Unit Two

2. Conducting Research
2.1 Meaning of Research
You would probably find as many definition of research as you would the number of authors
writing about it. A review of these definition shows that most have the following elements or
terms in common:
Activity What Kind Why
Inquiry Systematic to discover facts
Investigation Studious to revise accepted principles or conclusions
Experimentation Critical to find new truths
Examination Diligent to avoid status quo
Creation Exhaustive
Orderly
Objective
Logical
Research is an activity, a process, or a method; and two of the preceding lists are “what” and
“why” qualifiers of the activity. You can see that combination of these works will serve to define
research as is evident from definition of research in other published works. For example, a
research of words from the foregoing lists can result in combination such as these:
Research is
 A systematic, studious inquiry to discover facts, to find new truths, and to avoid the status
quo;
 An orderly, exhausted investigation to revise accepted principle or conclusion;
 A diligent, objective examination to find new truths and revise accepted principle or
conclusion.
A point is that you really can take your choice of definition, provided that you use the generally
accepted terms as listed here.
But can’t we have a better definition? Really, one important element in research is that of
curiosity. Research requires of a person an attitude of inquisitiveness, that of “I wonder
how……?” or “I wonder why…..” or “I wonder what…..” The researcher seeks to know reasons
and causes behind events and behavior. So, now we can say:
Research is an activity characterized by intellectual curiosity, using systematic planning to
collect facts, performing objective analysis through thinking and ending with a new truth or
verification of an existing one.

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In simple words research means a search for facts-answer to question and solution to
problems.
2.2 Types of Research
When conducting research, it is always advisable to select a proper method of collecting the
required information from the following commonly used methods of research.
o Library Research
o Survey Research
o Observation Research
o Experimental Research

Research attempts to establish factual data on prevailing plans and schedule for development on
a realistic basis, Research studies bring out necessary facts for making sound decision
before committing resource.
Research studies seek to help planners evaluate alternative strategies and select the most suited
strategy for development of different sectors, such as Education, Agriculture, engineering,
Industry, Health and social welfare.
Keeping in mind the basic purpose, the researcher selects usually one or two among the four
research method mentioned above.
2.2.1 Library Research
In every research we need to know what others have already done. For collecting this
information and knowing other views related to our investigation, we consult the existing
literature. This kind of collection of information is known as Library Research, which is a part
of all other forms of research. It constitutes study of the background and involves the survey of
all existing body of knowledge in the field of the proposed study of research.
Library research helps us in the following ways:
 It avoids unnecessary repetition and duplication of effort and waste of valuable research,
time and funds.
 It establishes points for departure for new research work.
 It sets out direction for doing research in the field proposed for study.
Because library research provides us with material already contributed by others, it is known as
“secondary source” and the information collected is called “secondary data”. Primary data is
what we gather through our own observation, surveys and experiments.
In using library research for collecting data, we should be careful not to create a heap of
information. Collect only relevant material. Also avoid piling up the entire data at one place. It
will be better to note and record information on separate sheets or cards under different headings
with exact details of their source: a book, journal, news bulletin, company’s specific, file and so
on. This will help you use the collected material properly at the appropriate places in your report.
You will be helped also in preparing your bibliography.

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2.2.2 Survey Research
In research, this method is frequently used to know the actual status of the thing at the time of
our study. It uses survey tools: questionnaires, interviews and checklists to obtain information
that may add to information already collected through secondary sources or validate the finding
obtained from the library research. The surveys are called “Normative” because they lay sown
“norms” and “standard” or “what is” or determine the present status of a thing, or establish
customary behavior. The normative survey method is descriptive in nature. The limitation of this
research method is that findings through such surveys are to be considered valid only for the
present or not for the future, because the state of mind, attitude or situation of the subject of
study may change.
2.2.3 Observation Research
In the observational method of collecting information, the receiver observes the activities of a
subject or a group of persons a phenomenon or the nature of the thing without
communicating with anyone. It differs from the survey method that involves an interrogation
and response process and is a method based on communication. The observation study uses the
process of monitoring. The researcher notes and records the results obtained from his
observations of each case. This is why the observational research is also called Statistical
Research that involves statistical analysis of one or more sets of data.
Suppose we want to know if there is any correlation between time and traffic jams at a traffic
intersection on a particular road, we will monitor the flow of traffic and record the count of
traffic flow in different direction at the different hours of the day determine the statistical
correlations between the two sets of data; the count of traffic flow and hours of day.

2.2.4 Experimental Research

We are familiar with experimental research since our school days. We took two test tubes and
filled them with exactly the same liquid. Then we added a new material to only one of them, the
content in the other tube was kept as it was (original). After adding the new material to one tube,
we noticed changes in that tube. It was obvious to us that any change that had taken place was
due to a new ingredient. We noted our observations. The experimental explained the
phenomenon of cause and effect.
A laboratory experiment is done under controlled condition. The two samples are identical. The
addition of a variable to one of the two samples causes certain changes in that sample. We
conclude that the change is duo to the variable, thus we can determine the causal relation
between a variable and the change in the state of something. Accordingly if we wish to bring
about a particular change in the state of something we can take help of related variable.
Although in social science experimental research is used to determine the effect of variable, there
are limitations to its applicability to the social science. Social behavior and human nature cannot
be controlled as it can possibly be done in physical science. Motivation, efficiency, or taste and

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choices cannot be subjected to controlled observation of the effect induced by a variable in one
of the two otherwise identical groups of people. Although we keep on repeating the phrase
“Other things remain the same” as an essential condition for conducting experiment research in
social science, it is largely an assumption and may not be in fact, true.
Experiment research is however commonly used in agriculture to determine the
effectiveness of fertilizer or pesticide on crops. The study takes two plots of identical size, soil,
fertility, quality of seed, irrigation facilities and adds a different quality of fertilizer to one of
them or leaves it without manure. Then we record the yields of both plots of land. The different
between the yields of two plots is duo to the use of fertilizer.
2.3 Characteristics of a Good Research
The following are the characteristics of a good research:
 Researchability
 Practical significance
 Originality
 Relevance
 Feasibility
 Narrow down problem.
 Ethical consideration