Meaning of Research PDF

MEANING OF RESEARCH Research can also define as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of...

MEANING OF RESEARCH Research can also define as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of research as “a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.” According to Clifford Woody research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last, carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. 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 or formulative 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); 3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research studies); 4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known as hypothesis-testing 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 initiate’s 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 (or at times compel) people to perform research operations Types of Research The basic types of research are as follows: (i) Descriptive vs. Analytical: Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. In social science and business research we quite often use the term Ex post facto research for descriptive research studies. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Most ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data. Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even when they cannot control the variables. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlational methods. In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material. (ii) Applied vs. Fundamental: Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure) research. Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a theory. “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.”4 Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research. Similarly, research studies, concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behavior, are also examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research. Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution or the copy research (research to find out whether certain communications will be read and understood) or the marketing research or evaluation research are examples of applied research. Thus, the central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical problem, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base of applications and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge. (iii) Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviors (i.e., why  people think or do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of qualitative research. This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose. Other techniques of such research are word association tests, sentence completion tests, story completion tests and similar other projective techniques. Attitude or opinion research i.e., research designed to find out how people feel or what they think about a particular subject or institution is also qualitative research. Qualitative research is especially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior. Through such research we can analyses the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or which make people like or dislike a particular thing. It may be stated, however, that to apply qualitative research in practice is relatively a difficult job and therefore, while doing such research, one should seek guidance from experimental psychologists. (iv) Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment. We can also call it as experimental type of research. In such research it is necessary to get at facts firsthand, at their source, and actively to go about doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired information. In such research, the researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as to the probable results. He then works to get enough facts (data) to prove or disprove his hypothesis. He then sets up experimental designs which he thinks will manipulate the persons or the materials concerned so as to bring forth the desired information. Such research is thus characterized by the experimenter’s control over the variables under study and his deliberate manipulation of one of them to study its effects. Empirical research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other variables in some way. Evidence gathered through experiments or empirical studies is today considered to be the most powerful support possible for a given hypothesis. (v) Some Other Types of Research: All other types of research are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches, based on either the purpose of research, or the time required to accomplish research, on the environment in which research is done, or on the basis of some other similar factor. Form the point of view of time, we can think of research either as one-time research or longitudinal research. In the former case the research is confined to a single time-period, whereas in the latter case the research is carried on over several time-periods. Research can be field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research, depending upon the environment in which it is to be carried out. Research can as well be understood as clinical or diagnostic research. Such research follows case-study methods or in-depth approaches to reach the basic causal relations. Such studies usually go deep into the causes of things or events that interest us, using very small samples and very deep probing data gathering devices. The research may be exploratory or it may be formalized. The objective of  exploratory research is the development of hypotheses rather than their testing, whereas formalized research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypotheses to be tested. Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any remote point of time. Research can also be classified as conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented. While doing conclusionoriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented research is always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case is not free to embark upon research according to his own inclination. Operations research is an example of decision-oriented research since it is a scientific method of providing executive departments with a quantitative basis for decisions regarding operations under their control. Research Approaches The above description of the types of research brings to light the fact that there are two basic approaches to research, viz., quantitative approach and the qualitative approach. The former involves the generation of data in quantitative form which can be subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid fashion. This approach can be further sub-classified into inferential, experimental and simulation approaches to research. The purpose of inferential approach to research is to form a data base from which to infer characteristics or relationships of population. This usually means survey research where a sample of population is studied (questioned or observed) to determine its characteristics, and it is then inferred that the population has the same characteristics. Experimental approach is characterized by much greater control over the research environment and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe their effect on other variables. Simulation approach involves the construction of an artificial environment within which relevant information and data can be generated. This permits an observation of the dynamic behaviors of a system (or its sub-system) under controlled conditions. The term ‘simulation’ in the context of business and social sciences applications refers to “the operation of a numerical model that represents the structure of a dynamic process. Given the values of initial conditions, parameters and exogenous variables, a simulation is run to represent the behaviors of the process over time.” Simulation approach can also be useful in building models for understanding future conditions. Qualitative approach to research is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions and behaviors. Research in such a situation is a function of researcher’s insights and impressions. Such an approach to research generates results either in non-quantitative form or in the form which are not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis. Generally, the techniques of focus group interviews, projective techniques and depth interviews are used. All these are explained at length in chapters that follow.  Significance of Research The role of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or to the economy as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times. The increasingly complex nature of business and government has focused attention on the use of research in solving operational problems. Research, as an aid to economic policy, has gained added importance, both for government and business. Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system. For instance, government’s budgets rest in part on an analysis of the needs and desires of the people and on the availability of revenues to meet these needs. The cost of needs has to be equated to probable revenues and this is a field where research is most needed. Through research we can devise alternative policies and can as well examine the consequences of each of these alternatives. The significance of research can also be understood keeping in view the following points: (a) To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research may mean a careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure; (b) To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of livelihood; (c) To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and insights; (d) To literary men and women, research may mean the development of new styles and creative work; (e) To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new theories. Thus, research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and an important source of providing guidelines for solving different business, governmental and social problems. It is a sort of formal training which enables one to understand the new developments in one’s field in a better way. Research Methods versus Methodology Research Methodology Research Method Refers to the specific techniques or Refers to the overall theoretical procedures used to collect and analyze data framework or approach that guides the within a particular research project. research process. Examples include surveys, interviews, Examples include quantitative, experiments, case studies, and qualitative, mixed methods, action observational studies. research, and participatory research.  Focuses on the practical aspects of data Focuses on the theoretical and collection and analysis. philosophical foundations of research. It involves deciding which methods to use It involves making decisions about the based on the research question and the overall approach and strategy for available resources. conducting research. Often involves following a standardized set Often involves a more flexible and of steps or procedures. adaptable approach. It can be used within different research Determines the overall structure and methodologies. direction of the research project. Key Differences between Research Method and Research Methodology 1. Research method focuses on the techniques and tools used to gather data, while research methodology deals with the overall strategy and framework of research. 2. Research method involves specific procedures and steps to obtain information, whereas research methodology guides the researcher in selecting appropriate research methods. 3. Research method determines the type of data to be collected and analyzed, while research methodology provides a systematic approach to conducting research. 4. Examples of research methods include surveys, experiments, interviews, and observations, while research methodology encompasses qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. 5. Research method describes the process of data collection and analysis, whereas research methodology relates to the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research. 6. Research method is more concrete and tangible, focusing on the practical aspects of research, while research methodology is more abstract and conceptual, focusing on the theoretical aspects. 7. Research method is a subset of research methodology, which encompasses the entire research process. 8. Research method is specific to a particular research project or study, while research methodology is applicable across different research projects and studies. 9. Research method determines the reliability and validity of research findings, whereas research methodology determines the overall validity and soundness of research. 10. Research method is concerned with the tools and techniques employed, while research methodology focuses on the framework and approach utilized in the research process.  Research Process WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM? A research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same. Usually, we say that a research problem does exist if the following conditions are met with: The research problem is a thesis that examines a knowledge gap, a problem, or a discrepancy in a specific area. The purpose of a scientist's study or analysis is identified and defined using research problems. If you're interested in advancing societal or scientific knowledge or adding to an existing subject, you might choose to perform a study based on a challenge. A research problem may also assist in defining important terms, broad queries, and other study-related variables. he following are the various types of research problems. 1. Descriptive Problems These issues revolve around describing or recording a specific occurrence, incident, or circumstance. For instance, a researcher might look into the age, gender, salary, and schooling of a particular community. 2. Exploratory Problems These problems are made to look deeply into a specific subject or issue, frequently to develop new theories or ideas. For instance, a scholar might look into the elements that affect workers in a particular industry's level of employee satisfaction. 3. Explanatory Problems These issues usually involve testing ideas or hypotheses to understand why a certain phenomenon or event happens. A scholar might examine the connection between exercise and mental health to determine whether activity directly impacts mental health. 4. Predictive Problems Making predictions or estimates about potential occurrences or patterns is required for these issues. For instance, a researcher may examine the variables influencing possible success in a specific area or business. 5. Evaluative Problems These issues entail determining how well a specific intervention, program, or strategy works. For instance, a researcher might assess the effect of a novel instructional method on the results of pupil learning. How to Define a Research Problem o Identify a Broad Research Topic: Begin by finding a general research topic that interests you. Your hobbies, your observations, or any gaps in the field of current knowledge might determine it. o Improve the Research Query: According to the gaps or inconsistencies discovered in the literature study, narrow your research question down to a particular, straightforward, and well-defined issue statement. Your research query must be practical, pertinent, and crucial to the study area. o Construct a hypothesis: Create a hypothesis that outlines the anticipated connection between the variables based on the research query. o Define the Boundaries and the Scope: Define your study problem's extent and limitations. Doing this lets you concentrate on your investigation and ensure your goals are attainable. o Get Opinions: Make sure your research issue is clear, achievable, and pertinent to your study area by asking your advisor or other research group members for ideas. o Conduct an In-Depth Research Review: Once you've selected a broad subject, conduct a thorough literature review to determine the field's current state of knowledge. It will assist you in identifying gaps or inconsistencies in recent research that your study can resolve. Research Problem's Components A research issue usually consists of the following components o Topic: The broad topic or field of interest the research will investigate. o Research Question: A research topic is a clear and specific issue the study attempts to address or investigate.  o Objective: An explanation of the research's goals, objectives, and anticipated results is provided in the declaration known as the objective. o Limitations and Scope: An explanation of the restrictions and limits of the study, including what will be consisted of and omitted, as well as any possible limitations. o Significance: An explanation of the research's possible worth or effect, its addition to the study area, and how it will add to current knowledge. o Hypothesis: An educated estimate or forecast about the correlation between variables that are put to the test during this research is called a hypothesis. o Variables: The variables in the research are the components or aspects that are being observed, quantified, or controlled. o Methodology: The overall plan and methods used in the study are known as the methodology. Some Examples of Research Problems Research Problem in Psychology o Investigating how social media affects teenage mental health. o Examining cognitive-behavioral therapy's efficacy in the treatment of anxiety conditions. o Examining how pregnancy stress affects the growth of the kid. o Reviewing the causes of addiction and relapse in the context of medication misuse therapy. o Examining how personality characteristics affect love partnerships Research Problem in Economics o Examining how trade policies affect progress and prosperity in the economy. o Examining the effects of automation and artificial intelligence on job prospects and labor marketplaces. o Investigating the causes of poverty and economic disparity. o Analyze how monetary and budgetary policies affect inflation and the economy's health. o Investigating the link between financial results, such as income and jobs, and education. Research Problem in Sociology o Examining the connection between social assistance and outcomes in mental health in underserved areas.  o Investigating the effects of globalization on job prospects and labor marketplaces. o Examining the reasons behind and effects of urbanization in metropolitan areas. o Investigating how family structure affects economic and societal results. o Examining how social capital affects the stability and growth of local communities. Research Problem in Environmental Science o investigating how atmospheric pollution affects people's health and well-being. o Research into the connection between species decline and climate change. o Investigating how aquatic habitats and food webs are affected by ocean acidification. o Looking into the connection between ecological resilience and urban growth. o Evaluating the success of environmental laws and policies in fostering protection and survival. Research Problem in Political Science o Examining the origins and effects of partisanship and political division. o Examining the influence of social groups on government change and decision-making. o Investigating how communication and the media affect political discourse and popular sentiment. o Evaluating how well electoral systems foster democratic participation and administration. o Study the effects of multinational groups and agreements on international security and administration. Research Problem in Education o Looking at how teacher preparation and professional growth affect student learning results. o Examining how well technology-enhanced learning supports student progress and engagement. o Learning about the causes of educational inequality and attainment discrepancies. o Investigating how parental participation affects student motivation and performance. o Investigating the benefits of non-traditional educational concepts like internet education and homeschooling. Research Problem in Business o Investigating how corporate social responsibility affects customer behavior and brand perception. o Research on how well employee happiness and organizational success are affected by leadership development programs. o Examining the elements that result in successful entrepreneurship and the growth of small businesses. o Investigating how to market competitiveness and consumer welfare are affected by mergers and acquisitions. o Investigating the efficiency of techniques for marketing and ad campaigns in increasing sales and brand recognition. Necessity of Defining the Problem What is the Necessity of Defining a Research Problem? The problem to be researched needs to be described unambiguously as that will help you to discriminate useful data from the unrelated ones. A proper formulation of research problem will allow the investigator to be on the track in contrast to an ill-defined problem may possibly create difficulties. Questions like: What data are to be gathered? What attributes of data are appropriate and need to be analyzed? What relations should be investigated. What methods should be employed for the purpose? as well as other questions turn up in the head of the investigator who can well plan his strategy and find solutions to these kinds of questions only when the research problem has been well defined. Therefore, defining the problem accurately is a necessity for any research and is a step of the highest value. In fact, formulation of a problem is often vital than its solution. It is only on thoroughly describing the problem that we can work out the research design and can efficiently proceed all the consequential steps needed while doing research. Important Points to Keep in Mind while Defining the Research Problem 1. The correct question needs to be addressed if research is to help decision makers. A right answer to the wrong question leads either to bad advice or to no advice. 2. Usually in problem we have an inclination to rationalize and defend our actions once we have started upon a specific research plan. The perfect time to examine and think about alternative techniques is in the planning stage. If it is completed unnecessary expense of false start and redoing work may be prevented. 3. An excellent beginning in problem definition is to ask what the decision maker want to know if the requested information can be gathered without error and without expense. 4. Another excellent rule to follow is “Never settle on a specific strategy” without developing and taking into consideration at least one alternate option”.  5. The problem definition stage of research is the determination and structuring of the decision maker’s question. It should be the decision maker’s question and not the researcher’s question. 6. What decision do you face? Unless you have decision to make, there isn’t any research problem. 7. What are the alternatives? In case there are no options to choose, once again there is absolutely no research problem. 8. What are the factors for selecting the best alternative? Unless you have criteria for evaluation, again there’s no problem. 9. The researcher should stay away from the acceptance of the superficial and the obvious. We will discuss some techniques involved in defining a problem and tips for identifying research questions. 1. Brainstorming Brainstorming is a technique that involves generating a large number of ideas about a topic without censoring them. It is an effective technique for defining a problem because it allows the researcher to explore different perspectives and generate a broad range of potential research questions. 2. Mind Mapping Mind mapping is a technique that involves visually organizing ideas and information around a central theme or concept. It is an effective technique for defining a problem because it allows the researcher to identify key concepts and relationships among them. 3. Problem Tree Analysis Problem tree analysis is a technique that involves identifying the causes and effects of a problem and organizing them in a hierarchical structure. It is an effective technique for defining a problem because it helps the researcher to understand the underlying factors that contribute to the problem and identify potential research questions. 4. SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis is a technique that involves identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with a particular issue or problem. It is an effective technique for defining a problem because it allows the researcher to identify potential research questions based on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the problem. 5. Literature Review Literature review is a technique that involves reviewing existing literature and research on the topic of interest. It is an effective technique for defining a problem because it helps the researcher to identify knowledge gaps and determine the most appropriate research methodology and design. Tips for Identifying Research Questions Once the problem has been defined, the next step is to identify specific research questions that can be answered through the research project. Here are some tips for identifying research questions:  Keep the research questions clear and focused. Ensure that the research questions are specific and measurable. Make sure that the research questions are relevant and significant to the research problem. Ensure that the research questions are feasible and can be answered through the research project. Conclusion In conclusion, defining a problem is a crucial step in the research process. Techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, problem tree analysis, SWOT analysis, and literature review can be used to help define the problem. Additionally, tips for identifying research questions such as keeping the questions clear and focused, ensuring that they are specific and measurable, and making sure that they are relevant and feasible can be helpful in formulating research questions.