RESEARCH PROCESS

Dr. Sarbani Mukherjee

Asst. Professor
IIPM Bangalore
Search for Knowledge

Addition to existing knowledge base

Scientific and systematic search for pertinent

information on a specific topic

Systematised effort to gain new knowledge

Careful investigation through search for new facts

Research process
• Define research problem
• Review of literature
• Formulate hypotheses and objectives
• Preparing the research design
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Interpretation of data
• Report writing
 ff

Define
Review the Formulate Design
research Collect data
literature hypotheses research
problem

f
ff

Interpret
Analyze data
and report

Where f = feed back(helps in controlling the sub system

ff= feed forward(serves the vital function of providing criteria for evaluation
Step One: Define Research Problem
There are two types of research problem, viz., those
 relate to states of nature
 relationship between variables.

Essentially two steps are involved in define research problem, viz.,

understanding the problem thoroughly
rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from a point of view.
Problem!
1. A question raised for inquiry, consideration or
solution
2. An intricate unsettled question
The Research Problem
The research problem is typically posed as a question.
Factors to consider in Selecting a Research
Problem

The topic should be important (significant)

Writing a thesis or dissertation is an exercise to learn

how to conduct research !
More Factors to Consider…
Consider the feasibility of the project.
◦ How much time do you have available
◦ Do you really want to do a longitudinal study that will take 3 years
to complete for a MS thesis?
◦ How difficult is it. Are data available?
◦ How much will it cost?
 More Factors…
Make sure the topic is ethical to study
- Plagiarism
- Fabrication and falsification
- Non-publication of data
- Faulty data-gathering procedures
- Misleading authorship
- Voluntary Participation
- No harm to the subjects - -
- PAC: PRIVACY, ANONYMITY
- AND CONFIDENTIALITY - -
- Beneficence
- Autonomy
- Integrity
More Factors to Consider…
The “newness” of the topic may hold your interest longer; however
there is some value in repeating previous research.
 More Factors…
Make sure the research question is clear
Researchable vs. Non-researchable Questions
 Step Two: Review of Literature
Composed of discussions of facts and principles to which the present study
is related
Materials which are usually printed and found in books, encyclopaedias,
professional journals, magazines, newspapers, and other publications

• It helps or guides the researcher in searching for or selecting a

better research problem or topic
• It helps the investigator understand his topic or research
better.
• It ensures that there will be no duplication of other studies.
• It provides the conceptual or theoretical framework of the
planned research
Step Three: Formulate Hypothesis

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.
 Step Four: Preparing the Research Design

Collection of relevant evidence with minimal expenditure of effort, time and

money.

Sample Design Statistical design

Sampling
Sample size
Technique
Step Five: Data Collection
Secondary Data
Primary Data

Through telephone interview

Through personal interview

By Observation

Through Schedules

By mailing of questionnaires
Step Six: Data Analysis
: Coding

Editing

Tabulation

Analysis
Step Seven: Interpretation and Report Writing

Introduction

Review of Literature

Research Questions/Objectives

Research Methodology – Sampling and Analytical

Design

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Summary and Conclusion