METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION &

REPORT WRITING

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY COURSE

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: DR VINEETH M

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

Primary Data
• Observation method
• Structured and Unstructured
• Participant, Non-participant and Disguised
• Controlled and Uncontrolled
• Interview method
• Structured and Unstructured
• Focused
• Non directive
• Questionnaires
• Schedules
• Depth interviews

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

Secondary Data
Secondary data must possess the following characteristics:
1. Reliability of data
(a) Who collected the data?
(b) What were the sources of data?
(c) Were they collected by using proper methods?
(d) At what time were they collected?
(e) Was there any bias of the compiler?
2. Suitability of data
3. Adequacy of data

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE METHOD
• Nature, scope and object of enquiry
• Availability of funds
• Time factor
• Precision required

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

Data Analysis

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

Interpretation
• Interpretation refers to the task of drawing inferences from the
collected facts after an analytical and/or experimental study.

• Through interpretation the researcher put in the effort to establish

continuity in research through linking the results of a given study with
those of another.

• Through interpretation that the researcher can well understand the

abstract principle that works beneath the research findings.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

TECHNIQUE OF INTERPRETATION
i. Researcher must give reasonable explanations of the relations which he has found
and he must interpret the lines of relationship in terms of the underlying processes
and must try to find out the thread of uniformity that lies under the surface layer of
his diversified research findings. In fact, this is the technique of how generalization
should be done and concepts be formulated.
ii. Extraneous information, if collected during the study, must be considered while
interpreting the final results of research study, for it may prove to be a key factor in
understanding the problem under consideration.
iii. It is advisable, before embarking upon final interpretation, to consult someone having
insight into the study and who is frank and honest and will not hesitate to point out
omissions and errors in logical argumentation. Such a consultation will result in
correct interpretation and, thus, will enhance the utility of research results.
iv. Researcher must accomplish the task of interpretation only after considering all
relevant factors affecting the problem to avoid false generalization. He must be in no
hurry while interpreting results, for quite often the conclusions, which appear to be all
right at the beginning, may not at all be accurate.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

PRECAUTIONS IN INTERPRETATION
• Data appropriateness and homogeneity
• Errors in interpretation
• Interpretations should be based on analysis results.
• Broad generalizations should be avoided.
• Connection between theory and empirical evidences.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

DIFFERENT STEPS IN WRITING REPORT
(a) logical analysis of the subject-matter;
(b) preparation of the final outline;
(c) preparation of the rough draft;
(d) rewriting and polishing;
(e) preparation of the final bibliography; and
(f) writing the final draft.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

RESEARCH REPORT LAYOUT
(A) preliminary pages
Title and Date, Acknowledgement/Preface, Table of Contents, List of Tables and
Figures, Abbreviations
(B) the main text
(i) Introduction;
(ii) Statement of findings and recommendations;
(iii) The results;
(iv) The implications drawn from the results;
(v) The summary
(C) the end matter
Bibliography, Appendix, Index

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

Abbreviations used in footnotes and bibliography
• id., idem: the same
• anon., anonymous
• loc. cit., in the place cited; used as op.cit., (when new reference loco
• ante., before citato: is made to the same pagination as cited in the previous note)
• art., article • MS., MSS., Manuscript or Manuscripts
• aug., augmented • N.B., nota bene: note well
• bk., book • n.d., no date
• bull., bulletin • n.p., no place
• cf., compare • no pub., no publisher
• ch., chapter • no(s)., number(s)
• col., column • o.p., out of print
• ed., editor, edition, edited. • op. cit: in the work cited (If reference has been made to a work and new
• ed. cit., edition cited reference is to be made, ibid., may be used, if intervening reference has
been made to different works, op.cit. must be used. The name of the
• e.g., exempli gratia: for example author must precede. p. or pp., page(s)

• et.al., and others • passim: here and there

• et seq., et sequens: and the following • rev., revised

• ex., example • tr., trans., translator, translated, translation

• fig(s)., figure(s) • vid or vide: see, refer to

• fn., footnote • viz., namely

• ibid., ibidem: in the same place (when two or more successive footnotes • vol. or vol(s)., volume(s)
refer to the same work, it is not necessary to repeat complete reference • vs., versus: against
for the second footnote. Ibid. may be used. If different pages are
referred to, pagination must be shown).

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M

Content Source:
• Kothari, C. R. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques (2nd ed.).
New Delhi: New Age International Publishers.

• Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2011). Research Methods for Business
Students (5th ed.). New Delhi: Pearson Education Ltd.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - DR VINEETH M