Introduction:

Research is an essential and powerful tool in leading man towards progress. Without
systematic research there would have been very little progress.

Scientific research leads to progress in some field of life. New products, new facts,
new concepts and new ways of doing things are being found due to ever-increasing
significant research in the physical, the biological, the social and the psychological fields.
Research today is no longer confined to the science laboratory.

Meaning of Research:

Word ‘Research’ is comprises of two words = Re+Search. It means to search again.

So research means a systematic investigation or activity to gain new knowledge of the
already existing facts. Research is an intellectual activity. It is responsible for bringing to
light new knowledge. It is also responsible for correcting the present mistakes, removing
existing misconceptions and adding new learning to the existing fund of knowledge.
Researches are considered as a combination of those activities which are removed from day
to day life and are pursued by those persons who are gifted in intellect and sincere in pursuit
of knowledge. But it is not correct to say that the research is restricted to such type of
persons, however, it is correct to say that major contribution of research comes from highly
gifted and committed workers. Thus the research is not at all mysterious and is carried on by
hundreds of thousands of average individuals.

Research is also considered as the application of scientific method in solving the problems. It
is a systematic, formal and intensive process of carrying on the scientific method of analysis.
There are many ways of obtaining knowledge. They are intuition, revelation, and authority,
logical manipulation of basic assumptions, informed guesses, observation, and reasoning by
analogy. One of the branches of research known as empirical research is highly goal-oriented
technique.

Definitions of Research:

The following are the important definitions of research:

“Research is an endeavor / attempt to discover, develop and verify

knowledge. It is an intellectual process that has developed over

hundreds of years ever changing in purpose and form and always

researching to truth.”

J. Francis Rummel

“Research is an honest, exhaustive, intelligent searching for facts and

their meanings or implications with reference to a given problem. The

product or findings of a given piece of research should be an authentic,

verifiable contribution to knowledge in the field studied.”

P.M. Cook

“Research may be defined as a method of studying problems whose

solutions are to be derived partly or wholly from facts.”

W.S. Monroes

“Research is considered to be the more formal, systematic intensive

process of carrying on the scientific method of analysis. It involves a

more systematic structure of investigation, usually resulting in some

sort of formal record of procedures and a report of results or

conclusion.”

John W. Best

“Research comprises defining and redefining problems ,formulating

hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting ,organizing and evaluating

data, making deductions and reaching conclusions and at last careful

testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulated

hypothesis.”

Clifford Woody

“Research is a systematic effort to gain new knowledge.”

Redman & Mori

“Social research may be defined as a scientific undertaking which by

means of logical and systematized techniques aims to discover new

facts or verify and test old facts , analyse their sequences , interrelationships and casual explanation
which were derived within an

appropriate theoretical frame of reference , develop new scientific

tools , concepts and theories which would facilitate reliable and valid

study of human behavior.”

P.V. Younge

Purpose of Research:

The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the

application of scientific procedure. The main aim of research is to find

out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.

Though each research study has its own specific purpose, some general

objectives of research below:

(i) To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights

into it. (Studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or

formative research studies).

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(ii) 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).

(iii) 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).

(iv) To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables.

(Such studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies).

Characteristics of Research:

Following are the characteristics of research;

(i) Research is directed toward the solution of a problem.

(ii) Research requires expertise.

(iii) Research emphasizes the development of generalizations,

principles, or theories that will be helpful in predicting future

occurrences.

(iv) Research is based upon observable experience or empirical

evidences.

(v) Research demands accurate observation and description.

(vi) Research involves gathering new data from primary or first-hand

sources or using existing data for a new purpose.

(vii) Research is characterized by carefully designed procedures that

apply rigorous analysis.

(viii) Research involves the quest for answers to un-solved problems.

(ix) Research strives to be objective and logical, applying every

possible test to validate the procedures employed the data

collected and the conclusions reached.

(x) Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity.

(xi) Research is carefully recorded and collected.

(xii) Research sometimes requires courage.

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Types of Research:

There are varieties of ways through which we may classify it into

different categories.

(A) On the basis of nature of information:

On the basis of nature of information we can classify the research into

two types;

(i) Qualitative Research: When information is in the form of qualitative

data.

(ii) Quantitative Research: When information is in the form of

quantitative data.

(B) On the basis of utility of content or nature of subject matter of

research:

On the basis of these criteria we can categorize the research into two

categories.

(i) Basic/ Fundamental /pure or Theoretical Research: Its utility is

universal.

(ii) Experimental or Applied Research: Its utility is limited.

(C) On the basis of approach of research:

We may classify research into two different categories.

(i) Longitudinal Research: Examples of this category are historical, Case

study and Genetic research.

(ii) Cross-Sectional Research: Examples of this category are

Experimental and Survey Research.

(D) On the basis of method of research :

On the basis of research method we may classify a research into five

different categories.

(i) Philosophical Research: It is purely qualitative in nature and we are

focusing on the vision of others on the content of research.

(ii) Historical Research: It is both qualitative as well as quantitative in

nature and deals with past events.

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(iii) Survey Research: It deals with present events and is quantitative in

nature. It may further be sub-divided into; discretional, correlational

and exploratory type of research.

(iv) Experimental Research: This is purely quantitative in nature and

deals with future events.

(v) Case-Study Research: It deals with unusual events. It may be

qualitative as well as quantitative in nature depending upon the

content.

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Research Process

Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to

effectively carry out research. These actions or steps are;

(i) Formulating the Research Problem

(ii) Extensive Literature Survey

(iii) Developing the Research Hypothesis

(iv) Preparing the Research Design

(v) Determining the Research Design

(vi) Collecting the Research Data

(vii) Execution of the Project

(viii) Analysis of Data

(ix) Hypothesis Testing

(x) Generalization and Interpretation

(xi) Preparing of the Report or Presentation of the Result

(i) Formulation of Research Problem:

At the very outset, the researcher must decide the general area of

interest or aspect of a subject matter that he would like to inquire into

and then research problem should be formulated.

(ii) Extensive Literature Survey:

Once the problem is formulated the researcher should undertake

extensive literature survey connected with the problem. For this

purpose, the abstracting and indexing journals and published or

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unpublished bibliographies are the first place to go to academic

journals, conference proceedings, government reports, books etc. must

be tapped depending on the nature of the problem.

(iii) Development of Working Hypothesis:

After extensive literature survey, researcher should state in clear terms

the working hypothesis or hypotheses. Working hypothesis is tentative

assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical

consequences. It’s very important or it provides the focal point for

research.

(iv) Preparing the Research Design:

After framing hypothesis we have to prepare a research design i.e. we

have to state the conceptual structure within which research would be

conducted. The preparation of such a design facilitates research to be as

efficient as possible yielding maximal information. In other words, the

function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant

evidence with optimum effort, time and expenditure. But how all these

can be achieved depends mainly on the research purpose.

(v) Determining Sample Design:

A sample design is a definite plan determined before any data is actually

collected for obtaining a sample from a given population.in census

inquiry we involve a great deal of time, money and energy so it it not

possible in practice under many circumstances. Sample designs can be

either probability or non-probability. With probability samples each

element has a known probability of being included in the sample but

the non-probability samples do not allow the researchers to determine

this probability.

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(vi) Collecting the Data:

There are several ways of collecting the appropriate data which differ

considerably in context of cost, time and other resources at the disposal

of the researcher. Primary data can be collected either through

experiment or through survey. In case of survey, data can be collected

by any one or more of the following ways;

By observation,

 Through personal interview,

 Through telephonic interviews,

 By mailing of questionnaires or

 Through schedules.

(vii) Execution of the Project:

Execution of project is a very important step in the research process. If

the execution of the project proceeds on correct lines, the data to be

collected would be adequate and dependable .A careful watch should

be kept for unanticipated factors in order to keep the survey realistic as

much as possible.

(viii) Analysis of Data:

The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations

such as establishment of categories, the application of these categories

to raw data through coding, tabulation and then drawing statistical

inference. Analysis work after tabulation is generally based on the

computation of various percentages; coefficients etc., by applying

various well defined statistical formulae. In the process of analysis,

relationships of differences supporting or conflicting with original or

new hypothesis should be subjected to tests of significance to

determine with what validity data can be said to indicate any

conclusions.

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(ix) Hypothesis Testing:

After analyzing the data, the researcher is in a position to test the

hypothesis, if any, he had formulated earlier. Do the facts support the

hypothesis or they happen to be contrary? This is the usual question

which is to be answered by applying various tests like ‘t’ test, ’F’ test

etc. F test have been developed by statisticians for the purpose

.Hypothesis testing will result in either accepting the hypothesis or in

rejecting it. If the researcher had no hypothesis to start with,

generalizations established on the basis of data may be stated.

(x) Generalizations and Interpretation:

If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, it may be possible for

the researcher to arrive at generalization i.e. to build a theory. As a

matter of fact, the real value of research lies in its ability to arrive at

certain generalizations. If the researcher had no hypothesis to start

with, he might seek to explain his findings on the basis of some theory.

It is known as interpretation.

(xi) Preparation of the Report or the Thesis:

Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done

by him. The layout of the report should be as follows; the preliminary

pages, the main text and end matter. The preliminary pages carry title,

acknowledgements and forward and then index. The main text of the

report should have introduction, review of literature and methodology.

Criteria of Good Research:

One expects scientific research to satisfy the following criteria:

(a) The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common

concepts be used.

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(b) The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail

to permit another researcher to repeat the researcher for further

advancement, keeping the continuity of what has already been

attained.

(c) The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned

to yield results that are as objective as possible.

(d) The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in

procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings.

(e) The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its

significance and the methods of analysis used should be

appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data should be

checked carefully.

(f) Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the

research and limited to those for which the data provide an

adequate basis.

(g) Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is

experienced, has a good reputation in research and is a person of

integrity.