1.

1 INTRODUCTION:
The pre-occupation with methodology is largely peculiar to any discipline of research,
particularly in humanity and social science research in India. The first staging post in the life of a
young academician is to produce some evidence of creativity. Not only can the route to this be
taught, but also attempts to do so take away from the spirit of independent research. On the other
hand, the young researchers need to be fitted out with the basic tools of analysis. Before
analyzing the definitions of research, it is worthwhile to discuss some basic concepts related to
decision-making.
1.2 CONCEPT OF DECISION-MAKING:
For a common man, decision-making problem requires a choice among alternative course of
action so as to achieve the objective(s). The word ‘problem’, in a general meaning, reflects that
something has gone wrong.
The elements of decision making process may be:
 The decision maker himself/herself
 Identification of the decision problem
 Identification of the source or the environment in which the problem exists and
need solution
 Selecting some alternative courses of action among the feasible alternatives and
 The final selection of the choice of the alternatives
1.4 WHAT IS A RESEARCH?
Research is a diligent enquiry and careful investigation for new knowledge through systematic,
scientific and analytical approach in any branch of knowledge. Constant search and research are
the guiding factors of research which helps to discover new facts (Kumar, 2002). The search for
new knowledge also helps to accept or reject or modify existing fact or knowledge that is already
available in the existing literature.
M. H. Gopal opines as ‘it is essentially a systematic inquiry seeking facts through objective
verifiable methods in order to discover the relationship among them and to discover from them
broad principles or laws’.
There exists large numbers of definitions in research literature defining the term research
methodology. All the definitions are defined differently by different experts based on their need

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and requirements of their study. Few properties can be summarized from the existing definitions
below:
(1) Research is a scientific process.
(2) It leads towards the solution of an existing problem.
(3) It directs towards the development of new principles of theories or modifies the
existing literatures that will be helpful in predicting future occurrences.
(4) It is based upon observable experiences or empirical evidence.
(5) The process of search for new knowledge demands accurate observations and
descriptions of the fact(s).
(6) It involves gathering new data for new purposes.
(7) It is characterized by patience and unhurried activities.
(8) It is carefully recorded and reported.
(9) It is the task of experts or specialists in the related discipline of the study.
(10) It is an intellectual task.
1.3 STEPS OF DECISION-MAKING:

Decision-making?

Analyzing the Objectives

Defining the Problem

Identifying Possible Alternative Solutions

Evaluating Alternative Course of Action

Validation of the Results

1.5 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH:
Like that of every discussion, research is also having some basic objectives. The purpose of
research is to discover answers to questions through the applications of scientific procedures.
1.6 FEATURES OF RESEARCH:

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Every research has its specific features or characteristics. Some important features are categrized
below:
1. Research gathers or collects new knowledge or data from either primary or first hand
sources and secondary or already existing sources.
2. The process of research is systematic and accurate.
3. Research secures experts or skilled personnel’s for any investigation.
1.7 FACTORS REQUIRE FOR A SCIENTIFIC/ GOOD RESEARCH:
A good research follows the standards of the scientific methods. Hence, a research team
while executing any research work should consider following factors carefully.
1.8 TYPES OF RESEARCH:
Researches are of various types. It is basically categorized on the nature of work. Professor R.
Panneerselvam has classified some important types of research. The summaries are as follows:
Types of Research
1. Exploratory Research
• Survey of Literature
• Experience Survey
• Study of Case
2. Conclusive Research
• Descriptive Research
• Experimental Research
3. Modelling Research
• Symbolic Model
• Mathematical Model
4. Applied Research
5. Fundamental Research
1.9 SCOPES OF RESEARCH:
All human knowledge is the knowledge of men themselves, which are experienced from natural
environment. Hence, the scope of research is to explore the hidden truth of human behaviour
which can be classified into three major fields:
1.9.1 Natural Sciences or Physical Science Research
1.9.2 Social Science Research and

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 1.9.3 Management Research
Barriers of Social Science Research:
Balakrishnan (2008) argued that, in some ways, social science researchers in India have achieved
a great deal. They have relatively little institutional responsibility, as many of the institutions
have very little teaching to be done or nothing to be done at all. To him, as compared to social
scientists and management researchers in the IITs and IIMs, there is next to no administrative
responsibility found any where. This frees up a great deal of research times, a luxury that
researchers in the university system do not have. In this connection, researchers have to fix their
research agenda and procedure by themselves.
1.9.3 Business Research:
The overall goal in selecting basic business research is to get the most useful information to key
decision makers in the most cost-effective and realistic fashion. The objective with which a
business concern is established and run depends upon many factors.
a. Marketing Research:
Marketing has assumed such a great significance now a days that most corporate managements
consider customers satisfaction as the only source of profitable operations.
b. Research in Financial Management:
Finance is the life blood of a business. Financial management is one of the most crucial
functional areas of management, as the effectiveness of business enterprise significantly depends
on the efficient utilization of its available financial resources.
c. Research in Personnel Management:
The ‘human relations’ movement became popular in 1940s and early 1950s, when much
attention began to be paid to workers’ needs and in realizing the importance of human beings in
total productivity.
d. Research in Production Management:
The field of production management has since long been characterized the development of
techniques and methods. It is only during the last twenty seven years that the personals involved
in production management have witnessed development of the principles of systematic
production planning and control. Presently, the experts are standing at the threshold of a break
through on the development of production management as an applied science in the management
literature.

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e. Research in Information Technology:
Research in the areas of information technology is now concerned with the topics like Artificial
Intelligence, DBMS, MIS, application of C-Programming, the competitive model for industrial
structure analysis, business competitive environment, effective e-business strategy, corporate
strategy, architecture and infrastructure management, International business, information
resources and technology management, planning and implementation of change management,
etc.
f. Research in Rural Management:
Research in rural management is mainly concerned with the topics like analysis of rural
economy, analysis of agricultural and non-agricultural sub sector, measures and determinants of
rural management, strategies for sustainable management, policy instruments of rural
management, equity and growth oriented programmes, rural marketing strategy, poverty and
employment eradication management, natural resources and infrastructural management,
financing rural management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation management etc.