The research process encompasses a sequence of actions and procedures essential for

conducting scientific investigations. When researchers adhere to specific steps during their
research, they can effectively carry out their work with minimal challenges. The following
steps outline this process.
Step-I: Identification of the Problem
The initial and crucial step in problem identification involves posing a question or recognizing
a need arising from curiosity that requires an answer. Psychological studies typically focus
on various types of questions, such as determining the causes or influences of a specific
behavior, understanding the structure and connections of behaviors, and exploring the
relationship between internal psychological processes and observable behaviors.
The research question plays a significant role in shaping the study's direction, and
researchers often face challenges in identifying and articulating it. This process involves two
essential steps: comprehensively understanding the problem and expressing it in meaningful
terms. Formulating a research problem primarily serves the purpose of determining what
information you aim to discover. It is crucial to evaluate the research problem in terms of
available resources, including funds, time, expertise, and necessary knowledge in relevant
disciplines like statistics for analysis. Additionally, identifying any knowledge gaps is
important.
Once the question is established, the next step is to identify the factors that need to be
examined to address the question. These factors can range from simple ones like a child's
age or socioeconomic status to more complex measures like the impact of violent cartoons
on a child's behavior. Examples of factors to consider include the child's age, program
violence levels, emotional arousal, facial expressions, and family communication patterns.
Furthermore, researchers should consider the following factors when identifying a research
problem:
The problem has not been previously investigated.
The investigation will contribute to understanding the research question.
The necessary resources are available for conducting the investigation.
The findings will lead to further questions or avenues of inquiry.
To identify a solvable problem, researchers conduct a literature review, which involves
examining prior works related to the research topic. This review helps the researcher
become familiar with existing knowledge and gaps in the field. It also serves several
purposes. Firstly, it helps identify important and irrelevant variables for the study. Secondly,
it provides an estimate of previous work and opportunities for building upon it. Thirdly, it
assists in organizing the expanding body of knowledge and drawing meaningful conclusions.
Lastly, it aids in redefining variables and establishing their relationships, setting the stage for
further investigation.
Various sources can be used for the literature review, including journals, books, abstracts,
indexes, and periodicals. PsycINFO, a computer search engine, is a highly effective tool for
accessing psychological literature. It provides abstracts from numerous journals publishing
psychological research. When an interesting abstract is found, researchers can access the
full article for more information.

Step-II: Formulating a Hypothesis

After identifying the problem and conducting a literature review, the researcher formulates a
hypothesis, which serves as a proposed answer to the problem. Hypotheses play a crucial
role in guiding and shaping a study. They are typically derived from existing theories,
previous research findings, and personal observations.
A hypothesis is a tentative statement that suggests a relationship between the variables
being studied. It is usually expressed as a declarative sentence. For example, if you are
interested in exploring the effect of rewards on learning and have analyzed past research
indicating a positive relationship between the two variables, you can develop the following
hypothesis: "Individuals who receive rewards will require fewer trials to learn the lesson
compared to those who do not receive rewards."
It is important for unbiased research that hypotheses are formulated prior to the data-
gathering process. Hypotheses should not be developed after data collection has taken
place.

Step-III: Identifying, Manipulating and Controlling Variables

n scientific literature, particularly in psychology, the term "variable" is commonly used.
Variables are characteristics that are manipulated, controlled, and observed by the
experimenter. It is essential to recognize at least three types of variables from the outset: the
dependent variable, the independent variable, and the extraneous variable.
The dependent variable is the characteristic or condition that is predicted to change based
on the experiment. In other words, it is the variable that is observed as the experimenter
manipulates the independent variable(s). On the other hand, the independent variable is the
condition or characteristic that is deliberately manipulated or selected by the experimenter to
examine its relationship with the observed phenomena.
An extraneous variable is an uncontrolled variable that may have an impact on the
dependent variable. The experimenter is not interested in the changes caused by the
extraneous variable, so efforts are made to control it as much as possible. This type of
variable is also referred to as a relevant variable.
To ensure clarity, precision, and effective communication, variables need to be operationally
defined. An operational definition involves specifying the actual operations or procedures
that define a given variable. Operational definitions are particularly important for
measurement purposes, as psychological variables can be complex and pose unique
measurement challenges. Psychologists often use verbal, behavioral, and psychological
measures to operationally define variables in their studies. These measures assist in
specifying the operations involved and may allow for quantification.
Step-IV: Formulating a Research Design
A research design serves as the blueprint for the procedures used by the researcher to test
the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variable. The selection
of an experimental design depends on the research purpose, the types of variables to be
controlled and manipulated, and the experimental conditions. The primary goal of a research
design is to facilitate the manipulation of independent variables and maximize control over
extraneous variables. This ensures that any observed changes are solely attributable to the
experimental manipulation.
The research design plays a crucial role in explaining how research questions will be
answered. It encompasses logistical arrangements, measurement procedures, sampling
strategies, analysis frameworks, and the time frame. The selection of an appropriate
research design is essential for obtaining valid findings, making comparisons, and drawing
conclusions. A flawed design can lead to misleading results. The evaluation of empirical
investigations is heavily influenced by the chosen research design. Therefore, it is important
to ensure that the selected research design is valid, feasible, and manageable.
Constructing Devices for Observation and Measurement
Once the research design is in place, the next step is to choose or create suitable research
tools for data collection. Questionnaires and interview schedules are commonly used in
psychological research, but researchers may need to develop their own tools if existing ones
are not available. These tools involve gathering information directly from individuals rather
than relying solely on observation.
Sample Selection and Data Collection
After selecting the research tools, the researcher decides on the participants and data
collection method. The participants can be from various groups, and the data collection can
be done individually or in groups. During data collection, considerations include staff
recruitment, response rate, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Step-V: Data Analysis and their Interpretation

After gathering the data through observation, they are analyzed using various
quantitative/statistical and qualitative techniques. Thorough examination of the data is a
crucial step in the scientific method. The analysis aims to understand the data, shed light on
the research problem and hypotheses, and draw appropriate conclusions. Data analysis can
involve univariate analysis (examining a single characteristic of interest), bivariate analysis
(exploring two characteristics of interest), or multivariate analysis (involving more than two
characteristics).
The choice of statistical analysis, whether parametric or non-parametric, depends on the
nature of the data and the experiment's purpose. Generally, the goal of statistical analysis is
to reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis.

Step-VI: Drawing Conclusions

After analyzing the results, the researcher draws conclusions that address the research
problem. These conclusions allow the researcher to make statements that would not have
been possible without conducting the study. The researcher generalizes the conclusions to
the entire population of interest. During this phase, hypotheses are either accepted or
rejected based on the findings. Additionally, the conclusions of the study are compared and
related to existing theories or prior research findings from which the hypotheses were
derived. If the new findings differ significantly, the original theory may need to be modified.
Step-VII: Preparation of Report and Publication

The final step in most research studies is the documentation of the entire research process in
a clear and comprehensive report. This report informs readers about what has been done,
what has been discovered, and the conclusions drawn from the findings. When the
researcher has a clear understanding of the entire process, it becomes easier to write a
report that effectively communicates the study. This allows readers to understand the study
and utilize it for various purposes, including replication. Publication of the study in scientific
journals, books, or in the public domain ensures that the work is disseminated widely and
accessible to a broader audience.