1.

Meaning of Research

Research is the careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern

or research 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.”
2. Characteristics of Research

1. 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.
2. The analysis is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive
and deductive methods.
3. Real-time data and knowledge is derived from actual observations in
natural settings.
4. There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no
anomalies associated with it.
5. It creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create
more research opportunities.
6. It is analytical and uses all the available data so that there is no ambiguity
in inference.
7. 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.

3. Characteristics of the Researcher

• He should be able to think reflectively on the field

studied.
• He should have tolerance and patience.
• He should be interested in the field studied.
• He should be honest and devotee to his work.
• He should have the curiosity to find out something new
or to answer some questions which are still to be
answered.

4. Values of Research to Man

#1. Research expands your knowledge base

The most obvious reason to do research is that you’ll learn more. There’s
always more to learn about a topic, even if you are already well-versed in it. If
you aren’t, research allows you to build on any personal experience you have
with the subject. The process of research opens up new opportunities for
learning and growth.

#2. Research gives you the latest information

Research encourages you to find the most recent information available. In
certain fields, especially scientific ones, there’s always new information and
discoveries being made. Staying updated prevents you from falling behind and
giving info that’s inaccurate or doesn’t paint the whole picture. With the latest
info, you’ll be better equipped to talk about a subject and build on ideas.

#3. Research helps you know what you’re up against

In business, you’ll have competition. Researching your competitors and what
they’re up to helps you formulate your plans and strategies. You can figure out
what sets you apart. In other types of research, like medicine, your research
might identify diseases, classify symptoms, and come up with ways to tackle
them. Even if your “enemy” isn’t an actual person or competitor, there’s always
some kind of antagonist force or problem that research can help you deal with.

#4. Research builds your credibility

People will take what you have to say more seriously when they can tell you’re
informed. Doing research gives you a solid foundation on which you can build
your ideas and opinions. You can speak with confidence about what you know
is accurate. When you’ve done the research, it’s much harder for someone to
poke holes in what you’re saying. Your research should be focused on the best
sources. If your “research” consists of opinions from non-experts, you won’t be
very credible. When your research is good, though, people are more likely to
pay attention.

#5. Research helps you narrow your scope

When you’re circling a topic for the first time, you might not be exactly sure
where to start. Most of the time, the amount of work ahead of you is
overwhelming. Whether you’re writing a paper or formulating a business plan,
it’s important to narrow the scope at some point. Research helps you identify
the most unique and/or important themes. You can choose the themes that fit
best with the project and its goals.

#6. Research teaches you better discernment

Doing a lot of research helps you sift through low-quality and high-quality
information. The more research you do on a topic, the better you’ll get at
discerning what’s accurate and what’s not. You’ll also get better at discerning
the gray areas where information may be technically correct but used to draw
questionable conclusions.

#7. Research introduces you to new ideas

You may already have opinions and ideas about a topic when you start
researching. The more you research, the more viewpoints you’ll come across.
This encourages you to entertain new ideas and perhaps take a closer look at
yours. You might change your mind about something or, at least, figure out how
to position your ideas as the best ones.

#8. Research helps with problem-solving

Whether it’s a personal or professional problem, it helps to look outside yourself
for help. Depending on what the issue is, your research can focus on what
others have done before. You might just need more information, so you can
make an informed plan of attack and an informed decision. When you know
you’ve collected good information, you’ll feel much more confident in your
solution.

#9. Research helps you reach people

Research is used to help raise awareness of issues like climate change, racial
discrimination, gender inequality, and more. Without hard facts, it’s very difficult
to prove that climate change is getting worse or that gender inequality isn’t
progressing as quickly as it should. The public needs to know what the facts
are, so they have a clear idea of what “getting worse” or “not progressing”
actually means. Research also entails going beyond the raw data and sharing
real-life stories that have a more personal impact on people.

#10. Research encourages curiosity

Having curiosity and a love of learning take you far in life. Research opens you
up to different opinions and new ideas. It also builds discerning and analytical
skills. The research process rewards curiosity. When you’re committed to
learning, you’re always in a place of growth. Curiosity is also good for your
health. Studies show curiosity is associated with higher levels of positivity,
better satisfaction with life, and lower anxiety.

5. Types of Research
Applied Research
It is a scientific study that seek to solve various practical problems in the day to
day life. It find answers or solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, develop
innovative technologies etc.

For example-

1. Improve agricultural crop production

2. Treat or cure specific disease
3. Improve energy efficiency of homes, offices, modes of transportation [1] [2]

Basic Research

It is called as Fundamental or Pure research. It Expands the person's

knowledge. This type of research is not going to create or invent anything new.
Instead, it is based on Basic science investigation.

For example-
 1. How did universe begin?
2. What are protons? [1][2]

Correlational Research

The relationship among 2 or more variables without necessarily determining

the cause and effect is known as correlational research.

For example-

1. Correlation between obesity and diabetes mellitus

2. Correlation between smoking and cancer [1][2]

Advantages-

1. It is easy to collect much information from many subjects at single time.

2. Wide range of variables and their interrelations.
3. Study variables are not easily produced in the laboratory.

Disadvantages-

1. Does not indicate causation (cause and effect)

2. Problems with self reporting method. [1]

Descriptive Research

This type of research provides accurate portrayal of characteristics of a

particular individual, situation or group. Also known as statistical research. It
deals with everything that can be counted and studied which have an impact on
the lives of people.

Advantages-

1. Less expensive, time consuming

2. Collect a large amount of notes for detailed studying.

Disadvantages-
 1. Require more skills
2. Does not identify cause behind the research. [2][1]

Ethnographic Research

This type of research involves investigation of a culture through an in-depth

study of members of culture. It involves systematic collection, description,
analysis of data for development of theories of cultural behavior. There are
anthropological studies that studies people, ethnic group, ethnic formations
and social welfare characteristics. It is done on the basis of observations,
interviews, questionnaire and data collection.[2]

Experimental Research

This study involves objective, systematic, controlled investigation for purpose

of predicting and controlling the phenomena. It also includes examining the
probability and causality among variables.

Advantages-

1. Best in establishing the cause and effect relationships

Disadvantages-

1. Artificiality
2. Feasibility
3. Unethical

Variables-

There will be two variables- Dependent and Independent [1]

Exploratory Research

This type of research will be conducted for a problem that has not been clearly
defined. It helps to determine the best research design, data collection method
and selection of subjects. It is quite informal relying on the secondary research.
For Example-

Online marketing and exploring through different sites [1][2]

Ground Theory Research

It studies about the problems existing in a given social environment and how
people involved handles them. It operates almost in a reverse fashion from
traditional research and involves 4 stages- Codes, Concepts, Categories and
Theory

For Example-

Creating a situation and looking at how people react to it[2]

Historical Research

Research involving analysis of events that occurred in the remote or recent past.

Application- Understanding this can add perspective on how we can examine

the current situation. [1]

Phenomenological Research

It aim to describe an experience that has been actually lived by a person.

For example-

A person suffering from cancer, quality of life of the patient at that point of
time.

Quantitative Research

A type of educational research in which the researcher decides what to study;

asks specific, narrow questions; collects quantifiable data from participants;
analyzes these numbers using statistics; and conducts the inquiry in an
unbiased, objective manner.

Qualitative research

Qualitative research is concerned with feelings, ideas, or experiences.

Finding insights that can result in testable hypotheses is the main goal of the
data collection, which is frequently done in narrative form. During the
exploratory phases of a study, educators use qualitative research to find
patterns or fresh perspectives. A methodology called qualitative research is
created to gather non-numerical data to produce insights. It is not statistical
and is either semi-structured or unstructured.

6. Classifications of Research
Quantitative Research

A type of educational research in which the researcher decides what to study;

asks specific, narrow questions; collects quantifiable data from participants;
analyzes these numbers using statistics; and conducts the inquiry in an
unbiased, objective manner.

Qualitative research

Qualitative research is concerned with feelings, ideas, or experiences.

Finding insights that can result in testable hypotheses is the main goal of the
data collection, which is frequently done in narrative form. During the
exploratory phases of a study, educators use qualitative research to find
patterns or fresh perspectives. A methodology called qualitative research is
created to gather non-numerical data to produce insights. It is not statistical
and is either semi-structured or unstructured.

7. The Variable
Variables in Research
In Research, Variables refer to characteristics or attributes that can
be measured, manipulated, or controlled. They are the factors that
researchers observe or manipulate to understand the relationship
between them and the outcomes of interest.
Types of Variables in Research
Types of Variables in Research are as follows:
Independent Variable
This is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher. It is also
known as the predictor variable, as it is used to predict changes in
the dependent variable. Examples of independent variables
include age, gender, dosage, and treatment type.
Dependent Variable
This is the variable that is measured or observed to determine the
effects of the independent variable. It is also known as the outcome
variable, as it is the variable that is affected by the independent
variable. Examples of dependent variables include blood pressure,
test scores, and reaction time.
Confounding Variable
This is a variable that can affect the relationship between the
independent variable and the dependent variable. It is a variable
that is not being studied but could impact the results of the study.
For example, in a study on the effects of a new drug on a disease,
a confounding variable could be the patient’s age, as older patients
may have more severe symptoms.
Mediating Variable
This is a variable that explains the relationship between the
independent variable and the dependent variable. It is a variable
that comes in between the independent and dependent variables
and is affected by the independent variable, which then affects the
dependent variable. For example, in a study on the relationship
between exercise and weight loss, the mediating variable could be
metabolism, as exercise can increase metabolism, which can then
lead to weight loss.
Moderator Variable
This is a variable that affects the strength or direction of the
relationship between the independent variable and the dependent
variable. It is a variable that influences the effect of the independent
variable on the dependent variable. For example, in a study on the
effects of caffeine on cognitive performance, the moderator
variable could be age, as older adults may be more sensitive to the
effects of caffeine than younger adults.
Control Variable
This is a variable that is held constant or controlled by the
researcher to ensure that it does not affect the relationship between
the independent variable and the dependent variable. Control
variables are important to ensure that any observed effects are due
to the independent variable and not to other factors. For example,
in a study on the effects of a new teaching method on student
performance, the control variables could include class size, teacher
experience, and student demographics.
Continuous Variable
This is a variable that can take on any value within a certain range.
Continuous variables can be measured on a scale and are often
used in statistical analyses. Examples of continuous variables
include height, weight, and temperature.
9. Research Problem
A research problem is a specific issue or gap in existing knowledge that
you aim to address in your research. You may choose to look for practical
problems aimed at contributing to change, or theoretical problems aimed at
expanding knowledge.
10. Characteristics of Research Problem
1. It should address a gap in knowledge.
2. It should lead to further research.
3. The problem can be stated clearly and concisely.
4. It is ground in theory.
5. It relates to one or more variables.
6. It is do-able within the time frame and budget.
7. Sufficient data are available or can be obtained.
8. The researcher's methodological strengths can be applied to the problem.

11. Sources of Research Problem

1. Interviews
Interviews sessions can be significant sources of research problems. The method gives you
an opportunity to have formal discussions and informal interactions with individuals who
can provide useful insights into research and make findings more relevant to future
research.
2. Personal Experiences
Your everyday experiences are a good source of research problem.
You have to think critically about your personal experiences with an issue that affects your
family, your personal life, or your community.
A research problem derived from personal experience can spring from any issue and from
anywhere.
For example, you can construct a research problem from events that appear to be out of the
ordinary or from community relationships that don’t have clear explanations.

3. Deductions from Theory

A deduction from theory refers to inferences a researcher makes from the generalizations
of life in a society that a researcher knows very well.
A researcher takes the deduction, places them in an empirical frame, and then, based on a
theory, they come up with a research problem and a hypothesis that suggests some findings
based on given empirical results.

4. Interdisciplinary Perspective
If you consider interdisciplinary perspective to identify a problem for a research study,
you’ll have to look at scholarship and academic movements from outside your main area
of investigation.
It’s an intellectually involving process, one that requires reviewing pertinent literature to
discover unique avenues of exploration an analysis.
The benefit of using this approach to identify a research problem for your research paper
assignment is that it presents an opportunity for you to understand complex issues with
ease.
5. Relevant Literature
To generate a research problem from relevant literature, you first have to review research
related to your area of interest.

12. Criteria of a Good Research Problem

1. S-pecific. The research problem must be specifically stated.

2. M-easurable. The research problem should be quantifiable or observable. This
may include interviews, surveys, or recorded observations such as videos and
audio recordings. There should be instruments that will help the researchers gather
data from their respondents.
3. A-ttainable. A research problem should be easily achieved, solved, or answered
by the researcher after all valid procedures had been carried out.
4. R-ealistic. It should be possible for the researchers to perform the
experimentations or observations needed to solve their problems.
5. T-ime-Bound. Researchers should also consider the time allotment for their
research. They should think of a research problem that could be carried out in the
given time period.

13.Hypothesis
A hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a precise, testable statement of what the
researcher(s) predict will be the outcome of the study. It is stated at the start of
the study.

This usually involves proposing a possible relationship between two variables:

the independent variable (what the researcher changes) and the dependent
variable (what the research measures).

Types Of Research Hypotheses

Alternative Hypothesis

The alternative hypothesis states that there is a relationship between the two
variables being studied (one variable has an effect on the other).

An experimental hypothesis predicts what change(s) will take place in the

dependent variable when the independent variable is manipulated.

Null Hypothesis

The null hypothesis states that there is no relationship between the two
variables being studied (one variable does not affect the other). There will be no
changes in the dependent variable due to the manipulation of the independent
variable.

It states results are due to chance and are not significant in terms of supporting
the idea being investigated.

Nondirectional Hypothesis
A non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis predicts that the independent
variable will have an effect on the dependent variable, but the direction of the
effect is not specified. It just states that there will be a difference.

E.g., there will be a difference in how many numbers are correctly recalled by
children and adults.

Directional Hypothesis

A directional (one-tailed) hypothesis predicts the nature of the effect of the

independent variable on the dependent variable. It predicts in which direction
the change will take place. (i.e. greater, smaller, less, more)

E.g., adults will correctly recall more words than children.

14. Theoretical Framework

A theoretical framework is a foundational review of existing theories that serves as a
roadmap for developing the arguments you will use in your own work.

Theories are developed by researchers to explain phenomena, draw connections, and

make predictions. In a theoretical framework, you explain the existing theories that
support your research, showing that your paper or dissertation topic is relevant and
grounded in established ideas.

In other words, your theoretical framework justifies and contextualizes your later research,
and it’s a crucial first step for your research paper, thesis, or dissertation. A well-rounded
theoretical framework sets you up for success later on in your research and writing
process.

15. Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework can be defined as a visual representation in research that helps to

illustrate the expected relationship between cause and effect. It is also called a conceptual
model or research model. That means that different variables and the assumed relationships
between those variables are included in the model and reflect the expectations.