Research Methodology MB0050

Q1. a) Explain the types of research.

Ans: Research is defined as search of facts. It is an organised inquiry. Research may be classified into
different type: Pure research, applied research, exploratory research, descriptive research,
diagnostic study, and evaluation study and action research. These are explained below:

a) Pure research: Pure research is also known as fundamental research. It is generally carried
out by scientists. It is carried out for the sake of knowledge without intention to apply in
practice. This type of research is not oriented for solving problem in everyday life. It lays the
foundation for applied research. It gives the base for many practical problems & provides
different solution for it out of which we can chose the best whichever is applicable.e.g of
pure research are:
b) Applied research: It is a type of research which gives practical solutions for real life
problems. It gives conceptual clarification. It may integrate previously existing theories. This
type of research is action oriented. Eg of applied research are:
c) Exploratory Research: It is also called as formulative research .In this type of research the
research has very little or no knowledge of the problem & is less focused on the objective.
This research helps in stating new ideas, gathering new information for clarifying concepts.
Its purpose may also be to determine whether it is feasible to attempt the study.
d) Descriptive study: This research is also called as fact finding investigation .It is related to a
specific problem/ case. It highlights important characteristics of data collected and
interpretations drawn on it.eg.
e) Diagnostic study: It may also be called as cause and effect study. In this research
identification of the root cause of the problem and possible solution for it are defined. This
research requires prior knowledge of the problem. Various statistical tools are applied for
collection of data/information. Eg.
f) Evaluation Studies: This type of research is to assess the effectiveness of any project which is
already completed and to study how the same can be more effective in order to make it
successful.eg
g) Action Research: It is a type of evaluation study. It is helpful in solving the problems for
improving an existing situation. It can be implemented by:
(i) Diagnosis
(ii) Sharing of diagnostic information
(iii) Planning
(iv) Developing change programme
(v) Initiation of organizational change
(vi) Implementation of participation & communication process
(vii) Post experimental evaluation.

Q1 b) what is the significance of research in social and business sciences?

Ans: Research encourages scientific and inductive thinking, besides promoting the development
of logical habits of thinking and organization. Research plays a significant role in solving various
operational and planning problems associated with business and industry. The role of research is
helpful for both government and business in case of formulating economic policies .Most of the
government policies are made on the basis provided by the research. Formulation of government
budget is done by analysis of needs and desires of the people and the availability of revenues,

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 Research Methodology MB0050
which requires research. Research helps to formulate alternative policies, in addition to
examining the consequences of these alternatives .It helps in decision making and also helps in
proper allocation of a country’s scare resources. Research is also necessary for collecting
information on the social and economic structure of an economy to understand the process of
change occurring in the country. Research as a tool of government economic policy formulation
involves three distinct stages of operation they are:
(i) Investigation of economic structure through continual compilation of facts.
(ii) Diagnoses of the event that are taking place and the analysis of the forces underlying them.
(iii) The prognosis i.e. the prediction of the future development.

In order to take any business decision various research like operation research, market search,
and motivational research play a vital role.

Market Research helps in investigation of the structure and development of a market for the
formulation of efficient policies relating to purchases, production and sales.

Operational Research relates to the application of logical, mathematical and analytical

techniques’ to find solutions to business problems such as cost minimization or profit
maximization or the optimization problems.

Motivational research refers in determination of people’s behaviour with respect to market

characteristics. It mainly concerned with analysing the motivations underlying consumer
behaviour.

Research gives intellectual satisfaction of knowing things for the sake of knowledge. Research in
social sciences is concerned with both knowledge for its own sake and knowledge for what it can
contribute to solve practical problems.

Q2 a) what is meant by validity? How does it differ from reliability and what are its types?

Ans: Validity refers to how effective an instrument is in measuring a property which it intends to
measure. A measurement scale may be considered to be valid if it effectively measures a specific
property or characteristic that it intends to measure. Validity is important because it can help
determine what types of tests to use, and help to make sure researchers are using methods that are
not only ethical, and cost-effective, but also a method that truly measures the idea or construct in
question. In order to gain such evidences statistical techniques are implemented.
Validity is classified into 3 different types:
(i) Content Validity
(ii) Predictive validity
(iii) Construct validity
Content Validity: This type of validity may be of two types a) Face validity b) Sampling
validity. Face validity is determined through a subjective evaluation of a measuring
scale.eg a researcher may develop a scale to measure consumer attitude towards a brand
& pre test the scale among a few experts. If the experts are satisfied with the scale, the
researcher may conclude that the scale has face validity. The limitation of this type of
validity is that it is determined by opinions, rather than through a statistical method.
The second type is sampling method. It refers measuring instrument’s content must be
representative of the content universe of the characteristic being measured. Sampling
validity like face validity is also based on the judgement & subjective evaluation of both

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 Research Methodology MB0050

the researcher & outside experts. The determination of the content universe & the
selection of the relevant items that are to be included in the measuring scale are both
done based on the knowledge & skill of the investigator & other judges.
Predictive validity: This type of validity refers to the extent to which one’s behaviour can
be predicted based on another, based on the association between the results yielded by
the measuring instrument & the eventual outcome.
Validity of an assessment is the degree to which it measures what it is supposed to
measure. This is not the same as reliability, which is the extent to which a measurement
gives results that are consistent. Within validity, the measurement does not always have
to be similar, as it does in reliability. Though, just because a measure is reliable, it is not
necessarily valid (and vice-versa). Validity is also dependent on the measurement
measuring what it was designed to measure and not something else instead. Validity
(similar to reliability) is based on matters of degrees.

Q3. a) Why literature survey is important in research?

b.) What are the criteria of good research problem?
Ans: a) Literature survey is important in case:
(i) Where there is no formulation done on the subject. There is no clear hypothesis
laid for the subject. In this case the researcher then has to review the available
material and look into the possibilities of developing hypothesis from it.
(ii) In some cases there are possibilities that there are hypothesis stated by previous
research workers. With the help of this hypothesis the researcher has to evaluate
them for their usefulness for further research & to consider whether they
suggest any new hypothesis.
(iii) With the help of economic reviews, sociological journals, the bulletin of abstracts
of current social sciences research, directory of doctoral dissertation accepted by
universities etc huge amount of valuable data/information is available.
(iv) With the help of this information the researcher has to develop further
hypothesis.

b) Horton & hunt have given following characteristics of scientific research.

(i) Verifiable evidence: The evidences should be objective i.e can be checked by the
observer
(ii) Accuracy: It means expressing or stating what actual fact is without exaggeration
or fantasizing.
(iii) Precision: Stating exactly or giving exact number or measurement. This avoids
vague meanings.
(iv) Systematization: Arranging the measured data in a systematic manner in order
to make it organized so that conclusions can be drawn and one can rely on the
same. Casual recollection of data gives incomplete information & unreliable
judgements & conclusions.
(v) Objectivity: The observer should be unbiased towards the observations. The
observations should be unaffected by the observer’s values, beliefs &
preferences & he should be able to accept facts as they are.
(vi) Recording: All the data should be recorded as quickly as possible as human
memory is fallible.

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 Research Methodology MB0050

(vii) Controlling conditions: Examining the effect on the observation by keeping one
variable constant and varying the other.
(viii) Training investigators: Imparting training to the investigators in order to
enhance their knowledge and make them understand what to look, how to
interpret in & avoid inaccurate data collection.

Q4. Explain the procedure for Testing Hypothesis.

Ans: A Hypothesis is an assumption about relations between variables. By testing the

hypothesis on the basis of the data researcher has collected one can tell whether the
hypothesis is valid or not. The main step in testing the hypothesis is to see whether to
accept null hypothesis or not. Procedure for hypothesis testing refers to all those steps that
we undertake for making a choice between the two actions i.e rejection & acceptance of
null hypothesis. The various steps involved in hypothesis testing are.

(a) Making a Formal Statement :

Hypothesis should be cleared stated considering the nature of the research problem.
The formulation of hypothesis is an important step which must be accomplished with
due care in accordance with the object & nature of the problem under consideration. It
also indicates whether we should use a tailed test or two tailed test.

(b) Selecting a significant level:

Testing of hypothesis carried out on a pre determined level of significance & such the
same should have specified. The factors that affect the level of significance are:
(i) The magnitude of the difference between samples.
(ii) Size of the sample
(iii) Variability of measurements within samples,
(iv) Whether the hypothesis is directional or non directional

(c) Deciding the distribution to use: Determining the appropriate size of the sampling
distribution .The choice is generally between distribution & t distribution.

(d) Selecting a random sample & computing an appropriate value: Another step is to select
a random sample & compute an appropriate value from the sample data concerning the
statistic utilizing the relevant distribution.

(e) Calculation of the probability: calculating the probability that the sample result would
diverge as widely as it has from expectations.

(f) Comparing the probability: The probability is then compared with the specified value at
significance level. If the probability calculated is equal to or smaller than the specified
value then the null hypothesis is rejected & if the probability is greater then accept the
null hypothesis.

Flow diagram for testing hypothesis is as follows

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 Research Methodology MB0050

State H0 as well as Ha

State the significance level

Chose the correct sampling

Sample a random sample & workout

an appropriate value

Calculate the probability that sample

result would diverge as widely as it
has form expectations, if H0 were
true

Is the probability equal to or smaller

than α value in case of one tailed test
& α/2 in case of two tailed test

Run the risk Reject H0 Accept H0 Run

of some risk

Committing type II error

Kanchan Ghatnekar Roll No (571118549)

 Research Methodology MB0050

Q5. a. Explain the components of a research design.

Ans: Research design is a logical & systematic plan prepared for directing a research study.
It is a series of guide posts to keep one going in the right directions. It reduces wastage of
time & money. Following are the components of research design:

(a) Dependent & independent variable: A magnitude that varies is known as a variable.
When changes in one variable depend upon the changes in one or more variables it
is known as dependent variable. The variable that causes the changes in the
dependent variable are known as the independent variable. An independent variable
is presumed cause where as dependent variable is presumed effect.
(b) Extraneous variable: The independent variables which are not directly related to the
purpose of the study but affect the dependent variable are known as extraneous
variables. The influence caused by the extraneous variable on the dependent
variable is technically called as experimental error. Hence research study should
always be framed in such a manner that the dependent variable completely
influences the change in the dependent variable & any other extraneous variable or
variables.
(c) Control: Control is used when a researcher designs the study in such a manner that it
minimizes the effect of extraneous independent variables. The term control is used
in experimental research to reflect the restrain in experimental conditions.
(d) Confounded relationship: The relationship between dependent & independent
variables is said to be confounded by an extraneous variable, when the dependent
variable is not free from its effects.

Q5 b. briefly explain the different types of research designs.

Ans: Various research designs are:

(i) Research design in case of exploratory research studies: Exploratory research

studies are also termed as formulative research studies. The major emphasis in
such studies is on the discovery of ideas & insight. The following three methods
in the context of research design are: The survey of concerning literature
happens to be the most simple & fruitful method of formulating precisely the
research problem or developing hypothesis. Hypothesis stated by earlier
workers may be reviewed & their usefulness be evaluated as a basis for further
research. It may also be considered whether the already stated hypothesis
suggests new hypothesis. Experience survey means the survey of people who
have had practical experience with the problem to be studied. The object of
such a survey is to obtain insight into the relationship between variables & new
ideas relating to the research problem.
(ii) Analyses of insight stimulating are particularly suitable in areas where there is
little experience to serve as a guide. This method consists of the intensive study
of selected instance of the phenomenon in which one is interested.

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 Research Methodology MB0050

(iii) Research design in case of descriptive & diagnostic research: Descriptive

research studies are those studies which are concerned with describing the
characteristics of a particular individual or a group. Diagnostic research studies
determine the frequency with which something occurs or its association with
something else.
(iv) Research design in case of Hypothesis Testing Research are those where the
researcher tests the hypothesis of causal relationships between variables. Such
studies require procedures that will not only reduce bias & increase reliability
but will permit drawing inferences about causality.

Q6. a) What are assumptions of the case study method?

Ans : Case study is a method of exploring & analyzing the life of a social unit or entity. The
aim of a case study method is to locate or identify the factors that account for the behaviour
patterns of a given unit & its relationship with the environment. Following are the
assumptions of a case study.

(i) The person doing the case study should have commonsense, wit & good
imagination.
(ii) The life history if written then it should be complete, logical & consistent as
possible.
(iii) Life histories should have been written for knowledgeable persons.
(iv) The case material must be reliable & consistent & this can be achieved with the
help of supplement case data like observations, statistical data & historical data.
(v) Efforts should be made to ascertain the reliability of life history data through
examining the internal consistency of the material.
(vi) A judicious combination of techniques of data collecting is a prerequisite for
securing data that are culturally meaningful & scientifically significant.

b. Explain the Sampling process.

Ans: Sampling is defined as a method of selecting for study a portion of the universe
with a view to draw conclusions about the universe or population. Sampling process is
based on the following criteria:

(i) Purpose of the survey: The objective behind the survey must be cleared.
Selecting appropriate probability sampling method based on geographical area of
the survey, size & the nature of the population under study.
(ii) Measurability: Probability samples allow application of statistical inference
theory for computing sampling error. The sample should be drawn by applying
simple random sampling method or stratified random sampling method
depending upon homogenous or heterogeneous population.

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 Research Methodology MB0050

(iii) Degree of precision: Depending upon degree of precision selection of type of

distribution is based. In case of high degree of precision of results probability
sampling should be used and in case where crude results would serve the
purpose any convenient random sampling like quota sampling would be enough.
(iv) Information about population: Information about population sampling should be
studied. Depending upon the information about population type of sampling
method can be applied.
(v) The nature of the Population: depending upon the nature of population
homogenous or heterogeneous variables can be studied. For homogenous
population a simple random sampling will give representative sample. If the
population is heterogeneous, stratified random sampling is appropriate.
(vi) Geographical area of the study & the size of the population: Size of the
population also decides the kind of sampling. If the area covered by a survey is
very large & the size of the population is quite large multi stage cluster sampling
would be appropriate.
(vii) Financial resources: Depending upon financial resources available appropriate
method of sampling must be adopted. When finance is a constraint one has to
choose less costly sampling like multistage cluster or quota sampling & when
there is no financial constraint a most appropriate method must be adopted.
(viii) Time limitation: In case where time limiting is critical factor then sampling
method which requires less time must be adopted like simple random sampling.
Due to this there may be effect on the precision.
(ix) Economy: It means achieving the desired level of precision at minimum cost. A
sample is economical if the precision per unit cost is high or the cost per unit of
variance is low.

Hence depending upon above criteria one should use simple workable methods instead of
unduly elaborate & complicated techniques.

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