (US No: 1 to 18)
 Team 2: Prepare a questionnaire on
'effectiveness of training in a Public Sector
Organization'. (HR Topic) (US No: 19 to 36)
 Team 3: Prepare a questionnaire on 'Investors
Attitude towards Mutual Funds in any financial
institution. (Finance Topic) (US No: 37 to 57)

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 Each Group Need to prepare 36 Questions,
comprising of 18 open ended and 18 closed
ended questions, with 4 point scaling.
 Each question is asked to the other groups, to
complete the process of the questionnaire,
 On completion of the 'question and answer
session', every group need to 'Analyze and
Interpret' the data collected, and finally
present the data in the form of
PRESENTATION IN NEXT THURSDAY
CLASS.

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Along with the questionnaire assignment, students need to
submit answers for the following in your own words:
1. a. Importance of Research in Business Decisions, and in
Government.
b. What are the features for good research study?
2. What means Continious Variables and Non Continious
Variables, Endogeneous and Exogeneous Variables, &
Extraneous Variables.
3. What are the difficulties faced by the researchers in
Primary and Secondary Sources of Data.
All 4 (Questionnaire + 3 Questions) comprise the 1st
Assignment and Presentation...

Research methods module 1

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