INTRODUCTION TO

RESEARCH
A. THANGAMANI

RAMALINGAM

PT, MSC(PSY),PGDRM, AC spss MIAP

SYLLABUS
Introduction to Research methodology Meaning of
research, objectives of research, Motivation in research,
Types of research & research approaches, Research
methods vs. methodology, Criteria for good research,
Problems encountered by researchers in India.

MEANING OF RESEARCH
Research as a scientific
and systematic search
A careful investigation or
inquiry
A systematic
investigation, including
research development,
testing and evaluation,
designed to develop or
contribute to
generalizable knowledge

The word research is

derived from the Middle
French "recherche",
which means "to go
about seeking", The
earliest recorded use of
the term was in 1577.

OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
The purpose of research
To gain familiarity with a phenomenon
or to achieve new insights
( exploratory or formulative research
studies);
To portray accurately the
characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a
group( descriptive research studies)
To determine the frequency with which
something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else
(diagnostic research studies)
To test a hypothesis of a causal
relationship between variables
( hypothesis-testing research studies).

Aims: Are broad statements of

desired outcomes, or the general
intentions of the research, which
'paint a picture' of your research
project.(hope to achieve at the end
of the project)
Objectives, on the other hand,
should be specific statements that
define measurable outcomes.( steps
taken to achieve the desired
outcome).

MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH
Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential benefits;
Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved
problems, i.e., concern over practical problems initiates
research;
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative
work;
Desire to be of service to society;
Desire to get respectability.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
Primary research or secondary
research (new to everyone Vs new
to researcher)
Descriptive vs. Analytical
Applied vs. Fundamental
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Conceptual vs. Empirical
one-time research or longitudinal
research
clinical or diagnostic research
conclusion-oriented and decisionoriented
field-setting research or laboratory
research or simulation research

Types of Research
Basic Research
Applied Research
Problem oriented
Research
Problem solving
Research
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research

TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. Descriptive research 2. Analytical research 3.
Fundamental research 4. Conceptual research 5.
Empirical research 6. One time research or longitudinal
research 7. Field-setting research or laboratory research
or simulation research 8. Clinical or diagnostic research
9. Exploratory research 10.Historical research
11.conclusion oriented research 12.case study research
13.short term research

RESEARCH APPROACHES

Quantitative approach and the qualitative approach

Inferential approach
Experimental approach
Simulation approach

RESEARCH PROCESS
Research
problem/Question
Review of the
related literature
Formulating
hypotheses
Research design
Data collection
Data
analysis/results
Interpretation of
results
Solution and
conclusion

RESEARCH PROCESS
(1) formulating the research
problem; (2) extensive literature
survey; (3) developing the
hypothesis; (4) preparing the
research design; (5) determining
sample design; (6) collecting the
data; (7) execution of the project;
(8) analysis of data; (9)
hypothesis testing; (10)
generalisations and interpretation,
and (11) preparation of the report
or presentation of the results, i.e.,
formal write-up of conclusions
reached.

CRITERIA FOR GOOD RESEARCH

Good research is systematic

Good research is logical
Good research is empirical
Good research is replicable

PROBLEMS OF RESEARCH
The lack of a scientific
training in the methodology
of research
Insufficient interaction
Research studies
overlapping one another are
undertaken quite often for
want of adequate
information(biased)
Library management and
functioning is not
satisfactory at many places

Problems of collection of data

and conceptualization may
occur.
Repetition problems.
Outdated and insufficient
information system may
cause problems.
Sometimes lack of resources
becomes an obstacle.
Non availability of trained
researchers.
Absence of code of conduct.