Research Methodology Introduction

Study Notes

Research combines the prefix "re," meaning again or anew, and the verb "search," indicating a careful examination to establish facts or principles.
Defined as a systematic effort to gain new knowledge, research often moves from the known to the unknown, resembling a voyage of discovery.
Key stages in research involve defining problems, formulating hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and testing conclusions.

Aims to familiarize with phenomena and achieve new insights.
Accurately portrays characteristics of individuals, situations, or groups.
Addresses operational problems in business and government, informing policies and budget decisions.

Functions in three phases for economic policy: investigation of structure, diagnosis of events, and prognosis for future developments.
Important for business operations, where market and operational research guide decision-making.
Market research evaluates market structures to develop purchasing and sales strategies.
Operations research applies optimization techniques to solve business problems, focusing on cost and profit considerations.
Motivational research examines consumer behavior to understand underlying motivations.

Research methodology encompasses selecting appropriate methods and understanding their logic to ensure results are evaluable.
Research methods refer specifically to the techniques employed in the study.

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation that must be testable through scientific methods.
Successful hypotheses often rely on previous observations that demand further explanation.

Structure includes preliminary pages, main text covering introduction and findings, and concluding with appendices and bibliography.
Reports should be concise and methodical to effectively communicate results.