Exploring Research Methodology: Review Article

International Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com) 48

Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 2019

International Journal of Research and Review

www.ijrrjournal.com E-ISSN: 2349-9788; P-ISSN: 2454-2237

Review Article

Exploring Research Methodology: Review Article

Mimansha Patel

1

, Nitin Patel

2

1

Executive QA, Department of Quality Assurance, Mylan Laboratories Ltd. Sarigam,

2

Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Government Engineering College Valsad, India

Corresponding Author: Mimansha Patel

ABSTRACT

Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as

a science of studying how research is done scientifically. In it we study the various steps that are

generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them.

It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the research methods/techniques but also the

methodology. Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain indices or tests, how to

calculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standard deviation or chi-square, how to apply

particular research techniques, but they also need to know which of these methods or techniques, are

relevant and which are not, and what would they mean and indicate and why. Researchers also need to

understand the assumptions underlying various techniques and they need to know the criteria by

which they can decide that certain techniques and procedures will be applicable to certain problems

and others will not. All this means that it is necessary for the researcher to design his methodology for

his problem as the same may differ from problem to problem.

Keywords: Research, Methodology, Research Methodology, Research Techniques, Qualitative

research, Quantitative Research

INTRODUCTION

Research in common parlance refers

to a search for knowledge. Once can also

define research as a scientific and

systematic search for pertinent information

on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art

of scientific investigation. 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.”

[1]

Redman and Mory define

research as a “systematized effort to gain

new knowledge.”

[2]

Methodology is the systematic,

theoretical analysis of the methods applied

to a field of study. It comprises the

theoretical analysis of the body of methods

and principles associated with a branch of

knowledge. Typically, it encompasses

concepts such as paradigm, theoretical

model, phases and quantitative or qualitative

techniques.

[3]

Research Methodology is science of

studying how research is done scientifically.

A way to systematically solve the research

problem by logically adopting various steps.

Methodology helps to understand not only

the products of scientific inquiry but the

process itself. Research Methodology aims

to describe and analyze methods, throw

light on their limitations and resources,

clarify their limitations and resources,

clarify their presuppositions and

consequences, relating their potentialities to

the twilight zone at the „frontiers of

knowledge‟.

[4]

Objectives of Research

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Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 2019

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).

[5]

Types of Research

Research can be classified on the

basis of time, purpose, settings, place and

technique. Some researches have

similarities and some have little variations.

But all the types of research have its own

significance.

Basic Research: It is also called as pure

research. Research for the sake of

enhancement of knowledge is termed as

Basic Research. It is done with the intention

of overpowering of the unknown facts. It is

concerned with the generalizations and also

with the formulation of new theory. Basic

research may not produce solutions or

results to the present problem but it

contributes something to the scientific

knowledge. Though its work may have zero

importance, but it may become useful in the

future.

Applied Research: It is also called as

practical research or „need based‟ research.

The main intention is to find solutions to the

current problems being faced by an

institution, society, business or in

government offices. Research to identify

social, political and economic changes,

which has adverse effects in different

sectors are some of the examples of applied

research. This type of research is mainly

carried on with the secondary data.

Empirical Research: It is often referred to

as experimental research. In this primary

data is collected, analyzed, interpretation is

done and subjected to hypothesis testing.

Researcher should develop his experimental

designs and should provide working

hypothesis before the commencement of his

research for good output.

Qualitative Research: As the name itself

suggests, this research is concerned with the

qualitative process. It generally works with

the study of human behavior. By this

research one can find the body language,

attitude, opinions, feelings etc. from the

opposite person through observation. It is

mainly helpful for Psychiatrists and

interviewers. Many techniques are being

used like word association test, sentence

completion, drawing pictures, Thematic

Apperception Test. It is needed in times

where quantitative research does not work.

Hence, it is also called as „Motivation

Research‟.

Quantitative Research: This research is

mainly concerned with the measurement of

phenomenon in terms of quantity. Many a

times a debate is conducted between

qualitative and quantitative terms. An

example for the quantitative research is

carrying out senses for collecting

population, social, economic statistics of a

particular area. They are subjected to

statistical analysis. It relays mainly on

primary data like survey method and

questionnaire method. However, one can

observe the inter-dependence between one

another.

Descriptive Research: As the name itself

indicates, this research directly deals with

description. It includes different data

collection like survey method and fact-

finding techniques. The main character of

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Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 2019

this research is that, the researcher does not

have control over the variables. He should

describe what has happened and what is

happening. Most Ex post facto projects use

descriptive research.

Some other types of research: Apart from

the above types of research, there are many

other classifications like

Longitudinal Research which is spread

over for a long period of time. In this

change takes place gradually.

Historical Research which is concerned

with the collecting of auto biographies,

letters, documents, enquiries for knowing

the past.

Simulation Research deals with the

creation of an artificial environment which

is quite similar to real environment.

Depending upon the need of the situation

we can create and adjust to it.

[6]

Significance of Research

 It helps in framing of policies: Research

helps in the framing of various

government policies. Nearly all the

government policies and budgets are

planned and executed through research

with the help of researcher. Annual

budget, monthly budget, monetary and

economic policies are all framed by the

government. The government is assisted

by various organizations for framing the

policies through research.

 Basic aim is to gain knowledge: It leads

to many ideas and changes old facts.

 It is used in business organization: Many

business companies hire researcher to

work on various things. It is used in

studying the changes taking place in the

market. It helps in capital budgeting, tax

management and cost saving policies.

 It leads to discovery and innovation of

unknown facts and unexplored theories.

It leads to the growth of the society and

its citizens. It gives chance to the

researcher to go deep into the subject

and to innovate it.

 It avoids superstitious beliefs, myths and

prejudices: Many people are still not

aware of the research activities and its

importance. Many ancient beliefs and

myths have been proven wrong with the

help of research.

 It leads to development of social welfare

and society.

 It is useful for PhD students to write

their thesis.

Thus, Research is a fountain of knowledge,

which helps in solving all government

policies, business problems, avoids

superstitious beliefs and helps in the

development and maturity of society and its

citizens.

[6]

Research Process:

1. Formulating the research problem:

There are two types of research

problems, viz., those which relate to

states of nature and those which relate to

relationships between variables. At the

very outset the researcher must single

out the problem he wants to study, i.e.,

he must decide the general area of

interest or aspect of a subject-matter that

he would like to inquire into. Initially

the problem may be stated in a broad

general way and then the ambiguities, if

any, relating to the problem be resolved.

Then, the feasibility of a particular

solution has to be considered before a

working formulation of the problem can

be set up. The formulation of a general

topic into a specific research problem,

thus, constitutes the first step in a

scientific enquiry. Essentially two steps

are involved in formulating the research

problem, viz., understanding the

problem thoroughly, and rephrasing the

same into meaningful terms from an

analytical point of view.

2. Extensive literature survey: Once the

problem is formulated, a brief summary

of it should be written down. It is

compulsory for a research worker

writing a thesis for a Ph.D. degree to

write a synopsis of the topic and submit

it to the necessary Committee or the

Research Board for approval. At this

juncture the researcher should undertake

extensive literature survey connected

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Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 2019

with the problem. For this purpose, the

abstracting and indexing journals and

published or unpublished bibliographies

are the first place to go to. Academic

journals, conference proceedings,

government reports, books etc., must be

tapped depending on the nature of the

problem. In this process, it should be

remembered that one source will lead to

another. The earlier studies, if any,

which are similar to the study in hand

should be carefully studied. A good

library will be a great help to the

researcher at this stage.

[5]

3. Developing a working hypothesis: A

research in any field of study do not give

proper results unless and until we

develop a working hypothesis. It is a

tentative statement or assumption

regarding the solution to the problem of

study. It is an assumption which is used

to draw the logical consequences. It is

the key point of study and hence it

should be limited and should contain

much knowledge. It is helpful for

researcher for predictions and also

maintains complete focus on the study.

It should be precise and clearly defined.

It gives an idea of the type of data to be

used and type of method or techniques

for the study. In some research activities

like exploratory or formulative,

hypothesis is not used for testing.

[6]

4. Preparing the research design: The

research problem having been

formulated in clear cut terms, the

researcher will be required to prepare a

research design, i.e., he will have to

state the conceptual structure within

which research would be conducted. The

preparation of such a design facilitates

research to be as efficient as possible

yielding maximal information. In other

words, the function of research design is

to provide for the collection of relevant

evidence with minimal expenditure of

effort, time and money. But how all

these can be achieved depends mainly

on the research purpose. Research

purposes may be grouped into four

categories, viz., (i) Exploration, (ii)

Description, (iii) Diagnosis, and (iv)

Experimentation. A flexible research

design which provides opportunity for

considering many different aspects of a

problem is considered appropriate if the

purpose of the research study is that of

exploration. But when the purpose

happens to be an accurate description of

a situation or of an association between

variables, the suitable design will be one

that minimises bias and maximises the

reliability of the data collected and

analysed. There are several research

designs, such as, experimental and non-

experimental hypothesis testing.

Experimental designs can be either

informal designs (such as before-and-

after without control, after-only with

control, before-and-after with control) or

formal designs (such as completely

randomized design, randomized block

design, Latin square design, simple and

complex factorial designs), out of which

the researcher must select one for his

own project. The preparation of the

research design, appropriate for a

particular research problem, involves

usually the consideration of the

following: (i) the means of obtaining the

information; (ii) the availability and

skills of the researcher and his staff (if

any); (iii) explanation of the way in

which selected means of obtaining

information will be organised and the

reasoning leading to the selection; (iv)

the time available for research; and (v)

the cost factor relating to research, i.e.,

the finance available for the purpose.

[5]

5. Determining sample design: The

researcher must decide the way of

selecting a sample or what is popularly

known as the sample design. In other

words, a sample design is a definite plan

determined before any data are actually

collected for obtaining a sample from a

given population. A brief mention of the

important sample designs is as follows:

 Deliberate sampling

 Simple random sampling

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Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 2019

 Systematic sampling

 Stratified sampling

 Quota sampling

 Cluster sampling and area sampling

 Multi-stage sampling

 Sequential sampling

[5]

6. Collecting the data: The method of

gathering or collecting the data is

planned in data collection design. There

are many types for collecting the data.

The two types of collecting data are

Primary data and Secondary data.

Some of the important methods for

collecting the Primary data are as follows:

Questionnaire: The method of collecting

data in vast geographical areas is done

through Questionnaire method. Hence

questionnaires are mailed to the research

areas and they are distributed among the

respondents. It is a time saving and

economical method but the main drawback

is that the answers given by the respondents

are not accurate.

Interview: The investigators prepare a set of

questions and ask them in a serial vise to the

respondents. There are different types of

interview like personal, group, mock and

telephone interview. It is fast procedure. We

can get extra information which is related to

the topic. But it is costly. Some respondents

may try to hide some answers. It saves

much time of the investigator.

Observation: This is also one type of

collecting data primarily. In this researcher

observes the day to day process of the

society or a single person. Sometimes

researcher has to involve in the process. It

discovers the human behavior of the

respondent. No doubt this method is cost

effective but the data collected is also

limited. It can‟t predict the happenings of

the future.

Secondary data can be collected through

books, published articles, internet and

syndicate services. Syndicate services are

companies which collect and sell data to

various people who are in need. It is suitable

for researcher who wants to survey on large

population. The disadvantage of this method

is that the researcher will not enjoy extra

information and it is very costly.

7. Though the data can be collected in a

short span of time but the accuracy

cannot be stated.

[6]

Execution of the project: After preparing a

good design for the process of research, the

researcher should move on to the next step

of execution. From this stage the researcher

starts executing the research design.

Training should be given to the surveyors

and a working manual should be given to

them. The collection of data should be

carefully handled.

[6]

8. Analysis of data: Soon after the

collection of data, the researcher turns to

the process of analyzing the collected

data. The raw data will be tuned. There

are many things used for analysis like

coding, tabulation, editing and statistical

analysis. Data will be collected in the

form of questionnaires or schedules.

Hence the data collected in short forms

will be elaborated through coding.

Editing can be done at the time of

collecting or collecting the data.

Through editing the researcher removes

all the mistakes in the project. It will be

polished. Through tabulation the

researchers do the work of preparing the

tables.

9. Hypothesis-testing: After analysing the

data as stated above, the researcher is in

a position to test the hypotheses, if any,

he had formulated earlier. Do the facts

support the hypotheses or they happen to

be contrary? This is the usual question

which should be answered while testing

hypotheses. Various tests, such as Chi

square test, t-test, F-test, have been

developed by statisticians for the

purpose. The hypotheses may be tested

through the use of one or more of such

tests, depending upon the nature and

object of research inquiry. Hypothesis-

testing will result in either accepting the

hypothesis or in rejecting it. If the

researcher had no hypotheses to start

with, generalisations established on the

basis of data may be stated as

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Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 2019

hypotheses to be tested by subsequent

researches in times to come.

10. Generalisations and interpretation: If

a hypothesis is tested and upheld several

times, it may be possible for the

researcher to arrive at generalisation,

i.e., to build a theory. As a matter of

fact, the real value of research lies in its

ability to arrive at certain

generalisations. If the researcher had no

hypothesis to start with, he might seek to

explain his findings on the basis of some

theory. It is known as interpretation. The

process of interpretation may quite often

trigger off new questions which in turn

may lead to further researches.

11. Preparation of the report or the

thesis: Finally, the researcher has to

prepare the report of what has been done

by him. Writing of report must be done

with great care keeping in view the

following: 1. The layout of the report

should be as follows: (i) the preliminary

pages; (ii) the main text, and (iii) the end

matter. In its preliminary pages the

report should carry title and date

followed by acknowledgements and

foreword. Then there should be a table

of contents followed by a list of tables

and list of graphs and charts, if any,

given in the report. The main text of the

report should have the following parts:

(a) Introduction: It should contain a

clear statement of the objective of the

research and an explanation of the

methodology adopted in accomplishing

the research. The scope of the study

along with various limitations should as

well be stated in this part. (b) Summary

of findings: After introduction there

would appear a statement of findings

and recommendations in non-technical

language. If the findings are extensive,

they should be summarised. (c) Main

report: The main body of the report

should be presented in logical sequence

and broken-down into readily

identifiable sections. (d) Conclusion:

Towards the end of the main text,

researcher should again put down the

results of his research clearly and

precisely. In fact, it is the final summing

up.

Research Approach

Research approach can be divided into three

types:

1. Deductive Research approach

2. Inductive Research approach

3. Abductive Research approach

The relevance of hypotheses to the

study is the main distinctive point between

deductive and inductive approaches.

Deductive approach tests the validity of

assumptions (or theories/hypotheses) in

hand, whereas inductive approach

contributes to the emergence of new

theories and generalizations. Abductive

research, on the other hand, starts with

„surprising facts‟ or „puzzles‟ and the

research process is devoted their

explanation.

[7]

In Deductive Research Approach if

you have formulated a set of hypotheses for

your dissertation that need to be confirmed

or rejected during the research process you

would be following a deductive approach.

Alternatively, inductive approach does not

involve formulation of hypotheses. It starts

with research questions and aims and

objectives that need to be achieved during

the research process. In abductive approach,

the research process is devoted to

explanation of „incomplete observations‟,

„surprising facts‟ or „puzzles‟ specified.

[7]

Major Changes in Research Environment

 Information Technologies in

Research: The continued exponential

rise in the power of information and

computing technologies has had a

dramatic impact on research across

many disciplines. These technologies

have not only increased the speed and

scope of research but have made it

possible to conduct investigations that

were not possible before. Information

technology advances have enabled new

forms of inquiry such as those based on

numerical simulation of physical and

biological systems and the analysis of

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Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 2019

massive datasets to detect and assess the

nature of relationships that otherwise

would go unseen.

 The Globalization of Research:

Because knowledge passes freely across

national borders, scientific research has

always been an international endeavor.

But this internationalization has

intensified over the past two decades.

Nations have realized that they cannot

expect to benefit from the global

research enterprise without national

research systems that can absorb and

build on that knowledge. As a result,

they have incorporated science and

technology into national plans and have

established goals for increased R&D

investments.

 Relevance of Research Results to

Policy and Political Debates: Research

also comes into play in debates and

decisions over numerous contentious

policy issues. Science is not the only

factor in these discussions. Many

considerations outside of science

influence policy choices, such as

personal and political beliefs, lessons

from experience, trial-and-error

learning, and reasoning by analogy. To

contribute to public policy decisions,

researchers must be able to separate

their expertise as scientists from their

views as advocates for particular public

policy positions.

[8]

Criteria of Good Research

Whatever may be the types of research

works and studies, one thing that is

important is that they all meet on the

common ground of scientific method

employed by them. One expects scientific

research to satisfy the following criteria:

1. The purpose of the research should be

clearly defined and common concepts be

used.

2. The research procedure used should be

described in sufficient detail to permit

another researcher to repeat the research for

further advancement, keeping the continuity

of what has already been attained.

3. The procedural design of the research

should be carefully planned to yield results

that are as objective as possible.

4. The researcher should report with

complete frankness, flaws in procedural

design and estimate their effects upon the

findings.

5. The analysis of data should be

sufficiently adequate to reveal its

significance and the methods of analysis

used should be appropriate. The validity and

reliability of the data should be checked

carefully.

6. Conclusions should be confined to those

justified by the data of the research and

limited to those for which the data provide

an adequate basis.

7. Greater confidence in research is

warranted if the researcher is experienced,

has a good reputation in research and is a

person of integrity.

[5]

CONCLUSION

Research is a voyage of discovery; a

journey; an attitude; an experience; a

method of critical thinking; an activity

caused by instinct of inquisitiveness to gain

fresh insight/find answers to

question/acquire knowledge.

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Current English, Oxford, 1952.

2. L.V. Redman and A.V.H. Mory, The

Romance of Research, 1923.

3. Irny, S.I. and Rose, A.A. (2005)

“Designing a Strategic Information

Systems Planning Methodology for

Malaysian Institutes of Higher Learning

(isp- ipta), Issues in Information System,

Volume VI, No. 1, 2005.

4. https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio

n/39168208_Research_Methodology_Pa

rt_1_Introduction_to_Research_Researc

h_Methodology.

5. C.R. Kothari, Research Methodology

Methods and Techniques, ISBN (13):

978-81-224-2488-1, 2004.

6. Pavan G. K. and Dr. Nagarekha

Kulkarni, Review Article on Research

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Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 2019

Methodology, International journal of

innovative research and development,

Vol. 3 Issue 7, 2014.

7. Bryman A. & Bell, E. “Business

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8. The National Academies of Sciences

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How to cite this article: Patel

M, Patel N. Exploring research methodology: review article.

International Journal of Research and Review. 2019; 6(3):48-55.