Research Methodology Introduction

Research Methodology: Its Nature and Scope

Sasmita Mishra

What is Research? Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. It is a careful investigation or enquiry specially through search for knowledge. It is a movement from known to unknown.

Objectives of Research Methodology  To gain familiarity with a phenomenon to achieve new insights into it - Exploratory/formulative research.  To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group Descriptive research.  To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else - Diagnostic research.  To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables – hypothesis testing research

What makes people to undertake research?  Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits  Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems. Ex. Concern over practical problems initiates research.  Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work.  Desire to be of service to society  Desire to get respectability.

Types of Research  Descriptive vs. Analytical  Applied vs. Fundamental  Quantitative vs. Qualitative  Conceptual vs. Empirical  Others  Cross sectional or longitudinal  Field setting or laboratory  Clinical or diagnostic research  Conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented

Research Approaches Qualitative

Inferential

Experimental

Quantitative

Simulation

Methods: Focus group discussions, projective techniques, and depth interviews.

Significance of Research  Research Provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system  It solves various operational and planning problems of business industry  It is important for social scientists in studyin social relationships and in seeking answers to various social problem.