Research MethodologyAn Introduction; University of Gujrat (Sialkot Campus) Presented by Maryam BiBi Roll no 005 Department BS English 5th

Research Research is a scientific and systematic search for

relevant information on a specific topic. Or It is a careful investigation or inquiry specially for

exploring ideas and searching new facts about any kind of knowledge. It is in fact an art of investigation.

Research Methodology It is a way to systematically solve a research problem. It

may be understood as a science of studying how a research is scientifically done, how we find out about things, and how knowledge is gained. In it we study the various steps which are generally adopted by the researchers while studying a research problem along with logic behind them. In other words, methodology is about the principles that guide our research practices.

Scientific research Scientific research must be organized and undergo

planning, including performing literature reviews of past research and evaluating what questions need to be answered.

Research Method Research methods refers to the behavior and

instruments used in selecting and constructing research techniques. These might be, for example, surveys, interviews, Photo voice, participant observations.

Collection of data. Research methods may be understood as all

those methods/techniques that are used for conduction of research.

Research Techniques Research techniques refers to the behavior and

instruments which we use in performing research operations such as making observation, recording data, techniques of processing data and like.

Objectives of Research Each research study has its own specific objectives while some of the general

objectives of research are mentioned below To gain familiarity and achieve a new insights towards a certain topic, To portray an accurate characteristics of phenomena, To verify and test important fact and hypothesis, To analyze an event, process and phenomena, To identify the cause and effect relationship, To find solution to scientific, non-scientific and social problems, To determine the frequency at something occurs.

Types of Research Descriptive and analytical Applied and Fundamental Quantitative and Qualitative Conceptual and Empirical

Descriptive and analytical

Descriptive research Also known as statistical research. The descriptive research involves the

surveys and fact findings enquiries of different kind. The major purpose of the descriptive research is the description of the sate of affair as it exists at present.

For example, • finding the most frequent disease that

affects the children of a town. The reader of the research will know what to do to prevent that disease thus, more people will live a healthy life.

Analytical research The researcher has to use the facts or

information of already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

Applied and Fundamental

Applied research Aims to find the immediate solution for a

problem facing a society and industrial organization.

For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to:

Improve agricultural crop production• Treat or cure a specific disease• Improve the energy efficiency of homes,

offices, or modes of transportation

Fundamental research Basic research is driven by a

scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question.

Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake not to invent something, is termed fundamental research.

For example, : How did the universe begin?• What are protons, neutrons, and electrons

composed of?• What is the specific genetic code of the fruit

fly?

Quantitative and Qualitative

Quantitative This kind of research is used to

quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. 

Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys,  longitudinal studies, and systematic observations.

Qualitative Qualitative research is used to

gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. 

The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to fulfill a given quota.

ConceptualConceptual

Conceptual research focuses on the concept or theory that explains or describes the phenomenon being studied.

For example What causes disease? How can

we describe the motions of the planets? What are the building blocks of matter?

Approaches of Research

Qualitative approach Quantitative approach

Significance of Research Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and promotes the

development of logical habit of thinking and organization. Research plays a dynamic role in various fields, it has increased

significances in recent times, it can be related to the small business and also with economy as a whole.

Most of Government regulations and policies are based on and are result of intensive research.

Its significance lies on the solving various planning and operational problems.

It aids in decisions making. It study the cause and effect relationship between variables and also identify

the pattern, behavior and trend in certain variables.

Process of Research It consists of logical sequence of actions and methods which

are necessary to effectively solve of research problem. These processes are;

1. Defining or formulating research problem,

2. Extensive literature review

3. Formulating hypothesis,

4. Design research or determining the sample design,

5. Collecting data,

6. Analyzing data,

7. Interpreting and report.

Defining or formulating research problem, The researcher must choose the problem he wants to study

and decide the area of interest and subject matter he would inquire about.

There are essentially two steps of formulating a research problem i.e.

1. Understanding the problem thoroughly

2. Rephrasing the same into the meaningful terms in an analytical point of view.

Extensive literature review

After formulating the research problem, a brief summary should be written down. At this point the researcher should undertake the literature survey connected with literature. This summary or literature survey should be based on two types of literature

1. the conceptual literature concerning the concepts and theories, and the

2. empirical literature consisting of studies made earlier which aresimilar to the one proposed.

Formulating hypothesis,

A working hypothesis must be stated in clear terms. Following are the approaches which are involved in

developing a working hypothesis.

1. By finding the origins of the problem and studying its objectives,

2. By discussing the problem to colleagues and experts,

3. By examining the past data and records,

4. By review the similar studies and similar problems.

Determining the sample design; Sample design is a definite plan determined before any data

is actually collected for obtaining the sample from given population.

Samples can be either probability samples or non- probability samples.

The researcher must carefully choose the sampling procedure, sample size and look out for the sample errors.

Collecting Data There is a need of reliable and accurate data to carry out an affective

research. Collection of data may be done by any of the following;

1. By observation (data collect in way by investigator’s own observation without interviewing respondent)

2. By personal interview (data is carried out in structured way, depends on the ability of interviewer in large extent)

3. By telephonic interview (collecting information involves contraction of respondent on telephone itself)

4. By questionnaire (by mailed to the respondent with request to return same after completing)

5. By schedule (By filling of schedule by enumerators with the replies given by respondents)

Analyzing data or Hypothesis testing After collecting data a researcher turn to the task of analyze

the data. Analyzing involves different techniques to classify the raw data into meaningful and purposeful categories.

Coding ( transforming of data into symbols) Editing ( improve the quality of data for coding) Tabulation ( data is put in the form of tables). After analyzing the data, the researcher tests the hypothesis

that he formulated earlier in his research

Interpretations and generalization

The result of hypothesis may be favorable or unfavorable. The researcher reaches at the generalization based on the result of testing hypothesis, i.e. to build a theory.

If the researcher had no hypothesis at his start, so he might seek explain his findings on basis of some theory. It is known as interpretation. In the process of interpretation often triggers off new question which leads to more research.

Preparation of report Finally the researcher has to prepare a report of what has been

done by him. The layout of the report should be as follows:

1. Preliminary pages ( The report must have a full title, foreword and acknowledgment in the preliminary pages.)

2. Main text ( The main text of the report must have an introduction, summary of findings, main report and conclusion.)

3. End of the report ( the end of report must have an appendices with respect of all the terms and data used in report and end with the bibliography.)

Criteria of Good Research The purpose of research should be clearly defined and common

concepts used. The procedure of research should be well describe in detail to permit

the research. The design should be yields to results that are objectives. The researcher must be reported completely with frankness and flaws. The analysis of data must be adequate and analysis procedure must be

appropriate. The conclusion must be detailed to those justified with data and limited

to those for which data is not adequate. The researcher must be experienced has a good reputation and person

of integrity.

Qualities of Good Research

It should be systematic.( the research must be structured with specified steps in specified sequence and according to the well defined set of rules.)

It should be logical.(the research must be based on logical reasoning and logical process of induction and deduction.)

It should be empirical.( the research must be related in one or more aspects of real life situations.)

It should be replicable.( people must be able to verify and replicate the original report of research.)

WHAT'S A BIBLIOGRAPHY? A bibliography is a list of all of the sources you have used (whether referenced or not) in the process of researching your work. In general, a bibliography should include: the authors' names the titles of the works the names and locations of the companies that

published your copies of the sources the dates your copies were published the page numbers of your sources (if they are part of

multi-source volumes)