Programme : T.Y. B. Sc (Hons.

) Home Science

Subject : Home Science

Semester :V

Paper Code : CC 13

Paper Title : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN HOME

SCIENCE
Unit I : Research, Meaning, Purpose and Approaches

Module Name : Exploration, Description, Explanation.

Module No : 01

Daisy John (Ph.D)

Associate Professor
Goa College of Home Science,
Campal - Goa.
 Outline
 Research - Meaning
 Characteristics of Research
 Purpose of Research- Exploratory Researc
 Descriptive Research and Explanatory Research
 Research Approaches
 Learning Outcomes

The student is be able to:

Understand and appreciate the meaning of research, purpose and

approaches in Research..

Develop capacity to conduct scientific studies.

 Research - Meaning
A systematic search for answer to a question or a solution to a problem
is called research.

It simply means a search for facts.

It is a purposive investigation.

It seeks to find explanations to unexplained phenomenon, to clarify the

doubtful facts and to correct the misconceived facts.
Young (1977) defines Research as a ‘’ scientific undertaking which, by
means of logical and systematic techniques aims to

(1) Discover new facts or verify and test old facts,

(2) Analyze their sequences, interrelationships and causal

explanations,

(3) Develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories which

would facilitate reliable and valid study of human behavior.

 Characteristics of Research
Research is a systematic and critical investigation into a phenomenon.

It is a purposive investigation aiming at describing, interpreting and

explaining a phenomenon.

It adopts scientific method.

It is objective and logical applying possible tests.

It is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence.


Research is directed towards finding answers to questions and
solutions to problems.


It emphasizes the development of generalizations , principles or theories.


The purpose of research is not to arrive at an answer which is personally
pleasing to the researcher, but rather are which will stand up the test of
criticism.
 Purpose of Research
1. Exploratory: 
As the name suggests, exploratory research is conducted to explore a

group of questions. The answers and analytics may not offer a final

conclusion to the perceived problem. It is conducted to handle new problem

areas which haven’t been explored before. This exploratory process lays

the foundation for more conclusive research and data collection.

 
2. Descriptive: 

Descriptive research focuses on expanding knowledge on current issues

through a process of data collection. Descriptive studies are used to
describe the behavior of a sample population. In a descriptive study, only
one variable is required to conduct the study. The three main purposes of
descriptive research are describing, explaining, and validating the
findings. For example, a study conducted to know if top-level
management leaders in the 21st century possess the moral right to
receive a huge sum of money from the company profit.
3. Explanatory:

Explanatory research or causal research is conducted to understand the

impact of certain changes in existing standard procedures. Conducting
experiments is the most popular form of causal research. For example, a
study conducted to understand the effect of rebranding on customer
loyalty.
 Research Approaches
The research approach is a plan and procedure that consists of the
steps of broad assumptions to detailed methods of data collection,
analysis, and interpretation. It is, therefore, based on the nature of the
research problem being addressed. The research approach is
essentially divided into two categories:
The approach of data collection and
The approach of data analysis or reasoning.
Research approach for data collection

 Collects participant details.

 Focuses on a single concept or phenomenon.

 Studies the context or setting of participants.

 Validates the accuracy of findings.

 Makes interpretations of the data.

 Collaborates with the participants

 Tests or verifies theories or explanations.

 Identifies variables to study.

 Uses standards of validity and reliability.

 Uses unbiased approaches.

 Employs statistical procedures.

 Collects both quantitative and qualitative data.

 Integrates the data at different stages of inquiry.

 Employs the practices of both qualitative and quantitative research.

 The research approach for data analysis.

 Research approaches to data analysis

There are two types of data analysis:

 Inductive and
 Deductive approach.

Qualitative data requires an inductive approach to analysis. On the

other hand, quantitative data uses the deductive approach. In a mixed
type of data, both inductive and deductive approaches of analysis are
utilized. In order to make the research credible to the reader, the
research should lead to the research findings.
 References

• Kerlinger, F. N. and Lee, H.B. (2000) Foundations of Behavioural

Research 4th Ed. Harcourt College Publishers.
• Krishnaswami, O.R. (2000) Methodology of Research in Social
Sciences Reprint. Himalaya Publishing House, Delhi.
• Kumar, R. (2005) Research Methodology : A Step by Step Guide for
Beginners. Sage Publications, New Delhi.
• Kothari, C. R. and Garg, G. (2019) Research Methodology: Methods
and Techniques 4th Ed. New Age International Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.