Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
STEPS
UNIT-I
The Presentation Includes:
What is Research?
Characteristics of Research
Classification of Research
What is Scientific Method?
Social Science Research and Social Work Research
What are the the essential steps in undertaking research in Social
Science?
What is Research?
Research- Two Syllables: Re + Search Meaning again a new or
over again searching carefully
Grinnell- Research is a structured enquiry that utilizes
acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and create
new knowledge that is generally applicable.
Burns defines research as a systematic investigation to find
answers to a problem.
Kerlinger- Scientific research is a systematic, controlled
empirical and critical investigation of propositions about the
presumed relationships about various phenomenon.
Characteristics of Research
In order to qualify as research the process must contain following
characteristics:
It should be:
Controlled
Rigorous
Systematic
Valid and Verifiable
Empirical
Critical
Pure
Application based
: Classification
Applied
Exploratory
Descriptive
Classification Objectives based
of Research Classification Correlational
Experimental
Qualitative
Inquiry mode
Classification
Quantitative
Steps in Undertaking Research in Social
Sciences:
Formulation of Research Problem
Literature Review
Developing Research Questions and formulating Research
Objectives
Conceptualizing Research Design
Constructing Hypothesis
Universe and Sampling Design
Constructing the instrument of data collection
Data processing and Analysis
Report Writing
Business Research
Business research is described as the systematic and objective procedure
for producing information for help in making business decisions.
•Production Management
•Personnel Management
•Marketing Management
•Financial Management
•Materials Management
•Strategic Management
Importance of Business Research
It is usual to say for the researchers that their objectives are ‘SMART’
‘S’ Specific- states exactly what one needs to achieve.
‘M’ Measurable – includes an indicator to measure the concepts used.
‘A’ Achievable- objectives are achievable in a specific time frame.
‘R’ Realistic- Can be challenging but must be achievable.
‘T’ Time bound - with a clear end date or timescale.
Developing Research Questions and
Designing objectives
Establishing Operational Definitions
In every research study you establish a set of rules, indicators to
clearly define the concepts used in the research problem,
research questions or objectives E.g. you need to define who all
will be the adolescents in your study if the study is on
adolescents etc.
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
The researcher needs to define the criteria for including/
excluding the sampling units in the research study in order to
maintain uniformity in selection/rejection of items. This criteria
needs to be clearly spelled before undertaking the study.
Developing Research Questions and
Designing objectives
Scope of the Study
The last step in the research process is writing the research process is
writing the research report.
As Burns writes ‘extremely valuable and interesting practical work may
be spoiled at the last minute by a student who is not able to
communicate the results easily (1994).
In addition to your undertaking of research methodology, the quality of
the report depends upon :
Written communication skills
Clarity of thought,
Ability to express thoughts in a logical, rational and sequential manner
and also
Knowledge base of the subject area is crucial.
Writing Research Report: Contd……
In the end it can only be said that all the steps are formulated at
the convenience of the researcher. By and large they are all inter
related and overlapping. The neglect in any step is likely to affect
the reliability and validity of findings. Therefore, a scientific
mind based on objective thinking is really needed in undertaking
any research study.