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SEMESTER 2
BBA201 RESEARCH METHODS
Question 1- Explain the term ‘Research’. Discuss the various steps involved in Research Process?
Answer1-“Research” means the process of a study being conducted with a reason, or a purpose for which a study is being conducted. Research can be defined as a model prose work. The word research is taken from the French word ‘recherche’ and also from ‘rechercher’. A research preferably starts with the reason or purpose for which the study is being conducted.
The research process starts with the formulation of research problem, selecting from among various methods of research, research design, sample design, data collection analysis and interpretation of data, finally ending in a research report. It is a tentative proposition whose validity remains to be tested. This is the foundation of a scientific approach. It gives direction to the enquiry and helps the researcher draw specific conclusions.
The formulation of hypothesis or propositions that may be possible answers to research questions is an important step in the research process of formulating the research problem. Keen observation, creative thinking, hunch, wit, imagination, vision, insight and sound judgment are very important in setting up reasonable hypothesis, not to mention a thorough knowledge of the phenomenon and related fields. The formulation of hypothesis plays an important part in the growth of knowledge in every science. The second step is to define concepts used in the hypothesis. Some concepts represent facts: others like attitude can only be inferred. But the definition of concepts should be done in abstract terms to link the results of the study to the existing body of knowledge. The third step is to establish working definitions relating to the topic. This enables the researcher to translate the concepts into observable events to carry out the enquiry.
The next step is the data collection and analysis of data. Once the topic has been decided upon and working definitions established, the researcher has to choose his research tools – i.e., the appropriate methods of collecting data based on the requirements. The methods may be observations, surveys, interviews or historical documentary methods. Finally, the results of the study have to be related to existing theories or concepts either to confirm them or to demolish them in the light of the study undertaken in the form of conclusions.
Question 2- a. What are the characteristics of good Research Design? List the different types
of Research Designs.
b. Explain the steps in processing the data.
Answer 2- The following are the major characteristics of good research.
A good research should be systematic
This means that research should be ordered. A good research will follow the steps to be engaged in an orderly series according to set defined rules. Researchers always use scientific methods, and therefore it is called systematic.
A good research should be logical
There should be logical reasoning in any research. This logical process used could be induction or deduction. Induction is a process of reasoning from the part to the whole.
A good research should be empirical
Empirical means that realistic study is possible. Its authority can be checked through trustworthy sources and evidence. Research must be such that it can be validated, (i.e.) it should be possible to interpret and explain the process.
A good research is replicable
It means the research conducted can be repeated by any amount of times. A research can validate the results by repeating the study and thereby bringing a sound decision-making framework.
If two research organizations commence the same study, the results must be similar and not different. If the results are similar, then the research conducted is replicable.
The following characteristics are also necessary for a good research. They are:-
· Purpose clearly exhaustive.
· Research design thoroughly designed.
· High moral standards applied.
· Limitations openly revealed.
· A complete and proper analysis made.
· Finding presented without confusion.
· Decision based conclusions.
Hence if a project has all the above features, you can call it a good research project.
The research process starts with the formulation of research problem, selecting from among various methods of research, research design, sample design, data collection analysis and interpretation of data, finally ending in a research report. It is a tentative proposition whose validity remains to be tested. This is the foundation of a scientific approach. It gives direction to the enquiry and helps the researcher draw specific conclusions.
The formulation of hypothesis or propositions that may be possible answers to research questions is an important step in the research process of formulating the research problem. Keen observation, creative thinking, hunch, wit, imagination, vision, insight and sound judgment are very important in setting up reasonable hypothesis, not to mention a thorough knowledge of the phenomenon and related fields. The formulation of hypothesis plays an important part in the growth of knowledge in every science. The second step is to define concepts used in the hypothesis. Some concepts represent facts: others like attitude can only be inferred. But the definition of concepts should be done in abstract terms to link the results of the study to the existing body of knowledge. The third step is to establish working definitions relating to the topic. This enables the researcher to translate the concepts into observable events to carry out the enquiry.
The next step is the data collection and analysis of data. Once the topic has been decided upon and working definitions established, the researcher has to choose his research tools – i.e., the appropriate methods of collecting data based on the requirements. The methods may be observations, surveys, interviews or historical documentary methods. Finally, the results of the study have to be related to existing theories or concepts either to confirm them or to demolish them in the light of the study undertaken in the form of conclusions.
Question 3- a. What is Primary data? Describe the methods of collecting Primary data.
b. Elucidate the various methods of collecting Secondary data.
Answer 3- All the data sources available to the researcher can be classified into Primary data and Secondary data.
Primary data is the kind which is generally collected from the original source or the real data.
For example, the responses collected from various customers through personal interviews will constitute the Primary data as they are collected from the customers directly.
Secondary data is the kind which is already available in the form of published reports or data or books etc. For example, the report prepared on customer satisfaction as mentioned before, and, which is used for some other study in future can be called “Secondary Data”.
There are various data collection techniques for secondary data. Some of these sources are:
a. Bibliographies: A bibliography mostly contains particulars of books and articles published in a particular discipline. It is highly useful for verifying a reference to a publication, which has been quoted incompletely or inaccurately in some other sources.
b. Indices: Indexes concentrate more on periodical literature. A list of articles is called Index. In India, we have the first index being published by Rajasthan University in 1967 consisting of various documents like newspapers, books, profiles and publications.
c. Abstracts: Abstracts give a gist of the content of an article, book and dissertation. The details given in the index are author, title, periodicity, publisher and a brief summary of the important points of the periodical article that is being indexed.
d. Companies: They provide information on statistics to various communities for drawing valid conclusions about the performance.
e. Libraries and other public information centres: In the reference sections of libraries and information centres a person can find a lot of resource materials and data.
Generally, the first issue in the data collection process is to assess whether the data required for the research problem is already collected or yet to be collected. Only after assessing this, the further needs can be accomplished.
As already mentioned, all the data which is originally collected by the investigators is called primary data. That means, the researcher is directly collecting the data from the original resource. For example: information collected by an investigator on brand awareness, brand loyalty, brand preference and other aspects of consumer behaviour from a sample of consumers by interviewing them. The Primary Data is the first hand information collected by the researcher by the various methods namely, questionnaire, observation, mailing and interviews.
The data collected through primary sources by one investigator may be secondary in the hands of Analysis for others. For example, field data collected by a researcher for his market survey may be primary to him, whereas for analysis purpose, the same can be used by other researchers, and then it becomes as secondary data.
Primary data is the first source of information, and hence highly reliable. For collecting the primary data, various methods are used. The following are the frequently used methods and standard techniques in collecting the primary data. They are given below:
1) Observations Method
2) Interviews Method
3) Telephone Interviews
4) Mail Survey
5) Questionnaire
These methods of Primary data collection are explained below.
1) Observations Method:
Observation is the basic method of obtaining information about the world around us. All observations are not scientific observations. An observation becomes scientific, if it is planned and recorded systematically, and is subject to checks and controls on validity and reliability. Many types of data sought by research experts are mostly by direct observations only. It is the primary input to draw an inference about the data.
Observations can be classified into (i) Structured & (ii) Unstructured Observation
Structured Observations: A structured observation is one where there is a careful definition of categories under which the information is to be recorded, standardization of conditions of observations, and is used in studies mostly designed to provide systematic description or to test casual hypothesis. The researcher should decide the data he needs. The investigator knows what kind of situation under the study is relevant to his research purposes, and is in a position therefore to develop a scientific plan for making and recording observations, before he actually begins the data.
Unstructured Observations: In unstructured observation, there is no careful definition of the units to be observed and the information to be recorded. Any record of the information may affect the naturalness of the situation and create suspicion in the minds of the persons being observed. With a view to overcome these problems, different observers observe the same event and record the information. This enables the observers to maintain accuracy and avoids getting of facts by one or a few observers.
2) Interview Method:
Interview Method is a verbal method of securing the data. The observation method, we have seen in the previous discussion, is mostly restricted to non-verbal facts (like nodding, clapping, smiling etc.) The interview approach involves a person designated as the interviewer asking questions (mostly) in a face- to- face contact (generally) to the other person or persons. Interview is one of the most commonly used techniques.
There are two types of interviews namely, Structured and Unstructured Interviews.
In a structured interview, a pre-determined set of questions and highly standardized questions will be set. The reason for standardization is to ensure all the respondents reply to the same questions. They generally have fixed alternative answers.. These alternatives may be “Yes” or “No”. It is not a simple two-way conversation between the investigator and informant. For example, in an interview, the following questions will form part of a structured interview
f. Books and publications: There are several books that can give information on a particular type of industry or market. Trade journals are another excellent source for information. Researchers can also get information from government publications.
g. Magazines and newspapers: A set of information from news events and the latest information on politics, economic indicators can be obtained.
The archives of important newspapers and periodicals can provide you with a wealth of information. Industry journals are another source of information.
h. Discussion groups: Discussion groups are commonly known as Newsgroups. One can get a lot of information on a variety of topics from such groups.
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