Research Methodology: An Introduction MEANING OF RESEARCH 1 knowledge. Once can also define research as tion ona specific topic. Infact, research isan lays down the feness isthe mother ofall knowledge and ledge of whatever the unknown, can be extend, corect or verify know practice of an art.”* Research ‘making foritsadvancement.Iis the persuit of tath with te help of study, observation, comparison anc experiment Te shor. ths sch for ows heh bese ahd yea met of finding solution toa problems research. The systematic approzch conc sationand the formulaton ofa theo is ao research. Assuchthe er Teseaeh ree oe stematc methodconsisting of enuncaing the problem, formulating a hypotkess, collecting thefacts or data, analysing ‘OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH ‘The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific are termed as exploratory or formulat ray accurately the characteristics of a parti (studies with this object in view are known as descriptive researc aypothesis-testing research studies). MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH ‘What makes people to undertake research possible motives for doing research may be: 2 ie to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, problems initiates research; 3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work; .concem over practical of factors motivating people to uncertake research studies, Wvernment, employment conditioas, curiosity about new things, desire to understand causal relationships, social thinking and awakennng, and the like may 35. ‘well motivate (or at times compe!) people to perform research operations. ‘TYPES OF RESEARCH ‘The basic types of research are as follows: (i) Descriptive vs. Analytical: Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries purpose of descriptive research is description ofthe state of affairs as it exists at present. In social science and business research we quite often use‘Research Methodology: An Introduction. _ 3 the term Ex post facto research for descriptive research studies. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has n0 control over the variatles; he can only report ‘what has happened or what is happening. Most ex post facto research prc for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure such items: . The methods of research uilized in descriptive researchare survey methods of including comparative and correlational methods In anaytical researc, onthe other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze thest to make critical evaluation of the materia. (i) Applied vs. Fundamental: Research can either be applied (cr action) research ot fundamental (to basic or pure) research. Applied research aims at fnding a solution for an Jmmediate problem facing asociety or an indus business organisation, whereas fundamental research is mainly concemed with generalisations and with the fermalation of a theory. “Gathering knowledge for knowledge's sake i termed ‘pure’ or ‘basc” research” Research conceming some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathenaties ere examples of fundamental research, search studies, concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make ge ih andy exiting oganzedboly Scenic knowledge. Quantitative research isbased on the measurement of quantity e., why people think or docerain things), portant type of qualitative research, or dislike a particular thing. Itmay be stated, however, that to apply qualitative research inrelated to some abstract ideals) or ikers 1o deve op new con ‘empirical research ‘eles on experience or by observation or experiment. research itis necessary 0 ut doing certain things 10 be exploratory development of iented and decision-oriented, While doing conclusion- to pick up a problem, with a quantitative basis for regarding operations under their controluch in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or 10 the econamy as a whole, has greatly increased in modem times. The increasingly complex nature of business and government has foc problems. Research, as anid to economic pli and busines. probable revenue devise alterative -an as well examine the consequences of each ofthese alternatives. Robert C Met WilkaeT, Newell and Harold L. Daze, Simalationn Business and Exon,large staff of research tc research asa tool to eco jon ofthe structure and develops formulating purchasing, production and sal application of mathematic and analytical techniquesto the solution of business problems of 081 minimisation or of profit maximisation or what can be termed as optimisation problems, Motivational rscchofaseriig why peopie behave asthey dois mainly concemed withmarket characteristics. wledge for what it can appropriate in thecaseesearch ‘AN imtroaucrion L In addition to what has been stated above, the significance of research can also be understood keeping in view the following points: (a) To those students who are io write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research msy mean a careerism ora way to attain a high position inthe social structure; (©) To professionals in research methodology, research may meana source of livelihood: (©) To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and insights; (©) Telieary men ant women, ea ny ican te develope of eet nd crave © andyas and intellectuals, research may mean the generalisations of new theories. ‘Thus, research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and an important source of providing guidelines for solving different business, governmental and social problems. Its asortof formal training which enables one to understand the new developments in one’s field in a better way. Research Methods versus Methodology Itseems appropriate a this juncture t6 explain the difference between research methods and research methodology. Research methods may be understcod as all those methods/techniques tht are used forconduction ofresearch, Research methods or techniques*, thus, reer tothe methods the researchers¢ methods which are used by the terme as research methods. to urrive a a solution for a given ble data and the unknown aspects ofthe problem have toe related to each other to make a solution possible. Keeping this in view, research methods can be put into the following ‘three groups: data. These methods artive athe required: ‘but also the methodology. Researchers not only need to know how to developceriin indicesor tests, how to calculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standand deviation or chi-square, how to apply particular research techniques, From what has been stated above, we can say that research methodology has many dimensions and research methods do constitute a part of the research methodology. The scope of research ‘what data have been collected and what particular method has been adopted, why particular echnique of analysing data has been used anda h lr other questions are usually answered whea We lulk of research methodology concerning a research problem or stu.Research and Scientific Method know the meaning ofscientific method, The ted. Research as we have already sated, wade known to all concemed for critical serutity are for use in testing the conclusions through replication; 7. {t aims at formulating most general sxioms or what can be termedas scientific theories.method fie frm personal bias or prejudice, a method to ‘phenomenon capable of being verified, method wherein the cal reasoning, a method wherein the investigation proceeds in anorderly manner and a implies intemal consistency. Importance of Knowing How Research is Done ‘The study of research methodology gives the student the necessary training in gathering material and arranging or card-indexing them, participation in the field work when required, and also training in techniques for the collection of data appropriate to particular problems, in the use of statistics, ‘questionnaires and controlled experimentation and in recording evidence, sorting it outand interpreting it In fact, importance of knowing the methodology of research or how research is done stems from the fllowing considerations: () For one who is preparing himself fora career of carrying out research, the importance of ‘knowing research methodology and research techniques is obvious since the same constitute the tools of his trade. The knowledge of methodology provides good taining specially othe ‘new research worker and enables him to do better researc. thelps himto develop disciplined results to evaluate them and enables him to take rational decisions. Research Process Before embarking on the details of research methodology and techniques, presenta brief overview ofthe research process. Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps. The chart shown in Figure 1.1 well illustrates a research process.Detine research || research finding ae sign research (wowing ‘sample design) ©, Collet data (Cxecuton) WolismDaLiT WW =ABOIODOUTa HI WauoaaW | 7‘The chart indicates thatthe research process consisis of a number of closely related activities, ly ratherthan following a stricily ture ofthe lst siep to be undertaken, ‘with one’s own colleagues or with tion the researcher can seek the rature to get himself aoquainted -concepualiterature concerning, the concepts and theories, and the emy ig of studies made earlier which ere similar tothe one proposed. The basic outcome o/sequential patern where a number of ach formulation more specific than the preceeding cne, each one phrased in rms, and each more realistic in terms ofthe available data and resources. to the necessary Committee or the Research Board for approval connected with the ‘oF unpublished which esearch hyposheses are developed i for research. They also affect the and indirectly the quality of dat development of workinghypot limited tothe piece of researc vide the researcher by deli andto keep him ov his thinking and focuses attention on the more important facets of the ‘ype of data required and the type of methods of data ani . How does one go about developing working hypotheses? The answer isby using the following spprosch: () Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin nd the objectives in seekinga solution; ion of data and records if available, concerning the probiem for possible trends,2. Report should be written in a concise and obj ‘expressions such as “it seems,’ “there may 3. Charts and llusrationsin the main report should be used more clearly and forcibly. 4, Calculated ‘confidence limits’ must be mentioned and the various constraints experienced in conducting research operations may as well be state. in simple language aveiding vague theypresent the information Criteria of Good Research ‘Whatever may be the types of research works and studies, one thing thats important isthat they all ‘meet on the common groundot scientific method employed by them. One expects scientific research to satisfy te following criteria: 1. The purpose of the esearch should be clearly defined and com: 2. The research procedure used should be described in sufficient dt researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping has already been attained. ‘The procedural design ofthe research should be carefully plannedto yield results that are in procedural design and significance and the ‘methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity an¢ reliability of the data should be checked carefully. Conclusions should be confined to those ju = yy the data of theresearch and limited to 7. Greater confidence in researc if the researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research an itResearch Methodology: An Introduction 24 validity to research re 4. Good research is replicable: This characteristic allows research results to be verified by replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions india Problems Encountered by Researchers in India, particularly those engaged in empirical research, are facing several problems. ‘Some of the important problems are as follows: 1, The lack of a scientific training in the methodology of research is a great impediment {or researchers inour country. The ty of competent researchers. Many’ ‘ake a leap in the dark without knowing research methods. Most ofthe work, which goes collated materials. The consequence is obvious, viz, the research results, quite often, do not reflect the reality or realities. Thus, a systematic study of research methodology is an ly. Before undertaking research projects, researchers should be well equipped ld be made to provide short- pt of Secrecy seems to be proves an impermeable barrier to researchers. Thus, shere is the need for generating thé confidence that the of conduct for researchers which, if adhered sincerely, can win over this problem,