NOTES

WHAT IS RESEARCH?

Research is searching for and gathering information, usually to answer a particular question or problem.
In other words, Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict and control the observed
phenomenon.
An etymologist might tell us that it comes from the Old French word “cerchier/recherché”, meaning to
search/”seek out or search closely”, with re- expressing intensive force. The meaning is “to careful
search for facts” first appeared in English in the first half of the 17th century.

According to Chambers of 20th Century Dictionary:

“Systematic investigation towards increasing the sum of knowledge”

According to Nicholas Walliman (2011)

“Research is a very general term for an activity that involves finding out, in a more or less systematic
way, things you did not know. A more academic interpretation is that research involves finding about
things that no one else knew either. It is about advancing the frontiers of knowledge”.

Comprehensive Definition:
Research is a process which undertakes;
 Explore an idea
 Probe an issue
 Solve problem & make an arguments that compels us to turns to outside help.

DIFFERNCE BETWEEN BOOK, JOURNAL AND REPORT

1. BOOK:
The tittle or cover page of the books indulge name of the Book i.e. “Corporate Finance: An
introduction”. Name of the writer & publisher name. The second page of the book holds information
about editor, its ISBN number and copyright reserves. Next to this, is a brief intro about the author and
his association which is followed by preface? After preface, there are pages denoted for
“Acknowledgement”. It holds a thorough discussion about those who helped writer in completing this
book. After acknowledgement there is page for contents and then formal start of the book.

2. JOURNAL:
The tittle or cover page of journal holds complete information about the journal required for any reader.
The face page shows Name of the journal, its impact factor, its citations details and its ISSN number.
Also there is a detail for editorial board including sub-editor and associate editors.
In addition to these, there is an overview of the journal i.e. about his publications and objectivity of
including a research paper in that journal. Also there is a scope and aim of the journal describing the
subjectivity of the journal.

3. REPORT:
The report’s cover page shows the name of the publishing body and the tittle of the report. It also has
data, body for which it is published, the body who prepared it and the body to which it is presented. The
next page to cover has copyright and reserve information including ISBN number as well. This page is
followed by Preface and Contents respectively. After that there is an executive summary that briefly
describe the report. Apart from the formatting styles mentioned above, few key differences in
these three observed by me are described as below
Characteristics Book
The purpose of writing a
book depends on authors
Purpose
will. There may or may not
be a specific purpose
The tittle page of book
includes Name of the
Tittle Page
book, Name of Author and
publisher name
The book normally cover
Topic/Issue Coverage the issue/topic which is of
past i.e. 4, 5 10 old.
Target Audiences General Public
A book is normally written
in informal style
Level of Formality
depending on writers
wish.
A book is normally
developed using writer’s
own thoughts, general
view perceptions, and
Construction Material previous events in history
of any other informal
information obtained
from reliable or non-
reliable source.
In book the writer
normally uses the
Sources Used
secondary sources of
information.
A book is normally written
in detail covering each and
Content Details
every aspect of topic and
related ones also.
Journal
The purpose of writing in
Journal is to add a
development, increase
research finding, answer a
specific problem or
analyses and discuss some
key issue. The aim is to
show writers own idea
and development using
research tools.
The tittle page of the
journal holds, name of
journal, name of editor,
ISSN #, and Impact factor
and citation details.
The journal covers the
topics that are not very
old. Either they are recent
of hardly one to two year
old only.
Professionals, Scholars
and Experts
Writing in journal requires
specific style and
formatting prescribed by
editors & journal
authorities.
A journal’s papers is
written by proper
research finding, previous
literature or by using
previous research sources.
There is nothing called
own perceptions
In journal, writer’s first
preference and priority is
to use primary data.
However in some cases
secondary data is also
used.
A journal is normally not
written in complete
details. Writer tries to
remain stuck on topic
Report
The purpose of writing a
report is to construct
some clear findings for
which report is written.
Normally a report is made
to prepare or present a
proposal, which may help
in future for further
findings.
The tittles page of reports
have name of writer, topic
of report, issuing body
details, date and year
publication etc.
The holds very recent
topics. Normally latest to
some current issue or
problem.
A particular group, firm or
number of persons
Highly formal and requires
basic set of rules to
followed as prescribed by
publishing body.
A report is written
specifically on findings of
some research/work done
particularly for that
report.
In report both primary and
secondary data is used
equally.
A report is written in
highly brief style. No extra
information or discussion
is done.
 A report is published for
A is published for once
A journal is published once only. No revised
only. However revised
No Of Publishing/Editions regularly containing edition is possible. If
edition can be produced
volumes. revised than it will be
at some later stage.
considered as new one.
Book quality can be Journal quality can be
Quality
assessed checked by its IF.
A book is normally A journal is assessed by
The report is assessed by
assessed by Text board or specific review and
Assessment the body to which it is
general public. editorial board. Normally
presented.
experts and PhD’s.

What is Research Paper?

Research paper may refer to an Academic paper which is published in academic journals and contains
original research results or review existing or show a totally new invention. A research paper is an
expanded essay that presents your own interpretation or evaluation or argument.
Research papers can take two forms: factual, objective surveys of all the literature available on a topic,
or interpretive analyses of selected evidence arrayed to support the writer's viewpoint and ideas. An
interpretive paper, though primarily concerned with the writer's own ideas and interpretations, cannot
ignore contrary evidence.

What is Purpose of Research Paper?

1. One can generate new ideas for better understanding of reader;
2. Researcher understand the field & issues of the field;
3. One can present his/her ideas & finding in writing logically and correctly.
4. Present his research work for critical evaluation.
5. One can document all the sources in style guide used in one’s field.

What is Format of Research Paper?

1. Abstract:
It gives an overall summary of research paper in one or two paragraphs with maximum length of
200-250 words. Most readers first scan the abstract in order to decide whether to read or not.
2. Introduction:
This section describes the topic, need of research, basic definitions of terms, concept and
vocabulary of topic. Ti is recommended to have length of 500-1000 words.
3. Literature Review:
Existing literature is organized to highlight the existing research gap and to provide support to
hypothesis.
4. Theoretical Framework & Hypothesis:
Hypotheses are developed in testable form and these provide possible explanation about what
researchers going to test.
5. Methodology:
This section provides details regarding sample selection procedure, sample size and sample
characteristics list of variables and their measurement.
6. Findings/Results:
Findings include descriptive and numerical data analysis.
7. Discussion:
 Arguments are developed on the basis of findings and whether hypotheses are supported or
not.
8. Conclusion:
Findings and discussion will be restated and summarized in this section for all those who skip
previous steps.
9. Recommendation:
Findings and discussion will be restated and summarized in this section for all those who skip
previous steps.
10. References:
List of references will be included at the end of research paper in order to facilitate the reader
that he/she can access to original sources if he/she wants.
What is Synopsis?
A synopsis is a brief summary of the major points of a subject or written work or story, either as prose
or as a table; an abridgment or condensation of a work. In other words, synopsis is a brief outline that
shows plan behind the thesis/dissertation, having the list of steps, according to which the
thesis/dissertation will be written.

What is Purpose of Research Paper?

 Synopsis is an important document because it provides planning before getting on to
the actual thesis work;
 It is important to get approval for writing thesis;
 It contains activities and procedures that would be required to write a
thesis/dissertation.
 It provides the details about methodology in brief manner because it will be difficult to
change later on.
 One can document all the sources in style guide used in one’s field.

What is Format of Research Paper?

11. Tittle page
12. Introduction
13. Review of Literature
14. Research question and hypothesis
15. Research design and methodology
16. Future prospects
17. references

What is Thesis/Dissertation?
A thesis in simple is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or
professional qualification presenting the author’s research and findings. Under the dictionary meanings,
a thesis is considered to be as;
 a long piece of writing on a particular subject that is done to earn a degree at a university
 a statement that someone wants to discuss or prove
What is Purpose of Thesis/Dissertation?
 Thesis declares a statement about what researcher believes & what he intends to test;
 Thesis may be a subject to scrutiny for plagiarism;
 Thesis provides evidence of researcher’s contribution to knowledge of subject.
What is Format of Thesis/Dissertation?
1. Tittle page
2. Acknowledgement
3. Dedication
4. Abstract
5. Table of Contents
6. List of figures
7. List of Tables List of Illustrations/Maps/Slides
8. Text
9. Appendix
10. Glossary
Research Proposal:
Research proposal is a form to be filled for funding the projects. It can be PCI form or any other that
contains the completion time of the project and resources required to finish it.

Research Report:
Research report is a progress report written by supervisor about the progress of the student. This report
indicates the current position of the project. The supervisor writes about student progress whether
he/she regularly meets the supervisor according to the schedule or not or whether he/she is completing
his work in time or not.

Technical Report:
A technical report is a formal report designed to convey technical information in a clear and easily
accessible format. It is divided into sections which allow different readers to access different levels of
information within the organization.