Research Methodology

Notes

Lecture 1 Notes:
What is knowledge?
Knowledge is justified true belief.
What is research?
Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after collecting and analyzing information
regarding the situational factors.
What is the purpose of research?
The purpose of research is to discover answers through the application of scientific method.
What are the objectives of research?
Exploratory/Formulative Research: To gain familiarity with the phenomenon.
Descriptive Research: To portray the characteristics of a particular individual, group, or a
situation.
Diagnostic Research: To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it
is associated with something else.
Testing/Hypothesis Research: To test a hypothesis of a fundamental relationship between
variables.
What are the characteristics of a research?
- Research is directed towards the solution of a problem.
- Research is based upon observable experience or empirical (experimental) evidence.
- Research demands accurate observation and description.
- Research involves gathering new data or using existing data for new purpose.
- Research is objective and logical.
What is scientific method?
Scientific method is the systematic collection of data/facts and its theoretical
treatment/implementation.
What are the basic postulates in scientific method?
- It relies on empirical (experimental) evidence.
- It utilizes relevant concepts.
- It is committed to only objective considerations.
- It presupposes ethical neutrality.
- It results into probabilistic predictions.
- The methodology is made known.
- Aims at formulating scientific theories.
What are the criteria of a good research?
- Purpose clearly defined.
- Research process detailed.
- High ethical standards applied.
- Limitations revealed.
- Findings presented unambiguously.
- Conclusions justified.
What are the qualities of a good research?
- Systematic
- Logical
- Empirical
- Replicable
- Creative
- Use of multiple methods
What are the needs for research?
- Exploration
- Describe
- Diagnosis
- Hypothesis
- Inductions and Deductions
What is the scope/significance of research?
- Significant for decision making.
- Highlights the risks and uncertainty.
- Helps in economic use of resources.
- Helps in project identification.
- Solves many problems.
What are the problems in research?
- Uncontrollable variables.
- Human tendencies.
- Time and Money.
- Lack of scientific training.
What is the role of research in decision making?
Decision making is the selection of best alternative from a set of alternatives and research provides
us with knowledge that is valuable and helps in that selection process.
What activities are involved in decision making?
Given below are three activities involved in decision making according to Herbert A Simon:
- Intelligence Activity
Scanning the environment for identifying conditions necessary for the decision.
- Design Activity
Identifying, developing and analyzing the alternative courses of action.
- Choice Activity
Selecting the best course of action among the alternatives.
What is research methodology?
Research methodology is the theory of how particular research should be undertaken.
What are the stages of research methodology?
- Formulating and clarifying the topic.
- Reviewing the literature.
- Designing Research.
- Collecting data.
- Analysis.
- Writing.
What factors are to be considered regarding research methodology?
- Impact of personal feelings and beliefs.
- Access to data.
- Validity and reliability of data.
- Time and other resources.
- Ethical issues.
End of lecture 1 notes:
Lecture 2 Notes:
How do we develop strategy in literature review?
Developing a strategy involves figuring out where the information might be and the best tools for
finding those types of sources.
What are the steps in literature review?
- Define your topic.
- Locate the information.
- Use and Evaluate information.
- Synthesize (Make sense of what you have learnt and demonstrate the knowledge
accordingly).
Organize and Integrate information from multiple sources.
Present the information.
Cite material using the style required.
- Evaluate your work and see if it is effective and if it meets the requirements.
What are the two types of searching?
- Boolean Searching
- Phrase Searching
What do we mean by ethical use of information in literature review?
In any research project, a review of literature will involve use of literature review written by others
hence, ethical use of information defines intellectual property rights and guides us to use citations,
paraphrasing etc. to avoid plagiarism.
Why do we need to cite?
- To give credit to those whose work you have used.
- To provide evidence to support what you are saying.
- To allow your readers to find and read your sources.
What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the accidental or intentional use of someone else’s work without properly citing the
author.
End of lecture 2 notes:
Lecture 3 Notes (Continuation of LR from Lecture 2):
How do we organize/outline the LR?
- By subject
- Chronologically
- By theme
- By author
- By argumentative stance
How do we conclude the LR?
- Summarize ideas, conflicts, themes etc.
- Contextualize the topic within summary.
- Point out gaps in scholarship, and show how your research fills those gaps.
- Transition to your next chapter.
End of lecture 3 notes.
Lecture 4 Notes:
What is SLR and does it differ from LR?
SLR (Systematic Literature review) differs from traditional LR because it’s aim is to address a
highly specific research question.
For example: “What works?” or “What works best?”
For which the evidence is sought from LR.
What are the stages of SLR?
- Literature Reviews (Several Papers).
- Studies retrieved are described and classified.
- Studies are quality appraised and data is extracted.
- Data is synthesized in narrative form.
- Report produced.
What is Sensitivity V/S Precision in SLR?
There must be a balance between comprehensive searching (Sensitivity) and maintaining relevance
(Precision) in the research.
What is grey literature?
The term grey literature is used to describe a wide range of different information that is
produced outside of traditional publishing and distribution channels.
For Example: Government Documents etc.

End of lecture 4 notes:

Lecture 5 Notes:
What is a research problem?
A research problem is basically a gap between “what is” and “what ought to be”.
What are the criteria for selecting a problem?
- Interest (Commit yourself to a research)
- Size (Should be manageable and doable)
- Economical (Time and Money)
- Researcher’s capabilities and limitations
- Uniqueness (Do not duplicate)
- Start with a set of ideas
- Potential and sufficient outcomes
- Not biased (be objective), safe and ethical.

What are the two forms to state the problem?

- Problem Statement
- Research Question
End of Lecture 5 notes:
Lecture 6 and 7 Combined Notes on Qualitative vs Quantitative Research:
What is the difference between Qualitative and Quantitative research?
What are the strengths of Qualitative and Quantitative research?
Qualitative research is much cheaper than the other and improves the efficiency and effectiveness
of Quantitative research.
Quantitative research provides precision, tests hypothesis and confirms theories, quick data
collection and may minimize personal bias.
When do we apply qualitative research?
Qualitative research is used to formulate a hypothesis (A hypothesis states your prediction about
what your research will find).
When do we apply quantitative research?
Quantitative research is used to test/confirm a hypothesis.
What are the limitations of qualitative research?
- Marketing success and failures based on small differences.
- Multitude of researchers who, without formal training, profess to be experts in the field.
- Not representative of the population that is of interest to the researcher.
What are the limitations of quantitative research?
- Only applicable for measurable phenomena.
- Lack of detailed narrative.
Define qualitative research as a process?
- Theory
- Method
- Analysis
All three interconnect to define the qualitative research process.
What is the difference between deductive and inductive theory in research?
The main difference between inductive and deductive reasoning is that inductive reasoning aims
at developing a theory while deductive reasoning aims at testing an existing theory.
What is data?
Collection of raw facts and figures.
What is data analysis?
The process of transforming data into information.