RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

UNIT 1

WELCOME TO II SEMESTER

COURSES IN II SEMESTER
(1) Financial Management (FM) (2) Marketing Management (MM) (3) Human Resources Management (HRM) (4) Production and Operations Management (POM) (5) Organizational Behaviour (OB) (6) Introduction to Technology Management (ITM) (7) Research Methodology (RM) (8) Information Technology Lab II (IT Lab-II)

INTRODUCTION
Research is Search for knowledge. A scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. An art of scientific investigation. Is a movement, a movement from the known to the unknown. Voyage of discovery.

DEFINIITIONS OF RESEARCH
(1) The Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English : Research is a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for the new facts in any branch of knowledge. (2) Redman and Mory: Systematized effort to gain new knowledge

DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH
(3) Fred Kerlinger: Scientific Research is a systematic, controlled empirical and critical investigation of propositions about the presumed relationships about various phenomena. (4) Robert Ross: Research is essentially an investigation, a recording and analysis of evidence for the purpose of gaining knowledge.

DEFINITIONS OF RESEARCH (contd)

(5) D.Slesinger and M.Stephenson in the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences: Research is an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its advancement. It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem is research.

PROCESS OF RESEARCH
According to Clifford Woody: Research comprises: (i) Defining and redefining problems; (ii) Formulating hypothesis or suggesting solutions; (iii) Collecting, organizing and evaluating data; (iv) Making deductions and reaching conclusions; and (v) Carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulated hypothesis.

SCOPE OF BUSINESS RESEARCH

(1) Production and Producing Methods

Production Cost Analysis Time and Motion Studies Machine Depreciation and Obsolescence Production Stabilization
Aptitude and Attitude Tests Fatigue Studies Wage Employment

(2) Personnel and Industrial Relations

SCOPE OF BUSINESS RESEARCH

(3) Purchasing and Inventory

Sources and prices of materials Purchasing Methods and procedures Inventory control and Storage
Financial methods and operations Budget Planning Investment of Reserves Dividend Policies Credit Sources and costs

(4) Financing, Investment, and Credit

SCOPE OF BUSINESS RESEARCH

(5) Market, the Consumer, and Marketing Procedure
Market Potential Trading Areas and sales quotas Distribution channels Distribution costs Price policies and competition Credit and collection Advertising Warehousing and transportation Consumer identity and attitudes

SCOPE OF BUSINESS RESEARCH

(6)

Economic Conditions and Tendencies

Measurement and forecast of economic and business conditions General price structure and price movements Trade and production changes Rates of return on investments and of profits on sales National Income estimates Taxation

(7) Public and government relations

Relation of firm with public Public attitudes Exchange of information with Government Regulation by the Government

NATURE OF RESEARCH
(1) Research is a systematic and critical investigation into a phenomenon. (2) It is not a mere compilation, but a purposive investigation; it aims at describing, interpreting and explaining a phenomenon. (3) It adopts a scientific method. (4) It is objective and logical, applying possible tests to validate the measuring tools and the conclusions reached. (5) It is based on empirical or observable evidence.

NATURE OF RESEARCH
(6) Research is directed towards finding answers to pertinent questions and solutions to problems. (7) It emphasizes the development of generalization, principles or theories. (8) The purpose of research is not to arrive at an answer, which is personally pleasing to the researcher, but rather one, which will stand up to the test of criticism. (9) It is trans-disciplinary in nature.

OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
(1) Research extends knowledge. (2) Research unravels the mysteries of nature. (3) Research establishes generalizations and general laws. (4) Research verifies and tests. (5) Research analyzes inter-relationships

OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH (contd)

(6) Applied Research aims at finding solutions. (7) Research aims to develop tools and concepts. (8) Research aids in planning and thus contributes to national development. (9) Research provides data for rational decisionmaking.

CRITERIA FOR GOOD RESEARCH

Purpose and needs to be clearly defined Research process detailed Research design thoroughly planned High ethical standards to be applied Limitations frankly revealed Analysis adequate for decisions Findings presented unambiguously Conclusions need to be justified Researchers experience to be reflected

MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH
Possible motives for doing research may be either one or more of the following: (1) Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits. (2) Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems. (3) Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work. (4) Desire to be of service to society. (5) Desire to get respectability.

RESEARCH PROCESS
Research process is the systematic approach for conducting the research in an effective way. The Research Process consists of a series of steps or actions necessary to be conducted. Various steps in the Research Process can be represented as

 Research Process
Step I:Formulation of Research Problem. Step II: Extensive Literature Survey. Step III: Developing Hypothesis. Step IV: Preparation of Research Design. Step V:Determining Sample Design. Step VI: Collection of Data. Step VII: Classification and Tabulation of Data. Step VIII: Analysis of Data. Step IX: Testing of Hypothesis. Step X: Generation of Interpretations. Step XI: Presentation & Preparation of Reports.

Formulation of Research Problem

Selection and Formulation of a research problem is the first and important step in research process. The term problem means a question or a problem or an issue to be examined. Formulation of a research problem is one of the difficult task. Without forming a problem, there is nothing to do in research.

 Types of Research Problems

Related to study of nature. Related to comparative studies. Related to problem solving. Related to Relationship between the variables.

Rules for construction of problem

Subject which is overdone should not chosen. Controversial issues should not be chosen. Too narrow and too vast problems should be avoided.

 Techniques for defining Problem

State the problem in a general way Understand the nature of the problem Surveying the available literature Developing the ideas through discussions Rephrasing the research problem Surveying the literature Academic experience Daily experience Consultation Research for the research problem Exposure from the field studies

Sources of research problem

Extensive Literature Survey

Once the research problem has been formulated, a brief summary (literature) is to be provided about the problem and the research process.

Purpose of Literature Survey

To gain the background knowledge about the topic To gain the concepts relating to the problem To identify the appropriate methodology To identify the sources of data collection To learn how to structurize the research

 Sources of Literature
Various sources of research literature are

Books Journals Conference Proceedings Reports Research Thesis Research Discussions News Paper Audio and Video Tapes

Developing Hypothesis
Next to literature survey, the researcher has to state the working hypothesis about the research Hypothesis is the tentative assumptions made in order to draw the solution and to test the logical process. Techniques of Developing Hypothesis Stating the possible solutions. Discussion with the experts Examine the available data and records Review the similar studies Through the Personal investigation.

Preparation of Research Design

Next to hypothesis, a researcher is required to prepare a suitable research design based on the behaviour of the study. A research design is a conceptual structure or a plan of action that a researcher has to follow to solve a research problem or for decision making. Different research designs are used to make the solutions for different research problems.

 Types of Research Designs

Various research designs used by the researchers are Pure Research Design Applied Research Design Exploratory Research Design Descriptive Research Design Quantitative Research Design Qualitative Research Design Experimental Research Design Diagnostic Research Design Historical Research Design Action Research Design Etc..

Determining Sample Design

After the selection of research design, the researcher has to collect the data for the study. But, it is not possible to collect the complete data from the respondents. So there is a need of sample design to collect the suitable data from the respondents. A sample is finite subset or portion of the respondents or universe. A sample design is the procedure of selecting the suitable sample from the universe.

 Types of sample designs

Various sampling designs can be classified as

Probability based sampling designs

Simple random sampling design Stratified random sampling design Systematic sampling design Cluster sampling design Area sampling design Etc.. Purposive sampling design Judgment sampling design Quota sampling design Snow ball sampling design Etc..

Non - Probability based sampling designs

Collection of Data
After the sampling, the researcher is directed towards the data collection. Data means the information about the study. The data related to the study need to be collected from the respondents. Data is of two types

Primary data: the data collected directly from

the respondents is called primary data.

Secondary data:

the date collected from the primary data is called secondary data.

 Sources of primary data

Questionnaires Schedules Personal interviews. Telephonic interviews etc.. Experimentation and observation. Old records News papers Journals Books Company audits etc..

Sources of Secondary data

Classification and Tabulation of Data

The data obtained in the previous step is the raw data and large in size. The raw data is not in a specific format for analysis. In order to minimize and make into the specific format, the researcher has to use various classification and tabulation tools. These tools also consists of measurement, editing, transcription, coding and graphical representation.

 Classification and tabulation techniques Editing Coding Classification Measurement scaling Transcription Computerization Tabulation Graphical representation etc..

Analysis of Data
Next to data classification, the researcher has to apply various statistical analysis tools for analyzing the data. Various statistical tools can be classified as
Uni-Variate statistical tools Bi-Variate statistical tolls Multi-Variate statistical tolls.

 Uni-Variate statistical tools

Measures of central tendencies Measures of dispersion Measures of variation etc..

Bi-Variate statistical tools

Correlation Regression Time series Curve fitting etc.. Discriminate analysis Factor analysis, Cluster analysis Conjoint analysis Content analysis

Multi-Variate statistical tools

Testing of Hypothesis
To test the working hypothesis and also to analyze the large population, the researcher has to use the hypothesis testing consisting of the following models
Theory of Estimation Z- Test t- test F- Test Chi-square Test ANOVA Test Design of Experiments etc..

Generation of Interpretations
After the data analysis, the researcher has to give the conclusions about the study based on them. Also he has to compare the interpretations with the working hypothesis whether the conclusions reaches the working hypothesis or not. Techniques for generating conclusions
State in relation with the research problem Discuss with the experts Avoid the false generations Relate with the underlying process

Presentation & Preparation of Reports

Finally a researcher has to Present the results and prepare a report or thesis of what he had studied from the research. Presentation involves the communication of the results about the Research. A research report will be helpful for storage and for future reference for the similar kind of studies. Major parts of Research Report
Preliminary Pages Main Text End Pages

 Preliminary Pages
Project title Acknowledgements Declaration Certificates Index List of symbols, variables and tables etc..

Main Text
Chapters Sub-chapters Introduction to Research problem Data collection Classification of Data Analysis of data Summary and findings

End Pages
Appendix Bibliography Formats of questionnaires and schedules Subject Index

 The research process can be diagrammatically representsed as

FF FF Review literature

Research problem

Previous findings

Formulate hypothesis

Research Data Data and collection analysis sample F design F

Interpret & Report

FF: Feed Forward F: Feed Backward

Social Research
Sciences can be classified into physical sciences and social sciences. Social sciences deals with human life, human behavior, social groups and the social institutions. Social Sciences consists of Anthropology, Behavioral Sciences, Commerce, Demography, Economics, Management, Education, History, Public Administration, Social work etc.. The study of any of these fields is known as Social Research

 Social Research can be defined as

A systematic method of exploring, analyzing and conceptualizing the human life in order to extend, correct and verify the knowledge of human behaviour and the social life Seek to find explanations to unexplained social phenomenon to clarify the doubtful and correct the misconceived facts of social life

 Aims of Social Research

Discover new facts, verify and test the old facts Understand the human behavior Find the connection between human activities and natural laws To develop new concepts and theories To diagnosis and analyze the social problems To bring social welfare

 Limitations of Social Research

Complexity in the subject matter. Social Scientist- A part of what he studies. Human Errors and Personal Values. Errors in Decision Making

 Process of Social Research

Identification and selection of research problem. Review of literature. Formation of selected problem. Operationalisation of concepts. Preparation of research plan. Construction of tools for data collection. Collection of data. Processing of data Analysis of data.

Types of Research Designs

Pure Research Applied Research Exploratory Research Objectives Descriptive Research Quantitative Research Inquiry Qualitative Research Experimental Experimentation Research Application

Research

Pure Research Design

The research is undertaken only for the sake of knowledge without any intention or purpose to apply is called Pure Research. Pure research is undertaken to satisfy researchers thirst for knowledge. Pure Research is also called Basic Research or Fundamental Research

 Ex:
Einstein's theory of Relativity. Newtons theory of Gravity. Galileo's contributions to the society .

Merits of Pure Research Design

Pure Research is the basis for innovations. Offers solutions for many problems. Helps in finding the critical factors to the practical problems Develops many alternatives and provides decision making

Applied Research
The Applied Research can be carried out with intention of finding the solution to a real world problem. Applied research is undertaken with the aim of covering the data to solve an existing problem. Applied Research requires an Action or Policy Decision Making.

 Ex:
A market research for developing a new product. A study of sales promotion programs. A study on labour wage rates.

Merits of Applied research

Contributes in finding new facts Put theory into practice May aim in conceptual clarification Investigates the previous existing theory

Exploratory Research
A preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which the researcher has a little or no knowledge is called Exploratory Research. ERs purpose is to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or acquire new insights into a problem. Ex: a doctor investigation towards a patient suffering from an unfamiliar disease.

 Merits of Exploratory Research

Generates New Ideas Increases the researcher familiarity with the problem Make a precise formulation of the problem Determine the feasibility of the process

Descriptive Research
A survey or fact finding investigation with adequate interpretations is called descriptive research design. DR determines who, what, when, where and how of the topic. It is concerned with describing the characteristics of the problem Ex: any study on a social problem

 Merits of Exploratory Research

Valuable in providing facts needed for planning social action plan. Highlighting the importance of the problem. Provides the logical aspects of data collection and interpretations.

Quantitative Research
A research based on the measurement of quantity or amount is called quantitative research. Ex
A research on portfolio analysis A research on financial parameters of an organization A research on ratio analysis.

 Merits
Offers solutions to the problems Develop many alternatives and provides decision-making Contributes in finding new facts Determine the feasibility of the process

Qualitative Research
A research is concerned with the qualitative phenomenon of the data is called Qualitative Research. Ex
A research on customer satisfaction about a product. A research on organizational Behaviour A research on employee job satisfaction

 Merits
Helps to know about the human behaviour towards a particular situation. Useful for studying the behavioural sciences.

Experimental Research
The aim of the experimental research is to investigate the possible cause-and-effect relationship By one independent variable to influence the other variable(s) In the experimental designs, the Researcher has to find the relation between the relationship between dependent and independent variables in the experiment. Ex:
Industrial Experiments. Agricultural Experiments.

 Types of Experimental Designs

Simple True Experimental Designs. Complex True Experimental Designs Quasi-Experimental Designs Pre-Experimental Designs

Ex:
Completely Randomized Design(CRD) Randomized Block Design(RBD) Latin Square Design(LSD) Factorial Designs etc..

Ethics in Business Research

Ethical Issues in Business Research
It involves the researcher, the client and the respondent

Rights and Obligations of Researcher

Purpose of research must be research Objectivity Misrepresentation of research Protecting the right to confidentiality Dissemination of faulty conclusions Competing research proposals

 Rights and Obligations of Client

- Open relationship with research suppliers
- Open relationship with interested parties - Privacy

Rights and Obligations of Respondent

- Obligation to be truthful
- Privacy - Deception or Cheating - Right to be informed