Chapter-III

Research Methodology

Haradhan Kumar Mohajan

Premier University, Chittagong, Bangladesh
Cell: +8801716397232
Email: [email protected]

3.1 Introduction
This chapter presents all the tools and systems used for this dissertation. It discusses the
methodological epistemologies (what are known to be true) and approaches that support
mathematical economics and social choice research. The research is based on: mathematical
modeling of economic analysis in optimizations, social choice and game theory, voting system,
environmental pollution, healthcare, and sustainable economy, NNP, social welfare and
sustainability, GHG emissions, global warming and climate change that effects on modern
economy, and finally green taxes on environment pollution to reduce GHG emissions.
This chapter introduces the research strategy and the empirical methods for the general
approach, and specific techniques to address the objectives for the research. It also presents the
research design and the methods used in the selection of the research participants, and for data
collection. Research methodology indicates the logic of development of the process used to
generate theory that is procedural framework within which the research is conducted (Remenyi
et al. 1998). It provides the principles for organizing, planning, designing, and conducting
research. Methodological decisions are determined by the research paradigm that a researcher is
following. The research paradigm not only guides the selection of data gathering and analysis
methods but also the choice of competing methods of theorizing (Sayer 19
through open-ended questionnaire. The open-ended response questions are most beneficial when
a researcher conducts exploratory research, especially if the range of respondents is not known.
The open-ended questions can be used to learn what words and phrases people spontaneously
give to the free-response questions. The secondary data are collected from the websites, books
and e-books, previous published articles, theses, conference papers, case studies, magazines, and
various research reports.
Here we have tried to discuss in brief, and clarify how evidence in this study was collected
and analyzed, as well as to introduce the research strategy and the empirical techniques applied
in this research. The research strategy adopted was face-to-face interview of the garments
workers. The mathematical and theoretical data are collected and developed to make this
empirical research fruitful.
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the research instruments that we have developed
and utilized in the pursuit of our research goals. This chapter presents an overview of issues
related to the procedures involved in the study which include research approaches, focus of
research, data collection, research design, two criteria for good measurement, ethical reflections,
and conclusion.

3.2 Research Approaches

A research approach is a plan of action that gives direction to conduct research
systematically and efficiently. There are three main research approaches as (Creswell 2009): i)
quantitative (structured) approach, ii) qualitative (unstructured) approach, and iii) mixed methods
research. All researches must involve an explicit, disciplined, and systematic approach to find
out most appropriate results. Our research falls in the third category. Researchers typically select
the quantitative approach to respond to research questions requiring numerical data, the
qualitative approach for research questions need textural data, and the mixed methods approach
for research questions want both numerical and textural data (Williams 2007). The quantitative
method supports the positivist paradigm, whereas the qualitative method also very closely
supports to the naturalistic paradigm. In the past, quantitative research has been considered the
more rigorous of the two, but recently qualitative has gained more credibility in the modern
classic research. Both methods are appropriate for conducting research, and each method can
contribute greatly to the scientific research. Also both have their strengths and weaknesses, and
advantages and disadvantages; so that, ‘neither one is markedly superior to the other in
all
respects’ (Ackroyd and Hughes 1992).
Most of the research involves 4 p’s as: people, problems, programs, and phenomena. In our
research we have tried to include all of these to enrich our work. Our study is consists of both
positivistic and naturalistic paradigms. We have proved propositions and theorems, and provide
mathematical examples to augment the research. In most of the cases of our research we have
used mathematics as a tool of our research approach. Accordingly we have obtained our results
in term of mathematics. We have also analyzed survey data on about 500 female garments
workers of the CCC to develop WTP in the industrial sector of Bangladesh.

3.3 Focus of Research

My research has focused on problems in optimization, social choice, voting system, NNP
and social welfare, reduction of environment pollutions, sustainable development, GHG
emissions, and environment tax. The research strategy has been employed to identify important
problems in the research area, and then find accurate solutions of them. The research is
conducted both in the field to collect primary data to calculate WTP in the industry to provide
medical facilities to the workers to increase productivity, and to collect secondary data to
develop models and obtain mathematical solutions.
The research works of the thesis focused on the followings:
▪ To provide a mathematical basis for economics and social welfare, including the
theoretical arguments for their application in this empirical research.
▪ To find the linkages between mathematics and economics based on sustainable
development and social welfare.
▪ To set up a methodological framework to analyze the works for the sustainable
development of the global economy.
▪ To present the empirical research results of the green accounting, environment pollutions
and behavioral effects of environmental taxes.

Data Collection
Data refer to raw facts without any processing, organizing or analysis, and hence they have
little meaning, and few benefits to the managers and decision-makers. They are un-interpreted
materials on which a decision is to be based, and depend on facts which may include anything
known to be true or exist. They are bits of content in either text or numerical format (sequences
of numbers, letters, pictures, etc.). They are meaningless in themselves. They are indicated by a
set of ‘discrete intention details about events’. They are normally structured, but do not bear any
information to use them in a particular context (Mohajan 2016).
Researchers can identify and use relevant data at the following stages of the data
“life
cycle” as (Osorio 2014): i) study concept, indicating key elements, definitions and concepts, ii)
data collection, including questionnaires and coding instruments, iii) data processing, containing
the data and specifying the content of the information, iv) data archiving, indicating procedures
to guarantee the preservation of data and confidentiality, v) data distribution, indicating the terms
of use and citation, vi) data analysis, providing replication codes and publications, and vii) data
repurposing, indicating the procedures for post hoc harmonization and data transformation.
In the thesis we have used both the primary and secondary data to perform the job properly.
This study focuses the collection and analysis of only two primary data, and some secondary data
that are available from the qualitative and quantitative data collection processes. This thesis
analyzes all the chapters with sufficient theoretical analysis and mathematical calculations to
make it interesting to the readers. The models contain detail mathematical calculations to reflect
the core concepts of the models. The results of the research are presented in some chapters in
types of examples, propositions, and theorems with proof. So that future researchers can also
develop them by identifying if there are lacks of skill in the thesis.

3.4.1 Primary Data Collection

Primary data are collected from the garments workers of the slum areas of the Chittagong
City Corporation (CCC) of Bangladesh. Sample size of the study was 500. Furthermore, the
surveys data are given in the tables reflect the opinions of the garment workers for willing to pay
(WTP) system in the industries of Bangladesh. In this study, interviews have been conducted on
a one-to-one open-ended basis with a single participant, and scientific honesty is maintained for
the validity of the data, that is, manipulation of design and methods were not applied in the

▪ To explore how the environment pollution can be reduced for the welfare of humanity.
▪ To find out the ways how the GHG emissions can be reduce
research. To calculate the results we have used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
17.0. The SPSS is a commercial computer software package that has been used in research since
the early 1960s. For the data analysis of the primary data various statistical techniques such as,
mean, median, standard deviation, etc., have been used depending upon the requirements. In this
survey anonymity and confidentiality were maintained strictly. The anonymity was censured by
not disclosing the participants’ name on the questionnaire and research reports. Confidentiality
means that the information they provide will not be publicly reported in a way which identifies
them. Finally, we can demand that ethical standards, reliability and validity of the data collection
and statistical analysis were followed for the better result.
We have divided the sample into two sub-samples A and B. Sub-sample A, is asked about
their WTP to avoid one or more additional days of symptoms for the next 12 months in the light
of experience obtained in the last 12 months. Sub-sample B, is asked about their WTP to avoid
14 additional days of symptoms for the next 12 months.

3.4.2 Secondary Data Collection

At present, a lot of secondary data are being collected and archived by researchers all over
the world for research that are becoming more widespread (Andrews et al. 2012). Secondary data
are collected by someone else for his primary research purposes which provide basic research
principles. The researchers who have limited time and resources, they can use the secondary data
for their researches.
For the collection of secondary data we have used both published and unpublished data.
Published data are collected from: i) various publications of the federal or local governments
(e.g., census reports, annual reports and financial statements of companies, statistical statement,
reports of government departments), ii) various publications of foreign governments or of
international bodies and their subsidiary organizations (e.g., UNO, IMF, World Bank,
ILO,
WHO, etc.), iii) various research reports are prepared by research scholars, universities,
economists, etc., in different fields, iv) books of various authors, magazines, and newspapers, v)
various sources from university libraries, vi) technical and trade journals, vii) websites, and viii)
public records and statistics, historical documents and other sources of published information.
The unpublished data are collected from many sources. They are found in diaries, letters,
unpublished biographies and autobiographies, and also from scholars and research workers, trade
associations, labor bureaus, and other public/private individuals and organizations.
Secondary data are classified as ‘internal or external’ in terms of its source. Internal
secondary data are information acquired within the organization where research is being carried
out. On the other hand, external secondary data are obtained from outside sources. The two
major advantages of using secondary data in the research are time and cost savings.
We have studied research works of various scholars in details during our research works.
We have tried our best to present every chapter in some detailed mathematical techniques with
some new concepts.
The analysis was undertaken to develop the skill of the techniques of mathematics in
economics and social choice. In addition, this thesis includes two appendices to provide full
satisfaction when one goes through the related topics.
The major advantages of analysis of secondary data are the cost effectiveness and
convenience it provides. When good secondary data are available, researchers can utilize them
for high quality empirical researches. These provide researchers with opportunities to work
effectively to test new ideas, theories, frameworks, and models of research design (Smith 2008).

3.5 Research Design

The research design is the conceptual structure within which the research is conducted; it
constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data. So the research
design can be defined as a master plan for the determined methods, structure, and strategy of a
research to find out alternative tools to solve the problems, and to minimize the variances
(Kothari 2004). Research design ‘deals with a logical problem and not a logistical problem’ (Yin
2003).
It optimizes the validity of data for a given research problem. Research design is the overall
configuration of a piece of research to gather good results from the collected data. We have used
SPSS 17.0 to find our results of the survey data. In our study we have introduced some
propositions, and prove them with mathematical procedures. We also provide sufficient
examples to make the study easier to the readers. We have also displayed diagrams to describe
the theoretical analysis and mathematical procedures efficiently. This mathematical economic
research provides various aspects of economic theories, methods, and analysis to present in a
coherent, logical, reliable, and useful manner. We have divided our research into seven sections
as follows:
5.3.1 Mathematical Techniques in Optimization
Optimization is defined as an act, process, or methodology of finding fully perfect,
functional, or effective as possible the best solution that can be applied to all the quantifiable
problems. The general optimization problem consists of finding minimum cost or maximum
profit of a quantified parameter, objective function, by varying design variables under given
design constraints. Selection of an optimization method for a given problem depends on the
following considerations (Wetter 2000):
▪ structure of the objective function (linear, non-linear, convex, continuous, number of
local minima or maxima, etc.),
▪ availability of analytic first and second order derivatives,
▪ number of design variables, and
▪ design constraints.
In our optimization problem we have used the method of Lagrange multipliers in
multivariable calculus, and have been used to facilitate the determination of necessary conditions
which is considered as a device for transferring a constrained problem to a higher dimensional
unconstrained problem. We have used sufficient conditions for implicit functions by considering
the determinant of Jacobian matrix is negative, and the determinant of the Hessian matrix is
positive. We have also used the above techniques to explain cost minimization of a competitive
firm, output maximization of an agency subject to both linear and nonlinear constraints, and
utility maximization subject to multiple constraints, such as, Cobb-Douglas production function.
We have used twelve comparative statics to predict the situation of production and consumption.
We have introduced three explicit models which satisfy the optimization conditions. In our study
of optimization we have used detail mathematical analysis which satisfies necessary and
sufficient conditions mentioned above
3.5.2 Social Choice and Game Theory
Arrow’s theorem shows that it is impossible for a social welfare function to satisfy
five
conditions namely: i) Completeness and Transitivity, ii) Universality, iii) Pareto Consistency, iv)
Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives (IIA), and v) Non-dictatorship simultaneously (Arrow
1963). By the Arrow’s theorem we have shown in the study that there is a flaw in democratic
vote to reflect the preferences of all the individuals in the society. In this study we have shown
both combinatorial approach and geometrical approach to Arrow’s Theorem with mathematical
analysis, and displaying a geometrical diagram. We have also discussed two simple versions of
Arrow’s Theorem for single-profile case only. To analyze these we have proved some
propositions and theorems.
We have used the ‘Battle of Sexes’ game theoretic model to show how political institutions
can be formed to elect democratic leaders, and how a patriotic leader can serve the country
efficiently. We have tried to show the different aspects of unitary and federal democracies with
their benefits and drawbacks by the use of mathematical techniques.
In a present dangerous perturbed world the main victim is innocent common people. We use
Prisoners’ Dilemma game to describe two rival countries’ strategy for establishing a
peaceful
society in the world. We have shown that the war gives only violence and destruction. For
example, Psychopathic militarists like Hitler become a threat to our civilization only when
ordinary rational people become motivated to support them as leaders.
3.5.3 Research on Voting Procedures
In voting system every voter’s preference ordering, taken collectively, form the input, the
output is usually a single certain winner or a set of winners. Here we have discussed voting
system, and manipulation of voting. We have discussed Condorcet method and Borda voting in
brief. The single transferable vote (STV) is a system of preferential voting designed to minimize
wasted votes. We have analyzed Droop Quota of STV, and tie-breaking in STV in mathematical
model. We have discussed strategies under approval voting (AV) by a series of propositions with
proof and examples. In median voter model we have analyzed along with single-peakedness and
single-crossing properties with the illustrative examples, and displaying diagrams.
Majority
judgment voting and the majority count of Borda and their tie-breaking are discussed with
providing examples and proposition
Environmental Pollution and Healthcare
In our environmental economic model we consider the production of goods and services
where we require labor, manufactured capital, and natural resources; and have stressed on the
performance of environment policy, and sustainable use of natural capital (wetlands,
lakes,
forests, agricultural landscape, and coastal water). We have used mathematical techniques to
obtain our results of the study. We have tried to highlight on environmental accounting and roles
of economics by the sustainable development of wealth; and then have calculated green national
accounts. We have calculated that environment pollution decreases economic development. We
have developed the three terms of equation (8.25) in our own procedure. Healthy persons are the
human asset of a country. We have discussed a mathematical model on the health impacts from
air pollution in Bangladesh. We have also surveyed on about 500 female garments workers of
Bangladesh to establish WTP for the improvement of the labor sector of the country. Finally, we
have suggested the ways to develop the future labor sector of Bangladesh.

3.5 .5 Research on Sustainable Development

Sustainability is a pioneer policy for the governments, international organizations,
and
corporations for the concerns over the climate change, environment degradation, and economic
instability. The NNP is an important item for a country, and it represents the maximized value of
flow of goods and services that are produced by the productive assets of the society. It is
important to investigate whether the concept of NNP can serve as an indicator of sustainability
(Weitzman 1976). We have used the mathematical tools to furnish this portion. Here we have
mathematically shown that the real NNP in sustainable development by the optimal growth in the
society, and growth without optimality. We have tried to show the green NNP for the
sustainability and social welfare by using the mathematical relations on welfare equivalence
income, sustainable income, net social profit, and wealth equivalence income. We have
established following relations with sufficient mathematical calculations: i) between green NNP
and wealth equivalent income, ii) between green NNP and net social profit, iii) between green
NNP and welfare equivalent income, and iv) between green NNP and sustainable income. Then
we have discussed global sustainable development in terms of global green economy, sustainable
economy, showing discrimination in modern economy. Later, we have tried to find present
unsustainable development practices and the recent economy of the world. Finally, we have tried
to discuss in brief the open economy of Bangladesh. We have provided propositions to
understand the effects of NNP for the sustainable social welfare clearly.

3.5.6 GHG Emissions and Reduction Procedures

A major part of the current world energy supply comes from fossil fuels: oil, coal, and
natural gas. As a result, these non-renewable resources are being rapidly depleted. Due to their
increased consumption; driven by economic and population growth in the dominating energy
markets, it is estimated that the only fossil fuel remaining after 2042 will be coal (Raj and Singh
2012). On the other hand, it is also widely accepted that the burning of fossil fuels releases
GHGs which contribute to the global warming, and overall have a negative impact on the
environment (IPCC 2007). The current concentrations of GHG in space have increased since
1750 (Industrial Revolution) due to human activities from a CO2 equivalent of 280 ppm (parts
per million) to 450 ppm, but proposed boundary is 350 ppm (Stern 2007, Mohajan 2015). In this
portion we have used theoretical analysis, and the statistical results of secondary data that are
collected from the various survey data of other scholars. Actually we have not done any
experiment to show the effect of GHG emissions. In our study we have stressed on the GHG
emissions of the USA and China. Because, these two countries are in the leading position in
GHG emissions, together emit about 40% of global CO2 emissions, and about 35% of total
GHGs. We have tried to show the effects of GHG emissions, and the ultimate fate of the living
organisms. We have also shown the reduction policies of global GHG emissions. We have
demanded that recent increase of natural calamities and climate change is due to global warming
that is due to GHG emissions. These over natural calamities already diminished the global
economic development and social welfare, and will also sloth the sustainable economic
improvement. The production of renewable fuel should be increased to reduce GHG emissions
3.5.7 Green Taxes on Environment Pollution
th st
In the last part of the 20 century and in the beginning of the 21 century the area of cities
of the world has expanded, and new cities and towns have grown rapidly. As a result in vehicle-
miles traveled increases. Emissions from vehicles pollute air that worsened human health,
diminishing visibility, and caused global warming (Fullerton and West 2002). Actual vehicle
emissions depend not only on vehicle size and age, but also on qualities of the fuel, maintenance
of the car’s pollution control equipment (PCE), frequency of cold start-ups, temperature of
the
air, speed of the vehicle, and aggressive driving (Fullerton and West 2002).
For regulating GHG emissions, there are two policies; a cap and trade policy, and a carbon
tax policy. Cap and trade is a quantity control policy, and carbon tax is a price control policy.
Price increases through energy or carbon tax would be necessary to limit energy demand, and
increase of GHG emissions (Stern 2007). We have given a brief discussion on these two policies.
In the two mathematical models we have calculated taxes on car and gasoline; one for
homogenous consumers, and the other for heterogeneous consumers. We also show a detail
mathematical analysis on second-best taxes on gasoline and size. Yet Bangladesh has
not
imposed emission taxes on vehicles properly. We have tried to encourage Government of
Bangladesh to develop vehicle tax rates of Bangladesh to reduce environment pollution in the
cities of this country. We have shown optimal environmental taxes due to health effect, and
beneficial sides of environmental tax; and finally, optimal environmental tax to reduce GHG
emissions, and to create a healthy environ in the society.

3.6 Two Criteria for Good Measurement

Measurement is the assigning of numbers to observations in order to quantify phenomena.
There are two criteria for evaluating measurements in research: i) validity, and ii) reliability.
These two criteria are the most important and fundamental characteristics of all researches. A
research becomes good or poor depending, respectively, on the strength or weakness of these two
aspects (Brink 1993). Before and after collecting the data, the researchers need to consider the
validity and reliability of their data to do a good research. In our study we have tried to create
reliable and valid tests and questionnaires in order to enhance the accuracy of their assessment
and evaluations.
When we compare reliability and validity, latter is more essential. If a research is not valid,
it is of course not reliable. But, to enrich our research we will try to show that our study will be
both reliable and valid

Validity in Research
Validity in research is alarmed with the accuracy and truthfulness of scientific findings (Le
Comple and Goetz 1982). It is a very important feature in a measuring instrument. It refers to the
methodological soundness or the appropriateness of the instruments used (Hashim et al. 2007). It
is the ability of a measure to measure what is supposed to measure (Robson 2011). It indicates
that how well the data collection, and data analysis of the research captures the reality being
studied (Mohajan 2017). An important aspect of any research should always be the degree of
validity present in the procedures and conclusions (Graziano and Raulin 2006). According to
Burns (1999) “Validity is an essential criterion for evaluating the quality and acceptability of
research.” According to Bond (2003) research validity is “Foremost on the mind of
those
developing measures and that genuine scientific measurement is foremost in the minds of those
who seek valid outcomes from assessment.”
Campbell and Stanley (1963) have defined two major forms of validity that
encompass the
many types: i) internal validity, and ii) external validity. The both validities are important to the
overall validity of the study. Internal validity refers to whether or not the manipulation of the
independent variable really makes a true reflection or representation of reality on the dependent
variable. In brief, it refers to whether a study can be replicated (Willis 2007). It is the extent to
which factors influencing a true reflection of reality rather than the result of the effects of
extraneous or chance variables, not necessarily related to factors influencing contraceptive non-
utilization. It is mainly concerned with the congruence of the research findings with the reality. It
also deals with the degree to which the researcher observes and measures what is supposed to be
measured. External validity refers to the degree or extent to which representations or reflections
of reality are legitimately applicable across groups. It is concerned with the applicability of the
findings in other settings or with other subjects outside of the sample (Graziano and Raulin
2006).
We not only want to the findings to be due to the intervention, but we would also like to
generalize those findings to a larger population (Wilson 2010). In our research primary data are
collected in random open-ended questionnaires basis, and anonymity and confidentiality are
strictly followed. We have tried to represent the true information for the data collection. Directly
after the interviews we have compiled the data from interviews, and transformed them into
precious information. The validity of the result has been discussed with my supervisors with

Ethical Reflections
Ethic is an important characteristic in any research. In the study ethics are maintained by
keeping the answers acquired strictly confidential. We have taken prior permission from the
respondents before conducting the research, and no false information was given in the research.
In the theoretical analysis we have given proper references in the research. We have maintained
the ethical formalities throughout our research.

3.8 Conclusion
This chapter has provided an outline and description of the research methodology
undertaken in the thesis, and how that is used to draw up the specific research plan for this study.
In this chapter, we have presented the methodology that is used throughout the thesis. In this
chapter we have mentioned the methodology section-wise that is used in our study. We have also
discussed the choices of research methods, and validity and reliability of the thesis.

References
1. Ackroyd, S. and Hughes, J. (1992), Data Collection in Conte