Research Methodology

Course Description

• The module introduces the nature of

research; the processes involved in
carrying out research and develop some
generic research skills. It also prepares
students to undertake their dissertation
or thesis at Master’s/Doctoral level.
 Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to
1. Understand objectives and the steps involved in research
process.
2. Identify and articulate appropriate research questions.
3. Search, retrieve, select and critically evaluate information –
especially published literature in books, journals and web
resources – to support research.
4. Write a literature review in a scholarly style appropriate to
dissertations and projects at masters’ level.
5. Critically evaluate various research approaches, methods and
techniques.
6. Represent the data in tabular or graphical form.
7. Prepare an appropriate research report.
8. Optimize the data based on various techniques.
 Syllabus
UNIT-I
Introduction: Definition and objectives of Research-Types of research, Various Steps in Research
process, Mathematical tools for analysis, Developing a research question- Choice of a problem,
Literature review, Surveying, Synthesizing, critical analysis, reading materials, reviewing,
rethinking, critical evaluation, interpretation, Research Purposes, Ethics in research – APA Ethics
code.
UNIT-II
Quantitative Methods for problem solving: Statistical Modeling and Analysis, Time Series Analysis
Probability Distributions, Fundamentals of Statistical Analysis and Inference, Multivariate methods,
Concepts of Correlation and Regression, Fundamentals of Time Series Analysis and Spectral
Analysis, Error Analysis, Application of Spectrum Analysis.
UNIT-III
Tabular and graphical description of data: Tables and graphs of frequency data of one variable, Tables
and graphs that show the relationship between two variables, Relation between frequency
distributions and other graphs, preparing data for analysis.
UNIT-IV
Soft Computing: Computer and its role in research, Use of statistical soft ware SPSS, GRETL in research.
Introduction to evolutionary algorithm – Fundamentals of Genetic algorithms, Simulated
Annealing, Neural Network based optimization, Optimization of fuzzy systems.
UNIT-V
Structure and Components of Research Report, Types of Report, Layout of Research Report,
Mechanism of writing a research report, referencing in academic writing.
 Text Books
• C.R. Kothari, Research Methodology Methods
and Techniques,2nd Edition, Vishwa
Prakashan,2006
• Donald H. McBurney, Research Methods, 5th
edition, Thomson Learning, ISBN: 81-315-
0047-0, 2006
1. Donald R.Cooper, Pamela S. Schhindler,
Business Research Methods, 8th Edition, Tata
MCGRAW-Hill Co.Ltd.,2006.
2. Fuzzy Logic with Engg Applications, Timothy
J.Ross, Wiley Publications, 2nd Edition.
3. R. Panner Selvam, Research Methodology.
 What is research?
• Means search for knowledge or a movement
from known to unknown
• An art of scientific investigation
• Systematical effort to gain new knowledge
(Redman & Mory)
 What is Research?
• Def: A scientific and systematic search for
pertinent information on a specific topic.
• Def: An academic activity comprising defining and
redefining the problem, 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 (Clifford Woodes)
 What is Research?
• Def: The manipulation of things, concepts or
symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend,
correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge
aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an
art ( Slesinger and Stephenson)
• An original contribution to the existing stock of
knowledge making for its advancement.
• It is the persuit of truth with the help of study,
observation, comparison and experiment.
 Significance of research
• Research inculcates scientific and inductive
thinking and it promotes the development of
logical habits of thinking and organization.

02/05/25 10
 Significance of research
• To those students who are to write a Masters
or PhD thesis, research may mean a careerism
or a way to attain a high position in the social
structure.
• To professional in research methodology
research may mean a source of livelihood.

02/05/25 11
 Significance of research
• To philosophers and thinkers, research may
mean the outlet for new ideas and insights.
• To literary men and women, research may
mean the development of new styles and
creative work.
• To analysts and intellectuals, research may
mean the generalizations of new theories.

02/05/25 12
 Significance of research
• The significance of research lies in its Quality
and not in its Quantity

02/05/25 13
 Research Objectives
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve
new insights into it (Exploratory or formulative
research studies)
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a
particular individual, situation or a group (descriptive
studies)
• To determine the frequency with which something
occurs or with which it is associated with something
else (diagnostic research studies)
• To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between
variables (hypothesis-testing research studies)
 Motivation in Research
1. Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential benefits
2. Desire to face the challenges in solving the unsolved
problems
3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
4. Desire to be of service to society
5. Desire to get respectability
6. Directives of government
7. Employment conditions
8. Social thinking and awakening
 Products of research
Source: Oates (2006)

• A new or improved product

• A new theory
• A re-interpretation of an existing theory
• New or improved research tool or technique
• A new or improved model or perspective
• An in-depth study of a situation
• An exploration of a topic, area or field
16
 Types of research
• Descriptive Vs Analytical
• Applied Vs Fundamental
• Conceptual Vs Empherical
• Other
– Onetime Research (longitudinal)
– Historical
– Conclusion Oriented
– Laboratory or Simulation
 Descriptive Vs Analytical
• The major purpose of descriptive research is
description of the state of the affairs as it
exists at present. It is also known as Ex post
facto research.
• In this the researcher has no control over the variables, he
can only report what has happened or what is happening.
– Frequency of shopping, preferences of people, etc..

In Analytical research the researcher has to use

facts or information already available , and analyze
these to make critical evaluation of the material
 Applied Vs Fundamental
– Applied research (Action) aims at finding a
solution for an immediate problem facing society
or an industrial/business organization.
• Research to identify social, economic, or political
trends that may effect a particular institution.
– Fundamental research (basic or pure) is
concerned with generalizations and with the
formulations of a theory. (Gathering knowledge
for knowledge’s sake )
• Research studies concerning human behaviour carried
on with a view to make generalizations about human
behaviour.
 Conceptual Vs Empirical
• Conceptual research is that related to some
abstract idea or theory.
– It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to
develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
• 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
 Other types of Research
• One-time research or Longitudinal Research
( based on time)
• Field-setting research or laboratory research
( based on environment)
• Historical research
• Conclusion oriented or Decision oriented (OR)
• Exploratory or Formalized ( based on their
development of hypothesis)

02/05/25 21
 Research Approaches
• Quantitative Approach
• Qualitative Approach
 Research Approaches
• Quantitative Approach
– Inferential ( form a database from which to infer
characteristics or relationships of population – ex:
survey)
– Experimental ( some variables are observed to
manipulate their effect on other variables)
– Simulation (involves construction of an artificial
environment within which relevant information
and data can be generated)
 Research Approaches
• Qualitative Approach
– Concerned with subjective assessment of
attitudes, opinions and behaviour.
– Group interviews, in-depth interviews are used
 The Research Process
Steps involved in research process:
1. Formulating the research problem
2. Extensive literature survey
3. Development of working hypothesis
4. Preparing the research design
5. Determining the sample design
6. Collect your data
7. Execution of the project
8. Analysis of data
9. Hypothesis testing
10.Generalisations and interpretations
11.Presentation of report or results 25
 Developing a research question
• Choice of a problem
• Literature Review
– Survey
– Synthesise
– Review/rethink
– Critical analysis/Evaluation
– interpretation
 Developing a research question
• Choice of a problem
– Everyday observation (news paper articles,
journals, thesis books, etc..)
– Your instructor or advisor
– Most important thing is to get started
– Narrow the topic down to a manageable size
• Based on the resources, time, cost, etc...
 Selecting the problem
• Subject which is overdone should not be
normally chosen, for it will be a difficult task
to throw any new light in such a case
• Controversial subject should not become the
choice of an average researcher
• Too narrow or too vague problems should be
avoided

02/05/25 28
 Selecting the problem
• The subject selected for research should be familiar
and feasible so that the related research material or
sources of research are within one’s reach.
• Even then it is quite difficult to supply definitive
ideas concerning how a researcher should obtain
ideas for his research. For this purpose, a researcher
should contact an expert or a professor in the
University who is already engaged in research.

02/05/25 29
 Selecting the problem
• He may as well read articles published in
current literature available on the subject and
may think how the techniques and ideas
discussed therein might be applied to the
solution of other problems.

02/05/25 30
 Selecting the problem
• He may discuss with others what he has in
mind concerning a problem.
• In this way he should make all possible efforts
in selecting a problem.

02/05/25 31
 Selecting the problem
• The importance of the subject, the
qualifications and the training of a researcher,
the costs involved, the time factor are few
other criteria that must also be considered in
selecting a problem.
• In other words before the final selection of a
problem is done, a researcher must ask
himself the following questions:

02/05/25 32
 Selecting the problem
• Whether he is well equipped in terms of his
background to carry out the research?
• Whether the study falls within the budget he can
afford?
• Whether the necessary cooperation can be obtained
from those who must participate in research as
subjects?
• If the answers to all these question are in the
affirmative, one may become sure so far as the
practicability of the study concerned.

02/05/25 33
 Selecting the problem
• The selection of a problem must be preceded
by a preliminary study. This may not be
necessary when the problem requires the
conduct of a research closely similar to one
that has already been done
• But when the field of inquiry is relatively new
and does not have available a set of well
developed techniques, a brief feasibility study
must always be undertaken.

02/05/25 34
 Formulating the research problem
5 steps are involved in Developing
research problem:
1. Statement of the problem in a general way
2. Understanding the nature of the problem
3. Surveying the available literature
4. Developing the ideas through discussions
5. Rephrasing the research problem

02/05/25 35
 Formulating the research problem
• The researcher must decide the general area
of interest or aspect of a subject matter that
he would like to enquire into.
• Initially the problem may be stated in a broad
general way.

02/05/25 36
 Understanding the problem
• The best way to understand the problem is to
discuss with people having some expertise in
the matter.
• The researcher must at the same time
examine all available literature to get himself
acquainted with the selected problem.

02/05/25 37
 Understanding the problem
• He may review two types of literature – the
conceptual literature concerning the concepts and
theories, and the empirical literature consisting of
studies made earlier which are similar to the one
proposed.
• Basic outcome of this review will be the knowledge
as to what data and other materials are available for
operational purposes which will enable the
researcher to specify his own research problem in a
meaningful context.
02/05/25 38
 Rephrasing the problem
• The problem to be investigated must be put
into analytical terms i.e., to put the problem in
as specific terms as possible.
• This task of formulating, or defining, a
research problem is a step of greatest
importance in the entire research process.
• Care must be taken to verify the objectivity
and validity of the background facts
concerning the problem.

02/05/25 39
 An illustration
• Why is productivity in Japan so much higher
than in India?

02/05/25 40
 An illustration
• What factors were responsible for the higher
labour productivity of Japan’s manufacturing
industries during the decade 1975 to 1980
relative to India’s manufacturing industries?

02/05/25 41
 An illustration
• To what extent did labour productivity in 1975
to 1980 in Japan exceed that of India in
respect of 15 selected manufacturing
industries? What factors were responsible for
the productivity differentials between the two
countries by industries?

02/05/25 42
 Objectives
• The objective should determine the data
which are to be collected, its characteristics of
the data which are relevant, relations which
are to be explored, the choice of techniques
to be used in these exploration and the form
of the final report.

02/05/25 43
 Extensive literature survey
• Once the problem is formulated a brief summary
(synopsis/Abstract) of it should be written down.
• It is compulsory for a research worker writing a
thesis for PhD, or presenting a paper in a
seminar/conference, or publish a research paper in a
journal.
• At this juncture the researcher should undertake
extensive literature survey connected with the
problem.

02/05/25 44
 Extensive literature survey
• For this purpose the researcher can read
academic journals, conference proceedings,
government reports, books etc.
• In this process one source will lead to another.

02/05/25 45
 Preparing the research design
• Research design is to state the conceptual
structure within which research would be
conducted.
• In other words, the function of research
design is to provide for the collection of
relevant evidence with the minimal
expenditure of efforts, time and money.

02/05/25 47
 Preparing the research design
The preparation of the research design involves
usually the consideration of the following
• The means of obtaining the information
• The availability and skills of the researcher and his
staff (if any)
• Explanation of the way in which selected means of
obtaining information will be organized and the
reasoning leading to the selection
• The time available for research
• The cost factor relating to research, i.e., the finance
available for the purpose.

02/05/25 48
 Research design happen to be in
respect of
• What is the study about?
• Why is the study being made?
• Where will the study be carried out?
• What type of data is required?
• Where can the required data be found?
• What periods of time will the study include?
• What will be the sample design?
• What techniques of data collection will be used?
• How will the data be analyzed?
• In what style will the report be prepared?

02/05/25 49
 Determining the sample design
• Using your own sampling technique prepare a
sample design

02/05/25 50
 Collecting the data
• Data can be collected either through
experiment or through survey.
• If the researcher conducts an experiment he
observes some quantitative measurements or
the data, with the help of which he examines
the truth contained in his hypothesis

02/05/25 51
 Analyze the data

• The researcher should classify the raw data

into some purposeful and useful categories.

02/05/25 52
 Developing a research question
• Literature Review
– Survey
– Synthesise
– Review/rethink
– Critical analysis/Evaluation
– interpretation
 Mathematical tools for Analysis
• Statistical Techniques
• Operations Research Models
 Mathematical tools for Analysis
• Statistical Techniques
– Methods to find measures of central tendency, viz., mean, median and mode
– Methods to find measures of dispersion, viz., variance, coefficient of
variance, coefficient of skewness, quartile deviation, etc.
– Forecasting methods
– Factorial Design
– Sampling methods
– Tests of hypothesis
– Factor Analysis
– Discriminant analysis
– Conjoint analysis

• Operations Research Models

 Mathematical tools for Analysis
• Operations Research Models
– Linear Programming
– Integer Programming
– Distance related network techniques
– Project Management
– Inventory control
– Dynamic Programming
– Queueing Theory
– Replacement Analysis
– Game Theory
– Goal Programming
– Simulation
– Production scheduling
– Non-Linear Programming
Ethics in Research

57
 Ethics in Research
Why?
• It is an important factor in higher education
research activity, in ALL disciplines
• It is good academic practice
• It is sound professional practice
• It is University policy

58
 Ethical Guidelines (1)
• Research to be conducted within an
organisation should be arranged well in
advance
• Maintain the trust of the organisation by
keeping any sensitive company information
confidential
• Only involve people (participants) with their
consent and knowledge
• Tell the truth about the research and never
deceive participants in any way 59
 Ethical Guidelines (2)

• Respect a participant’s right to privacy

• Treat all participants with consideration
and respect
• Protect & keep safe data collected from
individuals

60
 Ethical Guidelines (3)
• Analyse the data collected objectively and
honestly.
• When you write up the research
– Present the evidence with honesty and integrity
– Never knowingly allow anyone to misuse or
misinterpret your work
– People who have taken part in the research
also have a right to know about the results

61
 APA (American Psychological Association) Code
• APA code