RESEARCH METHODS

First Modular
 What is Research?
• Research is an objective, logical, systematic,
and verifiable method of enquiry and analysis
• It has also been described as a “method of
knowing the unknown”
 Why Research?
• For managers, research is means for solving
organizational problems. A manager defines a
problem as “any discrepancy between actual
and desired.”
• For scientists, a problem is defined as “any
unknown phenomenon”.
 Methods of Knowing
• An American Philosopher, Charles Price,
stated that human beings have used four
methods of knowing:
• The Method of Tenacity
• The Method of Authority
• The `a priori’ Method (Method of Dialogue)
• The Scientific Method
 The Method of Tenacity
• The most ancient of methods where people
hold on firmly to a belief, superstition, myth
or folklore, from generation to generation
• Considered a highly unreliable method by
Price
 The Method of Authority
• The method of knowing through religious
injunctions where it is believed that the
source of knowledge is the Almighty
• Largely considered a controversial and an
unreliable method by Price
 The `a priori’ Method
• Also called the “method of dialogue”, it rests
on the idea that if human beings are given the
freedom of expression they will ultimately
arrive at the truth through communication
and interaction.
• Regarded as a “half-way” reliable method by
Price
 The Scientific Method of Knowing
• Described by Price as “a systematic, formal,
conscious process of evolving and testing
hypotheses for solving problems”
• Almost exactly similar to, how, in
contemporary times, we describe Research
 Elements of Research
• Scientific Research must contain certain
characteristics (called elements). There are six
compulsory elements of Research plus one
which may or may not be present.
 Elements of Research
• Purpose: Setting specific, realistic, and
measurable objectives for the Research Study;
determines the scope of Research
• Testability: Making sure that each and every
process and method used in the Research
Study is minutely detailed and elaborated
• Replicability: Replicating a Research Study
without any significant deviation in results
 Elements of Research
• Precision: Refers to the desired accuracy of
the findings
• Confidence: Confidence level determines the
degree to which results – based on a sample –
represent the target population. It is inversely
proportional to the element of Precision
• Objectivity: Ensuring that the research process
is free of bias, prejudice, personal likings and
dislikings of the researcher
 Elements of Research
• Generalizability: The presence or absence of
this element fundamentally helps classify
research into Pure or Applied Research
• When the element of Generalizability is
present, the research is categorized as Pure,
while its absence implies that the research is
Applied
 Pure Research
• Pure research is concerned with the
development and testing of intellectually
challenging hypotheses that contribute to the
enhancement of knowledge.
• Applied research is problem-oriented in
nature, usually based on the indigenous needs
of an organization.