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Characteristics of Research:
Research: Meaning, Characteristics and types
1. Empirical - based on observations and
Research is a derivative of the French word; experimentation on theories
Researche means quest, search, pursuit and search
for truth. Research in common man's language refers
2. Systematic - follows orderly and sequential
to "search for Knowledge". Research is an art of
procedure.
scientific investigation. It is also a systematic design,
collection,analysis and reporting the findings &
solutions for the marketing problem of a company. 3. Controlled - all variables except those that are
tested/experimented upon are kept constant
The purpose of research is to discover answers to
questions through the application of scientific 4. Employs hypothesis - guides the investigation
procedures process
Research is required because of the following 5. Analytical - There is critical analysis of all data
reasons: used so that there is no error in their interpretation
To identify and find solutions to the problemsEX: 6. Objective, Unbiased, & Logical - all findings are
Why is that demand for a product isFalling logically based on empirical
To help making decisions
EX: Should we maintain the advertising budget same 7. Employs quantitative or statistical methods - data
as last year are transformed into numerical measures and are
treated statistically
To develop new concepts
EX: MLM 8. Original work
To find alternate strategies 9. Done by an expert - the researcher uses valid and
EX: Should we follow pull strategy or push strategy carefully designed procedures, valid data gathering
to promote the product
10. Must be patient and unhurried activity - to ensure
The objectives of research are accuracy
3. To determine the frequency with which something This type of research is carried out at the very
occurs or with which it is associated with something beginning when the problem is not clear or is vague.
In exploratory research, all possible reasons which
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Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
are very obvious are eliminated, thereby directing the Causal Research- Causal research is conducted to
research to proceed further with limited options. determine the cause and effect relationship between
the two variables.
Sales decline in a company may be due to: Example: Effect of advertisement on sales.
(1) Inefficient service
(2) Improper price Historical Research-The name itself indicates the
(3) Inefficient sales force meaning of the research. Historical study is a study of
(4) Ineffective promotion pastrecords and data in order to understand the future
(5) Improper quality trends and development of the organization or
market. There is no direct observation. The research
The research executives must examine such questions has to depend onthe conclusions or inferences drawn
to identify the most useful avenuesfor further in the past.
research. Preliminary investigation of this type is
called exploratory research. Expert surveys, focus For example, investors in the share market study the
groups, case studies and observation methods are past records or prices of shares which he/she intends
used to conduct the exploratory survey. to buy. Studying the share prices of a particular
company enables the investor to take decision
Descriptive Research- The main purpose of whether to invest in the shares of a company.
descriptive research is to describe the state of view as
it exists at present. Simply stated, it is a fact finding Ex-post Facto Research -In this type of research, an
investigation. In descriptive research, definite examination of relationship that exists between
conclusions can be arrived at, but it does not establish independentand dependent variable is studied. We
a cause and effect relationship. may call this empirical research. In this method, the
researcher has no control over an independent
Applied Research- aims at finding a solution for an variable. Ex-post facto literally means from what is
immediate problem faced by any done afterwards. In this research, a variable A is
businessorganization. This research deals with real observed. Thereafter, the researcher tries to find a
life situations. Example: Why have sales decreased causal variable B which caused A. It is quite
during the last quarter? Market research is an possible that B might not have been caused A. In
example of applied research. Applied research has a this type of analysis, there is no scope for the
practical problem-solving emphasis. It brings out researcher to manipulate the variable. The researcher
many new facts. can only report what has happened and what is
Examples: happening.
1. Use of fibre glass body for cars instead of metal.
2. To develop a new market for the product. Action Research- This type of research is
undertaken by direct action. Action research is
Pure/Fundamental Research or Basic Research- conducted to solve a problem. Example: Test
Gathering knowledge for knowledges sake is known marketing a product is an example of action research.
as basic research. It is not directly involved with Initially, the geographical location is identified. A
practical problems. It does not have any commercial target sample is selected from among the population.
potential. There is no intention to apply this research Samples are distributed to selected samples and
in practice. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research feedback is obtained from the respondent. This
conducts such studies. Example: Theory of Relativity method is most common for industrial products,
(by Einstein). where a trial is a must before regular usage of the
product.
Conceptual Research-This is generally used by
philosophers. It is related to some abstract idea or Quantitative research aim to measure the quantity
theory. Inthis type of research, the researcher should or amount and compares it with past records and tries
collect the data to prove or disapprove his hypothesis. to project for future period. In social sciences,
The various ideologies or isms are examples of quantitative research refers to the systematic
conceptual research. empirical investigation of quantitative properties and
phenomena and their relationships. The objective of
quantitative research is to develop and employ
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Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
write a synopsis of the topic and submit it to the considered appropriate if the purpose of the research
necessary Committee or the Research Board for study is that of exploration. But when the purpose
approval. At this juncture the researcher should happens to be an accurate description of a situation or
undertake extensive literature survey connected with of an association between variables, the suitable
the problem. For this purpose, the abstracting and design will be one that minimises bias and maximises
indexing journals and published or unpublished the reliability of the data collected and analysed.
bibliographies are the first place to go to. Academic
journals, conference proceedings, government There are several research designs, such as,
reports, books etc., must be tapped depending on the experimental and non-experimental hypothesis
nature of the problem. testing. Experimental designs can be either informal
designs (such as before-and-after without control,
3. Formation of objectives after-only with control, before-and-after with control)
or formal designs (such as completely randomized
4. Developing the hypothesis design, randomized block design, Latin square
After extensive literature survey, researcher should design, simple and complex factorial designs), out of
state in clear terms the working hypothesis or which the researcher must select one for his own
hypotheses. Working hypothesis is tentative project. The preparation of the research design,
assumption made in order to draw out and test its appropriate for a particular research problem,
logical or empirical consequences. As such the involves usually the consideration of the following:
manner in which research hypotheses are developed (i) The means of obtaining the information;
is particularly important since they provide the focal (ii) The availability and skills of the researcher and
point for research. They also affect the manner in his staff (if any);
which tests must be conducted in the analysis of data (iii) Explanation of the way in which selected means
and indirectly the quality of data which is required of obtaining information will be organised and the
for the analysis. In most types of research, the reasoning leading to the selection;
development of working hypothesis plays an (iv) The time available for research; and
important role. Hypothesis should be very specific (v) The cost factor relating to research, i.e., the
and limited to the piece of research in hand because it finance available for the purpose.
has to be tested. The role of the hypothesis is to guide
the researcher bydelimiting the area of research and 6. Determining sample design
to keep him on the right track. It sharpens his Sampling is the process of selecting units (e.g.,
thinking and focuses attention on the more important people, organizations) from a population of interest
facets of the problem. It also indicates the type of so that by studying the sample we may fairly
data required and the type of methods of data analysis generalize our results back to the population from
to be used. which they were chosen.
5. Preparing the research design Population is the set of individuals, items, or data
The research problem having been formulated in from which a statistical sample is taken it is also
clear cut terms, the researcher will be required to called universe. Sample is representative part of the
prepare a research design, i.e., he will have to state population which contains each characterizes that
the conceptual structure within which research would entire population possesses.
be conducted. The preparation of such a design
facilitates research to be as efficient as possible Probability samples are those based on simple
yielding maximal information. In other words, the random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified
function of research design is to provide for the sampling, cluster/area sampling whereas non-
collection of relevant evidence with minimal probability samples are those based on convenience
expenditure of effort, time and money. But how all sampling, judgement sampling and quota sampling
these can be achieved depends mainly on the research techniques.
purpose. Research purposes may be grouped into four
categories, viz., (i) Exploration, (ii) Description, (iii) Deliberate sampling is also known as purposive or
Diagnosis, and (iv) Experimentation. A flexible non-probability sampling. This sampling method
research design which provides opportunity for involves purposive or deliberate selection of
considering many different aspects of a problem is
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Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
particular units of the universe for constituting a When population elements are selected for inclusion
sample which represents the universe. in the sample based on the ease of access, it can be
called convenience sampling.
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Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
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Mobile: 9080172288. Email : muralitvmalai2000@gmail.com
Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
adopted under acceptance sampling plan in the into a few manageable groups and tables for further
context of statistical quality control. analysis. Thus, researcher should classify the raw
data into some purposeful and usable categories.
In practice, several of the methods of sampling Coding operation is usually done at this stage
described above may well be used in the same study through which the categories of data are transformed
in which case it can be called mixed sampling. It into symbols that may be tabulated and counted.
may be pointed out here that normally one should Editing is the procedure that improves the quality of
resort to random sampling so that bias can be the data for coding. With coding the stage is ready for
eliminated and sampling error can be estimated. But tabulation. Tabulation is a part of the technical
purposive sampling is considered desirable when the procedure wherein the classified data are put in the
universe happens to be small and a known form of tables. The mechanical devices can be made
characteristic of it is to be studied intensively. Also, use of at this juncture. A great deal of data, especially
there are conditions under which sample designs in large inquiries, is tabulated by computers.
other than random sampling may be considered better Computers not only save time but also make it
for reasons like convenience and low costs possible to study large number of variables affecting
a problem simultaneously.
7. Collecting the data
10. Hypothesis testing
Types: Primary data & Secondary Data After analysing the data as stated above, the
researcher is in a position to test the hypotheses, if
Data can be collected through any, he had formulated earlier. Do the facts support
Observation the hypotheses or they happen to be contrary? This is
Interview the usual question which should be answered while
Mailing of questionnaires testing hypotheses. Various tests, such as Chi square
test, t-test, F-test, have been developed by
8. Execution of the project statisticians for the purpose. The hypotheses may be
Execution of the project is a very important step in tested through the use of one or more of such tests,
the research process. If the execution of the project depending upon the nature and object of research
proceeds on correct lines, the data to be collected inquiry. Hypothesis-testing will result in either
would be adequate and dependable. The researcher accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it. If the
should see that the project is executed in a systematic researcher had no hypotheses to start with,
manner and in time. If the survey is to be conducted generalisations established on the basis of data may
by means of structured questionnaires, data can be be stated as hypotheses to be tested by subsequent
readily machine-processed. In such a situation, researches in times to come.
questions as well as the possible answers may be
coded. If the data are to be collected through Null Hypothesis Ho- There is no relationship exists
interviewers, arrangements should be made for between vaccination and prevention.
proper selection and training of the interviewers. The
training may be given with the help of instruction Alternate Hypothesis H1 - There is a relationship
manuals which explain clearly the job of the exists between vaccination and prevention.
interviewers at each step. Occasional field checks
should be made to ensure that the interviewers are CV<TV accept null hypothesis.
doing their assigned job sincerely and efficiently. TV<CV Reject null Hypothesis
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Surveys involve collecting information, usually from important for interviewees to decide whether they are
fairly large groups of people, by means of comfortable about inviting the researcher into their
questionnaires but other techniques such as home and whether they have a room or area where
interviews or telephoning may also be used. There they can speak freely without disturbing other
are different types of survey. The most members of the household.
straightforward type (the one shot survey) is
administered to a sample of people at a set point in When conducting the interview, the researcher might
time. Another type is the before and after survey have a check list or a form to record answers. This
which people complete before a major event or might even take the form of a questionnaire. Taking
experience and then again afterwards. notes can interfere with the flow of the conversation,
particularly in less structured interviews. Also, it is
Questionnaires difficult to pay attention to the non-verbal aspects of
communication and to remember everything that was
Questionnaires are a good way to obtain information said and the way it was said. Consequently, it can be
from a large number of people and/or people who helpful for the researchers to have some kind of
may not have the time to attend an interview or take additional record of the interview such as an audio or
part in experiments. They enable people to take their video recording. They should of course obtain
time, think about it and come back to the permission before recording an interview.
questionnaire later. Participants can state their views
or feelings privately without worrying about the Case studies
possible reaction of the researcher. Unfortunately,
some people may still be inclined to try to give Case studies usually involve the detailed study of a
socially acceptable answers. People should be particular case (a person or small group). Various
encouraged to answer the questions as honestly as methods of data collection and analysis are used but
possible so as to avoid the researchers drawing false this typically includes observation and interviews and
conclusions from their study. may involve consulting other people and personal or
public records. The researchers may be interested in a
Questionnaires typically contain multiple choice particular phenomenon (e.g. coping with a diagnosis
questions, attitude scales, closed questions and open- or a move into residential care) and select one or
ended questions. The drawback for researchers is that more individuals in the respective situation on whom
they usually have a fairly low response rate and to base their case study/studies. Case studies have a
people do not always answer all the questions and/or very narrow focus which results in detailed
do not answer them correctly. Questionnaires can be descriptive data which is unique to the case(s)
administered in a number of different ways (e.g. sent studied. Nevertheless, it can be useful in clinical
by post or as email attachments, posted on Internet settings and may even challenge existing theories and
sites, handed out personally or administered to practices in other domains.
captive audience (such as people attending
conferences). Researchers may even decide to Participant and non-participant observation
administer the questionnaire in person which has the
advantage of including people who have difficulties Studies which involve observing people can be
reading and writing. In this case, the participant may divided into two main categories, namely participant
feel that s/he is taking part in an interview rather than
observation and non-participant observation.
completing a questionnaire as the researcher will be
noting down the responses on his/her behalf.
In participant observation studies, the researcher
becomes (or is already) part of the group to be
Interviews observed. This involves fitting in, gaining the trust of
members of the group and at the same time remaining
Interviews are usually carried out in person i.e. face- sufficiently detached as to be able to carry out the
to-face but can also be administered by telephone or observation. The observations made might be based
using more advance computer technology such as on what people do, the explanations they give for
Skype. Sometimes they are held in the interviewees what they do, the roles they have, relationships
home, sometimes at a more neutral place. It is amongst them and features of the situation in which
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Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
they find themselves. The researcher should be open retrospective pilot study preceding a prospective
about what s/he is doing, give the participants in the study may be helpful in focusing the study question
study the chance see the results and comment on and clarifying the hypothesis and feasibility of the
them, and take their comments seriously. latter (Hess, 2004).
In non-participant observation studies, the researcher Studies using the Delphi method
is not part of the group being studied. The researcher
decides in advance precisely what kind of behaviour The Delphi method was developed in the United
is relevant to the study and can be realistically and States in the 1950s and 1960s in the military domain.
ethically observed. The observation can be carried It has been considered particularly useful in helping
out in a few different ways. For example, it could be researchers determine the range of opinions which
continuous over a set period of time (e.g. one hour) exist on a particular subject, in investigating issues of
or regularly for shorter periods of time (for 60 policy or clinical relevance and in trying to come to a
seconds every so often) or on a random basis. consensus on controversial issues. The objectives can
Observation does not only include noting what be roughly divided into those which aim to measure
happened or was said but also the fact that a specific diversity and those which aim to reach consensus.
behaviour did not occur at the time of observation.
Different ways to employ this method have been
Observational trials devised but they tend to share common features,
namely a series of rounds in which the participants
Observational trials study health issues in large (known as panelists) generate ideas or identify
groups of people but in natural settings. salient issues, comment on a questionnaire
Longitudinal approaches examine the behaviour of a (constructed on the basis of the results from the first
group of people over a fairly lengthy period of time round) and re-evaluate their original responses. After
e.g. monitoring cognitive decline from mid to late life each round, a facilitator provides an anonymous
paying specific attention to diet and lifestyle factors. summary of the forecasts/opinions made by the
In some cases, the researchers might monitor people experts and of their reasons.
when they are middle-aged and then again after 15
years and so on. The aim of such studies is usually to There is no limit to the number of panelists involved
determine whether there is a link between one factor but between 10 and 50 might be considered
and another (e.g. whether high alcohol consumption manageable. The panelists are chosen on the basis of
is correlated with dementia). The group of people their expertise which could take many forms (e.g.
involved in this kind of study is known as a cohort academic, professional or practical knowledge,
and they share a certain characteristic or experience personal experience of having a condition, being a
within a defined period. Within the cohort, there may service user etc.).
be subgroups (e.g. people who drink moderately,
people who drink heavily, people who binge drink
Research Ethics:
etc.) which allow for further comparisons to be made.
1. Honesty: Strive for honesty in all scientific
In some cases, rather than following a group of communications. Honestly report data, results,
people from a specific point in time onwards, the methods and procedures, and publication status. Do
researchers take a retrospective approach, working not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. Do not
backwards as it were. They might ask participants to deceive colleagues, granting agencies, or the public.
tell them about their past behaviour, diet or lifestyle
(e.g. their alcohol consumption, how much exercise 2. Objectivity: Strive to avoid bias in experimental
they did, whether they smoked etc.) They might also design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review,
ask for permission to consult the participants personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony,
medical records (a chart review). This is not always a and other aspects of research where objectivity is
reliable method and may be problematic as some expected or required. Avoid or minimize bias or self-
people may forget, exaggerate or idealise their deception. Disclose personal or financial interests
behaviour. For this reason, a prospective study is that may affect research.
generally preferred if feasible although a
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3. Integrity: Keep your promises and agreements; 14. Legality: Know and obey relevant laws and
act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought institutional and governmental policies.
and action.
15. Animal Care: Show proper respect and care for
4.Carefulness: Avoid careless errors and negligence; animals when using them in research. Do not conduct
carefully and critically examine your own work and unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.
the work of your peers. Keep good records of
research activities, such as data collection, research 16. Human Subjects Protection: When conducting
design, and correspondence with agencies or research on human subjects minimize harms and risks
journals. and maximize benefits; respect human dignity,
privacy, and autonomy; take special precautions with
5.Openness: Share data, results, ideas, tools, vulnerable populations; and strive to distribute the
resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas. benefits and burdens of research fairly.
6. Respect for Intellectual Property: Honor patents, 17. There are many other activities that do not define
copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. as "misconduct" but which are still regarded by most
Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results researchers as unethical. These are called "other
without permission. Give credit where credit is due. deviations" from acceptable research practices and
Give proper acknowledgement or credit for all include:
contributions to research. Never plagiarize.
Publishing the same paper in two different journals
7.Confidentiality: Protect confidential without telling the editors
communications, such as papers or grants submitted Submitting the same paper to different journals
for publication, personnel records, trade or military without telling the editors
secrets, and patient records. Not informing a collaborator of your intent to file a
patent in order to make sure that you are the sole
8. Responsible Publication: Publish in order to inventor
advance research and scholarship, not to advance just Including a colleague as an author on a paper in
your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative return for a favor even though the colleague did not
publication. make a serious contribution to the paper
Discussing with your colleagues confidential data
9. Responsible Mentoring: Help to educate, mentor, from a paper that you are reviewing for a journal
and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow Trimming outliers from a data set without
them to make their own decisions. discussing your reasons in paper
Using an inappropriate statistical technique in
10. Respect for colleagues: Respect your colleagues order to enhance the significance of your research
and treat them fairly. Bypassing the peer review process and announcing
your results through a press conference without
11. Social Responsibility: Strive to promote social giving peers adequate information to review your
good and prevent or mitigate social harms through work
research, public education, and advocacy.
Conducting a review of the literature that fails to
acknowledge the contributions of other people in the
12. Non-Discrimination: Avoid discrimination
field or relevant prior work
against colleagues or students on the basis of sex,
Stretching the truth on a grant application in order
race, ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to
to convince reviewers that your project will make a
their scientific competence and integrity.
significant contribution to the field
13. Competence: Maintain and improve your own Stretching the truth on a job application or
professional competence and expertise through curriculum vita
lifelong education and learning; take steps to promote Giving the same research project to two graduate
competence in science as a whole. students in order to see who can do it the fastest
Overworking, neglecting, or exploiting graduate or
post-doctoral students
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Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
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Mobile: 9080172288. Email : muralitvmalai2000@gmail.com
Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
4. Copyright page that grants LAU the right to 2- Literature Review: chronological,
use and reproduce fully or partially the work categorical or related theoretical view points
related to topic.
being presented.
5. Dedication page (optional). 3- Proposed Solution/Methodology: research
6. Acknowledgments page (optional). design or approach (quantitative, qualitative
7. Abstract: a concise summary of the essential or algorithmic); population and / or sample;
information of the work being presented, collection and tabulation of data; and data
namely of the studys scope, purpose and analysis procedures.
results. The reference-free single spaced
4- Solution Validation, Analysis of the Data, Results,
abstract should not exceed two pages. and Discussion: presentation and discussion of the
8. Table of Contents: includes all the findings, including limitations.
subsections of each chapter and the list of
5- Conclusions, Recommendations: summarizes the
appendices (if applicable) and page numbers. entire research effort; addresses the initial purpose of
9. List of Figures: includes figure number, the study (stated in the introduction); stresses the
importance of the work accomplished; leaves a final
caption, and the page number.
impression on the reader. It can also include
10. List of Tables: includes table number, suggestions for further work.
caption, and the page number.
6- Bibliography/References: references should
11. Abbreviations page: lists all the abbreviations
acknowledge any work done by someone other than
used in the text alongside their fully written the author. The reference should also include work
unabbreviated form. performed by the author if presented or published at
an earlier date. References should adopt one of the
12. Thesis/Project text; the layout is described in
standard international styles; the American
the next section. Psychological Association style for references and
2. Layout citation is recommended. For more information,
contact the library.
The following presents a framework for a
7- Appendices: material too detailed or lengthy for
thesis. The information is offered as a
inclusion in the body of the study (e.g.
general guideline. Students should always
questionnaires, maps). Appendices may also contain
consult their advisor for additional
information that might clarify the thesis but is routine
guidelines. In particular, the layout of
in nature or indirectly related to the thesis. Raw data
project reports can be different depending on
and examples of calculation could be incorporated.
the type and scope of the project. Note that
each chapter should start on a new page. 3. Style and Form
1- Introduction: background; statement of
the problem; definition of terms; purpose of 3.1 Paper: Use high-quality acid-free A4-size
paper, with only one side of the paper.
the study; theoretical basis; contributions of
the study; organization of the remainder of 3.2 Printing: A high-quality laser printer should
the study. be used for the final copy.
3.3 Headings:
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In disciplines where section numbering is 3.8 Tables and Figures: Figures and tables should
normally used, the following guidelines apply: be inserted at the appropriate place in the text.
Figures must have numbers and captions under
Chapter title: 18 24 pt size, bold. the figures. Tables have their titles and
Main Section Headings: can be numbered numbers above.
as chapter-number.section-number (e.g.,
3.2 for chapter 3, section 2) in 14 pt size,
bold. 3.9 Drawings: Any material which cannot be
Second Headings: can be numbered as typed or computer generated should be drawn
x.y.z (e.g., 3.2.4 for chapter 3, section 2, with permanent black ink in neat and heavy
subsection 4) in 12 pt size, bold. lines. Photographs of drawings are acceptable.
First Subheadings: can be numbered as Xerox reproductions of drawings are
w.x.y.z (e.g., 3.2.4.1 for chapter 3, section acceptable if they are of high contrast.
2, subsection 4, sub-subsection 1) in 12 pt
size, regular.
Second Subheadings: preferably 3.10 Photographs: Mount small photographs with
unnumbered, 12 pt, italics. glue. Do not use rubber cement or tape. High-
clarity Xerox copies of photographs are also
3.4 Text Font: Acceptable fonts generated by acceptable. However, high-quality scanned e-
word processing programs include, but are not images can also be inserted into the thesis text.
restricted to: Times Roman 12, Helvetica 12,
Letter Gothic 12. The font provided through 3.11 Footnotes: In disciplines where footnotes are
LaTeX is acceptable. Bold and italics should normally used, they should appear at the
not be used excessively in the text. bottom of the same page as their reference.
Furthermore, colored text should not be used. Footnotes should be numbered in Arabic
numerals. The footnote reference is
superscripted and the explanation at the bottom
3.5 Spacing: Double or one and a half spacing is of the page begins with the footnote reference
required for the text. Only footnotes, long number. Footnotes should have a smaller font
quotations, bibliography entries(double space size than the text (e.g. 10 pt).
between entries), table captions, and similar
special material may be single spaced.
3.12 CDs and DVDs: identify with title, name of
student, and date.
3.6 Margins: Left, 4 cm; top, bottom, and right,
2.5 cm. These are necessary to allow for
binding and trimming. 3.13 Computer Software:Describe in separate
section in prefatory pages (e.g., list of figures
and tables). If applicable, state requirements
3.7 Page Numbering: Preliminary pages of the for the use of the software (e.g., hardware,
thesis, that is, those preceding the text are to be screen resolution type) and any other
numbered in Roman numerals. The first page information necessary for proper viewing of
must not show its page number. Pages of the the software.
text itself and of all items following the text
should be numbered consecutively throughout
in Arabic numbers, beginning with number 1 3.14 Oversized Material: Oversize foldout pages
on the first page of the first chapter. Page may be included, though ample margins for
numbers should be placed in the lower right binding must be included. Leave oversize page
corner or center of the page. Only the number unfolded. The bindery will fold and insert
should appear, not page 9. them. All pages must appropriately numbered if
found in the text.
Prepared by
S.Balamurali, MBA , UGC-NET,
Mobile: 9080172288. Email : muralitvmalai2000@gmail.com
Research Methodology An Overview in line with UGC NET Syllabus
3.15 Binding: Binding will be arranged by the Will your reader want to read the rest of your essay?
library, for a fee, in order to ensure Do you make your argument sound important?
consistency. At least two copies of the thesis
should be submitted to the library of the
campus concerned. Further reading:
2. CLEAR?
You know what your thesis means, but will someone
else? Try reading it to a friend and see whether
he/she knows what you are getting at.
3. UNIFIED
Do you list several points without showing their
connection? A good thesis makes one strong point,
not many unrelated ones.
4. BRIEF
A thesis statement should be one or two sentences in
length. If it is longer than that, you are trying to say
too much. You do not have to list all your upcoming
arguments in your thesis statement.
5. VISIBLE
Is you r thesis hidden away where your reader may
not see it? Usuallybut not always, your thesis will be
at the beginning or end of your introductory
paragraph.
6. ARGUMENTATIVE
A thesis statement presents an argument; it does not
restate the topic. You should make an assertion which
you then attempt to prove in the body of your essay.
You can tell that your thesis is argumentative if it is
debatable- that is, if you can think of a counter
argument.
7. RELEVANT
Is your thesis on topic? Does it accurately capture
what you argue in your essay? If you revise the body
of your essay, be certain your thesis still fits.
8. INTERESTING
Prepared by
S.Balamurali, MBA , UGC-NET,
Mobile: 9080172288. Email : muralitvmalai2000@gmail.com