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Research Methodology
Dr. Nimit Chowdhary
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 2
What is research?
Oxford English Dictionary
…the systematic investigation into the study
of materials, sources, etc. in order to
establish facts and reach new conclusions;
an endeavour to discover new or collate old
facts etc. by the scientific study of a subject
or by a course of critical investigation…
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 3
What is research?
Leedy (1989)
Research is a procedure by which we
attempt to find systematically, and with the
support of demonstrable fact, the answer to
a question or the resolution of a problem.
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 4
What is research?
Kerlinger (1970)
…the systematic, controlled, empirical and
critical investigation of hypothetical
propositions about presumed relations
among natural phenomena…
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 5
Characteristics of research
Systematic and critical investigation into
the phenomenon
Not a mere compilation, but a purposive
investigation
With an aim of either describing,
interpreting or explaining a phenomenon
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 6
Characteristics of research
Scientific-follows logical reasoning
Objective- possible to test validity of
measuring tools and conclusions reached
Based on observable experience and
empirical evidence
Directed at finding answers to pertinent
questions and solutions to problems
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 7
Characteristics of research
Lead to development of generalization,
principles or theories
Not to arrive at answers those are
pleasing but rather one those will stand up
to test of criticism
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 8
Epistemology
Epistemology is concerned with how we
know things and what we can regard as
acceptable knowledge of discipline.
There are two ways one can acquire
knowledge about things/ phenomenon
Through sensory experience
Through reasoning
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Epistemology
Source of Reasoning
knowledge used
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 11
Ways of reasoning
Deductive reasoning- rationalist’s approach
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 13
Epistemology
Positivism that the only authentic knowledge is that which
allows verification and assumes that the only
valid knowledge is scientific
It aims to establish causes and effects
Interpretivism The recognition that subjective meanings play a
crucial role in social actions.
It aims to reveal interpretations and meanings
Realism That generalizations should be avoided. General
structures divorced from the specific event or
situation and context of the research and
researcher are not tenable.
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 14
Ontology
Ontology is about the theory of social
entities and is concerned with what there
exists to be investigated.
Objectivism
Constructionism
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 15
Objectivism
The belief that social phenomenon and their
meaning have an existence that is not
dependent on social actors. They are facts
that have an independent existence.
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 16
Constructionism
…the belief that social phenomenon are in a
constant state of change because they are
totally reliant on social interactions as they
take place. Even the account of researchers
is subject to these interactions, therefore
social knowledge can only be intermediate.
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 17
Theory
“…a set of systematically interrelated
concepts, definitions, and propositions that
are advanced to explain and predict
phenomenon (facts).”
-Kerlinger
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 18
Theory may include one or some of
the following:
Assumptions …un-testable premise about the
and ideas nature of selected aspects of
social life…
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 19
Theory may include one or some of
the following:
Concepts …are abstractions, e.g., group,
motivations, democracy…
Variables …are relational units of analysis
that can assume designated set of
values, e.g., education level,
income, etc.
Propositions …are statements between or
among variables…
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Researches’ contribution to theory
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Use of theory in research
Suggesting a problem for study
Giving a hypothesis to be tested
Providing a conceptual model for delimiting
the scope of the study
Selection of variables or identification of
classes of data to be collected
Making research finding intelligible
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 22
Conceptual or theoretical model
“…is a simplified systematic conceptual
structure of interrelated elements in some
schematic form”
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 23
Conceptual or theoretical model
Example
“The organizational effectiveness in a R&D
organisation is determined by five sets of
variables, viz., macroclimate (organizational
climate), microclimate (job climate),
personality of scientists, and their
attitudinal and performance variables.”
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 24
The scientific method
“The scientific method is a systematic step-
by-step procedure following the logical
process of reasoning”
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 25
Scientific Method
‘Articles of faith’
Reliance on empirical evidence
Use of relevant concepts
Commitment to objectivity
Ethical neutrality
Generalization
Verifiability
Logical reasoning process
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Scientific approach
Procedural component
Define the problem
Establish hypothesis as to causes/
explanations/ solutions of the problems
Collect the data
Analyze the data to test the hypothesis
and draw inferences
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 27
Study theoretical
background
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 28
What data are
required to answer
question?
Literature
Context
Pre-empirical Empirical
stage stage
Saturday, August 24, 2019 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 29