RESEARCH PROCESS
Research Process
Series of actions or steps that are effectively
performed in a specific order necessary to
carry out research
Steps of Research Process
Defining the
Research
Problem
Objective of
Research
Review of
Literature
Data Collection
Sample Design
Preparing
Research
Design
Working
Hypothesis
Execution of
project
Data Analysis
and Hypothesis
testing
Generalization
and
Interpretation
Report
Selecting a
topic
Selecting a topic
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Following factors to be considered:
 Relevance
 Whether
the problem is already researched before
 Scope; required data must be available
 Contribution to knowledge in specific field
 Required cooperation from the research guide
 Practical utility of the topic selected
Defining the research problem
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Problem properly defined is half solved
Problem may be of the following nature
 Exploratory
 Descriptive
 Causal
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Gives proper direction to the researcher to go
ahead
Objectives of research
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What does the researcher aim to achieve through
research?
Gives the extent to which the research work is
related to the specific field
Review of Literature
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Reviewing the existing books
Journals
Reports
Conference proceedings
PhD theses
Internet
Development of Working Hypothesis
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A proposition- a tentative assumption which a
researcher wants to test for its logical or empirical
consequence
Must be stated in precise and clearly defined terms
A tentative statement that can either be accepted
or rejected after the research process
May be more than one
Preparing Research Design
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A logical and systematic plan prepared for
directing a research study
Program that guides the investigator in the process
of collecting, analyzing and interpreting
observations
Sample Design
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All items in any field of inquiry constitute a ‘Universe’ or
‘population’
Complete enumeration of all items in the population is known
as the ‘census’ inquiry
In census no chance, highest accuracy
Not possible when population is very high
Involves great deal of time , money and energy
Leads to selection of few respondents
Selected respondents constitute ‘sample’
Selection process is ‘sampling technique’
Survey conducted on the sample is called ‘sample survey’
Methods of sampling – probability and non probability
sampling
Types of Sample Design
1.
2.
3.
4.
Deliberate sampling (Non probability sampling)also called as convenience sampling.
Simple random sampling(Probability sampling)
equal probability of being selected.
Systematic sampling (ex selecting every 15th name
on a list)
Stratified sampling: (divide subjects into subgroups
based on characteristics eg race, gender, once
divided again do probability sampling method)
Types of Sample Design
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Cluster sampling: ex Bank selecting sample size of
450 form 15000 customers. Divide group of 150 in
100cluster . Select 3 groups
Data Collection
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Primary data
 Originally
collected
 By observation
 Personal interviews
 Telephonic interviews
 Through Internet
 Questionnaires
 Schedules
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Secondary data
 Already
available and compiled
Execution of project
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If data collected through structured questionnaires,
can be machine processed, coded
For interviews proper arrangements must be made
Proper selection and training of interviewers
With the help of instruction manuals or direct
instructions
With lack of alertness, results may be wrong
Analysis of data
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Critical examination of assembled and grouped
data
Task requiring maximum skill
Selection of tools of analysis
Irrelevant analysis should be avoided
Computer aided research analysis of great help
Hypothesis Testing
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After analysis researcher tests for acceptance or
rejection of hypothesis
Various tests available
Chi square , t-test, F-test
Generalizations and Interpretations
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Hypothesis is tested and upheld several times
Leads to generalization
Theory
Real value of research is to arrive at
generalizations
If research started with no hypothesis, findings may
be related to some existing theory-Interpretation
Preparation of Report
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Preliminary pages
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Main text
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Title
Date
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Table of Contents
List of tables and graphs/charts
Introduction
Summary of findings
Main report
Conclusion
Appendices, Bibliography
Features of a good research
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Objectivity
Accuracy
Precision
Systematic
Logical
Control
Generalisability
Free from bias
Reproduciable
Thank You