Research Methodology is the way in which research problems are solved systematically.

System of modals, procedures and techniques

It describes the various steps that are generally adopted by the researcher in studying the research problem

To obtain accurate and relevant information for solving research problemTo take the evidenceTo achieve effective and appropriate findings

Research is the Search for KnowledgeIt is an Art of Scientific InvestigationAccording to Redman and Mory, Research is a Systematic effort to gain new knowledgeIn sum, Research is the search for knowledge, using objective and systematic methods to find solution to a problem.

To generate the body of the knowledgeTo obtain the solution for the social issues

To gain familiarity with new insights into a phenomenonTo accurately portray the characteristics of a particular individual, group, or a situationTo analyze the frequency with which something occursTo examine the Hypothesis of a casual relationship between two variables

Managers and administratorsAcademicsGovernment agenciesConsultantsStudents

Research Methods are the methods that the researcher adopts for conducting the research Studies

Research Methodology is the way in which research problems are solved systematically. It is the Science of studying how research is conducted Scientifically

Purpose clearly definedResearch process detailedProcedural design should be carefully plannedShould report with complete franknessHigh ethical standards applied

ObjectivityUnbiasednessThirst for investigationAcademic honestyDedicationInformation searchingCommunication skillSelf monitoringKnowledge in the field of research

1. Formulating the Research Problem2. Extensive Literature Survey3. Developing Hypothesis4. Preparing the Research Design5. Determining Sample Design6. Collecting Data7. Analysis of the Data8. Hypothesis Testing9. Generalization and Interpretation10. Preparation of the Report or Presentation of the Results

Research Problem is an unanswered question that a researcher might encounter in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation

A research problem refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences and wants to obtain a solution for the same. The components of a research problem are:

There should be an individual or a group who have some difficulty or problemThere should be some objective to be pursued (A person or an organization who wants nothing cannot have a problem)There should be more than one alternative means available to the Researcher.There should be some doubt in the mind of the Researcher about the choice of alternative meansThere must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains

Statement of the problem in a general wayUnderstanding the nature of the problemSurveying the available literatureDeveloping ideas through discussionsRephrasing the research problem

It highlights decisions which includeThe Name of the StudyThe Purpose of the StudyThe Location where the study would be conductedThe Nature of Data RequiredFrom where the required Data can be collectedWhat time period the study would coverThe Type of Sample DesignThe Techniques of Data CollectionThe Methods of Data AnalysisIn what style will the report be prepared

The sampling design: method of selecting itemsThe observational design: the conditions under which observations are to be madeThe statistical design: methods of data analysisThe operational design: the techniques by which the procedures specified above can be carried out

Research Design in case of exploratory research studies

Research Design in case of Descriptive and Diagnostic research studies

Research Design in case of Hypothesis-testing Research Design research studies

To formulate a Research Problem for an in-depth or more precise investigationTo discover new ideas and insightsThree methods considered for such Research Design

a) A Survey of related Literatureb) Experience surveyc) Analysis of insight-stimulating instances: Suitable in areas where there is little experience to serve as a guide

Descriptive Research Design is concerned with describing the characteristics of a particular individual or a group.Diagnostic Research Design is determines the frequency with which a variable occurs or its relationship with other.The design for both studies is rigid and consists of the following:

Formulating the objectiveData collection methodsSample selectionCollection of dataAnalysisReporting

The Researcher tests the Hypothesis of casual relationship between two or more variablesSuch studies require experiments to be conducted as experiments are unbiased. Thus when we talk of research design in such studies, we often mean the design of experiments.

The principle of replication: The experiment should be repeated more than once to increase the statistical accuracy of the experiments. In other words, it is a complete run for all the treatments to be tested in the experiment.The principle of randomization: Provides protection against the effect the extraneous factorsThe principle of local control: The extraneous factor is made to vary deliberately(application of ANOVA)

INFORMALBefore and after without control designAfter only with control designBefore and after with control design

FORMALCompletely randomized designRandomized block designLatin square designFactorial designs

Before and after without control design

After only with control design

Before and after with control design

METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

There are 2 types of data: primary and secondaryPrimary data is collected by the researcher himself using surveys, observation and experimentsSecondary data is already available beforehandAdvantages and disadvantages of both types of data?????????

Identify the need for secondary dataUtility of internal data sourcesUtility of external data sourcesUse external dataTest for objectivity, relevancy, accuracy, currency, authenticity, action ability

Test for objectivity, relevancy, accuracy, currency, authenticity, action ability Stop using internal sec. data Stop using external sec. dataNot usefulFF

Stop using external sec. dataNot useful

There are two major methods of primary data collection

Survey: Gathering info through respondents for any pre established research objective

Observation: watching and recording the behavior of test subjects without any interaction with them

CostTimeResponse rateSpeed of data collectionSurvey coverage areaBias due to InterviewerQuantity of dataAnonymity of the respondentsQuestion posingQuestion diversity

Observation research can be broadly classified as:Direct vs Indirect: observing behavior vs observing the outcome of behaviorStructured vs unstructured: following a guideline vs not following a guidelineDisguised vs undisguised: subject unaware vs subject awareHuman vs Mechanical

Personal ObservationMechanical observationAudits (examination of particular records or inventory analysis of the items under investigation)Content analysis (research technique used to objectively and systematically make inferences about the intentions, attitudes and values of individuals by identifying specified characteristics in textual messages)Physical Trace Analysis(involves collection of data through physical trace of the subjects in terms of understanding their past behavior)

A questionnaire consists of formalized and pre specified set of questions designed to obtain responses from potential respondents. The questions reflect the research objective under investigation

PART 1: Pre Construction PhaseSpecify the required info in light of the research objectiveOverview of respondents characteristicsSelecting an appropriate survey techniquePART 2: Construction PhaseDecision regarding question formatDecision Regarding question wordingDecision Regarding question sequencingDecision Regarding question response choiceDecision Regarding questionnaire layoutProduce first draft of questionnairePART 3: Post Construction PhaseGo for pre testingRevisit the questionnaireRevise final draftAdminister the questionnaire

Open-ended questionsQuestions in which respondent answers in his own wordsMost beneficial in exploratory researchCosts are much greater than for fixed questions due to coding, editing, and analyzing the data.Fixed-alternative/Close-ended questionsQuestion in which respondent selects one or more options from pre-determined set of responsesAlternatives should be mutually exclusive3 types: Simple dichotomy , MCQs and scales

Most questionnaires include both open-ended and close ended questions.

Questions should be simple and easy to understandEg: What is your perception about the new ad campaign?No Vague or ambiguous wordsEg: in one year, how much will you spend on shopping?Avoid double barreled questionsEg: On weekends, would you prefer an outing with your family and where would you like to go?Avoid leading and loaded questionsEg: Arent you satisfied with the new feature of this product?Eg: Every patriotic Indian will prefer an Indian brand of soap.In some situations, the split ballot technique is used

Avoid using overstated wordsAvoid implied assumptionsDo you think Company A should continue with its incentive scheme on bulk purchase?Respondents memory should not be overtaxedAvoid generalization and estimationWhat is the average per person consumption of pulses by your family in the past 6 months?Respondents ability to answer must be considered

Screening questionsOpening questionsTransition statements(movement from one set of questions to another)Difficult to answer questionsIdentification and categorization questions (basic info and demographic info)Logical order of questioning(Funnel technique, Work technique, Section technique)

As a general rule, researchers present a question with five to seven response alternatives, but these can vary in accordance to the question being asked.Eg: which place would you like to visit during the holidays?Eg: how do you like to spend your time during the weekend?

Decision Regarding questionnaire layoutProduce first draft of questionnaire

PRE TESTING: Involves administering the questionnaire to a small sample of the population to identify and eliminate potential problems.4 methods are used: expert panel, conventional pre test, behavioral interaction coding and cognitive interviewsREVISIT THE QUESTIONNAIREREVISE FINAL DRAFTADMINISTER THE QUESTIONNAIRE