WHAT IS RESEARCH

Curiosity or inquisitiveness is a distinctive feature of human beings. Curiosity to know about ourselves, our institutions, our environment and many other questions like that are inherent in us. Some questions which arise are What are parameters of sound health of a person? How do problems of health arise? Why is there poverty? What are the psycho-social problems of alcoholics?

WHAT IS RESEARCH
Whenever such questions arise we seek answers to them. Whenever we encounter problems, we try to find solutions to them. Seeking answers to questions and finding solutions to problems have been the basis of human progress. A systematic search for an answer to a question or a solution to a problem is called Research.

RESEARCH
Research simply means a search for factsanswers to questions and solutions to problems. It is a purposive investigation. It is an organized enquiry. It seeks to find explanations to unexplained phenomenon Research clarifies the doubtful issues and corrects the misconceived facts.

The Search for facts may be through either Arbitrary or scientific Method

Arbitrary or unscientific method of seeking answers to questions is based on imagination, opinion, blind belief or impression. The drawback of this method is that the findings vary from person to person Scientific method is a systematic rational approach to seek facts. It eliminates the drawbacks of the arbitrary method. Hence Research is a systematic and logical study of an issue or problem or phenomenon through scientific method.

AIMS OF RESEARCH
Discovery of new facts Verifying and testing of old facts Analysis of interrelationships and causal explanations Development of new tools, concepts and theories

OBJECTIVES OF SOCIAL RESEARCH

The discovery of causal relationships in human behavior Discovery of new facts and verifying /testing old facts The objects on which social research is conducted are conscious and active human beings.

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
Research is a scientific undertaking which by means of logical and systematic techniques aims to discover new facts, verify and test old facts, analyze their sequences of interrelationships and casual explanations, develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories which would facilitate reliable and valid study of human behavior.

CHARACTERS OF RESEARCH
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Research is a systematic and critical investigation into a phenomenon. It is not a mere compilation but a purposive investigation which aims at describing, interpreting and explaining. It adopts a scientific method. It is objective and logical. Research is directed towards finding answers to pertinent questions and solutions to problems. Research is development oriented.

PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
Research extends knowledge 2. Research brings to light new information 3. Research establishes new theories 4. Research verifies and tests existing facts 5. Research helps us to predict 6. Research analyses interrelationshipsResearch helps in finding solutions to problems 8. Research aims to develop new tool, concepts and theories for better study 9. Research contributes to development
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APPLICABILITY OF SOCIAL RESEARCH TO HEALTH

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To understand the patients To understand the reasons for the behavior of the patients To enhance the relationships with the patients, hospital and society at large To improve the quality of services offered by a hospital To understand the families of the patients and to help them to adjust

Cont
6. To get to know the awareness levels, opinions and attitudes towards a particular disease and medical care 7. To get to know the newer ways of handling the behavior of the patients 8. To get to know the newer trends in health care management 9. To be abreast with the latest services in health care 10. To have an edge over other hospitals

STEPS IN RESEARCH
POR PLANNING OPERATING REPORTING

PLANNING

1. 2.

Selection of the problem Formulation of the selected problem Introduction, objectives, statement of the problem and hypothesis Operationalisation of concepts Research Methodology Research Design Sampling Design

OPERATING
Construction of tools of data collection Pre testing of tools and their revision Collection of Data Processing of Data Analysis of data and interpretation of results

REPORTING
Description of the work is a follows Contents Certificate Declarations Acknowledgements 1. Chapter I- Introduction 2. Chapter II Profile of the respondents and Organization 3. Chapter III Data analysis and interpretation 4. Chapter IV Summary, finding and suggestions Appendix