Research- definitions
• John W.Best- the
systematic and objective
analysis and recording of
controlled observations
that may lead to the
developments of
generalizations,
principles, or theories,
resulting in prediction and
possibly ultimate control
of events
• Clover & Basley- process
of systematically
obtaining accurate
answers to significant and
pertinent questions by the
use of scientific method
of gathering and
interpreting information.
 What is research?
• Characteristics of research
– Directed to solution of a problem
– Emphasis development of generation of principles or
theories- help predicting future occurrences
– Based on observable experience- empirical evidence
– Demands accurate observation and description
– Gathering new data
– Applying rigorous analysis
– Requires expertise- skill to investigate, search
literature, analyse the data
– Strives to be objective, logical, test validity, reliability
& authenticity
– Carefully recorded and reported
 Main steps in research
1. Selection of subject
• Basis of experience and the
available facts of social
work, - formulate social
problems
2. Formulation of hypothesis-
form social ideas about the
problem- tentative
justification the validity of
which remains to be tested.
3. Construction of research
design – carry his work
systematically to test
hypothesis, analyze data
4. Literature review – related
problem survey
5. Collection of data
6. Tabulation of collected data –
systematically tabulated and
classified.
7. Analysis and interpretation of
data- which data belong to
which field and what are the
basic requirements of a
particular data and what are
its characteristics.
8. Verification of problem and
hypothesis – verify the
problem, hypothesis
9. Generalization – certain
general principles – based on
results
 ….
• Title
• Statement of the problem
• Review of earlier literature
• Sources of information to be tapped
• Development of bibliography
• Nature of study
• Objectives of study
• Socio- cultural context of study
• Geographical areas to be covered
• Periods of time to be covered or time dimension of the study
• Dimensions of the study
• The basis for selecting the data
• Techniques of study
• The control of error
• Establish the reliability and validity of instruments
• Chapter scheme
1. Title – no more than name of
topic- suggest theme of study
2. Statement of the problem –
not exactly same as title- an
attempt to focus on clear goal-
expansion of title. Major
questions may be followed by
several minor questions or
statements
3. Review of earlier literature
preliminary step before
attempting to plan the study-
essential to review all relevant
materials connected with
problem- show how problem
under study relates to previous
research studies- show how
this work differs with existing
literature
5. Sources of information to be
tapped – documentary and field
sources- field sources – living
persons – have fund of
knowledge – documentary
sources- published and
unpublished documents,
reports, statistics, manuscripts,
letters, diaries – either primary
or secondary. primary data-
participant observation,
personal interview,
correspondence, conference,
questionnaire,
6. Development of bibliography –
each reference – appear on
separate card- name of author
first, his initials or given name –
title of reference, publisher’s
name and date of publication
 …
7. Nature of study – statistical
study, case study, or
comparative study or
experimental study or
combination of these – should
be decided.
8. Objectives of study – compiled
in clear cut terms. Hypothesis
may be formed and tested.
9. Socio- cultural context of study
ascertain socio cultural
behavior pattern of the persons.
Understand persons adhere,
deviate or withdraw from them
completely.
10. Geographical areas to be
covered – physical boundaries
to be specified
11. Periods of time to be covered or
time dimension of the study-
period to be encompassed-
exploration of problem made
easier and clear.
12. Dimensions of the study –
limitations to be mentioned, new
concepts be defined.
13. The basis for selecting the data –
greater care in selecting the
sample from the universe. Sample
be closely representative of
universe.
14. Techniques of study- based on
nature of study. questionnaire
method, observation method,
interview method or some
techniques collectively
15. The control of error- what
variables operate given
situation.- field study to
control key variables and to
randomize others. Variables
– their control to be
described
16. Establish the reliability and
validity of instruments-
evaluate the data collected-
primary sources – desirable
than secondary sources
16. Chapter scheme – last step-
headings may be changed –
final form is determined by
nature of study - - basis of for
chapter scheme is the
objectives of research
problem. must include main
findings as independent
chapter- first chapter is
introductory – last chapter for
findings, conclusions and
suggestions. Five to six
optimum numbers.
 Criteria of good research
1. Purpose of the research should be clearly
defined and common concept be used
2. Research procedure used – described – permit
another person to repeat for further
advancement- keep the continuity
3. Design – planned carefully- results – objective
4. Complete frankness- flaws, findings
5. Data analysis- reveal significance- appropriate-
validity, reliability- checked carefully
6. Conclusion- confined to data
7. Confidence, integrity
 CGR
• Systematic- structured- well defined rules,
creative thinking, conclusion
• Logical- induction- from part to whole
• Deduction- some premise to conclusion
• Empirical- based on real situation- deals
with concrete data
• Replicable-
 Objectivity
• Personal emotions- researcher bias
• Personal motives- informer bias
• Customs and superstitions
• Misunderstanding – lack of knowledge
• Quick and hurried performance
• External pressure – (organisational, guide)
• Faulty methodology- Sampling bias, wrong
design, biased tool
 Difficulties & limitations
• Problem of collecting • Difficulty in use of
information experimental method
• Dependence on others
• Problem of analyzing data
• Problem of tool (questionnaire)
• Temptation for generalization
• Complexity of data- human
beings difference
• Problem of cause – effect
relationship
• Dynamic nature -
unpredictability
• Maintaining objectivity
• Difficulty in verification- non
repetitive
 Research problem selection and
formulation
• Sources of research problem
– Inference from theory of one’s own interest
– Daily problems
– Technological and social changes
– unexplored areas
– Professional literature- research reports,
bibliographies, articles, periodicals, research
abstracts, year books, research guides
– Research gaps
– Discussion with experts
 Format- chapter scheme
• Chapter I- Introduction
• Chapter II- Review of literature
• Chapter III- Research Methodology
• Chapter IV- Analysis and interpretation of
data
• Chapter V- Findings, suggestions and
conclusion
• Appendix
 Introduction
• Background of the Research study
 Review of literature
• Previous literatures- to identify research
gap
 Research methodology
• Formulation of research problem
• Profile of organisation
• Main aim with specific objectives
• Hypothesis/hypotheses
• Sources of data
• Research design
• Sampling procedure/design
• Limitations of the study
 Analysis and interpretation of data
• Editing
• Coding
• Classification
• Transcription
• Methods of transcription
• Tabulation
• Electronic data processing
• Analysis of data
Findings, suggestions and
conclusion
 appendix
• Bibliography
• Research tools
• Map
 Research design
• Data collected accurately and
economically
• Pauline V Young – logical and systematic
planning and directing a piece of research.
• Russel ackoff- the process of making
decisions before a situation arises in
which the decision has to be carried out.
 Essentials of R D
• Plan- - specifies objectives of the study &
hypotheses to be tested
• Outline- specifies sources & types of
information relevant to research questions
• Blueprint- method to be adopted for
gathering and analyzing data
• Scheme- generalizability- to large
population- to different situations
 Preparation of R D
• What is the study about? • What are the sources of data?
• Why is the study made? • What is sample size?
• What is its scope? • What is cost involved?
• What are the objectives of the
study?
• What are the hypotheses tested?
• Major concepts defined
operationally?
• When or in what place will the
study be conducted?
• Reference period of the study?
• What kinds of data are needed?
 Types – kinds of R D
• Explorative or formulative
• Descriptive
• Diagnostic
• Experimental
• Case study
 Explorative
• Achieve new insights
• To formulate a more precise problem
• To develop hypotheses
 Descriptive
• Portraying accurately the characteristics of
a particular group or situation.
• Attitude or view of people towards
anything
 Diagnostic
• Solution of a specific • Means
problem • Case history
• To find out relevant • Interview
variables associated with • Clinical observation
the problems
• Informal testing
• Typical problem solving
strategy – emergence of • Formal standardized
a problem, diagnosis its testing
causes, formulation of
possible avenues of
remediation &
recommendations for a
possible solution
 Experimental design
• Observe & measure the effect of
manipulation of the independent variable
on the dependent variable
• Testing casual hypothesis
• Occurrence X- determine occurrence Y
• Control group- experimental group
 Sources of data- Secondary
sources
• Internal source external source

• Private documents public documents

• Life history 1published 2 unpublished
• Diaries journal
• Letters newspapers
• Memoirs radio TV
Films
public speeches
 Sampling, sampling design,
technique or methods or types
Population or universe
Defined as a set of data that consist of all
conceivable (or hypothetically) possible
observations of a certain phenomenon population
which may be homogenous or heterogeneous.
Census and surveys
Conducted with populations that are
heterogeneous.
Census – provide highest accuracy – free from
sampling errors
Sample error- due to use of sampling surveys
 Pilot study
• Preliminary step conducted on a limited
scale before the original studies are
carried out
• Acquire general knowledge about problem
 Pre testing
• Process of an advance testing of the study
design after the schedule/questionnaire
has been prepared.
• To detect discrepancies that have crept in
and to remove them after necessary
modifications in the schedule
 Meaning of sampling
• Sample – smaller representation of a large whole
• A section of the population selected from the latter in
such a way that they are representative of the universe
called sample.
• A group of elements is referred as a sample and the
process of selection is called sampling
• The method of selecting for study a portion of the
universe with a view to draw conclusion about the
universe is known as sampling
• The selection of part of aggregate or totality on the basis
of which a judgment or inference about the aggregate or
totality is made
 Sampling design
• Theoretical basis and the practical means
by which we infer the characteristics of
some population by generalizing from the
characteristics of relatively few of the units
comprising the population
• Population or universe -Is • Sample – a method of
the aggregate of all units selecting some fraction of
possessing certain a population
specified characteristics • Design – describes the
on which the sample seeks
to draw inferences; method by which the
sample is chosen
• for example, families with
incomes within a given
range
• Census – a total
enumeration of individuals’
elements, or units in a
defined population
 Methods
• Probability sampling or Random sampling-

• Non probability sampling or non- random sampling

 Random sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Stratified random sampling
• Systematic random sampling
• Cluster sampling
 Non random sampling
• Accidental sampling
• Quota sampling
• Purposive sampling
• Convenience sample
 Simple random sampling
• Each and every item in the whole population
(homogeneous) has an equal and independent
chance of being included in the sample.
• Suitable to small homogeneous population

• Lottery method or table of random numbers

( 1) tippett’s table of random numbers,
2 )kendall and babington smith numbers,
3) fisher and yate’ s numbers
 Stratified random sampling
• Universe is divided/subdivided into
homogeneous groups called strata
• Sample is drawn from each stratum at
random
• A stratified sample is thus equivalent to a set
of random samples of a number of such
populations, each representing a single type
of stratum
 Systematic random sampling
• Every kth item is selected in a list representing a population
• Number k is called sampling interval
• Items of a population are arranged in a systematic order on the
basis of its important characteristics
• First number is chosen at random from the first k items
• Sampling interval K = size of the universe
_________________________

size of the sample

Followed when complete list of population is
available
 Multi stage or cluster
• Several stages
 Non random

• No assurance that every element has some specifiable

chance of being included.

• Accidental
• reaches out takes the cases that fall to hand continuing
the process till such time as the sample reaches a
designated size.
• For example, the researcher may take the first 150
persons he meets on any one of the pedestrian paths of
a street
• Economical, convenient , too much accuracy is not
required
 Convenience sampling
• Called chunk
• Fraction of population being interviewed –
selected neither by probability or by
judgment but by convenience.
• From readily available list - automobile
registration, telephone directory
• Making pilot study
 judgment
• According to one’s personal judgment.
• Include only those items of the universe in the sample
which he considers are most typical of the convenience.
• Only average items are considered, \not extreme items
• Selection – adjusted in accordance with the object of
enquiry, so that significant item may be ignored

• Suitable
• When only small number of sampling is the universe
• Solving every day business problem
• Making public policy decision
• Urgent problem
 Quota
• Is instructed to collect information from an
assigned number, or quota of individuals
in each of several group
• Group being specified as to age, sex,
Income,
• Choice is interviewer’s not being decided
by probability methods
 Sampling error
• Biased
• Causes of biases
• Faulty process of selection
• Faulty work during the collection of information
• Selection of sample in a haphazard way
• Substitution of the selected item in the sample
by another
• Incomplete investigation or response
 hypothesis
• - is a tentative generalization, the validity
of which remains to be tested. In its most
elementary stage the hypothesis may be
every hunch, guess, imaginative data
which becomes the basis for action or
investigation
• If hypothesis is proved, the problem of
which it was a tentative solution is
answered.
• If it is not proved, alternative hypothesis
or situations would need to be formulated
and tested.
 Sources of Hypothesis
• Religion, custom
• Folk wisdom
• Current popular beliefs
• Findings of other studies
• Cases
• Personal experience and individual reaction
• theory
 Criteria of good (Workable)
hypothesis
• Conceptual clarity • Related to a body of
• Formal (conceptual) theory
• Operationally • Relevant & available
• Empirically testable- techniques
can be tested in field • Simple- to the point
observation
• Closest to things
observable
• Specific in nature
 Types of hypothesis
• False hypothesis
• Barren hypothesis
• Null hypothesis