RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Module I
Course Objective
To make the students aware about the concepts and steps
involved in management research
To help students to master in RM by undertaking research
projects and submit a research report
To provide an insight in to the application of modern
analytical tools and techniques in Research
Research
Search for new knowledge
Adding to the existing knowledge
Need of Research in Business
For solving various operational and planning problems of
business and industry
For Replacing intuitive business decisions by logical and
scientific decisions
Scope of Research in Business
Market Analysis, Business budgeting
Demand forecasting, After sales services
Finding out Market potential
Research
Research Methodology
Science of studying how research is done scientifically
Way to systematically solve the research problem
The study of research methods
Research Technique
Specific means, approach or tool whereby data is gathered and analyzed,
and inferences are drawn
Eg. recording of notes, Statistical compilations, Score card
Audio visual Recording devices
Research Method
Manner in which a particular project is undertaken
Methods the researcher use in performing the research operations
It comprises one or more research techniques
Eg. survey method, Interview, Observation, Case study
Role of research in managerial decision
making
RESEARCH PROCESS
Formulate the research problem
Review the literature
Formulate the hypotheses
Developing the research design
Data collection
Data analysis
Interpretation and report writing
Formulating the Research Problem
1. Decide on the general area of interest [State the problem in
broad general way]
2. Dissect the broad area into subareas
3. Select what is of most interest to you
4. Raise research questions
5. Formulate research objectives
6. Assess your objectives
[Link] check
Review of Literature
Academic Journals [including E-Journals]
Conference proceedings
Government Reports
Books
Research Reports [Published and Unpublished]
Websites
In 1976, Miller propounded the irrelevancy theory of
capital structure. He pleaded in his presidential address to
Annual Meeting of American Finance Association held on
September 17, 1976 in Atlanta City, New Jersey that
capital structure decisions of firms with both corporate
and personal taxes are irrelevant (Miller 1977).
In 1974, Myers and Pogue developed three theories-the
lenders chickens out first, the managers chickens out first,
and the shareholders chickens out first-of debt capacity
(Myers and Pogue 1974).
Formulate the hypotheses
Hypothesis – A tentative assumption made to test its logical
consequences
Hypothesis must be very specific
Role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by
delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right
track
Types of hypotheses
Null and Alternate hypotheses:
Null hypothesis is the assumption that the researcher wants to test.
Assumption contradicting null hypothesis is called the alternate hypothesis.
E.g. There is no significant difference in the attitude of workers towards the
working environment (Null)
There is significant difference in the attitude of workers towards the working
environment(Alternate)
Hypotheses based on Empirical Uniformities
Univariate and descriptive in nature
states that some group of individuals, objects, events or incidents has certain
property or characteristic.
E.g. Wage for an unskilled worker is Rs. 3000 p.m.)
Types of hypotheses
Hypotheses based on Association between Variables
Bivariate and explanatory
States that something is associated with some other thing
E.g., there exists an association between academic performance
of students and educational background of parents.
Hypotheses based on Cause and Effect Relationship
Bivariate and deterministic
States that something is a determinant of some other thing
E.g., working environment is a significant determinant of
employee performance
Research Design
Conceptual structure [Frame work] within which research would
be conducted
Involves sample design, observational design Statistical design
and operational design
Data Collection
Observation
Personal Interview
Telephone Interview
Mailing of Questionnaire
Interview Schedules
Focus Group Discussion
Analyzing the Data
Editing – Improving the quality of data [Field editing and Central editing]
Coding – transforming data into symbols
Tabulation – Data are put in the form of tables
Computation of statistics [Eg. Percentages, Correlation, mean ……]
Drawing statistical inferences – arriving at conclusions based on the value
of statistics [Involves hypotheses testing, using tools such as Chi-square, t-
Test, z-Test etc.]
Interpretation and Report Writing
Interpreting the statistical inferences and generalizing the results to the
population
Preparing the research report in the prescribed format
Lay out of the Research Report
Research Report
Preliminary pages End matter
Main text
Title page, Date Introduction Bibliography
Table of Contents Main Report appendices
List of tables Summary of findings
List of Figures Conclusion
Acknowledgement
Introduction
Statement of the problem
Significance of the Study
Objectives
Methodology
Scope of the Study
Limitations of the Study
Research Proposal
An offer to produce or render a service to a potential buyer or sponsor
Also called a work plan, outline, draft plan, statement of intent and prospectus
The proposal tells us what, why how, where and to whom the research will be done
and also shows the benefit of doing the research
Purpose of Research proposal
To present the management Problem to be researched and its importance
To discuss the research efforts of others who have worked on related area
To suggest the data necessary for solving the management issue and how the data
will be gathered, analysed and interpreted
Content of Research Proposal
Executive Summary – Abstract/Summary of the Proposal
Statement of the Research Problem – Clear definition of the Specific problem
Research objectives – in the order of importance/from general to specific
Literature Review – examines all the related data
Significance of the Study – Explicit benefits that will accrue from the study
Research Design – Technical aspects of the study
Data Analysis – tools and methods used for analysisng the data
Content of Research Proposal
Qualification of the Researcher – Professional research competence and
experience
Budget – Should be in the format the sponsor requests
Schedule – Include major phases of the project, their timetables etc.
Facilities and Special resources required
Project management – A Master Plan to show the sponsor that the research
team is organised in such a way to do the project efficiently
Bibliography