Introduction to Research

Mr. Ganesh Dangat.

Computer Science & Engineering Department

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 Topics
 Introduction to Research & Research methodology.
 Selection and formulation of research problem.
 Research design and plan.
 Experimental designs.
 Sampling and sampling strategy or plan.
 Measurement and scaling techniques.
 Data collection methods and techniques.
 Testing of hypotheses.
 Statistical techniques for processing & analysis of data.
 Analysis, interpretation and drawing inferences.
 Report writing.

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“I keep six honest serving men, (they taught me all I knew),
their names are what, and why, and when, and how, and
where and who.”
--Rudyard Kipling

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 Part I: Introduction to Research & Research Methodology
 Topics • What is research ?
 Introduction to Research & Research methodology • Why research ?
 Selection and formulation of research problem • Terms used
 Research design and plan  Research Methodology
 Experimental designs  Research Method
 Sampling and sampling strategy or plan
 Research Technique
 Measurement and scaling techniques
• Research methodology
 Data collection methods and techniques
• Scientific method
 Testing of hypotheses
 Statistical techniques for processing & analysis of • Benefits of research
data methodology
 Analysis, interpretation and drawing inferences • Qualities of good research &
 Report writing researcher
• Research process
• Types of research

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 What is Research ?
 A voyage of discovery; A journey; An attitude; An experience; A method of critical
thinking; A careful critical enquiry in seeking facts for principles

 An art of scientific investigation

 A systematized effort to gain new knowledge; A movement from the known to the
unknown

 An activity caused by instinct of inquisitiveness to gain fresh insight / find answers

In a broad sense, everyone does research, but don’t write it up; Without
trustworthy and tested published research available we are dangerously lost in
the experience, opinions and hearsay

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 What is Research?
 Research means finding answers questions.
 It is a systematic search for truth.
 Research is search for knowledge.
 Research is defined as a scientific and systematic search for
information on a specific topic

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 Why Research ?
 To get a degree
 To get respectability
 To face a challenge
 To solve a problem
 To get intellectual joy
 To serve society
 by increasing standard of living , and
 by showing right path to society in case of Social and Behavioral
Sciences

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 Objectives of Research
 Find out truth which is hidden and which has not been
discovered yet
 Gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new
insights into it
 Portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group
 Determine the frequency with which something occurs or
with which it is associated with something else
 Test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables

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 Motivation in Research
 Research degree along with its consequential benefits
 Face the challenge in solving the unsolved problem
 Get intellectual creative work
 Service to society
 Get respectability

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 Terms Used
1. RESEARCH TECHNIQUE - Behavior and instruments used in research operations.

Examples: Scales, recording techniques, content analysis, moving average, longitudinal cross
sectional collection of data, etc.

2. RESEARCH METHOD - Behavior and instruments used in selecting and constructing

Examples: Observation, questionnaire, interview, analysis of records, case study, etc.

Methods are more general than techniques. Methods & Techniques are used in
performing research operations, i.e..,

 Collection of data

 Statistical processing & analysis (tests)

 To evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained

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 Research Methods
Put into 3 groups,
1. Methods which are concerned with data collection
2. Statistical techniques for establishment of relationship between data & unknown
3. Evaluating the accuracy of results obtained

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 Research Methods
 All those methods / techniques that are used for conduction
of research
 Refer to the methods the researchers use in performing
research operations
 Method used by the researcher

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 Research Methodology
 A science of studying how research is done scientifically
 A way to systematically solve the research problem by logically
adopting various steps
 Methodology helps to understand not only the products of scientific
inquiry but the process itself
 Aims to describe and analyze methods, throw light on their limitations
and resources, clarify their presuppositions and consequences, relating
their potentialities to the twilight zone at the ‘frontiers of knowledge’

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 Problems in Research
 Uncontrollable variables
 Human tendencies
 Time and money
 Lack of computerization
 Insufficient interaction between university research departments and
business establishments
 Lack of confidence on the part of business units to give information

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 Benefits of Research Methodology
1. Advancement of wealth of human knowledge
2. ‘Tools of the trade’ to carry out research; Provides tools to look at things in life
objectively
3. Develops a critical and scientific attitude, disciplined thinking or a ‘bent of mind’
to observe objectively (scientific deduction & inductive thinking); Skills of
research will pay-off in long term particularly in the ‘age of information’ (or too
often of misinformation)
4. Enriches practitioner and his practices; Provides chance to study a subject in depth;
Enable us to make intelligent decisions; Understand the material which no other
kind of work can match
5. As consumers of research output helps to inculcate the ability to evaluate and use
results of earlier research with reasonable confidence and take rational decisions
6. Doing research is the best way to learn to read and think critically

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 Qualities of Good Research
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD EMPLOYED ENSURES:
1. Purpose/ objectives clearly defined in common concepts
2. Procedure enumerated to keep continuity
3. Carefully planned design leading to objective results
4. Complete frankness; flaws reported and their effect estimated
5. Adequate analysis of data with appropriate methods of analysis
6. Carefully checked data for validity & reliability
7. Conclusions confined to those justified by the data
8. Confidence, competence/ reputation, experience, honesty &
integrity of researcher

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 Qualities of Good Research contd..
1. SYSTEMATIC - Reject the use of guessing & intuition, but does not
rule out creative thinking
2. CONTROLLED – Variables are identified & controlled, wherever
possible
3. LOGICAL - Guided by rules of logical reasoning & logical process
of induction & deduction
4. EMPIRICAL- Provides a basis for external validity to results
(validation)
5. REPLICABLE - Verified by replicating the study
6. SELF CORRECTING - Built in mechanism & open to public
scrutiny by fellow professionals

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 CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH
 Purpose clearly defined.
 Research process detailed.
 Research design thoroughly planned.
 High ethical standards applied.
 Limitations frankly revealed.
 Adequate analysis for decision maker’s needs.
 Findings presented clearly.
 Conclusions justified.
 Researcher’s experience reflected.

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 Source of Problems

 Reading
 Academic Experience
 Daily Experience
 Exposure to Field Situations
 Consultations
 Brainstorming
 Research Intuition

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 Steps in Defining a Problem
 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

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 HOW DO WE KNOW WE HAVE A RESEARCH PROBLEM?
 Customer complaints
 Conversation with company employees
 Observation of inappropriate behaviour or conditions in the firm
 Deviation from the business plan
 Success of the firm’s competitor’s
 Relevant reading of published material (trends, regulations)
 Company records and reports.

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REVIEW OF LITERATURE

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 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
 It is an extensive survey of all available past studies
relevant to the field of investigation.

 It gives us knowledge about what others have found out in

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 PURPOSE OF REVIEW
 To gain a background knowledge of the research topic.
 To identify the concepts relating to it, potential relationships
between them and to formulate researchable hypothesis.
 To identify appropriate methodology, research design,
methods of measuring concepts and techniques of analysis.
 To identify data sources used by other researchers.
 To learn how others structured their reports.

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Points to be kept in mind while reviewing literature
 Read relevant literature.
 Refer original works.
 Read with comprehension.
 Read in time.
 Index the literature.

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 SOURCES OF LITERATURE
 Books and Journals
 Electronic Databases
 Bibliographic Databases

 Abstract Databases
 Full-Text Databases
 Govt. and Industry Reports
 Internet
 Research Dissertations / Thesis

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 Research Process
1. Selection & formulation of Research Problem.
2. Literature survey.
3. Development of working hypotheses.
4. Research design.
5. Sampling strategy or sample design.
6. Pilot (quick & dirty) study.
7. Data collection.
8. Processing & analysis of data.
9. Testing hypotheses.
10. Interpretation & generalization.
11. Preparation of the report.

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 RESEARCH PROCESS

FF
Review the
literature
FF
Review
Concepts
Design
And
Research Collect Interpret
Define theories Formulate Analyse
(Including Data and
Research hypothesis Data
Sample report
Problem
Review Design)
F F
Previous
I Research III IV V
findings VI VII

II
F

F Feed Back
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 Problem encountered by Researchers in India
 Lack of scientific training in methodology of research.
 Insufficient interaction.
 Need for generating the confidence that the
information/data obtained from a patient will not be
misused.
 Research studies overlapping one another are undertaken
quite often for want of adequate information
 Timely and adequate secretarial assistance, including
computential assistance

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 Problem encountered by Researchers in India
 Library management & functioning is not Satisfactory at
many place.
 Difficulty of timely availability of published data
 Problem of conceptualization

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 Types of Research
1. Descriptive 8. Empirical
2. Analytical 9. One-time research / longitudinal
3. Applied 10. Field-setting research /
4. Fundamental laboratory / simulation
5. Quantitative 11. Clinical / laboratory
6. Qualitative 12. Historical
7. Conceptual 13. Conclusion oriented
14. Decision oriented

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 Descriptive Research
 Surveys & fact-finding enquiries
 Description of state of affairs as it exists at present
 Ex post facto research – social science & business research
 Has no control over variables
 Can only report what has happened or what is happening

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 Analytical Research
 Has to use facts / information already available
 Analyze these to make critical evaluation of material

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 Fundamental Research
 Generalization
 Formulation of a theory
 Gaining knowledge for knowledge’s sake is ‘pure’ or ‘basic'
research
 Finding information
 E.g. with view to make generalization about human behavior

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 Applied Research
• Finding a solution for an immediate problem / for pressing
practical problem
• Society / industrial / business organization
• Aimed at certain conclusions
• Marketing research / evaluation research

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 Quantitative Research
• Based on measurement of quantity or amount
• Expressed in terms of quantity

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 Qualitative Research
 Concerned with qualitative phenomenon
 Motivation research – an important type
 E.g. how people feel or what they think about a particular
subject or institution
 To discover underlying motives
 Seek guidance

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 Conceptual Research
 Related to abstract ideas / theory
 To develop new concepts / reinterpret existing ones
 That is verified by empirical research

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 Empirical Research
 Data-based research
 Relies on experience / observation alone
 Verified by observation / experiment
 Works to get enough facts to prove / disprove hypothesis
 Evidence gathered by this is most powerful support possible
for a given hypothesis

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 Some other Types of Research
 Cross-sectional research/1 time
-Research is confined to a single time-period
 Longitudinal research
-Carried over several-time periods
 Field-setting/laboratory/simulation
-Depends upon the environment
 Clinical research
-case-study method

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 Some other Types of Research
 Diagnostic research
-In depth approaches to reach basic casual relations
 Historical research
-Utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc

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 Research Approaches
 Quantitative approach
 Inferential
 Experimental
 Simulation
 Qualitative approach

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 Inferential Approach
 To form a data base from which to infer characteristics or
relationships of population

 Usually means survey research where a sample of

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 Experimental Approach
 Some variables are manipulated to observe their effect on
other variables
 Much greater control over the research environment

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 Simulation Approach
Involves construction of an artificial environment within which
relevant information and data can be generated

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 Qualitative Approach
 Subjective assessment of,
 Attitudes
 Opinions
 Behavior
 Not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis

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 About the Author
Myself Mr. Ganesh Dangat has graduated in Computer Engineering Department
from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University Lonere Maharashtra
India, Completed Post Graduation in Master in Computer Network Singhad
Institute of Technology from Savitribai Phule University Pune., and Pursuing Ph.
D from Sathyabham University Chennai.,Tamilnaidu. He is in the profession for
last 14 years. Since 2005, Currently I am working as an Assistant Professor in
Computer Science and Engineering Department from Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil
College of Engineering Satara. Myself presented 7 Seven Paper in National &
International Conference & 2 Two Paper in International Journal. He is also work
as resource person in many workshop and work as on different College and
University committees.
E-mail: [Link]@[Link];
Phone: 91-8600008031;

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 Ethics of Research
• As a profound social activity research connects us to those who will use it, to those
whose research we used, through them, to the research that our sources used; Hence
beyond technique, we need to think about ethics of civil communication
• In addition to construction of bonds within any community, ethics deal with a range
of moral and immoral choices; Research challenges us to define individual moral
principles; Academic researchers are less tempted to sacrifice principle for a gain
than commercial researchers
Plagiarism, claiming credit for results of others, misreport sources or invent results, data
with questionable accuracy, concealing objections that cannot be rebutted, caricaturing or
distorting opposing views, destroy or conceal sources and data important for those who
follow
• Beyond simple moral Do not to what we should affirmatively do, i.e., concern for
the integrity of the work of the community combined with narrow moral standards
with the larger ethical dimension
• Research done in the best interests of others is also in your own

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 Reference
(Chapter – 1)
Research Methodology
Methods and Techniques (Second Revised Edition)
C.R. Kothari

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