1.

Introduction to Research Methods

1. Meaning of research
 “Careful or diligent study”
 “Studious inquiry or examination especially : investigation or
experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of
accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such
new or revised theories or laws”
 “The collecting of information about a particular subject”
 “Detailed study of subject, especially in order to discover (ne
w) information or reach a (new) understanding”
2. Definitions of Research
Research cab be defined by the following different definitions
 “Research is a systematic investigation (i.e. the gathering and analysis of
information) designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge”
 Research is the process of discovering new knowledge. This knowledge can be
either the development of new concepts or the advancement of existing
knowledge and theories, leading to a new understanding that was not previously
known.
 Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing
knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts,
methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of
previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes.
 Research is defined as 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. It involves inductive
and deductive methods.”
The use of ‘systematic investigation’ in the formal definition represents how
research is normally conducted – a hypothesis is formed, appropriate research
methods are designed, data is collected and analyzed, and research results are
summarized into one or more ‘research conclusions’. These research
conclusions are then shared with the rest of the scientific community to add to
the existing knowledge and serve as evidence to form additional questions that
can be investigated. It is this cyclical process that enables scientific research to
make continuous progress over the years; the true purpose of research.
3. Supportive and Non-Supportive Activities to
Research

These activities can be explained as followings

 I. Supportive Activities

Supportive Activities are those activities that support the conduct

of research and therefore meet the definition of research. These
includes
 Professional, technical, administrative or clerical support
staff directly engaged in activities essential to the conduct of
research
 Management of staff who are either directly engaged in the
conduct of research or are providing professional, technical,
administrative or clerical support or assistance to those staff
 The activities and training of HDR students enrolled at the
HEP
 The development of HDR training and courses
 The supervision of students enrolled at the HEP and
undertaking HDR training and courses
 Research and experimental development into applications
software, new programming languages and new operating
systems (such R&D would normally meet the definition of
research)
II. Non-Supportive Activities

Activities that do not support the conduct of research must be

excluded, such as
 Scientific and technical information services
 General purpose or routine data collection
 Standardization and routine testing
 Feasibility studies (except into research and
experimental development projects)
 Specialized routine medical care
 Commercial, legal and administrative aspects of
patenting, copyright or licensing activities
 Routine computer programming, systems work or software
maintenance.
 1. Introduction to Research Methods
1. What is the Purpose of Research
While research can be carried out by anyone and in any field, most
research is usually done to broaden knowledge. This can range from
learning why certain materials behave the way they do, to asking why
certain people are more resilient than others when faced with the
same challenges. From weather forecasts to the discovery of
antibiotics, researchers are constantly trying to find new ways to
understand the world and how things work with the ultimate goal of
improving our lives. Thus, we can classify different purposes of
research as
 Identify potential and new customers
 Understand existing customers
 Set pragmatic goals
 Develop productive market strategies
 Address business challenges
 Put together a business expansion plan
 Identify new business opportunities
The purpose of research is therefore to find out what is known, what is
not and what we can develop further. In this way, scientists can
develop new theories, ideas and products that shape our society and
our everyday lives. The purpose of research is to further understand
the world and to learn how this knowledge can be applied to better
everyday life. It is an integral part of problem solving.
Although research can take many forms, the three main purposes of
research are as followings.
1.Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is the first research to be conducted around a problem
that has not yet been clearly defined. As the name suggests,
researchers conduct exploratory studies to explore a group of questions.
Exploration research therefore aims to gain a better understanding of the
exact nature of the problem and not to provide a conclusive answer to the
problem itself. This enables us to conduct more in-depth research later on.
The answers and analytics may not offer a conclusion to the perceived
problem. It is undertaken to handle new problem areas that haven’t been
explored before. This exploratory process lays the foundation for more
conclusive data collection and analysis.
1. Descriptive Research
Descriptive research expands knowledge of a research problem or
phenomenon by describing it according to its characteristics and
population. Descriptive research focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘what’,
but not on the ‘why’. It focuses on expanding knowledge on current
issues through a process of data collection. Descriptive studies
describe the behavior of a sample population. Only one variable is
required
 to conduct the study. The three primary purposes of descriptive
studies 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
considerable sum of money from the company profit.
2. Explanatory Research
Explanatory research, also referred to as casual research, is conducted
to determine how variables interact, i.e. to identify cause- and-effect
relationships. Explanatory research deals with the ‘why’ of research
questions and is therefore often based on experiments. Explanatory or
causal research is conducted to understand the impact of specific
changes in existing standard procedures. Running experiments is the
most popular form. For example, a study that is conducted to
understand the effect of rebranding on customer loyalty.

Here is a comparative analysis for better understanding

Exploratory Descriptive
Approaches Explanatory Research
Research Research

Approach
Unstructured Structured Highly structured
used

Conducted
Asking questions Asking questions By using hypotheses.
through

Early stages of Later stages of Later stages of decision

Time
decision making decision making making

Research begins by asking the right questions and choosing an

appropriate method to investigate the problem. After collecting
answers to your questions, you can analyze the findings or
observations to draw reasonable conclusions.
When it comes to customers and market studies, the more thorough
your questions, the better the analysis. You get essential insights into
brand perception and product needs by thoroughly collecting
customer data through surveys and questionnaires. You can use this
data to make smart decisions about your marketing strategies to
position your business effectively.
Q#2: What are the main Characteristics of Research?

There are some core characteristics that all research projects should
have. These are as followings:

 Logical: The analysis is based on logical reasoning and

involves both inductive and deductive methods. It follows
sequential procedures based on valid principles.

 Empirical based: Based on proven scientific methods derived

from real-life observations and experiments. Real-time data
and knowledge is derived from actual observations in natural
settings.

 Cyclic: Research begins with a question and ends with a question,

i.e. research should lead to a new line of questioning.

 Controlled: Vigorous measures put into place to keep all

variables constant, except those under investigation.

 Hypothesis based: The research design generates data that

sufficiently meets the research objectives and can prove or
disprove the hypothesis. It makes the research study repeatable
and gives credibility to the results.

 Analytical: Data is generated, recorded and analyzed using

proven techniques to ensure high accuracy and repeatability
while minimizing potential errors and anomalies. There is an
in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no errors
associated with it. It is analytical and uses all the available data
so that there is no ambiguity in inference.
 Accuracy: Accuracy is one of the most critical aspects of
research. The information must be accurate and correct. For
example, laboratories provide a controlled environment to
collect data. Accuracy is measured in the instruments used, the
calibrations of instruments or tools, and the experiment’s final
result.
 Objective: Sound judgement is used by the researcher to
ensure that the research findings are valid.

 Statistical treatment: Statistical treatment is used to transform

the available data into something more meaningful from which
 knowledge can be gained.

 Systematic approach: Good research follows a systematic

approach to capture accurate data. Researchers need to practice
ethics and a code of conduct while making observations or
drawing conclusions.
 Generating New Questions: It creates a path for generating
new questions. Existing data helps create more research
opportunities.

Q#3: Write down some useful tips for conducting

accurate research.
Followings are some useful tips to conduct accurate research.
1. Identify the main trends and issues, opportunities, and problems
you observe. Write a sentence describing each one.
2. Keep track of the frequency with which each of the main findings
appears.
3. Make a list of your findings from the most common to the least
common.
4. Evaluate a list of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and
threats that have been identified in a SWOT analysis.
5. Prepare conclusions and recommendations about your study.
6. Act on your strategies
7. Look for gaps in the information, and consider doing additional
inquiry if necessary
8. Plan to review the results and consider efficient methods to analyze
and dissect results for interpretation.
Review your goals before making any conclusions about your
research. Keep in mind how the process you have completed and the
data you have gathered help answer your questions. Ask yourself if
what your analysis revealed facilitates the identification of your
conclusions and recommendations.