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Research Methodology
Research Methodology
Meaning of Research
The term Research is related to seek out the information and knowledge on a particular topic
or subject. In other words, research is an art of systematic investigation. Someone says that
necessity is mother of all the inventions and the person engaged in this scientific investigation
can be termed as research. Research is a pedagogic action the term should be used in a technical
sense. According to Clifford Woody research comprises defining and redefining problems,
making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to
Objectives of Research
The major aim of any type of research is to find out the reality and facts which is unknown and
which has not been exposed. Although each research activity has its own particular reason, the
1. To achieve skillfulness with a trend or to get novel opinions into it (research with this
something else (research with this objective are known as diagnostic research);
TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. Quantitative Research
As the name suggests, Quantitative data relies on quantifying a certain amount or quantity of a
specific phenomenon. It focuses on gathering and analyzing numerical data and can be used to
It falls within the two primary categories of research and relies on numbers. It draws a
conclusion using tables, facts, and graphs. Many scientific and field -based studies primarily use
Pros
It allows for larger sample sizes, enables thorough analysis of the findings, and helps draw
Since quantitative research uses surveys, experiments, and real-time data collection, there are
minimal delays in gathering the data under study. Therefore, compared to other research
methodologies, the researcher analyzes the information under study quite rapidly.
Due to anonymity, researchers frequently use quantitative data while examining sensitive
topics. Consequently, this setting lowers the possibility of producing inaccurate data.
Cons
Since the researcher may be unable to conduct the research in subjects’ natural environments,
it may appear artificial and regulated. Participants’ responses are claimed and may not reflect
Because survey responses are limited, you cannot go beyond that in delving into greater depth
about the behaviors, attitudes, and motives as you can with qualitative research.
There is a financial element to consider with quantitative research because it can be costly.
2. Qualitative Research
Qualitative refers to the non-numerical elements in the research. Qualitative research comes to
the rescue when the researcher cannot grasp the information or data in terms of numbers.
Though not as reliable as Quantitative research, qualitative research helps to form a better
Moreover, this type of research is interested in discovering the motivating factors behind human
behavior, i.e., why people act or think in a particular way. Through this research, one can
understand the variables driving people to behave in a certain way or which govern their
Pros
Studies can be performed more quickly since qualitative research use a smaller sample size than
other research methodologies. Social scientists can efficiently gather data from participants
using this framework, resulting in a generalization that will be helpful to the general public.
It enables a more in-depth exploration of attitudes and behavior because it’s more intimate and
can go into specifics to comprehend their thoughts and actions better to formulate or examine
a hypothesis.
It allows for flexibility because the interviewer can go into the subject and probe any questions
they feel are relevant, and they can even alter the setting.
Cons
The people you select to participate in the qualitative research may all have a particular opinion
about the subject matter rather than a group of people with different views, which implies that
It takes a long time to gather the data since it takes time to filter through the elements to decide
Some participants may be concerned about a lack of privacy, particularly when discussing
sensitive matters.
3. Descriptive Research
Descriptive research is a type of analysis that outlines the features of the population or issues
under study. This descriptive methodology focuses on the “what” of the research problem more
than the “why.” Since the researcher cannot influence the variables in this research design, they
can only report the facts precisely as they occurred or are occurring.
The primary methods used in descriptive research include observations, surveys, and case
studies. One can use many variables in descriptive research to explain the facts.
Its advantages include a) being effective at analyzing topics and issues that cannot rely on
numbers, b) being observable in an unaltered natural environment, and c) taking less time than
quantitative experiments.
4. Analytical Research
Analytical research uses proven facts to form the basis for the research. Researchers frequently
research to find supporting data that strengthens and authenticates their earlier findings. Also,
it helps to develop new concepts related to the research subject. Thus, analytical research
combines minute details to produce more tenable hypotheses. The analytical study thus explains
There are various ways to conduct this research, including meta-analysis, literary or scientific
Moreover, the researcher carries out a critical evaluation of the material in this method.
5. Applied Research
Action research that only studies one domain and usually generalizes the findings is called
applied research. The researcher regards the variables as constant and the researcher forecasts,
6. Fundamental Research
The formulation of a theory and generalizations are the primary concerns of fundamental
research. It seeks to discover facts with a wide range of applications, supplementing the ideas
Several domains are connected, and the aim is to discover how one can change traditional things
or develop something new. One can find the summary in everyday language and apply logical
Some examples of fundamental research are research on the generalization of human behavior
7. Exploratory Research
Theories and their explanation are the basis of Exploratory Research. Its goal is only to
investigate the study questions, not to provide definitive and conclusive solutions to current
problems.
Exploratory research seeks to increase our understanding of the issue rather than offering
conclusive evidence. The structure is improper, and the methods offer a flexible and
investigative approach. Therefore, one does not test the hypothesis, and the results do not help
the outside world. The findings are usually a related topic, which helps improve the research.
Exploratory research is usually qualitative, but a large-sample exploratory study can also be
quantitative. Due to its flexible and open-ended nature, it is often known as interpretive research
Conclusive research has a clear design in the methodology and intends to answer the research
question. A well-thought-out structure helps formulate and solve the hypotheses and gives the
Furthermore, it is essential to establish this study’s research objectives and data requirements,
as conclusive research findings typically have a specific purpose. The results of exploratory
A conclusive research design typically employs quantitative methods of data collection and
The researchers gather new data for primary research. The research classifies as primary when
the researcher collects information on a certain topic for the first time. Surveys, interviews, and
On the other hand, secondary research uses previously gathered data through primary
research. Books, magazines, trade journals, and other media majorly serve as secondary data
sources. Moreover, the researcher does not carry out primary data gathering in this case.
As all primary studies entail gathering and analyzing secondary data during the literature review
stage of the research process, it is vital to remember that primary research also involves
secondary research. However, the key distinction between primary and secondary research is
Primary and secondary research each have pros and cons. Primary data is more time-consuming
and expensive, even though it is need-specific and high-quality. Contrarily, secondary research
is inexpensive, and the data collection is simple, but there is a chance that the information will
be obsolete or unsuitable for one’s needs. Therefore, one must first assess these two options’
10. Surveys
Surveys play a prominent role in the research method. 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 is usually faster than
any other method. A researcher can conduct surveys in both quantitative and qualitative
methods. The researcher usually prefers quantitative surveys over qualitative ones as they
Surveys are mainly used in the business to know the demand for a product in the market. It also
Questionnaires and interviews are two of the most common types of surveys. While interviews
are conducted in person to reflect on feelings and experiences and explore issues with a greater
A common technique for qualitative analysis is the case study method, which entails thorough
observation of a social unit and focuses on the in-depth study. The case study emphasizes the
detailed examination of a smaller set of circumstances and their interactions. Finding the
elements that collectively account for the behavior patterns of the provided unit is the goal of
one for the research is selected. Case studies help to develop an idea of the research and help in
One considers various facts and theories from the case studies that help to form proper reviews
about the research topic. Researchers can make the topic general or specific according to the
literature reviews from the studies. The researcher can make an appropriate understanding of
Also, we have focus groups and research interviews to understand the research methods in a
well-defined manner. Various methods can follow structured and unstructured methods.
• A clear objective should be in mind before beginning any research, as a good research
question will be precise, applicable, and valuable. This indicates that you can fully
• For the study to be reliable, the researcher must ensure proper representation of the
relevant population. You must create inclusive surveys and questionnaires to ensure
proper representation.
• Your interview questions should gather the necessary data and subtly address your
research questions. Building rapport with the subjects is essential to accomplish this.
• Another consideration is the time you have available. If there are time restrictions,
consider methods like convenience or random sampling and tools that enable data
collection in a few days. In-person interviews and observations are options for data
During the research, the researcher employs several methods to explain the ideas; we will study
the various types in this article. The selection of the method is entirely up to the researcher, and
• These various methodologies help attain the aim of the research, which is effectively
analyzing the subject data. They provide verification and fact-checking, which is vital
• Surveys are quantitative methods that help obtain numerical statistics regarding
research. With the help of numerical surveys, researchers can skip elaborate theses and
• Qualitative methods, including case studies, help to gain insight into the study. The
researcher can delve deeper into the subject and study the behavioral pattern directly.
• The different methods help validate the research and improve its reliability. It also helps
RESEARCH DESIGN
At the start of the research, a researcher usually chooses the techniques and methodologies
they will use for the research process. The framework of research techniques and tools is
called research design. It is imperative to have a well-designed and structured research design
Interestingly, experts define research design as the glue that holds the research project
together. Moreover, they exclaim that the right research design helps provide a structure and
direction to the research that yields favourable results. Also believed to be the blueprint of the
research, a research design has several elements, which we will be discussing in the next part
of the article.
generalized knowledge. It follows a unique structure that is prescribed in the research design.
So, to yield success from research, it is imperative to include elements that help solve the
problem quickly. Here are some of the elements of good research design that incite great results:
• Purpose statement
• Measurement of analysis
Now that you know the elements of good research design let’s discuss the important
characteristics of research design. Like, the elements, understanding the unique characteristics
• ReliabilityDifferent types of research are conducted regularly. In such research, the researcher
expects the research design to formulate questions that evoke similar results every time. And a
good research design is reliable to satiate the researcher’s needs to generate the same results
every time.
• ValidityThere are many ways to measure the results of research. However, with the help of a
good research design, a researcher can select the right measuring tools that help in gauging the
research results and align them with the research objectives to measure its success or failure.
Therefore, the research design’s measuring tools must be valid and reliable enough to generate
favourable results.
• GeneralizedA good research design draws an outcome that can be applied to a large set of
people and is not limited to sample size or the research group. The more applicable the research
results are, the more the chances of it being accurate. Therefore, a good research design helps
• NeutralityAt the start of every research, a researcher needs to make some assumptions that
will be tested throughout the research. A proper research design ensures that the assumptions
are free of bias and neutral. Furthermore, the data collected throughout the research is based on
understanding of different research design types helps choose the right technique that incites
favourable outcomes. Research design is broadly divided into quantitative and qualitative
Quantitative research design aims at finding answers to who, what, where, how, and when
through the course of research. Moreover, the outcome of the quantitative research is easy to
Qualitative research design aims at answering the how and why. It uses open-ended questions
and helps the subjects express their views clearly. Qualitative research is ideal for businesses
Lastly, let’s look at the subsects of qualitative and quantitative research designs widely used
across industries.
1. Experimental design
The experimental design aims to look at a problem scientifically; that’s why it tries to
establish a clear cause and effect of any event occurring in the research realm. Moreover, the
research design tries to understand the impact of the independent variable on the dependable
variable. As a result, this research is used to solve issues that try to analyze independent
2. Correlational design
Correlation research design establishes a relationship between two related variables. Over
time, the researcher observes the variables and then draws conclusions based on them. As a
result, this type of research design requires two types of variables to function to draw
favourable results.
3. Descriptive design
Descriptive research design is a hypothesis-based method that defines the primary subject
matter of the research and tries to analyze it using different assumptions and techniques. This
type of research design uses data collection techniques like natural observation, case studies,
Diagnostic research design examines the elements posing challenges to businesses and
customers. The methodology strives to explore the reason behind an issue and find solutions
to solve it. Furthermore, this research design tries to solve issues in a structured form that
5. Explanatory design
In this research design, the researcher explores innovative business concepts and ideas with
the help of different scientific tools and techniques. This research design is ideal for a
business’s research and development department because it offers innovative and creative
Moreover, it can be used in companies trying to wrap their heads around design research and
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