Chapter An Introduction 1.1 MEANING OF RESEARCH Research in common parlance re fers fo a search for knowledge. One can also define research as a scientific search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. Dictionary definition of research is a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge. Some people consider research asa movement from the known to the unknown, [Lis actually a voyage of discovery. We all possess the vital instinet of inquisitiveness, When the unknown confronts us, more and more our inquisitiveness makes us probe and attain understanding, of the unknown, This inquisitiveness is the mother of all Knowledge and the method, which one employs for obtaining the knowledge of whatever the unknown, can be termed as research, nnd systemat Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used in a technical sens According to Clifford Woody, researeh comprises defining, and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organisin ind evaluating data; making deductions and hing conclusi carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the ling hypothesis. D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences de Fe aichas the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising to extend, cor or verily knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice « ri nar.” Research is, thus, an original contribution to the ex sting stock of knowledge making, for itsadvaneement. is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, ob: ation, comparison initia ta emi ei formulation of a theory is also researeh, ea the ter a van roles tert tie Pisa Consisting of enunciating the problem, formu tin, nhypothoss, ell at a peer ae the facts and reaching rain conelusions vith ihe fe em of doh raat Xone Problem or in certain generalisations for some theareticah en ene Mtionts) kowards t allons for some theoretical formulation, form ita, analysing he concernedRAMPANT Mem Lote lelal Uncut plication ab a entific Ee ee a 11 bel Hite Ht ba ontul tn tora roa Ihe ap fe eee Hot the (ratheotiiebet pete tanta HHO, WE MENON seomng Piwcediin The hain alot re Wvatudy ee is worse fa Pur ' disvavered as yet, Though each resenty ponetal abjestives af ruaeatl heliy “ Ha phonn We actieve nese osiutite Hite HCCatidion With this tity Wis phonon A HO i (A) Hes gant Hannittan ity th ay a a HHIPOL IN View are termi we eaplonatarn ar fa t AHO OF A prong savtioubian dubividial, sit 1 We chatactoriation aba part (i) Te portiay acouiately ive teacarel studieny, Catton WHI this object in view ate kiawi as devon (wy on with whieh His aisoeintey » elotervine the Heaqueney with whieh somethings acura yvith fl v known as With something ele Catudion with this abject in view are h tution), Hagnostic reson, Ww ton Vay pothesis at aca WL rolationship betweon vatinbles Gaueh ation are he Knows ay Aypothesis-texting voxeurel atudliony A CMCC] He basic types at roxoanett ate an fallown () Desoriprve vy Analtical Peseriptive neveareh inelaon s OT iHTeren Kitts, The maior puarpase ot AMAIA HLoNbats at present, ty sootal Me ton BY pat facto raeanch OF thE method iv that the rose: What has happened for den surveyn and dlonoriptive rosoarel iy des se fone andl bites Hor doseriptive tos Aho has ne contol oF what is happenings, Mes CHptive studios in whiel the tos et Tindinnp enguities SeHIpLiOn OF the state of Heseateh we quite often use were studios. ‘The matin characteristic Hover the variables: he ean any repo SEEN PONE fact reseany 1 projects ate used sonteher seeks Lo moasute sueT Htemis as, Hor example, “hoping, protoreneos ot people, ap SIMA data Ev pase facto standin also {helide attompts by resoarchons WW diwover catisox oven Whon they cannot control the Sadables, The methods ot Foseately tilled inv ate ‘HPLIVE Lescateh AE SUEVEY Methods of all Kinds. inetding, vommparative and Sotrelational methods, WW analytical research, on the other hand, the researeber han toy We Tet or intonation alvoady available, and analyee these lo make Material : frequency at A cHitoal evaluation at the \ Wpliet Vs. Kundamentat {plied revean pot WY OF incluistedal tau AMISATON, A A AVith ye Woratioations anit yy Ah the Lor Know ede tO Is toned {ittanon Hatiral phenomenon or Felating to, ine earch, Similarly, roa woh studios, y anny (iy eh ais ines on em facing a wecta AU Tits a solution for an innards hens fiandamental nscwt™ ‘ormatation Fa theory, Gather Hal esearch, Reveareh concerti PS Mathensation any eXanyples of tinndamert Lomake ponctatiationsatwy himiststaniaun ye (Shen owe cain “ih at , ® oF Ranlamental resets! However eerehaimned ALCOA Ont ke? av esanploot applied ioveant i Soot or business probe Applied seat leon what or busin ; ‘ MWY soetal economic cp potitieal i sean woah ta ite nab any attoct apy \ OF apptiod y ae Th hes » Matheving rose any Nevatiation War enant? eae the f WOW Hesaneh any evan Nest vosearah iy Yo discover a sotation “ential ainy gt appl Heomataly concerne Anowledye some " Nerotyiw (iw) w come prosting priotioal problenve whereas basic research te direeted towards fi information Uvat has @ broad hase of applications and thus, adds 1 the already existing orpantead bouly of scientific knowledge vorive vs Ceelioetiee Quantitative research ia Based on the quantitative moasurements of some characterstios (Lis applicable te phenomena that eat be expressed interme of quantities Qualitative research, on the other hand, is coneered with qualitative phenomena, (6. phenomena relating f60F involV ing quality oF King For instanee, when we oc) iv investigating the reasens for human behaviour (Le, why people think or dks cortain things), we quite often talk of Motivation Resear’, an important type of qualitative: research This type of research ainys at divcovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose. Other techniques of such rewarch are word association tests, sentence Completion tests, story completion tests and simihar other projective techniques. Attitude or opinion research 4 ¢., research designed to find out how people feet ‘or What they think about a particular subject or institution ts also qualitative research. Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioural sekences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behaviour Through suet researeh we ote analyse the Various factors Which motivate people to behave t a parhoular manner or whieh make poople like or distike a particular thing. KLmay be stated, however, that to apply for qualitative resoareh in practice is relatively a difficult job and theretors, white dom such researeh, one should seck guidanee thom experimental pryehotogests, Conceptual vx Empirioat: Conceptual research is that related ty some abstract Keats) or theory. IU 1y generally uved by philosophers aint thinkers to develop new eomeepes oe b> reinterpret existing ones. On the other hand, empirwal research rebes o8 expences of observation alone, offen without due regard for ay stem and theory, Teas dlataetased pescare coming up with conclusions which are capable ot beug veritiead by observation OFeNpeNINENE We can also call it as experimental type of rescaret tir such a ceseaie ay eewenany & get facts at firsthand, at theit souree, and actively to go about dong certian eines 8 stimulate the production of desired intormation. ty suet a reseateh, (he leveare er leet first provide hinsell with a working hy pothesty or guess as to the probable pews He thee works fo get enough facts (lata) to prove oF disprove Doe Rygatheans Tie Bee Sees ae ‘experimental designs whict he thinks will ananipulate the peMwNs OF Me Masons coMLENNNT so as to bring forth the desired intimation. Sieh rewearet bs thas Charatan Sy oe experimenters ConLOL Over the Vartables ander stusty aint hes deliberate anamgetaoman of jong of them to study ty eflects. Eanpitigal beseanety bs anne nate WASH POE os SANT HN certain variables aftoot other Variables in sone way. LA whonce patient Aug eAREHIANENS. ‘oF cpitioal studies ary considered te be the mast PUMECHAL AMIPAKE PWNS We eaHAg a piven hypothesis Some Other typor of Keveurct: ALL Other Wpes of Lemeaned ae VartANN OE AOS OF MER, of the above stated approavtion, based aa either the paapnose of Peaeek ee US EN Fequited fo aCCOMpTISN Feseanvh, aa Ue EAN TOMMROOE A ROR AORN x a, OE OH EO fasts oF sane gather sitnnttar Lingteats, Ciaran (fe ANE AE NAO NN GERI, We AMR NNR Oo ree cltlior as anette evavstnr ds a faneginationad pvneWen’ BA ARE BRAN ORE BS HERERO eontined Fa stile tine patil, wtverwas tia Uke batter eta the renwal is Saeed aE are intoreee: | Research Methodology several t jeld-seuing research or laboratory research op e-periods, Research can be field-setting 1 5 Bertie: tian rerearch,d spending. upon the environment in which it is to Ee card ou, Research can as well be understood as elinical or diagmost researc eh feseach flow case-study methods or indepth approaches to reach the basic easual relations Such dies usually go deep into the causes of things or events that e us, eaeeey small emma aaes oes 7 searcl ay be explorate, samples and very deep probing data gathering devices. The research may be exploratory or it may be formalized. The objective of exploratory search is the development of cit testing, whereas formalized research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypotheses to t whieh ut hypotheses rather than th ested. Historical research is that s historical sources like documents, remains, ete. to study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any remote point of time, Research can also be classified as conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented. While doing conclusion-oriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem. redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented research is always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case 4S not free to embark upon research according to his own inclination, Operations research is an example of decision oriented research since it isa scientific method of providing executive departments With a quantitative basis for decisions regarding operations under their control 1.4 _RESEARCH/APPROACHES The above description of the types of research brings to light the fact thi approaches to research, viz., quantitative approach and the qualitative involves the generation of dat a in quantitative form which can be subjected analysis in a formal and rigid fashion. This lat there are two basic approach. The former to rigorous quantitative approach can be further sub-classi experimental and simulation approaches t 0 research. The purpose of ny form a data base to infer characteristics or nferential approach is to relationships of population, This usually means survey research where a sample of Population is studied (questioned or observed) to determine its characteristics, and it is then inferred that the Population has the same characteristics Experimental “proach is characterised by much greater control over the Tesearch envi some variables are manipulated to observ: involves the construction of an artificial enviro vant information and data can be generated. This permits an observation of the dynamic behavi under controlled conditions. TI lation’ i applications refers to “the operation of a numerical Process. Given the values of initial conditions, the structure of a dynamic Parameters and exo; vari is . "5 ‘ lables, a simulation Tun to represent the behaviour of the Process oy Simulation approach ae Re be useful in building models for: understanding future conditions, Qualitative approach to research is concerned w ith subjecti jinions i nis co jective assess, i jnions ard Pehaviour Research in such a situation isa function of researcher's insist oes Such an approach to research generates revulte either at inno ights and impression isnotsubjestedtorigorous quantitative and analyse, Generally the tee £27 or inthe form whi ranective techniques and depth interviews are useq, a follow, hhniques of focus interviews group int Allthese are. xplained at length in chapters thetResearch Methodology: An introduction ‘ogress is born of inquiry, Doubt is often be inquiry leads to invention” is a famous Hudson M can well be understood, Increased amounts of re: Scientific an ler than overconfidence, for it les ANIM In Context of v search make progress po: d inductive thinking and it prom ates the development of logical «anisation and or The role of research in several fields of to the economy as a whole, hature of business and governat problems. Resea and business. applied economics, wh. has greatly increased in modern ti led. Throw: igh research the dex 2 for dealing with all facets of various operations and most of these are related dircetly or inaz plight of cultivators. the problems of big and small busin: union activities, the problems of distribution, requiring research. Thus, research is conside resources. Another area in government, economic and social structure of the n: economy and what changes are taking p! routine task, but it involves a variety maintain large staff of research technic’ government, research as a tool to ec (i) investigation of economic structure that are taking place and the analysis prediction of future developments, ess and industry, working con. even the size and nature of defence service: red necessary with regard to the allocation o where research is necessary. is collectin ation. Such information indicates what lace. Collecting such statistical information of research problems. These days nearly al ians or experts to carry on this work. Thus. in ‘nomic policy has three distinct phases of through continual compilation of facts of the forces underlying them: and ( governmeni the content o} Research has its special significance in solving various operational cana of business and industry. Operations research and market research, along with m: are considered crucial and their results assist, in more than one way, in takin Market research is the investigation of the structure and development ofa market for the purpose of formulating efficient policies for purchasing, production and sales. Operations research roren othe application of mathematical, logical and analytical techniques to the solution of business cost minimisation or of profit maximisation or what can be termed as optimisation problems. Motivational research of determining why people behave as they do is mainly concemed with market characterstece. In other words, it is concemed with the determination of motivations underlying the consumer (1 market) behaviour. All these are of great help to people in business and industry who are Tesponsible for taking business decisions. Research with regard to demand and market factors has great utility in business. Given knowledge of future demand, itis generally not difficult for fam oe for an industry pla otivatics 1g business decision problems of Sal aaa esam fede destin ded We genet Cane eben Mi essber Sly: boats plate atte WE ATE HOHE A PATCHY Anti ge hoy ue Hak eevee tenth ate capable of hoeige fay tlie: Wile at teomatich aude A Lueead ne yelbat wees tuetd laa de beep Ly tia ieurticutar ettiad thas bina aidiqeled oh cases sbagg lac lagest iad sind Wier question Fe \ \ \ arta jae shuld know the meaning of ativot. [ime uh unity qual ate elinely related In researe tie at . . r heal Cl eHiGes Whith are contalled © evveritally KX Meoe. Rewat her ts aoaully interested in particular re ticans ‘ ; sigue CMe ay atlon haul the phlilasoply crmunian te all oe tlktiuigh ng QA YAR OUR IEFaDIY (FOR ONE science te anal = Fic aicalial Unde content Kael Mears Writes, The scientific me ve tua thee Gal ac tgatge tin that eugtlat is the method ofall lagically train (caste caunnec hone Hi ib anette, aul its tnaterial; the man whe elas * asa wes Win ages Mt anutual celal aud feseribes their sequences, is applying the enti aro sawase. Aylentitiy Wuethod is the pursuit of truth as determined by ete © Hho aleal al acieaee 6 Katvhiey a systetnatie interrelation of facts, Scientific nt we ltl OY eAAGENLAL, GbSEFvAion,louical arguments from == Sa cuntanuivaol doe Mage i Varying proportions, th scientific method, lawl scogumiouin @xnlieis antagvutately so tat thelr possible alternatives become ieveliia tty couswuetives af sult alteriutives, and when these are eamnparel'™ 7 a county ex wuge pawl Koa thy Feseareher or the scientist to state wsich a! rh ee incon wunbaag olteevest sts, ALAR is done through experimentation and 5! ca ceuatiaie Ung tnteatal pats ot scientific method.fi fy Methadulagy. An lnarade ‘ | ver mesh me nl , f experiment may be Wo " : : ; Vk 4 i i vey Mav’ GS | \ hel ved wibonnia t ’ " Vig ocreutitts rivetlial ba Hits, baad " u Wishes un euipiisal eviden Willey releyanl exes + (eh caumited ta uly objective considerat 4 ahead Hil making only adequate and correct stat Wi hooulle tity juobabiliotie prediction: 6 Ho aiethuslilagy 1 mise hnown ta all concemed for erit 1 footy the coiiclustons Hisough replication: (alii at fariulating most general axioms or what cai Vin the ocieiifie method encourages a rigorous, method wherein (hy (loo at Laisteal reaaoning, a method wherein the investigation proceeds in an order svwcthvol thal tuplice itera consistency. SN a ert Wicluiy suubarbing ou the details of research methodology and techniques, it se HWeoent 4 l4iel nverview af the research process. Research process consists of se sisfts evesouny Wn ellectively carry out research. The chart shown in Figure 1.1 illustrates a resea ries of actions or rh ves ‘Hoe chatt inlicates that the research process consists of a number of closely related activities, se ohoava ttiaugh (14 VIL But such activities overlap continuously rather than following a strictly Wouetbeal sexuence AL ines, the first step determines the nature of the last step to be undertaken Woutoo quot piaceslives have nol been taken into account in the early stages, serious difficulties Way drew Which may even prevent the completion of the study. One should remember that neither ope lnvulyed in a research process are mutually exclusive; nor they are separate ancl Hetil They do Hot necessarily follow each other in any specific order and the researcher has to be Hiislantly wulieipating at each step in the research process the requirements of the subsequent tej Hove, the following order concerning various steps provides a useful procedural guideline ling the research problem; (ii) etensive literature survey: ‘ing the researeh design; (v) determining sample desigin; s of data; (ix) hypothesis testing; ion of the resus, Vartan Foyaislng ie venearch process: (i forme (ii leveling the hy pothesis; (iy) prey (0H calleeting the datas (i) execution of the project; (viii) analys (3) pene talialiiws aud interpretation; and (xi) preparation of the report or presen 10 Inisial Wi ite-up al conclusions reached. \ hiiet desertion af the above stated steps will be helpful.oxo sisted wipe = (B) asoun ©. AL a (fue y eal (ubisop ojdues sisoyjodAy ‘srsayjodhy 1901) Surpnjou) eye jnuso. ear ackaii ep }99]109, | lareseatttect nt of T @) @ aunjesayy ay) MOIR LYVHO MOT4 NI SSA90Ud HOUVASaY(i (iv) oo uothe study 8 HAE SHOU bg i ies, ifany, which at cher al tis sta, ty qty another, The earlier studies, ifany, W nthe renenrcber slp. In pied Ra library witl be ofa reat help 10 Jes, One can use some seat net it hs boeon nite easy to search the artic eatin Mey internet, it has become quite cas ro aearch scholarly articles like ‘google’ or specially ‘google scholars’ fo seare : ve Tilerature survey, ry eves: After extenst , Fese ) Development of working hypotheses: A iene. Working gp arch should state in clear terms the sworking hypovton sits logical or empirical wos tentative assumption made in order ee Se aD dis putas = As such the manner in which research hypotheses 4 : OD tig rae ae a it ihe esieaia for res ae They also affect the ™ nner in “hichge must be conducted in the analysis of data and indireetly the quality of data Which isteqing for the analysis, Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of res hand because it has to be tested. ‘The role of the hypothesis is to guide the re: cher fy delinvitin Hand to keep him on the right track. I sharpens his thie and focuses attention on the more important facets of the problem. It also indie les thy {pe of data required and the type of methods of da v analysis (o be used, the area of resed How does one go about developing working hypotheses? The answer is by using the followig approach: (2) Discussions with coll in seeking a solution; (b) Examination of data and records. trends, peculiari (c) Review of s about the problem, its origin and the objectivas Vvailable, concerning the problem for posite ind other clues; imilar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems; and (a) Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews on alimited Scale with interested parties and individuals with a view to secure greater insight ino the practical aspects of the problem Thus, working hypotheses arise asa result ofa priori thinkin of the available data and material including related interested parties. Working hypotheses are about the subject, examination Studies and the counsel of experts ati more useful when stated in precise and cl! defined terms. It may as well be remembered that ove, sionally we may encountera problet here we do not need working hypotheses, specially inthe ea ¢ of exploratory or formulate researches which do not aim at testing the hypothes S. But as a general rule, specificatiot of working hypotheses is another basic step of the research process is many reset problems. Preparing the research design: The research problem h terms, the researcher will be required to prepare state the conceptual structure within which re: of such a design facilitates research to be information. n other words, the funetion of research design is to provide for the colle of relevant evidence with optimum effort, time and Xpenditure. But how all these ©” achieved depends mainly on the research Purpose. Research Purposes may be gt" ‘ into four categories, vizw (i) Exploration, (i) Description, (iii) Diagnosis: (iv) Experimentation. flexible reseatch design which prose ee opportunity for eonsidet™® . A jn cle@ ing been formulated in a 4 research design, i.e,, he will novel Search would be conducted. The prepara as efficient as possible yielding maxi!Reawaroh Methodatagy An tir 1yntlon iHvttins i iain regu alee De oneal cnily 1 hry present thes iifcorriaticn a fo) Chatto aii Jivotpetiouee te nu clearly and fayette f N ontatest Sconfitenoe inite! nivel he mentioned and Whe varies cenoteninte experienced wll he otited Hi aperations may a We condacting feneane tiny NST Rel or Chie expertly eientifie research ta eatiely Hie falloysing eriterin A. (Hy The teoeare piicedine Hoed chaukd he desotihed in oulficient detail to pertnit anether Wo repeat the fevciteh for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what Nive wleady heen attained Fo The purpose al the research ohoautd he cleanly defined anid common concepts be (0 The privedaral design of the researoh should be emetully planned to yield results that are ay objective ay posable (1) The tesemetion staal report vith comple thei effects upon the findings frankness, Haws in procedural design and eotiin (9) The analysis of dite should be outficiently ade quale to reveal its significance and the Methods of analysis died should be appropriate, ‘The validity and reliability of the data should he cheeked envetully (1) Conclusions should be confined ta those justified fy the dat Hof the research and limited to those for whieh the dita provide sn ad yuiate basis, (1) Greater confidence in research is warranted if the rose archer is experienced, has a good Fepatation in rescarel and jo person of inte ity, I othier words, we can state the quitities of a food researel as under: (0) Gand researc fi ayntemuties ML means that rexearch ty stemctured with specified steps to {retaken inn specified sequence in accordance ith the well defined wt ot rolex Systemati eharacteriotie of He resenteh dows not tule Gut creative thinking but it certainly does reject the tive of gusessinye and itiition hn AHIVINY AL Con Tisions. (Hy Good rescued is tagiout Vile implies Hat a veasoniane atu the logicnl process of induetion i out research Tiduetion is the recess OT remonii HOH a part to the whole where deduction is He pmacess of redaning, frome sume premise (0: conchision which follows Fron that very jareniiie. tne fin { Jujtical temioningc makes research more Meaningful in the Context ol deehsion niking, Ce esearch is guided by the rules of logical nid deduction ate of great value in carrying myirical AC lnplles that resenteh a related basically to one or more ASPECTS OFA real situation and deals with conurete data that provides a basis for external validity to tesearely tenable, (4) Gand reseed ts replicable Hoplicnting the study avd there {his charneteriatic allows research rewults to be verified by Hoy buildings 0 sound bisis for devisions,ER the Research ’ Cc Problem haptey 2 | Research powwess, the flint ant foremost stop happens fo be that at selecting and properly eligi Heeb toat Vneseaeher amistad the pratt nel foninnatate its HMrat it hecomes sui eh. Like a modtioal doctor, a tescateler must examine all the sy mptons (Presented tohigy SNONT by Ilan) concerning a prabteat betire he san diagnose eorreetly, "To dotine 4 Pith *sssearcher nmnst knows vt a problent ist Sach problent in general, refers to some Nt ot either a theoretical ot practical sity Usually we say that a reseanch problems does aifticutty whic ation and w eXISC ithe tint 4 researcher experiences itt Hts (0 obtain a solution tor the sine owing conditions are met with: | (9 There must be an inividal (or Problem can be attributed, The ins Mualorthe onan eavironment say NV Which iy detined by y There must be at least nv cou action is detined by one | {STOOD OF aH On Hisation), let us call i210 whom tht sation, as the case may be, occupit hati esr the uncontested variables by Seaureahcrriieeag Ci Ca toh rept (0) There must be atleast twa possible ee ce which one should be preferable we the other. tn other why at least one outcome thatthe Researcher Wanty. | GO) The courses of, ailable must PIOVIde same chang, s the probubitity then POG # POU, have my ia OF a course of action sth Sonds, this means that there mst action ay they cannot provide the PO ILC ben objective, ome change rise the choi that Ne choy / sctive tt of obtaining iba otleslity i Fe Would not matter: a ae “ Tr MEO, Will oceur, if /selest C, it >). In sing ar ae Pl Words, we can Say that the choice nuditions, the represent Smoqual etticiencies fort Over and above the indivi WOVE these dividual OF the op om Problem only fF does not krone What course o| action ie sg ation an he id 0B e8t, i . . atl Solution, Thus, an individual or @ gtoup of Le syn doubt abou a Persons can hg ‘ald Must be in 10 hay outeoMes,om @& problem, if they (individual or the group), having one or more confronted with two or more courses of action that have some but not equal €fficioncy for the desired objective(s) and are in doubt about which course of action is best. We can, thus, state the components of'a research problem as under © must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty or the problem. e must © some objective(s) to be attained at, If one wants nothing, one cannot have problem, 1) There must be alternative means (or the courses of action) for obtaining the objective(s) ‘one Wishes to attain, This means that there must be af least two means available to a researcher for if he has no choice of means, he cannot have a problem. There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the selection of ernatives. This means that research must answer the question concerning the relative efficiency of the possible alternatives. ‘There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains. ‘Thus, a research problem is one which re given problem, ic.,to find out by wi (ivy (y) quires a researcher to find out the best solution for the hhich course of action the objective can be attained optimally in the context of a given environment, There are several factors which may result in making the problem complicated. For instance, the en Wironment may change affecting the efficiencies of the courses of action or the values of the outco1 mes; the number of alternative courses of action may be very large: Persons not involved in making the decision may be affected by it and react to it favourably or unfavourably, and similar other factors. All such elements (or at least the important ones) may be | thought of in context of a research problem. SELECTING THE PROBLE! The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected. The task is a di although it may not appear to be so. Help may be taken from a research guide in this connection, Nevertheless, every researcher must find out his own salvation for research problems cannot be borrowed. A problem must spring from the researcher’s mind like a plant springing from its own Seed. If our eyes need glasses, itis not the optician alone who decides about the number ofthe Inve we require. We have to see ourselves and enable him to prescribe for us the right number by cooperating with him. Thus, a research guide can at the most only help a researcher choeee © subject. However, the following points may be observed by a researcher in selecting a research problem or a subject for research: fficult one, () Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a difficult task to throw any new light in such a case. (ii) Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average researcher, (iii) Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided. (iv) ‘The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the related research material or sources of research are within one’s reach. Even then it is quite difficult to supply definitive ideas concerning how a researcher should obtain ideas for his research, For this purpose, a researcher should contact an expert or a professor in the University CHAPTER 2.Re earch Design Chapter LU LAIN RCT UT IAM ye els) the fontmidable protean that follows the task of dst: the resol proto be te plotearation ot a design of the research project, popularly knoww as “wwsoatl dhaight™ \yanareteacanme teal arrangement of conditions for collection wnat analysis da i « MUA at ainte For ceanbing televanee to the reveareh purpose with ecomomy in protien EW the Wwaranttaeston tet conceptual structure within which rscath is conducted, CORT HO the BOE Kar ds cattogtion measurement and analysis data. As ust the esi ital at valli vt what the rowel eal te rom writing the hypothesis nits opetatinal implications Wo the Lnalanalyaiewtace Meee explicitly, the design decisions happen to be in tespoot at 4) What is the stady about? Oy) Why isthe study being made? (i) Where will the study be carried out? (ic) What type of data is required! (0) Where can the required data (01) What periods of tine will the study inch (01) What will be the sample design’? (iii) What techniques of data collection will be wed? Ci) How will the data be analysed? (5) In what style will the report be prepared? Keeping in view the above stated design decisions, one tay 9ptit ea the following parts: etal feawateti loader dal 6) The sampling design whieh deals with the method of selecting Heme hy be obusryed tae the given study. @omomical and of the data collected the nature ¢ problem tc ed. A design may be quite suitable in on or the other in the context of some other research problem. One sin cannot serve the purpose of all types of research problems A research design appropriate for a particular research problem, usually involves the consideration of the follow g factors: the means of obtaining information; (i) the availability and skills of the researcher and his staff, if any: (iii) the objective of the problem to be studied; (0) the nature of the problem to be studied; and (9) the availability of time a \d money for the research work If the research study happens to be an exploratory or a formulative one, whereir emphz 1 major is is on discovery of ideas and ins hts, the research design most appropriat ny di when the purpose of a study is accurate description of a situation or of an association between variables (oe in what are called the descriptive studies), minimises bias and maximises the reliability of the evidence collected is conside: Studies involving the testing of a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables req) design which will permit inferences about casuality in addition to the minimisation of bias and maximisation of reliability, But in practice it is the most difficult task to put a particular study ia a elements of two or more of the functivas of flexible enough to permit the consideration of m: ferent aspects of a phenomenon. Bi cy becomes a major consideration and a res eel particular group, for a given research may have ir different studies. It is only on the basis of its primary function that a study can be a8 an exploratory or descriptive or hypothesis-testing study and accordingly the choive of a research be made in case of a particular study. Besides, the availability of time, money, skills of the aff and the means of obtaining the information must be given due weightage white working ch design such as experimental design, survey design, sample egorived either design m research s out the relevant details of the re: design and the like. 3.4 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TC EARCH DESIGN Before describing the different research designs, it will be appropriate to explain the various concepts better and casily understood, ting to designs so that these may be