Research Methodology

Module 1
Topics to be Covered
• Introduction to Research Methodology: logus-study
• Why there is a need to study Research methodology?
• Meaning and types of Research
• Research Process
• Criteria of good research
• Research problem
• hypothesis- Defining a research problem
• formulation of hypothesis
• Importance of research problem and hypothesis,
Research
• Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge.
• The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the
meaning of research as “a careful investigation or inquiry specially through
search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”
• Redman and Mory define research as a “systematized effort to gain new
knowledge.
• According to Clifford Woody research comprises defining and redefining
problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting,
organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching
conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine
whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
• The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of
scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden
and which has not been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own
specific purpose, we may think of research objectives as falling into a number of
following broad groupings: 1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new
insights into it (studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or
formulative research studies);
• 2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a
group (studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies);
• 3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known as
diagnostic research studies); 4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between
variables (such studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies)
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Research Process
• Define Research Problem
• Review the Literature------Within the Study
• -----------Between the study LR Analysis Tech.
• Formulate hypothesis
• Design Research-Blueprint of your research work-RM
• Execution: Data collection
• Analyze data
• Interpretation
• Report
Hypothesis
• “Hypothesis may be defined as a proposition or a set of propositions set forth as an
explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena either asserted
merely as a provisional conjecture to guide some investigation in the light of established
facts” (Kothari, 1988).

• A research hypothesis is quite often a predictive statement, which is capable of being tested
using scientific methods that involve an independent and some dependent variables. For
instance, the following statements may be considered:
• “Drinking sugary drinks daily leads to obesity” or,
• “The female students perform as well as the male students”.
• These two statements are hypotheses that can be objectively verified and tested. Thus, they
indicate that a hypothesis states what one is looking for. Besides, it is a proposition that can
be put to test in order to examine its validity.
Types of hypothesis
• Hypotheses are of two types,
• Null hypothesis----baseline statement to be tested-- no effect/ no difference--H0
• Alternative hypothesis---H1/Ha
• Reject a HO Which is true
• aceept
• When two methods A and B are compared on their relative superiority, and
• It is assumed that both the methods are equally good, then such a statement is
known as the null hypothesis. A null hypothesis exists when a researcher believes
there is no relationship between the two variables, or there is a lack of information
to state a scientific hypothesis. This is something to attempt to disprove or discredit.
• On the other hand, if method A is considered relatively superior to
method B, or vice-versa, then such a statement is known as
an alternative hypothesis. In an attempt to disprove a null
hypothesis, researchers will seek to discover an alternative
hypothesis.
• The null hypothesis is expressed as H0, while the alternative
hypothesis is expressed as H1.
Remember!!
• The null hypothesis, H0 is the commonly accepted fact; it is the
opposite of the alternate hypothesis. Researchers work to reject,
nullify or disprove the null hypothesis
SICK Not SICK
Characteristics
A hypothesis should have the following characteristic features

• It must be precise and clear. If it is not precise and clear, then the inferences drawn on its basis would not be reliable.
• A hypothesis must be capable of being put to test. Quite often, the research programmes fail owing to its incapability
of being subject to testing for validity. Therefore, some prior study may be conducted by the researcher in order to
make a hypothesis testable. A hypothesis “is tested if other deductions can be made from it, which in turn can be
confirmed or disproved by observation” (Kothari, 1988).
• It must state the relationship between two variables, in the case of relational hypotheses.
• It must be specific and limited in scope. This is because a simpler hypothesis generally would be easier to test for the
researcher. And therefore, he/she must formulate such hypotheses.
• As far as possible, a hypothesis must be stated in the simplest language, so as to make it understood by all concerned.
However, it should be noted that the simplicity of a hypothesis is not related to its significance.
• It must be consistent and derived from the most known facts. In other words, it should be consistent with a
substantial body of established facts. That is, it must be in the form of a statement which is most likely to occur.
• It must be amenable to testing within a stipulated or reasonable period of time. No matter how excellent a
hypothesis, a researcher should not use it if it cannot be tested within a given period of time, as no one can afford to
spend a lifetime on collecting data to test it.
• A hypothesis should state the facts that give rise to the necessity of looking for an explanation. This is to say that by
using the hypothesis, and other known and accepted generalizations, a researcher must be able to derive the original
problem condition. Therefore, a hypothesis should explain what it actually wants to explain, and for this, it should also
have an empirical reference.
Hypothesis Formulation
• Obesity is a major health problem today. Research is starting to show that people
may be able to lose more weight on a low carbohydrate diet than on a low fat
diet.
• State Null and Alternative Hypotheses???
• Null Hypothesis: There is no difference in the mean amount of weight loss when
comparing a low carbohydrate diet with a low fat diet (population mean weight
loss on a low carbohydrate diet = population mean weight loss on a low fat diet).
• Alternative Hypothesis: The mean weight loss should be greater for those on a
low carbohydrate diet when compared with those on a low fat diet (population
mean weight loss on a low carbohydrate diet > population mean weight loss on a
low fat diet). This is a one-sided alternative hypothesis.
• Obesity is a major health problem today. Research is starting to show
that people may be able to lose more weight on a low carbohydrate
diet than on a low fat diet.
• State Null and Alternative Hypotheses???
Hypothesis Formulation
• Research Question: Does the data suggest that, on the average,
people are able to lose more weight on a low carbohydrate diet than
on a low fat diet?
• Response Variable: Weight loss(Outcome)
• Explanatory Variable: Type of diet
• Null Hypothesis: There is no difference in the amount of weight loss
when comparing a low carbohydrate diet with a low fat diet
• Alternative Hypothesis: There is a difference in the amount of weight
loss for those on a low with a low fat diet