INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH: CONCEPT, SIGNIFICANCE, TYPES AND APPROACHES TO

RESEARCH IN GEOGRAPHY; LITERATURE SURVEY; RESEARCH ETHICS; LIMITATIONS.

Research is a process and means to acquire knowledge about any natural or human phenomenon . The
word “research” originated from the old French word “recerchier” meaning to search and search
again. It literally implies repeating a search for something and implicitly assumes that the earlier search
was not exhaustive and complete in the sense that there is still scope for improvement. Research is
a systematic on-going process of collecting and analysing of information to increase the understanding of
the phenomenon under study.

Research plays 2 important roles-

i. Contributes to the general knowledge library

ii. It helps solve complex problems of the society

Therefore, research is an effort to discover, develop and verify knowledge, describing careful, systematic
investigation.

Definitions

 Accordingly to woody “research accumulated formulating research problem, formulating hypothesis,

collecting and evaluation data and making hypothesis and suggested research conclusion and finally testing
the hypothesis”.
 Godwin Colibao, ‘It including any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of
knowledge
 Koul (2008), “It is an objective, impartial, empirical and logical analysis and according of controlled
observation that may lead to development of generalization.

Features of Research

1. The research should focus on priority problems.

2. The research should be systematic with a structured procedure.
3. The research should be logical without manipulating ideas logically.
4. The research should be reductive. This means that one researcher’s findings should be made available to
other researchers
5. The research should be replicable. This asserts that there should be scope to confirm previous research
findings in a new environment and different settings with a new group of subjects or at a different point
in time.
6. The research should be action-oriented. In other words, it should be aimed at solving to implement its
findings.
7. The research should follow an integrated multidisciplinary approach.
8. The research should be participatory, involving all parties concerned
9. The research must be relatively simple, time-bound and cost-effective as possible.

Objectives of a Research

i. It is an investigation of finding solution to scientific and social problem through objective and
systematic analysis
ii. It develop new phenomenon/ new sight into a phenomenon
 iii. Explore to analysis more critical research.
iv. Investigate some existing situations or problems.
v. Review and synthesize the existing knowledge.
vi. Construct or create a new database/ procedure/ system and knowledge.
vii. It supposed to offer sustainable solution to a particular problem

Kinds of research

1. According to goal
1.1. Basic
1.2. Applied
2. According to Purpose
1.1. Analytic
1.2. Holistic
3. According to the level of investigation
4. According to scope
5. According to type of Analysis

Classification

1. Pure and Applied Research- Pure research is also known as basic or fundamental research. Its nature is
exploratory. It is often driven by the interest, curiosity or intuition. Its objective is to advance knowledge and
identify or explain the relationships between variables. Pure research can provide a basis for other
investigations

Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire
knowledge. It tends to be descriptive, and is very often based on pure research.

2. Inductive and deductive research- Inductive reasoning is a logical thinking process in which specific
observations are combined to draw a conclusion to create broader generalizations and theories.
Deductive reasoning is a logical thinking process that uses the top-down approach to go from the more
general to the more specific. It involves the usage of general assumptions and logical premises to arrive at a
logical conclusion.

3. Scientific and Social Research- Social research is used to investigate the behaviour of humans in the social
life. Lately, the research methods of social sciences were developed to be more objective and scientific. It
can be either qualitative or quantitative or both. .
Scientific research is connected with natural sciences. Here, researcher investigates the phenomenon by
using empirical and measurable techniques. Scientific studies are mostly accurate and they are objective.
Scientific researches follow measurable analytical method. It is easy to do predictions and tests unlike in
social sciences. 

APPROACHES TO RESEARCH IN GEOGRAPHY

Based on the nature and scope of research, approaches may be broadly classified into 4 types-

1. Historical- It is based on historical data to undertake analysis and interpreting the results. Historical
events cannot be repeated as it’s possible in scientific experiments. This approach uses historical
 resources to study events or ideas of the past. For historical events, one needs libraries or archives for
collecting data and information which require a lot of patience
Merits
 This approach enables a researcher to develop his understanding of topic by analysing the historical
data.
 It is useful to know time series data trends and patterns.
 It joins us to our root and culture
Demerits
 Historical data can be plagiarised by the writers due to personal bias
 Historical data can be taken to give any indication about the past but due to changing socio-
economic, environmental changes etc. same situation do-not prevail in the present.
2. Descriptive- Descriptive research aims to accurately and systematically describe a population,
situation or phenomenon. It can answer what, where, when and how questions, but
not why questions. A descriptive research design can use a wide variety of research methods to
investigate one or more variables. In this approach, a problem is described by the researcher using
questionnaire.
Merits
 Direct contact between his researcher and respondents is brought about.
 Researchers are able to understand the problem clearly by collecting 1 st hand and fresh information
and problems being studied.
 The respondents ground truth can be understood
 Helps to test hypothesis, conclusions and findings
 Possible to substantiate existing theories and conclusions

Demerits

 Time and effort is required to plan and execute field survey

 It incurred high cost & time of data collection
 Respondent may not cooperate
 Conclusions may have distortions

3. Case Study Approaches- A case study is a research approach that is used to generate an in-depth,
multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context. It is a very popular form of
qualitative analysis and involves a careful and complete observation of a social unit, be that unit a
person, a family, an institution, a cultural group or even the entire community.
Merits
 Enables us to understand fully the behaviour pattern of the concerned unit. 
 Helps in formulating relevant hypotheses along with the data which may be helpful in testing them.
 Scope for generation of new idea
 Intensive study sustainable model and solutions can be developed
 It provides a scope for objective analysis.

Demerits

 Some researchers might ignore very significant aspect of variable.

 If information is not provided correctly it may lead to wrong data leading to wrong findings
 Only applicable for particular district, community, unit or area.
  It consumes more time and requires lot of expenditure.
  based on several assumptions which may not be very realistic at times, 
4. Experimental approach- Experimental research also referred to as model building practice is research
conducted with a scientific approach using two sets of variables i.e. dependent variable and independent
variable. Any research conducted under scientifically acceptable conditions uses experimental methods. It
specifies to what extend the dependent variable is influenced by each independent variable. The essence of
this approach is for observing the effect on dependent variable of the manipulation of an independent
variable.
Merits
 Best method to measure between variables
 More logical, scientific and consistent
 Conclusion is well received
 Helps to determine the cause and effect relationship clearly and precisely
 Researcher can indicate the area of future research clearly.
 Role of independent variable on dependent variable is clearly understood

Demerits

 Results are highly subjective due to the possibility of human error.

 It creates situations that are not realistic. Corrupted or inaccurate, but still seem like it is authentic. 
 There may be ethical or practical problems with variable control.
 Experimental research does not provide an actual explanation.
 Human responses in experimental research can be difficult to measure.

LITERATURE REVIEW/survey

A literature review is a compilation, classification, and evaluation of what other researchers have written on
a particular topic. It is a text of a scholarly writing, which includes the current knowledge, theoretical and
methodological contributes to a particular topic, substantive findings. It provides considerable information
on the topic being researched and the various works that had gone on in the field over the years.

Purpose

 Place each work in the context of its contribution to the subject under review; ƒ
 Describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration; ƒ
 Identify new ways to interpret, and shed light on any gaps in, previous research; ƒ
 Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous studies; ƒ
 Point the way forward for further research; ƒ

Points to keep in mind

 It should be precise and short

 Should not distort the meaning of the original passage
 Use original wording and sentence, to avoid plagiarism.
 Requires parenthetical citation
 5 C’s-
i. Citation- Quote different studies done in past
ii. Compare- Different arguments/ methodologies/ approaches/ findings expressed in literature.
iii. Contrast- Discussion on various arguments/ themes/ methodologies/ approaches.
 iv. Criticality- Which approach/ finding/ methodology seems most reliable, valid & appropriate and why.
v. Connecting- Connecting literature with your own research work area.

Steps

1. Topic Identification
2. Identifying key terms
3. Search Print & Digital Literature
4. Critically evaluate and analyse the content of each resource
5. Note the complete and accurate bibliographic details
6. Organize references in literature review by sub-topics
7. Write the review of literature.

Sources

1. Journals and Books- Different research journals and books relevant to the areas of interest are the
primary sources of the Review of Literature. A research journal generally contains the publication of
original research reports. Similarly, books are also direct sources of the Review of Literature. Of these
two, journals are regarded as more useful because they provide the researcher with the latest and up-
to-date information relevant to the area of interest.
2. Reviews- Reviews are short articles that give brief information regarding the work done in a particular
area over a period of time. Reviews are commonly published in journals, yearbooks, handbooks and
encyclopaedias. Review articles are a good source for those investigators who wish to have all the
relevant researches at one place.
3. Abstracts- Abstracts provide a summary of the research reports done in different fields are useful
sources of up-to-date information for researchers where researchers get all the relevant information.
4. Indexes- Indexes show the titles of the research report without any abstract. The titles are categorised
and arranged alphabetically in each category so that the researcher can locate any article of interest
easily.
5. Internet sites are very useful for providing easy access to original writings by important researchers.
They also provide such updated information on the topic.
6. Bibliographies- Standard bibliographies of book and subject bibliographies.
7. Government Publications
8. Open Access resources

RESEARCH ETHICS

Research ethics provides guidelines for the responsible conduct of research. In addition, it educates and
monitors scientists conducting research to ensure a high ethical standard. A common way of defining
"ethics": Norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. It involves
the application of fundamental ethical principles to research activities which include the design and
implementation of research, respect towards society and others, the use of resources and research outputs,
scientific misconduct and the regulation of research.

Why we need ethics-

1.  Norms promote the aims of research, such as knowledge, truth, and avoidance of error.

2. Ethical standards promote the values that are essential to collaborative work, such as trust,
accountability, mutual respect, and fairness. 
 3. Many of the ethical norms help to ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the public. 
4. Many of the norms of research promote a variety of other important moral and social values, such as
social responsibility, human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, and public health and safety. 

The following is a general summary of some ethical principles:

 Honesty: Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not
fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data.
 Objectivity: Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review,
personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research.
 Integrity: Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and
action.
 Carefulness: Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work and
the work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities.
 Openness: Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.
 Respect for Intellectual Property: Honour patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual
property. Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give credit where
credit is due. Never plagiarize.
 Confidentiality: Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for
publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.
 Responsible Publication: Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just
your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.
 Social Responsibility: Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through
research, public education, and advocacy.
 Non-Discrimination: Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race,
ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and integrity.
 Legality: Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.
 Animal Care: Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct
unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.
 Human Subjects Protection: When conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks
and maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy.

LIMITATIONS

1. Formulation of research aims and objectives. You might have formulated research aims and objectives
too broadly. You can specify in which ways the formulation of research aims and objectives could be
narrowed so that the level of focus of the study could be increased.
2. Implementation of data collection method. Because you do not have an extensive experience in primary
data collection, there is a great chance that the nature of implementation of data collection method is
flawed.
3. Sample size. Sample size depends on the nature of the research problem. If sample size is too small,
statistical tests would not be able to identify significant relationships within data set. You can state that
basing your study in larger sample size could have generated more accurate results. The importance of
sample size is greater in quantitative studies compared to qualitative studies.
4. Lack of previous studies in the research area. Literature review is an important part of any research,
because it helps to identify the scope of works that have been done so far in research area. Literature
review findings are used as the foundation for the researcher to be built upon to achieve her research
objectives.
5. However, there may be little, if any, prior research on your topic if you have focused on the most
contemporary and evolving research problem or too narrow research problem. For example, if you have
 chosen to explore the role of Bitcoins as the future currency, you may not be able to find tons of scholarly
paper addressing the research problem, because Bitcoins are only a recent phenomenon.
6. Limited Access to Information- Your work may involve some institutions and individuals in research,
and sometimes you may have problems accessing these institutions. Therefore, you need to redesign
and rewrite your work. You must explain your readers the reason for limited access.
7. Limited Time- All researchers are bound by their deadlines when it comes to completing their studies.
Sometimes, time constraints can affect your research negatively. However, the best practice is to
acknowledge it and mention a requirement for future study to solve the research problem in a better
way.
8. Conflict over Biased Views and Personal Issues- Biased views can affect the research. In fact,
researchers end up choosing only those results and data that support their main argument, keeping
aside the other loose ends of the research.