Research methodology unit i

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Sunday, December 21, 2014

CONTENTS – UNIT 1

Introduction

Meaning and Importance of Research

Classification of Research

Research in Engineering Functions

The Research Process

Research as a Scientific Process

Issues Governing Research Function

Listing and Description of Steps of Research

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Research Methodology – Unit I

INTRODUCTION

What is Research?Search for knowledge.

Scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.

Art of scientific investigation.

Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of English defines research as “a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”

Redman and Mory define research as “systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”

According to Clifford Woody, “Research comprises of defining and redefining problems. Formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions, making deductions and reaching conclusions, and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they are fit and formulating hypothesis.”

For some authors, “Research is a movement from known to unknown. It is actually a voyage of discovery.”

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OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH

The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures. The broad objectives of research are:

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or achieve new insight into it (exploratory or formulative research studies).

To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual situation or a group (descriptive research studies).

To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (diagnostic studies).

To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research studies) 4


SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

In Hudson Maxim’s words, “All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to invention.”

Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organization.

The role of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or to the economy as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times.

Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system.

Research has its significance in solving various operational and planning problems of business and industry.

Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and in seeking answers to various social problems.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

The significance of research can also be

understood keeping in view the following points:

Research may mean career growth or a way to attain a

high position in the social structure (somebody writing

Masters or Ph.D. thesis).

Research may mean a source of livelihood

(professionals in research methodology).

Research may mean the outlet for new ideas and

insights (philosophers and thinkers).

Research may mean the development of new styles and

creative work (literary people).

Research may mean the generalization of new theories

(analysts and intellectuals). 6


RESEARCH AS A SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Good research generates trustworthy data that can be used to draw functional solutions. In contrast, poor research is carelessly planned and conducted, therefore, its conclusion cannot be used for decision-making. Good research follows the principles of the scientific method as mentioned below:

Clearly Defined Purpose

Detailed Research Process

Planned Research Design

Clearly Defined Limitations

Provide Opportunity to Analyze

Unambiguous Presentations of Findings

Justified Conclusion7


CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH

There can be different research types according to

different criteria, such as purpose, method,

availability of time and other resources, type of

analysis, scope and statistical content. A broad

classification of different research types include:

Basic versus Applied Research

Descriptive versus Analytical Research

Conceptual versus Empirical Research

Qualitative versus Quantitative Research

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Basic versus Applied Research

Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (or basic or pure) research.

Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory.

Examples of fundamental research – research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics, research studies concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behavior etc.

Examples of applied research – research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem, research to identify social, economic or political trends, marketing research etc.

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Descriptive versus Analytical Research

Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding

enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of

descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it

exists in present. The main characteristic of this type of

research is that the researcher has no control over the

variables, he can only report what has happened or what is

happening.

In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher

has to use facts or information already available, and

analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

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Quantitative versus Qualitative

Quantitative research is based on the measurement of

quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can

be expressed in terms of quantity.

Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with

qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or

involving quality or kind. Qualitative research is specially

important in the behavioral science where the aim is to

discover the underlying motives of human behavior.

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Conceptual versus Empirical

Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to interpret existing ones.

On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment. In such a research, the researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as to the probable results. He then works to get enough facts (data) to prove or disprove his hypothesis. Such research is thus characterized by the experimenter’s control over the variables under study and his deliberate manipulation of one of them to study the effects.

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Some Other Types of Research

All other types of research are variations of one or more of the

types described earlier:

One-Time Research (research is confined to a single time-period)

Longitudinal Research (research is carried on over several time-periods)

Laboratory Research (research done in lab settings, also known as

simulation research)

Field setting Research (research carried out in the field and not in the

lab settings)

Historical research (researcher takes the help of historical sources to

conduct fresh research or studies the past events).

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RESEARCH APPROACH

There are two types of research approach, namely quantitative

and qualitative approach:

Quantitative research approach – refers to the generation of data in

quantitative form, which can be subjected to quantitative analysis. The

sub-parts of quantitative approach are as follows:

Inferential approach – refers to an approach that is used where a sample of

population is observed or studied to infer some characteristics of population

under study by forming a proper database.

Experimental approach – refers to the approach in which some variables of

research study are manipulated to observe their effects on other variables.

Simulation approach – refers to the approach in which an artificial

environment is created to generate relevant information and data.

Qualitative research approach – Deals with subjective evaluation of

attitudes, opinions, and actions. The approach generates result in non-

quantitative form. 14


CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD RESEARCH

Some of the characteristics of a good research are as follows:

Systematic – refers to the fact that research should be properly structured. The role of intuition and creative thinking is also not ruled out.

Logical – means that the research should be guided by logical reasoning. Basically, logical reasoning is of two types: induction(specific to universal) and deduction (universal to specific).

Empirical – indicates that the research should be based on real situations rather than abstract concepts or ideas.

Clear Purpose – objectives of the research should be clearly defined.

Elaboration – research procedures should be explained and detailed properly.

Efficient Analysis – the data gathered in the research should be properly analyzed using a suitable method.

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RESEARCH METHOD VERSUS RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

There are several differences between research method

and research methodology.

Research methods include methods, which can be

classified into three groups:

In first group, methods related to collection of data are included.

The second group includes statistical methods, which are used to

establish the relationships between different sets of data.

The third group consists of the methods, which are used to

estimate the correctness of the results obtained.

Research methodology is an approach to solve research

problems in a systematic manner. It constitutes both the

research strategies and data generation methods.

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RESEARCH PROCESS

Research process consists of a series of steps, which are as

follows, although not strictly in sequential order:

Defining Research Problem – refers to identifying a problem whose

solution can be found through research. Two steps are involved in

defining a research problem – i) Understanding the problem

correctly, ii) Rephrasing the problem into meaningful terms.

Reviewing the Literature (conceptual and empirical)

Formulating Hypothesis – refers to the tentative assumption made

by the researcher to speculate the outcome of the research.

Designing the Research

Collecting Data

Analyzing Data

Preparing Data17


PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY RESEARCHERS

Major problems faced by researchers:

Lack of Training

Improper Interaction

Lack of Code of Conduct

Lack of Assistance

Lack of Resources

Reluctance in Supplying Data

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RESEARCH AS EVERYDAY THINKING

Research task Everyday thinking

Identify a problem How can I deal with my punctured

tyre?

Gather data Obtain prices of new tyres

Analyze the data What is the cheapest?

Interpret the data That’s more than I want to pay. I need

more information.

Gather more data Is it reparable?

Obtain prices for new tyre repair.

Analyze the data Can it be repaired? What is the

lowest cost? How does the cost

compare with a new tyre?

Interpret the data Repairing it is possible. Repair will

cost 20% of the new tyre. Repair

rather than replace means I can still

afford to go out on a Friday night.

Draw conclusion I will get it repaired at Tyres-U-Like.19

EVERYDAY THINKING VERSUS GOOD RESEARCH

Everyday thinking Good research

Poor data Sufficient data sources

Incomplete data Appropriate data sources

Hasty thinking Accurately recorded

Properly analyzed

No hidden assumptions

Conclusions well-founded.

Properly presented.

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THE 6P’S OF RESEARCH

6 Ps of research include:

Purpose

Products

Process

Participants

Paradigm

Presentation.

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End of Unit 1

Education

Research methodology unit i