Research Methodology

Research is an original addition to the available knowledge, which contributes to its

further advancement. It is an attempt to pursue truth through the methods of study,
observation and analysis. Any research is the search for knowledge, using objective
and systematic methods to find solution to a problem.
In order to portray the view point of an individual, we have to adopt an appropriate
research methodology to gather his/her opinion. Collection of opinions should give
us a clear picture of what an individual perceives when we ask him for a specific
response. The choice of research methodology depends on so many factors like
1.
2.
3.
4.

A researchers knowledge about problem in place.

The kind of conclusion a researcher wants to derive from data collected
Sample population
Ease of collecting responses/opinions

By considering the above factors, we have adopted both quantitative as well as

qualitative research methodologies for studying sample group. We selected
questionnaire based research methodology from quantitative methods available as it
is impersonal in nature, less expensive and efficient way of collecting data from
sample that is scattered all over the population. The design adopted was
unstructured type and the method used was closed-ended survey. The questions
were prepared using multiple choice options and Likert scale.
In qualitative methodologies, we have selected standardized closed-ended interview
method in order to collect opinions on telephone. Interviews are more personal form
of research than questionnaire.
Interviews may be useful as a follow-up to certain responses which were gathered
from the questionnaires before interviews (McNamara, 1999). The qualitative
research interview seeks to describe the meanings of central themes in the real lives
of the subjects. The main task in interviewing is to understand the meaning of what
the interviewees say (Kvale,1996).

Procedure

We have combined both questionnaire and interview based approaches to gather

data from the respondents. This approach would help us to understand the
importance of public speaking from the respondents point of view and how they
have conquered their nervousness.
A questionnaire consisting of a set of closed-ended questions was given to alumni of
XIMB and their responses were collected and reported in this report. The
questionnaire which we used can be found in APPENDIX A. After this survey, we
have approached 10 of the XIMB alumni and conducted telephonic interviews with
each one of them. The responses were recorded using call recording option on the
mobile telephones. The same is attached with this report in APPENDIX B.
We contacted ten alumni of XIMB across batches after the collection of responses
through questionnaire. The details of the alumni participated in our survey are
provided below:

All the alumni have given their opinions on the questions relating to public speaking,
their view on what it takes to deliver an efficient public speech and their suggestions
to the first time public speakers.

Summary

Public speaking skills are often overlooked by people as being unimportant, thats
why most of them dont bother to learn or get acquainted with the art of effective
communication. More often, it is these people that often get tongue tied and being in
a state of meltdown when faced with a situation that they will be asked to present a
topic in public, even a topic they know inside out.
Public speaking is not a new trend. However, public speaking didnt become a formal
tradition that quickly. Most of our rules and techniques, when it comes to the art of
persuasion, come from the guidelines written by Aristotle, a Greek philosopher in the
3rd century B.C.
It is important for an effective speech to have a proper structure and singular flow of
thought. In order to achieve this an individual should follow some of the fundamental
rules of delivering a speech. This includes concentrating on the topic, proper
preparation and effective non-verbal communication etc.
On the same note, taking inspiration from the guidelines of D Smithies works such as
How to speak in public etc. we wish to analyze the importance of public speaking
and the major approaches which an individual should follow to overcome the
nervousness during delivering a speech. For this we have conducted a research
comprising of a survey and telephonic interviews with the alumni of XIMB to gather
opinions on their experiences.
The outcomes of this research are strongly indicating that most of the alumni have
gone through the phase of being nervous on stage since the time they started public
speaking. Most of them have expressed their views on how to overcome it from their
experiences. The major suggestions from the alumni include focussing on content,
prior preparation and continuous practice will help you deliver effective speech.

Closing Remarks
The major objective of our study is to know the importance of the D smithies
guideline stating that focussing on a topic is critical in delivering an efficient speech
rather than concentrating on the audience from the experiences of XIMB Alumni. Our
study has found that they have gone through the phase of nervousness on stage
since the time they started public speaking. Most of them have expressed their views
on how to overcome it from their experiences. The major suggestions from the
alumni include focussing on content, prior preparation and continuous practice will
help you deliver an effective speech.
The major misconceptions what people will have before giving a public speech and
will impede them to deliver a speech were known from the responses of the Alumni.
They include an individuals concern of being judged, inappropriate topic selection
and fear due to past failures. Most of them suggested improving non-verbal
communications along with the continuous focus on topic will help an individual
develop public speaking skills.