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Unit 1a
Unit 1a
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Problems of decision-making
1.3 Steps of decision-making process
1.4 What is a research?
1.5 Objectives of research
1.6 Features of research
1.7 Factors required for a scientific/good research
1.8 Types of research
1.9 Scopes of research
1.10 Conclusion
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
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1.3 STEPS OF DECISION-MAKING:
Decision-making?
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(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.
1.5 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:
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:
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TYPES OF RESEARCH
Exploratory
Research
Survey of Literature
Experience Survey
Study of Case
Conclusive
Research
Descriptive Research
Experimental Research
Modeling
Research
Symbolic Model
Mathematical Model
Applied
Research
Fundamental
Research
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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.
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
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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.
1.10 CONCLUSIONS:
This chapter analyses some important and basic concept of research, points out its
objectives and importance in different fields of human behaviour. It also incorporates detailed
analysis on various scopes of research in the field of natural sciences, social sciences and
management sciences. Similarly, it also analyses some important principles of good research.
SUMMARY:
1. The society and the organization always operate under some degree of uncertainty. This
uncertainty cannot be eliminated completely, although it can be minimized with the help
of research methodology.
2. The researcher while going for decision-making always gets confused thinking from
where to start in order to identify the alternative. Systematic inquiry of the problem is a
common and fundamental threat. The process of systematic inquiry requires careful
planning of an orderly investigation.
3. Research in common context refers to a search for knowledge. It can also be defined as a
scientific and systematic search for gaining information and knowledge on a specific
topic or phenomena.
4. Research methodology in business and social sciences implies a detailed and systematic
procedure of studying something related to business, trade and social aspects of human
life i.e., solving the existing problem that has arisen in the society and economic
environment for effective decision-making.
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5. The scope of research is to explore the hidden truth of human behaviour which can be
classified into three major fields: Natural Sciences or Physical science research; Social
Science Research and Management Research.
6. The role of research has greatly increased in the field of business and society as a whole.
The study of research methods provides us with the knowledge and skills that are needs
to solve the problems and meet the challenges of today’s modern pace of development.