RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
Lecture - 2
Research is the systematic process of collecting and
analyzing information (data) in order to increase our
understanding of the phenomenon about which we are
concerned or interested.
Characteristics of Research
• Systematic
• Logical
• Empirical
• Reductive
• Replicable
Types of Research
1. Pure and Applied Research
2. Exploratory or Formulative Research
3. Descriptive Research
8. Analytical study or statistical Method
4. Diagnostic Study
9. Historical Research
5. Evaluation Studies
10. Surveys
6. Action Research 11. Case Study
7. Experimental Research
1. Pure and Applied
Research
Pure
• it is the study of search of knowledge.
Applied
• It is the study of finding solution to a
problem.
Purpose of Pure and Applied
Research
• Pure
• It can contribute new facts
• It can put theory to the rest
• It may aid in conceptual clarification
• It may integrate previously existing theories.
Applied
• It offers solutions to many practical problems.
• To find the critical factors in a practical
problem.
2. Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is preliminary study of an
unfamiliar problem about which the researcher has
little or no knowledge.
• To Generate new ideas
• To increase the researcher’s familiarity with the
problem
• To Make a precise formulation of the problem
• To gather information for clarifying concepts
3. Descriptive Research
Descriptive study is a fact- finding investigation with
adequate interpretation.
• It is the simplest type of research.
• It is designed to gather descriptive information and
provides information for formulating more sophisticated studies
• Data are collected using observation, interview and mail
questionnaire.
• It can focus directly on a theoretical point.
• It can highlight important methodological aspects of
data collection and interpretation.
• It obtained in a research may be useful for prediction
about areas of social life outside in the boundaries of
research.
• Descriptive studies are valuable in providing facts
needed for planning social action programmes.
4. Diagnostic Study
• It is directed towards discovering what is happening,
why is it happening and what can be done about.
• It aims at identifying the causes of a problem and the
possible solutions for it. This study may also be
concerned with discovering and testing whether certain
variables are associated.
• To determine the frequency with which something
occurs or with which it is associated with something
else.
5. Evaluation Studies
• It is one type of applied research.
• It is made for assessing the effectiveness of social or
economic programs implemented or for assessing the
impact of developmental projects area.
• The determination of the results attained by some
activity designed to accomplish some valued goal or
objectives.
• It directed to assess or appraise the quality and
quantity of an activity and its performance.
• To specify its attributes and conditions required for its
6. Action Research
Action research is a reflective process of progressive problem
solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as
part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they
address issues and solve problems
• Researcher attempts to study and applied action.
E.g. Eradication of Malariya, Maritime Navigation
• A baseline survey of the pre-action situation
• A feasibility study of the proposed action
programme
• Planning and launching the programme
• Concurrent evaluation of the programme
• Making modifications and changes in the
7. Experimental Research
• Experimental research is commonly used in sciences
such as sociology and psychology, physics, chemistry,
biology and medicine etc.
• It is a systematic and scientific approach to
research in which the researcher manipulates one or
more variables, and controls and measures any
change in other variables.
• Experiments are conducted to be able to predict
phenomenons.
• To maintain control over all factors
•A blueprint of the procedure that enables the
8. Analytical Study
• Analytical study is a system of procedures and
techniques of analysis applied to quantitative
data.
• A system of mathematical models or statistical
techniques applicable to numerical data.
• It aims at testing hypothesis and specifying and
interpreting relationship.
• It concentrates on analyzing data in depth and
examining relationships from various angles by
bringing in as many relevant variables as possible
9. Historical Research
• The systematic collection and evaluation of data related to
past occurrences in order to describe causes, effects, and
trends of those events that may help explain present events
and anticipate future events.
• Data is often archival-including newspaper clippings,
photographs, etc.- and may include interviews.
• To draw explanations and generalizations from the past
trends in order to understand the present and to anticipate the
future.
• It enables us to grasp our relationship with the past and to
plan more intelligently for the future.
• The past contains the key to the present and the past and the
present influences the future.
• It helps us in visualizing the society as a dynamic organism
10. Survey Research
Survey research is one of the most important areas of measurement in
applied social research. The broad area of survey research encompasses any
measurement procedures that involve asking questions of respondents.
A "survey" can be anything form a short paper-and-pencil feedback form to an
intensive one-on-one in-depth interview.
• It is always conducted in a natural setting.
• It seeks responses directly from the respondents.
• It can cover a very large population
• A survey may involve an extensive study or an intensive study.
• A survey covers a definite geographical area, a city, district,
state
11. Case Study
• A case study is a research methodology common in social science.
• It is based on an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or
event to explore causation in order to find underlying principles
• To examine limited number of variables
• case study methods involve an in-depth, longitudinal examination of a
single instance or event.
• It provides a systematic way of looking at events, collecting data,
analyzing information, and reporting the results
Field research
• Field research has traditionally been thought different from methods of
research conducted in a laboratory or academic setting.
Purpose
• The advantages of field research are that people are closer to real world
conditions and design the research in the best way to discover the particular
information required.
