Research Methods and Techniques: Exploring, Conducting, and Analyzing

1. Prof.V.Bastin Jerome Assistant Professor of Commerce St.Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli –2.

2. This presentation includes…………

3. This part deals with ….. • Quality of Research • Quality of the Researcher • Involvement of Teachers in Research • Purpose , Objectives of research • Types of Research, Nature of Research • Includes Definitions and Authority Defined the Term. • Involvement of Students in Research Activities • Selection of a Research Topic • Importance of Research conducted on the particular topic • Uniqueness of Research – New topic, not outdated etc.

4. This part deals with Continues….. • 8. Research Process • 9. Sampling Methods used – Types of sampling • 10. Types of Data – Primary and Secondary • 11. Qualities of good Research • 12. Hypothesis – testing, framing of hypothesis • 13. Research Design • 14. Involvement of Students in Research Activities • Selection of a Research Topic • Importance of Research conducted on the particular topic • Uniqueness of Research – New topic, not outdated etc.

5. Sample Questions - Research Aptitude 1. A researcher is generally expected to:(a) Study the existing literature in a field(b) Generate new Principles and theories (c) Synthesize the ideas given by others(d) Evaluate the findings of a study 2. One of the essential characteristic of research is:(a) Replicability(b) Generalizability(c) Usability(d) Objectivity 3. The Government of India conducts Census after every10 years. The method of research used in this process is:(a) Case study(b) Developmental(c) Survey(d) Experimental 4. An academic association assembled at one place todiscuss the progress of its work and future plans. Such an assembly is known as a(a) Conference(b) Seminar(c) Workshop(d) Symposium 5. An investigator studied the census data for a givenarea and prepared a write-up based on them. Such a write-up is called:(a) Research paper(b) Article(c) Thesis(d) Research report

6. CHECK YOUR RESEARCH ABILITY CAN YOU TRY? WHAT IS RESEARCH & TYPES

7. 1. The research is always- (A) verifying the old knowledge(B) exploring new knowledge(C) filling the gap between knowledge(D) All of these 2. The research that applies the laws at the time of field study to draw more and more clear ideas about the problem is- (A) applied research(B) action research(C) experimental research(D) None of these 3. When a research problem is related to heterogeneous population, the most suitable sampling method is- (A) cluster Sampling(B) stratified Sampling(C) convenient Sampling(D) lottery Method 4. The process not needed in experimental research is- (A) observation(B) manipulation and replication(C) controlling(D) reference collection 5. A research problem is not feasible only when- (A) it is researchable(B) it is new and adds something to knowledge(C) it consists of independent and dependent variables(D) it has utility and relevance

8. RESEARCH SAMPLE TEST

9. Ways of Exploring a Topic • Use  personal  reading  for  academic  research. • Browse  in  the  library. • Interview  people  who  are  experts  in  the  field. • Do  a  survey  of  concerned  participants.(Speak  to  other  scholars  or  experts  in   the  same  field  as  yours). • Observe  activities  relating  to  to  your  topic.  (eg.Articles  published  in  literary  magazines  and  journals). • View  videotapes,  films,  or  other  media  presentations. • All  forms  of  research  require  that  you  keep  records  of   where  you  got  your  information. • Involvement of Students in Research Activities • Selection of a Research Topic • Importance of Research conducted on the particular topic • Uniqueness of Research – New topic, not outdated etc.

10. Research Terminology • 'research methodology' The study of research methods A singular that does not admit of a plural • 'research technique' A specific means, approach or tool-and-its-use, whereby data is gathered and analysed, and inferences are drawn • 'research method' The manner in which a particular project is undertaken It comprises one or more research techniques

11. Alternative Motivations for Research • 'pure research' ‘because it’s there’ contribute to abstract, theoretical understanding • 'applied research' ‘I have hammer, so find a nail’ • instrumentalist research ‘I have problem, so find a solution’

12. Nature of Research Outcomes • descriptive depiction of a behaviour or a domain • explanatory systemic explanation of how behaviours arise ascription of causes to occurrences in the domain • predictive statement of: what behaviour will arise, and how; what occurrences will arise within the domain; what effect will particular interventions have • normative declaration of interventions to a desired outcome

13. Nature of the Data (Measurement Scales) • Quantitative • Ratio • Cardinal • Ordinal • Nominal • Qualitative

14. Quality Factors in Empirical Work • Purpose of the Design • Unit of Analysis artifacts, individuals, dyads, groups, organizations (at various levels of aggregation), industry segments and sectors, societies • Population Definition • Sampling Frame Within the Population • Sample • Time Horizon snapshot, cross-sectional or longitudinal • Study Setting contrived or naturalistic, degree of researcher interference • Data Collection Methods • Measurement Scales • Data Analysis Techniques

15. CHARACTERISTICS  OF  A  GOOD WRITING  TOPIC IT  IS  IMPORTANT:   A  good  topic  is  important  to  you  and your  readers IT  IS  FRESH:  A  good  topic  is  new  to  you  or  your  readers,  or  your  approach  to  a  familiar  topic  is  fresh.  Don’t  reject  topics  that  seem  quirky  or  strange  at  first,  they  may  lead  to  your  freshest  writing. IT’S  A  CHALLENGE:  Choose  topics  that  challenge  your  thinking,  curiosity  or  feeling.  Easy  topics  may  lead  to  boredom  for  you  and  your  readers