MEANING OF RESEARCH
First, we should start from the word ‘research’. This word is made up by adding ‘Re’ as a prefix to the word ‘search’. Search is to make known of an existent unknown thing. Therefore, research (search of searched) means to elicit some facts out of a known thing. Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge
Every letter of the word ‘research’ emphasizes a special and dignified meaning as given below.
R – Rational (way of thinking)
E – Expert/Exhaustive (Treatment)
S – Search (for solution)
E – Exactness
A – Analytical Analysis (of adequate data)
R – Relationship (of facts)
C – Careful (recording)/ critical (observation) / constructive (attitude) / condensed/and compactly (stated Generalisation
H – Honesty/Hard work
Research is thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its advancement. It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study. observation, comparison and experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem in research.
We can summarize the modern meaning of research in following points-Research is
• an attitude of inquiry,
• an attempt to elicit facts
• a systematic and scholarly application of the scientific method.
• essentially a state of mind – a friendly, welcoming attitude towards change.
Definition
Research is systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomenon.
-Kerlinger
Research may be defined as the systematic method of discovering new facts or verifying old facts, their sequences, interrelationships, casual explanations and the natural laws which govern them.
-Young PV
Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested, solutions, collecting, organizing and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions and at last carefully listing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
-Clifford Woody
Research is the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may leave to development of generalizations, principles or theories result in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events.
-John W.Best
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
1. It is a scientific investigation. Research (re-search) means to “search again.’ It connotes patient study and scientific investigation.
2. It develops concepts and the theories. One reason for conducting research is to develop and evaluate concepts and the theories.
3. It is solution oriented and directed towards the solution of a problem.
4. It determines the relation between two or more variables.
5. Research emphasizes to the development of theories, concept, principles and generalization that are helpful in predicting future occurrences.
6. Research is replicable. The design, procedures and result of scientific research should be replicable so that any person other than researcher may assess the validity of research.
7. Research requires that researchers have full knowledge of the problem under the study.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
To discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures, it’s main aim is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of research objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it. (Exploratory or formulative research studies).
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group. (Descriptive research studies).
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else. (Diagnostic research studies).
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research studies).
Types of Research
a) Fundamental Research/Pure Research/Basic Research:
• It is undertaken for the sake of knowledge without any intension to apply it in practice.
• This research helps in developing theories by discovering broad generalisation and principles.
• It is organised through different procedures of research like sampling, hypothesizing facts, etc. It can be experimented in a psychological laboratory.
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics, research studies concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behaviour are examples of fundamental research.
b) Applied
• Aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization.
• Solve practical problem of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge sake.
• Marketing research is an example of applied research.
c) Exploratory Research
• It is a preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which researcher has little or no knowledge.
• The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypothesis rather than their testing.
d) Action Research
• Its aim is immediate application but not any development of theory.
• It is research either initiated to solve the immediate problem or if the researcher finds any problem during the course of his field investigation and observation he applies it.
(e) Descriptive study
• Includes surveys and fact findings enquiries of different kinds.
• The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs, as it exists at present.
• In social science and business research the term often used is ex-post fact research.
• The researcher has no control over the variables, he can only report what has happened or what is happening.
(f) Evaluation Study
• It is a type of applied research.
• It is made for assessing and taking stock of effectiveness of social or economic programmes.
• For example : Family planning scheme, Irrigation project.
(g) Diagnostic Study
• Similar to descriptive study but with a different focus, which is directed towards discovering what is happening? Why is it happening and what can be done about it?
• It aims at identifying the causes of problems and possible solutions for it.
Difference between Research methods and Research methodology
Sr. No. Research Methods Research Methodology
1. Tools, techniques or processes that are used for conduction of research. The principles that guide our research practices.
2. Aims at finding solutions to research problems. Research methodology aims at the employment of the correct procedures to find out solutions.
Difference between Experimental and Non- Experimental Research
Experimental Research Non- Experimental Research
1. This type of research always begins with some hypothesis which the research wants to test. In this type of research it is not essential to always have hypothesis. All exploratory researcher and many descriptive researcher do not have any hypothesis.
2. Data generated by this research are used to establish cause and affect relationship between two variables. On the basis of these data one can predict changes in the independent variable. Data generated by this type of research are not helpful in establishing the cause and effect relationships between variables. They can be used only to describe certain relationships without interdependence.
(1) Descriptive vs. Analytical
The fact finding inquiries and the field surveys are main contents of descriptive research. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. In social science and business research we quite often use the term Ex post facto research for descriptive research studies. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Most ex post facto researchprojects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data. Ex post facto studies also in¬clude attempts by researchers to discover causes even when they cannot control the variables. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including com¬parative and correlational methods. In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the materi
(2) Applied vs Fundamental
Applied and fundamental are the two faces of research. Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a theory. “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake” is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research. Research concern¬ing some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research. Similarly, research studies, concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalisations about human behaviour, are also examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research. Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institu¬tion or the copy research to find out whether certain communications will be read and understood or the marketing research or evaluation research are examples of applied research. Thus, the central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical problem, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base of application and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
Sr. No. Pure Research Applied Research
1. Studies a problem usually from the focus of one discipline. Several disciplines collaborate for solving the problem.
2. Aims to illuminate the theory by enriching the basic of a discipline. Aims to solve a problem by enriching the field of application of a discipline.
3. Seeks generalizations Often studies individual cases without the objective to generalize
4. Studies why things happen Studies how things can be changed
5.
Reports is in technical language
Report is in common language
6. Works on hypotheses that variables not measured remains constant.
Recognizes that other variables are constant by changing.
(3) Quantitative vs Qualitative
Measurement of quantity is followed by quantitative research. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviour (i.e., why people think or do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of qualitative research. This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth inter¬views for the purpose. Other techniques of such research are word association tests, sentence comple¬tion tests, story completion tests and similar other projective techniques. Attitude or opinion research i.e., research designed to find out how people feel or what they think about a particular subject or institution is also qualitative research. Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioural sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behaviour.
(4) Conceptual vs Empirical
The research, which is based on some ideas on theory, is known as conceptual research. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. On the other hand, 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 research. In such a research it is necessary to get at facts first hand, at their source, and actively to go about doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired information.
There are many other kinds of research which are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches, based on either the purpose of research, or the time required to accomplish research, or the environment in which research is done, or on the basis or some other similar factor. From the point of view of time, we can think or research either as one-time research or longitudinal research. In the former case the research is confined to a single time-period, whereas in the latter case the research is carried on over several time-periods. Research can be field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research, depending upon the environment in which it is to be carried out. Research can as well be understood as clinical or diagnostic research. Such research follow case-study methods or in-depth approaches to reach the basic casual relations. Such studies usually go deep into the causes of things or events that interest us, using very small samples and very deep probing data gathering devices. The research may be exploratory or it may be formalized. The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypothesis rather than their testing, whereas formalised research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypothesis to be tested. Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy or persons and groups at any remote point of time. Research can also be classified as problem oriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented research is always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case is not free to embark upon research according to his own inclination. Operations research is an example of decision oriented research since it is a scientific method of providing executive departments with a quantitative basis for deci¬sions regarding operations under their control.
First, we should start from the word ‘research’. This word is made up by adding ‘Re’ as a prefix to the word ‘search’. Search is to make known of an existent unknown thing. Therefore, research (search of searched) means to elicit some facts out of a known thing. Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge
Every letter of the word ‘research’ emphasizes a special and dignified meaning as given below.
R – Rational (way of thinking)
E – Expert/Exhaustive (Treatment)
S – Search (for solution)
E – Exactness
A – Analytical Analysis (of adequate data)
R – Relationship (of facts)
C – Careful (recording)/ critical (observation) / constructive (attitude) / condensed/and compactly (stated Generalisation
H – Honesty/Hard work
Research is thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its advancement. It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study. observation, comparison and experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem in research.
We can summarize the modern meaning of research in following points-Research is
• an attitude of inquiry,
• an attempt to elicit facts
• a systematic and scholarly application of the scientific method.
• essentially a state of mind – a friendly, welcoming attitude towards change.
Definition
Research is systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomenon.
-Kerlinger
Research may be defined as the systematic method of discovering new facts or verifying old facts, their sequences, interrelationships, casual explanations and the natural laws which govern them.
-Young PV
Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested, solutions, collecting, organizing and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions and at last carefully listing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
-Clifford Woody
Research is the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may leave to development of generalizations, principles or theories result in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events.
-John W.Best
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
1. It is a scientific investigation. Research (re-search) means to “search again.’ It connotes patient study and scientific investigation.
2. It develops concepts and the theories. One reason for conducting research is to develop and evaluate concepts and the theories.
3. It is solution oriented and directed towards the solution of a problem.
4. It determines the relation between two or more variables.
5. Research emphasizes to the development of theories, concept, principles and generalization that are helpful in predicting future occurrences.
6. Research is replicable. The design, procedures and result of scientific research should be replicable so that any person other than researcher may assess the validity of research.
7. Research requires that researchers have full knowledge of the problem under the study.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
To discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures, it’s main aim is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of research objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it. (Exploratory or formulative research studies).
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group. (Descriptive research studies).
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else. (Diagnostic research studies).
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research studies).
Types of Research
a) Fundamental Research/Pure Research/Basic Research:
• It is undertaken for the sake of knowledge without any intension to apply it in practice.
• This research helps in developing theories by discovering broad generalisation and principles.
• It is organised through different procedures of research like sampling, hypothesizing facts, etc. It can be experimented in a psychological laboratory.
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics, research studies concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behaviour are examples of fundamental research.
b) Applied
• Aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization.
• Solve practical problem of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge sake.
• Marketing research is an example of applied research.
c) Exploratory Research
• It is a preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which researcher has little or no knowledge.
• The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypothesis rather than their testing.
d) Action Research
• Its aim is immediate application but not any development of theory.
• It is research either initiated to solve the immediate problem or if the researcher finds any problem during the course of his field investigation and observation he applies it.
(e) Descriptive study
• Includes surveys and fact findings enquiries of different kinds.
• The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs, as it exists at present.
• In social science and business research the term often used is ex-post fact research.
• The researcher has no control over the variables, he can only report what has happened or what is happening.
(f) Evaluation Study
• It is a type of applied research.
• It is made for assessing and taking stock of effectiveness of social or economic programmes.
• For example : Family planning scheme, Irrigation project.
(g) Diagnostic Study
• Similar to descriptive study but with a different focus, which is directed towards discovering what is happening? Why is it happening and what can be done about it?
• It aims at identifying the causes of problems and possible solutions for it.
Difference between Research methods and Research methodology
Sr. No. Research Methods Research Methodology
1. Tools, techniques or processes that are used for conduction of research. The principles that guide our research practices.
2. Aims at finding solutions to research problems. Research methodology aims at the employment of the correct procedures to find out solutions.
Difference between Experimental and Non- Experimental Research
Experimental Research Non- Experimental Research
1. This type of research always begins with some hypothesis which the research wants to test. In this type of research it is not essential to always have hypothesis. All exploratory researcher and many descriptive researcher do not have any hypothesis.
2. Data generated by this research are used to establish cause and affect relationship between two variables. On the basis of these data one can predict changes in the independent variable. Data generated by this type of research are not helpful in establishing the cause and effect relationships between variables. They can be used only to describe certain relationships without interdependence.
(1) Descriptive vs. Analytical
The fact finding inquiries and the field surveys are main contents of descriptive research. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. In social science and business research we quite often use the term Ex post facto research for descriptive research studies. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Most ex post facto researchprojects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data. Ex post facto studies also in¬clude attempts by researchers to discover causes even when they cannot control the variables. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including com¬parative and correlational methods. In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the materi
(2) Applied vs Fundamental
Applied and fundamental are the two faces of research. Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a theory. “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake” is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research. Research concern¬ing some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research. Similarly, research studies, concerning human behaviour carried on with a view to make generalisations about human behaviour, are also examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research. Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institu¬tion or the copy research to find out whether certain communications will be read and understood or the marketing research or evaluation research are examples of applied research. Thus, the central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical problem, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base of application and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
Sr. No. Pure Research Applied Research
1. Studies a problem usually from the focus of one discipline. Several disciplines collaborate for solving the problem.
2. Aims to illuminate the theory by enriching the basic of a discipline. Aims to solve a problem by enriching the field of application of a discipline.
3. Seeks generalizations Often studies individual cases without the objective to generalize
4. Studies why things happen Studies how things can be changed
5.
Reports is in technical language
Report is in common language
6. Works on hypotheses that variables not measured remains constant.
Recognizes that other variables are constant by changing.
(3) Quantitative vs Qualitative
Measurement of quantity is followed by quantitative research. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviour (i.e., why people think or do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of qualitative research. This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth inter¬views for the purpose. Other techniques of such research are word association tests, sentence comple¬tion tests, story completion tests and similar other projective techniques. Attitude or opinion research i.e., research designed to find out how people feel or what they think about a particular subject or institution is also qualitative research. Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioural sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behaviour.
(4) Conceptual vs Empirical
The research, which is based on some ideas on theory, is known as conceptual research. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. On the other hand, 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 research. In such a research it is necessary to get at facts first hand, at their source, and actively to go about doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired information.
There are many other kinds of research which are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches, based on either the purpose of research, or the time required to accomplish research, or the environment in which research is done, or on the basis or some other similar factor. From the point of view of time, we can think or research either as one-time research or longitudinal research. In the former case the research is confined to a single time-period, whereas in the latter case the research is carried on over several time-periods. Research can be field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research, depending upon the environment in which it is to be carried out. Research can as well be understood as clinical or diagnostic research. Such research follow case-study methods or in-depth approaches to reach the basic casual relations. Such studies usually go deep into the causes of things or events that interest us, using very small samples and very deep probing data gathering devices. The research may be exploratory or it may be formalized. The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypothesis rather than their testing, whereas formalised research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypothesis to be tested. Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy or persons and groups at any remote point of time. Research can also be classified as problem oriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented research is always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case is not free to embark upon research according to his own inclination. Operations research is an example of decision oriented research since it is a scientific method of providing executive departments with a quantitative basis for deci¬sions regarding operations under their control.
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