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AGARWAL
Professor, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
After studying, you will learn, what is :
What is research
Concept of research process
Nature of research process
Objectives of research
Significance of research
Need for research
Limitations of research
The building blocks of research
Science, scientific method & research
Research stages
Types of research
Characteristics of good research
Structure of research
Inductive and deductive approaches to research
Problem encountered by researchers in India
Research methods
Research methodology PROF. P. K. AGARWAL,
Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
© P.K.Agarwal 2
Just close your eyes for a minute and
utter the word research to yourself.
What kind of images does this word
conjure up for you?
How do you think does research help
you in your academic career?
How do you think does research help a
business organization?
PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 3
The term “research” is from the French
rechercer, “to look for”, and so by extension “to
investigate”, “to [attempt to] find out”.
Contd…
PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 6
"Research is a systematized effort to gain
new knowledge".
Redman and Mory
"Research is an organized enquiry
designed and carried out to provide
information for solving a problem".
Fred Kerlinger
"Research is a careful inquiry or
examination to discover new information
or relationships and to expand and to
verify existing knowledge" .
Fransis Rummel
"Research is essentially an investigation,
a recording and analysis of evidence for
the purpose of gaining knowledge".
Robert Ross
PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 7
Research can be defined as logical and
systematized application of the
fundamentals of science to the general and
overall questions of a study, and scientific
techniques which provide precise tools,
specific procedures and technical, rather than
philosophical means for getting and
ordering the data prior to their logical and
manipulation.
In short, the search for knowledge
through objective and systematic method
of finding solution to a problem is
research. PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 8
PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 9
Research is an activity which is systematic
and objective in nature conducted for the
purpose of improving decision making related
to
Identification of problem
It is trans-disciplinary in nature.
Measurements of phenomena
DATA (e.g. sales statistics of a department store)
PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 24
Science…
◦ Science has been defined as “the methodological and
systematic approach to acquisition of new knowledge”
(Geoffrey Marcyzk, David DeMatteo, David Festinger)
◦ a body of established knowledge
◦ the observation, identification, investigation, and
theoretical explanation of natural phenomenon
usually the ultimate goal is theory generation and
verification
Theory…
◦ a set of inter-related constructs and propositions that
specify relations among variables to explain and
predict phenomena
◦ should be simple, consistent
PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaitawith observed
relationships, tentative and verifiable
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 25
Scientific Method…
◦ The scientific method, which has evolved since the
13th century, concerns the set of tools, techniques
and procedures used by basic and applied
researchers to analyze and understand phenomena
and prove or disprove prior conceptions
◦ involves the principles and processes regarded as
characteristic of or necessary for scientific
investigation
◦ process or approach to generating valid and
trustworthy knowledge
Research…
◦ the application of the scientific method
◦ a systematic process of collecting and logically
analyzing information (data)
Research Methods (Methodology)…
◦ the ways one collects and analyzes data
◦ methods developed for acquiring trustworthy
knowledge via reliable andPROF.
valid procedures
P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 26
The Essence of the Scientific Method is
Empirical Approach
Observations
Questions
Basic Hypotheses
General Laws
Research Experiments
Scientific
Method
Analysis
Applied Information or Conclusion
Research Ideas for alternative Replication
Courses of action
Secondary data
Experience survey
Pilot studies
CAUSAL OR DESCRIPTIVE
COMPLETELY ABSOLUTE
CERTAIN AMBIGUITY
EXPLORATORY
“Our sales are declining and “What kind of people are “Will buyers purchase more of
we don’t know why.” buying our product? Who our products in a new package?
buys our competitor’s
product?”
“Would people be interested “Which of two advertising
in our new product idea?” “What features do buyers campaigns is more effective?”
prefer in our product?”
P.K.Agarwal 64
PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 65
Purpose Clearly Defined
Concepts can commonly be used
Procedures should be described
Procedures should be well designed to meet the
Objectives
Researcher should be frank to mention the
flaws of research
Analyst of data should be adequate to reveal
significance
Conclusions in the light of objectives
A reputed researcher brings Greater confidence
in research PROF. P. K. AGARWAL, Wolaita
Sodo University, Ethiopia ©
P.K.Agarwal 66
The "hourglass" notion of research
Induction