UNIT I

INTRODUCTION

S. JAGAN
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
CED (SECT)
KARE
 Research
 Research refers to a search for knowledge.
 Research is an art of scientific investigation.
 Redman and Mory defines research as a
“Systematized effort to gain new
knowledge”.
 Objectives of Research
 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to
achieve new insights into it.
 To describe accurately the characteristics of
a particular individual, situation or a group.
 To determine the frequency with which
something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else.
 To test a hypothesis of a causal
relationship between variables.
Types of Research
 Applied Research
 Fundamental Research
 Futuristic Research
 Descriptive Research
 Explanatory Research
 Predictive Research
 Analytical Research
 Quantitative Research
 Qualitative Research
 Conceptual Research
 Empirical Research
Research Approaches
 Deductive Research

 Inductive Research

 Abductive Research
 Significance of Research
 Scientific and Inductive thinking
 Provides the basis for nearly all government
policies in our economic system
 Decision-making
 Collecting information on the economic and
social structure of the nation
 Special significance in solving various
operational and planning problems
 Operational Research - application of
mathematical, logical and analytical techniques
to the solution of business problems of cost
minimisation or of profit maximisation or what
can be termed as optimisation problems
Contd.,
 Concerned with the determination of
motivations underlying the consumer
 Studying social relationships and in
seeking answers to various social
problems
 Process of Research
 Formulating the Research problem
 Extensive literature survey
 Developing the hypothesis
 Preparing the research design
 Determining the sample design
 Collecting the data
 Execution of the Project
 Analysis of data
 Hypothesis testing
 Generalization and Interpretation
 Preparation of report
Contd.,
 Criteria for Good Research
 Should be clearly defined
 Research procedure used should be
described in sufficient detail to permit
another researcher to repeat the research
for further advancement
 Procedural design of the research should be
carefully planned to yield results
 The analysis of data should be sufficiently
adequate to reveal its significance and the
methods of analysis used should be
appropriate
 Research Methods Vs. Methodology
Type Methods Methodology

Library Research Analysis of historical records Recording of notes, content

Analysis of documents analysis, tape and film
listening and analysis.

Statistical complications and

manipulations, reference and
abstract guides, content
analysis
 Contd.,
Type Methods Methodology
Field Research Non participant direct observation. Observational behavioral scales, use of
Participant observation. score cards etc.
Mass observation Interactional recording, possible use of
Mail questionnaire tape recorder, photo graphic techniques.
Opinionnaire
Recording mass behavior, interview
Personal interview
using independent observers in public
Focused interview
place.
Group interview
Identification of social and economic
Telephone survey
background of respondents.
Case study and life history
Use of attitude scales, projective
techniques, use of sociometric scales.
Interviewer uses a detailed scheduled
with open and closed questions.
Interviewer focuses attention upon a
given experience and its effect.
Small groups of respondents are
interviewed simultaneously.
Used as a survey technique for
information and for discerning opinion;
may also be used as a follow up of
questionnaire.
Cross sectional collection of data for
information for intensive analysis,
longitudinal collection of data of
intensive character.
 Contd.,
Type Methods Methodology
Laboratory Research Small group study of random Use of audio-visual recording
behavior, play and role devices, use of observers, etc
analysis.
Formal science and Empirical science
 Formal science - It is a branch
of science studying formal language disciplines
concerned with formal systems, such as logic,
mathematics, statistics, theoretical
computer science, artificial intelligence,
information theory, game theory, systems
theory, decision theory, and theoretical
linguistics.
 Empirical science - Empirical
research is research using empirical evidence. It
is a way of gaining knowledge by means of
direct and indirect observation or experience.
Logic of scientific method
 It is the pursuit of truth as determined by
logical considerations.
 It attempts to achieve this ideal by
experimentation, observation, logical
arguments from accepted postulates and a
combination of these three in varying
proportions.
 Logic aids in formulating propositions
explicitly and accurately so that their
possible alternatives become clear.
Steps involved in scientific method
 Observe an event.
 Develop a model (or hypothesis) which
makes a prediction.
 Test the prediction.
 Observe the result.
 Revise the hypothesis.
 Repeat as needed.
 A successful hypothesis becomes a
Scientific Theory.
Hypothetic Deductive Method