Guidelines on Research Work by Dr. Dhanya K.A. - Think Big, Think Fast, Think Ahead

1. GUIDELINES ONRESEARCH WORK Dr Dhanya K A Asst Prof. & Head DCMS Amal College of Advanced Studies

2. THINK BIG THINK FAST THINK AHEAD Ideas are no ones monopoly

3. I keep six honest serving men (they taught me all I knew) their names are What, Why, When, How, Where and Who Rudyard Kipling

4. Preamble • Why Research • Quality Research Work • Road Not Taken

5. Contents 1. Introduction to Research 2. Criteria of good research work 3. Academic Relevance 4. Theoretical Knowledge 5. Practical aspect (steps in research) 6. Report writing 7. Topics in different areas

6. 1. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

7. CURIOSITY Utility of Applications Amount of Technology Amount of Knowledge QUALITY OF LIFE

8. Best way to practice what is learnt • Opportunity to investigate • New concepts and theories • Improve knowledge level • Systematic and Scientific method of doing

9. What is Research • “Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge”. -Redman and Mory. • Scientific and systematic search for information • Movement from Known to unknown • Uncertainty – ambiguity - certainty

10. Cont… • Systematic way • Scientific method • Specific area • New knowledge or solution to a problem

11. 2. Criteria of GOOD RESEARCH WORK F.I.N.E.R

12. Cont… Feasible Interesting Novel Ethical Relevant

13. 3. ACADEMIC RELEVANCEB.Com/ M.Com Project • Individual project • Minimum two copies • Spiral bound, 40 pages, TNR 12-13, 1.5 spaced, justified • Evaluation criteria • Internal: Report presentation,Viva • External : Topic, RM, Presentation, Findings ,vivavoce

14. Title page • Certificate from the organization (for having done the project work) • Certificate from guide • Acknowledgements • Contents • Chapter I: Introduction (Organization profile, Research problem, • objectives of the study, Research methodology etc.)

15. Cont… • Chapter II: Review of literature • Chapters III and IV: Data Analysis (2 or 3 chapters) • Chapter V: Summary, Findings and Recommendations. • Appendix: (Questionnaire, specimen copies of forms, other exhibits etc.) • Bibliography (books, journal articles etc. used for the project work).

16. 4. Theoretical Aspects • Types of Research • - Descriptive vs Analytical • - Applied vs Fundamental • - Quantitative vs Qualitative • - Conceptual vs Empirical

17. Approaches • The logical process of deriving a conclusion from a known premise or something known to be true. • We know that all managers are human beings. • If we also know that Anil is a manager, • then we can deduce that ANIL is a human being.

18. Deductive • General ideas--------- Particular Situation • Deductive research moves from ---general ideas/theories to specific particular & situations: • Inductive • Inductive research moves from particular situations to make or infer broad general ideas/theories.

19. 5. Practical Aspects • How to select a topic • Target group • Sample design • Data collection methods

20. The Research Process Formulating and clarifying the Research topic Critically reviewing the literature Deciding on the research Approach and choosing a Research Design Selecting samples Data Collection Analysis and Interpretation Report writing

21. Topic Selection • Select an area Finance, HR, Marketing etc of your interest • Read enough books, journals, web resources • Discuss with experts • Brainstorming • Experience • Intuition

22. Cont… • Identify more than one • List out topics and objectives • Present to guide for final selection • Consider following factors • - Data availability • - Money ,time and effort required • - Research value & Relevance • - Career push

23. Formulate Research Problem • The term ‘problem’ means a question or issue to be examined. • In every topic there is a hidden problem • Eg. Technology innovations in banking Do they reach out common man

24. Set the objectives • Research Objectives are the specific components of the research problem, that you’ll be working to answer or complete, in order to answer the overall research problem. - Churchill, 2001 • Eg: extent of usage • Satisfaction level • Reason for non usage

25. Selection of variables and setting of hypotheses • Variables are selected criteria of measurement used in study • A variable is anything that can take on differing or varying values. For example; Age, Production units, Absenteeism, Sex, Motivation, Income, Height, Weight etc. • A hypothesis is an assumption about relations between variables.

26. Research Design • A detailed outline of procedures • Plan for doing research • - Type of research • - sample design • - data analysis • - Type of report

27. Sample design • Representation of population • Steps • 1. Identify type of population (finite/infinite) • 2. Sampling unit (Geographical/social unit) • 3. Sampling frame • 4. Size of sample • 5. Sampling technique

28. Questionnaire • Measurement of scales - Nominal/ordinal/interval/ ratio scales • clear and simple • Open ended and closed ended questions • Demographic questions • General questions • Specific questions

29. Data collection methods • Structured questionnaire • Observation method • Interview schedules • Direct method vs indirect method

30. Analysis • Editing and coding • Alpha numeric codes to questions • List out questionnaire number and question number in excel column wise and row wise • Enter each responses in the respective boxes

31. Tools for analysis • Depends upon type of questions asked and your objectives • Nominal questions – only percentage analysis • Ranking questions – Rank orders • Interval scales – Likert scale – mean scores • Ratio Scales

32. Cont… • Correlation • Regression • Trend analysis • Hypothesis Tests • Parametric and non parametric tests • Z test, t-test, Anova • Chi-square test

33. Interpretation and Findings • Tables • Graphs and charts • Comment on each analysis made • List out major findings

34. The Report Format • Prefatory Items • The title page • Researcher’s declaration • Certificate of the supervising teacher • Certificate from Company • Acknowledgments • Table of contents • List of tables • Abstract/executive summary

35. Title Page A study on the marketing orientation of rubber industry in kerala Thesis Submitted to the university of calicut for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce ************** Under the Supervision of ***************** Dept of Commerce and management studies University of calicut October 1994

36. Chapter 1 Introduction Introduction of the topic The research problem Significance of the study Scope of the study Review of literature Objectives of the study Hypotheses to be tested

37. Cont.. • Methodology • Sources of data • Tools for collection of data • Tools for analysis • Period of reference • Data processing and analysis plan • Limitations of the study • Chapterisation

38. Chapter 2. Theoretical Background • Theory aspects of the topic • New trends in the area • Review of literature • Authors name • Objectives • Methodology used • Major findings

39. Chapter 3 and 4. Analysis & Interpretations • Tables and figures • Give Table No. and Title • Below each analysis give your views on it

40. Chapter 5. Findings and Conclusion • List out major findings • Include suggestions if any • Conclude your study • References • Appendices • - questionnaire • -any other supporting data

41. Final Step • Read your report carefully • Find the linkage between • Title • Objectives • Findings • Supported by • Methodology • Analysis

42. Topics on Finance • A study on export financing, problems and prospects. • Working capital management. • Financial analysis. • Fundamental and technical analysis of SCRIPS . • Perception of prospects about mutual funds. • Financial performance of private sector banks and the Indian banking industry as a whole. • Comparative study on Mutual funds.

43. Cont… • Impact of crude oil price on Indian oil sector. • Study to access the satisfaction of clients on Depository services. • Derivatives as a hedging tool. • Investment options in Insurance and Banks. • Credit conversion and credit management measures. • Liquidity management by companies

44. Marketing • Customer perception • Brand loyalty • Marketing strategies • Web marketing initiatives • Purchase and buying behavior • Launching feasibility • Market mapping • Brand awareness

45. Human Resource • Reasons for absenteeism and suggestions to reduce absenteeism. • A study to ascertain the satisfaction of deputies on services offered by----. • A study on the communication effectiveness. • Contemporary trends and practices in training &development. • Effectiveness of training centre. • Talent acquisition and retention. • Effect of BPO industry on changing career options. • Study on the organizational climate

46. Cont… • Effectiveness of training programs. • Study on job satisfaction levels. • Team effectiveness of employees • Effectiveness of employee communication. • Effectiveness of recruitment strategies. • Study on the morale of the employees. • Employee loyalty in health sector. • 360 Degree appraisal on the performance of the managerial class. • Effectiveness of performance appraisal. • Stress level of employees

47. Conclusion • Practice is the best of all instructors.”Publius Syrus

48. Thank You….