RESEARCH PROCESS BBM 502

ADITI GANDHI BBM Vth SEM. 107502

Contents
S. NO:
1.

TOPIC
RESEARCH

2.

RESEARCH PROCESS

3.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge.

It is a systematic process of collecting and analysing information in order to increase our understanding.

The word research is derived from latin word meaning to know. It is a replicable process which identifies and defines problems within specified boundaries.

Why research ?? To gain knowledge. To face challenges. To serve society.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH: Research is a process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information to answer questions. But to qualify as research, the process must have certain characteristics: it must, as far as possible, be controlled, rigorous, systematic, valid and verifiable, empirical and critical. Controlled Systematic Valid and verifiable Empirical

Research process
There are practical steps through which you must pass in your research journey in order to find answers to your research questions.The path to finding answers to your research questions constitutes research methodology. At each operational step in the research process you are required to choose from a multiplicity of methods, procedures and models of research methodology which will help you to best achieve your objectives. Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research . the steps involved in a research process are not mutually exclusive nor separate and distinct. The process is a series of closely related,continuously overlapping and interdependent steps. However,the following order concerning various steps provides a useful procedural guideline regarding the research process. 1. Formulating the research problem. 2. Extensive literature survey. 3. Developing the hypothesis. 4. Preparing research design. 5. Execution of the project. 6. Collection of data. 7. Analysis of data. 8. Hypothesis testing. 9. Generalising and interpretation. 10.Preparing report.

A brief description of the above mentioned steps is as follows:1. Formulating the research problem The first step in the process is to identify a problem or develop a research question. It is the first and most crucial step in the research process - Main function is to decide what you want to find out about. This step involves identification of few problems and selection of one out of them after evaluating the alternatives. - The way you formulate a problem determines almost every step that

follows. The word problem means question or issued to be examined. Considerations in selecting a research problem: 1. Interest: a research endeavour is usually time consuming, and involves hard work and possibly unforeseen problems. One should select topic of great interest to sustain the required motivation. 2. Magnitude: It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the time and resources at your disposal. Narrow the topic down to something manageable, specific and clear. 3. Measurement of concepts: Make sure that you are clear about the indicators and measurement of concepts (if used) in your study. 4. Level of expertise: Make sure that you have adequate level of expertise for the task you are proposing since you need to do the work yourself. 5. Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges current gaps and is useful in policy formulation. This will help you to sustain interest in the study. 6. Availability of data: Before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available. Some problem questions to be asked when an idea is born Is the idea viable ? Is it practicable ? Time factor? What results are expected? Has it been done before? What will you personally do?

Steps in formulating research problem:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Stating problem in general way. Understanding the nature of problem. Surveying available nature and past studies. Developing ideas through discussions. Rephrasing the problem.

2. Extensive literature review The researcher must review the literature related to the research problem. This step provides foundational knowledge about the problem area. The review of literature also educates the researcher about what studies have been conducted in the past, how these studies were conducted, and the conclusions in the problem area. In this process it should be remembered that one source will lead to another. The earlier studies, if any,which are similar to the study in hand should be carefully studied. Two types of literature can be surveyed:Conceptual Empirical Essential preliminary task in order to acquaint yourself with the available body of knowledge in your area of interest. -Literature review is integral part of entire research process and makes valuable contribution to every operational step. -Reviewing literature can be time-consuming, daunting and frustrating, but is also rewarding. Its functions are: a. Bring clarity and focus to your research problem; b. Improve your methodology; c. Broaden your knowledge; 3. Developing hypothesis A hypothesis is a proposition ,a theoretical statement to account for the facts can we say this is true? Is a everyday day question with which we greet a hypothesis. Strong research projects usually begins with a simple and clear hypothesis. The role of hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of research and to keep the researcher on the right track. Working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. Research hypothesis are developed because they provide the focal point for research. They also affect the

manner in which tests must be conducted in the analysis of data and indirectly the quality of data which is required for the anaylsis . One can follow the following approaches in developing a working hypothesis:1. Discussion with colleagues and experts about the problem. 2. Examination of data and records. 3. Review on similar studies. The functions of hypotheses: The formulation of hypothesis provides a study with focus. It tells you what specific aspects of a research problem to investigate. A hypothesis tells you what data to collect and what not to collect, thereby providing focus to the study. As it provides a focus, the construction of a hypothesis enhances objectivity in a study. A hypothesis may enable you to add to the formulation of a theory. It enables you to specifically conclude what is true or what is false.

4. Preparing research design The research problem having been formulated in clear cut terms, the researcher will be required to prepare a research design i.e., one will have to state the conceptual structure within which research would be conducted. The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant evidence with minimal expenditure of efforts,time and money. The preparation of research design, appropriate for a particular research problem, involves the consideration of the following : 1. Objectives of the research study. 2. Method of Data Collection to be adopted 3. Source of informationSample Design 4. Tool for Data collection 5. Data Analysis-- qualitative and quantitative

Types of research designs are:Exploratory design An exploratory design is conducted about a research problem when there are few or no earlier studies to refer to. The focus is on gaining insights and familiarity for later investigation or undertaken when problems are in a preliminary stage of investigation. 1. Design is a useful approach for gaining background information on a particular topic. 2. Exploratory research is flexible and can address research questions of all types (what, why, how). 3. Provides an opportunity to define new terms and clarify existing concepts. 4. Exploratory research is often used to generate formal hypotheses and develop more precise research problems. 5. Exploratory studies help establish research priorities.

Causal research Causality studies may be thought of as understanding a phenomenon in terms of conditional statements in the form, If X, then Y. This type of research is used to measure what impact a specific change will have on existing norms and assumptions. Most social scientists seek causal explanations that reflect tests of hypotheses. Causal effect (nomothetic perspective) occurs when variation in one phenomenon, an independent variable, leads to or results, on average, in variation in another phenomenon, the dependent variable. Conditions necessary for determining causality:

Empirical association--a valid conclusion is based on finding an association between the independent variable and the dependent variable. Appropriate time order--to conclude that causation was involved, one must see that cases were exposed to variation in the independent variable before variation in the dependent variable. Nonspuriousness--a relationship between two variables that is not due to variation in a third variable.

Causality research designs helps researchers understand why the world works the way it does through the process of proving a causal link between variables and eliminating other possibilities. Replication is possible. There is greater confidence the study has internal validity due to the systematic subject selection and equity of groups being compared.

Descriptive research Descriptive research designs help provide answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how associated with a particular research problem; a descriptive study cannot conclusively ascertain answers to why. Descriptive research is used to obtain information concerning the current status of the phenomena and to describe "what exists" with respect to variables or conditions in a situation.

1. The results from a descriptive research can not be used to discover a definitive answer or to disprove a hypothesis. 2. Because descriptive designs often utilize observational methods [as opposed to quantitative methods], the results cannot be replicated. 3. The descriptive function of research is heavily dependent on instrumentation for measurement and observation.

The preparation of the research design,appropriate for a particular research problem,involves usually the consideration of the following:The means of obtaining information. The cost and time factor. The availability and skills of researcher. Reasoning leading to selection. A Sample is a segment of the population selected to represent the population as a whole. the sample should be representative and allow the researcher to make accurate estimates of the thoughts and behaviour of the larger population.

Designing the sample calls for three decisions: Who will be surveyed? ( The Sample) How many people will be surveyed? (Sample Size) How should the sample be chosen? (Sampling)

Types of Samples
Probability samples Simple random sample: Every member of the population has a known and equal chance of being selected. Stratified random sample :Population is divided into mutually exclusive groups such as age groups and randomsamples are drawn from each group. Cluster(area)sample: The population is divided into mutually exclusive groups such as blocks, and the researcher draws a sample of the group to interview. Nonprobability samples Convenience sample: The researcher selects the easiest population members from which to obtain information. Judgment sample: The researcher uses his/her judgement to select population members who are good prospects for accurate information. Quota sample: The researcher finds and interviews a prescribed number of people in each of several categories 5. Execution of the project Its a very important step in research process. If the execution of the projects proceeds on correct lines, the data to be collected would be adequate and dependable. The researcher should see that the project is executed in a systematic manner and in time.

6. COLLECTING DATA : Having formulated the research problem,, developed a study design, constructed a research instrument and selected a sample, you then collect the

data from which you will draw inferences and conclusions for your study. Depending upon your plans, you might commence interviews, mail out a questionnaire, conduct experiments and/or make observations. Collecting data through any of the methods may involve some ethical issues in relation to the participants and the researcher : - Those from whom information is collected or those who are studied by a researcher become participants of the study. - Anyone who collects information for a specific purpose, adhering to the accepted code of conduct, is a researcher. The data can be collected from 2 sources:Primary and secondary Primary data is the first hand data. It includes Interviews, questionnaires,observations,schedules etc. Secondary data is collected through journals,magazines,newspapers,internet etc.

7. Analysing the data Analysing data involves a number of closely related operations which are performed with the purpose of summarizing the collected data and organizing these in a manner that they answer the research questions (objectives).thus, the researcher should classify the raw material into some purposeful and meaningful category. In the process of analysis,relationships or differences supporting or conflicting with original or new hypothesis should be subjected to tests of significance to determine with what validity the data can be said to indicate any conclusions.

8. Hypothesis testing After analysing the data, we can test the hypothesis, if any.do the facts support the hypothesis or they are contrary. This is the usual question which should be answered while testing hypothesis. Various tests such as t-test,f-test have been developed by staticians for this purpose.

Hypothesis testing will result in either accepting the hypothesis or rejecting it. 9. Generalization and interpretation If the hypothesis is tested and uphels several times,it may be possible for the researcher to arrive at generalisation.i.e, to build a theory. If the researcher had no hypothesis to start he might seek to explain his findings on the basis of some theory.it is known as interpretation. The process of interpretation may quite often trigger off new questions which in turn may lead to further researches.

11.Preparing report Writing the report is the last, and for many, the most difficult step of the research process. The report informs the world what you have done, what you have discovered and what conclusions you have drawn from your findings. The report should be written in an academic style. Language should be formal and not journalistic. The main context of the report should have the following parts:a. Introduction. b. Summary of findings. c. Main report d. Conclusions. At the end of the report, appendices should be enlisted in respect of all technical data. Bibliography i.e., list of books,journals,reports etc.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOK 1.Research methodology By C.R Kothari WEBSITES 1.www.studentcentre.com 2.www.scholarhub.com 3.www.crlsresearchguide.org