This document provides an introduction to research methodology. It discusses the meaning of research, objectives of research such as gaining new insights or testing hypotheses. It also covers motivation in research, types of research approaches like quantitative vs qualitative, and the typical steps in the research process from formulating a problem to analyzing data. Finally, it discusses criteria for good research and some common problems researchers face in India such as lack of scientific training or resources.

1. A . T H A N G A M A N I R A M A L I N G A M
P T, M S C ( P S Y ) , P G D R M , A C s p s s M I A P
INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH

2. SYLLABUS
• Introduction to Research methodology Meaning of
research, objectives of research, Motivation in research,
Types of research & research approaches, Research
methods vs. methodology, Criteria for good research,
Problems encountered by researchers in India.

3. MEANING OF RESEARCH
• Research as a scientific
and systematic search
• A careful investigation
or inquiry
• “A systematic
investigation,
including research
development, testing
and evaluation,
designed to develop
or contribute to
generalizable
knowledge”
• The word research is
derived from the Middle
French "recherche",
which means "to go
about seeking", The
earliest recorded use of
the term was in 1577.

4. OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
The purpose of research
• To gain familiarity with a
phenomenon or to achieve new
insights ( exploratory or
formulative research studies);
• To portray accurately the
characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group(
descriptive research studies)
• To determine the frequency with
which something occurs or with
which it is associated with
something else (diagnostic
research studies)
• To test a hypothesis of a causal
relationship between variables (
hypothesis-testing research
studies).
• Aims: Are broad statements of
desired outcomes, or the general
intentions of the research, which
'paint a picture' of your research
project.(hope to achieve at the
end of the project)
• Objectives, on the other hand,
should be specific statements that
define measurable outcomes.(
steps taken to achieve the
desired outcome).

5. MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH
• 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 respectability.

6. TYPES OF RESEARCH
• Primary research or secondary
research (new to everyone Vs
new to researcher)
• Descriptive vs. Analytical
• Applied vs. Fundamental
• Quantitative vs. Qualitative
• Conceptual vs. Empirical
• one-time research or
longitudinal research
• clinical or diagnostic research
• conclusion-oriented and
decision-oriented
• field-setting research or
laboratory research or
simulation research
Types of Research
• Basic Research
• Applied Research
• Problem oriented Research
• Problem solving Research
• Quantitative Research
• Qualitative Research

7. TYPES OF RESEARCH
• 1. Descriptive research 2. Analytical research 3.
Fundamental research 4. Conceptual research 5.
Empirical research 6. One time research or longitudinal
research 7. Field-setting research or laboratory research
or simulation research 8. Clinical or diagnostic research
9. Exploratory research 10.Historical research
11.conclusion oriented research 12.case study research
13.short term research

8. RESEARCH APPROACHES
• Quantitative approach and the qualitative approach
• Inferential approach
• Experimental approach
• Simulation approach

9. RESEARCH PROCESS
Research
problem/Question
Review of the related
literature
Formulating
hypotheses
Research design
Data collection
Data analysis/results
Interpretation of
results
Solution and
conclusion

10. RESEARCH PROCESS
• (1) formulating the research
problem; (2) extensive
literature survey; (3)
developing the hypothesis; (4)
preparing the research design;
(5) determining sample design;
(6) collecting the data; (7)
execution of the project; (8)
analysis of data; (9) hypothesis
testing; (10) generalisations
and interpretation, and (11)
preparation of the report or
presentation of the results, i.e.,
formal write-up of conclusions
reached.

11. CRITERIA FOR GOOD RESEARCH
• Good research is systematic
• Good research is logical
• Good research is empirical
• Good research is replicable

12. PROBLEMS OF RESEARCH
• The lack of a scientific
training in the methodology
of research
• Insufficient interaction
• Research studies
overlapping one another are
undertaken quite often for
want of adequate
information(biased)
• Library management and
functioning is not
satisfactory at many places
• Problems of collection of
data and conceptualization
may occur.
• Repetition problems.
• Outdated and insufficient
information system may
cause problems.
• Sometimes lack of
resources becomes an
obstacle.
• Non availability of trained
researchers.
• Absence of code of
conduct.