UNIT – I

OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH

RESEARCH
MEANING
Research in simple terms refers to search for knowledge. It is a scientific and systematic
search for information on a particular topic or issue. It is also known as the art of scientific
investigation. Several social scientists have defined research in different ways.
Research is "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge,
including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge
to devise new applications." It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of
previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories.
A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field.

DEFINITION
In the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, D. Slesinger and M. Stephension (1930) defined
research as “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing
to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in the construction of
theory or in the practice of an art”.
According to Redman and Mory (1923), research is a “systematized effort to gain new
knowledge”. It is an academic activity and therefore the term should be used in a technical
sense. According to Clifford Woody (kothari, 1988), research comprises “defining and
redefining problems, formulating hypotheses or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing
and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and finally, carefully
testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulated hypotheses”.
OBJECTIVE OF RESEARCH
The objective of research is to find answers to the questions by applying scientific
procedures. In other words, the main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden
and has not yet been discovered. Although every research study has its own specific
objectives, the research objectives may be broadly grouped as follows:

1. To gain familiarity with new insights into a phenomenon (i.e., formulative research
studies).

2. To accurately portray the characteristics of a particular individual, group, or a

situation (i.e., descriptive research studies).

3. To analyse the frequency with which something occurs (i.e., diagnostic research
studies).

4. To examine the hypothesis of a causal relationship between two variables (i.e.,

hypothesis-testing research study.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH
->“All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry,
and inquiry leads to
invention” is a famous Hudson Maxim in context of which the significance of research can
well be understood. Increased amounts of research make progress possible. Research
inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits
of thinking and organisation.
->The role of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or
to the economy as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times. The increasingly complex
nature of business and government has focused attention on the use of research in solving
operational problems.

1. Research, as an aid to economic policy, has gained added importance, both for
government and business.
2. Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic
system.
3. Through research we can devise alternative policies and can as well examine the
consequences of each of these alternatives.
4. Research certainly facilitates the decisions of the policy maker. Government has
also to chalk out programmes for dealing with all facets of the country’s existence
5. Another area in government, where research is necessary, is collecting information
on the economic and social structure of the nation.
 6.Research in social sciences is concerned both with knowledge for its own sake and
with knowledge for what it can contribute to practical concerns.

In addition to what has been stated above, the significance of research can also be understood
keeping in view the following points:

(a) To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research may mean
a careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure;

(b) To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of

livelihood;

(c) To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and
insights;

(d) To literary men and women, research may mean the development of new
styles and creative work

(e) To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalisations of new
theories.
Thus, research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and an important
source of providing guidelines for solving different business, governmental and social
problems. It is a sort of formal training which enables one to understand the new
developments in one’s field in a better way.
SIGNIFICANCE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT IN RESEARCH
1. First, norms promote the aims of research, such as knowledge, truth, and avoidance of error.
2. Research often involves a great deal of cooperation and coordination among many different people
in different disciplines and institutions, ethical standards promote the values that are essential to
collaborative work, such as trust, accountability, mutual respect, and fairness. For example, many
ethical norms in research, such as guidelines for authorship, copyright and patenting policies, data
sharing policies, and confidentiality rules in peer review, are designed to protect intellectual property
interests while encouraging collaboration. Most researchers want to receive credit for their
contributions and do not want to have their ideas stolen or disclosed prematurely.
3. Many of the ethical norms help to ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the public.
4. Ethical norms in research also help to build public support for research. People are more likely to
fund a research project if they can trust the quality and integrity of research.
5. Many of the norms of research promote a variety of other important moral and social values, such
as social responsibility, human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, and public health and
safety.

CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH

1. Exploratory Research
This is conducted when there are few or no earlier studies to which references can be
made for information. The aim is to look for patterns, ideas or hypotheses rather than
testing or confirming a hypotheses. In exploratory research the focus is on gaining
insights and familiarity with the subject area for more rigorous investigation later.
2. Descriptive Research
This describe phenomenon as they exist. It is used to identify and obtain information on
the characteristics of a particular issue.
The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it
exists at present.
in social sciences we quite often use the term Ex post facto research for descriptive
research studies. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no
control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.
3. Analytical or Explanatory Research
This is continuation of descriptive research. The researcher goes beyond merely
describing the characteristics, to analyze and explain why and how something is
happening.
Thus, analytical research aims to understand phenomenon by discovering and
measuring casual relationship among them.
In this research, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and
analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
4. Predictive Research
Predictive research goes further by forecasting the likelihood of similar situation
occurring elsewhere. It aims to generalize from the analysis by predicting certain
phenomenon on the basis of hypothesized, general relationships.
Predictive research provides ‘how’, ‘why’, and ‘where’ answers to current events as
well as to similar events in the future.
5. Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is
applicable to the phenomenon that can be expressed in terms of quantity. It involves the
generation of data in quantitative form which can be subject to rigorous quantitative
analysis in a formal and rigid form. This approach of research can be further sub-divided
into inferential, experimental and simulation approach
• The purpose of the Inferential approach to research is to form a data base from
which to infer characteristics or relationships of population. This is usually means
survey
 research where a sample of population is studied (questioned or observed) to
determine its characteristics.
• Experimental approach is characterized by much greater control over the
research environment and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe
their effect on other variables.
• Simulation approach involves the construct of an artificial environment within
which the relevant information and data can be gathered.

6. Qualitative Research

Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e.,
phenomena related to or involving quality or kind. This types of research aims at
discovering the underlying motives and desires. Through such kind of research we can
analyze the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or
which make people to like or dislike a particular thing.

This approach of research is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes,

opinions and behaviour. Research in such a situation is a function of researcher’s
insights and impression.

7. Fundamental Research
Basic research is also called fundamental research or pure research, and is conducted
primarily to improve our understanding of general issues, without any emphasis on its
immediate application.
 It is regarded as the most academic form of research since the principle aim is to make a
contribution to knowledge, usually for general good, rather than to solve a specific
problem for one generation. It is generally concerned with generalizations and with the
formulation of theory. Research studies, concerning human behaviour carried on with a
view to make generalizations about human behaviour, are also examples of fundamental
research, but research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete
social or business problems .
8 Applied Research
Applied research adapt the theories, developed through fundamental research, to the
solution of problems. Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate
problem facing by a society/ institution/ business organization etc.
9.Action Research
This is the form of research where researcher ‘interferes’ with or changes – deliberately
– what is being researched. The critics of action research argues that since the researcher
is changing what is being researched during the process of research, the work cannot be
replicated. If it cannot be replicated its findings cannot be tested in other situations. This
prevents general knowledge being developed and thus it cannot contribute to theory.

SCIENTIFIC THINKING:
Scientific thinking refers to both thinking about the content of science and the set of
reasoning processes that permeate the field of science: induction, deduction,
experimental design, causal reasoning, concept formation, hypothesis testing, and so
on.
(a) Inductive Model : Moves from the particular to the general, from a set of specific
observations to discovery of a pattern that represents some degree of order among all
given events; the logical model in which general principles are developed from specific
observations.

(b) Deductive Model :Moves from the general to the specific, from a pattern that might be
logically or theoretically expected and observations that test whether the expected
pattern actually occurs; the logical model in which specific expectations of hypotheses
are developed on the basis of general principles.

REASONING:

Reasoning is process of thinking about things in

logical,rational way.It is considered an innate human ability
 that has been formalized by fields such as logic,mathematics and artificial intelligence.

Types is reasoning:

1. Deductive reasoning: It is a formal method of top down logic that seeks to find
observations to prove a theory .It uses formal logic and produces logically certain
results.
2. Inductive reasoning: It is bottom up logic that seeks theories to explain
observation.It is exploratory in nature and uncertain but likely results.
3. Deductive reasoning:It is like induction ,deductive reasoning seeks theories to
explain observation.it is less rigorous and allows for best guesses.Deductive reasoning
is typically used in the context of uncertainty.it is associated with decision making and
trouble shooting .
4. Backward induction: it is top down approach that starts with theories or end states
and works backwards to explain them. It allows for uncertainty and common used in
artificial intelligence.
5. Critical thinking: it is the process of rational thoughts that seeks to draw conclusions
in an objective; thoughts and informed manner .It is a product of human thoughts and
is influenced by factors such as cultural and language
.human thought is based on natural language that allows for a great range of ideas to
be contemplated.
6. Counter-factual thinking: it is considering things that are known to be impossible.
The most common. EG: of this is evaluating the past decisions that were once
possible but are now impossible as their time horizon has passed.
7. Intuition: intuition are judgments that are made by the mind that are perceived by the
unconscious. Such judgments exhibit intelligence but the processes by which they
generated aren’t well understood.
RESEARCH PROCESS
The research process is a series of steps that need to be undertaken to carry out
any piece of research. ... In all cases the researcher must ascertain the extent of
existing knowledge, define their own area of enquiry, collect data and analyse it, and
draw conclusions.
STEPS IN OF RESEARCH PROCESS

1. Formulating the research problem: There are two types of research problems,
viz., those which relate to states of nature and those which relate to relationships
between variables. At the very outset the researcher must single out the problem he
wants to study, i.e., he must decide the general area of interest or aspect of a subject-
matter that he would like to inquire into. The formulation of a general topic into a
specific research problem, thus, constitutes the first step in a scientific enquiry.
Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the research problem, viz.,
understanding the problem thoroughly, and rephrasing the same into meaningful
terms from an analytical point of view.

2. Extensive literature survey: Once the problem is formulated, a brief summary of

it should be written down. In this process, it should be remembered that one source
will lead to another. The earlier studies, if any, which are similar to the study in hand
should be carefully studied. A good library will be a great help to the researcher at
this stage.

3. Development of working hypotheses: After extensive literature survey,

researcher should state in clear terms
the working hypothesis or hypotheses. Working hypothesis is tentative assumption
made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. As such the
manner in which research hypotheses are developed is particularly important since
they provide the focal point for research. They also affect the manner in which tests
must be conducted in the analysis of data and indirectly the quality of data which is
required for the analysis. In most types of research, the development of working
hypothesis plays an important role.
Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand
because it has to be tested. The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by
delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track

4. Preparing the research design: The research problem having been formulated
in clear cut terms, the researcher will be required to prepare a research design, i.e.,
he will have to state the conceptual structure within which research would be
conducted. The preparation of such a design facilitates research to be as efficient as
possible yielding maximal information one for his own project. The preparation of
the research design, appropriate for a particular research problem, involves usually
the consideration of the following:

(i) the means of obtaining the information;

(ii) the availability and skills of the researcher and his staff (if any);

(iii)explanation of the way in which selected means of obtaining information will be

organized and the reasoning leading to the selection
(iv) the time available for research; and
(v) the cost factor relating to research, i.e., the finance available for the purpose.

5. Determining sample design: All the items under consideration in any field of
inquiry constitute a ‘universe’ or ‘population’. A complete enumeration of all the
items in the ‘population’ is known as a census inquiry. It can be presumed that in such
an inquiry when all the items are covered no element of chance is left and highest
accuracy is obtained. But in practice this may not be true. Hence, quite often we select
only a few items from the universe for our study purposes. The items so selected
constitute what is technically called a sample. The researcher must decide the way of
selecting a sample or what is popularly known as the sample design. In other words, a
sample design is a definite plan determined before any data are actually collected for
obtaining a sample from a given population.

6. Collecting the data: In dealing with any real life problem it is often found that
data at hand are inadequate, and hence, it becomes necessary to collect data that are
appropriate. There are several ways of collecting the appropriate data which differ
considerably in context of money costs, time and other resources at the disposal of the
researcher. Primary data can be collected either through experiment or through
survey.

(i) By observation: This method implies the collection of information by way of

investigator’s own observation, without interviewing the respondents.
(ii) Through personal interview: The investigator follows a rigid procedure and
seeks answers to a set of pre- conceived questions through personal interviews. This
method of collecting data is usually carried out in a structured way where output
depends upon the ability of the interviewer to a large extent.

(iii) Through telephone interviews: This method of collecting information

involves contacting the respondents on telephone itself. This is not a very widely
used method but it plays an important role in industrial surveys in developed regions,
particularly, when the survey has to be accomplished in a very limited time.

(iv) By mailing of questionnaires: The researcher and the respondents do come in

contact with each other if this method of survey is adopted. Questionnaires are mailed
to the respondents with a request to return after completing the same.

(v) Through schedules: Under this method the enumerators are appointed and
given training. They are provided with schedules containing relevant questions.

7. Execution of the project: Execution of the project is a very important step in

the research process. If the execution of the project proceeds on correct lines, the
data to be collected would be adequate and dependable. The researcher should see
that the project is executed in a systematic manner and in time. If the survey is to
be conducted by means of structured questionnaires, data can be readily machine-
processed. In such a situation, questions as well as the possible answers may be
coded
 8. Analysis of data: After the data have been collected, the researcher turns to the task
of analyzing them. The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations
such as establishment of categories, the application of these categories to raw data
through coding, tabulation and then drawing statistical inferences.

9. Hypothesis-testing: 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? This is the usual question which should be
answered while testing hypotheses. Various tests, such as Chi square test, t-test, F- test,
have been developed by statisticians for the purpose.
The hypotheses may be tested through the use of one or more of such tests, depending
upon the nature and object of research inquiry. Hypothesis-testing will result in either
accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it. If the researcher had no hypotheses to start
with, generalizations established on the basis of data may be stated as hypotheses to be
tested by subsequent researches in times to come.

10. Generalizations and interpretation: If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times,
it may be possible for the researcher to arrive at generalization, i.e., to build a theory. As a
matter of fact, the real value of research lies in its ability to arrive at certain generalizations. If
the researcher had no hypothesis to start with, he might seek to explain his findings on the
basis of some theory. It is known as interpretation.

11. Preparation of the report or the thesis: Finally, the researcher has to prepare the
report of what has been done by
him. Writing of report must be done with great care keeping in view the following:
The layout of the report should be as follows: (i) the preliminary pages; (ii) the main text,
and (iii) the end matter. In its preliminary pages the report should carry title and date
followed by acknowledgments and foreword. Then there should be a table of contents
followed by a list of tables and list of graphs and charts, if any, given in the report.
The main text of the report should have the following parts:

(a) Introduction: It should contain a clear statement of the objective of the research
and an explanation of the methodology adopted in accomplishing the research. The
scope of the study along with various limitations should as well be stated in this part.

(b) Summary of findings: After introduction there would appear a statement of findings
and recommendations in non- technical language. If the findings are extensive, they should
be summarized.

(c) Main report: The main body of the report should be presented in logical sequence
and broken-down into readily identifiable sections.

(d) Conclusion: Towards the end of the main text, researcher should again put down the
results of his research clearly and precisely. In fact, it is the final summing up.
 RESEARCH PROBLEM
A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved, a
difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in
theory, or in practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate
investigation.
Definition of Research Problem
Following are some of the important definitions of research problem
1. R.S Woodworth: “A problem is a situation for which we have no ready made
solution”.
2. John Dewey: “A problem represents the information’s acquired by a researcher
and seeks solution for it”.
3. K. Person: “A problem is that situation if we modified will bring solution in the
difficulty”.
4. Gibson: “A problem is really a spring board for a leap in to the unknown”.
IDENTIFIACTION AND SERACHING RESEARCH PROBLEM

A research problem is deemed appropriate when it is:

1. Supported by the literature - should be relevant to the field and supported by a number of recent
peer-reviewed studies in the field.

2. Considered significant - should have a positive impact on the field. The impact can be practical,
in the form of direct application of the results in the field, or conceptual, where the work advances the
field by filling a knowledge gap.

3. Timely - should be related to the current needs in the field and well-suited for the present status
of the issues in your field. Explore what topics are being covered in current journals in the field.

4. Novel - should be original and unique. It should seek to address a gap in our knowledge or
application.

5. Specific and Clear - should be specific enough to set the direction of the study, raise research
question(s), and determine an appropriate research method and design. Vague research problems may
not be useful to specify the direction of the study or develop research questions.

6. Re-searchable - Research problems are solved through the scientific method. This means
research-ability, or feasibility of the problem, is more important. If a research problem retains all of
previously mentioned characteristics but it is not re-searchable, it may not be an appropriate research
problem.

ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH

1. CONCEPTS

MEANING : A concept is a verbal abstraction drawn from observation of a number of specific

cases. The critical term here is “observed”, because it means that there is a direct link between the
concept (the abstraction) and its referents (the reality).
Example : We observe individuals and find some of them short, some tall and more of them in
between; from these observations we generate the concept “height”
 2. CONSTRUCT

MEANING : A construct serves the same function as a concept, but it is more abstract. It is not
characterized by a direct link between the abstraction and its observed manifestations.Constructs are
built from the logical combination of a number of more observable concepts

3. DEFINITIONS

A scientific concept really consists of three parts: a label, a theoretical definition, and an operational
definition.

(A) CONCEPT LABEL - A concept label is used in theory to enable communication to any
interested person in an unambiguous fashion, so that it may be tested and evaluated by others. A great
advantage of using concept labels is that they facilitate communication. It is vastly more convenient
and efficient to refer to people’s “income” than to refer to “the amount of money people receive in
return for having made their labor or their knowledge available to another.
(B) THEORTICAL DEFINITION - A theoretical definition defines a term in an academic
discipline, functioning as a proposal to see a phenomenon in a certain way. A theoretical definition is a
proposed way of thinking about potentially related events.Theoretical definitions contain built-
in theories; they cannot be simply reduced to describing a set of observations. The definition may
contain implicit inductions and deductive consequences that are part of the theory.A theoretical
definition of a term can change, over time, based on the methods in the field that created it.
(C) OPERATIONAL DEFINITION - An operational definition translates the verbal meaning
provided by the theoretical definition into a prescription for measurement. Although they may be
expressed verbally, operational definitions are fundamentally statements that describe measurement
and mathematical operations.An operational definition adds three things to the theoretical
definition.An operational definition describes the unit of measurement,specifies the level of
measurement and must be very closely associated with the theoretical definition

LITERATURE REVIEW

MEANING : A literature review is a search and evaluation of the available literature in your given
subject or chosen topic area. It documents the state of the art with respect to the subject or topic you are
writing about.

A literature review has four main objectives:

 It surveys the literature in your chosen area of study

 It synthesises the information in that literature into a summary
 It critically analyses the information gathered by identifying gaps in current knowledge; by showing
limitations of theories and points of view; and by formulating areas for further research and
reviewing areas of controversy
 It presents the literature in an organized way

The analytical features of a literature review might:

 Give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations,
 Trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates,
 Depending on the situation, evaluate the sources and advise the reader on the most pertinent or
relevant research, or
  Usually in the conclusion of a literature review, identify where gaps exist in how a problem has
been researched to date.

The literature review is important because:

• It describes how the proposed research is related to prior research in statistics.

• It shows the originality and relevance of your research problem. Specifically, your research is different
from other statisticians.

• It justifies your proposed methodology.

• It demonstrates your preparedness to complete the research.

RESEARCH MODELS

A representation of a system that allows for investigation of the properties of the system and, in some
cases, prediction of future outcomes. Models are often used in quantitative analysis and technical analysis,
and sometimes also used in fundamental analysis.

In research, model is a pictorial or graphic representation of key concepts. it shows , (with the help of
arrows and other diagrams ),the relationship between various types of variables e.g. independent ,
dependent, moderating, mediating variables etc.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Research questions are those questions upon which your research project will be focused and for
which timely and informed answers can be directly developed based on an analysis of the data you
collect. On contrast, research objectives are directly linked to your research questions and are used to
describe the general and specific aims and outcomes that are intended to be achieved by a study. In
general, studies should include at least two or three research objectives.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Introduction:
The word ‘design’ has various meanings. But, in relation to the subject concern, it is a
pattern or an outline of research project’s workings. It is the statement of essential elements
of a study that provides basic guidelines of conducting the project.

Meaning: A research design is a broad plan that states objectives of research project and
provides the guidelines what is to be done to realize those objectives. It is, in other words, a
master plan for executing a research project.
Definitions:
1. We can define the term as:
Research design is a broad framework that states the total pattern of conducting research
project. It specifies objectives, data collection and analysis methods, time, costs,
responsibility, probable outcomes, and actions.

TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN

The research design is a broad framework that describes how the entire research project is
carried out. Basically, there can be three types of research designs – exploratory research
design, descriptive research design, and experimental (or causal) research design. Use of
particular research design depends upon type of problem under study.
1. Exploratory Research Design:
This design is followed to discover ideas and insights to generate possible explanations. It
helps in exploring the problem or situation. It is, particularly, emphasized to break a broad
vague problem statement into smaller pieces or sub- problem statements that help forming
specific hypothesis.

This design is followed to realize following purposes:

1. Clarifying concepts and defining problem

2. Formulating problem for more precise investigation

3. Increasing researcher’s familiarity with problem

4. Developing hypotheses

5. Establishing priorities for further investigation

Exploratory research design is characterized by flexibility to gain insights and develop
hypotheses. It does not follow a planned questionnaire or sampling.

2. Descriptive Research Design:

Descriptive research design is typically concerned with describing problem and its solution.
It is more specific and purposive study. Before rigorous attempts are made for descriptive
study, the well-defined problem must be on hand. Descriptive study rests on one or more
hypotheses.

3. Causal or Experimental Research Design:

Causal research design deals with determining cause and effect relationship. It is
typically in form of experiment. In
 causal research design, attempt is made to measure impact of manipulation on independent
variables (like price, products, advertising and selling efforts or marketing strategies in
general) on dependent variables (like sales volume, profits, and brand image and brand
loyalty).

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

MEANING :

Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and
analyze information about a topic. In a research paper, the methodology section allows the reader to
critically evaluate a study’s overall validity and reliability. The methodology section answers two main
questions: How was the data collected or generated? How was it analyzed?

OBJECTIVE OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of
scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and
which has not been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific
purpose, we may think of research objectives as falling into a number of following broad
groupings:

Aims and Objectives of Research Methodology

1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies with
this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulate research studies);
2. 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);
3. 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);
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are
known as hypothesis-testing research studies).

FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

Research methodologies perform a lot of functions. It applies to a number of jobs being done in research
process.

 Research methodology identifies the research activity in a true sense.

 It further specifies and defines the actual concepts.
 It further declares what sort of methods will be required for further inquiry. Moreover, how progress
can be measured.
 Research methodology offers a platform to demonstrate how we can communicate research activity in
a true sense.