RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

FOR M.M.M.
TOPICS COVERED
RELEVENCE & SCOPE OF RESEARCH IN
MANAGEMENT
STEPS INVOLVED IN RESEARCH IN THE
RESEARCH PROCESS
IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
IDENTIFICATION OF TYPES OF VARIABLES
RESEARCH DESIGNING
DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY

TOPICS COVERED

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#
#
#
#
#

QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES
MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
MEASURES OF DISPERSION
CONCEPT OF SKWNESS AND KURTOSIS
THEORY OF ATTRIBUTES
____________________________________
CORRELATION AND REGRESSION
CONCEPT OF TESTING : TYPE-I AND TYPE-II
ERRORS
CONCEPT OF NULL AND ALTERNATIVE
HYPOTHESES
CHISQUARE TEST FOR INDEPENDENCE OF
ATTRIBUTES & GOODNES OF FIT

TOPICS COVERED
LARGE SAMPLE TESTING : SINGLE
MEAN AND PROPORTION TESTING
T TEST FOR SINGLE AND DOUBLE
MEANS AND PAIRED T-TEST
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE
RESEARCH REPORT WRITING

** RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY **

1 # INTRODUCTION[MEANING OF
RESEARCH]
2 # Objectives of Research
3 # Types of Research
4 # Steps involved [ Stages ] in the
Research process
5 # Significance of Research
6 # Identification to Research problems
7 # Research design

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION :
# Research is expected to be something
original or piece of work that advances or
updates our knowledge.
# The domain of research problems must be
well specified and accurately defined.Those
research investigations whose operational
domain is not specified always remain
inconclusive.
# It is always advisable to select a smaller area
of investigation study it more intensively.
Micro- level analysis are more precisely
researchable than the macrolevel studies.

1 # Introduction[Meaning of
Research]

Fred Kerlinger : Research is an organized enquiry

designed and carried out to provide information for
solving problem
Francis Rummel : Research is careful inquiry or
examination to discover new information or
relationships and to expand to verify existing
knowledge
Robert Ross : Research is essentially an
investigation , a recording and analysis of evidence for
purpose of gaining knowledge
C.C.CrawFord : Research is a systematic and refined
technique of thinking ,employing specialized
tools,instruments and procedures in order to obtain a
more adequate solution of the problem than would be
possible under ordinary means.It starts with a problem
, collects data or facts , analyses them critically and
researches decisions based on the actual evidence

2 # OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
TO VERIFY AN OLD THEORY OR TO FIND A NEW
AREA OF KNOWLEDGE.
TO DETERMINE THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH
SOMETHING OCCURS.
TO TEST A HYPOTHESIS OF A CAUSAL
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIABLES.
VALIDATING OR REVALIDATING THE
ESTABLISHED TRUTH.
TO ORGANIZE DATA IN QUANITATIVE TERMS.

3 # TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH

PURE RESEARCH
APPLIED RESEARCH
ACTION RESEARCH
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH
DESCRIPTIVE AND ANALYTICAL
RESEARCH
QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
PURE RESEARCH :
Pure research is also known as basic
,theoretical or fundamental research.
It aims at finding out new knowledge
which has more or less theoretical
orientation and use. Pure research
aims at enriching the theory.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
APPLIED RESEARCH :
It aims at enriching the field of
application. 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. Applied
research aims at enriching the field of
application.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
ACTION RESEARCH
Action research aims at solving such
business problems which would show
immediate utility. It is used in solving
such problems which have already
become the part of the action plan. An
action research may be linked with a
project or a plant.

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
Objective : To provide insights and
under standing. Information needed is
defined only loosely. Research process is
flexible and unstructured. Sample is small
and non-representative. Generally followed
by further exploratory or conclusive
research.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
Empirical research is data based
research. It is experimental type
of research. Empirical research can be
defined as analysis based on the
observation of actual practice for the
purpose of discovering the unknown or
testing a hypothesis. It involves an
investigator gathering data and
performing analysis to determine the
meaning of the data.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH
It is related to abstract ideas or
theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to
develop new concepts or to
reinterpret the existing ones.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
DESCRIPTIVE AND ANALYTICAL
RESEARCH
Descriptive research includes surveys
and fact finding enquires of different
kinds. The major purpose of
descriptive research is description of
the state of affairs as it exists at
present.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
Descriptive research contd.
Descriptive research mainly
seeks to determine the answer to
whom, when , where ,and how
type of questions.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
ANALYTICAL RESEARCH
In analytical research the
researcher has to use facts or
information already available and
analyse these to make a critical
evaluation of the material.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative research based on
the measurement of quantity or
amount. It is applicable to
phenomena that can be expressed
in terms of quantity.

TYPES[CLASSIFICATION]
OF RESEARCH
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Qualitative research , on the other
hand is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon.
e.g. Motivation research attitude or
opinion research i.e. research designed
to find out how people feel or what
they think about a particular subject or
product or institution is
Qualitative research.

BOOKS FOR REFERENCE

1. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Methods & Techniques : C.R.KOTHARI

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
in Social Science : ARVIND KUMAR
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
: D K BHATTACHARYYA
4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
: G.R.BASOTIA & K.K.SHARMA
5. RESEARCH METHODS
:RAM AHUJA

STEPS IN THE RESEARCH

PROCESS
1.

Define the research problem

2.

Extensive literature survey

3.

Development of hypothesis

4.

Prepare the research design

5.

Select the data collection methods

6.

Determine the sampling plan

7.

Organising and carrying out the field work.

8.

Analyse the collected data

9.

Hypothesis testing

10. Generalisation and interpretation

11. Prepare the research report
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4 # STAGES IN THE RESEARCH

PROCESS

#
#
#
#
#
#

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

PLANNING A RESEARCH DESIGN
PLANNING A SAMPLE
COLLECTION OF DATA
ANALYSING THE DATA
REPORT WRITING

STAGES IN THE RESEARCH

PROCESS
## 1 . DEFINING THE PROBLEM
A problem well defined is a problem half solved.
Careful attention to problem definition allows the
researcher to set proper Research Objectives.
It should be noted that the initial stage is
problem discovery , rather than definition.
There are three basic techniques of discovering
insights and gaining a clear idea of the problem :

* Secondary Data
* Experience Survey
* Pilot Studies

## 2 . PLANNING THE
RESEARCH DESIGN
A research Design is a master plan specifying
the methods and procedures for
collecting and analyzing the needed
information. There are four basic design
techniques :
# Survey Technique
# Experiments
# Secondary Data
# Observation

# # 3 . PLANNING A SAMPLE
The question that must be asked is Who
is to be sampled ? . The answer to this
primary question requires the identification
of a target population, deciding the sample
size and how the sampling units are to be
selected. There are two sampling techniques :
** Probability Sampling
** Non Probability Sampling

PROBABILITY SAMPLING

# Simple Random Sampling (S.R.S.) or

Probability Sampling :
This is the processing of selecting a sample
from a population in such a way that each
and every unit of the population has an equal
and independent chance of being included
in the sample.
e.g. (i) To select a random sample of 50
customers from 1000. (ii) To select randomly
15 companies from a group of 1000
companies.

PROBABILITY SAMPLING

# Stratified sampling :
Stratified sampling is generally used when the
population is heterogeneous. In this method , the
population is first sub-divided in to several parts or
small groups called strata according to some relevant
characteristics so that each stratum is more or less
homogeneous. Each stratum is called a sub-population.
Then a small sample is selected from each stratum at
random. All the sub-samples combined together from
the stratified sample. The process of obtaining and
examining a stratified sample with a view to
estimating the characteristic of the population is
known as stratified sampling.

PROBABILITY SAMPLING

# Systematic sampling or Quasi Random

Sampling :
This means forming the sample in some
systematic manner usually by taking items at
regular intervals. In this case , all the units of
the population are arranged in some order.If
the population size is finite , all the units are
first serially listed and arranged in order.Then
from the first 15 units , one unit is selected at
random. This unit and every Kth unit of the
serially listed population combined together
constitute a systematic sample. This type of
sampling is known as systematic sampling.

PROBABILITY SAMPLING

# Multiple sampling :
In this method , the sampling procedure is carried out
in several stages. The population Is first divided in to
large groups called first stage units. These first stage
units are then divided into smaller groups called
second stage units and second stage units are divided
into third stage units and so on until we come to the
ultimate units or a sample of desired size. At first , a
sample of the first stage units is chosen by any
suitable method. Then a sample of second stage is
selected from each of the selected first stage units
and the process is repeated from stage to stage until
we reach the ultimate units.

NON PROBABILITY
SAMPLING

# Purposive Sampling or Judgement Sampling:

When the choice of the individual items of a sample

entirely depends on the decision i.e. individual
judgement of the investigator is called a purposive or
Judgement sampling. In this method , the members
constituting the sample are chosen not according to
some Definite scientific procedure , but according to
convenience and personal choice of the Individual who
selects the sample. Two or more such independent
purposive samples May give widely different estimates
of the same population. Purposive sampling is always
subject to some kind of bias, This method is suitable
when the sample is small.

NON PROBABILITY
SAMPLING

# Quota Sampling :

In this method , the investigators are

assigned definite quotas according to certain
criteria. They are instructed to obtain the
required number of interviews to fill in each
quota. The interviewers select the individuals
i.e. sample items for interviews on their
personal judgement with in the quotas.Quota
sampling is type of judgement sampling. It is
cheap and easy , but it is open to various
types of errors and bias. This method is often
used in marketing research studies

NON PROBABILITY
SAMPLING

# Cluster or Block sampling :

This method is useful when the population is

wisely dispersed and consists of an unequal
concentration of individual units. In this type
sampling we first form suitable Clusters or
blocks of units of higher concentration. Then
we survey all the units of some Clusters
selected by any suitable sampling method. It
is also called area sampling. This method is
not scientific as it is subject to personal bias.
Cluster sampling is used for geographical
studies of many kinds.

# # 4 . DATA COLLECTION
There are two phases in Data
collection :
## Pre testing
## The main study
A pre testing phase , using a small subsample , may decide whether the data
collection plan for the main study is an
appropriate procedure.

## 5. DATA PROCESSING AND

DATA ANALYSIS
Once the field work has been completed , the
data must be converted into format that will
answer the decision makers questions. Data
processing begins with editing and coding of
the data. Statistical analysis may range from
portraying a simple frequency distribution to
complex multivariate analysis.

## 6. CONCLUSIONS AND
REPORT PREPARATION
The research report should communicate the
research findings effectively. The written
report is not only a historical document that
will be a source of record for later usage ,
but also an aid for the Management for taking
decisions.
Management is not interested in detailed
reporting of the research design but wishes
only be good , if its findings are applied.

Preparing the research report

Title page
Table of contents
Executive summary
Introduction
Methodology and limitations
Data analysis
Findings
Recommendations &Conclusions
Appendixes

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5 # SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

Research has important role in guiding social

planning.
Knowledge is a kind of power with which one can
foresee the implications of a particular phenomena.
Research is charged with responsibility for
effective functioning of facts.
It is a role of the researcher to effect constant
improvement in techniques of his trade.
Research provides the basis for nearly all
government policies in the economic system,
Research has its special significance in solving
various operational and planning problems of
business and industry.

6 # IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
1 # Identification of Research
problem
2 # Selection of a problem
3 # Formulation of a problem
4 # Research Design
5 # A Model Design

1# Identification of research
problems:
The

selection of a topic for

research is a commitment of
ones time and efforts in a
particular direction. There
should not be any haste in
deciding on the topic, nor in
defining its scope.

Identification of research
problems:

The selection of a suitable topic for

research is in many ways the most
difficult task. There are many pitfalls
to be avoided and there are many
persons who have failed to complete
their research, not because they were
lazy or badly organized, but because
their topic was not suitable for
research.

Identification of research
problems:

Probably the most common

mistake is to choose a topic
that is too large at the level at
which the person is studying
working; in their enthusiasm.

Identification of
research problems:
In specific problem solving
research , a research is concerned
with application of research
methods to find satisfactory solution
to a pressing problem. In a business
there are numerous problems which
need solutions. As the resources are
limited, it is indispensable to
identify only the important problems.

IDENIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
2 # Selection of a problem
A research problem rightly and rationally
selected helps the researchers to complete
the project within the prescribed time limit
and the budgeted amount. In selecting a
problem , researcher should take into
consideration the following factors :
# Researchers interest
# Topic of significance
# Researchers resources
# Novelty of the ideas
# Availability of data
# Benefits of the research

3 # FORMULATION OF
A PROBLEM
Formulation of a research problem is
translating and transforming the selected
problem in to a scientific research question.
Proper formulation of the problem
i ) provides a sense of direction to the
research
ii) Specifies the scope of the Research
iii) Indicates the limitation of the Research
iv) Clarifies the problem
v) Establishes the major assumptions
vi) Provides Economy in Research

Steps in formulation :
Developing a little
Working of conceptual model
Defining the objectives
Limiting the scope
Formulation of hypothesis
Operational definition of
concepts

Research design :
A research design is a plan of
action. It is a plan for collecting
and analyzing , data in an
economic efficient and relevant
manner. It is blue print and its
best only tentative.

Research design :

Miller has defined 1# Designed research as

The planned sequence of the entire process
involved in conducting a research study .
According to Selltiz and others 2 # Research
design is a catalogue of the various phases
and facts relating to the formulation of a
research effort. It is an arrangement of the
essential conditions for collection and
analysis of data in a form that aims to
combine relevance to research purpose with
economy in the procedure.

Research design :
3 # A research design designates the
logical manner in which in individuals
or other units are compared and
analysed , it is the basis of making
interpretations from the data.
4 # Research design is the plan ,
structure and strategy of investigation
conceived so to obtain answers to
research questions and control
variable.

Research design :
TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN
# Research design in Exploratory Research Studies
# Research design in Descriptive Research Studies
# Research design in Hypothesis Testing Research
Studies

Research design :
#

Research design in Exploratory Research Studies

The main purpose this is of formulating a

problem for more precise investigation or of
developing hypothesis from an operational point
of view. The major emphasis in such design is on
the discovery of ideas and insights.

Research design in Descriptive Research Studies

Descriptive research studies are those studies

which are concerned with describing the
characteristic of a perticular individual or

Research design :
of a group. The studies concerned with specific
predictions, with narrations of the facts and
characteristics.
# Research design in Hypothesis Testing Research
Studies :
Hypothesis testing research studies (generally
known as experimental studies) are those where
the researcher tests the hypothesis of causal
relationships between variables. Such research
designs require procedure that will not only reduce
bias and increase reliability.

Research Design
RESEARCH DESIGN Includes the
following points :
The over all plan of the study
Variables to be included
Expected relationships between
these variables (hypothesis)
Methods of data collection and
Methods of data analysis

Components of Research Design

Research design consists of the
following components :
Title of the study
Statement of the problem
Review or Previous Studies
Definition of Concept or
Theoretical Principles involved if
any
Coverage and the scope of the study
Objective of the study

Components of Research Design

Formulation of hypothesis
Methods of investigation
Sampling design
Constructing of Schedule or
Questionnaire
Data collection
Analysis of Data
Interpretation of Results
Reporting the Findings

Distinction between Research

Method and Methodology :

Research Methods
Methods are essentially the tools used to gather the
data for analysis. Often this is assumed to refer to
those techniques more associated with positivist
models such as experiment, surveys, questionnaires,
statistical analysis of existing data (unobtrusive
research). However, taking a qualitative approach, a
number of quite different research methods might be
employed. These could include, participant
observation, action research, role play, focus groups,
case studies, narrative approaches, interviews (on a
continuum of structured to unstructured) and so on.

Distinction between Research

Method and Methodology :

Research Methodology
The term methodology refers to the stance
taken at the outset of research, as distinct
from the methods tools, used to gather the
data that is to be scrutinised for the purposes
of the enquiry. There are essentially two
broad approaches to methodology,
quantitative and qualitative. Layder (1993:3)
succinctly describes the former as based on
'theory testing' and the latter as 'theory
building', helpfully highlighting the distinctive
nature of the two stances.

Data collection Methodology :

Sources of data :
1 # Primary data
2 # Secondary data
Definition of primary data : This is first hand
and original data. This is collected for the
first time by the investigator himself. Primary
data are collected for a specific purpose.
Definition of Secondary data : Those data
which are collected by some one else and not
original (or fresh) and not first hand are called
secondary data. Secondary data are
compiled but not collected.

Differences between Primary and

Secondary data
1# Fresh or original
in nature.
2 # Collected for the
first time by the
investigator.
3# Collected for a
specific purpose.

1# Not fresh or not

original.
2# This is compiled
and second hand
data.
3# Collected for
some other purpose.
e.g.for administrative
purpose, for research
use etc.

Differences between Primary and

Secondary data
4# Time consuming
and more expensive.

4# Time saving and

less expensive.

5# More accurate.

5# Less accurate.

Methods of collecting Primary

data :
# Direct personal interview
# Indirect oral interview
# Information from
correspondents
# Mailed questionnaire

# Direct personal interview :

Under this method of collecting data, there is a face

to face contact with the persons from whom the
information is to be obtained (known as informants).
Many types of data required by the social scientists as
evidence in research can be obtained through direct
observations. The interviewer asks them questions
pertaining to the survey and collects the desired
information. Thus, if a person wants to collect data
about the working conditions of the workers of the
Birla Textile Mill, he would go to the mill, contact
workers and obtain the desired information. The
information thus obtained is first-hand or original in
character.

# Direct personal interview :

Suitability: This method is

suitable for intensive rather than

extensive field surveys. Hence, it
should be used only in those
cases where intensive study of a
limited area is desired.

# Indirect oral interview:

Under this method of collecting data,

the investigator contacts the third
parties called witnesses capable of
supplying the necessary information.
The method is generally adopted in
those cases where the information to
be obtained is of a complex nature and
the informants are not inclined to
respond if approached directly, for
example, in an enquiry regarding
addiction to drugs, alcohol, in fire
cases etc.

# Indirect oral interview:

Suitability: This method is

suitable in such cases where

indirect sources of information
are required to be tapped either
because direct sources do not
exist or cannot be relied upon or
would be reluctant to part with
the desired information.

# Information from
correspondents:

Under this method, the investigator appoints

local agents or correspondents in different
places to collect information. These
correspondents collect and transmit the
information to the Central Office where the
data are processed. Correspondents in
different places supply information relating to
such events as accidents, riots, strikes etc.
to the Head Office. This method is adopted by
various government apartments in such cases
where regular information is to be collected
form a wide area.

# Information from
correspondents:

Suitability: This method is generally

adopted in those cases where the

information is to be obtained at regular
intervals from a wide area.
This device has been used for the
collection of personal Preferences, social
attitudes, beliefs, opinions, behaviour
patterns, group practices and habits and
such other data.

# Mailed Questionnaire:

Under this method, a list of questions

pertaining to the survey (known as
questionnaire) is prepared and sent to the
various informants by post. The questionnaire
contains questions and provides space for
answers. Request is made to the informants
through a covering letter to fill up the
questionnaire and send it back within a
specific time. The questionnaire studies can
be classified on the basis of:

The degree to which a questionnaire is

formalized/structured.
The disguise or lack of disguise of the questionnaire
and
The communication used.

# Mailed Questionnaire:

Suitability: This method is

appropriate in cases where

informants are spread over a wide
area i.e. in case of extensive
surveys.

Secondary Data:

Secondary data are those which have been

collected by someone else and made
available to others in the form of published
statistics. The sources of secondary data,
therefore, are publication which comprises
publications of State and central
Governments, local bodies, Foreign
Governments and international organizations
banking and financial institutions,
professional journal, regular and adhoc
reports and reports of commissions of
enquiry.These data are also available in a
variety of unpublished sources such as
records maintained by various Government
and private offices, studies made by research
institutions scholars, military records etc.

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PRODUCT LAUNCHING
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PRODUCT LAUNCHING
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