Research Methods Session 1 & 2

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

Research Methods Meaning of Research Research is defined as a scientific and systematic search for p potential information on a specific p topic p It is an art of scientific investigation A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge (Advanced Learners Dictionary) y effort to g gain new knowledge g A systemized (Redman and Mory)
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

According to Clifford Woody research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions. Collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions and carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson define research as the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of f generalising li i t extend, to t d correct t or verify if knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in practice of an art
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

The search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem is research. The systematic approach concerning generalisation and the formulation of a theory is also research. Research is the primary tool used in virtually all areas of science to expand the frontiers of knowledge. For example, research is used in such diverse scientific fields as psychology, biology, medicine, physics, and botany, to name just j t a few f of f the th areas in i which hi h research h makes k valuable contributions to what we know and how we think about things.
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

Among other A h things, hi b conducting by d i research, h researchers h attempt to reduce the complexity of problems, discover the relationship p between seemingly g y unrelated events, and ultimately improve the way we live. In recent years, years the results of various research studies have taken center stage in the popular media. No longer is research the private domain of research professors and scientists i ti t wearing i white hit lab l b coats. t To the contrary, y the results of research studies are frequently reported on the local evening news, CNN, the Internet, and various other media outlets that are accessible to both scientists and nonscientists alike. alike
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

For example, example in recent years, years we have all become familiar with research regarding the effects of stress on our psychological well-being, the health benefits of a low cholesterol h l t l diet, di t the th effects ff t of f exercise i i preventing in ti certain forms of cancer, which automobiles are safest to drive, and the deleterious effects of pollution on global warming.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

Obj ti Objectives of f Research R h

To o ga gain familiarity a a ty with w t a phenomenon p e o e o or o to achieve ac eve new ew insights into it (studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative research studies) To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group (studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies)

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

Objectives of Research (cont.) (cont ) To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research studies) ) To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables (such studies are known as hypothesis-testing hypothesis testing research studies)

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

The purpose of research is to discover answers through the application of scientific procedures. The objectives are: To g gain familiarity y with a p phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it Exploratory or Formulative Research. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group Descriptive Research.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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 yp g Research.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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What Exactly is Research? Research studies come in many different forms, two of the most common types of researchcorrelational research and experimental research. Correlational research: In correlational research, , the goal is to determine whether two or more variables are related. (A variable is anything that can take on different values, values such as weight, time, and height.) For example, a researcher may be interested in determining whether age is related to weight.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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In this example, p , a researcher may y discover that age g is indeed related to weight because as age increases, weight also increases. If a correlation between two variables is strong enough, enough knowing about one variable allows a researcher to make a prediction about the other variable. It is i important i to point i out, however, that a correlation i or relationshipbetween two things does not necessarily mean that one thing g caused the other. To draw a cause-andeffect conclusion, researchers must use experimental research.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Characteristics of Research Research is directed towards the solution of a problem. Research R h is i based b d upon observable b bl experience i or empirical evidence. Research demands accurate observation and description. Research involves gathering new data from primary sources or using existing data for a new purpose. Research activities are characterized by carefully designed procedures. Research R h requires i expertise ti i.e., i skill kill necessary to t carryout investigation, search the related literature and to understand and analyze the data gathered.
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Research is objective and logical applying every possible test to validate the data collected and conclusions reached. Research involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems. Research requires courage. Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity. R Research h is i carefully f ll recorded d d and d reported. t d

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Characteristics of Research : Cont.

The Process to qualify as Research, it must have certain characteristics:-It must as far as possible be Controlled C t ll d- the th concept t of f control t l implies i li th t in that, i exploring l i causality lit in i relation of 2 variables you set up your study in a way that minimizes the effects of other factors affecting the relationship, it is easy in case of physical sciences and extremely difficult in social sciences, where we attempt to quantify their impact Rigorous- the research questions are relevant, appropriate and justified Systematic- the procedures adopted follow a certain logical sequence Valid & Verifiable- whatever Research conclusions are drawn is correct & can be verified by you & others. Empirical- Any Conclusions drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered from information collected Critical- the process adopted for research should be foolproof and free from any drawback.
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Significance g of Research It promotes the development of logical thinking and organisation It provides basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system eg,.Govt. G budget rests on analysis i of f needs and desires i of the people & availability of revenues to meet these needs. Research facilitates the decision of the policy maker.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Research has its special significance in solving various operational and planning problems of Business industry Eg. Given knowledge of future demand, it is generally not difficult for a firm to adjust its supply schedule within the limits. Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationship and in seeking answers to various social problems

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Experimental research: In its simplest form, experimental research involves comparing i t two groups on one outcome t measure to t test t t some hypothesis regarding causation. For example, if a researcher is interested in the effects of a new medication on headaches, the researcher would randomly divide a group of people with headaches into two groups. One of the groups, the experimental group, would receive the new medication being tested. The other group, the control t l group, would ld receive i a placebo l b medication di ti (i (i.e., a medication containing a harmless substance, such as sugar, that has no physiological effects).
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Besides receiving the different medications, medications the groups would be treated exactly the same so that the research could isolate the effects of the medications. After receiving th medications, the di ti b th groups would both ld be b compared d to t see whether people in the experimental group had fewer headaches than people in the control group. Assuming this study was properly designed, if people in the experimental group had fewer headaches than people in the control group, the researcher could conclude that the new medication reduces headaches.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Types of Research
Descriptive vs . Analytical : Descriptive research i l d surveys and includes d factf t finding fi di enquiries i i of f different diff t kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. 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 descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure such items as, as for example, example frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlation methods. In Analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyse these to make a critical evaluation of the material. Applied vs. Fundamental : Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation, whereas f d fundamental t l research h is i mainly i l concerned d with ith generalisations and with the formulation of a theory. Gathering knowledge for the knowledges sake is termed as pure or basic research.
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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The 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 b base of f applications li ti and d thus th add, dd to t the th already l d existing i ti organised body of scientific knowledge. Quantitative vs. Qualitative : Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount or applicable to a phenomenon that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative Q lit ti research h on the th other th hand h d , is i concerned d with the qualitative phenomenon relating to or involving quality or kind.
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Q Qualitative research is specially p y important p in the behavioural sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behaviour. Through such research we can analyse the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or which make people like or dislike a particular thing. Quantitative research involves studies that make use of statistical analysis y to obtain their findings. g Key y features include formal and systematic measurement and the use of statistics.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Qualitative research involves studies that do not attempt to quantify their results through statistical summary or analysis. Qualitative studies typically involve interviews and observations without formal measurement. A case study, which is an in-depth examination of one person, is a form of qualitative research. Qualitative research is often used as a source of hypotheses for later testing in quantitative research.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Nomothetic o o e c vs. s Idiographic og p c The nomothetic approach uses the study of groups to identify general laws that apply to a large group of people. The goal is often to identify the average member of the group being studied or the average performance of a group member. Social S i science i research, for f example, typically i relies i on quantitative i i research and the nomothetic approach. In other words, social scientists study large groups of people and rely on statistical analysis to obtain their findings. findings The idiographic approach is the study of an individual. An example of the idiographic approach is a case study like effect of stress on decision making.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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The ec choice o ce o of which c research e e c approaches pp o c e to o use e largely ge y depends epe on the o e types of questions being asked in the research study, and different fields of research typically rely on different categories of research to achieve their goals. The quantitative approach can be sub-classified into inferential, experimental i and simulation i i approaches to research.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Conceptual vs. Empirical : Conceptual research is that related to some abstract ideas or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts t or to t interpret i t t existing i ti ones. Empirical research relies on experience and observation alone, often without due regard for system or theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation and experiment. Such research is thus characterised by the experimenters control over the variables under study and its deliberate manipulation i l ti of f one of f them th t study to t d its it effect. ff t

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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The research may be exploratory or may be formalized. Th objective The bj ti of f exploratory l t research h is i the th development d l t of hypotheses rather than their testing, whereas formalized research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypotheses 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 of persons and groups at any remote t point i t of f time. ti When the research is conducted on the basis of historical data, the researcher is said to have followed a historical approach.

Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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Problems that are based on historical records, records documents or chronological data, can be conveniently investigated by following this method. Historical research depends on past observation and data and hence is non-repetitive, p , therefore it is only yap post facto analysis. However, historians, philosophers, social psychiatrists, literary men as well as social scientists use the historical approach. approach Historical research is the critical investigation of events, development, experiences of the past, the careful weighing of evidence, of the validity of the sources of information of past, , and the interpretation p of the weighed g evidence. the p
Dr. Sandip Mukherjee, NIFT Kolkata

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