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Meaning of Research
Research means to search or study about phenomenon.The word research is composed by ‘Re’ and ‘Search’
where ‘Re’ means repeatedly or again and again and ‘search’ means investigate or find.Thus,to search again and again is
research.Generally,research is an effort to search new fact,knowledge,principle in scientific way.
Definition of Research
Research is a systematic, careful inquiry or examination done to discover new information or relationships and to
expand, verify existing knowledge for some specific purpose. The specific purpose may be academic (i.e. a problem of
theory) or applied (i.e a problem or practice) or both.In fact,research is an art of scientific investigation.According to The
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of current English,research is “a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search
for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”Some people consider research as a movement from known to
unknown.According to Clifford woody research comprises defining and redefining problems; formulating hypothesis or
suggested solutions;collecting;organizing and reaching conclusions;and at last carefully testing the conclusions to
determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.Research refers to a critical, careful and exhaustive investigation or
inquiry or examination having its aim the revision of accepted conclusions, in the light of newly discovered facts.
Nature of Research
The nature of research conducted even in a common topic may vary considerably e.g. the research work
conducted to evaluate human development,history,religion,culture etc.is considered as social research.This type of
research is useful to examine human behavior,festivals,language,tradition etc.The research work based on development
activities made by human beings like buildings,ornaments,equipment etc.are considered as a part of social research or
business research.The research work related to examine the chemical changes,physical changes,analysis of atom and
molecules etc.is called scientific research. Thus, the research work in common topic may be employed on the basis of
available resources in different ways and consequently leads to different results.
In social and business research, because of dynamic nature of society,the results of research in same topic for a
particular period of time becomes false for other period due to the factors like education, employment, development in
transportation, communication etc.Science is based on real and verifiable conclusions. Therefore once verified results
remain same for other time too.The social and business research lack the valid conclusions. Hence it is necessary to
employ scientific methods of research in the same topic.
Objective of Research
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. The objectives of
research are listed into following groups
1)To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insight into it (exploratory or formulative research study)
2)To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group (descriptive research study)
3)To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else
(diagonostic research study)
4)To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research study)
Types of Research:
A research can be performed for two purposes, first one is to solve a currently existing problem and second is to
generate new knowledge in a particular area. These are termed as applied and theoretical(pure) research. Basically a
research is either theoretical or applied in nature. However types of research is categorized as following ;
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Types of Research

From the viewpoint of

Application Objectives Inquiry mode

Pure Applied Descriptive Exploratory Quantitative Qualitative

1)Applied vs Fundamental:
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.Applied research is also known as action research and the generalization can not acquire a universal validity.The
applicability of findings to another class problem and another area is quite doubtful and may produce wrong and
unverifiable conclusions.On the other hand fundamental research,also called basic or theoretical research,is a search for
broad principle and synthesis without any immediate utilization of objective.
2)Descriptive vs Analytical:
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding inquires of different kinds.The main purpose of descriptive
research is the description of the state of affaires as it exists at present.It is also termed as ex-post facto research in social
science and business research studies.In this research researcher has no control over the variable;he/she can only report
what has happened or what is happening.On the other hand , in analytical research,researcher has to use the facts or
informations already available and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
3)Quantitative vs 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.Qualitativeresearch,on the other hand,is concerned with qualitative phenomenon
i.e.phenomenon relating to quality.Forinstance,when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviour
we perform ‘Motativation Research’, an important type of qualitative research.This type of research aims at discovering
the underlying motives and desires,using in depth interviews for the purpose.
4)Conceptual vs Empirical
A conceptual research is related to some abstract ideas or theory.It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers
to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.Empirical research relies on experiences or observation alone,often
without due regard for system and theory.It is data-based research,coming up with conclusions somethings which are
capable of being verified by observation or experiment.
5)Other types of Research
There are various other types of research.On the basis of time,one time research is confined to a single time
period and longitudional research is is carried out over several time periods.Research can be field-setting research or
laboratory research or simulation research,depending upon the environment in which it is to be carried out.Research may
be clinical or diagnostic.Such research follows case-study methods or indepth approaches to reach the basic casual
relations.Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents to study events or ideas of the
past,including the philosophy of persons.
Characteristics /Features of Scientific Methods
The chief characteristics of a scientific methods are:
1)Verifiability:The conclusions drawn through a scientific method is subjected to verification at any time.The proposition
is that the phenomenon under investigation must be capable of being observed and measured.Incase,direct observation
could not be done,other method such as interviews can be utilized for verification.
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2)Generality
Laws derived through scientific method are universal in their application.They are not limited to individual
objects or individual groups of objects.The individual groups or objects are considered as specimen or instances,andthe
relations discovered through these individual groups should be applicable to whole group called universe.
3)Predictability
The results of scientific methods can be predicted with sufficient accuracy.For example , one can say with
certainty that if water is heated to 1000C, it will vaporize,and if it is cooled to 00C,it will turn to ice.Predictability depends
on one hand upon the nature of the phenomenon and on the other hand upon knowledge of various causative factors.
4)Objectivity
The results obtained through a scientific method should be free from investigator’s own views,wishes of prevalent
notions i.e.they must be subjected to objective observations.The main criterion or objectivity is that all persons should
arrive to the same conclusion about the phenomenon.Fore.g.,when we say coal is black,it is objective statement because
coal will appear black to all people.But when we say coal is useful mineral,the statement may not be objective,for every
one may not agree to the statement.
5)System
In every scientific study,there is an accepted mode of investigation.The result arrive by means of a haphazard
method,eventrue,cannot be called scientific because its accuracy is purely accidential.
Process of Research
The process of research starts with some form of a problem or a question.Afterthen,on the basis of the study, a
hypothesis or a series of hypothesis are set up.These hypothesis can be tested against reliaty.Having formed
hypothesis,researcher seeks information or data which will allow him to test validity.The collected data would then be
analyzed to several statistical tests to determine whether the proposed answer holds true or not and with what degree of
confidence it can be accepted.The results of this analysis would be interpreted and communicated via reports,seminars etc.
Diagrammatic presentation of Research process

Research problem or question

Literature Review or pilot study

Conceptual frame work or model building Hypothesis/Assumed solution or answer

Information Gathering

Monitor and check Information

Hypothesis testing

Action Evaluation of Hypothesis/Tests/Interpretation/

Conclusion/Recommendations

Report Dissemination Accept/Reject hypothesis.

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Paradigms of Research:
Paradigm is a set of assumptions,concepts,values and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reliability for the
community that shares them,especially in an intellectual discipline.Paradigm are generally defines as a framework that has
unwritten rules and that directs action.It is the window we see the world,it consists of any invisible values and belief.A
paradigm shift occurs when one paradigm losses its influence and another takes over.Paradigm shift is fundamental
change in basic concepts and experimental practices of the scientific discipline.
Positivism and interpretivism philosophy in research paradigm
As a philosophy,positivism adheres to the view that only factual knowledge gained through observation(the
senses), including measurement,is trustworthy.In positivism studies the role of the researcher is limited to data collection
and interpretation in an objective way.In this type of studies research findings are usually observable and quantifiable.In
positivism studies the researcher is independent from the study and there are no provisions for human interests within the
study.Positivist studies usually adopt deductive approach, and relates to concentrate on facts.If we assume a positivist
approach to our study,then we are independent of our research and our research can be purely objective.In other
words,studies with positivist paradigm are based purely on facts and consider the world to be external and objective.
In interpretivism, the observer is a part of what is being observed, the human interests are the main drivers of
science and explanations aim to increase general understanding of the situations.The argument of interpretivists is that the
study of human beings is of a different order from the study of phenomenon in the natural world.This is because the social
reality is viewed by different people in different ways,which may constrain their thinking and reasoning about the
observed phenomenon.For instance,political parties which have different ideologies tend to have every different
perceptions of the role of government in people’s lives,and hence, have different opinions on how to solve social and
economic problems.
Business Research
Business research is an important branch of research and encircles market research,financial research,operations
research,accounting research and human resource research.Business research has been defined in many different ways,
according to Uma Sekaran andBougie“Business research is a systematic and organized investigation conducted to
resolve problematic issues in, or interrelated among, the different areas of management.” According to Donald
Cooperand Pamela Schindler, “Business research is a systematic inquiry whose objective is to provide information to
solve managerial problems.”
Business research has been basically conceived as the systematic and objective collection and evaluation of
information about specific aspects of business problems in order to assist managers to make effective decisions.Its main
purpose is to facilitate decision-making process and reduce uncertainty when business strategy is being planned,and to
monitor performance after the strategy has been put into operation.
Role of research in Management
Research in management is broadly, a systematic activity directed towards investigating managerial or business
problems and results in an invention or discovery of management tools for problem solving and decision making.it gives a
detailed investigation of the existing problems,practices or processes.managers often need to understand the factors or
events that affect their organizations.The knowledge of research methods help them to identify the problems and find out
more about the situation before the problems get out of control.The manager’s job is to achieve targeted goals and degree
of success in this regard is directly dependent upon his right decision making capacity at right time.To determine required
information at different stages of management process by adopting suitable techniques of collection and analysis of
information(data).The stages of management processes are as follows;
1)Analysis:In this stage attempts are made to recognize opportunities and problems.
2)Planning:Planning involves development and selection from alternatives as necessary courses of action to achieve an
objective.
3)Execution:Execution is the implementation of analyzed and plannedprogrammes in practice.
4)Control:In this stage performance against plans is measured.
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Ethical concerns in Research

Ethics are norms or standards of behaviour that guide moral choices about our behaviour and relationship with
others.The goal of ethics in research is to ensure that no one is harmed or suffers adverse consequences from research
activities. Ethical issues are considered in terms of participants(respondents), sponsor and researcher and team members
in terms of moral and legal ground.In the way of collecting data from respondents by experiment,interview,observation or
survey, the respondents have many rights to be safeguarded.In general,research must be designed so that a respondent
doesnot suffer physical harm, discomfort, pain, embarrassment or loss of privacy.Ethical issues are likely to occur at all
stages of the research project; when seeking access to information,during data collection,data are processed and analyzed
and when they are reported.The responsibilities of research work are of following types:
i)The researcher has a responsibility to him or herself to conduct research safely and sensibly
ii)There is a responsibility to all respondents to make sure that they understand what they are taking part in and how any
data will be used.
iii)There is a responsibility to any organization involved in research to informed of the nature of research and any relevant
implications,before they give permission for research.
iv)The researcher has a responsibility to his/her employer, educational institutions and to the community of scholars to
conduct the research according to accepted conventions.
Data gathered by using power and influence can be considered as an unethical practice, unethical behaviour of researchers
is a serious problem,such behaviourcan damage the credibility of the research findings and also of the institution
sponsoring the project.
Values of Research for decision making
In the past, business organizations were viewed as economic entities, mainly with economic roles and purposes
and protections, tariffs, quotas and licenses were the vital elements of the economic system so the business environment
was simple, stable and predictable.Latter on due to open market, liberalization and deregulation of the economy forced the
business firms into the domain of freedom and competition.Consumers , environmentalists civil society and social
activists for ethics becomes active.These changing forces in business environment brought about significant changes in
attitudes and styles of operations of business firm .So, today, managers have more variables to consider than ever before.
Business firms today have become more concerned and conscious about the knowledge to understand the
changing dynamics of their business.In the modern business sectors,the management is even more aware of importance of
information and research.Managers today find knowledge of research methods to be of value in many situations.The need
to conduct research either for themselves or for others.The managers at lower levels have to conduct most research
activities by themselves but the higher -level managers, due to time boundary, often assign the job to others.
Some problems of an organization are simpler.They can be studied, observed and analyzed by the manager
himself but in more complex situations, the management can constitute a research team of internal experts to study the
problems.Being insiders, the team would require much less time and resource to understand the functioning and work
systems of organization.In most complex situations, the management may need the assistance of outside research agencies
to identify and solve problems.Some organizations have their own consulting or research departments, which might be
called R & D department.Managers in this unit serve as internal consultants to the organization.
Approaches to Research
There are two different approaches to research, they are quantitativeandqualitative.Positivists believe in
quantitative approach, they seek facts or cause of social phenomena with a little concern for the subjective state of
individuals. Positivists philosophy thus assums that the research methods of natural sciences may be applied to social
sciences as well. This type of research depends on quantitative data which is in a numerical form and which can be
analysed or presented using statistics. On the other hand,interpretivists believe in qualitative approach to research.They
reject the principles of positivism.They believe that positivist approach to research is inappropriate for research in social
sciences.Qualitative philosophy of research thus tries to give people’s perspectives.It does not normally include numerical
measurements, rather uses either of written or spoken words.Exploratory research and case studies are examples of
qualitative research. The most used branches and methodological approaches to qualitative research are;
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a)Ethnography: The purpose of ethnography is to provide a detailed, in depth description of everyday life and
practice.This approach to interpretive research provides a descriptive account of social life and culture in particular social
system based on detailed observation of what people actually do.
b)Phenomenology: Phenomenology is a study of human experience in every life. The phenomenological approach is
based in a paradigm of personal knowledge and subjectivity ,and emphasizes the importance of personal perspective and
interpretation about objects and events.
c)Hermeneutics: It is the study of theory and practice of interpretation of literary and religious texts. In behaviour and
social sciences, sometimes, the interpretation of non-lingual expressions is also involved.
d)Constructivism: This philosophy of research believes that meaning does not exist in its own right; rather it is
constructed by human beings as they interact and engage in interpretation.
e)Subjectivism: Subjectivism holds that knowledge is generated from the mind, without reference to reality. How
researchers see the world can also influence the research process.Since everyone has different mind so they experiences
events differently.Hence, subjectivities take a key role in the research process.
Nature and Types of Business Research:
The purpose of conducting research in management is to identify business problems or issues and to find out
solutions to such problems or issues.Research is also undertaken for many other purposes like model building, strategy
formulation, business process reengineering, and so on.
The purpose of marketing research is to help marketing managers make better decisions.Marketing research is commonly
used to determine which new competitive activities such as ,new products, advertising strategies, channel, and so on are
most threatening. Management research includes the study in wide variety of subjects like strategy formulation,
environmental scanning, organizational structure, staff policies and rules, system of job analysis, employee participation,
and so on. In finance and accountingarea, issues such as operation of banks and financial institutions, portfolio
management, sources and uses of funds, depreciation, budgetary system, inventory costing, transfer pricing etc. are
studied in order to improve the efficiency of finance and accounting functions.Similarly, Operation research seeks the
determination of the optimum course of action of a decision problem under the restriction of limited resources.In view of
the informational needs of managers ,we can identify four broad categories of business research;
a)Policy Research:This approach helps organizations to prepare mission statements which, besides setting broad
organizational targets, also outline the general values and parameters within which the organizations function.They simply
provide an indication for the stakeholders of the general direction in which the company plans itself moving.
b)Managerial Research:Managerial research is related to the specific problem of limited scope for which management
has need of additional information on which to base decision.This type of of research is focused on one particular activity,
scheme or project launched by the management.When analysis of the on-going project indicates that all is not going as
planned, managerial research may be required to explain why something went wrong with the project.
c)Action Research: Action research involves a continuous gathering and analyzing of research data during the normal on-
going operations of an organization.It is designed to identify effective ways of dealing with problems in the real world.It
is thus concerned more with the execution of specific management program.Since it feeds simultaneous results into the
organization,it helps in changing its mood of functioning. The features of action research are;
i)Addresses practical problems ii)Generates new knowledge
iii)Enacts change iv)Is participatory
v)Relies on a cyclical process
d)EvaluationEvaluation:Evaluation research is oriented toward formal and objective measurement of the extent which a
given action, activity or program has achieved its original objective.Evaluation research is broken down into two types;
i)Formative Evaluation:A study which is primarily seeking to gather information during the process of implementation,
with a view to informing the development of the program is called formative evaluation. Its goal is to provide information
that aid the development of particular change intervention programs.Formative evaluation seeks answers to questions
about the process of implementation and how this relates to the achieved outcomes.
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ii)Summative Evaluation:A study which is primarily seeking to gather information on the effectiveness of a program after
it has been implemented is termed as summative evaluation.It is also called outcome or impact evaluation. A summative
evaluation seeks answers to questions about what relationships exist between the goals of the program and its outcomes.
Scientific Thinking
Scientific thinking refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge or
correcting and integrating previous knowledge.This thinking process thus successfully leads to the most reliable answers
to questions and solutions to business problems.
Due to different level of understanding ,our thinking may be biased, distorted, partial, ununiformed, or prejudiced.
Hence we interpret the world reality differently. Biased thinking also affects what we perceive, produce, make or build.
The quality of our activity, therefore, depends very much on the quality of our thought. Excellence of thought, however
must be systematically cultivated.Such thought is a creative and strategic process that involves constantly assessing,
reassessing and making decisions about the best possible means for obtaining trustworthy information, carrying out
appropriate analysis and drawing valid conclusions. So in every research activities we need scientific thinking to get
objective solution to a particular business problem.
Scientific thinking in management research:
Management research can be undertaken basically for two purposes. The first is to generate new knowledge
concerning management issues. The second is to understand and solve business problems and improve managerial
practices. Hence it is also application oriented. Management research in both these cases follows the same rigouras in
scientific research. The scientific application and the scientific way of doing research are thus crucial to managers to
generate credible data and knowledge and to make right decisions. However, depending upon the nature of issues under
investigation, management research also uses qualitative research methodology, which may not meet the criteria of
scientific research.Business researchers even in this case must be aware of the dependable outcomes of their research and
the unbiased answers they provide to business-related problems and issues.

Choodamani Bhattarai
Mahendra Multiple Campus
Dharan,Sunsari