










Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Community
Ask the community for help and clear up your study doubts
Discover the best universities in your country according to Docsity users
Free resources
Download our free guides on studying techniques, anxiety management strategies, and thesis advice from Docsity tutors
hfhruitoitjriojfkfm,dvnmcvnjoirut8e4ut5otlreytlrkyltrytrjyhhnjjiio5i65065
Typology: Thesis
1 / 18
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
Meaning of Research
Descriptive Research: It includes surveys and facts, finding enquiries of different kinds. The main purpose is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. Eg.: In social science and business research we quite often use the term “Ex post facto research” for descriptive research studies.
Applied – action; Fundamental – basic or pure. Applied Research – Finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industry / business organization. Eg.- research aimed at certain conclusions. Facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research. Identifying social, economical or political trends that may particular institution are copy research or marketing or evaluation research Fundamental Research – It is mainly concerned with generalisation and with the formulation of theory. Eg- Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake. It is a research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics. Also it is concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalisation of human behaviour. Thus the central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some practical problem, where as fundamental research is finding information that has a broad base of applications and thus, adds to the already existing body of scientific knowledge.
Quantitative research – Based on measurement of quantity or amount, that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research – Relating to qualitative phenomena involving quality or kind. Eg.- why people think or do certain things. When we talk of “motivation research”, this research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth interviews for that purpose. Other techniques of such research are word association, sentence completion test, story completion, attitude or opinion research.
Conceptual – related ideas or theories used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. Empirical – Experience or observation alone, without due regard for systems and theory. It is data based research coming up with conclusions which are capable of verification by observations and experiment.
a. For students of masters or Ph.D - it is a careerism to attain a high position in the social structure. b. For professionals – it is a source of livelihood. c. For philosophers and thinkers – it is an outlet for new ideas and insights. d. For literary men and women – it helps in development of new styles and creative work. e. For analysts and intellectuals – helps in generalisation of new theories. Research Methods Vs Methodology
Methods Techniques i. Analysis of historical records Recording of notes, content analysis, tape and film listening and analysis. ii. Analysis of documents References, statistics, content analysis, abstract.
Methods Techniques i. Non participation direct observation. Observation behavioural scales, use of score cards. ii. Participant observation Tape recorders, photographic tech. iii. Mail questionnaire Identification of social and economic background of respondents. iv. Mass Observation Recording mass behaviour, interview. v. Opinionnaire Attitude scale, projective tech. vi. Personal interview Open and closed questions. vii. Focus interview Focus on given experience viii. Group interview Small groups of respondents are Interviewed simultaneously. ix. Telephone survey Survey technique for information x. Case study and Life history Cross sectional collection of data for
Intensive analysis
Methods Techniques Small group study of random behaviour, Use of audio visual recording Play and role analysis devices, use of observers, etc.
Both the methods are based on certain basic postulates which can be stated as under:
i. It provides good training. ii. It will inculcate the ability to evaluate and use research results with reasonable confidence. iii. It enables us to make intelligent decisions concerning problems facing us in practical life at different points of time. iv. It helps consumers to evaluate and enables to take rational decisions
It consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carryout research and the desired sequencing of these steps:
It should clearly state the terms of working hypothesis Working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. It guides the researcher to go in a right track. It also indicates types of data required and types of methods of data analysis to be used Hypothesis provide the focal point of view and also talks about how test should be conducted and quality of data
Good design – maximum information and relevant evidence 4 categories a) Exploratory b) Description c) Diagnosis d) Experimentation Considerations for preparing research design:
Population or universe – complete items available Census inquiry – whole population Sample – items selected for test Census in inquiry is not possible under many circumstances eg. Blood testing done through only sampling Sample design- decide the way of testing a sample Two types a) Probability – each element can be included in sample b) Non- probability – elements do not have equal chance A brief mention to the sampling i) Deliberate sampling ii) Simple random sampling iii) Systematic sampling iv) Stratified sampling v) Quota sampling
a) The preliminary pages – title, acknowledgement, table of contents b) Main text – introduction, summary of findings, main report and conclusion c) The end matter – Appendices, bibliography (list of books, journals, reports etc.), index ii) Should be concise and objective style, in simple language. Avoid vague expressions such as “it seems”, “there may be” & the like iii) Chart should be used only if they have clear information iv) Confidence limits and constraints should be stated Criteria for a good research
It refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of either theoretical or practical situation and want to obtain solution for the same. Conditions to be satisfied:
It is aclear, precise and succinct statement of the question or issue that is to be invested with the goal of finding an answer or solution. Examples of well defined problems: How has the new packaging affected the sales of the product? Has the new advertising message resulted in enhanced re-calls? How do price and quality rate on consumer’s evaluation of products? Does better automation lead to greater asset investment per dollar of output? What are the components of “quality of life”?
Subject for research:
b) Observation design: conditions of observations. c) Statistical design: how items observed, information & data gathered are to be gathered. d) Operational design: techniques by which the procedure… Important features of research design:
Continuous variable – age Non continuous variable – children Dependent variable – height depends on age. Independent variable – age
SAMPLING DESIGN Census & sample survey: Population – all items in any field(universe) A complete enumeration of all items in the population is “census inquiry” Implication of a sample design: Def: It is a definite plan for obtaining a sample from a given population. It refers technique or the procedure the researcher would adopt in selecting items for the sample. It also lay down the number of items to be included in the sample(sample sizes) Steps: i. Types of universe: clearly defines the objective universe to studies. Universe can be finite or infinite. ii. Sampling unit: selecting geographical are such as state, district, village, flat, social unit – family, club, school, etc. iii. Source list: from which sample is to be drawn. It contains name of all items of a universe. It should be correct, reliable & appropriate. iv. Size of sample: no of items to be selected. Large or small & should be optimum. Confidence level should be kept in mind. v. Parameters of interest: interest of sub – groups, characteristics of population. vi. Budgeting constraints vii. Sampling procedure: technique should be used in selecting items.