What is research methodology? Steps in scientific research process? Explain literature review? (MAY 19/ DEC 18)

What is research methodology? Steps in scientific research process? Explain literature review? (MAY 19/ DEC 18)

Ans -

Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyse information about a topic. In a research paper, the methodology section allows the reader to critically evaluate a study’s overall validity and reliability.

Step One: Define research problem

There are two types of research problem,

1. Those that relate to states of nature

2. Those that find relationship between variables.

Essentially two steps are involved in define research problem,

1. Understanding the problem thoroughly

2. Rephrasing the same into meaningful terms

Step Two: Review of literature

Once the problem is define, 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 topic and submit it to necessary committee or the research board for approval.

Step Three: Formulate Hypothesis

Formulate hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand because it has to be tested.

The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track.

Step Four: Preparing the Research Design

The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant evidence with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money.

Research purpose may be grouped into four categories, viz., (1) Exploration, (2) Description, (3) Diagnosis, and (4) Experimentation.

Step Five: Data Collection

Primary data can be collected through following techniques:

1.    By Observation

2.    Through personal interview

3.    Through telephone interview

4.    By mailing of questionnaires

5.    Through Schedules

Step Six: Data Analysis

The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations such as establishment of categories.

This stage mainly include:

1. Coding

2. Editing

3. Tabulation

Step Seven: Interpretation and Report Writing

Researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by him.

Writing of report includes:

1. Preliminary pages

2. Main text

3. End matter

Review of Literature

    It consist of conducting extensive literature survey and gathering secondary data. The secondary data is the data and recorded by someone else prior to and for a purpose other than the current project. It is often historical and already assembled. Literature Review is essential preliminary task in order to acquaint yourself with the available body of knowledge in your area of interest. Literature review is integral part of entire research process and makes valuable contribution to every operational step. Reviewing literature can be time-consuming, daunting and frustrating. But is also rewarding. Its functions are:

1  Bring clarity and focus to your research problem

2  Improve your methodology

3  Broaden your knowledge

4  Contextualise your findings