Steps of Research -

01 - Notes

UGC NET Paper 1

Copyright © 2014-2023 TestBook Edu Solutions Pvt. Ltd.: All rights reserved
 Download Testbook App

Basic steps of doing research

What is the Research Process?

The Research Process is a process of multiple scientific steps in conducting the research work.
Each step is interlinked with other steps. The process starts with the research problem at first.
Then it advances in the next steps sequentially. Generally, a researcher conducts research
work within seven steps.
In research work, primarily, you require a Research Proposal. It is because the proposal
approves the research project whether you achieve the ability to conduct research or not. So
when you write a research proposal, present the detailed plans and specific objectives of your
research correctly.
Steps of the research process consist of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively
carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps. The chart shown in Figure well
illustrates a research process.
The chart indicates that the research process consists of a number of closely related activities.

Step 1: Identify and define the Research Problem

In the research process, the first and the foremost step happens to be that of selecting and
properly defining a research problem. A researcher must find the problem and formulate it so
that it becomes susceptible to research. Like a medical doctor, a researcher must examine all

SUBJECT | UGC NET Paper 1 1 of 8

 Download Testbook App

the symptoms(presented to him or observed by him) concerning a problem before he can

diagnose it correctly.
To define a problem correctly, a researcher must know: what a problem is? A research
problem, in general, refers to some difficulty which a researcher experience and wants to
obtain the solution of it. Formulating a problem is the most difficult task although it may not
appear so.
Followed points must be kept in mind before selecting the problem:

a) Subject which has been overdone should not be normally chosen, as it is difficult to throw
new light on it.

b) Controversial problems should not be chosen by an average researcher.

c) Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.

d) The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the related
materials are within one’s reach.

e) The importance of the subject, qualification and training of researcher, time factor, cost;
such factors should be considered.

f) Selection of a problem should be preceded by a preliminary study.

Technique involved in Defining a Problem:

What does it mean to define a problem?
The answer is that one wants to state the problem along with the bounds within which it is to
be studied.
Formulation of Research Question:
Step 1: Selection of a Research Area: Formulating of research problem begins with the
selection of a broad research topic from personal experience, literature, previous research
and theories in which the researcher is interested.
Step 2: Dissect broad areas into subareas: The subject area chosen by the researcher may be
broad in that case needs to dissect it into small areas or topics.
Step 3: Focus on and selecting an area of interest: In this step, the researcher may choose one
or two areas of his interest, because it is not possible to study many areas altogether. Rest
subareas in which a researcher do not have any interest and subsequently focus on the area
you are passionate about.
Step 4: Identifying the gaps and raising research questions: Within an area, list all the
questions the researcher wants to find answers to.
Step 5: Formulation of broad objectives: objectives grow out of the questions.

SUBJECT | UGC NET Paper 1 2 of 8

 Download Testbook App

Step 6: Assessing and reviewing objectives: As the researcher narrows the research problem,
the specific identification of the study population is crucial in order to select the appropriate
respondents.
Main Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem:
You can find innumerable research problems in any area. Obviously, you cannot study all the
problems.

1. Interest

2. Manageable magnitude

3. Concept measurement

4. Level of expertise

5. Relevance

6. Availability of data

7. Ethical issues

Step 2: Review the Literature

Once the research problem is identified and defined, the next step is to review the existing
research. The researcher must learn more about the topic under investigation. To do this, the
researcher must review the literature related to the research problem. Academic Journals,
conference proceedings, government reports, books etc., must be tapped depending on the
nature of the problem.

This step provides foundational knowledge about the problem area. The review of literature
also educates the researcher about what studies have been conducted in the past, how these
studies were conducted, and the conclusions in the problem area.
Get Background Information
It introduces you to the topic, helps you to focus on its key elements and can help you decide
to broaden or narrow your focus. These sources often include bibliographies that you can
“piggyback” to find more sources on your topic.
In the obesity study, the review of literature enables the programmer to discover horrifying
statistics related to the long-term effects of childhood obesity in terms of health issues, death
rates, and projected medical costs. In addition, the programmer finds several articles and
information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that describe the benefits of
walking 10,000 steps a day. The information discovered during this step helps the programmer

SUBJECT | UGC NET Paper 1 3 of 8

 Download Testbook App

fully understand the magnitude of the problem, recognize the future consequences of obesity,
and identify a strategy to combat obesity (i.e., walking).
Step 3: Formulating a Hypothesis
After reviewing the literature, the researcher should state in clear terms the working
hypothesis or hypothesis. The hypothesis is a tentative assumption made about the solution of
a problem. Hypothesis formulation is a very important step as it provides the focal point for
research. They will affect the manner in which tests are to be conducted.
In this step, the researcher makes the problem precise.

The research work is topic focused and refined.

Then the researcher steps forward to how the problem would be approached? The
nature of the research problem can decide to formulate a definite hypothesis.

A hypothesis is tested. Effective research work formulates a hypothesis in such a way that
collected factual data will provide evidence that either supports or disproves them.
Formulation of Hypothesis in Research will make you more expert.

In the end, the hypothesis turns into a practical theory.

What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a tentative statement of a proposition which the researcher seeks to prove. As
a researcher, we do not know the exact truth but have a hunch about the outcome and thus,
we make some predictions about the outcome. This hunch or prediction about the outcome is
called a hypothesis. It can also be termed as an educated guess or assumption about some
phenomenon. This assumption is tested by collecting information that will enable us to
conclude if our hunch was right.
The hypothesis test finally will decide whether it is true or rejected.
So, to clarify a hypothesis is a statement about the relationship between two or more
variables. The researcher set out the variables to prove or disprove. Hypothesis essentially
includes three elements. For example-

1. Variables

2. Population

3. Relationship between variables.

Example of Hypothesis

1. Rewards increase reading achievements

SUBJECT | UGC NET Paper 1 4 of 8

 Download Testbook App

2. Rewards decrease reading achievements

3. Or rewards have no effect on reading achievements

In the above examples- variables are- Rewards & Achievements.

In order to develop working hypotheses researcher should adopt the following approach

1. Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin and the objectives
in seeking a solution;

2. Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for possible
trends, peculiarities and other clues;

3. Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems; and

4. The exploratory personal investigation involves original field interviews on a limited

scale with interested parties and individuals with a view to secure greater insight into
the practical aspects of the problem.

Step 4: Research Design

Research Design actually provides insights into “how” to conduct research using a particular
Research Methodology. Basically, every researcher has a list of research questions that need to
be assessed that can be done with research design.
The design Decision happens to be in respect of:

1. What is the study about?

2. Why is the study being made?

3. Where will the study be conducted?

4. What type of data is required?

5. Where can the required data be found?

6. What period of time will the study include?

7. What will be the sample design?

8. What technique of data collection will be used?

9. How will the data be analysed?

SUBJECT | UGC NET Paper 1 5 of 8

 Download Testbook App

10. In what style the report will be prepared?

Keeping in view the above decisions, design can be split up into the following parts:

1. The sampling Design

2. The observational design: relates to conditions under which the observations are to be
made.

3. The statistical design: which concerns the question of how many items are to be
observed and how the information and data gathered is to be analysed

4. The Operational design: which deals with the technique by which the procedures
specified in the sampling, statistical and observational designs can be carried out.

Research purposes may be grouped into four categories

a. Exploration,

b. Description,

c. Diagnosis, and

d. Experimentation.

The types of research design. It broadly can categorize into the following three types.

1. Exploratory Research Design is also termed as formulative research study.

2. Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Design

3. Explanatory Research Design

In addition, there are:

1. Case Study

2. Survey

3. Experiment research design.

Choose your research design as per your research question or problem and research
objectives. Suppose the research title is “Impacts of daily use of Facebook have on the study

SUBJECT | UGC NET Paper 1 6 of 8

 Download Testbook App

attention of under-20s.” Your research method would be either qualitative or quantitative or a

combination of both methods.
Step 5: Carry out the Research Process
While the research design is decided, then the researcher collects data, records information.
This includes:
COLLECTING DATA
There are various alternatives available to collect relevant data. The researcher should select
one method of collecting data taking into account the nature of investigation, scope and
objective of inquiry, financial cost, availability of time and the desired accuracy.
In the case of a survey, data can be collected in any one or more of the following ways.

1. By observation: This entails the collection of information by the way of the investigator’s
own observation without interviewing the respondents. The information obtained relates to
the current happenings. This method is very expensive and the information gathered in such a
manner is limited. This method is not suitable for research where large samples are required
as is the case with quantitative research.

Types of Observations

1. Structured – for descriptive research

2. Unstructured – for exploratory research

3. Participant observation

4. Non-participant observation

5. Disguised observation

2. Personal interviews: The investigator follows a structured approach and the questions are
preconceived. Here, the output also depends upon the ability of the interviewer to a large
extent.
3. Telephonic interviews: This method of collecting information involves contacting the
respondents on the telephone itself. It is used when the survey has to be accomplished in a
very limited time.
4. Questionnaires: Questionnaires are mailed to the respondents with a request to return
after completing the same. It is the most commonly used method in economic and business
surveys. A pilot study may be conducted for testing the questionnaire to check its
appropriateness for the purpose.
Types:

SUBJECT | UGC NET Paper 1 7 of 8

 Download Testbook App

1. Closed-ended questionnaire

2. Open-ended questionnaire

3. Combined questionnaire

5. Schedules: In this method, the enumerators are specially appointed and trained for
gathering information. Schedules consist of relevant questions. The enumerators visit
respondents with these schedules. Schedules are filled up by the enumerators on the basis of
replies given by the respondents.
Some random checking by the supervisors may be required to ensure the validity of the
research process. Although he should pay attention to all these factors, much depends upon
the ability and experience of the researcher.

SUBJECT | UGC NET Paper 1 8 of 8