Research Methodology: An

Introduction

Dr Ahsan Habib
Professor
BGE Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh

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Definition of Research
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.

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 Objectives of Research
1. To gain familiarity and achieve new insights into a
phenomenon
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs
4. To test a hypothesis

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Motivation in Research

1. Desire to get research degree

2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved
problems
3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
4. Desire to be of service to society
5. Desire to get respectability

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 Types of Research
1. Descriptive and Analytical research:
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different
kinds.
The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs
as it exists at present.
The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control
over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is
happening.
In Analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or information already
available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

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2. Applied and Fundamental research:
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem
facing a society or an industrial/business organization, whereas
Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with
the formulation of a theory.
Research concerning some natural phenomenon or related to pure
mathematics, generalization of human behavior are examples of
fundamental research.
Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a
particular institution or community are examples of applied research.

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3. Quantitative and Qualitative Research:
Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative
phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to quality or kind. For example,
investigating the reasons for human behavior.

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4. Conceptual and Empirical Research:
Conceptual research is that related to some abstract ideas or theory.
It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new
concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
On the other hand, empirical research relies on experience or
observation alone. It is data based research, coming up with
conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or
experience.

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5. Others:
i) One-time and Longitudinal research
ii) Field-setting or Laboratory research
iii) Clinical or diagnostic research
iv) Historical research

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 Significance of research

1. Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our
economic system.
2. Research has its special significance in solving various operational
and planning problems of business and industry.
3. Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social
relationships and in seeking answers to various social problems.

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4. The significance of research can also be understood keeping in view
the following points:
i) To those students who are to write a master’s or PhD thesis.
ii) To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a
source of livelihood.
iii) To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new
ideas and insights.
iv) To literary men and women, research may mean the development of
new styles and creative work.
v) To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations
of new theories.

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 Research Method vs. Research Methodology

Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques

that are used for conduction of research. Thus, research methods
refer to the methods the researchers use in performing research
operations.
Research methodology may be understood as a science of studying how
research is done scientifically. It not only discuss the research
methods but also consider the logic behind the methods and explain
why we are using a particular method or technique.

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Research
process

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 Steps providing a useful guideline for research
1. Formulating the research problems: single out the problem in the general area of
interest.
2. Extensive literature review: journals, conference proceedings, government reports,
books etc.
3. Development of working hypothesis: tentative assumption.
4. Preparing the research design: consider the followings:
i) The means of obtaining the information
ii) The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff
iii) Explanation of the way of information will be organized
iv) The time available for research
v) The finance available for research

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5. Determining sample design : must decide the way of selecting a
sample.
6. Collecting the data: primary data can be collected either through
experiment or through survey.
7. Execution of the project: researcher should confirm that the
project/research is executed in a systemic manner and in time.
8. Analysis of data
9. Hypothesis testing: chi square test, t-test, F-test etc. have been
developed by statisticians for this purpose.
10. Generalization and interpretation
11. Preparation of the report or the thesis

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 Criteria of good research

1. Purpose of research should be clearly defined.

2. Research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail.
3. The procedural design of the research should be carefully
planned.
4. The researcher should report with complete frankness.
5. The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its
significance.
6. Conclusions should be confined.
7. Greater confidence in research is warranted.

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