Research Methods

Lecture 1: Introduction and Types of Research

Research Methods : Lecture 01

fpupf;nfl; Nghl;b njhlq;Ftjw;F Kd; elf;Fk; FO tpthjj;ij

ePq;fs; njhiyf;fhl;rpapy; ftdpj;jpUg;guP ;fs;. xUq;fpizg;ghsu;fs;
FO cWg;gpdu;fsplk; ,J Nghd;w Nfs;tpfis Nfl;ghu;fs;:
••,d;W ve;j mzp Nghl;bapy; ntw;wp ngWk;?
••rr;rpd; nlz;Ly;fu; rjj;ij mbg;ghuh?
••Ngl;bq; mzpf;F Ftpag; NghFk; Gs;spfs; vd;dthf ,Uf;Fk;?
,e;j Nfs;tpfSf;F gjpy; mspg;gij ePq;fs; ftdpj;jpUf;fpd;wPu;fs;>
FO cWg;gpdu;fs; gpd;tUk; fhuzpfisf; $Wfpwhu;fs;:
••Ke;ija epfo;Tfspd; tpisthf> me;j ,lj;jpy; ,U mzpfSk;
ntw;wp ngw;w mzpfisr; re;jpj;jd.
••nlz;Ly;fu; xU Fwpg;gpl;l ikjhdj;jpy; kw;Wk; vjpu; mzpf;F
vjpuhf gy rjq;fis mbj;jhu;
••thdpiy epiyikfs;> Kjypad.
FO cWg;gpdu;fs; vd;d nra;fpwhu;fs; vd;why;> mtu;fs;
Vw;fdNt cs;s rhd;Wfs; my;yJ juTfis Kiwahfg; nghUj;jp
Nghl;bapLk; Kd; fzpg;Gfs; nra;a gad;gLj;jp tUfpd;wdu;. NtW
thu;j;ijfspy; $Wtjhdhy;> tpdhf;fSf;F tpilaspf;f Muha;r;rp
2
Kiwapid gad;gLj;Jfpwhu;fs; vd;W $wyhk;.
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Unit Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module you will be able to:

1. Identify and articulate a research question.
2. Critically evaluate literature particularly with regard to
its contribution to research.
3. Appreciate and be able to evaluate the range of
research methodologies, tools and techniques that can be
applied to a particular area of research.
4. Reflect on the research process and its outcome.

3
Research Methods : Lecture 01

How do we define research?

• Research may be defined as a careful and systematic process

of inquiry to find answers to problems of interest.

• To do “research” is to investigate the problem systematically,

carefully, and thoroughly.

• This requires the researcher to follow a process, a sequence

of steps from formulating the research problem to publishing
the results.

• This process is called the scientific method, or more

appropriately, “scientific methods” because there is more than
one way of doing science.

4
Research Methods: Lecture 01

1. Ma;T vd;why; vd;d?

2. ehk; vj;jid Ma;T Kiwfs;

gw;wpj; njupe;Js;Nshk;?

5
 Ma;T - Researcher

SearchNjLjy;
Re-kPs
/fz;Lgpbj;jy;

Ma;T :

xU Fwpg;gpl;l tplaj;jpNyh mwpit tpUj;jp

nra;tjw;fhfNth KiwahfTk>; KOikahfTk;
kpfTk; $ba Kaw;rpAlDk;> Nkwnfhs;fpd;w;
fw;if

6
Creswell (2014)

,J %d;W gpujhd tplaq;fis cs;slf;fpAs;sJ.

1. XU tpdhit / tplaj;ij Ntz;b epw;fpd;wJ.
2. NfstpfF ; tpilaspg;gjw;fhd jfty;fisr;
NrfupffpdwJ;; .
3. Nfs;tpf;fhd gjpiy Kd;itf;fpd;wJ.

7
vdNt ,t;tpsf;fq;fspd; gb>

Ma;T vd;gJ VjhtJ xu; Fwpg;gpl;l

tplaj;jpy; cz;ikiaf; fz;Lgpbg;gjw;fhf >
my;yJ mwpit tpUj;jp nra;tjw;fhf kpfTk;
ftdkhf> KOikahf> Kiwrhu;e;j tifapy;
tprhuiz nra;jy;.

8
 Ma;T Kiwfs;
1. fsMa;T /gupNrhjid Ma;T
(Empirical or Experimental Research )

2. gFg;gha;T Ma;T (Analytical Research)

3. vz;zpay; Ma;T (Quantitative Research )

4. gz;gpay; Ma;T (Qualitative Research)

5. gpuNahf Ma;T (Applied Research)

6. fz;fhzpg;G Ma;T (Observational Research)

7. tpsf;f Ma;T (Comprehensive Research)
8. mbg;gil Ma;T (Basic Research)

9
,J xU tplak; njhlu;ghd tpguq;fisj; jUtjhf
mikAk;.

Ex: fy;tp milTfs;(ghlk;> ghy;> ,d mbg;gil)

,yq;ifapy; fpuhkg;Gw fy;tp milTfs;

“ tPjp tpgj;Jf;fs;

12
gz;gpay; Ma;T (Qualitative Research)
kf;fspd; nray;fisAk;;> fUj;Jf;fisAk;
mtjhdpj;J gFg;gha;T nra;tJ.
.
,jd; mbg;gil Ma;TKiwahf fs Ma;T
mikfpd;wJ. Ma;thsu; kf;fis > rk;gtq;fis
Neupy; mtjhdpj;J > kf;fSlf; ciuahb
jfty;fis ngWjy;.
,jd; %yk; kdpj cyfk; rhu;e;j tplaq;fSf;F
tpilfz;L gpbf;f Kay;fpd;wJ.

13
 ,jw;F Neu;fhzy;(Interviews)> tplaMa;T
(Case stidy)> Focus Group Discussion(FGD),
Informative interview(II) Mfpad
gad;gLj;jg;gLfpd;wJ.

xU tplaj;jpd; my;yJ gpur;rpidapd;

gpd;Gyq;fs;> fhuzq;fs; > tpisTfs; gw;wpa
fw;iffspy; gpujhdkhf nry;thf;Fr;
nrYj;Jfpd;wJ.
EX: tq;fpfSldhd njhlu;Gfspy;; kf;fspd; vz;zq;fs; >
elj;ijfs;
,yq;ifapy; rftho;T: fy;tp tpisTfs;

14
gpuNahf Ma;T (Applied Research)

Problem solving oriented research.

rkfhy cyfpy; vjpu;nfhs;fpdw; eilKiw tplaq;fSf;F
jPuT; toq;Ftjpy; ,t;thaT; nry;thf;F
fis nrYj;Jfpd;wJ.

15
fz;fhzpg;G Ma;T (Observational Research)

xU tplaj;ijg; gw;wp mwpe;J nfhs;tjpy; Ma;thsupd;

Neubj;jiyaPL ,y;yhky;> ; kf;fspd; elj;ijfs; gw;wp
mwpe;J nfhs;tJ.

Ex: Public Behavior – Pepsi

Smart Phone
xU ehl;bd; murpay;.

16
tpsf;f Ma;T (Comprehensive Research)

Xd;Wf;F Nkw;gl;ltplaq;fis xg;gpl;L mjpYs;s

cz;ik epiyapidf; fz;lwpag; gad;gLj;jg;gLfpd;w
Ma;T

Ex: Fu;Md-; iggps;

,yf;fpaq;fs; gilg;Gf;fs; nfhs;iffs;
,isNahupilNa r%f tiyj;jsg; ghtid- Mz-;
ngz;fs;
jpUkzKiwfs; - ,d;W – md;W
tpOkpaq;fs; xg;gply;.

tplaq;fis xg;gpl;L xw;Wik > Ntw;Wikfisf;

fz;lwpjy;.

17
 mbg;gil Ma;T (Basic Research)
,t;tha;thdJ mbg;gil tplaq;fs; njhlu;ghf
Nkw;nfhs;sg;gLfpd;w Ma;thFk;.
,q;F tplaq;fspd; cz;ik epiyapidf; kl;Lk; fz;lwpa
gad;gLj;jg;gLfpd;wJ.
; Nfhl;ghLfs;> vz;zf;fUf;fs; Mfpadtw;wpy; khw;wq;fis
Vw;gLj;jNth > Gjpa tplaj;ijf; fz;Lgpbf;fNth KbAk;.
vdNt tplaq;fis Nkk;gLj;;Jk; mwptpid toq;Ffpd;wJ.

Ex: Kuz;ghL Karl Marx - Drandraft .

Gjpa Nfhl;ghLfis cUthf;f cjTfpd;wJ.

18
gFg;gha;T Ma;T (Analytical Research)

,uz;lhk; epiyahd juTfis mbg;gilahf;f;

nfhz;Ls;sJ.
Ma;thsu;> r%f cz;ikfisAk;> mit njhlu;ghd
jfty;fisAk; Nrfupj;J > mtw;iw tpku;rd uPjpahf
thrpj;J > xU KbTf;F tUjy;.

,k;Kiw r%f tpQ;Qhd Ma;Tfspy; mjpfstpy;

gad;gLj;jg;gLfpd;wJ.
,e;j Ma;tpy; tpku;rd mwpTk;> jpwDk; kpfTk; Kf;fpak;
ngWfpd;wJ.
,t;tha;tpd; %yk; xU tplaj;jpw;F Gjpa tpsf;fj;ij
Kd;itf;f KbAk;.
tpQ;Qhd> kUj;Jt> r%fk;> #oy;rhu; tplaq;fspy;
,t;tha;T gpuNahfpf;fg;gLfpd;wJ.
19
Ma;Tj; jiyg;igj; njupT nra;jy;

20
➢ Ma;nthd;wpy; jiyg;igj; njupT nra;jy; vd;gJ> kpfTk;
rthyhd xU tplakhFk;.

Ma;tpd; jiyg;G rupahf mikahJ tpbd; > Ma;it

Nkw;nfhs;fpd;w NghJ> ghupa rthy;fis vjpu;nfhs;s
Ntz;b Vw;gLk;.
EX:

Fog;gkhd jpirapy; Ma;T nry;yKbAk;.

,ilepWj;jg;gl Ntz;b Vw;gLk; Ma;T Kbtpid vl;l
KbahJ NghFk;.

,jdhy; Ma;it kPz;Lk; nra;jy;> my;yJ Gjpa Ma;T

Nkw;nfhs;sy;> jiyg;ig Ma;Tf;Nfw;g khw;Wjy;
,lk;ngWk;. 21
Problems: Ma;Tj; jiyg;ig njupT nra;tjpy; fhzg;gLk;
gbKiwfs; :
1. tpUg;gkhd Jiwapy; jiyg;igj; njupT nra;jy;;
(Select topic in interesting Field)
;

2. gpd;dzpf; fw;iffis Nkw;nfhs;sy;

(Background
study)

3. jiyg;ig kl;Lg;gLj;jYf;Fl;gLj;jy;(Limit
Genus)

22
 tpUg;gkhd Jiwapy; jiyg;igj; njupT nra;jy;;
(Select topic in interesting Field)

xU tplaj;ij gy;NtW field y; Muha KbAk;.

;
Covid 19
fy;tp/ murpay;/
rkak/; cstpay/;
mgptpUj;jp/tzpfk;;
/gz;ghL/kUj;Jtk;

tpUg;gkhd Jiwapy; jiyg;igj; njupjy; vd;gJ

feel comfortable.
tplaq;fisj; NjLtjw;F ,yF.
23
2. gpd;dzpf; fw;if (Background Study):

gy ,yf;fpaq;fisf; fw;Fk; NghJ jiyg;ig rPuhf

xOq;fikf;f KbAk;.
copy – past Gjpa mwpitj; juhJ. mJ MaTky;y.
MaT mwpit tpupTgLj;j NtzLk; ;.

Ex:NtW gpuNjrj;jpy; Nkw;n;fhssg;gll; Ma;itg; Nghy

Ma;it – Gjpa ,dDnkhU gpuNjrjjpy;; Nkw;nfhss;
KbAk;.
Kbtfs; khwf;$baJ.
,J mg;gpuNjrj;ij nfhz;l Gjpa
mbg;gilahff; fzLgpbgig
Kditf;Fk; ;.
JiwrhueJ NtWgl KbAk;.
ekJ jiyg;ig xg;gplTk; KbAk;.
Gjpa fUj;ij jiyg;gpw;F nfhLf;Fk;. 24

njspthf jiyg;ig ngw;Wf;

 3. jiyg;ig tiuiw nra;jy;:

Gifj;jy; kw;Wk;
cstpay; njhlu;G
fhyk;
>
ahupy;
vd;d
Gifj;jy; Vw;gLj;Jfpd;w cstpay; nry;
ghjpg;Gfs; thf;
F

Gifj;jypdhy;
,isQu;fSf;F Vw;gLk;
cstpay; jhf;fq;fs; :
mk;ghiw khtl;lj;ij
ikag;gLj;jpa Ma;T 25
jiyg;G vd;gJ KKikahf njhspthd tpsf;fj;ij
toq;Fk; NghJ> Ma;itj; njhlue;J nry;tjpy;; gpur;rpidfs;
,y;iy. Vnddpy; jiyg;ig mbg;gilahff; nfhz;Nl
1. Ma;Tg; gpd;dzp
2. Ma;T njhlu;ghd gpur;rpid
3. Ma;T Nehf;fk;
4. Ma;T Kiwapay;
5. Ma;tpd; ,yf;fpa kPsha;Tfs;
6. Nfhl;ghLfs;
7. juT Nrfupg;G
8. gFg;gha;T

vd;gd mikAk;. MfNt ,it vy;yhtw;wpw;Fk;

mbggilahdJ; MaTj; ; jiygghFk; ;.

26
Appendix:

27
Research Methods : Lecture 01

What is research?

Uma Sekaran defines research as

“an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective,
scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem,
undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions
to it. ”

Research provides the needed information that guides you to

make informed decisions to successfully deal with problems.

RM
Theory of how RESEARCH should be undertaken

28
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of research

29
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of Research: Application

Pure Research Vs Applied Research

Pure Research:
Primary objective is the advancement of knowledge and the
theoretical understanding of the relations among variables.
It is exploratory and often driven by the researcher’s curiosity,
interest, and intuition

Applied Research:
That is research accessing and using some part of the research
communities' accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and
techniques, for a specific, often commercial, or client driven
purpose (good/process)

30
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Pure Research Vs Applied Research

Pure research is for the sake of curiosity and functions to advance

knowledge for its own sake. This type of research is usually carried
out in government-funded projects by University research facilities or
specific government laboratories.
Applied research is for the sake of technological advancements. This
research anticipates that the results found will lead to the
development of commercially viable goods or processes.
There is a relationship between these two types of research: pure
research generates new ideas and applied research takes these ideas
to create new inventions. Then, through development, the new
inventions are transformed into commercial products. This is a simple
model to understand the different types of research and the eventual
development of new products

31
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of Research: Objectives

Descriptive:
Attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem, or
phenomenon
Correlational:
A study is to discover or establish the existence of a
relationship/association/interdependence between two or more
aspects of a situation or phenomenon
Explanatory:
Attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between
two aspects of a situation or phenomenon
Exploratory:
A study is undertaken with the objective of exploring an area
where little is known

32
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of Research: Objectives…

Descriptive:

This describes phenomena as they exist. It is used to identify and

obtain information on the characteristics of a particular issue. It may
answer such questions as:
What is the absentee rate amongst a particular group of workers?
What are the feelings of workers faced with redundancy?

The data collected are often quantitative, and statistical techniques

are usually used to summarise the information. Descriptive research
goes further than exploratory research in examining a problem since it
is undertaken to ascertain and describe the characteristics of the
issue.

33
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of Research: Objectives….

Explanatory:

This is a continuation of descriptive research. The researcher

goes beyond merely describing the characteristics, to analyse
and explain why or how something is happening.
Thus, explanatory (analytical) research aims to understand
phenomena by discovering and measuring causal relations
among them.

34
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of Research: Objectives..

Exploratory:

This is conducted when there are few or no earlier studies to

which references can be made for information.
The aim is to look for patterns, ideas or hypotheses rather than
testing or confirming a hypothesis.
In exploratory research the focus is on gaining insights and
familiarity with the subject area for more rigorous investigation
later.

35
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of Research: Inquiry Mode

Quantitative Research
Quantitative research tries to quantify the variation in a
phenomenon, situation, problem or issue
Information is gathered using predominantly quantitative
variables and analysis is geared to ascertain the magnitude of
the variation
Qualitative Research
Purpose of the study is primarily to describe a situation,
phenomenon, problem, or event
Information is gathered through the use of variable measured
on nominal or ordinal scales (qualitative measurement scales)

36
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of Research: Inquiry Mode..

Quantitative Research -structured

Research process is predetermined.

More appropriate to determine the extent

They will favour methods such as surveys and experiments, and will
attempt to test hypotheses or statements with a view to generalising
from the particular. This approach typically concentrates on measuring
or counting and involves collecting and analysing numerical data and
applying statistical tests.

37
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Types of Research: Inquiry Mode…

Qualitative Research-unstructured

The alternative tradition is the qualitative approach.

Here the investigator views the phenomena to be investigated as more
personal and softer.

Research process is more flexible.

More appropriate to explore the nature

38
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Go to next pg

39
Research Methods : Lecture 01

40
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Find more..@
• Google Scholar
• Emerald Research Zone
The Research Zone is a section of Emerald
Includes How to... guides with information on methods and methodologies
Access the Research Zone under Resources (left menu)
• International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences
The encyclopedia comprises 4000 articles in the social and behavioral sciences
Browse articles and compare methods used
Search using key words in the All fields search box, in This Journal/Book
• Methods Search - ScienceDirect
Search ScienceDirect using the Methods Search application
Target the search to methods, materials and experimental procedures
Access Applications from the top toolbar within ScienceDirect
• SAGE Research Methods Online (SRMO)
SRMO is an online tool to assist in understanding methods
Over 1400 methods terms and a methods map to show relationships
Contains links to books, dictionaries, journal articles, handbooks and videos
41
Research Methods : Lecture 01

The characteristics of Scientific Research

1. Purposiveness
2. Rigour
3. Testability
4. Replicability
5. Precision and Confidence
6. Objectivity
7. Generalizability
8. Parsimony

Eg: Consider the case of a manager who is interested in

investigating how employees commitment to the
organization can be increased.

How do the above hallmarks apply to this research so that

it could be considered scientific
42
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Purposiveness

Research has to be started with definite aim or purpose.

Eg:
A manager focuses on increasing the commitment of employees
to the organization.

An increase in employee commitment will translate into less

labour turnover, less absenteeism and probably increased
performance levels, all of which will definitely benefit the
organization.

Therefore, the research has a purposive focus.

43
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Rigour (strict precision)

A theoretical base and a sound methodological design would

add rigour to a purposive study.

If the manager asks only some of the employees to indicate

what would increase their level of commitment, and reaches
several conclusions, is the research rigorous enough to be
scientific?

44
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Testability

Hypothesis could be tested by applying certain statistical tests

to the data collected for the purpose.

If after talking to a random sample of employees and study of

the previous research done in the area of organizational
commitment, the manager or researcher develops a certain
hypothesis on how employee commitment could be enhanced,
then these can be tested using certain statistical tests to the
data collected for this purpose.

46
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Replicability

The results of the tests of hypotheses should be supported

again and yet again when the same type of research is
repeated

Eg:
If a certain finding from a research in a particular organization
is similar to the findings from another organization after
conducting the same research credibility and the confidence of
the scientific nature of the research is enhanced.

47
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Precision and Confidence

Precision refers to the closeness of the findings to reality.

Confidence Interval in statistics is referred here as precision.

Confidence refers to the probability that our estimates are

correct. Example: 95% of the time our results would be true.
This is known as Confidence Level.

48
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Objectivity

The conclusions drawn through the interpretation of the

results of data analysis should be objective;
that is,
they should be based on the facts of the findings derived from
actual data, and not on our own subjective or emotional
values.

49
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Generalizability

Generalizability refers to the scope of applicability of the

research findings in one organizational setting to other
settings.

The more generalizable the research, the greater its

usefulness and value.
Eg:
If the findings that “participation in decision making enhances
organizational commitment” are found to be true in a variety of
settings such as in manufacturing, industrial, service sector etc.,
then the generalizability of the findings is enhanced.

50
Research Methods : Lecture 01

Parsimony

Simplicity in explaining the phenomena or problems that

occur and in generating solutions for the problems, is always
preferred to complex research frameworks that considers an
unmanageable number of factors.

51
References
• Kumar, R. (2011). Research methodology: A step-by step guide for beginners.
London:Sage Publications.

• 1. Leckie, Gloria J., Desperately Seeking Citations: Uncovering faculty assumptions

about the undergraduate research process. The Journal of Academic Librarianship
v. 22, May 1996, p.202.

OECD (2002) Frascati Manual: proposed standard practice for surveys on research and
experimental development, 6th edition. Retrieved 27 May 2012
from www.oecd.org/sti/frascatimanual

J. Scott Armstrong and Tad Sperry (1994). “Business School Prestige: Research versus
Teaching”. Energy & Environment 18 (2): 13–43.

Shuttleworth, Martyn (2018). “Definitions of Research”. Explorable. Explorable.com.

Retrieved14 August 2011.

Creswell, J. W. (2014. Educational Research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating

quantitative and qualitative research (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

52