Research Methodology

Pre-Ph.D. Coursework
Meerut College, Meerut

Dr. Pankaj Kumar

Bharti
Meerut College,
Meerut
Research
• The term research is derived from French Language
word “Recherche” which means to go about seeking.
• Detailed study of a subject, especially in order to
discover new information or reach a new understanding
• A careful investigation or enquiry through search for
new facts in any branch of knowledge. So research
means a systematic investigation or experimentation
to gain new knowledge or understand the existing
knowledge in different ways.
Objectives of Research
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the
application of scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out
the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of
research objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings:

1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it

(studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory research
studies);
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group(studies with this object in view are known as
descriptive research studies)
Motivation in Research
What makes people to undertake research? This is a question of fundamental
importance. The possible motives for doing research may be either one or more of the
following:

1. Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;

2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern over
practical problems initiates research;
3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;
4. Desire to be of service to society;
5. Desire to get respectability.

However, this is not an exhaustive list of factors motivating people to undertake

research studies. Many more factors such as directives of government, employment
conditions, curiosity about new things, desire to understand causal relationships, social
thinking and awakening, and the like may as well motivate people to perform research
operations.
Approaches in Research
Deduction
In deduction theory the conclusions are derived from the known
premises which is already known to be true.
For example:
1. We know that all flowers are beautiful
2. We also know that lotus is flower
3. So it can be deducted that lotus is beautiful.

So in deduction reasoning if the premises are valid, then

conclusions have to be certainly true.
Approaches in Research
Induction
In induction theory the conclusions are derived from series of
observed facts and patterns.
For example:
1. All the flowers that have been seen are beautiful.
2. We also know that lotus is flower
3. So it can be concluded that lotus is beautiful.

So in induction reasoning all the conclusions should be tested

based on the evidences.
Classification of Research
Based on use of research
1. Fundamental
2. Applied
Based on data collection techniques
3. Qualitative
4. Quantitative
Based on purpose of research
5. Descriptive
6. Analytical
Classification of Research
Based on analysis
1. Empirical
2. Conceptual
Based on time element
3. Longitudinal
4. Cross-sectional
Fundamental Research

 Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalisations and

with the formulation of a theory.

 These researches are done for enhancement of knowledge without

any immediate commercial values attached to the findings

 These researches are also termed as “Pure” or “Basic” researches.

 Fundamental researches are aimed to find broad based information.

 The fundamental researches add to the body of knowledge.

 Studies to find out how earth was formed or how universe began
are all make fundamental researches.
Applied Research
 When a research is carried out with an objective of solving
a practical problem faced by society or a business then it
is called applied research.
 These researches are generally conducted on large scale
basis and can be expensive. They are often conducted
with the support of some financing agencies like
government, corporations, banks etc.
 It is further classified as problem identification and
problem solving research. In problem identification
research, the goal is to identify existing or potential
problem not apparent on the surface. In problem solution
researches, the objective is to solve specific problems.
Quantitative Research
 Quantitative research is based on the quantity measurement. It is
empirical investigation to develop and test hypotheses and theories
by measuring properties.

 It is applicable to those phenomenon that can be expressed in

terms of quantity. Statistical model models are used in quantitative
researches.

For example

 Total sales of an industry in terms of values in INR/Dollar, volume in

millions of pieces can be studied for current year and compared
with historical data to forecast the sale in future years.
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is concerned with phenomenon relating to or
involving quality or kind. Qualitative research involves collecting
analysing and interpreting data by observation.
Qualitative Research refers to meanings, definitions, characteristics,
symbols, metaphors and description of things.
Qualitative research is more subjective and exploratory in nature.

For example:
A research may be carried out to study the experience of individuals
who have done online shopping through their mobiles.
 Research Process
Developing
Research
Problem an Approach
Design
Definition to the
Formulation
Problem

Data Report
Data
Preparation Writing and
Collection
and Analysis Presentation
Problem Definition
Defining the research problem to be studied is the
first step. A well-defined problem gives the
researcher a proper direction for carrying out
investigation and form the basis for all other
steps of research process.

A researcher must identify the research problem

that need to be explained studied or resolved.
The accuracy of problem definition can help in
effective utilisation of resources available for
research.
 In problem definition of research process, the decision problem should
be translated into a research problem.

Decision Problems vs Research Problems

To study the impact of dividend
Should the dividend pay-out be
reduction on shareholder’s perception
decreased?
of company stability
Customers are shifting to competition To determine the product attributes
brands. preferred by consumers.

Should we invest in the textile To study the competitive landscape of

industry? textile industry

Many employees come late to office, To study the reasons behind

should I change the working hours? employees coming late to office.
 Case Study
Jeet, the vice president of India’s leading noodle brand, takes pride in being
part of the company. The brand had more than 30% shares and Jeet
assumed that this brand is untouchable. However in past few months the
brand faced a slump in the market. Its sales were declining and it faced the
challenge of getting out of its slump. He turned to marketing research for
solution to increase noodles sales. The decision problems he has are follows:
 What should be done to increase the sales?
 Should we launch a different marketing campaign?
The researcher spoke to decision makers within the company interviewed
industry experts, conducted analysis of available data. The researcher has
converted the above decision problem into following research problems to
conduct the research:
 To study the competitive landscape of noodles brands.
 To study the buying and consuming behaviour of the consumers for
noodles.
 To study the reasons for not buying the brand anymore from the ex-users.
 Case Study
Researcher revealed that even though children love to
eat noodles, it is their parents who decide the purchase
of noodles. Parents consider noodles as unhealthy for
children. Also the substitute snacks like biscuits seem to
be gaining momentum and eating into the market share
for noodles. Existing users thinks that introduction of new
products that are healthier will make the products more
popular.
Jeet decided that a new healthier version of noodles
needs to be launched. A campaign has to be launched for
changed image to be communicated to public and to
prevent loosing out in the battle against substitute
products.
Developing an approach to Problem Definition
Once the research problem is defined, a broad outline that
how the problem will be studied and it should be done
through research approaches either deduction or induction.
This provides a structure to the problem approach.
Research Design Formulation
A framework for conducting a research is defined.
 Defining the data requirement
 Methods required for collecting the required information
 Measurement techniques
 Sampling process and methodology needed
Data Collection
 Data is generally collected in two stages i.e.
pre-testing and main collection.
 Pre-testinginvolves data collection from a
small sub-sample. it is done to test whether
the data collection plan for the main study
is appropriate or not.
 Based on pre-testing result if desired
information is not getting out of the data
then researcher may need to make changes
in the data collection plan.
Data Preparation and Analysis
 In
order to make meaningful information from
the collected data, editing, coding,
verification of data is required.
 Afterconverting the data into an appropriate
format, interpretation of data is to be done
using different analytical tools and
techniques.
 Variousstatistical tools and techniques are
used for data analysis to arrive at findings
that may be used for decision making.
Report Writing and Presentation
 The report should clearly define the research
objective, the approach, the research design, data
collection and the data analysis procedures
adopted.
 Itshould present the results and the major findings
in a precise and unambiguous way. The research
report should clearly address the research
questions identified in the major problem definition.
A report should contain all the necessary
explanations and definitions of key terms that are
used in the report.
 3. Detailed Research
1. Originality Process
[Link] of Purpose 4. Systematic

Characteristics
of Good
Research

5. Ethical [Link] of Analysis

6. Empirical [Link]
7. Explicit Limitation 10. Comprehensive
 Problems Encountered by Researchers in
India
 The lack of a scientific training in the methodology of researchis a
great impediment for researchers in our country. There is paucity of
competent researchers. Many researchers take a leap in the dark
without knowing research methods. Most of the work, which goes in
the name of research is not methodologically sound. Research to
many researchers and even to their guides, is mostly a scissor and
paste job without any insight shed on the collated materials. The
consequence is obvious, viz., the research results, quite often, do
not reflect the reality or realities. Thus, a systematic study of
research methodology is an urgent necessity. Before undertaking
research projects, researchers should be well equipped with all the
methodological aspects. As such, efforts should be made to provide
short duration intensive courses for meeting this requirement.
Problems Encountered by Researchers in
India
There is insufficient interaction between the university
research departments on one side and business
establishments, government departments and research
institutions on the other side. A great deal of primary data
of non-confidential nature remain untouched/untreated by
the researchers for want of proper contacts. Efforts should
be made to develop satisfactory liaison among all
concerned for better and realistic researches. There is
need for developing some mechanisms of a university—
industry interaction programme so that academics can get
ideas from practitioners on what needs to be researched
and practitioners can apply the research done by the
academics.
Problems Encountered by Researchers in
India
 Most of the business units in our country do not have
the confidence that the material supplied by them to
researchers will not be misused and as such they are
often reluctant in supplying the needed information to
researchers. The concept of secrecy seems to be
sacrosanct to business organisations in the country so
much so that it proves an impermeable barrier to
researchers. Thus, there is the need for generating
the confidence that the information/data obtained
from a business unit will not be misused.
Problems Encountered by Researchers in
India
 Research studies overlapping one another are
undertaken quite often for want of adequate
information. This results in duplication and fritters
away resources. This problem can be solved by proper
compilation and revision, at regular intervals, of a list
of subjects on which and the places where the
research is going on. Due attention should be given
toward identification of research problems in various
disciplines of applied science which are of immediate
concern to the industries.
Problems Encountered by Researchers in
India
There does not exist a code of conduct
for researchers and inter-university and
interdepartmental rivalries are also quite
common. Hence, there is need for
developing a code of conduct for
researchers which, if adhered sincerely,
can win over this problem.
Problems Encountered by Researchers in
India
Library management and functioning is
not satisfactory at many places and much
of the time and energy of researchers are
spent in tracing out the books, journals,
reports, etc., rather than in tracing out
relevant material from them.
Problems Encountered by Researchers in
India
There is also the problem that many of our
libraries are not able to get copies of old and
new Acts/Rules, reports and other government
publications in time. This problem is felt more
in libraries which are away in places from
Delhi and/or the state capitals. Thus, efforts
should be made for the regular and speedy
supply of all governmental publications to
reach our libraries.
Problems Encountered by Researchers in
India
There is also the difficulty of timely availability
of published data from various government
and other agencies doing this job in our
country. Researcher also faces the problem on
account of the fact that the published data
vary quite significantly because of differences
in coverage by the concerning agencies.
 Research Design
 Research Design can be defined as the plan to carry out
research project. It is a framework which is prepared to chart
out the precise details of the procedures necessary for
attaining the objectives of the research.
 The design outlines the entire action plan from the initial
hypothesis building to final analysis and report writing.
 It is like a blueprint to ensure that the defined research
problems get the required information and solutions in the
desired time within the constraints of limited resources.
A research design is a plan a framework and a guide to carry
out research in effective and efficient manner
Features of Good research Design

A good research design should have qualities such as

 Efficient
 Adequate
 Effective
 One which ensures minimum error and maximum
benefits
 Provide the exact track related to the objectives
 Minimise scope of biasness and errors in the research
Research Design Approaches

Exploratory

Research
Modeling Design Descriptive
Approaches

Experimen
tal
 Research Design for Decision
Decision Problems vaguely defined or
Research Problem

Problem not defined

Explorator
y Study
Research Problem Descriptive Study,
Clearly Defined
Experimental
(Hypothesis
Study, Modeling
Building)

Conclusion
Derived and
Exploratory Study
 Exploratory Research is used in a situation
where the research problem may have to be
defined more precisely
 They are mainly used when a researcher does
not have clear idea of the problem being
researched.
 Base for further research and hypothesis
building.
 It helps in developing clarity of concepts
develop definitions identify variables.

Techniques of Exploratory Studies
Focused Group
In-depth Interview
Projective Techniques
Analysis of Secondary Data
Focused Group
 Focused group is small group of respondents which is moderated
by trained research personnel called moderator to bring out the
information required for the research.
 The group meets in the presence of a moderator to do some
activity around the topic which concerns the research.
 These activities can be simple discussion or more engaging
activities such as role play, sorting of pictures etc.
 When a focused group meets for a discussion it is called focused
group discussion (FGD).
 The focused group discussions are also recorded on video or
audio with permission from participants.
 The moderator also notes down the key observations during the
discussion.
Process of carrying out Focused Group Discussion

Objective Setting
This involves identifying the objectives of the FGD and outlining the
questions which need to be answered. The set of questions should
be precise and comprehensive. These sets of questions are
generally derived from the research problem and objectives of the
research.
Moderator Briefing
Role of moderator is essential in any FGD. It is important to ensure
that the moderator understands the objective of the study and
questions that need to be answered during FGD. The moderator
need to be aware of the research topic and to have a background of
the research. This will help the moderator in steering the discussion
in the right direction and also in observing the group dynamics in a
more useful way.
Process of carrying out Focused Group Discussion

Participants Selection
This would first require describing the participants that one wants in the
focused group discussion. The selection of participants can be based on the
gender, age group socio-economic class, profession, geography etc. the
participants need to be carefully selected that they belong to the same
population which the researcher wants to study.
Discussion
The discussion should be started by moderator with a brief about the topic of
the discussion. The moderator must ensure that all participants of the group are
comfortable with the topic. Also during the discussion the moderator needs to
observe the group dynamics carefully. There must be some dominating
respondents who tend to overpower the discussion with their belief and
thoughts. The moderator may be required to ensure that all the participants get
the opportunity to express themselves and the group is not biased or influenced
by any single participant. Finally the moderator should summarise the group’s
responses and ensure that the group agrees on moderator’s interpretation.
Process of carrying out Focused Group Discussion

Recording and Note Review

A researcher must review the notes and recording after the
discussion. This will help in capturing all the verbal and non-verbal
cues from the discussion in the right context. It also helps in
eliminating inconsistent responses by participants. Recoding helps
in noting down the ideas and remarks which may have got missed
by the researcher during the discussion. The complete FGD notes
are then further analysed to arrive at findings.
Role of Moderator in FGD
 The moderator is responsible for ensuring that the
participants feel comfortable in expressing their ideas
and thoughts without hesitation.
 The moderator also probes the participants with the
relevant questions and directs the discussion towards
answering the identified research questions.
 Themoderator also needs to identify inconsistencies,
probe in areas that need deeper understanding.
 The moderator should encourage all participants to
speak up and ensures that the dominant ones do not
overtake the discussion in an irrelevant direction.
In-depth Interview
An in-depth interview is conducted on a one to one basis
to find out respondents insights about the research topic.
The participants are questioned individually so that they
may feel more comfortable in responding as there is no
group pressure.
In-depth interviews are highly effective in researching
areas which have strong social norms or matters which
are consider confidential, sensitive or embarrassing.
In-depth interviews can reveal deep insights. Absence of
social pressure makes the in-depth interview a more
candid conversational.
In-depth Interview
There are three types of in-depth interview

Face to face interview

Telephonic interview

Audio-visual interview
Projective Techniques
 Whilecarrying out research the answers respondents
give may sound believable but these need not
necessarily be true. This will be very difficult to draw
conclusion where the answers may not be completely
true. So researcher use projective techniques to
overcome this problem.
 Projective techniques get respondents to communicate
about something indirectly by projecting their thoughts
and ideas and by talking about other people or objects
or situations.
Techniques of Projective Techniques
•The respondents are given •The respondents are
some stimuli and are asked to presented with an incomplete
respond with first things that sentence and asked to
come to their mind. complete.
Association Completion

•The respondents are asked

to role play act a specific
situation or situation.

Expression
Analysis of Secondary Data
 Carrying out research to explore the research
problem using already available data is called
analysis of secondary data for exploratory
research.
 Problem of analysis of secondary data
 Irrelevant
Time Frame
Narrower
Major source of Secondary Data
Source of Secondary
Data
Externall
Internal y Syndicate
Records Published d Data
Data
 Descriptive Studies
 Descriptivestudies are more formal, pre-planned
and structured studies. These are carried out
when the research problem is clearly defined and
a researcher is able to build a hypothesis for
research in precise manner.
 Descriptiveresearches are carried out only after a
researcher has gained deep understanding of the
research problem and formulated hypothesis.
These researches are carried out on large samples
of population which represent the characteristics
of population to be studied.
Techniques of Descriptive Studies

Survey

Observatio
n
 Survey
 Survey is a data collection technique in
which structured and direct questioning is
done to the respondents using
questionnaire.
A questionnaire ensures that the data
collection process is structured and
standardised.
 Thisis one of the important approach of
data collection and helps in gathering all
kinds of information which otherwise may
become difficult to gather.
Different Types of Survey

Self
Administered
Survey Survey
Telephone
Survey

Personal
Interview
Observation

Observation Method is used in

descriptive studies to observe the
patterns in people’s behaviour or
communication, machines, objects
and other events in order to obtain
information about the research
subject.
 Observation
Based on Directness
1. Direct observation
2. Indirect observation
Based on Structure
3. Structured
4. Unstructured
Based on Observer’s identity
5. Disguised
6. Undisguised
Experimental Studies

Experimental studies are carried

out to establish cause-effect
relations between variables of
interest. In these studies, a
researcher can make systematic
interventions to arrive at the
causes of phenomenon.
Terminology in Experimental Studies

Experiment
al Group

Control
Group
Modeling
Modeling is another approach
of research design in which
the research problem is
represented by a
mathematical model
Modeling

Types of Modeling
1. Iconic Models
2. Analog Models
3. Schematic Models
Content of Research Project
Proposal
1. Title
2. Introduction
3. Review of Literature
4. Statement of Problem
5. Objectives of the Study
6. Hypotheses
7. Research Methodology
8. Work Plan/Chapter Plan
9. Limitation (Proposed)
[Link]
Report Writing
 Research report and presentations are the only
tangible outcome of any research. Research
reports serve as a reference document for others
to use the findings of the research.
 Research report is the guiding document on the
basis of which management decisions are taken.
 The research report also acts as the historical
record of the research undertaken.
Research Report Writing Process
Qualities of a Research report

1. Targeted
2. Coherent and Structured
3. Well Styled
4. Visual Representations of Data and
Findings
5. Concise
6. Presentable Appearance
Thesis Writing Outline
Prefatory Information
 Title Page
 Letter of Transmittal
 Letter of Authorization
 Table of Contents
 Executive Summary
Introductory Information
 Topic Introduction
 Review of Literature
 Problem Definition
 Approaches to the Problem
 Objectives
 Hypotheses
Thesis Writing Outline
Main Body
 Research Design
 Research Methodology
 Data Analysis
 Results
 Findings, Conclusions and Suggestions
 Limitations
Supplementary Information
 Bibliography and References
 Appendices
 Glossary