Unit I: Introduction to Research

Dr. Resham Kaur Bhambra

Associate Professor
Dept. Commerce
 Research- Meaning

• Research is a Search for knowledge.

• Research is a Scientific and systematic search for information on a

specific topic.

• Dictionary Definition – Research is a careful investigation/inquiry,

especially through a search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.

• It is a journey of discovery.
 Research- Meaning
• The word research is derived from the Middle French "recherche", which means "to
go about seeking", the term itself being derived from the Old French term
"recerchier" a compound word from "re-" + "cerchier", or "sercher", meaning
'search’.

• Paul Felix Lazarsfeld is widely regarded as the "father of research surveys". He is

known for his significant contributions to the development of modern research
survey methods, particularly in the areas of statistical survey analysis, panel
methods, latent structure analysis, and contextual analysis.
 Research- Definition
• Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use
of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate
new concepts, methodologies, and understandings.

• Creswell, who states that "research is a process of steps used to

collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a
topic or issue". It consists of three steps: pose a question, collect data
to answer the question, and present an answer to the question.
Characteristics/Qualities/ Criteria
of a Good Research
1. Clear Purpose
• The research must have a well-defined objective or question.
• It should aim to fill a knowledge gap, solve a problem, or test a
hypothesis.

2. Systematic and Organized

• Good research follows a logical sequence — planning, data collection,
analysis, and interpretation.
• Every step should be deliberate and based on a research design.
Characteristics/Qualities/ Criteria
of a Good Research
3. Empirical
• It is based on observable and measurable evidence, rather than just
theory or opinion.
• Real-world data is collected to support findings.

4. Replicable
• The research process should be detailed enough so that others can
reproduce the study and verify results.
Characteristics/Qualities/ Criteria
of a Good Research
5. Objective and Unbiased
• A good researcher maintains neutrality and avoids personal bias in data
interpretation.
• The conclusions should arise from the data, not from preconceived
notions.

6. Reliable and Valid

• Reliability: The results should be consistent over time and across
researchers.
• Validity: The research must measure what it is intended to measure.
Characteristics/Qualities/ Criteria
of a Good Research
7. Ethical
• Research must follow ethical guidelines: informed consent,
confidentiality, honesty, and integrity.
• Avoids plagiarism, falsification, or harm to participants.

8. Analytical and Critical

• A good research study goes beyond describing facts—it analyzes,
interprets, and critically evaluates information.
Characteristics/Qualities/ Criteria
of a Good Research
9. Original
• It contributes new knowledge or insights, rather than merely
repeating existing information.

10. Communicable
• The findings must be clearly documented and presented so that
others can understand and use them.
 Objectives of Research
• To explore new areas of knowledge or phenomena.
• To validate or refute existing theories or hypotheses.
• To provide evidence to support decision-making or policy development.
• To improve practices or processes in a particular field.
• To identify new opportunities for innovation or technological development.
• To describe and understand the characteristics and behavior of a particular
population or group.
• To evaluate the effectiveness or impact of a particular intervention or program.
• To identify the causes or factors that contribute to a particular problem or
phenomenon.
• To predict future trends or outcomes based on existing data and information.
• To generate new ideas and theories to guide future research and development.
 Significance/Importance/Advantages of Research

• Contributes to the development of new knowledge.

• Supports decision-making and policy development.
• Improves practices and processes.
• Helps solve real-world problems.
• Promotes economic growth and development.
• Enhances the quality of life.
 Classification/Types of Research

Based on objectives in Based on Inquiry

Based on Application mode applied for Other
of Research Study undertaking the Types
Research Research

Qualitative
Pure/Basic/ Applied/ Descriptive Structured
Fundamental Approach Quantitative
Decisional Research
Research Conceptual
Research Co-relational Unstructured
Research Approach Empirical
Explanatory Analytical
Research
Exploratory
Research
 Based on Application of Research Study

1. Basic /Pure/Fundamental Research

• A research activity taken up to look into some aspects of a problem
or an issue for the first time.
• It involves developing and testing theories and hypotheses.
• The knowledge produced through pure research adds to the existing
body of research methods.
• Pure research is theoretical but has a universal nature.
• It is more focused on creating scientific knowledge and predictions
for further studies.
• Develops generalized solutions.
• Example: Understanding how consumer attitudes form over
time.
 Based on Application of Research Study

2. Applied/Decisional Research
• Applied research is done on the basis of pure or fundamental
research.
• Aims to solve specific, practical questions; for policy formulation, and
understanding of a phenomenon.
• It can be exploratory, but is usually descriptive.
• Develops immediate and specific solutions.
• Example : Developing models to forecast company cash flow.
 Based on objectives in undertaking the Research

1. Descriptive Research:
• This attempts to explain a situation, problem, phenomenon.
• It is used to answer questions of who, what, when, where, and how associated with a
particular research question or problem.
• Such studies are usually correlation or observational.
• This type of research is conclusive in nature.

2. Co-relational Research:
• This is a type of non-experimental research method
• Undertaken to discover or establish the existence of a relationship/ interdependence
between two or more aspects of a situation.
 Based on objectives in undertaking the Research

3. Explanatory Research:
• Is the research whose primary purpose is to explain why events occur, to build, elaborate,
extend or test a theory.

4. Exploratory Research:
• is conducted to find a solution for a problem that has not been studied more clearly,
intended to establish priorities, develop operational definitions and improve the final
research design.
• helps determine the best research design, data-collection method & selection of subjects.
• usually carried out when the problem is at a beginning stage.
• It is often referred to as grounded theory approach or interpretive research.
 Based on Inquiry mode applied for Research

1. Structured Approach:
• The structured approach to inquiry is usually classified as quantitative research.
• everything that forms the research process- objectives, design, sample, and the
questions that you plan to ask of respondents- is predetermined.

2. Unstructured Approach:
• is usually classified as qualitative research.
• This approach allows flexibility in all aspects of the research process.
• It is more appropriate to explore the nature of a problem, issue or phenomenon
without quantifying it.
• Main objective is to describe the variation in a phenomenon, situation or attitude
 Other Types

1. Quantitative Research:
Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to
phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.

2. Qualitative Research:
is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

3. Conceptual Research:
Conceptual research is associated to some theoretical idea(s) or presupposition and is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to get a better understanding of an existing
concept in practice.
 Other Types

4. Empirical/ Experimental Research:

Empirical research draws together the data based on experience or observation alone, often without
due regard for system and theory.
It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by
observation or experiment.

5. Analytical Research:
the researcher uses facts or information already available, and analyzes these to make a critical
evaluation from it.
 Research Approaches (Methodology)

1. Quantitative Approach

2. Qualitative Approach

3. Mixed Approach
 Quantitative Approach

Key Features:
A systematic investigation • Uses measurable data
that focuses on numeric data • Often uses large samples
and statistical analysis. • Involves statistical
Purpose: analysis
To test hypotheses, • Follows a clear structure
identify
relationships, and
make predictions
When to use it:
• When you need exact results Common methods used:
• When working with large • Surveys and questionnaires
groups
• Experiments
• When you want to compare
or measure • Statistical analysis
 Qualitative Approach

Key Features:
A method of inquiry • Uses non-numerical data
(text, audio, video)
that focuses on non- • Emphasizes depth over
numerical data, like breadth
Purpose: • Small, purposefully
words, images, or selected samples
To understand
observations • Researcher plays an
meanings, active role
experiences, or
When to use it: social processes
When you want deep in depth
understanding Common methods used:
When working with smaller • Interviews
groups • Focus groups
When exploring feelings, • Case studies
ideas, or experiences
 Mixed Approach

Key Features:
• Merges numbers and
Combines both narratives
quantitative and • Helps validate or
qualitative techniques explain results more
in a single study. Purpose: fully
To provide a fuller • Can follow sequential
understanding of or parallel designs
a research
When to use it: problem
• When you want both broad
and deep understanding
• When results from one Combination of Quantitative
method need more
and Qualitative methods
explanation
• When you want to validate
your findings in two ways
Examples
Quantitative Approach
Surveying 200 students to find out how many hours they study per week
and how that affects their exam scores.

Qualitative Approach
Interviewing 10 teachers about their experience with online teaching during
the pandemic.

Mixed Approach
Survey students about how motivated they feel (quantitative), then interview
a few to understand why (qualitative).
Research Methods vs Research Methodology

Research Methods (The Tools and Techniques)

• The techniques or procedures used to gather and analyze data.
• The focus is on "how" of the research.
• Purpose: To collect and analyze data.

Research Methodology (The Philosophy and Strategy))

• Research methodology refers to the overall approach and rationale
guiding the choice of research methods.
• It is the philosophical and theoretical framework that supports the
research.
• Purpose: To justify the use of specific methods and guide the overall
research approach.
Research Methods vs Research Methodology

• Examples of research methods include surveys, experiments,

interviews, observations, etc.

• while research methodology encompasses the research design , the

type of research and the approaches like qualitative, quantitative,
and mixed methods.
 ISA I- Assignment

1. Problems Encountered by Researchers in India.

2. Role of AI and Technology in Research.
3. Ethical Considerations in Research.