INTRODUCTIO

N TO
RESEARCH
Table of contents
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
01

TYPES OF RESEARCH
02

CRITERIA OF GOOD RESEARCH

03
01
WHAT IS
RESEARCH?
 RESEARCH

is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing

information (data) in order to increase our understanding of
the phenomenon about which we are concerned or
interested.

refers to the scientific and systematic investigation aimed at

generating solution to a certain problem thro!gh planned and
systematic collection analysis interpretation other data and
reporting the findings.
01
OBJECTIVES OF
RESEARCH
 OBJECTIVES OF
RESEARCH

● To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or

to achieve new insights into it. (studies
with this object in view are termed as
exploratory or formulative research
studies.)
 OBJECTIVES OF
RESEARCH

● To portray accurately the characteristics

of a particular individual, situation or a
group (studies with this object in view
are known as descriptive research
studies)
 OBJECTIVES OF
RESEARCH

● To determine the frequency with which

something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (studies
with this object in view are known as
diagnostic research studies)
 OBJECTIVES OF
RESEARCH

● To test a hypothesis of a causal

relationship between variables (such
studies are known as hypothesis testing
research studies).
02
TYPES OF
RESEARCH
Classification by
Depth of Scope
 Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is a preliminary approach to research that
aims to gather information and insights about a topic or problem.

This type of research is often used when a researcher has little or

no prior knowledge about the subject and needs to gain a better
understanding of it.

Exploratory research methods can include literature reviews,

interviews, surveys, and observations. The data collected in
exploratory research is often qualitative and can be used to
generate new ideas or hypotheses for further research.
 Descriptive Research
Descriptive research is a type of research that is used to
describe and analyze a particular phenomenon or group of
phenomena.

This type of research seeks to answer questions about who,

what, where, when, and how. Descriptive research methods
can include surveys, observations, case studies, and
secondary data analysis. The data collected in descriptive
research is often quantitative and is used to provide a
detailed and accurate picture of a phenomenon.
 Explanatory Research
Explanatory research is a type of research that is used to
explain and test causal relationships between variables.
This type of research seeks to answer questions about
why and how a phenomenon occurs.

Explanatory research methods can include experiments,

surveys, and observational studies. The data collected in
explanatory research is often quantitative and is used to
identify cause-and-effect relationships between
variables.
 Correlational research
Correlational research is a type of research that
examines the relationship between two or more variables.
This type of research seeks to answer questions about
how strongly and in what direction two variables are
related.

Correlational research methods can include surveys,

observational studies, and secondary data analysis. The
data collected is often quantitative and is used to identify
patterns and associations between variables.
Classification by
Type of Data
 Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is a type of research that seeks to
understand and interpret human behavior, experiences,
and social phenomena.

This type of research is often used when the research

question requires an in-depth understanding of the
context, meaning, and complexity of a phenomenon.
Qualitative research methods can include interviews,
focus groups, ethnography, and case studies.
 Qualitative Research
The data collected is often non-numerical and is used to
identify themes, patterns, and meanings in the data.

Qualitative research is commonly used in many fields,

including sociology, anthropology, and psychology, and
is particularly useful in exploring new topics, generating
hypotheses, and gaining a deep understanding of a
phenomenon from the perspective of the people
involved.
 Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is a type of research that seeks to
measure and analyze numerical data to test hypotheses,
identify patterns, and make predictions.

This type of research is often used when the research

question requires a precise measurement of a
phenomenon and statistical analysis. Quantitative
research methods can include experiments, surveys, and
secondary data analysis.
 Quantitative Research
The data collected is often numerical and is analyzed using
statistical methods to identify relationships between
variables.

Quantitative research is commonly used in fields like

psychology, economics, and public health, and is particularly
useful in testing hypotheses and making generalizations
about a population based on a sample. This type of research
is essential for providing evidence-based recommendations
and informing policy decisions.
 Mixed Methods

Mixed methods research combines both qualitative

and quantitative data collection methods to gain a
more comprehensive understanding of a particular
phenomenon. This type of research is often
conducted when a single method cannot provide a
complete understanding of the phenomenon.
02
CRITERIA OF A
GOOD RESEARCH
 Research is scientific

because it is logic, systematic, has a

plan for collection data and a theory
that guides it.
 Good research is systematic:
it follows a specific procedure.

Rigorous:
The procedures followed to find answers to
questions should be relevant, appropriate and
justified. but the degree of rigor
accuracy;consistency may vary from one problem
to another problem
 Good research is empirical:

The conclusions drawn should be based on hard

evidence) gathered from real life experiences or
observations or it implies that research is related
basically to one or more aspects of a real situation
and deals with concrete data that provides a basis
for external validity to research results.
 Good research is Verifiable and Duplicatable:
The findings should be valid and can be verified
by you or others at any time

Research is cyclical or helical:

The process of research follows a cycle. It begins
simply and follows logical developmental steps.
 Objectivity

In an ideal situation, a research is beyond the

subjective bias of the researcher. As a researcher,
you have to make deliberate efforts to eliminate all
personal preferences. You should resist the
temptation to seek only such data which support
your hypotheses.