Research Methodology

3
“I keep six honest serving men, (they
taught me all I knew), their names are
--Rudyard Kipling
what, and why, and when, and how,
and where and who.”

What is research?
 Research means finding answers to the questions.
 It is a systematic search for truth.
 Through research, new and original information,
ideas about the world we live in, are obtained.
 Research is search for knowledge.
 Research is defined as a scientific and systematic
search for information on a specific topic.

6
Amount of
knowledge
Advancement of
Technology
Utility of
Applications
Quality of
Life
Basic Research
Applied Research
Application
Development
Curiosity

Which of these can be classified as research?
[1] Samad prepared a paper on “computer usage in secondary
schools” after reviewing literature on the subject available in his
university library.
[2] Manoj says that he has researched and completed a document
which gives information about the age of his students, their results,
their parents income and distance of their schools from the District
Office.
[3] Kim participated in a workshop on curriculum development and
prepared what he calls, a report on the curriculum for Engineers.

None of the above examples can be
classified under the name research.

Consider the following case which is an
example of research
•A general manager of a car producing company was concerned
with the complaints received from the car users that the car
they produce have some problems with sound at the dash
board and the rear passenger seat after few thousand
kilometers of driving.
•He obtained information from the company workers to identify
the various factors influencing the problem.
•He then formulated the problem and generated guesses
(hypotheses).
•He constructed a checklist and obtained requisite information
from a representative sample of cars.
•He analyzed the collected data, interpreted the results in the light
of his hypotheses and reached conclusions.

WHAT IS RESEARCH?
• Research is systematic, because it follows certain
steps that are logical in order. These steps are:
1. Understanding the nature of problem to be studied and
identifying the related area of knowledge.
2. Reviewing literature to understand how others have
approached or dealt with the problem.
3. Collecting data in an organized and controlled manner
so as to arrive at valid decisions.
4. Analyzing data appropriate to the problem.
5. Drawing conclusions and making generalizations.

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
• Redman and Mory “Systematized effort to gain
new knowledge”
• Organized scientific investigations to
solve problems, test hypotheses, develop
or invent new products.

 What’s out there?
 What does it look like?
 How does it work?
 How well does a method solve a problem?
 Why does something happen the way it
happens?
 Predictive (Models): What would happen if
--------------- ?
2008 © ChengXiang Zhai
Dragon Star Lecture at Beijing
12

Research Idea
1. Job recruitment via the
internet
2. Advertising and share prices
3. The future of trade unions
Research Question
1. How effective is recruiting for
new staff via the internet in
comparision with the
traditional methods.
2.How does the running of a TV
advertising campaign
designed to boost the image
of a company affect.
3. What are the strategies that
trade unions should adopt to
ensure their future viability?

 Purpose clearly defined.
 Research process detailed.
 Research design thoroughly planned.
 High ethical standards applied.
 Limitations frankly revealed.
 Adequate analysis for decision maker’s needs.
 Findings presented clearly.
 Conclusions justified.
 Researcher’s experience reflected.
CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH

PROBLEMS IN RESEARCHPROBLEMS IN RESEARCH
 Uncontrollable variables
 Human tendencies
 Time and money
 Lack of computerization
 Insufficient interaction between university research
departments and business establishments
 Lack of confidence on the part of business units to give
information

Role of research in management

The Value of Business Research for Managers – (1)
Research is a systematic inquiry whose objective is
to provide information to solve managerial
problems.
Business Research Methods can be employed
in each of the following four stages:
(1) Identification of problems and/or opportunities
(2) Diagnosing and Assessment of problems and/or
opportunities
(3) Selection and Implementation of Courses of Action
(4) Evaluating the Course of Action

Selected Examples of Real-Life Situations in
Which Business Research Methods are Used
 A firm wants to produce and market a new product but first wants to
ascertain if there is a potential consumer demand for this product in markets
x,y and z
 A multinational firm wants to establish a production facility in another
country after determining its technical and economic feasibility
 A government agency wants to ascertain the satisfaction level of its
employees, the causes for any possible discontent, and propose a scheme
for enhancing this level
 A financial institution wants to invest in commodities and commissions a
study to determine the past trends and forecast future returns in a portfolio
of commodities
 MNC wants to find out the trends in retail and wholesale sector

General Business Conditions and
Corporate Research
 Short- & Long-Range Forecasting,
 Business and Industry Trends
 Global Environments
 Inflation and Pricing
 Plant and Warehouse Location
 Acquisitions
Financial and Accounting Research
 Forecasts of financial interest rate trends,
 Stock,bond and commodity value
predictions
 Capital formation alternatives
 Mergers and acquisitions
 Risk-return trade-offs
 Portfolio analysis
 Impact of taxes
 Research on financial institutions
 Expected rate of return
 Capital asset pricing models
 Credit risk
 Cost analysis
Fields Where Research is Often Used – (1)
Management and Organizational
Behaviour Research
• Total Quality Management
• Morale and Job Satisfaction
• Leadership Style
• Employee Productivity
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Structural ssues
• Absenteeism and turnover
• Organizational Climate

Sales and Marketing Research
 Market Potentials
 Market Share
 Market segmentation
 Market characteristics
 Sales Analysis
 Establishment of sales quotas
 Distribution channels
 New product concepts
 Test markets
 Advertising research
 Buyer behaviour
 Customer satisfaction
 Website visitation rates
Information Systems Research
 Knowledge and information needs
assessment
 Computer information system use and
evaluation
 Technical suppot satisfaction
 Database analysis
 Data mining
 Enterprise resource planning systems
 Customer relationship management
systems
Corporate Responsibility Research
 Ecological Impact
 Legal Constraints on advertising and
promotion
 Sex, age and racial discrimination / worker
equity
 Social values and ethics
Fields Where Business Research is Often Used – (2)

RESEARCH PROCESSRESEARCH PROCESS
Define
Research
Problem
Review
Concepts
And
theories
Review
Previous
Research
findings
Formulate
hypothesis
Design
Research
(Including
Sample
Design)
Collect
Data
Analyse
Data
Interpret
and
report
FF
F
F F
FF
I
II
III IV V VI VII
F
FF
Feed Back
Feed Forward
Review the literature

1.1. TitleTitle
2.2. IntroductionIntroduction
3.3. Statement of the ProblemStatement of the Problem
4.4. Review of LiteratureReview of Literature
5.5. Objectives of the StudyObjectives of the Study
6.6. Hypotheses for the StudyHypotheses for the Study
7.7. Research Design and MethodologyResearch Design and Methodology
8.8. Conceptual FrameworkConceptual Framework
9.9. Report Writing and Implications of the StudyReport Writing and Implications of the Study
10.10. Financial Assistance RequiredFinancial Assistance Required
11.11. ConclusionConclusion
12.12. Select BibliographySelect Bibliography

 It should be precise. (Words)It should be precise. (Words)
 It should be clear. (Conceptual)It should be clear. (Conceptual)
 It should be specific. (Scope)It should be specific. (Scope)
 It should be catchy. (Attractive)It should be catchy. (Attractive)
--------------Examples--------------Examples

Incorrect Title:
A Study of Implementation of Data Mining Techniques for Effective CrimeEffective Crime and
Criminal Investigation
Correct Title:
An Implementation of Data Mining Techniques for EffectiveEffective Investigation of
Crimes: A Study of Satara and Pune Districts.
Simple Way:
Financial and Operational Performance Analysis of Mergers and Acquisitions in
Indian Banking Sector: A Study
Attractive Way:
Analysis of Mergers and Acquisitions in Indian Banking Sector in Post
Liberalization Era: An Exploratory Study
Or
Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on Performance of Indian Banks in Post
Liberalization Era

 It is expected to introduce chosen researchIt is expected to introduce chosen research
problem / topic covering its origin, meaning,problem / topic covering its origin, meaning,
purpose, developments at international /purpose, developments at international /
national / regional level and its present status.national / regional level and its present status.
 The very idea of this component in theThe very idea of this component in the
research proposal is to acquaint readers withresearch proposal is to acquaint readers with
the research problem.the research problem.

 Proposed research topic should have a genuine need for investigation.Proposed research topic should have a genuine need for investigation.
 Do the following need an investigation ?Do the following need an investigation ?
o High turn over of employees of a reputed five star hotel affecting itsHigh turn over of employees of a reputed five star hotel affecting its
revenue.revenue.
o An increasing trend of farmers’ suicides in a particular region.An increasing trend of farmers’ suicides in a particular region.
o Decelerating sales trend of a well known and popular automobileDecelerating sales trend of a well known and popular automobile
company affecting its sales revenue.company affecting its sales revenue.
YesYes

RESEARCH PROBLEMRESEARCH PROBLEM
What is a research problem?What is a research problem?
 The term ‘problem’ means a question or issue to beThe term ‘problem’ means a question or issue to be
examined.examined.
 Research Problem refers to some difficulty /needResearch Problem refers to some difficulty /need
which a researcher experiences in the context of eitherwhich a researcher experiences in the context of either
theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain atheoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a
solution for the same.solution for the same.

HOW DO WE KNOW WE HAVE AHOW DO WE KNOW WE HAVE A
RESEARCH PROBLEM?RESEARCH PROBLEM?
 Customer complaintsCustomer complaints
 Conversation with company employeesConversation with company employees
 Observation of inappropriate behaviour orObservation of inappropriate behaviour or
conditionsconditions in the firmin the firm
 Deviation from the business planDeviation from the business plan
 Success of the firm’s competitor’sSuccess of the firm’s competitor’s
 Relevant reading of published material (trends,Relevant reading of published material (trends,
regulations)regulations)
 Company records and reportsCompany records and reports..

SOURCES OF PROBLEMSSOURCES OF PROBLEMS
 ReadingReading
 Academic ExperienceAcademic Experience
 Daily ExperienceDaily Experience
 Exposure to Field SituationsExposure to Field Situations
 ConsultationsConsultations
 BrainstormingBrainstorming
 ResearchResearch
 IntuitionIntuition

CRITERIA OF SELECTIONCRITERIA OF SELECTION
FactorsFactors
 Internal / Personal criteriaInternal / Personal criteria – Researcher’s Interest,– Researcher’s Interest,
Researcher’s Competence, Researcher’s ownResearcher’s Competence, Researcher’s own
Resource: finance and time.Resource: finance and time.
 External Criteria or FactorsExternal Criteria or Factors – Researchability of the– Researchability of the
problem, Importance and Urgency, Novelty of theproblem, Importance and Urgency, Novelty of the
Problem, Feasibility, Facilities, Usefulness and SocialProblem, Feasibility, Facilities, Usefulness and Social
Relevance, Research Personnel.Relevance, Research Personnel.

Identification / Selection of the ProblemIdentification / Selection of the Problem
Formulation of the ProblemFormulation of the Problem
There are two ways of stating a problem:There are two ways of stating a problem:
Posting question / questionsPosting question / questions
Making declarative statement / statementsMaking declarative statement / statements
IDENTIFICATION /IDENTIFICATION /
SELECTION OF THESELECTION OF THE
RESEARCH PROBLEMRESEARCH PROBLEM

Steps in defining a Problem
1. Statement of the problem in a general way
2. Understanding the nature of the problem
3. Surveying the available literature
4. Developing ideas through discussions
5. Rephrasing the research problem

Eg:Why is productivity in Japan so
much higher than in India?
Brain storming
What sort of productivity is being referred?
What period?
Which sector?
Rephrasing:
What factors were responsible for the higher
labour productivity of Japan’s manufacturing
industries during the period 1971-1980
relative to India’s manufacturing industries?

REVIEWREVIEW
OFOF
LITERATURELITERATURE
4

REVIEW OF LITERATUREREVIEW OF LITERATURE
 It is an extensive survey of all available past studiesIt is an extensive survey of all available past studies
relevant to the field of investigation.relevant to the field of investigation.
 It gives us knowledge about what others have foundIt gives us knowledge about what others have found
out in the related field of study and how they haveout in the related field of study and how they have
done so.done so.

PURPOSE OF REVIEWPURPOSE OF REVIEW
 To gain a background knowledge of the researchTo gain a background knowledge of the research
topic.topic.
 To identify the concepts relating to it, potentialTo identify the concepts relating to it, potential
relationships between them and to formulaterelationships between them and to formulate
researchable hypothesis.researchable hypothesis.
 To identify appropriate methodology, research design,To identify appropriate methodology, research design,
methods of measuring concepts and techniques ofmethods of measuring concepts and techniques of
analysis.analysis.
 To identify data sources used by other researchers.To identify data sources used by other researchers.
 To learn how others structured their reports.To learn how others structured their reports.

SOURCES OF LITERATURESOURCES OF LITERATURE
 Books and JournalsBooks and Journals
 Electronic DatabasesElectronic Databases
Bibliographic DatabasesBibliographic Databases
Abstract DatabasesAbstract Databases
Full-Text DatabasesFull-Text Databases
 Govt. and Industry ReportsGovt. and Industry Reports
 InternetInternet
 Research Dissertations / ThesisResearch Dissertations / Thesis

RECORDING THE LITERATURERECORDING THE LITERATURE
The most suitable method of recordingThe most suitable method of recording
notes is thenotes is the card system.card system.
The recording system involves use of twoThe recording system involves use of two
sets of cards:sets of cards:
Source cardsSource cards (3”x 5”) – used for noting(3”x 5”) – used for noting
bibliographic information.bibliographic information.
Note cardsNote cards (5”x 8”) – used for actual note taking.(5”x 8”) – used for actual note taking.

SOURCE CARDSSOURCE CARDS
Source Cards serve two purposes:Source Cards serve two purposes:
a)a) Provide documentary information for footProvide documentary information for foot
notes.notes.
b)b) It is used for compiling bibliography to beIt is used for compiling bibliography to be
given at the end of the report.given at the end of the report.

SOURCE CARDSSOURCE CARDS
The recording of bibliographic informationThe recording of bibliographic information
should be made in proper bibliographic format.should be made in proper bibliographic format.
The format for citing a book is:The format for citing a book is:
Author’s name, (year), Title of the book, Place ofAuthor’s name, (year), Title of the book, Place of
publication, Publisher’s name.publication, Publisher’s name.
For Example; Koontz Harold (1980), Management,For Example; Koontz Harold (1980), Management,
New Delhi, McGraw-Hill International.New Delhi, McGraw-Hill International.
The format for citing a journal article is:The format for citing a journal article is:
Author’s name, (year), Title of the article, JournalAuthor’s name, (year), Title of the article, Journal
name, Volume (number), pages.name, Volume (number), pages.
For Example; Sheth J.N (1973), A Model ofFor Example; Sheth J.N (1973), A Model of
Industrial Buying Behaviour, Journal of Marketing, 37(4),Industrial Buying Behaviour, Journal of Marketing, 37(4),
50-56.50-56.

NOTE CARDSNOTE CARDS
Detailed Information extracted from aDetailed Information extracted from a
printed source is recorded on the note cards.printed source is recorded on the note cards.
It is desirable to note a single fact or idea onIt is desirable to note a single fact or idea on
each card, on one side only.each card, on one side only.

Points to be kept in mind whilePoints to be kept in mind while
reviewing literature..reviewing literature..
Read relevant literature.Read relevant literature.
Refer original works.Refer original works.
Read with comprehension.Read with comprehension.
Read in time.Read in time.
Index the literature.Index the literature.

Statement of
Research Objectives
Defining Problem, Results in
Clear Cut Research Objectives..
Analysis of
the Situation
Symptom Detection
Problem Definition

5. ESTABLISHMENT OF RESEARCH5. ESTABLISHMENT OF RESEARCH
OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
 Research Objectives are the specific components ofResearch Objectives are the specific components of
the research problem, that you’ll be working tothe research problem, that you’ll be working to
answer or complete, in order to answer the overallanswer or complete, in order to answer the overall
research problem. - Churchill, 2001research problem. - Churchill, 2001
 The objectivesThe objectives refers to the questions to berefers to the questions to be
answered through the studyanswered through the study. They indicate what we. They indicate what we
are trying to get from the study or the expectedare trying to get from the study or the expected
results / outcome of the study.results / outcome of the study.

ESTABLISHMENT OF RESEARCHESTABLISHMENT OF RESEARCH
OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
 Research Objectives should be clear and achievable.Research Objectives should be clear and achievable.
 The objectives may be specified in the form ofThe objectives may be specified in the form of
either statements or questions.either statements or questions.
 Generally, they are written as statements, using theGenerally, they are written as statements, using the
word “to”. (For example, ‘to discover …’, ‘toword “to”. (For example, ‘to discover …’, ‘to
determine …’, ‘to establish …’, etc. )determine …’, ‘to establish …’, etc. )

Research Question
1. Why have org’s
introduced team
briefing?
2. How can the
effectiveness of team
briefing methods be
measured?
3. Has team briefing been
effective?
Research Objective
1. To identify org’s
objectives for team
briefing schemes
2. To establish suitable
effectiveness criteria for
team briefing methods
3.To describe the
effectiveness of team
briefing

FORMULATIONFORMULATION
OFOF
HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS
STEP-6

HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS
 Research Hypothesis is a predictive statement thatResearch Hypothesis is a predictive statement that
relates anrelates an independent variableindependent variable to ato a dependantdependant
variable.variable.
Hypothesis must contain atleast one independentHypothesis must contain atleast one independent
variable and one dependant variable.variable and one dependant variable.

A detailed blueprint specifying how the research will be carried out
Description / location of the study area.Description / location of the study area.
Selection of company / enterprise.Selection of company / enterprise.
Data source.Data source.
Selection of quantitative parameters.Selection of quantitative parameters.
Selection of qualitative parameters.Selection of qualitative parameters.
Selection of respondents.Selection of respondents.
Data collection instrument.Data collection instrument.
Respondents contact method.Respondents contact method.
Data analytical tool.Data analytical tool.
Scope of the study.Scope of the study.
Duration of the study.Duration of the study.

 A clear meaning to different terms and conceptsA clear meaning to different terms and concepts
that are relating to the research problem.that are relating to the research problem.
(Meaning)(Meaning)
 A clearly defined terms and concepts will hardlyA clearly defined terms and concepts will hardly
leave any room for confusions and doubts inleave any room for confusions and doubts in
terms of understanding the research problem.terms of understanding the research problem.
(Clear ideas)(Clear ideas)

 It is expected to highlight possible research findingsIt is expected to highlight possible research findings
and their usefulness in the interest of the community.and their usefulness in the interest of the community.
 For instance “A study on students’ difficulty and dropFor instance “A study on students’ difficulty and drop
outs in school education” will certainly bring forwardouts in school education” will certainly bring forward
actual causes responsible for the same and will serveactual causes responsible for the same and will serve
as base for appropriate policy formulation to addressas base for appropriate policy formulation to address
the problems’ of students.the problems’ of students.

 Costs need to be estimated as accurately asCosts need to be estimated as accurately as
possible.possible.
 Proposal involving economic costs will beProposal involving economic costs will be
appreciated.appreciated.
 It is necessary to estimate cost of theIt is necessary to estimate cost of the
research project and include the same in theresearch project and include the same in the
proposal.proposal.

9.9. ConclusionConclusion
10.10. Select BibliographySelect Bibliography
 Kothari C. R., Research Methodology,Kothari C. R., Research Methodology,
 Banerjee, Subhojit and Roy, Ramendu (2010),Banerjee, Subhojit and Roy, Ramendu (2010),
 Fundamentals of Research Methodology, KitabFundamentals of Research Methodology, Kitab
Mahal, Allahabad.Mahal, Allahabad.

 Were the recommendations followed?
 Was sufficient information for decision-making
information contained in the report?
 Could we have written a report more useful to
management?

Research Methodology

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