UNIT I

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH: MEANING OF RESEARCH AND SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH IN MANAGEMENT,

TYPES OF RESEARCH, TYPES OF BUSINESS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE RESEARCHER, PROBLEMS AND
PRECAUTIONS TO THE RESEARCHERS.

INTRODUCTION
The word Research itself convey meaning 'searching again'. Research means search for
knowledge. It implies search for something new: new ideas, new conclusions and new
theories. Basically, research is the one of the ways to collecting and understanding the
information and finding answers of the questions.
In other words, we can see research is an academic activity pursued with a defined goal,
which leads to the new horizons of knowledge.
Research plays a vital role in management decision making by analysing the situation
systematically and finding new ways to support the operations. E.g., A company may
conduct research to know the customer reviews about certain products.
Research can be carried out using various methods and techniques, which are collectively
called as ‘Research Methods’. Research methods are the tools and techniques for analysing
and collecting data so that meaningful outcomes can be extracted from the problems being
studied.
Research methodology can be defined as the scientific processor to solve various problems
related to research. It has a wider scope than research methods as an addition to the methods
and techniques the researcher designs the different methodologies for different research
problems. Research methodology varies according to the research problem. Therefore, it is
concerned with their application of research methods as per the requirement.

DEFINITION
According to Lundberg - "A systematic method through which the observed information and
data are classified, generalized and verified."
According to Redman and Mory - "Systematized effort to gain new knowledge."

SIGNIFICANCE / IMPORTANCE
The significance of research can be understood by knowing its various aspects and its
contribution in many fields. It can be understood with the help of following points: -
i. Removing Ignorance
ii. Enhancement of knowledge
iii. Remedy of Problem
iv. Welfare Activities
v. Useful in Administration
vi. Prediction

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vii. Theoretical and applied importance

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH IN MANAGEMENT

Some of the areas where research holds high industry value include:
• Using big data for real time decision making.
• Testing products based on the needs of potential consumers and reducing risks in
production.
• Assessing and putting together a robust distribution system based on demand.
• Identifying opportunities for market segmentation and corresponding brand
positioning.
• Extensive usage of organizational research and analysis to gauge employee
satisfaction, development, and subsequent retention.
• Deriving critical insight pertaining to the competition and thereby, help companies
stay a step ahead.
• Leveraging the power of voluntary unstructured text data available on social media
platforms to gauge customer sentiments.
• Devising measured responses to unique challenges and circumstances like those that
the world has experienced over the past year.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
There is different type of research: -

Types of Research

On the basis of On the basis On the Basis of On the basis of

Others
Application of Objective Extent of Theory Methodology

Pure Exploratory Theoretical Qualitative Evaluation

Applied Discriptive Empirical Quantitative Historical

Ex-post
Casual
Factor

i. Exploratory Research: - It provides insights into and comprehension of an issue or

situation. It often relies on secondary research. This type of research is carried out at
the very beginning when the problem is not clear or in vague.
ii. Descriptive Research: - It is also known as Statistical Research. It describes data
and characteristics about the population. It answers the questions who, what, when,
where and how. It deals with specific predictions i.e. forecasting. It is also used to
estimate the proportion of population who behave in a certain way.
iii. Applied Research: - It aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem faced by
any business organisation. This research deals with real life situations.

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 iv. Pure/Fundamental Research or Basic Research: - Gathering knowledge for
knowledge's shake is known as basic research. It is not directly involved with
potential problems. It does not have any commercial potential. There is no intention to
apply this research in practice.
v. Conceptual Research: - This is generally used by philosophers. It is related to some
abstract Idea or theory. In this type of research, the researcher should collect the data
to prove or disapprove his hypothesis.
vi. Casual Research: - It is conducted to determine the cause-and-effect relationship
between the two variables. It is a way of seeing how actions now will affect a
business in the future.
vii. Historical Research: - It is a study of past records and data in order to understand the
future Trends and development of the organisation or market. There is no direct
observation. The research has to depend on the conclusions or interference drawn in
the past. The main objective of this study is to drive explanation and generalisation
from the past trends in order to understand the present and anticipated the future.
There are however certain short comings of historical research-
• Reliability and adequacy information is subjective and open to question.
• Accuracy of measurement of events is doubtful.
• Verification of records are difficult.
viii. Ex-post Facto Research: - It is an examination of relationship that exists between
independent and dependent variable. It is also known as Empirical research. Ex-post
facto means "from what is done afterwards". In this method, the researcher has no
control over an independent variable. In this type of analysis, there is no scope for the
researcher to manipulate the variable. The researcher can only report "what has
happened" and "what is happening".
ix. Action Research: - This type of research is undertaken by the direct action. Action
research is conducted to solve a problem.
x. Evaluation Research: - This research is conducted to find out how well a planned
programme is implemented. Therefore, evaluation research deals with evaluating the
performance or assessment of project.
xi. Library Research: - This is done to gather secondary date. This includes notes from
past data or review of the reports already conducted. This is a convenient method
whereby both manpower and time are saved.
xii. Quantitative Research: - Quantitative research is a research method that involves
collecting and analysing numerical data. It is used to find patterns, averages, make
predictions, test causal relationships, and generalize results to wider populations.
Quantitative research can be used for descriptive, correlational, or experimental
research. In descriptive research, you seek an overall summary of your study
variables. In correlational research, you investigate relationships between your study
variables. In experimental research, you systematically examine whether there is a
cause-and-effect relationship between variables.
xiii. Qualitative Research: - Qualitative research is a research method that involves
collecting and analysing non-numerical data such as text, video, or audio. It is used to
understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. Qualitative research can be used to

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 gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research. It is
commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, in subjects such as
anthropology, sociology, education, health sciences, history, etc.
xiv. Theoretical Research: - Theoretical research seeks to add new knowledge by
discovering new ideas and theories which the help of existing theories and
explanations. But the major emphasis is on studying, rather than testing the theories
and models.
xv. Empirical Research: - Empirical research is data oriented. This kind of research
provides insights through observations or experiences. In this research, the primary
data are collected, analysed and tested to prove some hypotheses. Empirical research
can be conducted through both their quantitative and qualitative approaches.

TYPES OF BUSINESS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE RESEARCHER:

PROBLEMS AND PRECAUTIONS TO THE RESEARCHERS
• Studying the impact of corporate social responsibility on brand reputation and
consumer behaviour.
• Investigating the effectiveness of leadership development programs in improving
organizational performance and employee satisfaction.
• Analysing the factors that contribute to successful entrepreneurship and small
business development.
• Examining the impact of mergers and acquisitions on market competition and
consumer welfare.
• Studying the effectiveness of marketing strategies and advertising campaigns in
promoting brand awareness and sales.
• Market Research Problems: These problems revolve around understanding
customer needs, preferences, and market dynamics. Researchers may face challenges
in identifying target markets, conducting market research surveys, analysing
consumer behaviour, or gauging market demand for a product or service.
• Operational Problems: These problems relate to the day-to-day operations of a
business. Researchers may be tasked with identifying bottlenecks in the production
process, improving supply chain efficiency, reducing costs, or optimizing resource
allocation.
• Strategic Problems: Strategic problems involve making long-term decisions to
achieve business goals. Researchers may need to analyse market trends, competitors,
and industry dynamics to assist in strategic planning. They may need to evaluate
potential expansion opportunities, assess risks, or develop growth strategies.
• Marketing Problems: These problems pertain to marketing and promoting a
business's products or services. Researchers may face challenges in understanding
consumer behaviour, designing effective advertising campaigns, segmenting target
markets, or evaluating the effectiveness of marketing initiatives.
• Financial Problems: Financial problems involve analysing financial data and making
informed decisions regarding investment, capital allocation, budgeting, or pricing
strategies. Researchers may need to analyse financial statements, conduct cost-benefit
analyses, or evaluate the financial viability of a project.

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 • Human Resources Problems: These problems are related to managing human
resources within an organization. Researchers may need to analyse employee
satisfaction, identify factors impacting employee productivity, assess training and
development needs, or analyse the impact of organizational culture on employee
performance.
• Technological Problems: Technological problems involve leveraging technology to
enhance business operations. Researchers may face challenges in choosing the right
technology solutions, assessing the impact of technology on business processes, or
analysing the benefits and risks associated with adopting new technologies.
It is important for researchers to identify and clearly define the specific business
problem they are addressing to ensure that their research efforts are
focused and meaningful

PROBLEMS AND PRECAUTIONS TO THE RESEARCHERS

1. Choosing the Right Topic: -Your research topic is the foundation on which
everything else rests, so it’s crucial to choose carefully. “You can’t do anything else
until you figure out the basic focus of your topic,” - Dr. Susann V. Getsch
Precautions for choosing an effective research topic: -
• Develop a doable topic.
• Read everything you can on the topic.
• Find a theoretical basis to support your topic.
• Make sure the topic will hold your interest.
• Let yourself shift gears.
• Fine-tune your topic based on input from others.
2. Choosing the Right Methodology: - Once you’ve chosen a topic, you’ll need a
methodology - a procedure for conducting your research - in order to move forward.
Precautions for choosing an effective research methodology: -
• Complete the sentences
• Let your answers guide you.
• Determine what kind of design and methodology can best answer your
research questions.
• Hone your study design.
• Be crystal clear.
• Be honest about your abilities.
• Take your time with the planning process.
3. Assembling a Research Team: - Research is never done in a vacuum. Once your
topic and methodology are in place, you will need a research team to support you, as
well as study participants.
Precautions for choosing an effective research team: -
• Solicit useful feedback.
• Vet your committee.
• Be clear about your needs.

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 4. Finding Study Participants: - Once you have your team together, it’s time to
conduct your study, and that means finding participants.
Precautions for finding study participants: -
• Don’t waste your money.
• Leverage the power of a network.
• Don’t be afraid to reach out.
5. Getting Institutions to Participate: - Sometimes recruiting study participants
requires going through institutions, which may put up barriers, particularly if your
research is controversial or sensitive, and this presents an additional challenge.
Precautions for getting institutions to participant: -
• Don’t stop at the first rejection.
• Pursue alternate avenues.
• Persevere.
• Build relationships.
• Learn to sell yourself.
• Be prepared.
• The importance of image.
6. Staying Motivated and Working Your Plan: - Sometimes, in the course of a large
research project, the biggest challenge can be internal—maintaining the motivation to
keep going despite obstacles in your research and the pressures of work and personal
commitments.
Precautions for staying motivated and working your plan:
• Follow your passion and your purpose.
• Monitor your attitude.
• Reward yourself.
• Ask for help.
7. Dealing With Your Data: - When you’ve completed your study, the final challenge
is knowing how to make sense of the data you’ve collected.
Precautions for effective dealing with your data: -
• Ground yourself in the research.
• Get back to your methodology.
• Listen to the data.
• Take advantage of technology.
• Stay focused.
• Account for biases.
• Let the data drive your presentation.
• Draw on the details.

OR

Researchers may encounter various problems and should take precautions

throughout their research process. Some common problems and precautions
include:

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 1. Sample selection bias:
• Problem: Researchers may unintentionally select a sample that does not
represent the entire population or lacks diversity, leading to biased results.
• Precaution: Researchers should use appropriate sampling techniques to
ensure random and representative selection of participants to minimize
bias.
2. Data validity and reliability:
• Problem: The data collected may be inaccurate, incomplete, or unreliable,
adversely affecting the validity and reliability of the research findings.
• Precaution: Researchers should use reliable and validated measurement
tools, ensure data quality through proper data collection procedures, and
cross-check data for consistency and accuracy.
3. Ethical concerns:
• Problem: Research involving human subjects should adhere to ethical
guidelines, such as obtaining informed consent, maintaining
confidentiality, and minimizing harm to participants.
• Precaution: Researchers should obtain ethical approval from relevant
institutional review boards, clearly communicate the purpose and
procedures to participants, uphold confidentiality, and address any
potential risks to participants.
4. Time and resource constraints:
• Problem: Research projects often face time and resource constraints,
which may lead to incomplete or compromised research outcomes.
• Precaution: Researchers should carefully plan and allocate resources, set
realistic timelines, prioritize research objectives, and seek collaborations or
funding when necessary to ensure adequate resources and time for the
research project.
5. Researcher bias:
• Problem: Researchers' personal beliefs, values, or expectations may
influence the research process and findings, introducing bias.
• Precaution: Researchers should be aware of their own biases and take
steps to minimize their influence on the research, such as using
standardized protocols, employing blind data analysis techniques, and
involving multiple researchers in the analysis to ensure objectivity.
6. Statistical analysis errors:
• Problem: Incorrect or inappropriate statistical analysis methods can lead
to flawed interpretations or conclusions.
• Precaution: Researchers should have a solid understanding of statistical
analysis techniques applicable to their research, consult with experts if
necessary, validate their analysis methods, and conduct sensitivity analyses
to assess the robustness of their findings.

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 7. External validity:
• Problem: Research findings may not be generalizable to the broader
population or different contexts.
• Precaution: Researchers should clearly define the target population and
carefully consider the context and limitations of their study. They should
discuss and acknowledge any limitations when interpreting and discussing
the implications of their findings.

By being aware of these potential problems and taking appropriate precautions,

researchers can enhance the quality, validity, and reliability of their
research findings.

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