Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1 Research Methods
Concept & Introduction
Research Methodology – Unit 1
MBA - 2nd Semester
5 Research - Definition
“Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions;
collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last
carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.” – Clifford
Woody
“the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or
verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art.”
6 Nature of Research
It is systematic problem solving which identifies variables and tests relationships between them
It is logical, so procedures can be duplicated or understood by others
1
10-Feb-17
7 Characteristics of Research
Empirical i.e. Derived from experiment and observation
Systematic
Controlled
Employ Hypothesis
Analytical
Objective, unbiased & Logical
Employs Statistical Methods
Original Work
Done by Experts
Must be a patient and unhurried activity
8 Objectives of Research
To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies with this object
in view are termed as exploratory research studies);
To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group (studies
with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies);
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with
something else (studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research studies);
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known as
hypothesis-testing research studies).
11 Types of Research
Descriptive Vs. Analytical:
1) Descriptive Research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major
purpose of descriptive research is description of the phenomenon as it exists at present.
i. Based on Ex post facto research, where the main characteristic is that the researcher has no
control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.
ii.
2) Analytical Research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already
available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
2
10-Feb-17
12 Types…
Applied Vs. Fundamental:
1) Applied Research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organization
i. Example: social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution
2) Fundamental Research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a
theory.
i. Example: Natural Phenomenon, Human Behavior, etc.
3)
13 Types…
Quantitative Vs. Qualitative:
1) Conceptual Research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
2)
2) Empirical Research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for
system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of
being verified by observation or experiment.
3)
15 Research Approach
3
10-Feb-17
7) It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be termed as scientific theories.
17 Research Process
4
10-Feb-17
23 Contd…
27 Contd…
In the process of analysis, relationships or differences supporting or conflicting with original or
new hypotheses should be subjected to tests of significance to determine with what validity data
can be said to indicate any conclusion(s).
After analyzing the data as stated above, the researcher is in a position to test the hypotheses, if
any, he had formulated earlier. Do the facts support the hypotheses or they happen to be
contrary?
29 Research Report
Preliminary pages
Main text of the report
1) Introduction
2) Summary of previous findings
3) Main report
4) Conclusion
5
10-Feb-17
4) Conclusion
End report
1) References, bibliography, appendix, etc.
Include all relevant charts and illustration or figure.
1) Systematic
2) Logical
3) Empirical
4) Replicable
31 Characteristics of Good Research
Originates with a question or problem.
Requires clear articulation of a goal.
Follows a specific plan or procedure.
Often divides main problem into sub problems.
Guided by specific problem, question, or hypothesis.
Accepts certain critical assumptions.
Requires collection and interpretation of data.
Cyclical (helical) in nature.
34 Research Problem
There are many problem situations that may give rise to research. Three sources usually
contribute to problem identification.
36 Research Questions
Research questions are refined statements of the specific components of the research problem.
The components of problem define the problem in specific terms, but further detail may be
6
10-Feb-17
The components of problem define the problem in specific terms, but further detail may be
needed to develop an approach.
Each component of the problem, may have to be broken down into sub-component or research
questions.
Research questions ask what specific information is required with respect to the problem
components.
Information obtained using research questions should aid the decision maker.
37 Research Objective
The formulation of objectives will help you to:
1) Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials);
2) understanding and solving the problem you have identified;
3) Organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of your research
methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of data.
The objectives of a research summarize what is to be achieved by the study should be closely
related to the statement of the problem.
38 Types of Objectives
39 Specific Objectives
Stated in logical sequence
Clear and unambiguous – What is to be done?
Specific – Addressing one thing only
Measurable – Can be evaluated and Use proper action verbs (Determine, Find out, Identify)
Attainable, given the resources available
Realistic, given the local conditions
Time bound, can be achieved in the given time
Objectives should be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Time bound
40 Research Hypothesis
A hypothesis (H) is an unproven statement or proposition/assumption about a factor or
phenomenon that is of interest to the researcher.
It may be a tentative statement about relationship between two or more variables as stipulated
by the theoretical framework or the analytical model.
Often, a hypothesis is a possible answer to the research question.
41 Example…
Research Question: Do customers exhibit store loyalty?
Research Objective: To study the level of customer’s loyalty towards store.
Research Hypothesis: Customers of the store are loyal.
1) Null Hypothesis (H0): the assumption you are beginning with the opposite of what you’re
testing.
i. Customers of the store are not loyal.
ii.
2) Alternate Hypothesis (H1): the assumption that you’re testing in first hand.
i. Customers of the store are loyal.
7
10-Feb-17