Dr.

Rajendra Jangle
INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH - Definition
Research in general refers to a search for knowledge or creating
new knowledge.
It is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on
a specific topic.
Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the
research problem. It is a science of studying how research is done
scientifically.
Research methods or techniques are part of research methodology
used to carry out research operations.
TYPES OF RESEARCH:
TYPES OF RESEARCH:
Applied vs. Fundamental:
Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental
(to basic or pure) research.
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate
problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation,
whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalisations and with the formulation of a theory.
TYPES OF RESEARCH:
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Qualitative Quantitative

Expressed in words Expressed in numbers

Subjective Objective

Interviews, focus groups Objectively answers a hypothesis

Lower Evidence Higher Evidence

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
STEPS IN RESEARCH:
1. FORMULATING THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the research
problem-
Understanding the problem thoroughly,
And rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from an analytical
point of view.
2. EXTENSIVE LITERATURE
SURVEY:
Once the problem is formulated, one should undertake extensive
literature survey connected with the problem.
For this purpose-
the abstracting and indexing journals
and published or unpublished bibliographies are the first place to
go to.
3. DEVELOPMENT OF
WORKING HYPOTHESES/
RESEARCH
‘Uncertainty’ about something QUESTION:
in the population that the investigator wants to
resolve by making measurements in the study population
Uncertainty = ‘data needs’
Good research question should pass the ‘F.I.N.E.R.’ criteria-
Feasible – Adequate number of participants, technical expertise & resources
Interesting
Novel
– Confirms, refutes or extends previous findings
–Provides new information
Ethical – Amenable to a study that ethics committee will approve
Relevant – Advance scientific knowledge, improve practice, influence policy
STATEMENT OF RESEARCH
HYPOTHESIS
A specific version of research question
Summarizes main elements of study
Establishes basis for test(s) of statistical significance
Main elements: Sample, Exposures and Outcomes
Stated for analytical questions with comparison groups
For research questions with terms: greater or less than, causes,
leads to, compared with, more likely than, associated with,
related to, similar to or correlated with
Purely descriptive questions DO NOT require hypothesis
4. PREPARING RESEARCH
DESIGN
It is a road map to carry out research. It is step by step approach
addressing basic questions like
What are aims and objectives of research study?
Details of material and methods?
Inclusion and exclusion critera?
What type of data is to be collected?
What methods are to be used to collect data and analyse them?
 SAMPLE DESIGN-
We cannot study the whole population so we sample it
Taking a sample leads to sampling error, which is measurable
Good design and quality assurance ensure validity and while appropriate sample size will
ensure precision.

Non-probability sampling Probability sampling

Convenience Sampling 1. Simple random sampling

Quota Sampling 2. Systematic sampling

Judgement Sampling 3. Stratified sampling

4. Cluster sampling

5. Multistage sampling
5. COLLECTING THE DATA:
(i) By observation
(ii) Through personal interview
(iii) Through telephone interviews
(iv) By mailing of questionnaires
(v) Through schedules
6. ANALYSIS OF DATA AND TESTING
OF HYPOTHESIS:
 6. ANALYSIS OF DATA AND TESTING
OF HYPOTHESIS:
Quantitative Data
Type of Data Type of Data
Goal Measurement (from Rank, Score,
normal population) Measurement (from non
normal population)
Describe one group Mean, SD Median, Interquartile
range
Compare one group to a One sample t- test Wilcoxon test
hypothetical value
Compare two unpaired Unpaired t-test Mann- Whitney test/
groups Wilcoxon rank sum test
Compare three or more One -way ANOVA Kruskal- Wallis test
unmatched group
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α
α : Level of significance
1-β : Power of the test

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7. INTERPRETATION
The tests should not be used in a mechanical fashion. Proper
interpretation of statistical evidence is important to intelligent
decisions.
Test do not explain the reasons as to why does the difference exist.
When a test shows that a difference is statistically significant, then
it simply suggests that the difference is probably not due to
chance.
For greater reliability, the size of samples be sufficiently enlarged.
The result of statistical tests must be combined with adequate
knowledge of the subject-matter along with the ability of good
judgement.
Thank you