Unit I:

The Nature and Context of Social Research

Assignment Questions

Research Assignment – I
Name: Yujan Tamrakar
Section: Marketing Specialization
Roll No.: 3246/075

Q1. What is research? What are the types of research? Explain with examples.
Ans:
Research is a careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or problem using scientific methods. 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.”
Research is conducted with a purpose to understand:

 What do organizations or businesses really want to find out?

 What are the processes that need to be followed to chase the idea?
 What are the arguments that need to be built around a concept?
 What is the evidence that will be required for people to believe in the idea or concept?

The term Research is the composition of two different terms “Re” and “Search”.
Therefore there search can be defined as the set of activities which searches anything for some new facts that is already
conducted in past.
In fact research is not only the exploring the previous facts but it is also the process of generating new theory that can solve
the problem relating to the society and any business transaction.

“Research is a systematic effort to gain new knowledge.”Redman & Mori

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There are only two types of research. They are as follows:
i. Basic Research
ii. Applied research

Q2. What are the purposes of undertaking research? Describe the main characteristics of research.
Ans:
Different research activities are conducted for various purposes. Some of major purposes of research can be seen below:
1. Exploratory: As the name suggests, exploratory research is conducted to explore a group of questions. The answers
and analytics may not offer a final conclusion to the perceived problem. It is conducted to handle new problem
areas which haven’t been explored before. This exploratory process lays the foundation for more conclusive
research and data collection.

2. Descriptive: Descriptive research focuses on expanding knowledge on current issues through a process of data

collection. Descriptive studies are used to describe the behavior of a sample population. In a descriptive study, only
one variable is required to conduct the study. The three main purposes of descriptive research are describing,
explaining, and validating the findings. For example, a study conducted to know if top-level management leaders in
the 21st century possess the moral right to receive a huge sum of money from the company profit.

3. Explanatory: Explanatory research or causal research is conducted to understand the impact of certain changes in
existing standard procedures. Conducting experiments is the most popular form of casual research. For example, a
study conducted to understand the effect of rebranding on customer loyalty.

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The main Characteristics of research are as follows:

i. A systematic approach must be followed for accurate data. Rules and procedures are an integral part of the process
that set the objective. Researchers need to practice ethics and a code of conduct while making observations or
drawing conclusions.
ii. Research is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive methods.
iii. The data or knowledge that is derived is in real time from actual observations in natural settings.
iv. There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies associated with it.
v. Research creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create more opportunities for research.
vi. Research is analytical in nature. It makes use of all the available data so that there is no ambiguity in inference.

Q3. What is scientific research? Mention its characteristics with suitable examples. Describe the major steps
involved in scientific research process.
Ans:
Research conducted for the purpose of contributing towards science by the systematic collection, interpretation and
evaluation of data and that, too, in a planned manner is called scientific research: a researcher is the one who conducts this
research. The results obtained from a small group through scientific studies are socialised, and new information is revealed
with respect to diagnosis, treatment and reliability of applications. The purpose of this review is to provide information
about the definition, classification and methodology of scientific research.
Characteristics of scientific research
i. Purposiveness:
Scientific research must have some specific purpose for conducting research. The main characteristic of scientific
research is that there must be some purpose involved in conducting research. In conducting further research
process, all activities to be carried out are directly influenced by the purpose of research.
ii. Testability:
In scientific research, there is an important need to test the hypothesis to understand and find out the

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 relationship between the dependant and independent variables. Therefore, testability is one of the important
characteristic of scientific research.
iii. Replicability:
Scientific research must be replicable as the research results which are replicable have more acceptability and
confidence as being scientific. Replicability means that if we use similar methods and procedures of data
collection and analysis as compared to the previous study, the other research studies must also come out with
similar results.
iv. Objectivity:
Scientific research must be objective in Nature. It is one of the most important characteristics. Scientific research
must deal with the facts rather than interpretation of facts. The data collected for research should be free from
all biases and vested interests, i.e. observations should be in affected by the observer’s value, belief and
preferences to the extent possible and s/he should able to see and accept facts as they are not as s/he might
wish them to be.

v. Rigorous:
In order to make a meaningful and worthwhile contribution to the field of knowledge, research must be carried
out rigorously. Conducting rigorous research requires good theoretical knowledge and a clearly laid out
methodology so that it eliminates the bias; facilitate proper data collection and analysis, which would lead to
sound and reliable findings.

vi. Generalizability:
Scientific research must have the characteristics of generalizability. The results obtained from the research must
be applicable and acceptable worldwide. Generalizability refers to the scope of applying the research findings of
one organizational setting to other settings of almost similar nature. The more generalizable the research, the
greater will be its usefulness and value. However, it is not always possible to generalize the research findings to
all other settings, situations or organizations.

Following steps are involved under the scientific research process:

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 Sensing or Realizing problem:
The scientific research process seeks to address a problem and first step in the process is to realize the problem. The
problem definition will give purpose and direction to the research process.
 Identify variables:
Conducting a background study so as to identify the variables that may be responsible for the problem and then
create a conceptual framework that will illustrate the relationship between the variables and the research problem
 Hypothesis formulation:
Formulating a hypothesis requires a specific, testable, and predictable statement driven by theoretical guidance
and/or prior evidence. A hypothesis can be formulated in various research designs. In experimental settings,
researchers compare two or more groups of research participants to investigate the differences of the research
outcomes.
 Research design:
The function of a research design is to ensure that the evidence obtained enables you to effectively address the
research problem as unambiguously as possible.
 Data collection:
Adhere to all data collection plans and procedures so as to enhance credibility and execute measures that will
promote the collection of authentic and rich data.
 Data analysis:
This step focuses on transforming the raw data into information that is relevant to the research problem and
maintains objectivity in the data analysis process.
 Generalization:
It refers to the extent to which findings of an empirical investigation hold for a variation of populations and settings.
Generalization pertains to various aspects of a research design, including participants, settings, measurements, and
experimental treatments.

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Q4. Define management research. How does management research contribute to solve business problems?
Explain the types of management research .
Ans:
The research which is conducted to solve managerial business problem is called management research. It includes the study
in broad subject like strategy formulation, environment scanning, organizational structure, staff policies and rules, system of
job analysis, employee participation, record management etc. It also touches the financial and accounting area, portfolio
management sources, use of funds, depreciation budgetary system and inventory costing of banks, financial institutions and
other manufacturing and service organization.
Business and management research is a systematic inquiry that helps to solve business problems and contributes to
management knowledge. It Is an applied research.

The types of management research are:

 Policy research (policy formulation):

Policy research is Social scientific research which has non-university groups as its main intended audience (although the
results may in practice also interest academic audiences). For the most part such research attempts to apply social
scientific findings to the solution of problems identified by a client. The term ‘applied sociology’ is also given to such
exercises. For example, the development of game theory was funded by the US Department of Defence with reference
to its relevance to military strategy, but it has also made a fundamental contribution to social science theory.

 Managerial research (capital budgeting and DM):

Managerial research is a broad topic that covers a range of aspects, whether these are strategic, tactical or technical.
People often confuse Managerial research with other research forms, but in fact managerial research differs to a great
extent from social and other research types. Managerial research is different in such a way because it explores about the
core elements that are needed to make prosper the business instead of searching such information that are not
productive or result oriented. The managerial research is important because managers at all stages require timely and
exact information for decision making. Whatever the decision making stage is, whether it is of tactical, operational or
strategic level, the accurate information are required to for better decision making.
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  Action research (operating problem solving):

Action research is an interactive inquiry process that balances problem-solving actions implemented in a collaborative
context with data-driven collaborative analysis or research to understand underlying causes enabling future predictions
about personal and organizational change.

 Evaluation research (check and balance):

Evaluation research, also known as program evaluation, refers to research purpose instead of a
specific method. Evaluation research is the systematic assessment of the worth or merit of time, money, effort and
resources spent in order to achieve a goal.Evaluation research is closely related to but slightly different from more
conventional social research. It uses many of the same methods used in traditional social research, but because it takes
place within an organizational context, it requires team skills, interpersonal skills, management skills, political smartness,
and other skills that social research does not need much. Evaluation research also requires one to keep in mind the
interests of the stakeholders.

Q5. How do you define social science research? What are the difficulties in conducting scientific approach in
social research? Explain with examples .
Ans:
Social Science Research is the activity of gathering, analyzing and interpreting information for a variety of social, economic,
educational and political purposes. Social science research is the research done to answer many of the questions we have
about human behavior, through scientific study, social science research seeks to understand the hows and whys of human
behavior.
Difficulty in applying scientific method in Social Science Research
 Complexity of subject matter
Subject matters such as conflicts, migration, the emergence of populism, the automation of professions, financial
crises, international trade, or social integration .

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 Difficulty to obtain accurate measurement:
As mentioned in above point migration is one of the factors that creates difficulty to obtain accurate measurement.

 Difficulty of making accurate prediction:

When accurate measurement are not fulfilled it automatically creates difficulty in making accurate predictions.

 Lack of universalities:
Lack of universality of language, environment are one of the difficulties in scientific approach of research.

 Misconception of society:
Many people are absolutely convinced of the truth of some things about society that are not entirely true so the
misconceptions leads to irrelevant data.

 Emotional tendencies

 Vested interest of researcher:

Vested interest is a personal reason for involvement in an undertaking or situation, especially an expectation of
financial or other gain. This mainly occurs because of greed of money and misuse of power.

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Q6. Differentiate quantitative and qualitative research. Discuss the significance of applied research in the field of
business management.
Ans:

Difference between Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

Quantitative & Qualitative
Research Base

1. Meaning The research which is based on the The research which is based on the
quantitative units of measurement is attributes is called qualitative research.
called quantitative research.
2. Result The result is measured in terms of The result is not measured in terms of
quantity or amount. quantity or amount.
3. Sample size Generally large sample size is taken to Generally small sample size is taken to
conduct the study. conduct the study.
4. Objective It is conducted to know that how and It is conducted to know the response of
why things are happened in the society people
5. Sources of data Both primary and secondary sources Only primary can be used to collect data.
can be used to collect data.
6. Forms of questionnaire Primary data is collected through Primary data is collected through
structured questionnaire. unstructured questionnaire.
7. Statistical tools Different statistical tools like Mean, SD, Statistical tools cannot be used to analyze
Correlation, Regression, Test of data.
hypothesis can be used to analyze data.
Applied is significant in the field of business management because it is designed to solve a specific problem. It seeks to
uncover information that can be applied to the design of products, services and policies/procedures that improve upon or
replace existing ones.

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Q7. "Management research is the application of scientific thinking to solve the business problem". Discuss this
statement in the light of scientific research process .
Ans:
The research which is conducted to solve managerial business problem is called management research. It includes the study
in broad subject like strategy formulation, environment scanning, organizational structure, staff policies and rules, system of
job analysis, employee participation, record management etc. It also touches the financial and accounting area, portfolio
management sources, use of funds, depreciation budgetary system and inventory costing of banks, financial institutions and
other manufacturing and service organization.
Business and management research is a systematic inquiry that helps to solve business problems and contributes to
management knowledge. It is an applied research. Management research is Transdiscipline approach that helps to identify
critical business issues, helps to gather and organize relevant information and facilitates the analysis of data for making
decision, it helps to implement right course of action in testing the potential success of new product and also to read the
strength and weakness of competitors.
This provides strong basis to develop better business plan and information access is difficult since managers see information
as competitive advantage on the market. Managers are educated and want some information produced by the classical
research method and finding must resolve practical management problems. Then Scientific Research to answer many of the
questions we have about human behavior, through scientific study, social science research seeks to understand the hows
and whys of human behavior.
Thus, Management research is the application of scientific thinking to solve the business problem as Human Behavior helps
to analyze and collect data of clients which is used in systematic inquiry that helps to solve business problem.

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Q8. Consider that you are a manager of a company and have basic understanding of the business
research methodology. How this knowledge would be beneficial to you to discharge your responsibility?
Explain.
Ans:

Research methodology is a systematic way to solve a problem. It is a science of studying how research is to be carried
out. Essentially, the procedures by which researchers go about their work of describing, explaining and predicting
phenomena are called research methodology. It is also defined as the study of methods by which knowledge is gained.
Its aim is to give the work plan of research.

As a manager it is necessary to design a methodology for the problem chosen. One should note that even if the
method considered in two problems is same the methodology may be different. It is important for the re searcher to
know not only the research methods necessary for the research under taken but also the methodology. For example, a
researcher not only needs to know how to calculate mean, variance and distribution function for a set of data, how to
find a solution of a physical system described by mathematical model, how to determine the roots of algebraic
equations and how to apply a particular method but also need to know (i) which is a suitable method for the chosen
problem?, (ii) what is the order of accuracy of the result of a method?, (iii) what is the efficiency of the method? And
so on. Consideration of these aspects constitutes a research methodology.

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