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Introduction to Research

The document provides an overview of business research, defining it as a systematic and scientific search for knowledge aimed at solving specific problems. It outlines the steps involved in the research process, characteristics of research, and differentiates between research methods and research methodology. Additionally, it categorizes research types based on applications, objectives, and methods, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

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Momita Deb
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9 views

Introduction to Research

The document provides an overview of business research, defining it as a systematic and scientific search for knowledge aimed at solving specific problems. It outlines the steps involved in the research process, characteristics of research, and differentiates between research methods and research methodology. Additionally, it categorizes research types based on applications, objectives, and methods, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Uploaded by

Momita Deb
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Business Research

1) WHAT IS RESEARCH?

 In common parlance, Research refers to a Search for knowledge.


 Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.
 Some people consider research as a movement from known to unknown.

 Research can be defined as a systematic method consisting of enunciating the problem, formulating the
hypothesis, analysing the facts, and reaching certain conclusion either in the form of solution (s) towards the
concerned problem or in certain generalisation for some theoretical formulation.

Note:
Process – A process is a systematic way of doing things. We define Research as a process because the Researcher has
to perform certain interrelated activities.

The key word that distinguishes research from a haphazard gathering of observations is systematic. The systematic
conduct of research requires particularly the following two qualities:

I) Orderliness- in which the measurements are accurate


ii) Impartiality-in analysis and interpretation.

2) Steps from the definition

1.enunciating the problem,


2.formulating the hypothesis,
3.analysing the facts,
4 conclusion
 in the form of solution (s) towards the concerned problem,
 in the form of certain generalization for some theoretical formulation

Note: Another definition of Research

 Research refers to a process wherein activities are carried out systematically/ scientifically to find the
solution of a problem.
 Research in English refers to a process wherein activities are carried out Systematically/scientifically to find
the solution of the problem related to some aspects of English
 Research in Economics refers to a process wherein activities are carried out Systematically/scientifically to
find the solution of the problem related to some aspects of Economics.
 Research in Management refers to a process wherein activities are carried out Systematically/scientifically to
find the solution of the problem related to some aspects of Management.

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3) Characteristics of Research

 Research has a problem


 Research involves activities
 Research refers to a process
 Research is a systematic/scientific
 Research leads to solution.
NOTE-1:
Scientific method implies
……………..an objective method (method free from personal bias or prejudice)
……………logical method (researcher is guided by the rules of logical reasoning)
……………Systematic method (investigator proceeds in an orderly manner)

Note-2:The two general traits that characterized the scientific method are:

a) Validity: Validity is the characteristic used to describe research that measures what it claims to measure.
b) Reliability: Reliability is the characteristics of a research methodology that allow it to be repeated again
and again by any researcher but always get the same result.

4) Research Method and Research Methodology

Research Method: All those methods which are used by the researcher during the course of studying his research
problem are termed as research method e.g. observation method, survey method experimental method, desk
research method, etc.

The scope of research methodology is much wider than that of research method.

Research Methodology: when we talk of research methodology, we not only talk of research method but also
consider the logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research study and explain why we are using a
particular method and why we are not using others so that that the research results are capable of being evaluated
either by the researcher himself or by others.

5)TYPES OF RESEARCH

A) BASED ON APPLICATIONS

Basic Research/Fundamental Research: Basic Research is intended to expand the body of knowledge in a field,

Applied Research: Applied research is carried on for the solving of a particular problem or for guiding a specific
decision.

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B) Some authors classify Research based on the Objectives as below

 Exploratory or formulative Research: Studies conducted to gain familiarity with a phenomenon to achieve
new insights into it.
 Descriptive Research: Studies conducted to portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or group.
 Diagnostic Research: studies conducted to determine the frequency with which something occurs or with
which it is associated with something else.
 Hypothesis-testing Research: Studies conducted to test the hypothesis of causal relationships between
variables.

c) Quantitative and Qualitative Research methods

Quantitative Research Methods

 Survey research
 Correlational research
 Experimental research
 Causal-Comparative research
 Experimental research
 Online research / Literature research

Qualitative Research methods

 interviews
 focus groups
 ethnographic research
 content analysis
 case study research
 Website visitor profiling/research

6) Research Process

Step-1: Defining Research Problem

Step-2: Review of Literature

Step-3:Formulation of Hypothesis

Step-4: Research Design(Including Sampling Design)

Step-5: Data Collection

Step-6: Data Analysis (test hypothesis, if any)

Step-7: Interpretation and Reporting

……………………………………………………………………………………….

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