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   By Shah Rukh

Research:-

“Systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, application etc.

 As we can see it is clear “itself as if we divide the world into two parts “Re” and “search”, “re” means doing something again and again and “search” means, seeking something, or finding out.

Research method is a process of getting answers of our questions. Process is something that has two or more steps.

Another definition of research is it is a collection of methods people use systematically to come up with the answers of their questions, or to produce knowledge “we use many different methods depending on the certain problem.

Purposes of research:-

·         We research to generalize knowledge.

·         We want to verify the existing knowledge. If there is any gap or doubt in current research that would not be able to tell about the current society.

·         We do research to: correct, verify, extend the knowledge.

Characteristics of research:-

Research requires skills

·         Expertise

·         Sources

·         Time

·         Solution of problem

·         Data

·         Observations and so.

By all these characteristics we get to know that research can be done by a highly trained person, with having enough knowledge of the problem or phenomenon on which research is going to be conducted.

Research deals with social problem rather than personal problems.

We can define social problem as:

“Anything which have a greater effects on society”

Types Of research:-

There are many types of research some main are:

·         Basic research

·         Applied research

Other types are:

·         Action research

·         Descriptive research

·         Evaluation research

1.    Basic research:-

·         The research conducted with the objective of knowledge production.

·         Objective of basic research is understand knowledge and produce solution.

·         Basic research is less motivated than applied research.

·         Basic research is also called fundamental research or pure research.

·         Basic research is to understand a problem.

Purpose of basic research:-

·         To search the answer of question.

·         To enhance the knowledge.

·         Development of theories or verification of pre-existing theories.

2.    Applied Research:-

Applied research is a methodology used to solve a specific practical problem of an individual or group. The study and research is used in business, medicine and education in order to find solution that may in order to find solution that may cure diseases, solve scientific problems or develop technology.

Basic research:-

·         Applied research is also called practical research,

·         Purpose of applied research is to sort art, to get a solution of a problem or to launch a new initiative.

·         Applied research finds out solutions of that problem.

·         It is highly motivated research because it is done to improve the society.

·         This type of research is also with high scientific objectivity.

Development of technology for resolving different mental health issues. Ways to manage depression are the examples of applied research.

3.    Action Research :-( sub part of applied research)

·         It is type of applied research to solve an existing/immediate problem.

·         In this type we try find workable solution by launching project in field.

·         Its aim is an immediate application but not any development of theory. It also help in altering unsatisfied conditions.

Advantages of Action Research

·         High level of practical relevance of the business research;

·         Can be used with quantitative, as well as, qualitative data;

·         Possibility to gain in-depth knowledge about the problem.

4.    Descriptive Research:-

Descriptive research is defined as a research method that describes the characteristics of the population or phenomenon that is being studied. This methodology focuses more on the “what” of the research subject rather than the “why” of the research subject.

·         Descriptive research can be used in multiple ways and for multiple reasons.

·         It can answer what, when, where, when and how questions, but not why questions.

·         Descriptive research can use both qualitative and quantitative research methods. 

There are 3 distinctive methods to conduct descriptive research. They are:

·         Observational Method

·         Case Study Method

·         Survey Research

Advantages of Descriptive Research

Some of the major advantages of descriptive research are:

·         Data collection: Descriptive research can be conducted by using specific methods like observational method, case study method and survey method. Between these 3, all major methods of data collection are covered which provides a lot of information. 

·         Quick to conduct and cheap: As the sample size is generally large in descriptive research, the data collection is quick to conduct and is cheap.

·         Forms basis for decision-making: As the data collected in descriptive it is easy to make decisions on the basis of the statistical analysis of that data.

Disadvantages of Descriptive Research

Some of the major disadvantages of descriptive research are:

·         Confidentiality: Respondents aren’t always truthful if questions are too personal.

·         Halo effect:

·         Sample isn’t representative: Due to the randomness of the sample, it is very tough to validate that the sample is an accurate representation of the whole population.

·         No scope to learn cause: that because of this type of research only tells what is going no no how this is happening.

5.    Evaluation Research:-

·         Evaluation research, also known as program evaluation

·         Evaluation research is a type of applied research.

·         Evaluation research enhances knowledge and decision-making, and leads to practical applications.

·         Many methods, like surveys and experiments can be used in evaluation research.

To evaluate means to determine or set the value or amount of appraise it means to judge or determine the significance, worth or quality of a thing.

For example family planning scheme, irrigation project etc. We conduct a research to evaluate that weather scheme is useful or not.

 

Approaches of scientific research:-

·         Qualitative Approach

·         Quantitative approach

1.     Qualitative research:-

Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. Qualitative Research is also used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the problem.

·         Qualitative research provide insight and understanding of the problem at hand.

·         It help in gaining knowledge about problem under study.

·         This research is one that involves quality or kind.

·         It is more based on perceptions, attitude of people.it describes the phenomena.

·         Date obtained in qualitative research can be in the form of words, pictures, text etc.

·         It is also defined as a method to collect data via open ended and conversational discussions.\

·         In this research usually participants are not taken out of their ecosystem for data collection that help in building trust.

There are 5 main qualitative research methods:-

1.       Ethnographic research

2.       Focus group research

3.       One-on-one online interview

4.       Case study research

1.     Ethnographic research:-

·         Ethnographic research is the most in-depth observational method that studies people in their naturally occurring environment.

·         This method requires the researchers to adapt to the target audiences’ environments which could be anywhere from an organization to a city or any remote location.

·         This research design aims to understand the cultures, challenges, motivations, and settings that occur. 

·         This type of research method can last from a few days to a few years, as it involves in-depth observation and collecting data on those grounds.

2.   Focus group research:

·         A focus group usually includes a limited number of respondents (6-10) from within your target market.

·         The main aim of the focus group is to find answers to the why what and how questions.

·         One advantage of focus groups is, you don’t necessarily need to interact with the group in person.

·         Focus groups are an expensive method as compared to the other qualitative research methods.

3.    One-on-one online interview:-

·         Conducting in-depth interviews is one of the most common qualitative research methods. 

·         It is a personal interview that is carried out with one respondent at a time.

·         One of the advantages of this method provides a great opportunity to gather precise data about what people believe and what their motivations are.

·         If the researcher is well experienced asking the right questions can help him/her collect meaningful data.

·         These interviews can be performed face-to-face or on phone and usually can last between half an hour to two hours or even more.

4.   Case study research: 

·         The case study method has evolved over the past few years and developed as into a valuable qualitative research method. 

·         As the name suggests it is used for explaining an organization or an entity.

·         This type of research method is used within a number of areas like education, social sciences and similar. 

·         This method may look difficult to operate, however, it is one of the simplest ways of conducting research.

Quantitative research:-

Quantitative research is defined as a systematic investigation of phenomena by gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques.

·         Quantitative research collects information from existing and potential customers using sampling methods and sending out online surveys, online polls, questionnaires, etc.,

·         Quantitative research is mostly conducted in the social sciences.

·         In this research method, researchers and statisticians deploy mathematical frameworks and theories.

·         The results achieved from this research method are logical, statistical, and unbiased.

There are multiple types of primary quantitative research.

Survey Research:

Survey Research is the most fundamental tool for all quantitative research methodologies and studies. Surveys used to ask questions to a sample of respondents, using various types such as online polls, online surveys, paper questionnaires, web-intercept surveys, etc. 

Survey research was conducted face-to-face or via phone calls but with the progress made by online mediums such as email or social media, survey research has spread to online mediums as well.

·         Telephone surveys

·         Personal interviews

·         Web surveys

·         Hybrid method

Telephone surveys:-

When the survey is carried out over telecommunication device i.e. telephone or mobile. Where the responses are in the form of closed ended answer, like yes, no, don’t know.

Personal Interview:-

One to one interview is conducted to gain understanding of the problem under study. Interviewer can be the researcher himself or his agents.

Web surveys:-

Researcher selects a group of respondents in most cases around like (100-200) and mail questionnaire to them, to obtain information.

Hybrid Method:-

In hybrid method any of the two research methods, like web surveys and personal interview or telephone surveys and personal interview are combined to gain information about problem under 

study

Difference between Qualitative & Quantitative Research

 

 

Alternatives of social research

As we use research methods to acquire knowledge, there are some other ways also to acquiring knowledge not using research method.

1.       Authority

2.       Tradition

3.       Common sense

4.       Media myths

5.       Personal experience

1.    Authority:-

Authority is one of the best alternative of acquire knowledge. By authority we mean teachers, parents, religious people etc. When someone is considered more knowledgeable than oneself .is considered authority for that person.

We can consider someone authority on the basis of age, gender, class, clothing, basis of tone of voice, looks, height and so on. That’s means authority varies in different situations.

Disadvantages:-

·         Sometimes authority is over estimated.

·         Issue of the ego is attached with the authority that they know everything.

·         Strong dependence on the authority it can take or lead towards the darkness.

2.    Traditions:-

“Something which is believed true or right from past”

Tradition is the authority of past, most of our knowledge is based on tradition e.g. language, dressing etc.

Advantages:-

·         Most of the time is right.

·         It is the quickest way of acquire knowledge.

·         It is cheapest source of getting knowledge.

·         It is the simplest and easiest way.

3.    Common sense:-

It is logic based of what we are explaining about our surroundings. Common sense is usually produced or developed by home. Mostly common sense knowledge is right for example if a person is talking in English we will think about him/her that they are educated. We derive this concept by common sense.

Common sense is also transformed to us by the people in authority.

4.    Media Myths:-

Media is one of the best source of acquire knowledge. Media provide many types of knowledge through different ways like news, dramas, documentaries etc. from child age we start learning new things from media .

Disadvantages:

·         Most of the time media delivers wrong information.

·         Media also mislead sometime.

·         Media delivers manipulate knowledge.

5.    Personal experience:-

Personal experience is also a rich source of knowledge. Personal experience is the source that gives 80% knowledge.

Magnitude wise:-

If our interaction experience with the certain group is good we will say that there live so good people and if our experience is bad we will derive that people there are bad.

Capacity Wise:-

Also our senses are more near to not give use the perfect knowledge. It will be limited.

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