What is research?

• Research refers to the process of systematic enquiry or investigation into a

specific problem or issue that leads to new or improved knowledge for
solving the problem.

• ‘Re’ means again and ‘search’ means finding new.

• Thus research demonstrates the work of searching again based on the

established theories through a detailed, scientific and structural study which
helps to develop theories, improvement in existing theories and solve the
existing problems of a society.

• Encyclopedia of Social Science defines 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 construction of
theory or in practice of art”.

• Indeed, research is an original work that enhances the store of knowledge

based on facts and figures. It is a systematic and organized study and
analysis of an issue that helps to develop new theory or add new knowledge
in the existing theories or stock of knowledge.

Research and Development:

• Research undertakes the depth study of any issues or subjects which helps to
enhance the existing knowledge or solve any specific problem of particular
group of people or society. A good research study should follow various
well planned steps. All steps must be interrelated and one step should lead to
another step.

• Use of such steps of research helps to bring uniformity in research work and
report writing. Furthermore, a good research study must be free from
researcher’s personal biasness and must be based on objectivity. This means
methodology should be used so that researcher cannot use his/her
perceptions and change the data for manipulating the results of the study.

Research and Social Change:

 • Social change is an ever-present phenomenon in any society. Applying
research findings on the particular area of study, there is more likely to
change society positively. Everything should be directed towards necessity
of people what they really want from the development perspectives.
Furthermore, we have to focus our research on the issues of vulnerable
group of people so that their real problems are identified and explored the
new paths of development.

• Indeed, the relation of research and development is defined as any

systematic and creative work undertaken in order to increase the stock of
knowledge, including knowledge of people, culture and society, and the use
of this knowledge to activate new applications. Research and development
activities include applied research and experimental development.

• For example, to lowering fertility of a country, especially in the context of

the developing countries, women’s empowerment has played important role
rather than direct measures of fertility. This helps in bringing social change
in our modern society. Social change commonly assumes that the course of
social change is not arbitrary but is, to a certain degree, regular or patterned.

Research Methods:

Research Methods are broadly classified into the following:

Quantitative Research Method

A research which is conducted based on the measurement of quantity is known

as quantitative research method. Quantitative research method can be used in the
research of those issues which can be measured exactly in the quantitative or
amount. This method considers to the measurable facts and finds out the results
analyzing statistical or mathematical tools. It uses percentage, mean, mode,
standard deviation, correlation, regression and such others to analyze the data. This
research is conducted to understand how and why thing happens in the society.
Quantitative data may be obtained from both primary and secondary sources from
the participants’ responses. These data are coded, classified , and converted into
numbers so that these data can be used for further analysis.
Qualitative Research Method

A research which is concerned with qualitative phenomena is known as

qualitative research. The main aim of qualitative research is to get in-depth
knowledge and explain the issue or subject rather than finding the solution or
coming to the conclusion. Generally, it explains the issues and makes easier to
understand the issue to the general people. Qualitative research is substantially
used in the study of social science research. It collects data from individual,
organization, books, other written documents, and media.

Example of Qualitative Data:

My life was only to make others happy. New challenges came to me with my
HIV positive status and I learned to struggle to cope with new challenges. I think I
was not born before being HIV positive, I was born only after being HIV positive.
I had no idea how to talk with others and I had no courage before being HIV
infected. I had not seen any other alternatives except weeping after being beaten
seriously by my husband.

Difference between Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Basis of Difference Quantitative Qualitative

Purpose and focus of Explain and predict over
research any subject along with
testing theory
Sample size Sample size is large.
Involvement of researcher Researcher
himself/herself involves
In-depth understanding
and develop theory
Sample size is
small.
Involvement of researcher
remains more in
 less in the research field qualitative research field
work work
Data collection Data is collected through Data is collected through
structured questionnaires. unstructured and semi-
structured questionnaires.
Data analysis Collected data are Collected data are
analysed using various analysed based on
statistical tools. established qualitative
research approaches.

Mixed Method
Mixed method refers to an emergent methodology of research that advances the
systematic integration of both quantitative and qualitative data within a single
investigation. The basic premise of this methodology is that such integration
permits a more complete utilization of data than do separate quantitative and
qualitative data collection and analysis. Mixed method originated in the social
sciences and has recently expanded into different fields like the health and social
work. The method of integrating quantitative and qualitative methods is as follows:

- Collecting and analyzing both quantitative (closed-ended) and qualitative

(open-ended) data.

- Using rigorous procedures in collecting and analyzing data appropriate to

each method’s tradition, such as ensuring the appropriate sample size for
quantitative and qualitative analysis.

- Integrating the data during data collection, analysis and discussion.