1.What is Research?

Definition: Research is defined as careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern

or problem using scientific methods. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie,
“research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed
phenomenon. It involves inductive and deductive methods.”

Inductive research methods analyze an observed event, while deductive methods verify the
observed event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research, and deductive
methods are more commonly associated with quantitative analysis.

Research is conducted with a purpose to:

• Identify potential and new customers

• Understand existing customers
• Set pragmatic goals
• Develop productive market strategies
• Address business challenges
• Put together a business expansion plan
• Identify new business opportunities

2. Significance of Research: Meaning, Importance & Examples

In recent years, the importance of research has been increasingly recognized by both the
academic community and the general public. Research plays a vital role in the advancement of
knowledge and the development of new technologies. It helps us to understand the world around
us and to find solutions to problems.

1. Research expands your knowledge base

The most obvious reason to do research is that you’ll learn more. There’s always more to learn
about a topic, even if you are already well-versed in it. If you aren’t, research allows you to build
on any personal experience you have with the subject. The process of research opens up
new opportunities for learning and growth.

#2. Research gives you the latest information

Research encourages you to find the most recent information available. In certain fields,
especially scientific ones, there’s always new information and discoveries being made. Staying
updated prevents you from falling behind and giving info that’s inaccurate or doesn’t paint the
whole picture. With the latest info, you’ll be better equipped to talk about a subject and build on
ideas.
#3. Research helps you know what you’re up against

In business, you’ll have competition. Researching your competitors and what they’re up to helps
you formulate your plans and strategies. You can figure out what sets you apart. In other types of
research, like medicine, your research might identify diseases, classify symptoms, and come up
with ways to tackle them. Even if your “enemy” isn’t an actual person or competitor, there’s
always some kind of antagonist force or problem that research can help you deal with.

#4. Research builds your credibility

People will take what you have to say more seriously when they can tell you’re informed. Doing
research gives you a solid foundation on which you can build your ideas and opinions. You
can speak with confidence about what you know is accurate. When you’ve done the research, it’s
much harder for someone to poke holes in what you’re saying. Your research should be focused
on the best sources. If your “research” consists of opinions from non-experts, you won’t be very
credible. When your research is good, though, people are more likely to pay attention.

#5. Research helps you narrow your scope

When you’re circling a topic for the first time, you might not be exactly sure where to start. Most
of the time, the amount of work ahead of you is overwhelming. Whether you’re writing a
paper or formulating a business plan, it’s important to narrow the scope at some point. Research
helps you identify the most unique and/or important themes. You can choose the themes that fit
best with the project and its goals.

#6. Research teaches you better discernment

Doing a lot of research helps you sift through low-quality and high-quality information. The
more research you do on a topic, the better you’ll get at discerning what’s accurate and what’s
not. You’ll also get better at discerning the gray areas where information may be technically
correct but used to draw questionable conclusions.

#7. Research introduces you to new ideas

You may already have opinions and ideas about a topic when you start researching. The more
you research, the more viewpoints you’ll come across. This encourages you to entertain new
ideas and perhaps take a closer look at yours. You might change your mind about something or,
at least, figure out how to position your ideas as the best ones.

#8. Research helps with problem-solving

Whether it’s a personal or professional problem, it helps to look outside yourself for help.
Depending on what the issue is, your research can focus on what others have done before. You
might just need more information, so you can make an informed plan of attack and an informed
decision. When you know you’ve collected good information, you’ll feel much more confident
in your solution.

#9. Research helps you reach people

Research is used to help raise awareness of issues like climate change, racial
discrimination, gender inequality, and more. Without hard facts, it’s very difficult to prove that
climate change is getting worse or that gender inequality isn’t progressing as quickly as it should.
The public needs to know what the facts are, so they have a clear idea of what “getting worse” or
“not progressing” actually means. Research also entails going beyond the raw data and sharing
real-life stories that have a more personal impact on people.

#10. Research encourages curiosity

Having curiosity and a love of learning take you far in life. Research opens you up to different
opinions and new ideas. It also builds discerning and analytical skills. The research process
rewards curiosity.

2. What is research methodology?

Research methodology is a way of explaining how a researcher intends to carry out their
research. It's a logical, systematic plan to resolve a research problem. A methodology details a
researcher's approach to the research to ensure reliable, valid results that address their aims and
objectives. It encompasses what data they're going to collect and where from, as well as how it's
being collected and analyzed.

Why is a research methodology important?

A research methodology gives research legitimacy and provides scientifically sound findings. It
also provides a detailed plan that helps to keep researchers on track, making the process smooth,
effective and manageable. A researcher's methodology allows the reader to understand the
approach and methods used to reach conclusions.

• Having a sound research methodology in place provides the following benefits:

• Other researchers who want to replicate the research have enough information to do so.

• Researchers who receive criticism can refer to the methodology and explain their
approach.
• It can help provide researchers with a specific plan to follow throughout their research.
• The methodology design process helps researchers select the correct methods for the
objectives.
 • It allows researchers to document what they intend to achieve with the research from the
outset.
3. Research design
Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a researcher to
conduct a study. The design allows researchers to sharpen the research methods suitable for the subject
matter and set up their studies for success.

Creating a research topic explains the type of research (experimental, survey research, correlational,
semi-experimental, review) and its sub-type (experimental design, research problem, descriptive case-
study).

There are three main types of designs for research:

• Data collection

• Measurement

• Analysis

The research problem an organization faces will determine the design, not vice-versa. The design phase
of a study determines which tools to use and how they are used.

4. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Design

Following is the difference between Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Design

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

1. Focuses on putting ideas and hypotheses to the test. 1. Concentrate on generating ideas and
developing a theory or hypothesis.
2. Math and statistical analysis were used to examine the 2. Summarizing, classifying, and
situation. analyzing data were used to conduct
the analysis.
3. Numbers, graphs, and tables are the most common 3. Mostly represented with words
forms of expression.
4. It necessitates the participation of a large number of 4. Only a few people are required to
people. answer.
5. Closed questions (multiple choice) 5. Open-ended inquiries
6. Key terms: testing, measurement, objectivity, 6. Key terms: understanding, context,
replicability complexity, subjectivity

7. Types in Research Methodology

Research methods are classified based on different criteria. They are: general category, nature of
the study, the purpose of the study, and research design. Also, there are interviews and case
studies based on research methodology. In some research, more than two methods are combined
while in some, very few methods are taken into account for the study.

Based on General Category:

1. Quantitative Research

As the name suggests, quantitative refers to the numbers where data is collected based on
numbers, and a summary is taken from these numbers. Graphs help to quantify the results in
quantitative research.

2. Qualitative Research

Qualitative refers to the non-numerical elements in the research. When the information or data
cannot be grasped in terms of numbers, qualitative research comes to the rescue. Though not
reliable as much as quantitative research, qualitative research helps to form a better summary in
terms of theories in the data.

Based on the nature of the research:

3. Descriptive Research

Facts are considered in descriptive methods. Surveys and case studies are done to clarify the
facts. Many variables can be used in descriptive research to explain the facts.

4. Analytical Research

Analytical research uses the facts that have been confirmed already to form the basis for the
research. Moreover, a critical evaluation of the material is carried out in this method. Analytical
methods make use of quantitative methods as well.

Based on the purpose of the study:

5. Applied Research

Applied research is action research where only one domain is considered and mostly the facts are
generalized. Variables are considered as constant and forecasting is done so that the methods can
be found easily in applied research. The technical language is used in the research and the
summary is based on technical facts.

6. Fundamental Research

Fundamental research is the basic or pure research done to find out an element or a theory that
has never been in the world yet. Several domains are connected and the aim is to find out how
traditional things can be changed or something new can be developed. The summary is
mentioned purely in common language and logical findings are applied in the research.
Based on the research design:

7. Exploratory Research

Exploratory studies are based on theories and their explanation. It does not provide any
conclusion for the research topic. Usually, the structure is not proper and the methods offer a
flexible and investigative approach to the study. The hypothesis is not tested and the result is not
of much help to the outside world. The findings are usually a related topic, which helps in
improving the research.

8. Conclusive Research

Conclusive Research aims at providing an answer to the research topic and has a proper design in
the methodology. A well-designed structure helps in formulating and solving the hypotheses and
gives the results. The results are generic. Researchers get satisfaction to solve problems and help
society in general.

9. Surveys

Surveys play a main role in the research methodology. It helps to collect a vast amount of real-
time data and helps in the research process. It is done at a low cost and can be done faster than
any other method. Surveys can be done in both quantitative and qualitative methods. Always,
quantitative surveys must be considered above qualitative surveys as they provide numerical
outputs and the data is real. Surveys are mainly used in the business to know the demand for a
product in the market and to forecast the production based on the results from the survey.

10. Case Studies

Case studies are another method of research methodology where different cases are considered
and the proper one for the research is selected. Case studies help to form an idea of the research
and help in the foundation of the research. Various facts and theories can be considered from the
case studies that help to form proper reviews about the research topic. Researchers can either
make the topic general or specific according to the literature reviews from the studies. A proper
understanding of the research can be made from the case study.

Also, we have focus groups and research interviews to understand the research methods in a
well-defined manner. Structured and unstructured methods can be followed by various methods.

8. Seven steps to writing a university research paper

Essay writing advice from an academic writing expert

One of the cornerstones of the university experience is learning how to write a research paper – a
written document that organizes and analyzes information you have collected to answer a
question of yours or your professor’s choosing. A university research paper is a bit different from
your typical high school essay, so we asked John Hill, Coordinator of VIU’s Writing Centre,
who has helped thousands of students learn how to write research papers, to break it down into
steps.

Step One: Determine the purpose of the paper

A research paper has a PURPOSE, and identifying that purpose is key to the focus of your work.

Step Two: Refine your research question

That focus is given by your RESEARCH QUESTION. Within your topic, what is the thing you
want to know that you don’t know? This question is very important because it is what will drive
your research. It is why you are doing research. Sometimes your prof will give you this question.
Sometimes you will be expected to generate one of your own. But your job is to answer it.

Step Three: Organize your approach

You will decide what kinds of information you will need in order to answer that question. Think
about how it fits together. This determines the ORGANIZATION of your paper. You may need
to do a bit of background reading to get this far. And as you read, this structure may change as
you learn more. You can use a mind map to generate these simple categories. They will form the
basis of a series of organized single-subtopic paragraphs (you can have more than one paragraph
on each sub-topic though, and you may gather multiple related paragraphs under sub-headings).
The focus of each paragraph will be identified with a clear topic sentence.

Step Four: Collect information

You will search for this information using the LIBRARY’S ONLINE SEARCH TOOL. You can
use a general Internet browser too, but the library gives access to important documents,
especially academic journals, that may lurk behind paywalls if you search in Google. This
enormous resource is part of what your fees buy for you, so use it! If your prof requires peer-
reviewed journal articles this is the best way to do it (the library search has a filter you can use to
select only such items). READING this kind of material is a skill. The writers have gone through
the kind of process you are going through, so try to figure out their purpose: what is their
research question? What are the main components of their paper, what is their argument? Look at
their intro; look at their conclusion. It has structure: it is not just a list of stuff….

Step Five: Attribute the information

You will CITE this material from your research as you go. That is, you will inform your reader
where this information came from. This answers the important question that your readers will
have: “How do you know this?” Having a good answer to this question is what gives your paper
credibility, so it’s good for you. It also helps your reader to find that material if they are
interested in it, so it’s good for them. AND it prevents you from being accused of plagiarism
(passing off others’ work as your own) which is good for us all. There are conventional ways of
doing this and they vary from department to department. The three commonest are APA, MLA
and Chicago. You can look this up. A good source is The OWL at Purdue. They are basically all
quite straightforward: there’s a minimal element in the text with the cited material (author, date)
in APA – plus page if useful, (author, page) in MLA, and just a superscript number in Chicago.
This leads you to a full reference entry (Who, when, what, where) at the end of your paper (or in
the case of Chicago, a numbered footnote at the bottom of the page – or an endnote at the end of
the document).

Step Six: Write your conclusion

After you have gone through this process, you should be able to DRAW SOME
CONCLUSIONS from the information you have presented and explain how it answers your
research question. That is the job of your, surprise, surprise, CONCLUSION.

Step Seven: Refine your thesis statement

It is a convention of the academic paper that you then take a tight, clear statement of that
argument, the position your paper is taking, that is, how it is answering the research
question, and drop it in at the end of your introduction. We call that your THESIS STATEMENT
(the word “thesis” means argument”). And it really helps your reader understand your paper.
And since your reader is the prof who is grading the paper, it really helps you too!

Bonus Step: Get help!

Oh, and step eight is of course to come to the Writing Centre (which is operating its sessions
online currently) and talk to me or one of the other faculty tutors. Early in your process is best
but come at any point. You can make an appointment using our online booking system. We can
go through all of these steps in more detail and then get into the specifics of your particular
assignment. We are here to help!

9. How to Choosing a topic

is the first and maybe the most important step of the research and writing process! This step will
determine the rest of your steps -- what your thesis statement is, what sources you use, and how
to write your paper. So it's important to make sure you choose a strong and engaging topic.

Strategies for finding a topic:

• Look over the index and the article titles in a subject-specific encyclopedia that covers a
relevant subject area or discipline. Check out our print collection available in the
Information Commons. (Additional sources can be found by searching the catalog for
titles in the general collection.)
• Spend some time looking at major journals in your field (look for the white binder in the
reading room for a list of current periodicals by subject).
• Browse your subject area in one of our digital reference sources.
• Discuss topic ideas with your instructor or favorite reference librarian!
Good questions to ask yourself when choosing a topic are:

• Is this a topic that interests me?

• Is this a topic that is creative and has not been overdone?

10. Developing research questions

It is likely that at some point during your degree you will be required to create your own research
question. The research question states the specific issue or problem that your assignment will
focus on. It also outlines the task that you will need to complete.

There is no universal set of criteria for a good research question. Different disciplines have
different priorities and requirements. A good research question for a history paper will differ
from a good research question for a biology paper. In general, however, a good research question
should be:

• Clear and focused. In other words, the question should clearly state what the writer
needs to do.
• Not too broad and not too narrow. The question should have an appropriate scope. If
the question is too broad it will not be possible to answer it thoroughly within the word
limit. If it is too narrow you will not have enough to write about and you will struggle to
develop a strong argument (see the activity below for examples).
• Not too easy to answer. For example, the question should require more than a simple yes
or no answer.
• Not too difficult to answer. You must be able to answer the question thoroughly within
the given timeframe and word limit.
• Researchable. You must have access to a suitable amount of quality research materials,
such as academic books and refereed journal articles.
• Analytical rather than descriptive. In other words, your research question should allow
you to produce an analysis of an issue or problem rather than a simple description of it
(more on this below).

11. What are Independent and Dependent Variables?

Variables are given a special name that only applies to experimental investigations. One is called
the dependent variable and the other the independent variable.
The independent variable is the variable the experimenter manipulates or changes, and is
assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable. For example, allocating participants to
either drug or placebo conditions (independent variable) in order to measure any changes in the
intensity of their anxiety (dependent variable).
In a well-designed experimental study, the independent variable is the only important difference
between the experimental (e.g. treatment) and control (e.g. placebo) groups.
The dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in an experiment, and is
'dependent' on the independent variable. An example of a dependent variable is depression
symptoms, which depends on the independent variable (type of therapy).
In an experiment, the researcher is looking for the possible effect on the dependent variable that
might be caused by changing the independent variable.

12. Types of sampling: sampling methods

Sampling in market action research is of two types – probability sampling and non-probability
sampling. Let’s take a closer look at these two methods of sampling.

Probability sampling: Probability sampling is a sampling technique where a researcher sets a

selection of a few criteria and chooses members of a population randomly. All the members have
an equal opportunity to be a part of the sample with this selection parameter.

Non-probability sampling: In non-probability sampling, the researcher chooses members for

research at random. This sampling method is not a fixed or predefined selection process. This
makes it difficult for all elements of a population to have equal opportunities to be included in a
sample.

In this blog, we discuss the various probability and non-probability sampling methods that you
can implement in any market research study.

Types of probability sampling with examples:

Probability sampling is a sampling technique in which researchers choose samples from a larger
population using a method based on the theory of probability. This sampling method considers
every member of the population and forms samples based on a fixed process.

For example, in a population of 1000 members, every member will have a 1/1000 chance of
being selected to be a part of a sample. Probability sampling eliminates sampling bias in the
population and gives all members a fair chance to be included in the sample.

Simple random sampling: One of the best probability sampling techniques that helps in saving
time and resources, is the Simple Random Sampling method. It is a reliable method of obtaining
information where every single member of a population is chosen randomly, merely by chance.
Each individual has the same probability of being chosen to be a part of a sample.

For example, in an organization of 500 employees, if the HR team decides on conducting team
building activities, it is highly likely that they would prefer picking chits out of a bowl. In this
case, each of the 500 employees has an equal opportunity of being selected.
Cluster sampling: Cluster sampling is a method where the researchers divide the entire
population into sections or clusters that represent a population. Clusters are identified and
included in a sample based on demographic parameters like age, sex, location, etc. This makes it
very simple for a survey creator to derive effective inference from the feedback.

For example, if the United States government wishes to evaluate the number of immigrants
living in the Mainland US, they can divide it into clusters based on states such as California,
Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado, Hawaii, etc. This way of conducting a survey will be
more effective as the results will be organized into states and provide insightful immigration
data.

Systematic sampling: Researchers use the systematic sampling method to choose the sample
members of a population at regular intervals. It requires the selection of a starting point for the
sample and sample size that can be repeated at regular intervals. This type of sampling method
has a predefined range, and hence this sampling technique is the least time-consuming.

For example, a researcher intends to collect a systematic sample of 500 people in a population of
5000. He/she numbers each element of the population from 1-5000 and will choose every 10th
individual to be a part of the sample (Total population/ Sample Size = 5000/500 = 10).

Stratified random sampling: Stratified random sampling is a method in which the researcher
divides the population into smaller groups that don’t overlap but represent the entire population.
While sampling, these groups can be organized and then draw a sample from each group
separately.

For example, a researcher looking to analyze the characteristics of people belonging to different
annual income divisions will create strata (groups) according to the annual family income. Eg –
less than $20,000, $21,000 – $30,000, $31,000 to $40,000, $41,000 to $50,000, etc. By doing
this, the researcher concludes the characteristics of people belonging to different income groups.
Marketers can analyze which income groups to target and which ones to eliminate to create a
roadmap that would bear fruitful results.

Types of non-probability sampling with examples

The non-probability method is a sampling method that involves a collection of feedback based
on a researcher or statistician’s sample selection capabilities and not on a fixed selection process.
In most situations, the output of a survey conducted with a non-probable sample leads to skewed
results, which may not represent the desired target population. But, there are situations such as
the preliminary stages of research or cost constraints for conducting research, where non-
probability sampling will be much more useful than the other type.

Four types of non-probability sampling explain the purpose of this sampling method in a better
manner:
Convenience sampling: This method is dependent on the ease of access to subjects such as
surveying customers at a mall or passers-by on a busy street. It is usually termed as convenience
sampling, because of the researcher’s ease of carrying it out and getting in touch with the
subjects. Researchers have nearly no authority to select the sample elements, and it’s purely done
based on proximity and not representativeness. This non-probability sampling method is used
when there are time and cost limitations in collecting feedback. In situations where there are
resource limitations such as the initial stages of research, convenience sampling is used.

For example, startups and NGOs usually conduct convenience sampling at a mall to distribute
leaflets of upcoming events or promotion of a cause – they do that by standing at the mall
entrance and giving out pamphlets randomly.

Judgmental or purposive sampling: Judgemental or purposive samples are formed by the

discretion of the researcher. Researchers purely consider the purpose of the study, along with the
understanding of the target audience. For instance, when researchers want to understand the
thought process of people interested in studying for their master’s degree. The selection criteria
will be: “Are you interested in doing your masters in …?” and those who respond with a “No”
are excluded from the sample.

Snowball sampling: Snowball sampling is a sampling method that researchers apply when the
subjects are difficult to trace. For example, it will be extremely challenging to survey shelterless
people or illegal immigrants. In such cases, using the snowball theory, researchers can track a
few categories to interview and derive results. Researchers also implement this sampling method
in situations where the topic is highly sensitive and not openly discussed—for example, surveys
to gather information about HIV Aids. Not many victims will readily respond to the questions.
Still, researchers can contact people they might know or volunteers associated with the cause to
get in touch with the victims and collect information.

Quota sampling: In Quota sampling, the selection of members in this sampling technique
happens based on a pre-set standard. In this case, as a sample is formed based on specific
attributes, the created sample will have the same qualities found in the total population. It is a
rapid method of collecting samples.

13. How to Define a Research Problem | Ideas & Examples

A research problem is a specific issue, difficulty, contradiction, or gap in knowledge that you
will aim to address in your research. You might look for practical problems aimed at contributing
to change, or theoretical problems aimed at expanding knowledge.

Bear in mind that some research will do both of these things, but usually the research problem
focuses on one or the other. The type of research problem you choose depends on your
broad topic of interest and the type of research you want to do.
This article helps you identify and refine a research problem. When writing your research
proposal or introduction, you will have to formulate it as a problem statement and/or research
questions.

14. What is Data Collection?

In Statistics, data collection is a process of gathering information from all the relevant sources to find
a solution to the research problem. It helps to evaluate the outcome of the problem. The data
collection methods allow a person to conclude an answer to the relevant question. Most of the
organizations use data collection methods to make assumptions about future probabilities and
trends. Once the data is collected, it is necessary to undergo the data organization process.
The main sources of the data collections methods are “Data”. Data can be classified into two types,
namely primary data and secondary data. The primary importance of data collection in any research
or business process is that it helps to determine many important things about the company,
particularly the performance. So, the data collection process plays an important role in all the
streams. Depending on the type of data, the data collection method is divided into two categories
namely,

• Primary Data Collection methods

• Secondary Data Collection methods
In this article, the different types of data collection methods and their advantages and limitations are
explained.

Primary Data Collection Methods

Primary data or raw data is a type of information that is obtained directly from the first-hand source
through experiments, surveys or observations. The primary data collection method is further
classified into two types. They are

• Quantitative Data Collection Methods

• Qualitative Data Collection Methods
Let us discuss the different methods performed to collect the data under these two data collection
methods.

Quantitative Data Collection Methods

It is based on mathematical calculations using various formats like close-ended
questions, correlation and regression methods, mean, median or mode measures. This method is
cheaper than qualitative data collection methods and it can be applied in a short duration of time.

Qualitative Data Collection Methods

It does not involve any mathematical calculations. This method is closely associated with elements
that are not quantifiable. This qualitative data collection method includes interviews, questionnaires,
observations, case studies, etc. There are several methods to collect this type of data. They are
Observation Method
Observation method is used when the study relates to behavioural science. This method is planned
systematically. It is subject to many controls and checks. The different types of observations are:
 • Structured and unstructured observation
• Controlled and uncontrolled observation
• Participant, non-participant and disguised observation
Interview Method
The method of collecting data in terms of verbal responses. It is achieved in two ways, such as

• Personal Interview – In this method, a person known as an interviewer is required to ask

questions face to face to the other person. The personal interview can be structured or
unstructured, direct investigation, focused conversation, etc.
• Telephonic Interview – In this method, an interviewer obtains information by contacting
people on the telephone to ask the questions or views, verbally.
Questionnaire Method
In this method, the set of questions are mailed to the respondent. They should read, reply and
subsequently return the questionnaire. The questions are printed in the definite order on the form. A
good survey should have the following features:

• Short and simple

• Should follow a logical sequence
• Provide adequate space for answers
• Avoid technical terms
• Should have good physical appearance such as colour, quality of the paper to attract the
attention of the respondent
Schedules
This method is similar to the questionnaire method with a slight difference. The enumerations are
specially appointed for the purpose of filling the schedules. It explains the aims and objects of the
investigation and may remove misunderstandings, if any have come up. Enumerators should be
trained to perform their job with hard work and patience.

Secondary Data Collection Methods

Secondary data is data collected by someone other than the actual user. It means that the
information is already available, and someone analyses it. The secondary data includes magazines,
newspapers, books, journals, etc. It may be either published data or unpublished data.
Published data are available in various resources including

• Government publications
• Public records
• Historical and statistical documents
• Business documents
• Technical and trade journals
• Unpublished data includes
• Diaries

• Letters
 • Unpublished biographies, etc

Research Proposal: Definition

A research proposal is a document that proposes a particular research project, usually in

academia or sciences, intending to get funding from an institution. A typical research proposal
addresses a range of points:

• A research question(s) that the proposed research seeks to answer

• The data & methods that will be used to answer the questions
• The time and financial costs for the research
• The prior research in the field
• Potential benefits for the sponsoring institution

Research proposals are usually required when one plans to write a thesis, dissertation, or research
paper. The format is similar to that of a research paper, with an introduction, a literature review,
a methods section, and a conclusion.

15. Here is the Ultimate Checklist for Writing a Strong Research Proposal

Developing a strong research proposal requires meticulous planning, clarity of thought, attention
to detail and exceptional writing skills. Wondering how to begin? Here are 7 essential elements
that you must include in your research proposal in order to succeed.

Introduction

The introductory paragraph needs to set the context for the research. Also known as the
‘abstract’, it introduces the reader to the subject you are conducting research on. This is where
you include the background information required to drive interest in your area of study and also
explain why you thought it was worth pursuing. You can also briefly touch upon your research
methodology which can be elaborated on later.

Think of the introduction as the trailer of a movie – it needs to be succinct and clear enough for
your professor/supervisor to see the significance of conducting the research and be invested in it.
Literature Review

A literature review is an important component as it shows how much knowledge you possess in
the area of study. You need to include all the statistical data and evidence available to strengthen
the significance of the research and connect it with the larger scheme of things in your discipline.

Use this space to mention the previous research that has been done on your topic and identify
existing gaps – this shows the extent of your research and eye for detail.

Considering the amount of data students need to grapple with in this section, it is important to
only stick to highlighting the relevant details and not go off-track.

Objective

You have set context and identified gaps in the existing studies done on the topic. Now, you need
to highlight the objective of YOUR research study. Basically, what is it that you want to achieve
out of this study?

The objective needs to be followed by the research questions or hypothesis of the study.
Questions refer to the points you ask about the particular topic or problem while hypothesis are
proposed explanations based on your set of assumptions. Remember to be as detailed, realistic
and specific as possible in this section.

Research Methodology

Once all the theoretical knowledge and data has been put in place, you can proceed to explain
how you intend to actually carry out the research. This is another crucial section as your
methodology needs to be projected in a logical and feasible manner to be considered worthy
enough.

Use this space to give an in-depth explanation of your research method and analysis techniques.
This needs to predominantly outline how you plan to collect data, what is the population and
sample size you are considering and what are the techniques you are using to analyze this data.
Limitations

Every research study is bound to have limitations and addressing them in your proposal shows
that you have given them a thought. Acknowledging limitations is more like describing the
challenges or hurdles that you might come across during the study.

From selection bias and insufficient sample size to limited access to data or tools to conduct the
research – these are all potential weaknesses of your study and must be mentioned.

While writing about limitations, it is important to describe how they impact your findings and if
possible, also suggest possible alternatives.

Timetable

In order to evaluate the feasibility of the study, professors will also need to know how much time
you require to complete it.Hence, irrespective of whether you are asked, it is always smart to
provide a timetable which outlines deadlines for every step involved in the study right up till
writing the research paper. It’s important to look back at your methodology and commit to
realistic timelines so you are not racing against time later.

Bibliography

Similar to every piece of academic writing, even research proposals need to end with an accurate
bibliography. You must credit the original sources and enlist all the books, websites and other
reference materials you have referred to for writing the proposal.

Citing references strengthens your arguments and also defends you from plagiarism allegations.

Conclusion

Developing a research proposal is complicated and as it forms the first impression of your study,
it is certainly not something you can take lightly. If you are too busy to get started or are
questioning your writing skills, we at Writers Per Hour can come to your rescue.
Our team of writers are experts at writing research proposals and can help you submit an
impressive piece of work that is sure to get your work noticed and accepted. So, buy a research
proposal from us today and get a custom written one delivered right on time

16. How to Write a Literature Review |

What is a literature review?

A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources on a specific topic. It provides an overview

of current knowledge, allowing you to identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps in the
existing research.

There are five key steps to writing a literature review:

Step 1 – Search for relevant literature

Before you begin searching for literature, you need a clearly defined topic.

If you are writing the literature review section of a dissertation or research paper, you will search
for literature related to your research problem and questions.

Step 2 – Evaluate and select sources

You likely won’t be able to read absolutely everything that has been written on your topic, so it
will be necessary to evaluate which sources are most relevant to your research question.

For each publication, ask yourself:

• What question or problem is the author addressing?

• What are the key concepts and how are they defined?
• What are the key theories, models, and methods?
• Does the research use established frameworks or take an innovative approach?

Step 3 – Identify themes, debates, and gaps

To begin organizing your literature review’s argument and structure, be sure you understand the
connections and relationships between the sources you’ve read. Based on your reading and notes,
you can look for:

• Themes: what questions or concepts recur across the literature?

• Debates, conflicts and contradictions: where do sources disagree?
• Pivotal publications: are there any influential theories or studies that changed the
direction of the field?
• Gaps: what is missing from the literature? Are there weaknesses that need to be
addressed?
Step 4 – Outline your literature review’s structure

There are various approaches to organizing the body of a literature review. Depending on the
length of your literature review, you can combine several of these strategies (for example, your
overall structure might be thematic, but each theme is discussed chronologically).

Step 5 – Write your literature review

Like any other academic text, your literature review should have an introduction, a main body,
and a conclusion. What you include in each depends on the objective of your literature review.

Conclusion

In the conclusion, you should summarize the key findings you have taken from the literature and
emphasize their significance.

A good literature review doesn’t just summarize sources—it analyzes, synthesizes, and critically
evaluates to give a clear picture of the state of knowledge on the subject.

17. Difference Between Survey and Experiment

Primary data is described as a data originally collected, in essence, the data gathered is afresh
and for the first time. Surveys and Experiments are two important statistical techniques used in
research and data collection. When the research type is experimental, experiments are
considered as a major source of primary data. On the other end, surveys are performed when the
research is descriptive in nature.

While surveys collected data, provided by the informants, experiments test various premises by
trial and error method. This article attempts to shed light on the difference between survey and
experiment, have a look.

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
SURVEY EXPERIMENT
COMPARISON

Meaning Survey refers to a technique of Experiment implies a scientific

gathering information regarding a procedure wherein the factor
variable under study, from the under study is isolated to test
respondents of the population. hypothesis.
 BASIS FOR
SURVEY EXPERIMENT
COMPARISON

Used in Descriptive Research Experimental Research

Samples Large Relatively small

Suitable for Social and Behavioral sciences Physical and natural sciences

Example of Field research Laboratory research

Data collection Observation, interview, Through several readings of

questionnaire, case study etc. experiment.

18. Reference

Reference is a relationship between objects in which one object designates, or acts as a means by
which to connect to or link to, another object. The first object in this relation is said to refer to
the second object. It is called a name for the second object. The second object, the one to which
the first object refers, is called the referent of the first object. A name is usually a phrase or
expression, or some other symbolic representation. Its referent may be anything – a material
object, a person, an event, an activity, or an abstract concept.

References can take on many forms, including: a thought, a sensory perception that is audible
(onomatopoeia), visual (text), olfactory, or tactile, emotional state, relationship with other,[1]
spacetime coordinate, symbolic or alpha-numeric, a physical object or an energy projection. In
some cases, methods are used that intentionally hide the reference from some observers, as in
cryptography.[citation needed]

References feature in many spheres of human activity and knowledge, and the term adopts
shades of meaning particular to the contexts in which it is used. Some of them are described in
the sections below.

19. Element of Research Proposal

Writing a good proposal will help you manage your time so that you can complete the quarter
with three papers that meet your objectives. The specific format and content of these elements
may vary; they may not always appear as separate sections or in the order listed here.
1. Background of the study

The main idea of the background of study is to establish the area of research in which your work
belongs, and to provide a context for the research problem. It also provides information to the
research topic.

In an introduction, the writer should create:

• Reader interest in the topic,

• Lay the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the study.

2. Statement of the problem

When you start a research, you have a question that you wish to seek answer for. The question
leads to a problem that needs to be solved by the research. Begin the research with a description
of the problem or a thesis statement.

3. Objectives of the study

States what your research hopes to accomplish.

4. Significance of the study

Why your research is important and what contributions will it give to the field. It is also advised
to state how your findings can make a difference and why is it important that the research be
carried out.

5. Limitation of the study

It is not possible to include ALL aspects of a particular problem. State what is not included.
Specify the boundaries of you research. A too wide area of investigation is impractical and will
lead to problems.

6. Definition of terms

Terms or concepts that you use should be defined and explained unless they are familiar or
obvious. You should refer to authoritative sources for definitions.

7. Literature Review

This section need not be lengthy but it should reflect your understanding of relevant bodies of
literature. List all pertinent papers or reports that you have consulted in preparing the proposal;
 include conversations with faculty, peers or other experts. A well-written review provides a
sense of critical issues which form the background for your own work this quarter.

20. Contents of Research Report

The researcher must keep in mind that his research report must contain following aspects:

1. Purpose of study
2. Significance of his study or statement of the problem
3. Review of literature
4. Methodology
5. Interpretation of data
6. Conclusions and suggestions
7. Bibliography
8. Appendices

21. Composing the segment of a Research Paper

To deliver content with the least distractions, scientific papers have a stereotyped form and style.
The standard format of a research paper has six sections:

• Title and Abstract, which encapsulate the paper

• Introduction, which describes where the paper's research question fits into current science
• Materials and Methods, which translates the research question into a detailed recipe of
operations
• Results, which is an orderly compilation of the data observed after following the research
recipe
• Discussion, which consolidates the data and connects it to the data of other researchers
• Conclusion, which gives the one or two scientific points to which the entire paper leads

This format has been called the IMRAD (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, And
Discussion) organization. I,M,R,D is the order that the sections have in the published paper, but
this is not the best order in which to write your manuscript. It is more efficient to work on the
draft of your paper from the middle out, from the known to the discovered,

22. What Is a Conceptual Framework? | Tips & Examples

A conceptual framework illustrates the expected relationship between your variables. It defines
the relevant objectives for your research process and maps out how they come together to draw
coherent conclusions.

Developing a conceptual framework in research

A conceptual framework is a representation of the relationship you expect to see between your
variables, or the characteristics or properties that you want to study.

Conceptual frameworks can be written or visual and are generally developed based on a
literature review of existing studies about your topic.

Step 1: Choose your research question

Your research question guides your work by determining exactly what you want to find out,
giving your research process a clear focus.

Step 2: Select your independent and dependent variables

In order to move forward with your research question and test a cause-and-effect relationship,
you must first identify at least two key variables: your independent and dependent variables.

Example: Variables

The expected cause, “hours of study,” is the independent variable (the predictor, or explanatory
variable)

The expected effect, “exam score,” is the dependent variable (the response, or outcome variable).

Step 3: Visualize your cause-and-effect relationship

Now that you’ve figured out your research question and variables, the first step in designing your
conceptual framework is visualizing your expected cause-and-effect relationship.

We demonstrate this using basic design components of boxes and arrows. Here, each variable
appears in a box. To indicate a causal relationship, each arrow should start from the independent
variable (the cause) and point to the dependent variable (the effect).

Step 4: Identify other influencing variables

It’s crucial to identify other variables that can influence the relationship between your
independent and dependent variables early in your research process.

Some common variables to include are moderating, mediating, and control variables.
Must-Have Strengths For A Writer

It is also important to know and have some particular strengths as a writer to be more than an
ordinary writer.

22. the strengths and weaknesses of the article

1. Focus

Focus is essential in almost everything you do. Without focus, you could have the best skill set
and still produce average work dues to errors and complacency.

Every writer wants to stay focused, but it’s not easy. You have to teach yourself to stay focused,
whether it involves conditioning your body or tricking your mind.

2. A Rich, Diverse Vocabulary

We are not talking about having a rich vocabulary only, but also using the words expeditiously.
This diverse vocabulary should make you write pieces that are not readable and make your
readers slave through their reading.

So, you should always make sure that you choose (from this excellent vocabulary and diverse
word choice) the right and unique choice of words that would look appealing to your readers.

3. A Burning Passion For Reading

I hear a lot of writers—self-published writers to be specific—say that they don’t like reading. For
them, writing is a natural talent that doesn’t need to be nourished by reading.
One thing they are oblivious of is that without reading, they can’t understand what they are doing
wrong, what they’re doing right, and other things that made other writers successful.

4. Organized Writing That Follows A Logical Flow

If whatever you’re writing doesn’t flow and therefore isn’t coherent, it is nothing but utter
rubbish!

Your writing needs to show a naturally logical progression of thought and must be easy to read
for the intended audience. If the progression doesn’t make sense to your reader, then who are you
writing for?

5. Creativity

For professional writers, creativity is of the greatest essence. It is even more indispensable for
fiction writers.

Our goal as writers is not to bore our readers to death. We always have to think out of the box to
craft pieces that will win the hearts of the readers and make them want more of our content.
A good and wonderworking—and sometimes libertine—imagination is necessary to craft unique,
stirring pieces.

6. Clarity

Your writing should be as clear as a summer day, as lucid as you can make it.

This element goes hand in hand with the organized writing I discussed in strength number 4,
your writing should be clear enough for your readers to grasp and appreciate the ideas in your
content quickly.

Weaknesses In Writing And Ways To Overcome Them

1. Lack Of Substance

You might be a yeasty writer with much-needed experience, but if your writing lacks substance,
it’s bound to run into negative reviews, and hence it is going to be less impactful!

This is especially crucial for nonfiction content, if your writing straggles and wanders all over
the place, your content will be shallow.

2. Your Writing Is Too Draggy For Your Readers

If you don’t understand your audience or ignore them when writing, you end up communicating
with nobody. It’s like you’re speaking to yourself, in a big hall!

As said in the previous section, we write to touch our audience in some way; whether we want
them to laugh, inspire them, inform them, or educate them.

Here are some tips for polishing draggy content:

• Understand who you’re writing for and write for them. It doesn’t matter who (it could be
you, your imaginary friends, anybody!).
• Write to solve the audience’s problems. Your writing should be a solution to your
reader’s pain, personal struggles, and it should also improve their lives in some way.

3. Lack Of Rhythm

Ignore the importance of rhythm at your peril. In truth, writing cannot entertain without rhythm,
especially creative writing.

Just like in music, rhythm steers writing and acts as a guide for the reader.

This is how you can improve it:

• While paying attention to context, mix up your sentence lengths; a long one here, a short
there.
• Use transition words to maneuver the passage from sentence to sentence and paragraph to
paragraph.

4. Chaotic Flow

Imagine listening to a 5-year-old talk about all the wonderful things she experienced during the
day: school, her cousin’s weird laughter, the dog’s thievery.

Unloading all that without any logical arrangement of information. None, at all!
 23. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND HYPOTHESES

Conceptual framework for hypothesis development. We tested several hypotheses relating open
space planning and implementation to open space protection, the ultimate goal of these activities.
The quality of an open space plan is the sum of the quality of plan components (see Appendix
A), and a number of factors are hypothesized to affect plan implementation and open space
protection. Arrows show hypothesized positive correlations we tested

24. The qualities of a good questionnaire

The design of a questionnaire will depend on whether the researcher wishes to collect
exploratory information (i.e. qualitative information for the purposes of better understanding or
the generation of hypotheses on a subject) or quantitative information (to test specific hypotheses
that have previously been generated).
Exploratory questionnaires: If the data to be collected is qualitative or is not to be statistically
evaluated, it may be that no formal questionnaire is needed. For example, in interviewing the
female head of the household to find out how decisions are made within the family when
purchasing breakfast foodstuffs, a formal questionnaire may restrict the discussion and prevent a
full exploration of the woman's views and processes. Instead one might prepare a brief guide,
listing perhaps ten major open-ended questions, with appropriate probes/prompts listed under
each.

Formal standardised questionnaires: If the researcher is looking to test and quantify

hypotheses and the data is to be analysed statistically, a formal standardised questionnaire is
designed. Such questionnaires are generally characterised by:

• prescribed wording and order of questions, to ensure that each respondent receives the
same stimuli
• prescribed definitions or explanations for each question, to ensure interviewers handle
questions consistently and can answer respondents' requests for clarification if they occur
• prescribed response format, to enable rapid completion of the questionnaire during the
interviewing process.

Given the same task and the same hypotheses, six different people will probably come up with
six different questionnaires that differ widely in their choice of questions, line of questioning, use
of open-ended questions and length. There are no hard-and-fast rules about how to design a
questionnaire, but there are a number of points that can be borne in mind:

1. A well-designed questionnaire should meet the research objectives. This may seem obvious,
but many research surveys omit important aspects due to inadequate preparatory work, and do
not adequately probe particular issues due to poor understanding. To a certain degree some of
this is inevitable. Every survey is bound to leave some questions unanswered and provide a need
for further research but the objective of good questionnaire design is to 'minimise' these
problems.

2. It should obtain the most complete and accurate information possible. The questionnaire
designer needs to ensure that respondents fully understand the questions and are not likely to
refuse to answer, lie to the interviewer or try to conceal their attitudes. A good questionnaire is
organised and worded to encourage respondents to provide accurate, unbiased and complete
information.

3. A well-designed questionnaire should make it easy for respondents to give the necessary
information and for the interviewer to record the answer, and it should be arranged so that sound
analysis and interpretation are possible.

4. It would keep the interview brief and to the point and be so arranged that the respondent(s)
remain interested throughout the interview.
Each of these points will be further discussed throughout the following sections. Figure 4.1
shows how questionnaire design fits into the overall process of research design that was
described in chapter 1 of this textbook. It emphasizes that writing of the questionnaire proper
should not begin before an exploratory research phase has been completed.

25. Writing the Body of research paper

• Use your outline and prospectus as flexible guides

• Build your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don’t let your sources organize
your paper)
• Integrate your sources into your discussion
• Summarize, analyze, explain, and evaluate published work rather than merely reporting it
• Move up and down the “ladder of abstraction” from generalization to varying levels of
detail back to generalization