UNIT-1

Meaning of Research

Research means a search for facts‐ answers to questions and solutions to problems. It is a purposive
investigation. It is an “organized inquiry.” It seeks to find explanations to unexplained phenomenon, to clarify
the doubtful propositions and to correct the misconceived facts.

The systematic, rigorous investigation of a situation or problem in order to generate new knowledge or validate
existing knowledge.

Kerlinger defines research as a “systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical
propositions about the presumed relations among the natural phenomenon.”

According to Redman and Morry, “Research is a careful and systematized effort of gaining new
knowledge.”

According to Clifford Woody, “Research comprises of defining and redefining problems, formulating
hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting, organizing and evaluating data, making deductions and
reaching conclusions. And at last carefully testing the conclusions, to determine, whether they fit the
formulating hypothesis or not.”

Characteristics of Research:

 Research is a systematic and critical investigation into phenomenon.

 It adopts scientific method i.e. based on observable experience or empirical evidence.
 Research is directed towards finding answers to the pertinent questions and solutions to problems.
 It emphasizes the development of generalization, principles or theories.
 It is not mere compilation but a purposive investigation.
 It aims at describing, interpreting and explaining a phenomenon.
 It is objective and logical. It applies possible tests to validate the measuring tools and the conclusions
obtained.

Objectives of Research:

 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it.

 To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual situation or a group.
 To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something
else.
 To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables.

Criteria of a Good Research:

1. The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts bemused.
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 areas 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.

Types of Research

Applied Research: It refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical problems. Applied
research is used to find solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, and develop innovative technologies, rather
than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake.

For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to:

• Improve agricultural crop production
• Treat or cure a specific disease
• Improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation

Basic Research: It is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question. The main motivation is
to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent something. There is no obvious commercial value to the
discoveries that result from basic research.

For example, basic science investigations probe for answers to questions such as:
• How did the universe begin?
• What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?
• How do slime molds reproduce?
• What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?

Descriptive Research: It refers to research that provides an accurate portrayal of characteristics of a particular
individual, situation, or group. Descriptive research is also known as statistical research.

These studies are a means of discovering new meaning, describing what exists, determining the frequency with
which something occurs, and categorizing information.

In short descriptive research deals with everything that can be counted and studied, which has an impact
of the lives of the people it deals with.

For example, finding the most frequent disease that affects the children of a town. The reader of the research
will know what to do to prevent that disease thus; more people will live a healthy life

Advantages:
• The people individual studied are unaware so they act naturally or as they usually do in everyday
situation;
• It is less expensive and time consuming than quantitative experiments;
• Collects a large amount of notes for detailed studying;
• As it is used to describe and not make any conclusions it is to start the research with it;

Disadvantages
• Descriptive research requires more skills.
• Does not identify cause behind a phenomenon
 • Response rate is low in this research.
• Results of this research can change over the period of time.

Exploratory research: It is a type of research conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined.
Exploratory research helps determine the best research design, data collection method and selection of subjects.

• The results of exploratory research are not usually useful for decision-making by themselves, but they
can provide significant insight into a given situation
• Exploratory research is not typically generalized to the population at large.
• Exploratory research can be quite informal, relying on secondary research such as reviewing available
literature and/or data, or qualitative approaches such as informal discussions with consumers,
employees, management or competitors, and more formal approaches through in-depth interviews, focus
groups, projective methods, case studies or pilot studies.

On a broader perspective, all researches can be classified into two groups:

• Qualitative Research
• Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research: It is research that deals with phenomena that are difficult or impossible to quantify
mathematically, such as beliefs, meanings, attributes, and symbols

Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and the reasons that govern
such behaviour. The qualitative method investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where,
when.

Advantages
• It enables more complex aspects of a persons experience to be studied
• Fewer restriction or assumptions are placed on the data to be collected.
• Not everything can be quantified, or quantified easily, Individuals can be studied in more depth
• Good for exploratory research and hypothesis generation
• The participants are able to provide data in their own words and in their own way

Disadvantages
• It is more difficult to determine the validity and reliability of linguistic data
• there is more subjectivity involved in analysing the data.
• “Data overload” – open-ended questions can sometimes create lots of data, which can take along time to
analyse!
• Time consuming
•
Quantitative Research: It refers to the systematic empirical investigation of any phenomena via statistical,
mathematical or computational techniques. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and
employ mathematical models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena

Quantitative research is generally made using scientific methods, which can include:
• The generation of models, theories and hypotheses
• The development of instruments and methods for measurement
• Experimental control and manipulation of variables
• Collection of empirical data
• Modelling and analysis of data
• Evaluation of results
Advantages
• Quantitative research allows the researcher to measure and analyse data.
 • The researcher is more objective about the findings of the research.
• Quantitative research can be used to test hypotheses in experiments because of its ability to measure data
using statistics.
Disadvantages
• The main disadvantage of quantitative research is the context of the study or experiment is ignored.
• Quantitative research does not study things in a natural setting or discuss the meaning things have for
different people.
• A large sample of the population must be studied for more accurate results

Application of Research in Various Functions of Management:

Most work in business organizations, in whatever sector or ownership will require research activities. The
objective of the research is to provide information to solve managerial problems.

Fields Where Business Research is Often Used:

General Business Conditions Management and Organizational Behaviour:

• Short- & Long-Range Forecasting, • Total Quality Management

• Business and Industry Trends • Morale and Job Satisfaction
• Global Environments • Leadership Style
• Inflation and Pricing • Employee Productivity
• Plant and Warehouse Location • Organizational Effectiveness
• Acquisitions • Structural ssues
• Absenteeism and turnover
• Organizational Climate

Financial and Accounting Sales and Marketing

 Forecasts of financial interest rate trends,  Market Potentials

 Stock,bond and commodity value predictions • Market Share
 Capital formation alternatives • Market segmentation
 Mergers and acquisitions • Market characteristics
 Risk-return trade-offs • Sales Analysis
 Portfolio analysis • Establishment of sales quotas
 Impact of taxes • Distribution channels
 Research on financial institutions • New product concepts
 Expected rate of return • Test markets
 Capital asset pricing models • Advertising research
 Credit risk • Buyer behaviour
 Cost analysis • Customer satisfaction
• Website visitation rates
Information Systems Corporate Responsibility Research

• Knowledge and information needs assessment • Ecological Impact

• Computer information system use and • Legal Constraints on advertising and
evaluation promotion
• Technical suppot satisfaction • Sex, age and racial discrimination / worker
• Database analysis equity
• Data mining • Social values and ethics
• Enterprise resource planning systems
• Customer relationship management systems
Selected Examples of Real-Life Situations

 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
 The CEO of a firm wants to undertake a SWOT-Analysis as part of his plan to redefine his
organization’s priorities

Problems Encountered By Researchers

Lack of Scientific Training: The research methodology is not systematic. Many researchers undertake research
work without having actual knowledge of the research methods. They just look for similar studies and copy the
methodologies listed in it. Even the research guides do not have a thorough knowledge of the various
methodologies. This scenario warrants the need for some sort of short-term training to be imparted to
researchers prior to undertaking research activities.

Insufficient Interaction: There is no proper interaction between researchers and the business establishments,
government institutions, etc. This leads to a great deal of data going untapped. Interaction programs should be
organized between researchers and other institutions on a regular basis. This will highlight what issues need to
be researched, what data is required for conducting research, and how the study will be useful.

Lack of Confidence: Most of the business establishments are of the opinion that, researchers can misuse the
data provided by them. As such, they are reluctant to divulge details of their company. This affects the research
studies for which that particular data may be of utmost importance. Thus, confidence-building measures should
be adopted, which will convince the business units that their data will be put to productive purposes, and will
not be misused in any manner by the researcher.

Lack of Code of Conduct: No specific code of conduct exists for the researchers, which leads to inter-
departmental and inter-university rivalries.

Inadequate Assistance: Researchers in India have to cope with the non-availability of adequate and timely
secretarial assistance, which affects the schedule of their research study.

Improper Library Management: The libraries are not managed systematically. Much of the precious time of
the researchers is spent in looking for books, reports, newspapers, etc. rather than searching relevant
information from them.

High Cost of Publishing: Once their research is completed, the researchers have to look for a means to publish
it. Publishing in international journals is highly expensive. This discourages most of the researchers from taking
up research work.
Research Methods vs. Research Methodology

Research Methods Research Methodology

1-Research methods are the methods by which you 1- Research methodology explains the methods by
conduct research into a subject or a topic which you may proceed with your re
2-Research methods involve conduct of experiments, 2-Research methodology involves the learning of the
tests, surveys and the like various techniques that can be used in the conduct of
3-Research methods aim at finding solutions to research and in the conduct of tests, experiments,
research problems surveys and critical studies search
Example: 3-Research methodology aims at the employment of
1. If the subject for Research is ‘employment of the correct procedures to find out solutions
figures of speech in English literature’ Example:
1. If the subject for Research is ‘employment of
then the research methods that are involved are study figures of speech in English literature’
of various works of the different poets and the
understanding of the employment of figures of speech then the research methodology pertaining to the topic
in their works mentioned above involves the study about the tools of
research, collation of various manuscripts related to
2. If the subject into which you conduct a research is a the topic, techniques involved in the critical edition of
scientific subject or topic these manuscripts and the like

then the research methods include experiments, tests,
study of various other results of different experiments
performed earlier in relation to the topic or the subject
and the like
2. If the subject into which you conduct a research is a
scientific subject or topic
then research methodology pertaining to the scientific
topic involves the techniques regarding how to go
about conducting the research, the tools of research,
advanced techniques that can be used in the conduct
of the experiments and the like