Methods of Research
Methods of Research
RGPENEYRA
Research Objectives
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions
through the application of scientific procedures. The main aim of
research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has
not been discovered as yet.
Research objectives fall into the following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new
insights into it (known as exploratory or formulative research
studies);
2. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or
with which it is associated with something else (known as
diagnostic research studies);
3. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
(known as hypothesis-testing research studies).
Research Approaches
1. Descriptive Research vs. Analytical
Research
- descriptive research is description of the state of
affairs as it exists at present
- analytical research makes a critical evaluation of
the material by analyzing facts and information already
available
Research Approaches
2. Applied Research vs. Fundamental Research
- descriptive research is description of the state of
affairs as it exists at present
- analytical research makes a critical evaluation of
the material by analyzing facts and information already
available
Research Approaches
3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative
- Quantitative research is applicable to phenomena
that can be expressed in terms of quantity
- Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon.
Research Approaches
4. Conceptual vs. Experimental (or Empirical)
- Conceptual research is that related to some abstract
idea(s) or theory
- experimental (empirical) research relies on
experiment or observation alone, often without due
regard for system and theory
Quantitative
involves the
generation of data in
quantitative form
which can be
subjected to rigorous
quantitative analysis
in a formal and
rigorous fashion
Qualitative
concerned with
subjective assessment
of attitudes, opinions
and behavior
a function of
researcher's insights
and impressions
Research Methods
Methods/techniques that are used for conducting
research
THREE GROUPS
1.methods which are concerned with the collection/
acquisition of data; these methods will be used where
the data already available are not sufficient to arrive
at the required solution
2. mathematical/statistical techniques which are used
for establishing relationships between the data and
the unknowns
3.those methods which are used to evaluate the
accuracy of the results obtained
Research Methodology
a way to systematically solve the research problem
a science of studying how research is done scientifically
various steps that are to be adopted by a researcher in studying
his research problem along with the logic behind them
know not only the research methods/techniques but also the
methodology
know which of these research methods or techniques, are
relevant and which are not, and what would they mean and
indicate and why
understand the assumptions underlying various techniques
it is necessary for the researcher to design his methodology for
his problem as the same may differ from problem to problem
System
[Prototype]
Experimental Design/Analysis
Theory Paper/ New Knowledge/Object
Closing Remarks