Research Aptitude

´ The term “Research” is derived from a French language word “recherche,” which means “to go about seeking.”

´ Research can be defined as a systematic inquiry in the form of Investigation or Experimentation, to gain new knowledge in an objective manner.

Definition of Research

Meaning of Research

´ Steps that are used to enhance our

understanding on a particular topic.

´ Can be used to find and add something new

on a particular issue.

´ Eg- Research on harmful effects of

multitasking, effects of smoking.

Research Philosophies

RealismInterpretivism

Positivism

POSITIVISM

• The positivism theories are meant to be universal throughout.

• The Nature of Positivism is such that everyoneobserving it will be able to arrive at a common conclusion.

• The scientific methods of research can be applied for studying these social elements.

Eg: Law of Demand, Law of Gravity, Law of Motion.

INTERPRETIVISMü Also called as ‘Henomonology’

• According to this philosophy, the social world is constructed

subjectively by the people that belong to that world.

• The social world is complex and hence cannot be studied

using scientific methods or methods used for studying natural

sciences.

• The observation of such social world requires humanistic

approach.

• Eg. Interviews to gather opinions

REALISM• Includes some Features of both Positivism and

Interpretivism.

• At the micro level, people may have subjective opinion, but at the group/macro level we can have an objective observable reality.

• Eg: Case of Contraceptives –

• Individual Opinion (Micro Level)

• Economic Opinion (Macro Level)

Research Classification

TIME

USES

PURPOSEDATA COLLECTION

TIMEØ Cross Sectional – At a particular point of time.

• Does not help in measuring changes over a period of

time. Eg. Stock valuation on a particular date.

Ø Longitudinal – Measures changes over a period of time

(over years or months)

• Eg: Trend Analysis of firms.

Ø Fundamental/ Basic/Pure: It is to discover new things OR to build a

new theory OR to generate principles OR to add to a pool of

knowledge OR to challenge existing theories.

• Not used for immediate application. Eg: the Law of Demand.

Ø Applied : It is used for applying the fundamental research in real life

situation.

• Eg: The problem of traffic, problem of declining market share.

USES

Data Collection

Quantitative Qualitative

Ø Qualitative: To measure attitude, motivation, behaviour

through techniques such as –

• Observations

• In depth interviews

• Group discussions

• Eg – Measuring sincerity of Individuals

Ø Quantitative: Measurement of attributes using Quantitative

techniques such as Questionnaires.

• Eg – Intelligence of an Individual – Using statistical tests,

scales, etc.

PURPOSE´ Descriptive/ Ex post facto – Explaining the state of affairs or

characteristics to answer “What The Issue Is”.

• Eg – Describing a Banking Scenario

´ Analytical – Evaluation and analysis of the data to answer “How And Why Is It”.

• Focuses on cause and effect relationships.

• Eg. Analysing the Impact of Diversity on Economy.

Cases On Classification Of Research

• What is the absenteeism rate among the employees ?• How can the number of complaints of consumers be reduced onfood menu ?• Y ltd was incorporated in 2005, how has been its performance since then?• Professional Behavior of an employee.• Problem of waiting lines in ATM’s.• Fall in share price of Vedanta on Tuesday 21st August 2018.• Impact of fall in bank rate on Credit creation.