Research seminar

Punjabi University –Patiala

Department of CommerceSeminar on

Research Methodology-(PH-101)

By Tadele Habtamu

Aug. 19, 2016 G.C.

Topic•Research

»Meaning»Characteristics»Types

ObjectivesAt the end of the seminar, We will be

able to• Define the term research• Explain the motivations for doing

research• Explain the characteristics of

research• Classify research

FlowResearch• Literal meaning• Dictionary meaning• Encyclopedia meaning• Authors’ definitions• What research is not• Why research is carried out• Motivations in research• Characteristics of research• Types /Classifications of research

Literal Meaning• The term research is made up of two

different words; ‘Re’ and ‘Search’• “Re” means again, fresh, new etc which

generally shows coming back, repetition• “Search” Stands for to look for or to dig

out, to find out something missing, lost, concealed or hidden etc.

• Hence: Searching again and again, over and over.

Research - Definition.

Research - Definition Contd.• Dictionary meaningThe Oxford Concise Dictionary defines

it asA. the systematic investigation into and

study of materials, sources, etc, in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

B. an endeavour to discover new or collate old facts etc by the scientific study of a subject or by a course of critical investigation.

• The 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.”

Research - Definition Contd.


• Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, D. Slesinger and M. Stephension (1930)

• Defined research as “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in the construction of theory or in the practice of an art”.



• According Authors• According to Redman and Mory

(1923), research is a “systematized effort to gain new knowledge”. It is an academic activity and therefore the term should be used in a technical sense.



• According to Clifford Woody research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organising and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulated hypothesis.


• In short, research is the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding a solution to a problem as well as the systematic approach concerning generalization and formulation of theory.

• It is the function of the researcher to contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon and to communicate that understanding to others.


Why research is carried out From the above definitions one can

generalize that research is undertaken for two different purposes:

To solve a current problem - applied research. (To be discussed later)

To generate a body of knowledge about how to solve potential problems - basic or fundamental or pure research. (To be discussed later)

What Research is notWalliman (2005) states that uses of the term

‘research’ are not research in the true meaning of the word.

• As part of this, he highlights ways in which the term is used wrongly:

Research is not mere information gathering. (Research is not merely rummaging for information. )

Although research often involves the collection of information, it is more than just reading a few books or articles, talking to a few people or asking people questions.

• If collection of the information is not undertaken in a systematic way, on its own and, in particular, with a clear purpose, it will not be seen as research.

• Just collecting facts or information with no clear purpose is simply information discovery; it may be learning reference skills; but it certainly is not a research.

What Research is not Contd.

What Research is not Contd.• Research is more than rummaging

through files to find what one did not know. Rummaging, whether in one's personal records or in the public or college library is not research. It is accurately termed an exercise in self-enlightenment.

• Is not Reassembling and reordering facts or information without interpretation;

• Let’s say data are collected, perhaps from a variety of different sources, and then assembled in a single document with the sources of these data listed. However, if there is no interpretation of the data collected. Again, while the assembly of data from a variety without interpretation it is not research.

What Research is not contd.

Research is not a catchword used to get attention. • If the term ‘research’ is used to get an idea

or product noticed by people and to suggest that people should have confidence in it, but when you ask for details of the research process, these are either unclear or not forthcoming, then it is not a research.

(Saunders etal, 2009)

What Research is not Contd.

Motivations in Research• What makes people to undertake

research? The possible motives for doing research may be either one or more of the following:– Desire to get a research degree

along with its consequential benefits;– Desire to face the challenge in

solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical problems initiates research;

–Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;–Desire to be of service to

society;–Desire to get respect.

Motivations in Research Cont.

Characteristics of Research• Systematic

This implies that the procedures adopted to undertake an investigation follow a certain logical sequence. The different steps cannot be taken in a haphazard way. Some procedures must follow others

Valid and verifiable This concept implies that whatever you conclude on the basis of your findings is correct and can be verified (confirmed) by you and others.

Characteristics of Research Contd.Critical• Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and

the methods employed is crucial to a research enquiry. The process of investigation must be full proof and free from any drawbacks.

• The process adopted and the procedures used must be able to withstand critical scrutiny. ( Kumar)

Characteristics of Research Cont.

Characteristics of Research Contd.Rigorous • Done carefully and in detail.• You must be scrupulous in ensuring that

the procedures followed to find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate and justified.

• Again, the degree of rigour varies markedly between the physical and the social sciences and within the social sciences.

Characteristics of Research Cont.

Characteristics of Research Contd.Controlled • In real life there are many factors that affect

an outcome. A particular event is seldom the result of a one-to-one relationship.

• Most outcomes are a result from the interplay of multiple relationships and interacting factors.

• In a study of cause and-effect relationships it is important to be able to link the effect(s) with the cause(s) and vice versa.

Characteristics of Research Contd.

• The concept of control implies that, in exploring causality in relation to two variables, you set up your study in a way that minimises the effects of other factors affecting the relationship.

• This can be achieved to a large extent in the physical sciences, as most of the research is done in a laboratory.

• However, in the social sciences it is extremely difficult as research is carried out on issues relating to human beings living in society, where such controls are impossible. Therefore, in the social sciences, as you cannot control external factors, you attempt to quantify their impact.


Other Characteristics• Is directed toward the solution of a

problem• Requires expertise• Is Objective i.e. Is based upon observable

experience or empirical evidence;• Demands accurate observation and

description;• Involves gathering new data from primary

or first-hand sources or using existing data for a new purpose


• is characterized by patient and unhurried activity;

• is carefully recorded and reported;• Sometimes requires courage;


Types of ResearchThere are different ways of classifying

research. • Some classify it as theoretical and

applied, descriptive and explanatory, quantitative and qualitative, conceptual and empirical, and other types of research.

• Others classify from various angles.For example based on objective, based on design, based on the area etc.

• The list is not exhaustive

Types of Research Contd.It should also be noted that there is no

clear dividing line between one method and the other. There are always overlaps in a sense that one method somehow includes the other.

Some researchers rather prefer to treat each type of research separately instead of looking at a method as a subset of a broad category.

Types of Research Contd.Descriptive vs. Analytical

Descriptive (Ex post facto) research – Includes surveys and fact-finding

enquiries of different kinds. – The major purpose of descriptive

research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present.

– The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. E.g. Who is homeless, how many are there?

• Majority of the ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher attempts to examine phenomena, such as the consumers’ preferences, frequency of purchases, shopping, etc.

• Despite the inability of the researchers to control the variables, ex post facto studies may also comprise attempts by them to discover the causes of the selected problem.

Types of Research Contd.

• The methods of research adopted in conducting descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including co relational and comparative methods.


Types of Research Cont.

Analytical research • In Analytical research, the researcher

has to use the already available facts or information, and analyze them to make a critical evaluation

• processes the data obtained by the descriptive research to make further inference (conclusion, suggestion).

• Manipulation (Some control) over the variables



• Applied vs. Fundamental:Applied /Action research Aims at finding a solution for an

immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization

Aims at drawing conclusions confronting a concrete social or business problem

• Most of the researches in the social sciences are applied.


Applied Research Examples

• Should McDonalds add Italian pasta dinners to its menu?

• Business research told McDonald’s it should not?

• Should Procter & Gamble add a high-priced home teeth bleaching kit to its product line?

• Research showed Crest Whitestrips would sell well at a retail price of $44

Types of Research Contd.• Fundamental (basic or pure) research “Gathers knowledge for knowledge’s sake.• Is mainly concerned with generalizations

and formulation of theory.• It is designed to extend the bases of

knowledge in a discipline for the sake of understanding it.

• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research.

Basic Research Example

• Is executive success correlated with high need for achievement?

• Are members of highly cohesive work groups more satisfied than members of less cohesive work groups?

• Do consumers experience cognitive dissonance in low-involvement situations?


Types of Research Cont.• Quantitative vs. Qualitative Quantitative research • is based on the measurement of quantity

or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.

• Creswell (1994) “a type of research that is `explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analyzed using mathematically based methods (in particular statistics).”

Types of Research Contd.• Qualitative researchIs concerned with qualitative phenomenon,

i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

• It is concerned with developing explanations of social phenomena

It aims to help us to understand the world in which we live and why things are the way they are.

• It is concerned with finding the answers to questions why? how? in what way?

For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behaviour (i.e., why people think or do certain things),we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of qualitative research


It is concerned with the social aspects of our world and seeks to answer questions about:

• Why people behave the way they do • How opinions and attitudes are formed • How people are affected by the events

that go on around them• How and why cultures have developed in

the way they have • The differences between social groups


The difference between quantitative and qualitative researches is a function of one of the following:

Focus of the research Level of the researcher involvement The research design The data type Lets see them one by one


Qualitative QuantitativeFocus Understanding Description

Interpretation Explanation

Researcher Involvement

High Limited Participation- based

Controlled

Research Design

Longitudinal Cross-sectional or longitudinal

Multi Method Single Method


Qualitative Quantitative

Sample Design and Size

Non-probability

Probability

Small sample

Large Sample

Data type and preparation

Verbal or pictorial

Verbal descriptions

Reduced to verbal codes

Reduced to numeric codes


Qualitative Quantitative

Data Analysis

Human judgment mixed with fact

Computerized analysis

Facts distinguished



Types of Research Contd.Conceptual vs. Empirical

(experimental type of research)Conceptual research Is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to

develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.

Empirical research Relies 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.

Types of Research Contd.Explanatory research In explanation, the researcher is

interested in exploring the reasons or the causes of the occurrence of certain behavior or event.

It involves understanding the cause – and – effect relationship between phenomena.

Attempts are made to answer the question “why?”

Types of Research Contd.Exploratory• Exploratory research is defined by Burns and Groove

(2001:374) as research conducted to gain new insights, discover

new ideas, and for increasing knowledge of the phenomenon.

• Is also conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined.

• Investigates an issue or phenomena. • It can be a stand alone study or it can be used as a

means to define a problem before engaging in actual research

Eg. Challenges of prospects of establishing capital market in Ethiopia.

Types of Research Contd.• Evaluation Research• Is the formal, objective measurement

and appraisal of the extent to which a given activity, project, or program has achieved its objectives.

Types of Research Cont.Performance-monitoring Research• Research that regularly provides

feedback for evaluation and control• Indicates Whether or not things are

going as planned• The research may be required to

explain why something “went wrong”

References• Kothari, C.R.,2004, Research Methodology-Methods

and Techniques, New Delhi, Wiley Eastern Limited.• Kumar, Ranjit, 2005, Research Methodology-A

Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners, (2nd.ed), Singapore, Pearson Education.

• Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill (2007)Research method for Business students fifth edition

• BEVERLEY HANCOCK (2004) An Introduction to Qualitative Research

• Ranjit Kumar (2011) Research methodology a step-by-step guide for beginners- 3rd edition

• Various articles from the internet

THANK YOU

አመሰግናለሁ(AMESEGINALEHU)

The End