Research

Methodology is the way in

which research problems are solved
systematically.

System of
techniques

modals,

procedures

and

It describes the various steps that are

generally adopted by the researcher in
studying the research problem

To

obtain

accurate

and

relevant

information for solving research problem

To take the evidence

To achieve effective and appropriate

findings

Research is the Search for Knowledge

It is an Art of Scientific Investigation

According to Redman and Mory, Research

is

Systematic

effort

to

gain

new

knowledge

In

sum,

Research

is

the

search

for

knowledge, using objective and systematic

methods to find solution to a problem.

 To

generate

the

body

of

the

knowledge
To

obtain the solution for the social

issues

 To

gain familiarity with new insights

into a phenomenon
To accurately portray the
characteristics of a particular
individual, group, or a situation
To analyze the frequency with which
something occurs
To examine the Hypothesis of a casual
relationship between two variables

 Managers

and administrators

Academics
Government
Consultants
Students

agencies

 Research

Methods are the methods

that the researcher adopts for
conducting the research Studies

Research

Methodology is the way in

which research problems are solved
systematically. It is the Science of
studying how research is conducted
Scientifically

 Purpose

clearly defined

Research

process detailed

Procedural

design should be carefully

planned
Should
High

report with complete frankness

ethical standards applied

 Objectivity
Unbiasedness
Thirst for investigation
Academic honesty
Dedication
Information searching
Communication skill
Self monitoring
Knowledge in the field of

research

1. Formulating the Research Problem

2. Extensive Literature Survey
3. Developing Hypothesis
4. Preparing the Research Design
5. Determining Sample Design
6. Collecting Data
7. Analysis of the Data
8. Hypothesis Testing
9. Generalization and Interpretation
10. Preparation of the Report or Presentation of
the Results

 Research

Problem is an unanswered
question that a researcher might
encounter in the context of either a
theoretical or practical situation

A research problem refers to some difficulty which a

researcher experiences and wants to obtain a solution for
the same. The components of a research problem are:

There should be an individual or a group who have some

difficulty or problem
There should be some objective to be pursued (A person or
an organization who wants nothing cannot have a problem)
There should be more than one alternative means available
to the Researcher.
There should be some doubt in the mind of the Researcher
about the choice of alternative means
There must be some environment to which the difficulty
pertains

 Statement

of the problem in a
general way
Understanding the nature of the
problem
Surveying the available literature
Developing ideas through
discussions
Rephrasing the research problem

It highlights decisions which include

1. The
2. The
3. The

Name of the Study

Purpose of the Study
Location where the study would be
conducted
4. The Nature of Data Required
5. From where the required Data can be collected
6. What time period the study would cover
7. The Type of Sample Design
8. The Techniques of Data Collection
9. The Methods of Data Analysis
10.In what style will the report be prepared

 The

sampling design: method of

selecting items
The observational design: the
conditions under which observations
are to be made
The statistical design: methods of
data analysis
The operational design: the
techniques by which the procedures
specified above can be carried out

 Research

Design in case of exploratory

research studies

Research

Design in case of Descriptive

and Diagnostic research studies

Research

Design in case of
Hypothesis-testing Research Design
research studies

To formulate a Research Problem for an indepth or more precise investigation

To discover new ideas and insights
Three methods considered for such
Research Design
a) A Survey of related Literature
b) Experience survey
c) Analysis of insight-stimulating
instances: Suitable in areas where there
is little experience to serve as a guide

Descriptive Research Design is concerned with

describing the characteristics of a particular
individual or a group.
Diagnostic Research Design is determines the
frequency with which a variable occurs or its
relationship with other.
The design for both studies is rigid and consists
of the following:
Formulating the objective
Data collection methods
Sample selection
Collection of data
Analysis
Reporting

 The

Researcher tests the Hypothesis

of casual relationship between two
or more variables
Such studies require experiments to
be conducted as experiments are
unbiased. Thus when we talk of
research design in such studies, we
often mean the design of
experiments.

The principle of replication: The experiment

should be repeated more than once to increase
the statistical accuracy of the experiments. In
other words, it is a complete run for all the
treatments to be tested in the experiment.
The principle of randomization: Provides
protection against the effect the extraneous
factors
The principle of local control: The
extraneous factor is made to vary
deliberately(application of ANOVA)

 INFORMAL

Before and after without control design

After only with control design
Before and after with control design

FORMAL

Completely randomized design

Randomized block design
Latin square design
Factorial designs

Before and after without control

design

After only with control design

Before and after with control design

METHODS OF DATA
COLLECTION

 There

are 2 types of data: primary

and secondary
Primary data is collected by the
researcher himself using surveys,
observation and experiments
Secondary data is already available
beforehand
Advantages and disadvantages of
both types of data?????????

Identify the need for secondary

data

Utility of internal data sources

Test for objectivity, relevancy, accuracy,

currency, authenticity, action ability

Stop using
internal sec.
data

Stop using
external sec.
data

Not useful
Utility of external data
sources

Test for objectivity, relevancy, accuracy,

currency, authenticity, action ability

Not useful
Stop using
external
sec. data

Use external data

 There

are two major methods of

primary data collection
Survey: Gathering info through
respondents for any pre established
research objective
Observation:

watching and recording

the behavior of test subjects without
any interaction with them

Cost
Time
Response rate
Speed of data collection
Survey coverage area
Bias due to Interviewer
Quantity of data
Anonymity of the respondents
Question posing
Question diversity

Observation research can be broadly

classified as:

Direct vs Indirect: observing behavior vs

observing the outcome of behavior
Structured vs unstructured: following a
guideline vs not following a guideline
Disguised vs undisguised: subject unaware vs
subject aware
Human vs Mechanical

Personal Observation
Mechanical observation
Audits (examination of particular records or
inventory analysis of the items under investigation)
Content analysis (research technique used to
objectively and systematically make inferences
about the intentions, attitudes and values of
individuals by identifying specified characteristics
in textual messages)
Physical Trace Analysis(involves collection of
data through physical trace of the subjects in terms
of understanding their past behavior)

A questionnaire consists of formalized

and pre specified set of questions
designed to obtain responses from
potential respondents. The questions
reflect the research objective under
investigation

PART 1: Pre Construction Phase

Specify the required info in light of the research objective

Overview of respondents characteristics
Selecting an appropriate survey technique

PART 2: Construction Phase

Decision regarding question format

Decision Regarding question wording
Decision Regarding question sequencing
Decision Regarding question response choice
Decision Regarding questionnaire layout
Produce first draft of questionnaire

PART 3: Post Construction Phase

Go for pre testing

Revisit the questionnaire
Revise final draft
Administer the questionnaire

Open-ended questions
Questions in which respondent answers in his own
words
Most beneficial in exploratory research
Costs are much greater than for fixed questions due to
coding, editing, and analyzing the data.
Fixed-alternative/Close-ended questions
Question in which respondent selects one or more
options from pre-determined set of responses
Alternatives should be mutually exclusive
3 types: Simple dichotomy , MCQs and scales
Most questionnaires include both open-ended and close ended
questions.

Questions should be simple and easy to

understand

Eg: What is your perception about the new ad campaign?

No Vague or ambiguous words

Eg: in one year, how much will you spend on shopping?

Avoid double barreled questions

Eg: On weekends, would you prefer an outing with your family and
where would you like to go?

Avoid leading and loaded questions

Eg: Arent you satisfied with the new feature of this product?
Eg: Every patriotic Indian will prefer an Indian brand of soap.
In some situations, the split ballot technique is used

Avoid using overstated words

Avoid implied assumptions

Do you think Company A should continue with its incentive

scheme on bulk purchase?

Respondents memory should not be

overtaxed
Avoid generalization and estimation

What is the average per person consumption of pulses by

your family in the past 6 months?

Respondents ability to answer must

be considered

 Screening questions
Opening questions
Transition statements(movement from
one set of questions to another)

Difficult to answer questions

Identification and categorization

questions (basic info and demographic info)

Logical order of questioning(Funnel
technique, Work technique, Section technique)

 As

a general rule, researchers

present a question with five to seven
response alternatives, but these can
vary in accordance to the question
being asked.

Eg: which place would you like to visit during the

holidays?
Eg: how do you like to spend your time during the
weekend?

Decision

Regarding
questionnaire layout
Produce first draft of
questionnaire

 PRE

TESTING:

Involves administering the

questionnaire to a small sample of the population
to identify and eliminate potential problems.
4 methods are used: expert panel,
conventional pre test, behavioral
interaction coding and cognitive interviews

REVISIT THE QUESTIONNAIRE

REVISE FINAL DRAFT
ADMINISTER THE QUESTIONNAIRE