CHAPTER-4

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie:
“Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict
and control the observed phenomenon. Research involves
inductive and deductive methods.”
According to Clifford Woody:
“Research comprises of defining and redefining problems,
formulating hypothesis suggested solutions, collecting,
organizing and evaluating data, making deduction and
reaching conclusion and at last carefully testing the
conclusion to determine whether they fit the formulated
hypothesis’’.

CHARACTERISTIC OF RESEARCH

 A systematic approach is followed in research. Rules and

procedures are an integral part of research that set the
objective of a research process.
 Research is based on logical reasoning and involves
both inductive and deductive methods.
 The data or knowledge that is derived is in real time,
actual observations in the natural settings.
  There is an in-depth analysis of all the data collected
from research so that there are no anomalies associated
with it.
TYPES OF RESEARCH METHODS

Qualitative Research Methods

Qualitative research is a research method that collects data

using conversational methods, where participants involved in
the research are asked open-ended questions. The responses
collected are essentially non-numerical. This method not only
helps a researcher understand “what” participant think but
also, “why” they think in a particular way.

Quantitative Research Methods

Quantitative research methods are the methods that deal with
numbers and anything that can be dealt with a measurable
form, in a systematic way of investigating the phenomenon.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY USED IN
THE STUDY

 This study used quantitative approach.

 Questionnaires were used as the survey instrument.

 The Quantitative research is that which tries to find answer to a

question through analysis of quantitative data, i.e., the data
shown in figures and numbers .

 Patton (2002) has argued that a qualitative research

methodology can help researchers approach fieldwork without
being constrained by any predetermined categories of analysis.

 Moreover Gay, Mills and Airasian (2009) explained that the

strength of quantitative research is the opportunities that it
provides researchers to interact and gather data directly from
their research participants to understand a phenomenon from
their perspectives.

 On the other hand, qualitative research carries the uniqueness

because it does not give conclusion in advance. It is often
regarded as a scientific methodology of management sciences
research (Taylor, 1998) .
 DATA COLLECTION

Data collection is defined as the procedure of collecting,

measuring and analysing accurate insights for research using
standard validated techniques. A researcher can evaluate their
hypothesis on the basis of collected data. In most cases, data
collection is the primary and most important step for research,
irrespective of the field of research. The approach of data
collection is different for different fields of study, depending
on the required information.

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Data collection is one of the important tasks of the research,

which is based on PRIMARY and SECONDARY DATA:

 PRIMARY DATA: Primary data is information

collected through original or first-hand research. For
example, surveys and focus group discussions.

 SECONDARY DATA: secondary data is

information which has been collected in the past by
someone else. For example, researching the internet,
newspaper articles and company reports.
TECHNIQUES FOR DATA COLLECTION

o In-Person Interviews
Pros: In-depth and a high degree of confidence on the
data
Cons: Time consuming, expensive and can be dismissed
as anecdotal

o Mail Surveys
Pros: Can reach anyone and everyone – no barrier
Cons: Expensive, data collection errors, lag time

o Phone Surveys
Pros: High degree of confidence on the data collected,
reach almost anyone
Cons: Expensive, cannot self-administer, need to hire an
agency

o Web/Online Surveys
Pros: Cheap, can self-administer, very low probability of
data errors
Cons: Not all your customers might have an email
address/be on the internet, customers may be wary of
divulging information online.
TYPE OF DATA COLLECTION USED
IN THE STUDY

 My research was of DESCRIPTIVE TYPE (based on

surveys)
 I collected information in the form of Primary data by
questionnaire method to evaluate the effectiveness of
training and development on employee’s performance
and productivity.
 I used primary data to obtain the information, which is
first hand and original in character, so as to have fair
information about training and development methods at
SMARTWHEELS PRIVATE LIMITED (MARUTI
SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED).
 For analysing the data, I use the percentage method and
for making the data more liable I used the pie charts and
bar diagrams.
 RESEARCH AT MARUTI SUZUKI
INDIA LIMITED (SMARTWHEELS
PRIVATE LIMITED)

Study was carried out through subjective and objective

observations, interaction with employees, questionnaires and
evaluation of the result so obtained. In the project report the
much attention has been paid on training and development
methods and sessions of the company.

The research at MUL (SMARTWHEELS PVT. LTD.) was

carried out by visiting various sections of departments in
MUL corporate office:

 Recruitment department
 HR department
 Accounts department
 General administration

SAMPLING
SAMPLING SIZE:

50 Employees of Smart wheels Private Limited (MARUTI

SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED) a dealership of NEXA, in
Gorakhpur.

SAMPLING METHODS:

Simple random sampling methods is used in the project

report.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

1. OBSERVATION:

The observation technique is used mostly in qualitative

research. It involves overt or covert observation of individual
or group behaviour in a specific situation.
Observation is particularly useful in those cases where
information collected using survey methods is not sufficient
or falls short of reflecting the full nature of a given trend. A
researcher (observer) uses a standardised list of relevant
information (behaviour), which should be described and
explained by means of observation.
2. STUDYING AND ANALYSING RECORDS OF THE
COMPANY:
A systematic examination and evaluation of data or
information, by breaking it into its component parts to
uncover their interrelationships. ... An examination of data
and facts to uncover and understand cause-effect
relationships, thus providing basis for problem solving and
decision making.
 ABSENTEEISM RECORD
 GREIVANCES RECORDS
 PERSONAL RECORD OF EMPLOYEES
 RECORDS OF INDIVIDUALS
 RECORDS OF DEPARTMENT

3. INFORMAL INTERVIEW:

An Informational Interview (also known as

an Informational conversation) is a meeting in which a
potential job seeker seeks advice on their career, the industry,
and the corporate culture of a potential future workplace;
while an employed professional learns about the job seeker
and judges their professional potential and fit to the corporate
culture, so building their candidate pool for future hires. 
Their opinion was obtained informally while chatting with
them at their work place.
 4. JOURNALS AND MANUALS:

The yearly journals and manuals of different departments

were read deeply. Information regarding history,
achievements, employees’ details, profit, sales, and product
profile were extracted from the manuals.

5. INTERNET:

Lot of information’s and photographs were obtained from the

official website of MUL.

6. QUESTIONNAIRE:
A set of questionnaires was prepared and distributed to the
employees and the analysis was based on the responses
received from these questionnaires.