Meaning of ResearchA careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge

Objectives of Research To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve

new insights into it Exploratory

To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group Descriptive

To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else Diagnostic

To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables Causal

Types of Research Descriptive vs. Analytical

Applied vs. Fundamental

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Conceptual vs. Empirical

Significance of Research

Research Methods vs. Methodology

Methods Methodology

Observation

Mail Questionnaire

Personal interview

Photographs, recording, use of score cards

Identification of social and economic background of respondents

Detailed schedule with open and closed questions

Research Process

Define research problem

Analyze data

Review concepts and

theories

Collect data

Formulate hypothesis

Design research

Review previous research finding

Interpret and report

Review the literature

Sample Designs Deliberate sampling

Convenience sampling

Simple random sampling

Systematic sampling

Stratified sampling

Quota sampling

Cluster sampling

Area sampling

Multi-stage sampling

Criteria of Good Research Purpose of research should be clearly defined

Research procedure used should be described

Procedure should yield to results as objective as possible

Flaws in design should be reported

Analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate

Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research

Problems encountered by researchers in India Lack of scientific training in methodology of research

Insufficient interaction

Lack of confidence in researchers

Overlapping research studies

Difficulty of adequate and timely secretarial assistance

Unsatisfactory library management