NAME: ANAMIKA RAJENDRAN K

ROLL NUMBER: 2214506203

PROGRAM : BBA SEMESTER: 3RD SEM

COURSE NAME: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

CODE: DBB2103
 1.
Determining what is known, what is unknown, and what we might further develop is, thus, the
goal of study. In this approach, scientists can create novel hypotheses, concepts, and goods that
influence our society and day-to-day activities.
The goal of research is to learn more about the world and how to apply that information to
improve daily living. It is essential to the process of solving problems.
• Exploratory: The initial study done on an issue that isn't yet well defined is called
exploratory research. Therefore, rather than offering a definitive solution to the problem
at hand, the goal of exploration study is to better comprehend the nature of the problem.
This helps us to carry out more comprehensive studies in the future.
• Descriptive: Using a descriptive approach, researchers can better understand a
phenomena or study problem by characterizing it based on its population and features.
The "how" and "what" are the main topics of descriptive study; the "why" is not.
• Explanatory: Sometimes called "casual research," explanatory research aims to
establish causal linkages by analyzing the ways in which variables interact. Because it
focuses on the "why" behind research topics, explanatory research frequently draws
from experimental data.
Steps in research process
A sound and scientific research procedure is used to collect information when conducting
research. Organizations invest a significant amount of money in research and development each
year in order to keep a competitive edge. As such, we provide a general structure that most
studies can readily adopt.
The management dilemma
The drive to learn more is the foundation of any study project. In essence, this is the managerial
conundrum. A corporate manager may hire a researcher to complete the study, or the researcher
may undertake it themselves. There could be an urgent commercial decision that needs a
practical and efficient answer, or the necessity could be strictly academic (basic research)
(applied research).
Defining the research problem
The most important and initial phase in the research process is this one. For instance, a soft
drink producer who had produced and marketed aerated beverages now want to grow his
company. He wants to know if switching to bottled water would be a better course of action or
if he ought to consider beverages made with fruit juice. Therefore, a thorough and in-depth
analysis of the fruit juice and bottled water markets will need to be conducted. Additionally, he
must choose whether to find out if a new drink is well-liked by consumers. The researcher must
therefore have a clear understanding of the information he needs to gather.
Formulating the research hypotheses
To connect the stages of defining the research problem and formulating the hypothesis, we have
included broken lines in the model. The reason for this is that not every research project starts
with a hypothesis; rather, the goal of the study may be to gather comprehensive data that, at its
conclusion, may result in some suggestive hypotheses that will be investigated in further
research. For instance, if one were to look into the eating habits and lifestyle of Pizza Hut
patrons, they might discover that the younger student demographic orders more pizzas. This
could give rise to the theory that younger customers eat more pizza than older ones.
In actuality, the hypothesis consists of presumptions on the anticipated outcomes of the study.
For instance, we may begin with the premise that, among women professionals in the work-
life balance example above, the intention to leave the job increases with the level of work-
family conflict.
Developing the research proposal
The management conundrum must next be transformed into a defined problem and a workable
hypothesis before an investigative strategy can be created.
We refer to this as the research proposal. This stage is positioned before the others because, in
order to address the research issue, you must first clearly define the research problem, the
study's goals and objectives, and the operational strategy for accomplishing them. Once a
proposal is created and approved, the research can start. A proposal is a flexible contract
regarding the suggested technique. The aim, types, and formulation of a research proposal will
be covered in the upcoming unit.
Research design formulation
The researcher has a variety of methods for achieving the given aims, depending on the study
orientation—excavatory, descriptive, or causal. In research, these are referred to as research
designs. The design's primary responsibility is outlining the methodology for addressing the
research problem. While conducting research, you have access to a variety of designs.
Sampling design
Studies including the whole population are not always feasible. As a result, research is
conducted on a small but representative subset of the population. The study's sample is the
name given to this subgroup. There are various methods available for choosing the group on
the basis of particular presumptions. The representativeness of the sample chosen from the
population under investigation would be the most crucial criterion for this selection.
The researcher can choose from two types of sampling designs: nonprobability and probability.
The population under investigation in probability sampling schemes is finite, and the likelihood
of a person being chosen can be computed. However, it is impossible to determine the
likelihood of selection in non-probability designs. The choice of one or the other is based on
the type of research, the level of precision needed (more accurate results are shown by
probability sampling techniques), and the time and money allocated to the project. Choosing
the ideal sample size to get data that may be regarded as representative of the population under
study is another crucial choice the researcher must make.
Planning and collecting data for research
We have scheduled study planning and data collection to happen concurrently with the
sampling plan. The rationale for this is that the data collecting plan facilitates the acquisition
of information from the targeted population, while the sampling plan aids in identifying the
study group. There are two categories into which the data collection techniques can be divided:
primary and secondary. Primary data are unique and first-hand records for the issue being
studied. The researcher can use a variety of primary data collection techniques, including focus
groups, questionnaires, telephone interviews, in-person interviews, and postal surveys.
Information gathered and collated before for a different issue or goal is referred to as secondary
data. Examples of sources on the subject of interest include government statistics, expert
opinion surveys, firm records, magazine articles, sales records, consumer feedback, and prior
study. To guarantee the legitimacy and dependability of the data gathered, this stage of the
research process necessitates thorough quality assessments.
Data refining and preparation for analysis
To address the study question(s) and evaluate any developed hypotheses, the data must be
cleaned, analyzed, and stored. The data must be edited at this point to remove any omissions
and anomalies. Following that, it is coded and tabulated so that statistical testing can be
performed on it. Information must be postcoded, that is, after the data has been gathered, when
the data is subjective and qualitative.
Data analysis and interpretation of findings
The analytical tools needed to test the information gathered must be chosen at this stage.
Frequency analysis, percentages, arithmetic mean, t-test, and chi-square analysis are among the
statistical methods at the researcher's disposal. In the later units, these will be explained.
The most crucial job of the researcher is to clearly state the consequences of the study and link
the findings with the research objectives after the data has been analyzed and summarized.
The research report and implications for the manager’s dilemma
From the conception of the problem to its interpretation, the writing of the report represents the
last stage of the research process. Aiming to address the question, "What are the implications
for the corporate world?" is the goal of business research, as we mentioned previously. Because
of this, the researcher's proficiency in analysis, interpretation, and recommendation is crucial
in this stage. The entire process, from problem conceptualization to methodology to study
findings and conclusions, must be fully detailed in this report. Depending on whether the report
is intended for an academic or business audience, it may have a distinct purpose.
2.
This is the working section of the proposal since it has to explain the methodical and logical
strategy that will be used to accomplish the stated goals. The population to be investigated, the
sampling strategy and procedure, the sample size, and the selection would all fall under this
category. It also includes information about the study's information domains and likely data
sources, or data gathering techniques. If the procedure calls for the creation of an instrument,
this is where the planned methodology must be described. Be advised that this is not a
straightforward description of the sample and data collection strategy; rather, it calls for a
convincing argument supporting the choice of these procedures over other research-supporting
options.
Types
Exploratory Research Designs
As previously said, the most basic and loosely structured designs are exploratory designs. As
the name implies, the primary goal of the research is to investigate and gain understanding of
the problematic issue. It has a flexible approach and primarily uses a qualitative inquiry. There
may not always be a strict representative sample size, and there may just be a few unstructured
interviews with subject matter experts. The study's primary objective is to:
• Identify and comprehend the research question that has to be answered.
• Investigate and assess the various, varied research options.
• Support the creation and articulation of the research hypothesis.
• Describe the variables and research constructs.
• Determine what kind of relationships there might be between the variables being studied.
• Examine the outside elements and circumstances that could affect the study.
An exploratory investigation of the new distribution channels that marketers are using to
market and sell goods and services, for instance, can be the decision of a university lecturer.
Since the main goal is to understand how to teach this to marketing students, an organized and
defined technique might not be necessary to accomplish this. In exploratory research, the
investigator may employ many methodologies and strategies, such as secondary data sources,
unstructured or structured observations, expert interviews, and focus group discussions with
the relevant responder group. In light of their application in exploratory research, we shall
briefly address them here.
Secondary Resource Analysis
As the name implies, secondary sources of data provide information about the specifics of
earlier research findings that have been verified and published as facts and figures. It is an
efficient and low-cost method of gathering data. Occasionally, historical information can help
a researcher realize that his planned study is unnecessary or has already been done before.
Second, the researcher may discover that a minor but important component of the idea has not
been examined and needs further inquiry. For instance, a marketer may have researched in-
depth the possibilities of various communication channels for advertising a "home maintenance
service" in Greater Mumbai. Nevertheless, none of the mixes he tested had any effect.
Following up on the findings, an anthropologist research associate proposed that more research
be done on the possibility of WOM (word of mouth) in a close-knit, mostly Parsi colony, where
it might be the most successful culture-dependent strategy. As a result, these revelations could
offer suggestions for future experimental and definitive study.
The assembled and easily accessible databases covering the whole sector, company, or building
are another important secondary resource. They may be offered for free on public domains, or
they may require payment and a controlled acquisition process. Both official and unofficial
publications are included in this list. The researcher may choose to employ them in light of
available resources and the necessary degree of precision.
Case study method
The case study method is an additional approach to carrying out exploratory research. This is
concentrated on a single analytical unit and necessitates a comprehensive investigation. An
organization or a comprehensive country analysis could be this unit, as well as a worker or a
client. By definition, they are post-hoc studies that document incidents that may have happened
sooner.
Based on primary interviews and discussions with individuals involved in the incident, the
scene is recreated using secondary data. Because the data typically becomes a judgmental
interpretation rather than a straightforward account of occurrences, there may be some bias
involved.
For instance, BCA Corporation is considering the benefits of both a 360° and traditional
appraisal system in light of its desire to introduce a performance appraisal system inside the
company. The HR director reads literature about the two strategies to have a historical
understanding of them. To have a deeper comprehension, he ought to do a comprehensive case
study of Surakhsha International, which employs 360° appraisal systems, and Allied
Association, which used conventional appraisal formats. Therefore, the results of the two
exploratory research kinds conducted were adequate to determine what would be ideal for the
organization.
Expert opinion survey
There may occasionally be a circumstance where the research topic is so new that no prior data
is accessible. In these situations, consulting with experts is advised as they may offer insightful
advice based on their knowledge of the subject or the notion. The method of gathering
information from important and knowledgeable individuals is known as an expert opinion
survey. This approach can be fluid and unstructured, necessitating an in-depth expert interview,
or it can be formal and structured, beneficial when validated or supported by secondary or
primary research.
For instance, Since there are no such structured data sources, secondary data cannot be used to
assess the viability of marketing organic food items in the Indian domestic market. The
following people can be contacted in this situation:
• Experts like doctors and dieticians will be able to advise consumers on whether or not to
choose organic food items as a healthier option.
• Creative chefs who want to see how they can give their customers more value.
• Stores that prefer to carry new, modern merchandise.
These could be helpful in determining whether the suggested approach is viable. Talking with
informed individuals can provide some insight on the types of people who could be regarded
as potential customers. Second, it is important to consider which proposition—healthy or
lifestyle—would better meet the demands of the intended audience. As a result, this approach
may influence the path of the research project.
Focus group discussions
Talking with people connected to the issue being studied is another method of doing an
exploratory analysis. Despite coming from sociology originally, business research actively uses
this technique. A focus group usually consists of a carefully chosen subset of participants who
are representative of the larger population of respondents being studied. The reason it's called
a focus group is that the chosen participants talk on the subject for ninety minutes, and
occasionally even two hours. The group typically consists of six to ten people. The reason for
the stated number is because fewer than six would not be able to bring a diversity of viewpoints
to the table and might lead to a conversation that is exclusively focused on one side of the issue.
However, having more than ten could make for an awkward and confusing conversation rather
than a productive one. Usually, a qualified observer known as the moderator leads these
conversations in impartial environments. Typically, the moderator stays out of the conversation.
His main goal is to moderate a conversation that is largely unstructured and casual. He starts
the process and guides it to focus only on the information that is needed. Occasionally, multiple
observers record the discussion's verbal and nonverbal exchanges. It takes a great deal of
ability, behavioral awareness, and group dynamics management to lead and record the
conversation. The focus group talks in the study on organic food products were conducted with
regular grocery store shoppers. The aim of the study was to determine the degree of knowledge
regarding health risks, environmental issues, and organic food items. Focus groups of this type
were conducted in four major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The results
showed that while health was a concern for the new generation of consumers, their knowledge
of organic products ranged from very low to nonexistent. One of the writers conducted this
survey for a Delhi-based non-governmental organization in the years 2004–05.
3.
Sampling design is the process of choosing representative samples from a population. Two
categories of sampling designs exist: non-probability sampling design and probability sampling
design. Inconclusive research use probability sampling designs. Every component of the
population in a probability sampling strategy has a known likelihood of being included in the
sample. Equal chance is not the same as known chance. Every member of the population has
an equal and known chance of being chosen for the sample in simple random sampling, which
is a specific instance of probability sampling design. The components of the population do not
have a known chance of being included in the sample when using a non-probability sampling
design. Research that is exploratory in nature uses these sampling designs.
Probability Sampling Design
This would encompass the following sample designs: stratified random sampling, systematic
sampling, simple random sampling with replacement (SRSWR), and simple random sampling
without replacement (SRSWOR).
Simple random sampling with replacement (SRSWR)
A list of every member of the population from which samples are to be taken is generated in
accordance with this plan. We write the identification number or the names of each of the 1,000
items on 1,000 separate slips if the population consists of 1,000 components. These are
appropriately shuffled and placed in a box. Picking a slip from the box and reading the
identification number is the basic random sampling technique if 20 elements need to be chosen
from the population. After that, the selected slip is returned to the box, and another slip is taken
out and its identification number is read. This procedure is repeated until a sample of twenty is
chosen. Note that there is a 1/1,000 chance that the initial element will be selected. The
probability of selecting the second element and all subsequent items of the population is the
same.
Simple random sampling without replacement (SRSWOR)
The process is the same as it was described for simple random sampling with replacement when
dealing with a simple random sample without replacement. Here, the selected slip is not put
back in the box—that is the sole distinction. Hence, until we choose the necessary number of
elements (in this case, 20) in our sample, the first unit would be selected with a probability of
1/1,000, the second unit with a chance of 1/999, the third unit with a probability of 1/998, and
so on. Consumer research does not employ simple random sample, either with or without
replacement.
This is a result of the often relatively large population size in consumer research, which makes
sample frame preparation difficult. For instance, there are a lot of people who buy chocolate,
pizza, shampoo, detergent, soft drinks, and so on. The SRSWR and SRSWOR designs,
however, may prove helpful in situations when the population is relatively tiny, such as in the
case of India's steel and aluminum production businesses and banking sector. There are no
issues with creating a sampling frame because the population is quite small.
We might not obtain a representative sample by employing such a strategy, which is another
issue with these (SRSWR and SRSWOR) designs. Let us examine an example where there are
10,000 households in the locality, of which 5,000 are low-income, 3,500 are middle-income,
and 1,500 are high-income. Assume that a decision is made to employ simple random sampling
to select a sample of 100 households. It's possible that only low-income households were
chosen from the sample, making it nonrepresentative as not a single home from the high- or
middle-class category may have been included.
Systematic sampling
Simple random sampling has the drawback that the sample might not be representative.
Systematic sampling addresses this issue. Every member of the population is positioned in a
specific order in this design. Calendar dates or population components grouped in an ascending
or descending order of magnitude that may be taken to be random could be the order. One
alternative is to employ a list of subjects, which are typically thought to be in random order
and are sorted alphabetically. After that, the following are the stages that are taken in the
systematic sampling design:
• To begin with, a sampling interval is determined by computing K = N/n, where N represents
the population size and n represents the sample size.
It is evident that an integer should represent the sample interval K. If not, it is converted to an
integer by rounding off.
• A random number between 1 and K is chosen. We'll refer to it as C.
• From the ordered population, element C would be chosen first, followed by elements C + K
and C + 2K, and so on, until a sample of size n is chosen.
We can gain representation from every class in the population in this way, getting around the
drawbacks of basic random sampling. Consider the following scenario: a small town with 1,000
grocery stores. With the first shop having the lowest sales and the last having the most, these
stores might be ranked according to their sales. Our sampling interval K will be equal to 1000
÷ 50 = 20 if it is selected to sample 50 shops. We now choose a number at random between 1
and 20. Let's say that 10 is the selected number. Accordingly, the first shop to be chosen will
be number 10, followed by 10 + 20 = 30, 10 + (2 × 20) = 50, and so on until all 50 shops are
chosen. By including small, medium, and large stores, we may obtain a representative sample
in this way.One should take note of the fact that in a systematic sampling, the initial sample
unit is picked at random (probability sampling design), and once this is done, we have no
influence over the sample's subsequent units (non-probability sampling). This is the reason this
design is occasionally referred to as mixed sampling.
A systematic sampling design's primary benefit is its ease of use. It is simple to select a random
start when sampling from a list of populations that are ordered in a specific order, as previously
explained. Rather than selecting each item at random, K items might be chosen after a random
start has been determined.
Stratified random sampling
The entire population (universe) is split up into mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive
strata (groups) with this sampling design. When an element is said to be mutually exclusive, it
means that it cannot be a part of any other stratum if it is a part of one. Whenever the
components of several strata when combined entirely encompass every aspect of the
population, then that stratum is said to be collectively exhaustive. A straightforward random
sampling is used to choose the items individually from each category.
Instead of utilizing ordinary random sample, stratified random sampling is preferred for two
reasons. Firstly, information regarding the components of a universe is a topic that frequently
interests scholars. The typical monthly sales of cell phones at "large," "medium," and "small"
stores, for instance, would be of interest to the researcher. Separate sample from each strata
within the given situation would be necessary. Compared to simple random sampling, stratified
random sampling is more efficient, which is the second justification for its use. This is so
because the constituents of each stratum are homogeneous to one another, increasing the
representativeness of the sampling when the population is divided into multiple strata.
Non-probability sampling designs
The following designs would be taken into consideration under the non-probability sampling:
snowball, purposive, and convenient sampling.
Convenience sampling
Information may be gathered fast and affordably with convenience sampling. In this system,
the convenience of the investigator or researcher is the only factor used to choose sampling
units. The convenience samples that are employed are typically made up of coworkers, friends,
family, neighbors, and "passers-by." This sampling strategy is frequently applied during a
research study's pre-testing phase, such as when a questionnaire is being pre-tested.
Convenience sampling examples include the following:
• Interviews for a TV program about political opinions were conducted with people in a
shopping center.
• Tracking the amount of prices at a grocery store to determine patterns in the economy's
inflation.
• Asking individuals to provide their time to test goods.
• Experimenting on pupils or staff members of a company
The sampling unit may be chosen at random or due to convenience of availability in any of the
aforementioned scenarios. Not a single attempt is made to choose a representative sample.
Consequently, it is unknown how much and in which direction the difference between the
sample value (statistic) and the population value (parameters) of interest differs in this design.
Because of this, it is impossible to assess the sampling error, and researchers are unable to draw
firm conclusions about the data from a sample of this size. For this reason, in inconclusive
research (descriptive and causal research), convenience sampling must not to be employed.
Exploratory research frequently use convenience sampling. This is so that conclusive research
may assist test a set of hypotheses that were generated during the exploratory phase of the
study, which aims to provide insight into the problem. Small-scale convenience sampling may
be helpful in exploratory research to better understand the range of response variability in a
subject area when very little is known about the issue.
Judgmental sampling
Under judgmental sampling, specialists in a given field select the sample that best fits the study
at hand. Finding and gaining access to the people who possess the necessary data is a special
task that must be done for the judgment sampling. An expert's judgment is employed in this
case to determine a representative sample. One way to portray the people living in a city would
be the shoppers at a shopping center, or various cities might be chosen to symbolize a nation.
When just a small number or category of people have the necessary information, judgmental
sampling design is utilized.
This method uses a sample of experts (respondents) that are typically easily accessible to us,
which may limit the generalizability of the findings if it does not actually generate satisfying
results. Furthermore, it is impossible to assess the accuracy of the findings objectively. If a
business wants to introduce a new product, judgmental sampling can be used to choose
"experts" with past experience or knowledge of related products. To gather insightful
information, a focus group of these specialists might be held. Opinion leaders with knowledge
are part of the corporate context. Knowledge and well-informed opinions make up a valuable
data source. Finding and getting access to those who have the necessary information requires
a very particular effort.
Quota sampling
When using quota sampling, the sample must have a minimum number of members from each
designated population subgroup. A number of demographic factors, including age, gender,
occupation, income, and education, are taken into consideration while choosing the sample.
Selecting a sample that meets these requirements is the investigator's task. Quotas of the sample
to be chosen that meet these criteria are allocated to field workers.
Snowball sampling
When it is challenging to identify the members of the desired population—such as deep-sea
divers, triplet families, walkers, doctors who specialize in a certain condition, etc.—snowball
sampling is typically used. Following an interview, each respondent is asked to name one or
more in the field under this design. This might produce a highly valuable sample. Establishing
the first contact is the primary challenge. After this is completed, these cases indicate further
population members, who in turn identify additional members, and so on. It could be
challenging to obtain a representative sample. This could be explained, among other things, by
the first respondents finding potential respondents who are similar to them.
4.
One must be completely aware of the resources available for the study and the level of accuracy
required in order to comprehend the variety of options available to a researcher for gathering
study-specific data. Examining the range of approaches at the researcher's disposal is necessary
to understand the veracity of this assertion.
As the name implies, primary data is unique, problem- or project-specific, and gathered for the
objectives that must be clearly stated by the researcher. There is a fair amount of accuracy and
relevancy. A researcher may not always have the time or resources to follow through with this
strategy because it requires a significant investment of both money and effort. In this scenario,
the researcher can consider less expensive and more trustworthy data sources that will still
allow the study to proceed. Among these is the second group of data sources, or secondary data.
Information that has been gathered and produced by another researcher or investigative
organization, but is neither topical or research-specific, is referred to as secondary data.
Because this kind of data is collected and released in an organized manner, it is easier to handle
and retrieve. Second, it's usually not too expensive to gather, unless it's a data product. The
necessary data can be easily obtained as a data product, which allows the company or researcher
to use it to make decisions quickly. Decision-makers can obtain secondary data more swiftly
and affordably than they could with the original research-centric data in a short amount of time.
A very adaptable and dynamic technique for gathering primary data from a representative
sample of respondents is focus group discussion (FGD). A moderator typically leads the
conversation on the subject being studied during the process. A group of carefully chosen
respondents has been convened in an impartial location and specially invited. The conversation
is started by the moderator and is then continued by the group through targeted and engaged
debate.
Key elements of a focus group
Size: It is suggested that a group discussion have between 8 and 12 participants. Less than eight
participants wouldn't produce the necessary group dynamics and a range of viewpoints on the
subject for a productive session. Obtaining significant insights would be challenging if there
were more than twelve.
Nature: It is imperative to include individuals with similar backgrounds in terms of
demographic and psychological features to avoid disagreements arising from causes other than
the one being studied. The respondents' similarity in terms of knowledge about the topic,
policies, and products, as well as their familiarity with the product being studied, is the other
prerequisite. Additionally, the focus group discussion's conduct needs to guarantee that the
following requirements are met:
A group discussion has been shown to be disrupted and less likely to flow freely when
participants are acquainted with one another. It is advised that the subjects in the group be
strangers rather than acquaintances.
Ambience: The environment in which the conversation takes place should be as impartial,
relaxed, and cozy as feasible. If one-way mirrors or cameras are installed, it is necessary to
make sure that these devices are not in direct view.
Time period: Unless a "before" and "after" design is used, the discussion should take place in
a single setting. This is because group perceptions are needed both before the study variable is
introduced and afterwards to measure the group's responses. An hour and a half is the maximum
amount of time that conduction should take. The moderator and the group participants typically
have a brief rapport-building conversation before this.
The recording: Although human recording may occasionally be included, machine recording
predominates here.
The person in charge of overseeing the conversation is the moderator. His involvement in the
group discussion may be limited to non-participation. He needs to listen well and conduct the
conversations impartially.
Steps in planning and conducting focus groups
• Clearly state and outline the study's research objectives, which call for discussion among the
group.
• The entire process needs to be laid out in a detailed moderator's organized framework.
• The real focus group conversation then takes place.
• The focus summary of the results is presented in a narrative format and grouped under several
headings as specified in the focus group objectives. Expressions such as "there was a
considerable disagreement on this issue" or "the majority of the participants were of the view"
may fall under this category.
Focus group types
There are various group discussion techniques that the researcher might employ.
They are as follows:
Bidirectional focus group: Here, one set of responders sits and listens to the other, and then,
having gained insight from them or a better grasp of the needs of the group, they have a debate
among themselves. In a management school, for instance, the faculty group could pay attention
to the needs and viewpoints of the student body.
Dual-moderator group: This type of group has two moderators, one of whom is in charge of
overseeing the debate openly and the other of controlling the "group mind" to optimize group
performance.
Fencing-moderator group: In the brief time allotted, the two moderators exhaustively study all
potential viewpoints because they have opposing views on the subject at hand.
friendship associations: In certain circumstances, members must be quite comfortable in order
to extract insightful answers. This is particularly true if members of a peer support group are
open to sharing information about relevant organizations, individuals, or problems.
Mini-groups: These are typically expert groups or committees that have a smaller size (four to
six members) and are able to make a significant contribution to the subject matter due to their
makeup.
Creative group: These might use the workshop mode and typically go longer than 1.5 hours.
After giving instructions to the full group, they brainstorm in smaller groups. They then get
back together to discuss the viewpoint of their subgroup. This could possibly take place over
one or two days.
The brand-obsessive group comprises distinct respondent sub-strata who have a strong
emotional attachment to a certain brand or product category, such as vehicles. Their selection
is based on their ability to offer significant insights that can be effectively integrated into the
marketing plan of the business.
Focus groups conducted online have become a popular addition to the methodology in recent
times. Here, participants arrive at the appointed time in an online chat room and log in with
their ID and password. Real-time conversation between the moderator and the attendees
5.
When creating the questionnaire, a few requirements need to be kept in mind. The primary
prerequisite is to translate the stated research objectives into precise questions that will elicit
responses from the respondent. Finding out, for instance, how many times you were
commended by your teacher in a given week is not as simple as it seems. It is exceedingly
challenging to pinpoint a precise figure. It must be made with the respondent's engagement and
purpose in mind, which is the second prerequisite. For instance, a stress measurement
questionnaire shouldn't include an excessive number of questions that might tire the
respondent. As a result, the inquiries have to be simple to comprehend and promote response.
Finally, questions that are clear and self-explanatory will elicit responses that reflect the
respondent's understanding of the question rather than a strict adherence to the prompt. We'll
talk more about this later on when we talk about how the questions are worded.
The researcher has access to a wide variety of questionnaire types. Numerous factors can be
used to determine the category. The degree of structure and the degree of concealment are the
two factors that are most commonly used when designing. The degree of response category
definition is referred to as structure. The term "concealed" describes how much the respondent
is informed about the goal of the study.
The most commonly utilized questionnaire among management scholars is the one that is both
formalized and accessible. For instance, the questions and responses might be formatted like
this if a brand-new brokerage business wanted to know how consumers behaved when making
investments:
1. Do you carry out any investment(s)? Yes___________ No___________ If yes, continue, or
else terminate.
2. Out of the following options, where do you invest? (tick all that apply). Precious
metals____________, real estate____________, stocks___________, government
instruments__________ , mutual funds___________, any other__________.
This kind of structured questionnaire is easy to administer and has both the questions
selfexplanatory and the answer categories clearly defined
Formalized and hidden questionnaires: These use a formal approach to inquiry, but the
responder is not made aware of the aim of the questionnaire. These are used in research
investigations that are unable to rely solely on direct questions in their attempt to uncover the
latent causes of behavior. For instance, it is not appropriate to directly question young
individuals about their likelihood of engaging in workplace corruption. As a result, it is
necessary to ask the respondent a series of questions that can reveal his core values, beliefs,
and opinions because these will shape his response to situations.
Unconcealed and non-formalized: According to several academics, it is preferable to provide
respondents with unstructured questions that allow them to freely express themselves, as
opposed to pre-planned response categories. The questions below are a few instances of this
type of inquiry.
1. Why do you think Maggi noodles are liked by young children?
2.How do you generally decide on where you are going to invest your money?
________________________________________________________________________
______________________
3.Give THREE reasons why you believe that the show Satyamev Jayate has affected the
common Indian person?
Non-formalized and hidden: The researcher uses low-structure questions with a covert goal if
the goal of the study is to unearth deep and unconscious motivations as well as socially
unacceptable wants. But these need a very special kind of interpretation. They also require a
lot more time, money, and effort than others.
The manner in which a questionnaire is administered might also be a useful classification
scheme. Therefore, a face-to-face interaction would be required to complete the supplied
questionnaire. In this instance, the interviewer reads aloud each question and records the
response from the subject.
A schedule is used for this administration. It may contain a combination of the questionnaire
types mentioned in the previous section, including both structured and unstructured questions.
The other type of questionnaire is self-administered, in which the participant independently
reads all of the guidelines and questions and records any remarks or answers. Because of this,
all of the directions and questions must be clear and self-explanatory.
Population characteristics: Since the respondent cannot properly answer the questionnaire, one
must typically employ the schedule if the population is illiterate or incapable of writing the
answers.
Population spread: A questionnaire must be used if the sample to be researched is big and
dispersed. The self-administered questionnaire is preferable when there are fewer resources for
the study since scheduling becomes more costly.
Study area: It is advised to use a self-administered questionnaire when researching a sensitive
subject, such as workplace harassment. If further investigation is necessary into the subject
topic, a schedule might be more beneficial.
Subsequent sections of the unit will address another classification that is predicated on the
mode of administration.
6.
Hypothesis Testing
A hypothesis is typically regarded as the main tool used in research. Checking if the data
gathered supports specific claims or predictions is the primary objective of many research
investigations.
A statistical hypothesis refers to a claim or supposition regarding one or more populations.
The process of determining the relevance of population parameters based on a sample taken
from the population is known as a test of hypothesis. As a result, "Test of Significance" is
another name for it.
To put it succinctly, hypothesis testing allows us to state population parameter probability.
Although the idea may not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, if it has withstood severe
testing, it is generally accepted.
• A specific and unambiguous hypothesis is required.
• The hypothesis ought to be testable.
The hypothesis should specify how the variables relate to one another.
• The hypothesis needs to be specific and have a narrow scope.
• The hypothesis should be expressed in the simplest language possible to ensure that everyone
can grasp it.
• The hypothesis ought to be testable in a reasonable amount of time.
• The hypothesis needs to justify the empirical reference.
Types of Hypothesis:
1. Research Hypothesis: A research hypothesis is an approximate fix for the issue under
study. The hypothesis is what pushes the researcher to carry out their next plan of action.
In research, the investigator ascertains whether their hypothesis can be validated by
means of scientific inquiry.
2. Research Hypothesis: A research hypothesis is an approximate fix for the issue under
study. The hypothesis is what pushes the researcher to carry out their next plan of action.
In research, the investigator ascertains whether their hypothesis can be validated by
means of scientific inquiry.
the report development and presentation procedure. The title page, acknowledgements,
executive summary, letter of authorization, and table of contents are all included in the
preparatory section, as is evident. The problem statement, introduction, study background,
study scope and objectives, and, depending on the aim, a review of the literature are all included
in the background part. The methodology section follows, and as said previously, it is unique
to the technical report. The section on findings comes next, and finally, conclusions. There
would be a thorough bibliography at the conclusion of the technical report.
The management report's sequencing may be changed to better meet the demands of the
decision-maker because the reader must evaluate and take in the information. Therefore, the
study objectives would come first, followed by the final part on the interpretation of the data,
and the appendix may contain a brief summary on the methodology.
Initial Section
The identification of information for the study that was done is the primary focus of this section.
It consists of the following specific components:
Page title: As seen in the following samples, the title should be clear and representative of the
project's characteristics.
A comparison of the work-life balance of school teachers and BPO employees
An examination of the National Capital Region's (NCR) luxury apartment market segmentation
The letter of transmittal is the document that provides a general overview of the study's
objectives.
This note's somewhat casual tone reflects the rapport between the researcher and the
client/reader. Exhibit 1 contains an example of a transmittal letter. The letter mentions three
points in passing. The study's duration and aims are indicated; after that, a general description
of the methodology used and the consequences of the results are given. The conclusions
typically show what the researcher learned from the investigation.
Authorization letter: The business manager who formally approves the project's execution is
the one who wrote this letter. Unlike the text shown before, this letter has a highly official and
exact tone.
Contents table: Every report ought to include a section outlining how the report is divided into
the formal sections of the study as specified by the research framework. The study's main
sections should be included, together with the page numbers that correspond to each one. After
listing the report's main sections, the list of tables, figures and graphs, exhibits (if any), and
appendices are listed in order of precedence.
Executive summary: A succinct and clear presentation of the complete report is required,
covering everything from the goals and scope of the investigation to the methods used and the
outcomes attained. In essence, the executive summary is composed of four or five pieces. It
starts with the study's background, goals, and scope. Then, it discusses how the study will be
carried out, including the sample information and methods. Proceed to the results and
conclusions that were reached next. The conclusions are covered in the fourth section, and
recommendations and proposals are included in the final portion.
Note of Acknowledgment: This is a brief note thanking the corporates, specialists, and
respondents for their contributions in carrying out the study.
Principal Report
The report's most important and rigorously scholarly section is this one.
Problem description: The formal definition of the research problem is given at the beginning
of this section.
Background to the study: The study background basically starts with the difficulty faced by the
decisionmaker and then describes the theoretical and current market facts that served as the
research's foundation.
A separate section dedicated to the review of related literature, should the study be academic
in nature, provides a full summary of work done on the same or similar topic of interest.
Study goals and range: Subsequently, the logical arguments culminate in specific declarations
pertaining to the study's objective. The developed hypotheses are also included here in the
event that the study is causative.
The research methodology: The section would basically consist of five or six sections that
would go into detail about how the research was carried out. These would basically consist of:
• Research framework or design: The concepts and variables under investigation are well-
defined, and there is a clear mention of the relationship under investigation. This is also where
the rationale for selecting a specific design must be provided.
• sample design: This section contains the whole sample plan for the population under research
as well as the rationale behind gathering study-related data from the designated group.
• Data collection techniques: Based on the previously mentioned study objectives, the
researcher should enumerate the data in this section. Here, the primary instrument created for
the particular study as well as the secondary data sources taken into account are addressed. The
measuring instrument's final draft, however, can be found in the appendix.
• Data analysis: Here, basic, non-technical explanations of the analysis's presumptions and
limitations are required.
• Research findings and outcomes: This report's most important chapter needs to be read
carefully because it's possibly one of the longest as well.
Results Interpretations and Recommended Course of Action
The results and recommendations are interpreted in this section, which follows the main report.
It gives a condensed, numerical presentation of the data.
Occasionally, the research findings might not align with the findings of previous studies. This
is where the researcher's ability to defend the chosen course of action depends on his or her
unique viewpoint and level of subject-matter competence. Developing suggestive
recommendations for the decision-makers may occasionally be a necessity of the study after
the results have been interpreted. Therefore, recommendations should be feasible, reasonable,
and thematically relevant to the industry under study if they are included in the report.
Study limitations
This section concludes with a brief review of the issues that arose during the study and the
limitations imposed by time, money, and human resources.
Conclusions
All of the study's supporting documentation is included in the report's concluding section. The
following are a few of the frequent details included in this section:
Addenda: The report's appendix part, which comes after the main body, primarily contains two
types of data:
1. Supplementary material, such as lengthy articles, lengthy tables, legal or policy documents,
or in the event that the study refers to, uses, or is based on some technical information that the
reader must comprehend.
2. Primary data suitable for condensing and presenting in the report's main body. This includes
lengthy tables, graphs, discussion guides, the study's formula, sample information, original
data, and the original questionnaire. All of these can be stated in the text.
The bibliography, which is a crucial component of the last section, contains a comprehensive
list of all the references and articles that have been cited in a uniform manner. When drafting
this part, it is advised to adhere to the Harvard citation style or the published guides of the
American Psychological Association (APA). The bibliography's reporting material may also
include the following:
• Selected bibliography: Depending on reader requirement and relevance, just a few sources
are listed. As a result, publications that are too technical or obscure to comprehend the study's
findings are not disclosed.
• Comprehensive bibliography: Everything that has been mentioned is included here, even if it
isn't cited in the text.
• Annotated bibliography: Full information on the referenced work is provided, together with
a brief description of the type of information that was sought for from the piece.
• Footnote: Typical footnotes are found at the bottom of pages or at the conclusion of the main
text and are, as their name suggests, a part of the main report. This could be an explication of
a specific idea mentioned in the text, or it could be a reference to a source that the author has
mentioned.
Both a bibliography and a footnote follow different referencing guidelines. The person's initial
name should appear first in a footnote, followed by their surname. However, the bibliography
presents the items in a different sequence.
Glossary of terminology: If certain phrases or technical jargon are used in the report, the
researcher may want to provide a glossary in the form of a list of words that are used in the
study. This part typically comes last in the report.