RESEARCH PROCESS

Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research and desired sequencing of these steps.These steps are not separate and distinct.

STEPS IN RESEARCH PROCESS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Formulating the research problem Extensive literature survey Development of working hypothesis Preparing the research design Determining the sample design Collecting the data Execution of Project Analysis of the data Hypothesis testing

10 Generalisations and interpretation 11 Preparation of report or thesis

FORMULATING RESEARCH PROBLEM

There are two types of problems: State of nature Relationship between two variables The researcher must single out the problem he wants to study. The formulation of a general topic into a research problem makes the first step.

The vice president (Marketing) of a company X observes that the sales of the territory A is going down for the last three years. What should be the specific reasons? Poor performance of the sales person High Price of the products Non Availability of the product Quality of the product is not good.

EXTENSIVE LITERATURE SURVEY

Once the problem is identified, a brief introduction of it should be written. A research scholar prepares the thesis for Ph.D. degree. Literature survey includes Academic Journals, Government reports, books, etc

DEVELOPMENT OF WORKING HYPOTHESIS

The researcher should state in clear terms the working hypothesis. Hypothesis is a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical consequences. E.g. Consumers purchase the products because of brand personality.

RESEARCH DESIGN
Once the problem is formulated, researcher will be required to prepare a research design i.e. the structure within which the research is to be conducted. A research design is the master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the needed information

SAMPLING
In real life situations we come across the term sampling but where? Suppose if we go to Baskin Robbins and want to taste the mixing of vanilla flavour with chocolate, what we do?

SAMPLING DEFINED
A subset of population which are selected randomly or non randomly to study some attributes about them. The elements of the subset are called as SAMPLING UNITS. The study of these sampling units will tell the Characteristics of the whole population.

POPULATION
All the items that have been chosen for study. In the earlier example, a jar full of vanilla and mango flavor is the population. All the students of MBA , Section F of Chandigarh University constitutes the population. The customers having saving bank account in SBI branch in Sector-17, Chandigarh.

TYPES OF SAMPLING METHODS

Probability Sampling Non Probability Sampling

COLLECTING THE DATA

Once the research design including the sample design has been formulated, the process of gathering information from respondents may begin. There are many methods of data collection.

EXECUTION OF THE PROJECT

It is an important step in the research process. If the execution of the project proceeds on correct note, the data to be collected would be adequate and dependable.

ANALYSIS OF THE DATA

It is the application of reasoning to understand and interpret the data that have been collected. Data processing generally begins with the editing and coding of the data.

HYPOTHESIS TESTING
If we drop the price of the car by Rs.10000, then we will sell 200000 cars this car is a hypothesis. To test this hypothesis, we have to wait for year end and count the sales. Whether a population like we think this one would be likely to produce a sample like the one we are looking at.

GENERALISATIONS
If the hypothesis is tested correctly, then researcher makes some generalisation. The real value of research lies in its ability to build a theory.

RESEARCH REPORT
The research report should communicate the research findings effectively. It is a complicated statement of the studys technical aspects. The management wants the summary of the report. These reports are used later on if the research is to be repeated or if further research is to be based on what has come before