1. What is Research? Explain different types of research.
Research is the method or process of studying (something) thoroughly so as to present the fact in
a detailed and accurate manner. It can be said that research is the scientific study of the subject
matter in order to come to the conclusion which is similar or does not have much variation from
the truth or the facts. In short, research is a search for individual facts or data. It is
a report or review, not designed to create new information or insight but to collate and synthesize
existing information. Gathering and analyzing a body of information or data and extracting new
meaning from it or developing unique solutions to problems or cases is the real quest of research.
This is "real" research and requires an open-ended question for which there– is no ready answer.
ANALYSIS
Scientific RESEARCH Critical
Study Examination
REVIEW
According to J.C. Raw, “In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes
any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge”.
In the above definition, the author has tried to research as the process of gathering information,
fragmenting it and finally publish it as the fact for the advancement of the knowledge.
According to Martin Shuttleworth,” The strict definition of research is performing a methodical
study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific question. Finding a definitive answer
is the central goal of any experimental process”.
In this definition, the author has defined research by linking it with science and its methods of
study. He has put a view that finding a definitive answer is the key aspect of research.
Types of Research
(a) Descriptive Research
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact finding enquiries of different kinds. The
major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at
present.
(b) Analytical Research
Analytical research is the process of research in which the facts and figures are already
available and analyze these to make critical evaluation of the material.
(c) Applied Research
Applies research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or
an organization.
(d) Fundamental Research
Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation
of a theory.
(e) Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable
to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.
(f) Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e. phenomena relating
to or involving quality or kind.
2. What is Social Research?
Social research is the research conducted for the study of society, community and the people
living within that society. It helps to understand the behavior of the people, their evolution, their
language, their tradition etc. Social research can be regarded as any scholastic discipline or
scientific field that investigates human society. It investigates and examines an individual’s
relationship with and interaction in society.
Social
Research
Society Community
People
Language Tradition
Evolution Behavior
Social research methods may be divided into two broad categories:
Quantitative designs approach social phenomena through quantifiable evidence, and
often rely on statistical analysis of many cases (or across intentionally designed treatments
in an experiment) to create valid and reliable general claims.
Qualitative designs emphasize understanding of social phenomena through direct
observation, communication with participants, or analysis of texts, and may stress
contextual and subjective accuracy over generality.
3. What is marketing research?
Market research deals specifically with the gathering of information about market’s size and
trend. It covers the wide range of activities. It is generally a more systematic process that can be
applied to a variety of marketing problems. Marketing research is the systematic gathering,
recording, and analysis of data about issues relating to marketing products and services. It asks
questions about competitors, market structure, government regulations, economic trends,
technological advances, and numerous other factors that make up the business environment.
Sometimes the term refers more particularly to the financial analysis of companies, industries,
or sectors. In this case, financial analysts usually carry out the research and provide the results
to investment advisors and potential investors.
Marketing research process:
i. Define the problem
ii. Determine research design
iii. Identify data types and research
iv. Design data collection
v. Determine sample plan
vi. Collect the data
vii. Analyze and interpret data
viii. Prepare the research report
Information
Gathering
Government Marketing Economic
Trends
Regulations Research
Market
Structure
4. What is action research?
Action research is inquiry or research in the context of focused efforts to improve the
quality of an organization and its performance. It typically is designed and conducted
by practitioners who analyze the data to improve their own practice. Action research
can be done by individuals or by teams of colleagues. The team approach is
called collaborative inquiry.
Action research has the potential to generate genuine and sustained improvements in
schools. It gives educators new opportunities to reflect on and assess their teaching; to
explore and test new ideas, methods, and materials; to assess how effective the new
approaches were; to share feedback with fellow team members; and to make decisions
about which new approaches to include in the team's curriculum, instruction, and
assessment plans.
Action research focuses on research in action rather that research about action. It is a
collaborative, democratic partnership in which the research is concurrent with action.
The goal is to make that action more effective while simultaneously building up a
body of scientific knowledge. The desired outcomes of action research approach are
not just solutions to the immediate problems but important learning from outcomes
both intended and unintended knowledge and theory.
Research
Methodology
Assignment
Submitted by
Ashish Shrestha
T.Y. BBA
Roll No. 80