Questions and Answers
Define research as per the Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English.
A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
What are the broad groupings of research objectives?
Descriptive research allows the researcher to control variables.
False
The purpose of __________ is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures.
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Match the type of research with its description:
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What is the primary objective of the book 'Research Methodology'?
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What is the importance of research?
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The book is primarily intended to serve as a textbook for graduate and M.Phil.students of Research Methodology in all disciplines of various universities.
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What is the meaning of research?
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The need for _______________ in research is to improve the quality of research.
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What is the purpose of the chapter on 'The Computer: Its role in Research'?
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What is the central aim of applied research?
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Quantitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomena.
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What are some examples of projective techniques used in qualitative research?
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Conceptual research is related to abstract idea(s) or theory, while empirical research relies on ________ alone.
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Match the following research types to their descriptions:
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What is the main focus of market research?
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Operations research involves the application of artistic techniques in business problem-solving.
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What is the primary focus of motivational research?
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Market analysis has become an integral tool of business policy, leading to __________ decisions.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
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According to Karl Pearson, what is the unity of all sciences based on?
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The scientific method relies solely on empirical evidence.
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What are the seven basic postulates on which the scientific method is based?
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The purpose of survey investigations is to provide scientifically gathered information to work as a basis for __________.
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Match the following steps in the research process with their descriptions:
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What is systematic sampling?
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In stratified random sampling, items are selected from each stratum using simple random sampling.
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What is quota sampling?
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Cluster sampling involves selecting ____ or clusters instead of individual elements for inclusion in the sample.
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What is the first step in the research process highlighted in the content?
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Why is the statement of the objective considered of basic importance in research?
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Deliberate sampling is another term for simple random sampling.
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_____ is a tentative assumption made to draw out and test logical or empirical consequences.
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What is the main purpose of statistical tests according to the text?
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Hypothesis-testing is done before analyzing collected data.
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What should be included in the preliminary pages of a research report?
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Good research should be ___ and ___ in a simple language.
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Match the following qualities of good research with their descriptions:
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Briefly describe the different steps involved in a research process.
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What do you mean by research? Explain its significance in modern times.
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Distinguish between Research methods and Research methodology.
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Describe the different types of research, clearly pointing out the difference between an experiment and a survey.
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Write short notes on: (1) Design of the research project; (2) Ex post facto research; (3) Motivation in research; (4) Objectives of research; (5) Criteria of good research; (6) Research and scientific method.
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State the problems that are usually faced by such researchers who conduct empirical research in India.
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Discuss the statement pointing out the objectives of research: 'A research scholar has to work as a judge and derive the truth and not as a pleader who is only eager to prove his case in favor of his plaintiff.'
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Examine the significance of research in creative management in both public administration and private industry.
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Do you agree with the statement: 'Research is much concerned with proper fact finding, analysis, and evaluation.' Provide reasons in support of your answer.
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Account for the lack of a proper link between academic activities and business operations in the country. Provide suggestions for improvement.
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Study Notes
Research Methodology: An Introduction
Meaning of Research
- Research refers to a search for knowledge or a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.
- Research is an art of scientific investigation.
- The Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English defines research as "a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge."
- Redman and Mory define research as a "systematized effort to gain new knowledge."
Objectives of Research
- The main purpose of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
- Research objectives can be categorized into four broad groups:
- To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (exploratory or formulative research).
- To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or a group (descriptive research).
- To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (diagnostic research).
- To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research).
Motivation in Research
- The possible motives for doing research may be:
- Curiosity: to discover new knowledge or to answer a question.
- Desire to solve a problem: to find a solution to a practical issue.
- Desire to contribute to the existing body of knowledge: to make an original contribution to the field.
Types of Research
- Research can be classified into two types:
- Applied research: aimed at solving practical problems.
- Basic research: aimed at gaining knowledge for its own sake.
Importance of Research
- Research is important for:
- Advancing knowledge in various fields.
- Solving practical problems.
- Improving decision-making.
- Enhancing critical thinking and analytical skills.
Research Approaches
- Research approaches can be:
- Quantitative: involves the collection and analysis of numerical data.
- Qualitative: involves the collection and analysis of non-numerical data.
- Mixed-method: combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Significance of Research
- Research is significant because it:
- Helps to identify problems and find solutions.
- Enhances our understanding of the world.
- Provides a basis for decision-making.
- Contributes to the development of new theories and models.### Motivations for Research
- Desire to obtain a research degree and its associated benefits
- Desire to solve unsolved problems and tackle practical challenges
- Desire to experience intellectual joy and do creative work
- Desire to serve society
- Desire for respectability
Types of Research
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Descriptive vs. Analytical Research:
- Descriptive research: focuses on describing the current state of affairs, involves surveys and fact-finding enquiries, and has no control over variables
- Analytical research: involves analyzing facts to make a critical evaluation, and uses survey methods and correlational methods
-
Applied vs. Fundamental Research:
- Applied research: aims to find a solution to an immediate problem, concerned with practical applications
- Fundamental research: aims to develop generalizations and theories, concerned with understanding natural phenomena
-
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research:
- Quantitative research: based on measurement of quantity, applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity
- Qualitative research: concerned with qualitative phenomena, involves understanding human behavior and motivations
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Conceptual vs. Empirical Research:
- Conceptual research: related to abstract ideas and theories, used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts
- Empirical research: relies on experience and observation, involves data-based research and experimentation
Other Types of Research
-
One-time vs. Longitudinal Research:
- One-time research: confined to a single time period
- Longitudinal research: carried out over several time periods
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Field-setting vs. Laboratory Research:
- Field-setting research: conducted in a natural environment
- Laboratory research: conducted in a controlled environment
-
Simulation Research:
- involves the construction of an artificial environment to generate data and observe dynamic behavior
-
Clinical or Diagnostic Research:
- follows case-study methods to understand causal relationships
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Exploratory vs. Formalized Research:
- Exploratory research: aims to develop hypotheses
- Formalized research: involves testing hypotheses
Research Approaches
-
Quantitative Approach:
- involves generating data in quantitative form
- can be sub-classified into inferential, experimental, and simulation approaches
-
Qualitative Approach:
- involves subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions, and behavior
- generates results in non-quantitative form or non-rigorously quantitative analyzed form
Significance of Research
-
In Government:
- provides basis for economic policy
- helps in allocating resources
- necessary for understanding social and economic structure
-
In Business and Industry:
- helps in solving operational and planning problems
- provides basis for business decisions
- necessary for market analysis and forecasting
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In Social Sciences:
- provides intellectual satisfaction of knowing for the sake of knowledge
- has practical utility for social scientists to know for the sake of doing something better
Research Methods vs. Methodology
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Research Methods:
- refer to the techniques used for conducting research
- include methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation
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Research Methodology:
- refers to the overall approach and strategy used to conduct research
- includes the selection and construction of research techniques### Research Methodology
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Research methods are more general and generate techniques, but in practice, the two terms are taken as interchangeable.
Types of Research Methods
- There are three groups of research methods:
- First group: methods concerned with data collection (e.g., analysis of documents, observation, mail questionnaire)
- Second group: statistical techniques used to establish relationships between data and unknowns (e.g., scoring, attitude scales)
- Third group: methods used to evaluate the accuracy of results (e.g., case study, life history)
Research Methodology vs. Research Methods
- Research methodology is a way to systematically solve a research problem and is a science of studying how research is done scientifically.
- Research methodology includes research methods, but is broader and includes the logic behind the methods, assumptions, and criteria for evaluating techniques.
Scientific Method
- Research and scientific method are closely related, and the scientific method is the philosophy common to all research methods and techniques.
- Scientific method is the pursuit of truth as determined by logical considerations, and its ideal is to achieve a systematic interrelation of facts.
- Scientific method involves experimentation, observation, logical arguments, and a combination of these three in varying proportions.
Characteristics of Scientific Method
- Relying on empirical evidence
- Utilizing relevant concepts
- Commitment to objective considerations
- Ethical neutrality
- Resulting in probabilistic predictions
- Methodology is open to critical scrutiny and replication
- Aiming to formulate most general axioms or scientific theories
Importance of Knowing Research Methodology
- Knowing research methodology is essential for researchers, policymakers, and consumers of research results.
- It helps develop disciplined thinking, enables evaluation of research results, and provides a way of looking at the world objectively.
Research Process
- The research process consists of a series of actions or steps, including:
- Formulating the research problem
- Reviewing the literature
- Developing the hypothesis
- Preparing the research design
- Determining sample design
- Collecting data
- Executing the project
- Analyzing data
- Hypothesis testing
- Generalizations and interpretation
- Preparation of the report or presentation of results
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of research, including its definition, and the importance of scientific investigation in gaining new knowledge.