What Is Research

14-04-2012
Research Methodology
Dr. Nimit Chowdhary, Professor
 What is research?
 The scientific method
 Research and theory
 Conceptual and theoretical models
 Research process
© Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 2 Saturday, April 14, 2012
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…the systematic investigation into the

study of materials, sources, etc. in order to
establish facts and reach new conclusions;
an endeavour to discover new or collate
old facts etc. by the scientific study of a
subject or by a course of critical
investigation…
Research is a procedure by which we

attempt to find systematically, and with
the support of demonstrable fact, the
answer to a question or the resolution of a
problem.
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…the systematic, controlled, empirical and

critical investigation of hypothetical
propositions about presumed relations
among natural phenomena…
 Systematic and critical investigation into the

phenomenon
 Not a mere compilation, but a purposive
investigation
 With an aim of either describing, interpreting
or explaining a phenomenon
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 Scientific-follows logical reasoning

 Objective- possible to test validity of
measuring tools and conclusions reached
 Based on observable experience and
empirical evidence
 Directed at finding answers to pertinent
questions and solutions to problems
 Lead to development of generalization,

principles or theories
 Not to arrive at answers those are pleasing
but rather one those will stand up to test of
criticism
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Epistemology is concerned with how we know

things and what we can regard as acceptable
knowledge of discipline.
There are two ways one can acquire knowledge
about things/ phenomenon
 Through sensory experience

 Through reasoning
Knowledge about individuals and phenomena

on a spectrum ranging from scientific methods
to human subjectivity can have three stand
points
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Positivism An objective approach that can test theories and

establish scientific laws.
It aims to establish causes and effects
Interpretivism The recognition that subjective meanings play a
crucial role in social actions.
It aims to reveal interpretations and meanings
Realism That generalizations should be avoided. General
structures divorced from the specific event or
situation and context of the research and
researcher are not tenable.
Saturday, April 14, 2012 © Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 11
Ontology is about the theory of social entities

and is concerned with what there exists to be
investigated.
 Objectivism
 Constructionism
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The belief that social

phenomenon and
their meaning have an
existence that is not
dependent on social
actors. They are facts
that have an
independent
existence.
© Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Saturday, April 14, 2012
…the belief that social

phenomenon are in a constant
state of change because they
are totally reliant on social
interactions as they take place.
Even the account of researchers
is subject to these interactions,
therefore social knowledge can
only be intermediate.
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“…a set of systematically interrelated concepts,

definitions, and propositions that are advanced
to explain and predict phenomenon (facts).”
-Kerlinger
Assumptions …un-testable premise about the

and ideas nature of selected aspects of
social life…
Frames of …identify the major dimensions

reference of social life that will be
subjected to empirical scrutiny…
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Concepts …are abstractions, e.g., group,

motivations, democracy…
Variables …are relational units of analysis
that can assume designated set of
values, e.g., education level,
income, etc.
Propositions …are statements between or
among variables…
 Research initiates theory

 Research tests an existing theory
 Reformulation of an existing theory
 Research refocuses theory
 Research clarifies theory
Research Methodology Workshop p.

© Dr. Nimit Chowdhary 18 Saturday, April 14, 2012
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 Suggesting a problem for study

 Giving a hypothesis to be tested
 Providing a conceptual model for delimiting the
scope of the study
 Selection of variables or identification of classes
of data to be collected
 Making research finding intelligible

“…is a simplified systematic conceptual

structure of interrelated elements in some
schematic form”
…it describes relationships between and

among concepts and variables…

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Example
“The organizational effectiveness in a R&D
organisation is determined by five sets of
variables, viz., macroclimate (organizational
climate), microclimate (job climate), personality
of scientists, and their attitudinal and
performance variables.”
Pandey, Subrata (1986), A study of organizational and individual characteristics in R & D

organizations, unpublished thesis, Bangalore: Indian Institute of Science
“The scientific method is a systematic step-by-

step procedure following the logical process of
reasoning”
Research is a scientific endeavour. It involves

scientific method.

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 Reliance on empirical evidence

 Use of relevant concepts
 Commitment to objectivity
 Ethical neutrality
 Generalization
 Verifiability
 Logical reasoning process

 Define the problem

 Establish hypothesis as to causes/
explanations/ solutions of the problems
 Collect the data
 Analyze the data to test the hypothesis and
draw inferences

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Study theoretical
background
Review your subject Investigate problem Write proposal to

Gain approval to
area to find problem area to define a explain the research
continue
area research problem project and its timing
The Research Investigate relevant

research methods
Process Examine ethical
Walliman, Nicholas (2006). Social science issues
research methods. New Delhi: Sage
Publications
Carry out detailed Explore methods for Carry out more

Disseminate results.
research- data data collection and background research
Indicate areas that
collection and analysis. Check to refine research
need further research
analysis ethical issues problem
Report actions and Describe why and how

Write up background
results and draw research methods
to research
conclusions used
Saturda
y, April
14,
© Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 25 2012
What data are

required to answer
question?
Literature
Research Research Data Data Answer

Topic Design
area questions collection analysis questions
Context
Pre-empirical Empirical
stage stage
Simplified model of research

Punch, Keith, F. (2003). Survey research-the basics. New Delhi: Sage Publications
Saturda
y, April
14,
© Dr. Nimit Chowdhary Research Methodology Workshop p. 26 2012
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 Quantitative research
(tend to measure)
 Qualitative research
(tend to describe)

Orientation Uses a deductive approach to

(Approach to test theories
reasoning) (general to specific)
Epistemology Is based on a positivist
(How we know approach inherent in the natural
about things) sciences
Ontology Objectivist in that social reality
(Objectivity vs. is regarded as objective fact
subjectivity)
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Orientation Uses an inductive approach to

(Approach to generate theories
reasoning) (specific to general)
Epistemology It rejects positivism by relying
(How we know on individual interpretation of
about things) social reality
Ontology Constructionist, in that social
(Objectivity vs. reality is seen as a constantly
subjectivity) shifting product or perception
 To describe
 To explain and evaluate
 To compare
 To correlate
 To act, intervene and change

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What Is Research

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14-04-2012

…the systematic investigation into the

Research is a procedure by which we

…the systematic, controlled, empirical and

 Systematic and critical investigation into the

 Scientific-follows logical reasoning

 Lead to development of generalization,

Epistemology is concerned with how we know

 Through sensory experience

Knowledge about individuals and phenomena

Positivism An objective approach that can test theories and

Ontology is about the theory of social entities

The belief that social

…the belief that social

“…a set of systematically interrelated concepts,

Assumptions …un-testable premise about the

Frames of …identify the major dimensions

Concepts …are abstractions, e.g., group,

 Research initiates theory

Research Methodology Workshop p.

 Suggesting a problem for study

Research Methodology Workshop p.

“…is a simplified systematic conceptual

…it describes relationships between and

Research Methodology Workshop p.

Pandey, Subrata (1986), A study of organizational and individual characteristics in R & D

“The scientific method is a systematic step-by-

Research is a scientific endeavour. It involves

Research Methodology Workshop p.

 Reliance on empirical evidence

Research Methodology Workshop p.

 Define the problem

Research Methodology Workshop p.

Review your subject Investigate problem Write proposal to

The Research Investigate relevant

Carry out detailed Explore methods for Carry out more

Report actions and Describe why and how

What data are

Research Research Data Data Answer

Simplified model of research

Research Methodology Workshop p.

Orientation Uses a deductive approach to

Orientation Uses an inductive approach to

Research Methodology Workshop p.

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