important concepts

1. Research MethodologyResearch Methodology
IntroductionIntroduction

2. ResearchResearch
The word research is composed of two syllables,The word research is composed of two syllables, rere
andand search.search.
 rere is a prefix meaning again, anew or over again.is a prefix meaning again, anew or over again.
 searchsearch is a verb meaning to examine closely andis a verb meaning to examine closely and
carefully, to test and try, or to probe.carefully, to test and try, or to probe.

3. ResearchResearch
 Research refers to search for knowledge and art ofResearch refers to search for knowledge and art of
scientific investigation.scientific investigation.
 Research meansResearch means describing a careful, systematic,describing a careful, systematic,
patient study and investigation in some field ofpatient study and investigation in some field of
knowledge, undertaken to establish facts orknowledge, undertaken to establish facts or
principles.principles.
 Research is aResearch is a structured enquiry that utilizesstructured enquiry that utilizes
acceptable scientific methodology to solveacceptable scientific methodology to solve
problems and create new knowledge that isproblems and create new knowledge that is
generally applicable.generally applicable.
 Research is an original contribution to existingResearch is an original contribution to existing
stock of knowledge making for its advancementstock of knowledge making for its advancement ..

4. CHARACTERISTICS OFCHARACTERISTICS OF
RESEARCH:RESEARCH: Controlled-Controlled- The concept of control implies that, inThe concept of control implies that, in
exploring causality in relation to two variablesexploring causality in relation to two variables
(factors), you set up your study in a way that(factors), you set up your study in a way that
minimizes the effects of other factors affectingminimizes the effects of other factors affecting
the relationship.the relationship.
 RigorousRigorous - you must be careful in ensuring that- you must be careful in ensuring that
the procedures followed to find answers tothe procedures followed to find answers to
questions arequestions are relevant, appropriate and justifiedrelevant, appropriate and justified ..
 Systematic-Systematic- this implies that the procedurethis implies that the procedure
adopted to undertake an investigation follow aadopted to undertake an investigation follow a
certain logical sequence. The different stepscertain logical sequence. The different steps
cannot be taken in a random way. Somecannot be taken in a random way. Some

5.  Valid and verifiable-Valid and verifiable- this concept implies thatthis concept implies that
whatever you conclude on the basis of yourwhatever you conclude on the basis of your
findings is correct and can be verified by you andfindings is correct and can be verified by you and
others.others.
 EmpiricalEmpirical -this means that any conclusion drawn-this means that any conclusion drawn
are based upon hard evidence gathered fromare based upon hard evidence gathered from
information collected from real life experiences orinformation collected from real life experiences or
observationsobservations ..
 CriticalCritical- critical study of the procedures used and- critical study of the procedures used and
the methods employed is crucial to a researchthe methods employed is crucial to a research
enquiry. The process of investigation must beenquiry. The process of investigation must be

6. Types of researchTypes of research
 DescriptiveDescriptive
 AnalyticalAnalytical
 AppliedApplied
 FundamentalFundamental
 QuantitativeQuantitative
 QualitativeQualitative
 ConceptualConceptual
 EmpiricalEmpirical

7. DescriptiveDescriptive
This research includes surveys and fact findingThis research includes surveys and fact finding
enquiries of different kind.enquiries of different kind.
Descriptive research answers the questionsDescriptive research answers the questions
whowho,, whatwhat,, wherewhere,, whenwhen andand howhow..
Descriptive research is to identify the cause ofDescriptive research is to identify the cause of
something that is happening. something that is happening.
For instance, this research could be used inFor instance, this research could be used in
order to find out what age group is buying aorder to find out what age group is buying a
particular brand of cola.particular brand of cola.

8. AnalyticalAnalytical
In this research the researcher has to use factsIn this research the researcher has to use facts
or information already available and analyzeor information already available and analyze
these to make a critical evaluation of thethese to make a critical evaluation of the
material.material.

9. Applied ResearchApplied Research
Applied research aims at finding the solutionApplied research aims at finding the solution
for an immediate problem facing a society or anfor an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial organization.industrial organization.
the research conducted to solve specificthe research conducted to solve specific
problems or to answer specific questions.problems or to answer specific questions.
Refers to scientific study and research thatRefers to scientific study and research that
seeks to solve practical problems.seeks to solve practical problems.
Applied research is used to find solutions toApplied research is used to find solutions to
everyday problems, cure illness, and developeveryday problems, cure illness, and develop
innovative technologies.innovative technologies.
For example: What drug can be developed toFor example: What drug can be developed to
help cure cancer of the skin?help cure cancer of the skin?

10. FundamentalFundamental
This research is mainly concerned withThis research is mainly concerned with
generalizations and formulation of a theory.generalizations and formulation of a theory.
fundamental research (sometimes pure research)fundamental research (sometimes pure research)
is research carried out to increaseis research carried out to increase
understanding of fundamental principles.understanding of fundamental principles.
Gathering knowledge for knowledge's sake isGathering knowledge for knowledge's sake is
termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic researchtermed ‘pure’ or ‘basic research ’.’.
it is the basis for many commercial productsit is the basis for many commercial products
and applied research.and applied research.
Examples: research relating to some naturalExamples: research relating to some natural
phenomenon or related to pure mathematics orphenomenon or related to pure mathematics or
research studies, concerning human behavior.research studies, concerning human behavior.

11. QuantitativeQuantitative
This is based on measurement of quantity orThis is based on measurement of quantity or
amount.amount.
Quantitative research is generally made usingQuantitative research is generally made using
scientific methods, which can include:scientific methods, which can include:
The generation of models, theories andThe generation of models, theories and
hypothesishypothesis
The development of instruments andThe development of instruments and
methods for measurementmethods for measurement
Experimental control andExperimental control and
manipulation of variablesmanipulation of variables
Collection of empirical dataCollection of empirical data
Modeling and analysis of dataModeling and analysis of data
Evaluation of resultsEvaluation of results

12. QualitativeQualitative
Qualitative research is concerned withQualitative research is concerned with
qualitative phenomenon i.e.. Phenomenonqualitative phenomenon i.e.. Phenomenon
related to quality.related to quality.
Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-
depth understanding of human behavior anddepth understanding of human behavior and
the reasons that govern such behavior.the reasons that govern such behavior.
The qualitative method investigates theThe qualitative method investigates the whywhy
andand howhow of decision making, not justof decision making, not just whatwhat,,
wherewhere,, whenwhen..
Qualitative research is used to gain insightQualitative research is used to gain insight
into people's attitudes, behaviors, valueinto people's attitudes, behaviors, value
systems, concerns, motivations, aspirations,systems, concerns, motivations, aspirations,

13. EmpiricalEmpirical
It relies on experience or observation alone.It relies on experience or observation alone.
It is data based research, coming up withIt is data based research, coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being verifiedconclusions which are capable of being verified
by observation or experiment.by observation or experiment.
Empirical research that bases its findings onEmpirical research that bases its findings on
direct or indirect observation as its test ofdirect or indirect observation as its test of
reality.reality.

14. ConceptualConceptual
This research is related to some abstract ideasThis research is related to some abstract ideas
or theory.or theory.
It is generally used by philosophers andIt is generally used by philosophers and
thinkers to develop new concepts or tothinkers to develop new concepts or to
reinterpret existing ones.reinterpret existing ones.

15. Significance of researchSignificance of research
 It provides the basis for all government policiesIt provides the basis for all government policies
in our economic system.in our economic system.
 In solving various operational and planningIn solving various operational and planning
problems.problems.
Operation researchOperation research
Market researchMarket research
Motivational researchMotivational research
 It is important for social scientists in studyingIt is important for social scientists in studying
social relationships and in seeking answer tosocial relationships and in seeking answer to
various social problems.various social problems.

16.  Helps PhD students for making their career.Helps PhD students for making their career.
 For professionals it may a source of livelihoodFor professionals it may a source of livelihood
etc.etc.