Research

Methodology
1. Meaning of Research
2. Objectives of Research
3. Motivation of Research
4. Types of Research
5. Research Approaches
6. Significance of Research
7. Research Methods and Research
Methodology
8. Criteria of good Research
9. Problems of research in countries
like Bangladesh






Meaning of Research
Research means an objective and systematic search for
pertinent information on a specific topic.

Example of Research:

Carbon di oxide emission due to traffic jam
Causes of crimes by slum dwellers etc
Effectiveness of Educational incentive system for
controlling drop-outs

Cont..
Research has to be an original contribution to the
existing stock of knowledge.

Thus Research involves:

Enunciating the problem
Formulating the hypothesis
Collecting data/ facts/information
Analyzing the data/ facts/ information
Reaching at conclusions






Meaning of Research: Example
Problem: CO2- Traffic Jam is a health
hazard-
Hypothesis within tolerable limit
Collecting CO2 data through a sampling
procedure
Analyzing data whether within tolerable
limit
Making Conclusion
Objectives of Research
To achieve new insights into a
phenomenon
To know about the existing phenomenon
To know extent of a cause or effect
variables
To establish relationship between variables
Motivation of Research: What
makes people undertake research

Desiring solution to the problem/ hazard

Desire to do a social / national /
organizational service

Inner satisfaction of a creative job

Types of Research
Descriptive versus Analytical :
Descriptive research means describing state
of affairs Mostly involves primary data
ex-post research

Analytical research means carrying out
analysis on a phenomenon Mostly
involves secondary data ex-ante research-
before contemplated change

Cont.
Applied versus Fundamental Research

Applied research aims to find a solution to
an immediate problem facing a country/
society/ organization etc.
Fundamental research is a basic research
mainly concerned with generalizations
Cont.
Quantitative versus Qualitative Research

```Quantitative research is based on the
measurement of quantity or amount
```Example CO2 emission
`
```Qualitative research is concerned with subjective
attitude/ quality/ attributes / desires / feelings/ etc
```Example : Feeling about Dhaka city air pollution
( intolerable / Mildly intolerable / tolerable


Cont..
Conceptual versus Empirical
Conceptual research is about abstract ideas
or theory
Attack from ghosts,

Empirical Research is data-based and
subject to verification
Research Approaches
According to types of research discussed:
There can be two approaches to research:
Quantitative approach:
Qualitative approach


Quantitative approach can be further divided into
3 groups:

Inferential approach infer characteristics of a
phenomenon through collection of data example
CO2 emission.
Experimental approach Researcher deliberately
changes some variables to know the causal effect-
example effect of temperature rise on plant
growth under open sky
Cont
Simulation approach Researcher
artificially construct an environment and
collects data

A greenhouse is constructed and impact of
temperature rise on plant growth is
measured
Significance of Research
Doubt is often better than
overconfidence as doubt leads to
enquiry and enquiry leads to
invention
Research inculcates scientific and inductive
thinking that promotes development of
logical thinking
Cont.
Research provides the basis of all
government / international policies

Research is used for solving various
problems of Businesses, NGOs, Societies
etc.
Research Methods and Research
Methodology
Research methods refer to use of
instruments for a research technique
Example:
Type of Research


Quantitative Field
Research


Methods of
Research

Questionnaire

Focussed Group
Discussion
Technique of Research

Researcher uses open and
close ended questions
Researcher selects a
particular group for the
detailed discussion

Cont..
Research methodology is a way to
systemically solve the research problem
Research methodology has a broader
dimension than research methods



Cont..
Elements of Research Methodology are: Defining
objective
Reviewing Literature
Formulating Hypothesis
Designing sample
Collecting data
Analyzing of data
Arriving at conclusions
Criteria of good Research
The objective of the research clearly defined
The research methodology used should be
described in sufficient detail to permit another
researcher to repeat the research for further
advancement
The sampling design should be such as to yield
least error
The writing should be done with complete
frankness nothing which has bearing on the
result should be hidden
Cont..
The validity and reliability of data as a well
as calculations should be re-checked to
avoid mistakes
Conclusions should be confined to those
justified by data and analysis
Researcher should be a person of integrity
Problems encountered in
countries like Bangladesh
Insufficient interaction between Academics
and Practitioners
Lack of training on the part of researchers
Fear that information provided to
researchers may be used against them
Secondary sources of data are not timely
available
Way forward to overcome
research problems in Bangladesh
Greater interaction between academic institutions
and practicing organizations/ government/ NGOs
etc.
More education and training on research
methodology
National Policy on Research mentioning that
research data can not be used against the person
Timely publication of secondary data and
enforcement of Act on Right to Information

The End