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Chapter – 01
Re means again & search means find out something. Research means searching again & again to find or
discover a new thing.
Advanced learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of research as – “A careful
investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge”.
Redmen & Mory define – “Research as a systemized effort to gain new knowledge”.
So, research is a process of finding a solution to a specific problem after a thorough study & analysis of the
From the above definition discussion, we see that research is a-
Investigation new knowledge
Study of problem
Formulation of solution
The above discussions prove that research is the systematic approach that is concerned with generalizations &
formulation of a theory.
The objective of Research:
The purpose of research is to find out the answer to the question through the scientific procedure. So, research is
the application of the scientific procedure. Each research has its purpose. The main objective of the research is
to find out the hidden truth. The objective of the research is given below –
1. To gain familiarity: Its objective is to gain familiarity with a phenomenon & to achieve new insights into it.
2. To represent the characteristics: Another objective of the research is to portray accurately the
characteristics of a particular, individual, situation, or group.
3. To determine the frequency: Research work is undertaken to determine the frequency with which some
occur and with which it is associated with something else.
4. To test the hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables: The research work is undertaken by the
people or researcher to test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables.
5. To find out the hidden truth: The task of research is to truth which is not been uncovered by anyone till
Motivation in Research:
The possible motives for doing research may be either one or more of the following –
1. Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits.
2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems.
3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work.
4. Desire to be of service to society.
5. Desire to get respectability.
6. Desire to understand causal relationship.
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Qualities of Good Research:
The qualities of good research contain the following -
1. Purpose / Objectives are clearly defined in common concepts.
2. Procedure enumerated to keep continuity.
3. Carefully planned design leading to objective results.
4. Adequate analysis of data with appropriate methods of analysis.
5. Carefully checked data for validity & reliability.
6. The confidence, reputation, competence, experience, honesty & integrity of the researcher is ensured.
7. Reject the use of guessing & intuition, but does not rule out creative thinking.
Variables are identified & controlled, wherever possible.
Types of Research:
Generally, Research is two types –
1. Basic/Pure/Fundamental research
2. Applied research
1. Pure Research / Fundamental Research: Research has been done chiefly to enhance the understanding of a
certain problem that commonly occurs in an organization setting & seek a method of solving them is called pure
2. Applied Research: Research done to apply the result of the findings to solve specific problems currently
being experienced in the organization is called applied research. Ex: A particular product is not selling well. So
the manager can think about or try to find the reason for it & try to solve it.
Furthermore, research can be divided into the following types –
1. Descriptive Vs Analytical: Descriptive includes a survey to find out the situation or state of affairs. The
main characteristics of this method are that the research has no control over the variables. It can only report
what has happened or what is happening.
Analytical research is used facts & information for a critical result.
2. Quantitative Vs Qualitative: Quantitative research is based on the measurement of the amount. It applies to
phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Ex: What percentage of people are illiterate in our
Qualitative research cannot measure the amount. It is concerned with qualities phenomena which mean
phenomena related to quality or kind. It is important in behavioral science. Ex: Why people are illiterate?
3. Conceptual Vs Empirical: Conceptual is related to some abstract ideas or theory. Mainly Philosophers use
these to develop new concepts or interpret existing ones generally use it.
Empirical research is when certain variables affect other variables. It is data-based research coming up with a
conclusion, which is capable of being verified by observation or experiment.
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Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of situational
factors. Methodology refers to the way to solve the problem.
So, research methodology is a way to systematically solve the problem. There may be a lot of alternative ways
to solve the problem, which way the researcher follows, and what is the logic behind that are the main study in
Generally, research methodology is the process that includes a series of actions these are as follows –
1. Formulating / Defining the Research Problem:
Problems may be of two types. At first, it is needed to define the problem which accurately occurs. The
symptom of the problem must be identified because symptoms give the alert of the problem. Fever is not a
disease but it is a symptom of diseases. Symptoms are occurred due to the problem.
2. Review the Literature:
Carefully read the reading materials, other research work, academic journals, and books, and try to get some
data. This will provide data to form a hypothesis.
3. Developing the Hypothesis:
Get some knowledge about the problems. That means, estimating the problems and solutions. A hypothesis may
be right or wrong. It is the result of the first two steps. It will give an idea about the problem.
4. Preparing the Research Design: Conceptual structure on which the research is conducted. Build up a
framework for the research. Every research/further research can find the solution to that limitation. It is the
blueprint of the research. It fixes up the research objective and the validity of that objective.
5. Sampling Strategy:
The researcher must decide the way of selecting a sample or what is popularly known as the sample design. In
other words, a sample design is a definite plan determined before any data are collected for obtaining a sample
from a given population. Thus, the plan to select 12 of a city’s 200 drugstores in a certain way constitutes a
sample design. Samples can be either probability samples or non-probability samples. With probability samples,
each element has a known probability of being included in the sample but the non-probability samples do not
allow the researcher to determine this probability. Probability samples are those based on simple random
sampling, systematic sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster/area sampling whereas non-probability samples
are those based on convenience sampling, judgment sampling, and quota sampling techniques.
6. Collection of Data:
In dealing with any real-life problem it is often found that the data at hand are inadequate, and hence, it
becomes necessary to collect appropriate data. There are several ways of collecting the appropriate data which
differ considerably in the context of money costs, time, and other resources at the disposal of the researcher.
Primary data can be collected either through experiments or surveys. If the researcher experiments, he observes
some quantitative measurements, or the data, with the help of which he examines the truth contained in his
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7. Processing & Analysis of Data:
Statistical analysis of data is needed to find out the result or solution to the problem. It is needed to test the
validity and significance of data and prepare a situational analysis of the research. After the data have been
collected, the researcher turns to the task of analyzing them. The analysis of data requires several closely related
operations such as the establishment of categories, and the application of these categories to raw data through
coding, tabulation, and then drawing statistical inferences. The unwieldy data should necessarily be condensed
into a few manageable groups and tables for further analysis. Thus, a researcher should classify the raw data
into purposeful and usable categories.
8. Testing Hypothesis:
After analyzing the data as stated above, the researcher is in a position to test the hypotheses, if any, he had
formulated earlier. Do the facts support the hypotheses or do they happen to be contrary? This is the usual
question that should be answered while testing hypotheses. Various tests, such as the Chi-square test, t-test, and
F-test, have been developed by statisticians for this purpose. The hypotheses may be tested through the use of
one or more such tests, depending upon the nature and object of the research inquiry. Hypothesis testing will
result in either accepting the hypothesis or rejecting it.
9. Interpretation & Generalization:
If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, it may be possible for the researcher to arrive at a
generalization, i.e., to build a theory. The real value of research lies in its ability to arrive at certain
generalizations. If the researcher had no hypothesis to start with, he might seek to explain his findings based on
some theory. It is known as interpretation. The process of interpretation may quite often trigger off new
questions which in turn may lead to further research.
10. Report Writing:
Based on the findings a formal report is prepared to show the process, design, and results. It may include
comments from the researcher regarding the problem. Write the report and mention the future scope of research
on this research objectives, subject matter, opportunities, limitations, conclusions, etc are mentioned here.
Criteria of a Good Research:
To be good research it must contain the following matters –
1. Good research is systematic: It means research has to have some specified steps, a specified sequence, and
above all a well-defined set of rules.
2. Good research in logic: The research rules have some logical reasoning and have some logical processes of
induction and deduction.
3. Good research in empirical: Research has to relate to one or more aspects of a real situation and deals with
4. Good research is replicable: Research results are to be verified by replicating the study and building a
sound basis for the decision.
Qualities of a Researcher:
The top qualities of a Good Researcher are as follows:
1. Analytical Mind – Constant analysis of a variety of factors.
2. The ability to stay calm – Keep well focused & think logically there will always be an endpoint.
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3. Intelligence – The researcher requires critical analysis, but most of all common sense.
4. Curiosity – Have curiosity and be passionate about developing deeper to unearth more insight.
5. Quick Thinker – Things do not always go as you plan, so you need to be able to think fast.
6. Commitment – Research is a tough job, the hours may be long, and the deadlines short.
7. Excellent written & verbal communication skills – so that different audiences can clearly understand the
8. Sympathetic – Having a sympathetic ear when listening to some respondents
Systematic – Check, check and check again. Spending a proper amount of time for checking always pays
Business Research is the application of the scientific method in searching for the truth about business
phenomena. These activities include defining business opportunities & problems, generating & evaluating
alternative courses of action, and monitoring employee & organizational performance.
Another way, Business Research is a field of practical study in which a company obtains data & analyzes it to
better manage the company.
Areas of Business Research:
1. Accounting: Budget, tax, tax recovery, etc. are the subject matter of accounting research.
2. Finance: Operation, financial situation, leverage, stock exchange, etc are the subject matter of Finance
3. Human Resource Management: Employee attitude, turnover, lower production, etc are the subject matter of
human resource management research.
4. Marketing: Product, price, distribution, promotion, new product development, customer feedback, etc are
the subject matter of marketing research.
5. Sales: Personal selling, retailing, online selling, B2B, B2C, C2C, etc.
6. Management: Planning, organizing, actuating, motivating, controlling, etc.
7. Brand: Brand preferences, branded vs non-branded, global and national branding, brand equity, etc.
8. Consumer Behavior: Customers’ tastes, choices, preferences, customer acquisition, customer retention, etc.
9. Supply Chain Management: Suppliers' choice, selection, procurement, value chain, suppliers’ rivalry, etc.
Hallmarks of Research:
1. Purposiveness: The research work must have some definite purpose or aim.
2. Rigor: Every research work must have a sound theoretical background and methodology.
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3. Testability: The hypothesis which is taken can be taken with the help of different data.
4. Replicating: Research can be done by different people at different times. A similar result will come if the
circumstance is the same.
5. Precision and confidence: Precision refers to the closeness of the findings. Confidence refers that the
hypothesis which is taken is closely correct.
6. Generalizability: The findings of the research must be generalized to all.
7. Objectivity: The researches have to conduct based on facts, not on fiction or emotions.
8. Parsimony: Simplicity in explaining the problems and the application of solutions to problems.