Steps in Research

Process
Research process consists of series of actions or
steps necessary to effectively carry out research
and the desired sequencing of these steps
• Not an Overnight Phenomenon
• Consists of Passes or steps
• Clear and well defined
• Guideline for Future Research
1. STEP
IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
• Foundation stone
• There are two types of research problems, viz.,
• related to states of nature and
• related to relationships between variables.
• general area of interest or aspect of a subject-matter that he
would like to inquire into.
• The formulation of a general topic into a specific research
problem, thus, constitutes the first step in a scientific enquiry
• Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the
research problem, viz.,
1. understanding the problem thoroughly,
2. rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from an
analytical point of view.
• The researcher must at the same time examine all
available literature to get himself acquainted with the
selected problem.
• He may review two types of literature—the
1. conceptual literature concerning the concepts and
theories,
2. and the empirical literature consisting of studies made
earlier which are similar to the one proposed.
 2 step
Scanning The Existing Environment
• Internal and external environment based on the nature of
problem.
• Legal provisions
• Organization ethics, mission, objective, vision, nature and
requirement of funding agencies,
• geographical and climatic conditions of sample area
• Nature of respondents
• Time span required for research work
• Research Team Selection
1. Researcher has to conduct field study??
2. Market Research????
 3rd Step
Fix The Research Objectives
• Related with First Step???
• Alternatives solutions
• There are three ways of selecting alternatives
1. Understanding the problem thoroughly
2. Analyzing the problem again and again
3. Discuss with other having same expertise
 4th Step
scan the existing environment
• Brief summary of problem identified should
be written down.
• Survey for literature
• Sources of literature
• Help us to decide about research
methodology
• Extent of work so far been done
 5th
formulation of research hypothesis

• Derivation goes hand in hand with problem

identification
• Statement that is temporarily accepted
• Considered true at beginning of work
• Basis of research action
• New truth
• Tentative assumptions drawn from knowledge/ theory
• Formats of hypothesis
• Data collection
 6th
research plan development
• Designing the research approach
• Research instrument
• Reliability and validity
• Sampling plan
• Information gathering methods
• Finance availability
• Cost benefit analysis
 7th
sampling design planning
• Alternative sampling deign (problem nature)
• Population
1. Deciding sample unit
• Who is to be surveyed
• Important factors
2. Sample size
• Proper sample size
3. Sampling procedure
How should the respondents be chosen
 8th step
required data collection
• Sources of data
• Research approach
1. Observational research
2. Focus group research
3. Survey research
4. Behavioral research
5. Experimental research
• Research instrument
Questionnaire, schedules, mail questionnaire, interviews etc.
 9th step
Tabulation and execution of data
• Coding
• Tabulation
• Statistical inferences
• Software
 10th
testing the hypothesis
• Validity of formulated hypothesis is tested
• T test
• F test
• Chi square
• D-W statistics
• Etc
 11th step
finding the relevance
• Reveals the truth
• Generalize the hypothesis as per results
• Objective of research
 12th
preparation of report

• Formats
1. Preliminary pages
• Title page
• Declaration certificate
• Executive summary/ abstract
• Preface/ contents
• List of tables/figures
2. Main Text (basic subject)
Introduction, literature review, methodology
Conclusion, references
3. Final end matter
Appendix, questionnaire, figures, results
• Parsimony
• Acceptable format
• Recommendations
• Good finishing

PRESENTATION OF RESULTS FINDINGS OR

REPORT OR DEFENSE.