Netaji Subhash Engineering College

Research Methodology

Name-Akella Kar k
University Roll No.-10930621059
Class Roll No.-215
Stream-CSE(3C)
Q1. Discuss in brief about research. Is there any importance of
research work for making govt. policy or for running / star ng a
business organiza on?
Brief Discussion on Research
Research is a systema c process of collec ng, analyzing, and
interpre ng informa on to answer ques ons or solve problems. It is
fundamentally guided by the principles of rigorous inquiry and aims
to contribute to a body of knowledge by establishing generalizable
facts through reproducible methods. Research can be classified into
various types based on purpose (basic vs. applied), methodology
(qualita ve vs. quan ta ve), and scope (descrip ve, exploratory,
explanatory, and evalua ve). It plays a cri cal role in advancing
scien fic understanding, fostering innova on, and facilita ng
informed decision-making across various sectors.
Importance of Research in Government Policy-Making
Research plays a crucial role in the development and evalua on of
government policies. Here's how:
 Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Research provides the
empirical evidence needed to form sound policies. It helps in
understanding complex issues, assessing the needs of the
popula on, and evalua ng the impact of current policies, thus
leading to more informed and effec ve governance.
 Iden fying Best Prac ces: Through compara ve studies and
benchmarking, research iden fies best prac ces from around
the world, which can be adapted and implemented in different
contexts.
 Cost Efficiency: Research helps in assessing the cost-
effec veness of various policy op ons, ensuring that resources
are used efficiently and that policies deliver maximum benefit
for the investment.
 Predic ng Outcomes: Research methodologies, like forecas ng
and simula ons, help predict the poten al outcomes of
policies, allowing policymakers to make adjustments before
implementa on.
  Public Accountability: Research facilitates transparency and
accountability by providing data and analysis that support
policy decisions, thereby enhancing public trust in government
ac ons.

Importance of Research in Business

Research is equally cri cal in the business sector for several reasons:
 Market Analysis: Research helps businesses understand market
trends, consumer behavior, and the compe ve landscape,
which are crucial for strategic planning and risk management.
 Product Development: Through research, businesses can
innovate and improve products and services to meet customer
needs more effec vely, thereby enhancing compe veness and
profitability.
 Marke ng Strategies: Research informs businesses about the
most effec ve ways to reach their target audience, the efficacy
of different adver sing channels, and the impact of marke ng
campaigns, leading to more effec ve promo ons and higher
sales.
 Opera onal Efficiency: Research into processes and systems
can help businesses streamline opera ons, improve quality, and
reduce costs.
 Strategic Expansion: Research enables businesses to iden fy
new opportuni es for growth, whether through expansion into
new markets, diversifica on of products, or other strategic
ini a ves.
Q2.Differen ate research method and research methodology.
While a research method is the specific technique used to collect and
analyze data, research methodology is the framework that guides the
choice and use of these methods. It includes the theore cal
founda ons of how the research is conducted, encompassing
strategies, plans, and procedures from the broad architecture of the
study to the detailed methods of data interpreta on and analysis.
Understanding both aspects is crucial for conduc ng sound research
that is methodologically robust and scien fically valid.
Research Method
Defini on: A research method refers to the specific techniques or
procedures used to iden fy, select, process, and analyze informa on
about a topic. In essence, it is the tool used to gather and analyze
data.
Examples:
 Qualita ve methods such as interviews, focus groups, and
ethnographic research.
 Quan ta ve methods such as surveys, experiments, and
sta s cal analysis.
 Mixed methods that combine both qualita ve and quan ta ve
approaches.
Characteris cs:
 Research methods are more prac cal and focused on specific
ac ons or steps taken to collect and analyze data.
 They are the tools and techniques that directly interact with the
data or the subject ma er.
 The choice of research method depends largely on the nature
of the research ques on, the researcher's methodological
preference, and the available resources.
Research Methodology
Defini on: Research methodology refers to the overarching strategy
and ra onale of the research project. It encompasses the en re set
of methods and the logic behind why par cular methods,
techniques, or procedures were chosen to address the research
problem. Methodology includes the theore cal analysis of the body
of methods and principles associated with a branch of knowledge to
integrate the logical phases of any par cular study.
Examples:
 The jus fica on for using a qualita ve approach to explore the
experiences and perspec ves of par cipants in a social study.
 The ra onale behind choosing a cross-sec onal survey design
to analyze consumer behavior.
 Discussion on ethical considera ons, theore cal frameworks,
and methodological limita ons.
Characteris cs:
 Research methodology is more about the theory and analysis of
how research is done, scien fically speaking.
 It provides the reasoning for the choice of methods, the
structure of the research, the tools employed, and the
techniques u lized.
 It involves the study of methods themselves, not merely their
applica on, and deals with the theore cal underpinnings of the
research methods.
Q3. Explore the roles of literature survey in pursuing a research
work? Also men on the cri cal role of literature survey.
A literature survey or literature review is an integral component of
academic research. It involves the comprehensive searching of
available literature to gain a thorough understanding of the subject at
hand. This process not only deepens the researcher's knowledge but
also establishes a founda on for the study. Here are several key roles
of a literature survey in pursuing research work:
1. Iden fying Research Gaps
A thorough literature review helps to iden fy gaps in the exis ng
body of knowledge. By systema cally evalua ng previous studies, a
researcher can pinpoint areas that have not been explored or fully
addressed. This process is crucial for jus fying the need for the
current research and framing its ques ons or hypotheses.
2. Avoiding Duplica on
By conduc ng an exhaus ve review of what has been published,
researchers ensure that they are not replica ng work that has
already been done, unless they intend to challenge previous findings
or verify results. This not only saves me and resources but also
contributes to the accumula on of new knowledge rather than
redundancy.
3. Understanding the Research Context
A literature survey provides crucial background informa on and
context about the research topic. It helps researchers understand the
evolu on of key ideas and the trajectory of research within the topic
area. This knowledge is vital for posi oning new research within the
broader academic dialogue.
4. Informing Research Design
Literature reviews help in the development of the research design.
Understanding previous methodological approaches allows
researchers to adopt or adapt strategies that have been shown to be
effec ve and to avoid those that have been problema c. It can guide
decisions about data collec on, analysis, and interpreta on
techniques.
 5. Enhancing Theore cal Founda ons
A literature review strengthens the theore cal founda on of a study.
By cri cally engaging with theore cal frameworks and models
previously used, researchers can choose appropriate theore cal tools
or develop new models that be er suit their specific study.
6. Establishing Credibility
Demonstra ng a deep and broad understanding of exis ng research
through a comprehensive literature survey establishes the
researcher's credibility. It shows that the researcher is well-informed
and has a thorough understanding of both the historical and current
perspec ves in the field.
7. Suppor ng Data Interpreta on and Discussion
Knowledge of exis ng literature aids in the interpreta on of research
findings. Researchers can compare their results with previous studies,
discuss consistencies or discrepancies, and speculate on the reasons
for these observa ons. This adds depth and context to discussions
and conclusions.
Cri cal Role of Literature Survey
The cri cal role of a literature survey in research is twofold:
valida on and benchmarking. Through a literature survey,
researchers validate the relevance and necessity of their study. It acts
as a benchmark against which new findings can be measured and
discussed. The literature survey ensures that research ques ons are
significant, that the methodologies are sound, and that the
discussions and conclusions drawn from the results are grounded in
exis ng knowledge.
In conclusion, the literature survey is not just a preliminary step in
research but a founda onal ac vity that shapes the en re research
process. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring that new research is
necessary, relevant, robust, and contributory to the field.
Q4.What is data? Differen ate data and informa on with suitable
examples.
Data:-
Data refers to raw facts and figures — unprocessed and unorganized
elements that on their own may not convey any meaningful insights.
Data can exist in various forms; it might be numbers, words,
measurements, observa ons or even descrip ons of things. Data is
generally collected from experiments, surveys, transac ons, or
observa ons and requires processing to make it meaningful.
Examples of Data
 Numbers on a temperature gauge.
 Responses from a customer sa sfac on survey (e.g., 4, 5, 3, 4).
 List of dates and mes of purchases made on a website.
 Geographic coordinates from a GPS device.

Informa on:-
Informa on is data that has been processed, organized, structured,
or presented in a given context to make it meaningful and useful.
Informa on is interpre ve in that it provides insights or knowledge
based on data. The transforma on from data to informa on involves
adding context, connec on, and interpreta on.
Examples of Informa on
 A weather forecast generated from various temperature and
humidity readings (data) sugges ng it will rain tomorrow.
 Analysis from a customer sa sfac on survey indica ng 80%
customer sa sfac on rate.
 A sales report showing a peak shopping me based on website
purchase data.
 A map showing a plo ed route from a series of GPS
coordinates.
Differen a on between Data and Informa on
1. Nature:
Data: It is raw, unorganized, and o en lacks context. It's the building
blocks.
Informa on: It is processed, structured, or presented in a way that
makes it useful and meaningful.
2. Purpose:
Data: Collected with the purpose of being analyzed and processed to
extract informa on.
Informa on: Used to make decisions, convey findings, and support
reasoning.
3. Example Related to Business:
Data: The number of products sold each day for a month at a retail
store - 50, 30, 60…
Informa on: A graph showing monthly sales trends indica ng that
sales increase on weekends. This informa on can be used to plan
higher stock levels or promo onal ac vi es on weekends.
4. Form:
Data: Can be qualita ve or quan ta ve, but is o en numeric and
uninterpreted.
Informa on: Usually presented in a narra ve, graphical, or
summarized format that is easier to comprehend and u lize.
5. Interrela on:
Data: Can exist in isola on (e.g., a series of numbers without any
explana on).
Informa on: Represents a synthesis and contextually interpreted
collec on of data.
Q5.What are the types of data? Why do data collection
techniques play the most vital role in pursuing a research work?
In research and data analysis, data can be classified in various ways,
depending on the context of the study and the methods of collec on,
analysis, and interpreta on. The primary types of data include:
1. Quan ta ve Data: This type of data is numerical and can be
measured. It is used to quan fy problems, opinions, or other
factors, and it allows researchers to perform sta s cal tests and
create sta s cal models. Examples include height, weight, age,
or scores on a test.
2. Qualita ve Data: This type of data is descrip ve and is o en
collected through interviews, observa ons, and open-ended
surveys. It cannot be measured in numbers and is used to
describe quali es or characteris cs. Examples include
descrip ons of experiences, opinions, or narra ves.
3. Categorical Data: This includes data that can be divided into
specific categories or groups, which may be numerical or text-
based. Examples include gender, na onality, brand preference,
etc.
4. Ordinal Data: This is a type of categorical data where the order
of the values is significant, but the differences between the
values are not necessarily uniform. Examples include rankings,
scales of agreement or sa sfac on levels.
5. Interval Data: This includes data with measurable differences
between measurements but no true zero point. Temperature in
Celsius or Fahrenheit is a common example.
6. Ra o Data: This is similar to interval data but includes a zero
point, allowing for statements of mul plicity. Examples include
weight, height, and dura on.
7. Discrete Data: This type of quan ta ve data can only take
certain values (typically integer values). Examples include the
number of children in a family or the number of cars in a
parking lot.
8. Con nuous Data: This type of data can take any value within a
range and can be subdivided infinitely. Examples include
temperature or me dura on.
Data collec on techniques play a crucial role in research for several
reasons:
1. Accuracy and Reliability: Effec ve data collec on methods
ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data gathered.
Accurate data leads to valid conclusions, making it founda onal
to any empirical research.
2. Relevance: Proper data collec on techniques help in gathering
data that is relevant to the research ques ons and objec ves.
This relevance is cri cal to making informed decisions, whether
in academic research, policy-making, or business strategies.
3. Efficiency: Efficient data collec on methods save me and
resources. They help in collec ng data in a manner that is
mely and cost-effec ve, which is crucial in large-scale studies
or under budget constraints.
4. Comparability: Standardized data collec on methods allow for
the comparability of data across different mes or different
groups. This is essen al for longitudinal studies, cross-sec onal
studies, and compara ve analyses.
5. Completeness: Comprehensive data collec on strategies help
in covering all aspects of the study, ensuring that the data is
complete and covers all variables of interest.
6. Ethical Considera ons: Proper data collec on techniques also
consider ethical aspects, ensuring that data is collected in a
manner that respects the privacy and consent of par cipants.

In summary, the choice of data collec on method directly impacts

the integrity and success of a research project. Methods must be
chosen carefully based on the nature of the data needed, the scope
of the research, the target popula on, and the desired outcomes of
the study. This careful selec on ensures that the data collected will
be able to provide meaningful insights and support solid conclusions.
Q6.Discuss Delphi Technique for data collec on.
The Delphi Technique is a structured communica on
technique originally developed as a systema c, interac ve
forecas ng method which relies on a panel of experts. The
experts answer ques onnaires in two or more rounds. A er
each round, a facilitator or change agent provides an
anonymous summary of the experts’ forecasts and reasons
from the previous round. The key is that par cipants are
encouraged to revise their earlier answers in light of the
replies of other members of their panel. It is used in diverse
fields such as business, educa on, and public policy to gather
data on complex problems requiring expert opinions.
Steps in the Delphi Technique
1. Choosing Experts: The process starts with the selec on
of a group of experts who have proficiency and
knowledge in the specific area under inves ga on. The
number of experts can vary, but typically ranges from a
handful to several dozen.
2. First Round of Ques onnaires: The ini al ques onnaire,
developed by the research team or facilitator, is sent to
the experts. These ques onnaires are usually open-
ended to gather broad insights.
3. Summary of Responses: A er the responses are
collected, the facilitator summarizes them, maintaining
the anonymity of the par cipants. This summary
includes the range of answers and any common or
divergent threads.
4. Second Round of Ques onnaires: Based on the
summary, the experts are asked to reconsider and
resubmit their answers. New ques ons may be added as
needed to clarify or expand on certain points.
 5. Itera ve Process: Steps 3 and 4 are repeated for several
rounds. With each round, the focus narrows down, and
the range of answers typically begins to converge as
experts adjust their views based on the insights gained
from the collec ve responses.
6. Final Assessment: Once the process has reached a point
of diminishing returns (i.e., addi onal rounds do not
produce significantly different answers), the final set of
responses is compiled into a report.

Advantages of the Delphi Technique

 Anonymity: Experts are more likely to provide genuine
and unbiased responses without peer pressure.
 Reduc on in Bias: The facilita on method reduces the
dominance of certain individuals over others in
tradi onal group decision-making processes.
 Convergence of Opinion: Itera ve feedback helps refine
expert opinions into more accurate consensus.
 Flexibility: It can be conducted remotely, making it
convenient for gathering expert opinions across
geographic boundaries.
Disadvantages of the Delphi Technique
 Time-Consuming: Mul ple rounds of ques onnaires and
wai ng for expert responses can extend the dura on of
the process.
 Dependence on Facilitator: The effec veness largely
depends on the skills of the facilitator in summarizing
responses and guiding the process.
 Poten al for Misinterpreta on: Summaries and
interpreta ons by the facilitator might influence the
responses in unintended ways.
 No Interac on Among Experts: Lack of direct interac on
may prevent the emergence of crea ve solu ons that
can occur from real- me discussions.

The Delphi Technique is par cularly useful when precise data

is hard to obtain due to the predic ve or subjec ve nature of
the issues involved. It has been successfully used in
forecas ng technological advancements, determining
resource alloca on, policy making, and program planning. Its
structured approach to gathering and refining expert
judgment makes it a powerful tool in scenarios where
straigh orward data collec on is imprac cal.