Research Methodology

Techniques and Trends

Umesh Kumar B Dubey, D P Kothari

• Éditeur: Chapman and Hall/CRC
• Année: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781351682060
• Édition: 1
• Sujet: Mathematics
• Sous-sujet: Probability & Statistics

Research Methodology: Techniques and Trends focuses on both undergraduate and post graduate courses; and it helps readers understand the basic concepts and the application of results directly to real life business, industry and research organizations.

Features:

• Review questions are included at the end of each chapter, to test conceptual understanding of the subject and put theory into practice, which help in the understanding of key concepts and ideas.
• In-depth coverage of concepts and techniques.
• Tables and figures are presented to illustrate the concepts and techniques.
• Provides students with essential guidance on how to carry out their own research projects.
• Covers a wide range of research methods, approaches to research, and ways of carrying out analysis of data.

This is a textbook on research methodology for doctoral and post-doctoral programs; post graduate courses such as MSc, MBA, MCA, MS, etc., to name a few. Though the book is primarily addressed to students, it is equally useful to researchers and entrepreneurs as well.

1 Introduction to Research

DOI: 10.1201/9781315167138-1

1.1 Introduction

Research is a process through which new knowledge is discovered. Research helps us to organize this new information into a coherent body, a set of related ideas that explain events that have occurred, and predict events that may happen. Conducting research requires to follow a sequence of steps. The exact sequence and steps vary somewhat with the type of research. The steps vary slightly by whether a study involves a quantitative or a qualitative approach and data.

1.2 Meaning of Research

The word research is coined by two syllables: re plus search. The dictionary defines the former as a prefix meaning again, a new, or over again and the latter as a verb, meaning to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, or to probe. The simplest meaning of research is to search for facts, answers to research questions and solution for the existing problem.

Research is defined as a systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relationship about various phenomena. Research is a systematic investigation to find answers to a problem.

We can conclude that Research refers to the systematic method consisting of enunciating the problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the fact or data, analyzing the facts, and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solutions toward the concerned problem or in certain generals for some theoretical formulation.

1.3 Criteria of Good Research

Good research possesses certain qualities that are as follows:

1. Good research is systematic: It implies that research is structured according to a set of rules to follow certain steps in specified sequence. Systematic research also invites creative thinking, and certainly avoids use of guessing and intuition for arriving at the proper findings, conclusion.
2. Good research is empirical: It implies that any conclusion drawn is based on hardcore evidence gathered from information collected from real-life experiences and observations. This provides a basis for external ability to research findings and conclusion.
3. Good research is valid and verifiable: It implies that research involves precise observation and accurate description. The researcher selects reliable and valid instruments to be used for the collection of data and uses some relevant statistical tools for accurate description of the results obtained. Whatever the researcher concludes on the basis of finding is correct and can be verified by himself /herself and others.
4. Good research is logical: It implies that research is guided by the rules of reasoning and logical process of induction general to specific and deduction specific to general that plays an important role in carrying out research. In fact, logical reasoning makes research feasible and more meaningful in the context of quantitative decision making.
5. Good research develops theories and principles, which are very helpful in accurate prediction with regard to the variables under study. On the basis of the sample observed and studied, the researcher makes sound generalizations with regard to the entire populations. Thus, research goes beyond immediate situations, objects, or groups being investigated by formulating a generalization or theory about these factors.
6. Purpose of research should be clearly defined and common concepts that are used should be operationally defined.
7. The research procedure should be precisely planned, focused, and appropriately described in order to enable other researchers to do research for further advancement.
8. Research design should be carefully planned to generate results to maintain objectivity.
9. The research report should be as much frank as possible to gauge effects of the findings.
10. Data analysis in the research report should be adequate to reveal its significance and the method of analysis employed be appropriate.
11. Validity and reliability of data should be examined carefully.
12. Systematic approach: It implies that a planned and organized research saves researcher’s time and money. Each step of investigation should be so planned that it leads to the next step. Part of this approach are planning and organization.
13. Objectivity: It implies that true research should attempt to find an unbiased answer to the decision-making problem.
14. Reproducible: It implies that in reproducible research procedure, an equally competent researcher could duplicate, and from it deduce approximately the same results. The information with regard to samples, methods, collection, etc., should be specified.
15. Relevancy has the task of avoiding collection of irrelevant information and saves time and money; it compares the information to be collected with researcher’s criteria for action; it enables to see whether the research is proceeding in the right direction.

1.4 Objectives of Research

The main objectives of research are as follows:

1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it; studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory research studies.
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or group; studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies.
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else; studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research studies.
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables; such studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies or experimental studies.
5. Exploration: It implies that an understanding of an area of concern in very general terms. For example, we wish to know how to go about doing more effective research on violence on women.
6. Description: It implies that an understanding of what is going on. For example, we wish to know the attitudes of potential clients toward the use of washing machine.
7. Explanation: It implies that an understanding of how things happen. It involves an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships between the events. For example, we wish to know whether a group of people who have gone through a certain program have higher self-esteem than a control group.
8. Prediction: It implies that an understanding of what is likely to happen in the future. If we can explain, we may be able to predict. For Example, if one group had higher self-esteem, is it likely to happen with another group?
9. Intelligent intervention: It implies that an understanding of what or how in order to help more effectively and efficiently.
10. Awareness: It implies that an understanding of the world, often gained by a failure to describe or explain.

Thus, research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and an important source of providing guidelines for solving different business, personal, professional, governmental, and social problems. It is a sort of formal training that enables one to understand the new developments in one’s field with ease.

1.5 Types of Research

1.5.1 Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is designed to provide a background, to familiarize and, as the word implies, just “explore” the general subject. An exploratory research is the investigation of relationships among variables without knowing the objective of the study. Typical approaches in exploratory research are the literature survey and the experience survey. The literature survey is an economical and quick way for researchers to develop an excellent understanding of an area of problem in which they have minimum experience. It also familiarizes them with past research results, data sources, and availability of data types.

The experience survey concentrates on an individual who has specific knowledge in that area. Representative samples are undesired. A covering of widely divergent views is always good. Researchers are looking for ideas and not for conclusions.

1.5.2 Conclusive Research

For drawing definite conclusions an exploratory research gives rise to several hypotheses that will have to be tested. These conclusions provide the structure for decision making when tested for validity. To test the hypotheses generated by exploratory research, conclusive research is used. Conclusive research can be classified as either descriptive or experimental.

1.5.2.1 Descriptive Research

Descriptive research is designed to describe something. For example, for a newly launched product, the characteristics of users are described as the degree to which product use varies with Income, Age, Sex, and Other characteristics.

A descriptive study must collect data for a definite purpose for a maximum profit. A specific hypothesis is the guide when descriptive studies vary in degree. Depending on the research problem, it allows both implicit and explicit hypotheses to be tested.

For example, an oil company may find its sales declining. On the basis of market feedback, the company may hypothesize that economically backward family do not consume its oil for the preparation of meal. For testing of such a hypothesis, a descriptive study can then be designed.

1.5.2.2 Experimental Research

Experimentation refers to that process of research, in which one or more variables are manipulated under the conditions, in which the data that show the effects will be collected. Experiments will create artificial situations so that the researcher can obtain specific required data and the data can be measured accurately. Experiments are artificial because the situations are usually created for testing purposes. This artificiality is the essence of the experimental method since it gives researchers more control over the factors under study. If they can control the factors present in a given situation, they can obtain more conclusive evidence of cause-and-effect relationships between them. Thus, the ability to set up a situation for the express purpose of observing and recording accurately the effect on one factor when another is deliberately changed permits researchers to accept or reject hypothesis beyond a reasonable doubt.

1.5.3 Business Research

Business Research is defined as the systematic and objective process of generating information for aid in business decisions. This research information should be Scientific—not intuitive or haphazardly gathered—Objective, and Impersonal.

Business research can be used for any aspect of the enterprise. By providing appropriate information, research should be an aid to managerial judgment although it should not be a substitute for it. Applying the research is a managerial art in itself. All types of organizations that engage in some kind of business activity can use business research.

1.5.3.1 The Scope of Business Research

Business research fulfills the operation manager’s need for knowledge of the organization, the market, the economy, or other area of uncertainty. It helps the manager in predicting how individuals, markets, organizational units, or other entities will respond to his business decisions.

The emphasis of business research is to shift decision-makers from risky intuitive decisions based on systematic and objective investigations.

1.5.3.2 Types of Business Research

Several bases can be adopted for the classification such as Nature of data, Branch of knowledge, Extent of coverage, Place of investigation, Method employed, Time frame, and so on.

1.5.4 According to the Branch of Knowledge

Branches of knowledge may broadly be divided into two groups:

1. Life and Physical sciences such as Botany, Zoology, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, and Chemistry.
2. Social Sciences such as Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, Sociology, Commerce, Management, and Education.

Research in these fields is also broadly referred to as Life and Physical Science Research and Social Science Research. Business education covers both Commerce and Management, which are part of Social Sciences. Business research is a broad term, which covers many areas. The research carried out in these areas is called Management Research, Production Research, Personnel Research, Financial Management Research, Accounting Research, Marketing Research, etc.

1.5.5 Management Research

It includes various functions of management such as planning, organizing, staffing, communicating, coordinating, motivating, and controlling. Various motivational theories are the result of research.

1.5.6 Manufacturing Research

It focuses more on materials and equipment rather than on human aspects. It covers various aspects such as new and better ways of producing goods, inventing new technologies, reducing costs, and improving product quality.

1.5.7 Personnel Management Research

It may range from all types of very simple problems to highly complex problems. It is primarily concerned with the human aspects of the business such as Personnel Policies, Job Analysis, Job Requirements, Job Evaluation, Recruitment, Selection, Placement, Training & Development, Promotion & Transfer, Morale & Attitudes, Wages & Salary Administratio...

Table des matières

• Cover
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Statistical Tables
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Authors
• 1. Introduction to Research
• 2. Research Process
• 3. Research Design
• 4. Measurement Concepts in Research
• 5. Measurement of Attitude
• 6. Sampling Design
• 7. Secondary Data
• 8. Survey Research
• 9. Questionnaire 111
• 10. Qualitative Research
• 11. Experimentation
• 12. Data Preparation and Preliminary Analysis
• 13. Concepts of Hypothesis Testing
• 14. Hypothesis Testing: Tests of Differences
• 15. Correlation and Regression Analysis
• 16. Multivariate Analysis
• 17. Research Reports
• 18. Ethics in Research
• Index