Fundamentals of Research

Chapter I

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 What is research?
Research = Re + Search
‘Re’ means again and again and ‘Search’ means to find out something,
the following is the process:

Collection of
Person Phenomena
Observes
Conclusions
data

Again and again Analysis of data

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 What is research?
• Research is a process to discover new knowledge.
• Search for knowledge.
• A careful investigation or inquiry especially through search
for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”
• Systematic investigative process employed to increase or
revise current knowledge by discovering new facts.
– Systematic investigation is an activity that involves a prospective
plan that incorporates data collection, either quantitative or
qualitative, and data analysis to answer a question.

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• Research is an
ORGANIZED and
SYSTEMATIC way of
FINDING ANSWERS to
QUESTIONS.

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• ORGANIZED
…in that there is a structure or method in going about doing
research.
It is a planned procedure, not a spontaneous one.
It is focused and limited to a specific scope.

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• SYSTEMATIC
…because there is a definite set of procedures and steps which you
will follow.
There are certain things in the research process which are always
done in order to get the most accurate results.

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• FINDING ANSWERS
…is the end of all research.
Whether it is the answer to a hypothesis or even a simple question,
research is successful when we find answers.
Sometimes the answer is no, but it is still an answer.

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• QUESTIONS
…are central to research. If there is no question, then the answer is
of no use.
Research is focused on relevant, useful, and important questions.
Without a question, research has no focus, drive, or purpose.

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Types of Research

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Types of Research cont.….

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 Types of Research conti….

• These are information which can be counted or expressed in

numerical values
e.g. no of students, age, grades, test scores…

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 Types of Research conti….

• These are descriptive information which has no numerical values.

e.g. A person’s attitude, perception, or feelings

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 Role of research in business
• Testing of new products
• Research tests the possible success of fresh products.
• Businesses need to know what kinds of services and products consumers want before they produce
them.

• Guaranteeing adequate distribution

• Businesses can also use research to guarantee sufficient distribution of their products.

• In-house research is required for professional and self development of the workers
through training and mentoring
• Organizational research and analysis would also be needed for assessment of performance
management, process reengineering, departmental assessment and well-being of staff members.

• Undertaking research can help a company avoid future failure

• Carrying out research can also help a business determine whether now is the right time to expand
into another town or whether it needs to apply for a new loan.

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