Question

Read pages 1 – 10 in the book by Kothari, C.R., (2004) Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. Then answer the following three questions in your own words.

a) In your own words, write a summary of how you understand these 10 pages;

b) Explain these key concepts (short notes):

a. Research methods vs methodology

b. Research vs scientific method

c. Research approaches

d. Types of research

c) Why would you want to undertake research? (half a page)

Answer 1

b)

Research Methods vs Methodology

A method is simply the tool used to answer your research questions — how, in short, you will go about collecting your data. It generally includes surveys, interviews, inquiries. The research method is research methods are used to define the topic of the research and to establish a deeper understanding about it

A methodology is the rationale for the research approach, and the lens through which the analysis occurs. Said another way, a methodology describes the “general research strategy that outlines the way in which research is to be undertaken” The methodology will decide which method you would be selecting to compile your data or research. Research methodology is a systematic approach to collect and evaluate data in the research process.Examples - Participatory, Phenomenology,Ethnography.

We generally use methods for industrial practitioner we use methods, for academics related we talk about the Methodology and the methods that follow it. Research method is a small part of Research Methodology. Research Method consists of different investigation teachniques, while Methodology is a systematic strategy to achieve the decided objective.

Research methods are used to find a solution to the research problem. Research methods are the primary course to conduct research, and research methodology is all about the utilization of research methods.

In the end, we can say that both research methods and methodologies are an important part of research and important for each other’s existence.

Research vs Scientific Method.

The two terms, research and scientific method, are closely related. Research can be stated as can be termed as “an inquiry into the nature of, the reasons for, and the consequences of any particular set of circumstances, whether these circumstances are experimentally controlled or recorded just as they occur. According to Karl Pearson," The scientific method is one and same in the branches (of science) and that method is the method of all logically trained minds … the unity of all sciences consists alone in its methods, not its material; the man who classifies facts of any kind whatever, who sees their mutual relation and describes their sequences, is applying the Scientific Method and is a man of science.” Scientific Method is based on logical considerations. It depends on the empirical evidence;it utilizes relevant concepts; it is committed to only objective considerations ; it aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be termed as scientific theories.

To sum up, the Scientific Method is a standardized way of making observations, gathering data, forming theories, testing predictions, and interpreting results.

Researchers make observations in order to describe and measure behavior. After observing certain events, researchers come up with a theory that explains the occurence of the  observations. Researchers generally develop a theory only after they have collected a lot of evidence and made sure their research results can be reproduced by others.

Research Approaches

The research approach can be defined as  a plan and procedure that consists of the steps of broad assumptions to detailed methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. It is, therefore, based on the nature of the research problem being addressed. Research approach can be divided into three types:

1. Abductive research approach
2. Deductive research approach
3. Inductive research approach

Deductive approach tests the validity of assumptions (or theories/hypotheses) in hand, whereas inductive approach contributes to the emergence of new theories and generalizations. Abductive research, on the other hand, starts with ‘surprising facts’ or ‘puzzles’ and the research process is devoted their explanation.Qualitative data requires an inductive approach to analysis.  In order to make the research credible to the reader, the research should lead to the research findings.

In abductive approach, the research process is devoted to explanation of ‘incomplete observations’, ‘surprising facts’ or ‘puzzles’ specified at the beginning of the study.

If in your hypothesis you need to confirm or reject a theory we go for deductive approach. So the procedure is like this  

THEORY--> HYPOTHESIS--> OBSERVATION TEST--> REJECT/ CONFIRM

While,in inductive approach it does not involve formulation of hypotheses. It starts with research questions and aims and objectives that need to be achieved during the research process.The procedure is like this-

OBSERVATION--> PATTERN--> THEORY

Types of research.

Research Methods are broadly classified into two categories Qualitative and Quantitative.

Qualitative method -- collects data using conversational methods. Participants are asked open-ended questions. The responses collected are essentially non-numerical. This method not only helps a researcher understand what participants think but also why they think in a particular way.

Quantitative Method-- deal with numbers and measurable forms. It uses a systematic way of investigating events or data. It is used to answer questions in terms of justifying relationships with measurable variables to either explain, predict, or control a phenomenon.

Different types of Qualitative Methods-- 1.One-to-one Interview. 2. Focus Groups 3.Text Analysis 4. Case studies 5. Ethnographic Research

1. One-to-one Interview--One-to-one interviews need a researcher to prepare questions in advance. The researcher asks only the most important questions to the participant.During this one-to-one session the researches collects as much information as it can collect,

2. Focus Groups-- A small groups comprising of around 6-10 participants who are usually experts in the subject matter. A moderator is assigned to a focus group who facilitates the discussion amongst the group members. A moderator’s experience in conducting the focus group plays an important role.

3. Text Anlysis-- The researcher studies and understands the context in which the documents are written and then tries to draw meaningful inferences from it. Researchers today follow activities on a social media platform to try and understand patterns of thoughts.

4. Case Studies--This method is one of the most valuable options for modern This type of research is used in fields like the education sector, philosophical studies, and psychological studies.

5. Ethnographic research-- It is an in-depth form of research where people are observed in their natural environment without This method is demanding due to the necessity of a researcher entering a natural environment of other people. Geographic locations can be a constraint as well.

Types of Quantitative Method

1. Survey 2. Descriptive 3. Correlational.

1. Survey Research--The main aim of survey research is to learn about a large population by deploying a survey. Nowadays, online surveys are popular as they are convenient and can be sent in an email or made available on the internet. In this method, a researcher designs a survey with the most relevant survey questions and distributes the survey. Once the researcher receives responses, they scrutinize and summarize them to tabulate meaningful findings and data.

2. Descriptive Research--Descriptive research is a method which identifies the characteristics of an observed phenomenon and collects more information. This method is designed to depict the participants in a very systematic and accurate manner. In simple words, descriptive research is all about describing the phenomenon, observing it, and drawing conclusions from it.

3. Correlational Research-- It examines the relationship between two or more variables. Consider a researcher which states The more one runs, the less likely one is to have cardiovascular problems. This shows a correlation between running and cardiovascular problems. A person having cardiovascular problems have a negative correlation with running. In this example, there are two variables: running and cardiovascular problems. When we say negative correlation, it means that a person who runs more often are less likely to develop a cardiovascular problems. However, it doesn’t mean that running more directly avoids cardiovascular problems.