RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Meaning of Research
 Meaning of Research

• Re- Search

• Gathering information needed to

answer a question, and thereby help
in solving a problem.

• Systematic and organized effort to

investigate.
 Research Meaning….

“Creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order

to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge
of humans, culture and society, and the use of this stock
of knowledge to devise new applications.”

“the systematic investigation into and study of materials and

sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions
Another View of Research…..
 Five Characteristics of Research

1. Systematic – research process

2. Logical – induction/deduction
3. Empirical – evidence based
4. Reductive – generalization
5. Replicable – methodology.
 Social Science Research

Social science is the science of people or collections of

people, such as groups, firms, societies, or economies, and
their individual or collective behaviors.

Social Sciences can be classified into disciplines such as:

a. psychology (the science of human behaviors),
b. sociology (the science of social groups), and
c. economics (the science of firms, markets, and economies).
d. management ( Management of organization etc.)
 Purposes of Research

Exploration
◦ gaining some familiarity with a topic, discovering some of its
main dimensions, and possibly planning more structured
research.
Description
◦ Census Bureau’s report on number of people
◦ Political poll predicting who will win an election

Explanation
◦ Take it one step further
Research Cycle in SS Research
 Deductive Reasoning

• It works from the more general to the more specific.

• It is informally called a "top-down" approach.
 Inductive Reasoning
• It works from specific observations to broader
generalizations and theories.
• It is informally called a "bottom up" approach.
Cont.….

• Inductive reasoning, by its very nature, is more

open-ended and exploratory, especially at the
beginning.

• Deductive reasoning is more narrow in nature and

is concerned with testing or confirming hypotheses.
Even though a particular study may look like it's
purely deductive.
Which Research is More
Important ???
Which research is more important…

Though both inductive and deductive research are

important for the advancement of science:-
Inductive (theory-building) research is more valuable
when there are few prior theories or explanations,

Deductive (theory-testing) research is more productive

when there are many competing theories of the same
phenomenon and researchers are interested in knowing
which theory works best and under what circumstances.
 Scientific method

refers to a standardized set of techniques for building

scientific knowledge, such as how to make valid
observations, how to interpret results, and how to
generalize those results.

• The scientific method allows researchers to independently

and impartially test preexisting theories and prior
findings, and subject them to open debate, modifications,
or enhancements.
 Importance of Research
• Solve any problem of society.
• Adding knowledge in existing
knowledge.
• Implications for policy and project
implementation.
• Applicable outside of the research
Scope & Limitation of
Research
Limitations may be due to:

Sample size

Lack of availability of data

Time Duration

Financial Constraints

Lack of Prior Studies (ROL)

Undesirable Practice in research….
 Undesirable Practices…
• Research questions are designed to reach a
particular conclusion.

• Alternative perspectives or contrary findings are

ignored or suppressed.

• Data and analysis methods are biased.

• Conclusions are based on faulty logic.

• Limitations of analysis are ignored and the

implications of results are overstated.
 Undesirable Practices

• Key data and analysis details are unavailable for

review by others.

• Researchers are unqualified and unfamiliar with

specialized issues.

• Citations are primarily from special interest groups or

popular media, rather than from peer reviewed
professional and academic organizations
 Research Methods
&
Research Methodology
Research Methods & Research Methodology
Research Method:-
It refers to all the tools, techniques used for
conducting the research.
e.g.: questionnaire, interview, analysis of
records etc.

Research Methodology:-
• Is studying how research is done scientifically
• A way to systematically & logically solve the
research problem by logically adopting
various steps
 Diff. b/w Methods & Methodology
Research Methods Research Methodology
Methods are the methods by It explains the whole process by which
which we conduct research we proceed for research.
into a subject.
It involves conduct of It involves the learning of various
experiments, tests, and techniques which can be used in
surveys. research, and conduct of tests etc.
It aims to find the solution of It aims to apply of the correct
a problem. procedure to find out the solution of a
problem.
Its scope is very narrow. Its scope is wider than Research
Methods.
It is part of R Methodology Involves not only methods but also
considers logic behind the use of
methods.
 Mapping of Different Component of RO, RI,
Method
S. Research objectives Mapping with Measurement Technique Applied
No. research Scale
instrument
1. To determine the existence of Section C 5 Point Likert scale Descriptive
behaviour biases among individual (interval) statistics
investors
2. To explore the linkage between Section B and Interval scale Regression
financial literacy and the behavioural Section C analysis
biases among individual investors
3. To analyse the influence of Section A and Nominal and t-statistics, ANOVA
demographic variables on Section C interval scale
behavioural biases of individual
investors
4. To establish the relationship between Section C and 5 point Likert Scale Structure Equation
personality traits and behavioural Section D (Interval) Modelling
biases of individual investors (Direct relation)
5. To assess the relationship between Section A,C and Nominal and Structure Equation
personality traits and behavioural Section D Interval Modelling
biases with the moderating effect of (Moderating
moderators (demographic variables) relationship)
 Seven Phases of Research

1. Problem definition
2. Literature Review
3. Objective & Hypothesis
4. Selection of research design, subjects, and data
collection techniques
5. Data gathering
6. Data processing and analysis
7. Implications, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Relationship between Research Problem (Input) and Quality of
content(output)
 Writing Reports/Paper
Keeps your eye on the reader
Position words in the right sequence
Use unliterary style
Avoid long sentences
Say one thing at a time
Get to point into sentence, paragraph or
report
Short paragraphs improves readability
 What Examiner/ Reviewer will look into…..

• The importance of the study

• Soundness of the methodology
• Quality of Analysis
• Significance of the findings
• Format and style of presentation