Research

Meaning of research
• Research is a process to discover new knowledge
to find answers to a question.
• Research is an activity that leads us to finding new
facts, information, assisting us in
verifying the available knowledge and in making us
question things that are difficult to
understand as per existing.
• How the New Education Policy has evolved after
independence?
• How the COVID-19 disease has impacted the
Economy?... /
 Characteristics of Research
• Characteristics of research determine whether a research is free of biases
and errors .
• 1. Generalized.
• 2. Controlled.
• 3. Rigorous.
• 4. Empirical.
• 5. Systematic
• 6. Reliability.
• 7. Validity.
• 8. Employs hypothesis
• 9. Analytical .
• 10. Critical
1Generalised:
The researcher usually divides the identified population into smaller samples
depending on the resource availability at the time of research being conducted.
2-Controlled-
Minimizing the effects of external factors
3. Rigorous-
Ensuring that the procedures followed to find answers to questions are relevant,
appropriate and justified.
4. Empirical
Conclusions are based on evidence gathered from information collected from real-life
experiences or observations of researcher
5. Systematic
An investigation follows a certain logical sequence. Different steps cannot be taken in a
disorganized manner. Some procedures must follow others.
• 6. Reliability.
• Reliability refers to how consistently a method measures something.
• 7. Validity.
• on the basis of your findings are correct and can be verified by you and
others.
• 8. Employs hypothesis-
• Any research definitely begins with formulation of a hypothesis .A
hypothesis can be defined as an educated guess about the relationship
between two or more variables
• 9. Analytical
• Analytical means There is critical analysis of all data used so that there is
no error in their interpretation
• 10. Critical
• The process of investigation must be fail-safe, free from any drawbacks.
The process adopted and the procedures used must be able to face critical
examination.
 Criteria of Good Research
• Whatever may be the types of research works and studies, one thing that
is important is that they all meet on the common ground of scientific
method employed by them. One expects scientific research to satisfy the
following criteria
• 1. The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common
concepts be used.
• 2. The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to
permit another researcher to repeat the research for further
advancement, keeping the continuity of what has already been attained.
• 3. The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to
yield results that are as objective as possible.
• 4. The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in
procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings.
• 5. The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its
significance and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The
validity and reliability of the data should be checked carefully.
 6. Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of
the research and limited to
• those for which the data provide an adequate basis.
• 7. Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher
is experienced, has a good
• reputation in research and is a person of integrity.
• In other words, we can state the qualities of a good research
as under:
• 1. Good research is systematic:
• It means that research is structured with specified steps to
• be taken in a specified sequence in accordance with the well
defined set of rules. Systematic
• characteristic of the research does not rule out creative
thinking but it certainly does reject
• the use of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions.
• 2. Good research is logical:
• This implies that research is guided by the rules of logical
• reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction are of
great value in carrying
• out research. Induction is the process of reasoning from a part to the
whole whereas deduction is the process of reasoning from some
premise to a conclusion which follows from that very premise. In fact,
logical reasoning makes research more meaningful in the
• context of decision making
• 3. Good research is empirical:
• 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.
• 4. Good research is replicable:
• This characteristic allows research results to be verified by
• replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
B-Based on the outcome:
1- Fundamental/Basic/Pure Research
• In this researcher try to formulate New theory ie Advancement o f knowledge in a specific
research area.
• This type of research examines data to find the unknown and fulfill a sense of curiosity.
Usually, these involve "how," "what" and "why" questions to explain occurrences.
• -Need Technical Knowledge
• Examples
• A study looking at how alcohol consumption impacts the brain.
• How did Universe Begin.
• A study to discover the components making up human DNA
• What causes disease
2-Applied research:
Applied research seek to solve practical problem and enhance the existing body of
knowledge by developing new procedures ,products ,or methodologies ,often with direct
,real world applications. The key benefit of applied research is that it helps solve problems in
the real world.
It is focused on addressing specific challenges or improving existing solutions ,there by
providing tangible benefits.
• is defined as research that is used to answer a specific question, determine why something
succeeded or failed, and solve immediate problem.
• Need Common language.
• Examples of Applied Research-

• Medicine: Development of a new vaccine to combat a specific viral strain.

• Agriculture: Introducing a genetically modified crop variety to improve
yield and pest resistance
• Environmental Science: Designing a method to purify water using solar
energy in remote areas
• Engineering: Developing a more efficient and lightweight battery for
electric cars.
• Education: Evaluating the effectiveness of online teaching methods on
student performance.
• Economics: Assessing the impact of a new taxation policy on consumer
spending.
• Architecture: Designing earthquake-resistant buildings based on
geological research.
• Nutrition: Formulating a diet plan to mitigate the effects of type 2
diabetes.
• Marketing: Analyzing consumer behavior to optimize product placement
in retail stores.
• A)Based on Objectives :
1- Descriptive Research:
• The main objective of descriptive research is to define the characteristics
of a particular phenomenon. It is also known as statistical research. It
deals with everything that can be counted and studied. This descriptive
research focuses more on the “what” of the research subject than the
“why” of the research subject.
• The primary methods used in descriptive research include observations,
surveys, and case studies.
• Examples-
• Market researchers want to observe the habits of consumers.
• A company wants to evaluate the morale of its staff.
• .What are benefit of Multimedia textbooks as Compared to Printed text
book
• 2-Exploratory Research:
• Exploratory Research is defined as research used to investigate a problem which is
not clearly defined .it is conducted to have better understanding o the existing
problem but will not provide conclusive results.
• It is generally done at the beginning of the research. It attempts to clarify why and
how there is a relationship between two or more aspects of a situation or
phenomenon. It makes use of secondary data. The purpose of this is to gain
background information, define terms, and clarify the problems.
• Examples
• Find out why people are Buying brand A not brand B
• Why rate of Crime is increasing.
• Impact of Rain fall on agriculture
• 3-Explanatory research
• Explanatory research is a technique used to gain a deeper
understanding of the underlying reasons for, causes and
effect relationships behind a particular phenomenon that
has yet to be extensively studied.
• Explanatory research attempts to clarify why and how here
are relationship between two variables
• The independent variable is controlled by the researcher.
And the dependent variable is measured by the researcher.
• The researcher manipulates independent variables
example teaching methods and measures dependent
variables (satisfaction) to establish cause-and-effect
relationships between them....
• Do buyers prefer our product in a new package?”
• college students’ addictions to their electronic gadgets,
4-CO-RELATIONAL RESEAR CH
A correlational research investigates relationships between variables
without the researcher controlling or manipulating any of them.
• A correlation reflects the strength and/or direction of the relationship
between two (or more) variables.
• The direction of a correlation can be either positive or negative.
• Positive correlation-
• Both variables change in the same direction
• Eg-As height increases, weight also increases
• Negative correlation-
• The variables change in opposite directions
EgAs coffee consumption increases, tiredness decreases
• Zero correlation –
• There is no relationship between the variables
• Eg Coffee consumption is not correlated with height
 1- Qualitative Research
• this is a “subjective research” that explores and gains an understanding of
the problems.
• is expressed in words. It is used to understand
• used to gain an understanding of human behaviour, intentions, attitudes,
experience, etc., This type of research enables you to gather in-depth
insights on topics that are not well understood.
• Common qualitative methods include interviews with open-ended
questions, observations described in words, and literature reviews that
explore concepts and theories.

2-Quantitative research
• This adopts an “objective” approach that explains and quantifies the
problems..
• Quantitative research is expressed in numbers and graphs.
• It is used to test or confirm theories and assumptions
The objective is to confirm what and when. This research is very clear on
what to do, and what not to do by employing statistical, logical and
mathematical techniques....
 3-Mixed research
• is the type of research in which a researcher or team of researchers
combines elements of qualitative and quantitative research approaches
• For example,
• let's say you are conducting a survey about consumer preferences for a
certain product. You could collect only quantitative data, such as how
many people prefer each product and their demographics. Or you could
supplement your quantitative data with qualitative data, such as
interviews and focus groups, to get a better sense of why people prefer
one product over another.
Process of Research
 Define the research problem
• A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a
condition to be improved.
• There are two types of research problems, viz., those
• -which relate to states of nature
• - relationships between variables.
• researcher must single out the problem he wants to study, i.e., he
must decide the general area of interest or aspect of a subject-
matter that he would like to inquire into.
• Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the research
problem,
• -understanding the problem thoroughly, and rephrasing the
• same into meaningful terms from an analytical point of view.
2-Review the literature
• One the research problem is defined the researcher should undertake
extensive literature survey connected with the problem.
• A literature review is an overview of the previously published works on a
topic.
• literature review is supposed to provide the researcher/author and the
audiences with a general image of the existing knowledge on the topic
under question.
• It give an overview of knowledge on a subject, helping you identify
relevant theories and methods, as well as gaps in existing research.
• For this purpose,
• -published or unpublished bibliographies
• -Academic journals
• - conference proceedings,
• Government Report ,
• - books etc.,
3-Formulating Hypothesis
• Working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its
logical or empirical consequences.
• Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand
because it has to be tested.
• The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of
research and to keep him on the right track
How does one go about developing working hypotheses? The answer is by using the
following
• approach:
• (a) Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin and the
objectives in seeking a solution;
• (b) Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for
possible trends ,peculiarities and other clues;
• (c) Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems; and
• (d) Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews on a
limited scale with interested parties and individuals with a view to secure greater
insight into the practical aspects of the problem
4-Design Research or Research Design
• Researcher will be required to prepare a research design, i.e., he will have
to state the conceptual structure within which research would be
conducted.
• The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant
evidence with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money
• suitable design will be one that minimises bias and maximises the
reliability of the data collected and analysed .
• There are several research designs, such as.
• 1-experimental and 2-Non-experimental design.
• Experimental designs can be either
• a) Informal designs (such as before-and-after without control ,
after-only with control, before-and-after with control)
• B) formal designs (such as completely randomized design,
randomized block design, Latin square design, simple and complex
factorial designs).
out of which the researcher must select one for his own project
 Collection of data
• In dealing with any real life problem it is often found that
data at hand are inadequate, and hence, it becomes
necessary to collect data that are appropriate.
• data can be collected by any one or more of the following
ways
• 1-Primary Data
• (i) By observation:
• (ii) Through personal interview:
• (iii) Through telephone interviews
• (iv) By mailing of questionnaires
• (v) Through schedules
• 2-Secondary data
 Data Analysis
• After the data have been collected, the researcher turns to the task of
analysing them.
• The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations such
as establishment of categories.
• These stages mainly include
• -Coding
• -Editing
• - Tabulation
• After analysing the data as stated above, the researcher is in a position to
• test the hypotheses, if any, he had formulated earlier.
• Various tests, such as
• Chi square test,
• t-test
• F-test
 Interpretation and Report Writing
• If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, it may be possible for
the researcher to arrive at generalization, i.e., to build a theory.
• Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by
him.
• The main text of the report should have the following parts:
• (a) Introduction: It should contain
• -objective of the research
• -explanation of the methodology
• - scope of the study along with various limitations
• (b) Summary of findings:
• After introduction there would appear a statement of findings and
recommendations in non-technical language. If the findings are extensive,
they should be summarised.
• (c) Main report:
• The main body of the report should be presented
in logical sequence and broken-down into readily
identifiable sections.
• (d) Conclusion:
• Towards the end of the main text, researcher
should again put down the results of his research
clearly and precisely. In fact, it is the final summing up.

• At the end of the report, appendices should be enlisted

in respect of all technical data. Bibliography,
• i.e., list of books, journals, reports, etc., consulted,
should also be given in the end. Index should also be
given specially in a published research report.
Research Problem Formulation
 Various Problem encountered by
Researcher
Problems encountered by Researchers in India. Researchers in India,
particularly those engaged in empirical research, are facing several
problems.
• Some of the important problems are as follows:
• 1-Lack of scientific training in the methodology of research.
• 2-Insufficient Interaction.
• 3.Copying of data (Plagiarism).
• 4.Lack of availability or access to literature needed.
• 5.The outlook of the researcher/research student
• 6.Lack of confidence to take up a new study especially explorative
study.
• 7.Unavailability of permission to do research in specific centers.
• 8.Research: a mere formality to fulfill course requirement.
• 9.Publishing may be expensive:
• 1-Lack of scientific training in the methodology of research
• Most of the people who hold the position of research guides are hemselves not
thorough with the various methodologies. They lead there searcher/students to
copy methodology of similar studies.
• 2-Insufficient Interaction-
• There is no proper interaction between researcher and business establishments
government institution for collection of primary data. Etc

• 3.Copying of data (Plagiarism)

• Some researchers (as they call themselves), merely copy other international
studies or studies which have been done by researchers/students of other
universities. This is acrime and should not be promoted. The act itself leadsto lack
of awareness in research methodology
• 4.Lack of availability or access to literature needed.
• This is a major problem faced during the literature review. The lack of availability
of access to Internet, ignorance of the way to search needed articles from journals
and other databases are other problems. Searching books and newspaper articles
from conventional libraries consumes a lot of time and effort. These kind of
libraries, especially which are situated away from the capital cities lack copies of
new acts/rules
 5.The outlook of the researcher/research student
• All students before being selected by the guide interact with their senior students.
They already finding difficulty with research, tells the hardships they suffer or
suffered. This changes the outlook of the students. Research is the way you take it.
It can be either.
6.Lack of confidence to take up a new study especially explorative study.
• This may be due to any of the above-mentioned reasons, also the fear of the result
and fear of not able to answer questions during presentations. One should be dare
enough to disseminate the result of the study, as it is the truth he/she has come to
know after the research process. Limitations of the study are always considered
and no one is going to blame on that, unless until the research is re-done. This
leads to undertaking of overlapping studies, as there is a want of information
7.Unavailability of permission to do research in specific centers:-
• Hospitals and business establishments usually don’t allow third
• party inside to conduct research. This may be due to security reasons or may be
due to lack of confidence in keeping the confidentiality of the data or names. No
establishments will agree a third person to get in and find out the problems within
and it being gets published. Some organizations charge heavy fee or donation
(whatever it may be) from students to allow doing research within.
•
8.Research: a mere formality to fulfill course requirement:-
• Yes, of course research is a part of curriculum. But most of
the students find it as a mere formality to fulfill their course
requirement. They just want to finish off the study. For this
they search the shortcuts. But the fact is that once a study
is done, it will be referred in future by other researchers.
They won’t be aware if the study was sincerely done.
• 9.Publishing may be expensive:-
• Research study once it is completed, the further step will
be the publishing of the same. Printing and binding may
turn to be expensive. Also, it will be very expensive the
paper has to be published in any international journals or
conferences. These expenses may not be affordable by the
student researchers