Research Methodology Introduction PPT.pptx

Rm ppt

1. Types of Research Methodology 1 . Qualitative Research Qualitative research method is a  methodological approach primarily used in fields like social sciences, anthropology, and psychology . It’s aimed at understanding human behavior and the motivations behind it. Qualitative research delves into the nature of phenomena through detailed, in-depth exploration. Definition and Approach:  Qualitative research focuses on understanding human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. It involves  in-depth analysis  of non-numerical data like texts, videos, or audio recordings. Key Features: Emphasis on  exploring complex phenomena Involves  interviews, focus groups , and  observations Generates  rich, detailed data  that are often subjective Applications:  Widely used in social sciences, marketing, and user experience research.

2. 2. Quantitative Research Quantitative research method is a systematic approach  used in various scientific fields to quantify data and generalize findings from a sample to a larger population. Definition and Approach:  Quantitative research is centered around quantifying data and generalizing results from a sample to the population of interest. It involves  statistical analysis  and  numerical data . Key Features: Relies on  structured data collection instruments Large sample sizes  for generalizability Statistical methods  to establish relationships between variables Applications:  Common in natural sciences, economics, and market research.

3. 3. Descriptive Research Descriptive research is a type of research method that is  used to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon being studied . It does not answer questions about how or why things are the way they are. Instead, it focuses on providing a snapshot of current conditions or describing what exists. Definition and Approach:  This Types of Research method aims to accurately describe characteristics of a particular phenomenon or population. Key Features: Provides  detailed insights  without explaining why or how something happens Involves  surveys  and observations Often used as a  preliminary research method Applications:  Used in demographic studies, census, and organizational reporting.

4. 4. Analytical Research Analytical research is a type of research that s eeks to understand the underlying factors or causes behind phenomena or relationships . It goes beyond descriptive research by attempting to explain why things happen and how they happen. Definition and Approach:  Analytical research method goes beyond description to understand the underlying reasons or causes. Key Features: Involves  comparing data and facts  to make evaluations Critical thinking  is a key component Often  hypothesis-driven Applications:  Useful in scientific research, policy analysis, and business strategy.

5. 5. Applied Research Applied research is a type of scientific research method that  aims to solve specific practical problems or address practical questions . Unlike fundamental research, which seeks to expand knowledge for knowledge’s sake, applied research is directed towards solving real-world issues . Definition and Approach:  Applied research focuses on finding solutions to practical problems. Key Features: Direct practical application Often  collaborative , involving stakeholders Results are  immediately applicable Applications:  Used in healthcare, engineering, and technology development.

6. 6. Fundamental Research Fundamental research, also known as basic research or pure research, is a type of scientific research method that  aims to expand the existing knowledge base. It is driven by curiosity, interest in a particular subject, or the pursuit of knowledge for knowledge’s sake , rather than with a specific practical application in mind. Definition and Approach:  Also known as basic or pure research, it aims to expand knowledge without a direct application in mind. Key Features: Theoretical framework Focus on  understanding fundamental principles Long-term in nature Applications:  Foundational in fields like physics, mathematics, and social sciences.

7. 7. Exploratory Research Exploratory research is a type of research method  conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined. Its primary goal is to gain insights and familiarity with the problem or to gain more information about a topic.  Exploratory research is often conducted when a researcher or investigator does not know much about the issue and is looking to gather more information. Definition and Approach:  This type of research is conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined. Key Features: Flexible and unstructured Used to  identify potential hypotheses Relies on  secondary research  like reviewing available literature Applications:  Often the first step in social science research and product development.

8. 8. Conclusive Research Conclusive research, also  known as confirmatory research, is a type of research method that aims to confirm or deny a hypotheses or provide answers to specific research questions.  It is used to make conclusive decisions or draw conclusions about the relationships among variables. Definition and Approach:  Conclusive research is designed to provide information that is useful in decision-making. Key Features: Structured and methodical Aims to  test hypotheses Involves  experiments, surveys, and testing Applications:  Used in market research, clinical trials, and policy evaluations.

9. Research Methods Focus Methodology Applications Qualitative Human behavior Interviews, Observations Social Sciences Quantitative Data quantification Statistical Analysis Natural Sciences Descriptive Phenomenon description Surveys, Observations Demographics Analytical Underlying reasons Data Comparison Scientific Research Applied Practical solutions Collaborative Research Healthcare Fundamental Knowledge expansion Theoretical Research Physics, Math Exploratory Undefined problems Secondary Research Product Development Conclusive Decision-making Experiments, Testing Market Research

10. Difference between Qualitative And Quantitative Research Aspect Qualitative Research Quantitative Research Definition Focuses on exploring ideas, understanding concepts, and gathering insights. Involves the collection and analysis of numerical data to describe, predict, or control variables of interest. Objective To gain a deep understanding of underlying reasons, motivations, and opinions. To quantify data and generalize results from a sample to a larger population. Data Type Non-numerical data such as words, images, or objects. Numerical data, often in the form of numbers and statistics. Data Collection Interviews, focus groups, observations, and review of documents or artifacts. Surveys, experiments,  questionnaires , and numerical measurements. Data Analysis Interpretive, subjective analysis aimed at understanding context and complexity. Statistical, objective analysis focused on quantifying data and generalizing findings. Outcome Descriptive, detailed narrative or thematic analysis. Statistical results, often presented in charts, tables, or graphs.  –

11. Sample Size Generally smaller, focused on depth rather than breadth. Larger to ensure statistical significance and representativeness. Flexibility High flexibility in research design, allowing for changes as the study progresses. Structured and fixed design, with little room for changes once the study begins. Nature of Research Exploratory, open-ended, and subjective. Conclusive, closed-ended, and objective. Common Uses Social sciences, humanities, psychology, and market research for understanding behaviors and experiences. Natural sciences, economics, and large-scale market research for testing hypotheses and making predictions. Advantages Provides depth and detail, offers a more human touch and context, good for exploring new areas. Allows for a broader study, involving a greater number of subjects, and enhances generalizability of results. Limitations Can be time-consuming, harder to generalize due to small sample size, and may be subject to researcher bias. May overlook the richness of context, less effective in understanding complex social phenomena.

12. Criteria of Good Research 1.The purpose of the research, or the problem   involved, should be clearly defined and sharply   delineated in terms as unambiguous as possible. The statement of the research problem should include analysis into its simplest elements, its scope and limitations, and precise specifications of the meanings of all words significant to the research. Failure of the researcher to do this adequately may raise legitimate doubts in the minds of readers as to whether the researcher has sufficient understanding of the problem to make a sound attack upon it.

13. 2.The purpose of the research, or the problem   involved, should be clearly defined and sharply   delineated in terms as unambiguous as possible. The statement of the research problem should include analysis into its simplest elements, its scope and limitations, and precise specifications of the meanings of all words significant to the research. Failure of the researcher to do this adequately may raise legitimate doubts in the minds of readers as to whether the researcher has sufficient understanding of the problem to make a sound attack upon it.

14. 3.The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are as objective as possible. When a sampling of a population is involved, the report should include evidence concerning the degree of representativeness of the sample. A questionnaire ought not to be used when more reliable evidence is available from documentary sources or by direct observation. Bibliographic searches should be as thorough and complete as possible. Experiments should have satisfactory controls. Direct observations should be recorded in writing as soon as possible after the event. Efforts should be made to minimize the influence of personal bias in selecting and recording data.

15. 4.The researcher should report, with complete frankness, flaws in the procedural design and estimate their effect upon the findings. There are very few perfect research designs. Some of the imperfections may have little effect upon the validity and reliability of the data; others may invalidate them entirely. A competent researcher should be sensitive to the effects of imperfect design and his experience in analyzing the data should give him a basis for estimating their influence.

16. 5.Analysis of the data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance; and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The extent to which this criterion is met is frequently a good measure of the competence of the researcher. Twenty years of experience in guiding the research of graduate students leads the writer to conclude that adequate analysis of the data is the most difficult phase of research for the novice. The validity and reliability of data should be checked carefully. The data should be classified in ways that assist the researcher to reach pertinent conclusions. When statistical methods are used, the probability of error should be estimated and the criteria of statistical significance applied.

17. 6.Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and limited to those for which the data provides an adequate basis. Researchers are often tempted to broaden the bases of inductions by including personal experiences not subject to the controls under which the research data were gathered. This tends to decrease the objectivity of the research and weaken confidence in the findings. Equally undesirable is the all-too-frequent practice of drawing conclusions from study of a limited population and applying them universally. Good researchers specify the conditions under which their conclusions seem to be valid. Failure to do so justifiably weakens confidence in the research.

18. 7.Greater confidence in the research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research, and is a person of integrity. Were it possible for the reader of a research report to obtain sufficient information about the researcher, this criterion perhaps would be one of the best bases for judging the degree of confidence a piece of research warrants. For this reason, the research report should be accompanied by more information about the qualifications of the researcher than is the usual practice.

19. What is a unit of analysis? A unit of analysis is an object of study within a research project. It is the smallest unit a researcher can use to identify and describe a phenomenon—the 'what' or 'who' the researcher wants to study.  For example, suppose a consultancy firm is hired to train the sales team in a solar company that is struggling to meet its targets. To evaluate their performance after the training, the unit of analysis would be the sales team—it's the main focus of the study.  Different methods, such as  surveys , interviews, or sales data analysis, can be used to evaluate the sales team's performance and determine the effectiveness of the training.

20. Units of observation vs. units of analysis A unit of observation refers to the actual items or units being measured or collected during the research. In contrast, a unit of analysis is the entity that a researcher can comment on or make conclusions about at the end of the study.

21. Unit of analysis types Below are the main types of units of analysis: Individuals  – These are the smallest levels of analysis. Groups  – These are people who interact with each other. Artifacts  –These are material objects created by humans that a researcher can study using empirical methods. Geographical units  – These are smaller than a nation and range from a province to a neighborhood. Social interactions  – These are formal or informal interactions between society members.

22. Examples of a unit of analysis Individuals   – A person, an animal, etc. Groups  – Gangs, roommates, etc.  Artifacts  – Phones, photos, books, etc.   Geographical units  – Provinces, counties, states, or specific areas such as neighborhoods, city blocks, or townships Social interaction  – Friendships