Chapter 1: Introduction Q.1 Define Research? What are the characteristics of research? Definition According to Martyn Shuttleworth – "In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge." Creswell states research as – "Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue". It consists of three steps: 1. Pose a question 2. Collect data to answer the question 3. Present an answer to the question
Characteristics of research 1. Empirical - Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher. 2. Logical - Research is based on valid procedures and principles. 3. Cyclical - Research is a cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends with a problem. 4. Analytical - Research utilizes proven analytical ways in gathering the data, whether historical, descriptive and experimental or case study. 5. Critical - Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and the methods employed is crucial to a research enquiry. The process of investigation must be foolproof and free from drawbacks. The process adopted and the procedures used must be able to withstand critical scrutiny.
6. Methodical - Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using systematic method and procedures. 7. Replicability - The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable the researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results.
Q.2 Explain the needs and importance of research in business? A business research program is surely an ideal way for businesses to train and educate their managers and other staff members in a vast range of different fields. Business research can relate to economics, business strategy and ethics in other words anything related with modern business and trade. Undertaking research in business management is important since it helps to prepare business plan for the future, based on what may have occurred in earlier times. 1. Testing of new products: - Business research tests the possible success of fresh products. Businesses need to know what kinds of services and products consumers want before they produce them. Research will reduce risk – Research can help design a new product or service, figuring out what is needed and ensure that the development of a product is highly targeted towards demand. 2. Guaranteeing adequate distribution: - Businesses can also use research to guarantee sufficient distribution of their products. For instance, a consumer products’ company might want to speak with merchants about the various brands they offer. The outcomes of the business research can help managers decide where they need to increase their product distribution. 3. In-house research is required for professional and self-development of the workers through training and mentoring: - Organizational research and analysis would also be needed for assessment of performance management, process reengineering, departmental assessment and well-being of staff members. 4. Undertaking research can help a company avoid future failure: - Carrying out research can also help a business determine whether now is the right time to expand into another town or whether it needs to apply for a new loan. It may also help a small business decide if a process should be altered or if more needs to be done to meet the requirements of the customer base. 5. Studying the competition: - Businesses frequently make use of research to study key rivals in their markets. Businesses will often begin with secondary research information or information which is currently accessible. Research is important for any organization to remain competitive in the market. The top function of research is to supply a business with an outlet to correctly determine its customers. With the help of surveys, an
organization can analyze the preferences of its target consumers. Furthermore, these studies could also provide a business the chance to examine its competitors in the industry and analyze and emulate key strategies which could help in its operations. 6. Help in the recruitment of employees: - It’s through proper research that human resource managers are able to determine and recruit qualified manpower. Recruitment of workers with the right skills and attitudes aids the company to improve its productivity levels. Research for the right staff members can be done via the internet, consultancy firms and institutions of higher learning. A proper knowledge of the employees and healthy conversation would be important factors for a manager to boost performance of the individuals in the team. A good approach, winning attitude and behavior of the manager with proper systems set up would certainly call for sound research to understand and improve the system.
Q.3 Discuss the need and importance of research in social science? Social Science Research refers to any scientific study of human action and interaction focusing on elements of thought and behavior that are in some sense social. As such, social scientists aspire to science. They intend to study human action and interaction and thought and behavior in a systematic, rigorous, evidence-based, generalizing, replicable, and cumulative fashion. Such research is, or can be, of great importance to human affairs. Social science research is, more specifically, a truth-seeking activity aimed at contributing to existing knowledge, generating new knowledge, or for application to some specific problem related to human action and interaction 1. Helps to solve social problems: - Social problems could be attributed to certain social behavior of social issues and then it analyses the issue and solve that. 2. To enable government in making polices: - Research on social and public by government it helps to modify polices with welfare of people and makes polices according to demand of society interest. 3. Social welfare: - Government organization can undertake social research to enhance social welfare of the society. Research can help to design suitable package of measure to reduce income inequalities, to reduce poverty and unemployment, to overcome the problems of social evils such as drugs addictions abuse of alcohol, gambling, and so on.
4. Helps to predict event: - Research can be undertaken to predict future events in the society and their impact. Research may be undertaken to find out incidence of poverty and its impact on the society. Research may make the concerned authorities to take appropriate measures to reduce the incidence and to reduce the negative impact of incidence. 5. Modifies social Behavior: - Social research studies social behavior. Social research collect relevant data on social behavior, analyses it and recommendations are listed. Based on the recommendations of social researchers, steps can be taken by the concerned authorities to modify the societal behavior. 6. To establish general laws and generalization: - Research finding can be applied to larger population. A researcher can conduct a research on a sample of respondents that represent the universe. The research discovery is based on sample population can then be generalized and applied to the whole population.
7. To develop principles and theories: - Conducting social research will help to make new principles and theories. By conducting different program in research process comes out with conclusion and by verifying in all the possible meaner which results in developing principle and theories. Such principles and theories can be use full to several organizations to manage and deal with people and things in a better way. 8. To verifies and tests existing laws: - Social researchers after implementing laws and polices them again take research program to check whether policies are effective and keep on verifying it.
Q.4 State and Explain the objectives of research? A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides declarative statement, which provides direction to investigate the variables. Generally research objective focus on the ways to measure the variables, such as to identify or describe them. Sometime objectives are directed towards identifying the relationship or difference between two variables between two variables. Research objective are the results sought by the researcher at the end of the research process, i.e. what the researcher will be able to achieve at the end of the research study. The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study. Objective should be closely related to the statement of the problem. A research objective is a concrete statement describing what the research is trying to achieve. A well-worded objective will be SMART, i.e. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, & Timebound. Research objective should be Relevant, Feasible, Logical, Observable and Unequivocal & Measurable. Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within the expected timeframe & with the available resources. The objective or research project summarizes what is to be achieved by the study. The research objectives are the specific accomplishment the researchers hope to achieve by the study. The objective includes obtaining answers to research questions or testing the research hypothesis. Types of research objectives 1. General objective General objectives are broad goals to be achieved. The general objectives of the study state what the researcher expects to achieve by the study in general terms. General objectives are usually less in number. 2. Specific objective Specific objectives are short term & narrow in focus. General objectives can broke into small logically connected parts to form specific objectives. General objective is met through accomplishing the entire specific objective. The specific objectives are more in number & they systematically address various aspects of problem as defined under 'the statement of problem' & key factor that is assumed to influence or causes the problem. They should specify what the researcher will do in the study, where, & for what purpose.
Q.5 Discuss the types of research The basic types of research are as follows: 1. Descriptive vs. Analytical: 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. In social science and business research we quite often use the term Ex post facto research for descriptive research studies. 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. Most ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data. Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even when they cannot control the variables. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlational methods. In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material. 2. Applied vs. Fundamental: Research can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure) 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. “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.”4 Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research. Similarly, research studies, concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about human behavior, are also examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research. Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution or the copy research (research to find out whether certain communications will be read and understood) or the marketing research or evaluation research are examples of applied research. Thus, the central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some pressing practical
problem, whereas basic research is directed towards finding information that has a broad base of applications and thus, adds to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge. 3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. For instance, when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behavior (i.e. why people think or do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of qualitative research. This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose. Other techniques of such research are word association tests, sentence completion tests, story completion tests and similar other projective techniques. Attitude or opinion research i.e., research designed to find out how people feel or what they think about a particular subject or institution is also qualitative research. Qualitative research is especially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior. Through such research we can analyze the various factors which motivate people to behave in a particular manner or which make people like or dislike a particular thing. It may be stated, however, that to apply qualitative research in practice is relatively a difficult job and therefore, while doing such research, one should seek guidance from experimental psychologists. 4. Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) 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, often without due regard for system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment. We can also call it as experimental type of research. In such a research it is necessary to get at facts firsthand, at their source, and actively to go about doing certain things to stimulate the production of desired information. In such a research, the researcher must first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as to the probable results. He then works to get enough facts (data) to prove or disprove his hypothesis. He then
sets up experimental designs which he thinks will manipulate the persons or the materials concerned so as to bring forth the desired information. Such research is thus characterized by the experimenter’s control over the variables under study and his deliberate manipulation of one of them to study its effects. Empirical research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other variables in some way. Evidence gathered through experiments or empirical studies is today considered to be the most powerful support possible for a given hypothesis. 5. Some Other Types of Research: All other types of research are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches, based on either the purpose of research, or the time required to accomplish research, on the environment in which research is done, or on the basis of some other similar factor. Form the point of view of time; we can think have research either as one-time research or longitudinal research. In the former case the research is confined to a single time-period, whereas in the latter case the research is carried on over several time-periods. Research can be field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research, depending upon the environment in which it is to be carried out. Research can as well be understood as clinical or diagnostic research. Such research follows case-study methods or in depth approaches to reach the basic causal relations. Such studies usually go deep into the causes of things or events that interest us, using very small samples and very deep probing data gathering devices. The research may be exploratory or it may be formalized. The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypotheses rather than their testing, whereas formalized research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypotheses to be tested. Historical research is that which utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to study events or ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any remote point of time. Research can also be classified as conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented. While doing conclusion oriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is prepared to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented research is always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in this case is not free to embark upon research according to his own inclination. Operations research is an example of decision oriented research since it is a scientific
method of providing executive departments with a quantitative basis for decisions regarding operations under their control.
Q.6 Describe the issues and problems in research? A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in practice that point to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. Deciding whether to use a quantitative or qualitative research method can be a difficult task, particularly if you aren’t familiar with the problems associated with each. Quantitative research focuses on numerical, objective and repeatable data, and avoids subjectivity. Qualitative research aims to understand the problems it investigated in greater detail, and is often quite subjective. Finding out about the problems with each method can help you decide which to use, or whether to mix the two. Lack of Information: Several people complain quantitative research because the researchers have very little ability to find out more detail. For example: Many quantitative research methods use questionnaires as a means of finding out percentages of the population that possess certain characteristics or think certain things. Imagine if a questionnaire asks if you wished to vote for the Republicans or the Democrats in the next election. Someone answering this question may want to vote for the Green party, but not have the option available to state that. Within the confines of the quantitative study, they will have to choose between the two. This may not seem like a relevant fact, but if 10 percent of people who answered Democrat actually preferred Greens, a massive trend will be missed because of the rigid nature of the study. Qualitative research would catch this discrepancy through use of openended questions.
Absent of Variables: The rigid and fixed nature of quantitative research can also result in a relevant variable being missed entirely. If someone was conducting a qualitative study into the intelligence levels of children and trying to determine whether firstborn children are more intelligent than all subsequent children, they may measure children’s IQ, and then note whether they are firstborn, second, third or fourth. This may produce a result stating that, according to the statistics, firstborn children are indeed more intelligent, and each subsequent child has a lower IQ than the one before. This seems to be a relevant finding, but it overlooks the possible variable that intelligent parents have fewer children. This could mean that the first- and second-born children have relatively intelligent parents, and fifth-born children have less intelligent parents, so the conclusion of the study is misleading. Subjectivity: Subjectivity is one of the symbols of qualitative research and is also one of its major errors. The subjective nature of the information that can be gleaned from such methods as interviews and case studies means that they are open to misinterpretation and observer bias. For example: If you are performing an interview to investigate whether prisoners had abusive childhoods, observer bias could occur, in that the interviewees could exaggerate the negative aspects of their childhoods for sympathy or justification. Subjectivity is also an issue when analyzing data, because in qualitative research, data must be interpreted. Researchers could unwittingly interpret the data in a way that suggests what they wish to show. This can’t be done as easily with quantitative, numerical data.
No Generalization:
As a result of its subjective nature, its level of detail and its relatively small sample size, you cannot generalize qualitative findings to the population at large. Quantitative research can easily generalize data, because it can convert its finding into percentages and other mathematical expressions that can be extrapolated. Unfortunately, the detailed answers that qualitative research produces make them difficult to generalize to the population at large. The level of detail in each study also means that fewer people are studied, therefore making the participants a less accurate representation of the entire populace. There are other problems faced while doing research is as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Illiteracy Security Inadequate statistics Scanty information base Dominance of small scale organizations Existence of seller’s market lack of research funds Multinational firms rely mainly on their parent companies overseas for their research
needs 9. Lack of research equipment inaccurate or lack of census figures
Chapter 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Q.1What is research methodology? Explain its nature and characteristics. Research methodology is a way to methodically crack the research problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. The process used to collect information and data for the purpose of making business decisions. The methodology may include publication research, interviews, surveys and other research techniques, and could include both present and historical information is called research methodology. Its aim is to give the work plan of research. It is also defined as the study of methods by which knowledge is gained. John W. Best and James V. Kahn in their book entitled “Research in Education” says “Research is a more systematic activity that is directed toward discovery and the development of an organized body of knowledge. Research may be defined as the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events.” Characteristics of Research Methodology
Research is a systematic and critical investigation into phenomenon.
It adopts scientific method i.e. based on observable experience or empirical evidence.
Research is directed towards finding answers to the pertinent questions and solutions to problems.
It emphasizes the development of generalization, principles or theories.
It is not mere compilation but a purposive investigation.
It aims at describing, interpreting and explaining a phenomenon.
It is objective and logical. It applies possible tests to validate the measuring tools and the conclusions obtained.
Q.2 Describe the steps in scientific research process. Research Process Research process is very commonly referred to as the planning process. One important point to be kept in mind here is to understand that the main aim of the research process is that of improving the knowledge of the human beings. The research process consists of the following stages – 1. The Primary phase :– This stage includes a) Observation – The first step in the research process is that of the observation, research work starts with the observation which can be either unaided visual observation or guided and controlled observation. It can be said that an observation leads to research, the results obtained from research result in final observations which can play a crucial part in carrying out further research. Deliberate and guided observations also play an important part in this primary stage. This method is very simple and helps a great deal in framing of the hypothesis as it is very accurate in nature but it also has some major limitations like some of the occurrences may not be open to the observation and the occurrences which may be open for observation may not be studied conveniently.
b) Interest – As studied in the above paragraph, research starts with the observation and it leads to a curiosity to learn and gain more and more about what has been observed. Hence it can be said that observation results in the creation of an interest in the mind of the researcher. The interest can be either academic in nature or it may be a policy making interest. It may be self-interest or a group interest. Group interest is also referred to as the social interest.
c) Crystallization – It can be defined as the process involving the designing of the definite form of research to be used in the study of the subject matter that has been observed. During this stage, the research project gets a concrete shape and structure.
d) Formulating a research problem – A research problem can belong to one of the following two categories – it can belong to the category in which there can be relationships between various variables or it may belong to the other category, which is based on nature. In the beginning, it is important for a researcher to find out the general interest or the subject matter, which he wants to study. By this the researcher will be able to state a problem more broadly and also in a much generalized form then the ambiguities linked to the problem can be referred and understood. This really supports in the formulation of a problem of a research. Although this process is not that simple and requires many fruitful discussions in order to achieve a proper conclusion or a decision.
e) Primary Synopsis – Before starting with the actual study work, it is very necessary for a researcher to prepare a summary or a plan about the activities he has to perform in connection with research operation. This will help him a lot to get a definite idea or an understanding of what would be written in the final report.
f) Conceptual Clarity – It is very much important for a researcher to have in depth knowledge and understanding of the subject or the topic he has to study as it helps a lot in achieving one’s goal and objectives in a much easier and also a comparatively much simpler way.
g) Documentation – The documents help in providing important information to a researcher, document is something in writing it can be a record, files or diaries etc. may be published or unpublished in nature. Documents can be extracted and can be used in the research work. Various documents can be classified as – i. Personal documents – 1. Written by or on behalf of individuals. 2. May include autobiographies, biographies, diaries, memories, letters, observations and inscriptions. 3. Can be used in research activities.
ii. Company documents – 1. Most important type of documents compared to other document types. 2. Play an essential role in management research. 3. May include balance sheets, files, records, policy statements, resolutions, performance records etc. iii. Consultants reports and published materials – 1. Include professional consultants’ reports, commodity boards’ records, chambers of commerce, trade union documents etc.
iv. Public documents –
1. Can be published or unpublished in nature. 2. Consist of government records, finance commission records, especial enquiry commission records, company law board reports, population census reports etc. 3.
Can be useful only if they are reliable.
v. Literature Survey – Having complete knowledge about the literature is almost a necessity for a researcher to be successful in his research operation. With the help of literature survey, one is helped in having correct concepts and also the right theories.
2. Secondary phase: – This stage of the research consists of all the features that are actually required to run a research project. This stage includes the following –
a) Research project planning: – Involves selection of the future courses of action for conducting and directing a research project. A research project plan gives a rational approach to research by which one is able to decide in advance about what to do, how to do, when to do, where to do and who is to do a particular task in a specific activity.
b) Research Project formulation: – After the planning of the project has been done the researcher follows this with a practical approach in order to carry out the project. This step of the secondary stage involves the systematic setting forth of the total research project, with an aim of conducting a systematic study.
c) Data collection: – This step involves the in depth meaning for the concepts that are to be investigated and looks forward to data analysis, data requirement etc… Sources of understatement or overstatement should be avoided and the data should be free from any type of error. The data collection planning should be done or implemented in a very careful manner, with the help of specialist researchers. The data should be good and meaningful in nature should not only be a collection of words but should provide meaningful information.
d) Classification and tabulation: – Classification can be defined as the arrangement of the data into groups and classes depending on the resemblance and the similarities. By classification, the data can be condensed in a very elegant way by which the various important features can be easily noticed i.e. one can easily highlight the various salient features of the data at a glance. Tabulation of the data can be defined as the orderly arrangement of the data in columns and the rows this step also helps a great deal in the condensation of the data and also in the analysis of the relations, trends etc.
e) Data Analysis: – In this step, the collected data is arranged according to some pattern or a particular format and this analysis of the data is done mainly to provide the data with a meaning. It is actually the computing of the some of the measures supported by the search for the relationship patterns, existing among the group of the data. (i) Testing of a hypothesis: – This step of testing acts as the back bone of the data analysis. Various tests like “t” test, “z” test. Chi square test are used by the statisticians for the testing of the hypothesis. (ii) Interpretation of results: – It is very important that the results are interpreted into action recommendations and the results should be able to refer to a decision i.e. should help in drawing a conclusion.
3. Final phase:- This stage involves a) Conclusions and recommendations: – This act as the crux of the research project work. Recommendations are based on the conclusions obtained and further these conclusions are based on the interpretation of the results of data analysis. But a major point to be kept in mind here is that all these conclusions and the recommendations should be linked to the research hypothesis stated.
b) Report Writing: – For the researcher as well as the reader, report writing is very crucial as it acts as the best way for communication between the two. Report written must be very simple in nature with easy language, high clarity. Report writing cannot be done by everyone and requires an especial skilled person for this purpose.
Q.3 Discuss the steps in formulating the research problems. The major steps in research are as follows: 1. Formulation of the Research Problem: This is the first stage of the research process. In this stage the researcher single out or identified the problem he wants to study. It means that he must decide the general areas of interest or aspects of a subject‐matter that he would like to inquire. Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the research problem: • Understanding the problem theoretically • Rephrasing the same into analytical terms from an analytical point of view. Understanding the problem is to discuss it with one’s own colleagues or those having expertise in the matter. In an academic institution the researcher can seek the help from a guide who is usually an experienced person and has several research problems in mind. The guide puts forth the problem in general terms and it is up to the researcher to narrow it down and phase the problem in operational terms.
2. Extensive Literature Survey (Review): At this stage the researcher should undertake extensive literature survey connected with the problem. For this purpose the abstracting and indexing
journals and published or unpublished
bibliographies are first place to
go i.e. Academic journals, books, research reports, Government reports etc., It should be remember that one source will lead to another. 3. Development of Working Hypothesis: In this stage researcher state in clear terms the working hypothesis or hypothesis. Working hypothesis is tentative assumptions made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. Hypothesis should be very specific, clear and limited to the piece of research in hand because it has to be tested. 4. Preparing the Research Design: In this stage the researcher prepare a research design i.e. conceptual structure of the within which research would be conducted. It contains: • Methodology of the research work • Sampling plan • Tools of gathering data • Geographical area is to covered • Scope of the study • Operational definition of the study • Conceptual model of study • Reference period • Budget 5. Determination of Sampling Design: In this stage researcher decide the way of selecting a sample which is popularly known as sample design. It is a defined plan determined before any data are actually collected for obtaining a sample from a given population. Samples can be either probability samples or non‐probability samples. With probability samples each element has known probability of being included in the sample but the non‐probability samples do not allow the researcher to determine the probability. 6. Collection of Data: In this stage the researcher collects data. Data can be collected from several ways i.e. survey , observation, interview and experiment etc. the researcher should select one method of data collection taking into consideration the nature of the investigation, objectives and scope of the inquiry, financial resources, available time and desired degree of accuracy.
7. Analysis of Data: The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations such as establishment of categories, the application to these categories to raw data through coding, tabulation and then drawing statistical inferences. The researcher classifies the raw data into some purposeful and usable categories. Coding operation is usually done at this stage through which the categories of data are transformed into symbols that may be tabulated and counted. Editing is the procedure that improves the quality of the data for coding. Tabulation is a part of the technical procedure wherein classified data are put in the form of tables. Analysis work after tabulation is generally based on computation of various
coefficients, measures used to obtain results.
8. Hypothesis –Testing: The hypothesis may be tested through the use of one or more tests such as chi‐ square test, t‐test, F‐test depending upon the nature and objectives of the research inquiry. Hypothesis testing will result in either accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it.
Generalization and Interpretation: In this stage the researcher arrive at
generalization i.e. to build a theory. As the matter of fact the real value of research lies in its ability to arrive at certain generalizations. 9. Preparation of the Research Report: Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by the him. Writing of report must be done with great care keeping in
view the following: Preliminary Body The Main Text The End Matter
Preliminary Body: It contains: Title page Researcher’s declaration The certificate of the research supervisor Acknowledgement Table of contents List of tables List of graphs and charts
Main Text: Introduction: Theoretical background of the topic Statement of the problem
Review of literature The scope of the study The objectives of the study Hypothesis to be tested Definition of the concepts Model if any
The design of the study:
Methodology Sources of data Sampling plan Data collected instrument Field work Data processing and analysis
Q.4What is Hypothesis? Explain its importance. Hypothesis is assumption which is based on reasoning. Word "Hypothesis" is a combination of two words the first one is `Hypo' (that means under or less than or tentative) and the second one is 'thesis' (that means General opinion or statement about solution of a problem) , So the word "Hypothesis" means tentative statement about solution of a problem or Hypothesis means the guesses to solve the research problem. Hypothesis is a part of research process. The research process is similar to undertaking a journey. For a research journey there are some steps to follow which are necessary to make the research work scientific. Sources of Hypothesis According to Webster, "Hypothesis is a guess made by the researcher which either solve the problem or guide him in further investigation." The sources of Hypothesis are almost the same as problems. The major sources of the Hypothesis: • Reading Material - Published books, Journals, Magazines, Seminar Reports
• Principle of Theories - Rule of Law, Basic Structure etc. • Personal Experience and Other Studies Importance of Hypothesis 1. To the Point Enquiry: Hypothesis makes a research activity to the point and destination. Research without hypothesis is like a sailor in the sea without compass. So, research is to the point enquiry of problem due to the guidance of hypothesis. 2. Development of Research Techniques: There are various types of social problems which are complex in nature. For this research is very difficult. We cover it with a single technique but it requires many techniques. These techniques are due to hypothesis provided to a researcher. 3. Separating Relevant From Irrelevant Observation: A Researcher dining study will take the observations and facts which are accordance to the condition and situation. While drop out the irrelevant facts from his study. This separation is due to hypothesis formulation which keeps away relevant observation from irrelevant. 4. Selecting Required Facts: During study a researcher come across many factors but he confined himself to the selection of required facts through formulation of hypothesis. Hypothesis helps him in selection of relevant facts regarding to the problematic situation. 5. Direction of Research: Hypothesis acts as a guide master in research. It gives new knowledge and direction to a researcher. It directs a scientist to know about the problematic situation and its causes. 6. Acts as a Guide: Hypothesis gives new ways and direction to a researcher. It acts as a guide and a leader in various organizations or society. It is like the investigator's eye. 7. Prevents Blind Research: Hypothesis provides lighting to the darkness of research. It gives difference between scientific and unscientific, false and true research. It prevents blind research and gives accuracy. 8. Accuracy and Precision: Hypothesis provides accuracy and precision to a research activity. Accuracy and precision is the feature of scientific investigation which is possible due to hypothesis. 9. Link between Theory and Investigation:
Theory is a source of hypothesis which leads to its formulation. Hypothesis leads to scientific investigation. So, hypothesis acts as a bridge b/w theory and investigation. 10. Link between Assumption and Observation: During formulation hypothesis is in the stage of assumption. In the field it transformed into hypothesis in working form. This transformation is due to observation in the field. So, it creates a link between assumption & observation. 11. Provide answer for a Question: A hypothesis highlights the causes of a problematic situation. Further solution is also given by a hypothesis which provides answer to a question. 12. Save Time, Money and Energy: Hypothesis save time, money and energy of a researcher because it is a guide for him and help him in saving these basic things. 13. Proper Data Collection: Hypothesis provides the basis of proper Data Collection Relevant and correct information collected by a researcher is the main function of a good formulated hypothesis. 14. Proper Conclusion: A proper formulated hypothesis may lead to a good reasonable, utilized and proper conclusion. If the hypothesis is better than the conclusions drawn by a researcher would be better for solution of a problem.
Q.5 Discuss the types of hypothesis. There are various types of Hypothesis such as: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Simple Hypothesis Complex Hypothesis Empirical Hypothesis Null Hypothesis Alternative Hypothesis Logical Hypothesis Statistical Hypothesis
Simple Hypothesis Simple hypothesis is that one in which there exists relationship between two variables one is called independent variable or cause and other is dependent variable or effect.
For example: Higher ratio of unemployment leads to crimes. Complex Hypothesis Complex hypothesis is that one in which as relationship among variables exists. In this type dependent as well as independent variables are more than two. For example: The higher ration of unemployment poverty, illiteracy leads to crimes like dacoit, robbery, rape, prostitution & killing etc. Empirical Hypothesis Working hypothesis is that one which is applied to a field. During the formulation it is an assumption only but when it is pat to a test become an empirical or working hypothesis. Null Hypothesis Null hypothesis is contrary to the positive statement of a working hypothesis. According to null hypothesis there is no relationship between dependent and independent variable. It is denoted by ‘HO”. Alternative Hypothesis Firstly many hypotheses are selected then among them select one which is more workable and most efficient. That hypothesis is introduced latter on due to changes in the old formulated hypothesis. It is denote by “HI”. Logical Hypothesis It is that type in which hypothesis is verified logically. J.S. Mill has given four cannons of these hypothesis e.g. agreement, disagreement, difference and residue. Statistical Hypothesis A hypothesis which can be verified statistically called statistical hypothesis. The statement would be logical or illogical but if statistic verifies it, it will be statistical hypothesis
Q.6 Describe the sources of developing hypothesis A hypothesis can be formulated through many sources. Following are the main sources of hypothesis: 1. Previous Study Previous study is also a source of developing a concrete hypothesis. If a researcher uses previous knowledge about a phenomenon for a particular place, then another researcher followed his techniques and formulates his own. For example increase in fertilizers and irrigation leads to higher production in agriculture in District Mardan. Now another researcher studies his work and applies it to another District Nowshera. 2. Personal Experience On the basis of his personal experience he uses his mind and suggests some points for the eradication of a social problem through developing a good hypothesis. Greater the researcher experience lead to higher degree of formation. 3. Imagination and Thinking Creative thinking and imagination of a researcher sometimes help in formulating a good hypothesis. Personal ideas and the thinking capabilities of a researcher would lead to greater number of hypothesis formulation as well as control over the problem. 4. Observation In consideration and undertaking a research problem, observation is necessary. The collection of previous facts and current facts related to the problem lead to the formulation of a good hypothesis.
5. Scientific Theory Theory is capable in explaining all the facts relating to the problem. Scientific theory is a fertile source of hypothesis formulation. The theory which is used by a researcher may satisfy the needs of making it, because theory explains the known facts. 6. Culture Culture is the accumulation of ways of behaving and adoption in a particular place and time. While formulating a hypothesis for a problem culture should be studied. If we want to study trends towards female education in a particular area, for this purpose we will study, traditions, family system, Norms, Values, region and education system of that area.
Chapter 3: Research on Exide Industries Ltd Exide R&D Research & Development As befits the market leader, Exide keeps India & World abreast of the developments in battery technology. Its sophisticated R&D Centre in Kolkata employs the best scientists and technologists and equips them with the tools of fundamental and applications research. The center spearheads technology transfer, matched production engineering and complete system design. Apart from developmental research, it acts as a funnel for absorbing technology and adopting it to suit operating conditions in respective markets. Ultimately, the effort translates into complete satisfaction of customers’ needs. Exide recognizes the importance of technology & innovations. In order to maintain technological leadership, Exide R&D has been actively developing differentiated battery technologies for tropical countries. The Exide R&D has been recognized by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India since April 1977. R&D work is carried out on various facets of lead-acid battery technology, which include development of new products for applications such as Automotive, Motorcycle, VRLA, Telecom, UPS, Railways, Defense, etc. primarily to make the product range internationally competitive. In addition, the R&D is engaged in projects embracing process technology aimed at:Improving the quality of product & consistency, production efficiency and material utilization. R&D program includes improvement and indigenization of materials such as metals, alloys, plastics, etc. R&D emphasis is on studying and improving the environmental aspects associate with the manufacturing process. Infrastructure / Laboratories: Exide R&D Centre is also well equipped with a Tool-Room, CAD facilities, material testing and laboratories having the modern equipment for testing of the raw materials and components used for manufacture of batteries. These include optical emission Spectrometer, Particle Size Analyzer, Porosemeter, Image Analyzer Workstation, Profile Projector, Universal Tensile testing machine, etc.
Functional Areas: All the above specific areas are well administered by a strong group of human assets. The qualified R&D personnel are Ph.D.'s in Engineering / Applied Science, Post-Graduate / Graduate in Engineering / Science, MBA's and Diploma in Engineering with broad spectrum of experience and they work in the following functional areas:
Battery Design & Development Process Development Tool Design & Development Alloy Development Development of Plastic Components Hard Rubber / Soft Rubber Components Development Analytical Services Battery Testing & Quality Assurance Environmental Health Monitoring
Established On :
27-01-1976
Patents: The continuous research efforts have enabled Exide to patent new processes and grid structures for batteries in India. Patents
Place
Year
Process for fabricating a grid structure for Cadmium Sulphide / Cuprous India Sulphide cell.
1978
Improved Dry Charged process for Drying Formed Negative.
India
1978
Process for manufacturing micro-porous polymeric material.
India
1979
Micro-porous polymeric material for Miners’ Cap Lamp batteries and India Process for preparation thereof.
1981
Automotive Battery Grid.
India
1981
Method of manufacturing lead based alloy.
India
1983
Method of making lead acid storage battery grid.
India
1986
Method of producing low antimony content tubular grid for positive India electrodes of lead acid storage batteries.
1988
Design patent on 75D31R/95D31 RMF Battery (Jointly with Shinkobe).
India
1998
Design Patent on leak resistant Automotive Battery.
India
2001
In addition to several innovative patents granted in India, quite a few International Patents
BIBLIOGRAPHY www.google.com www.studylecturenotes.com www.mycourse.solent.ac.uk www.businessdictionary.com www.googlebook.com www.exide4u.com
