Researchmethods
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS (sub code:BA 927)
UNIT I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 MEANING OF RESEARCH
Research refers to a search for knowledge. 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”. 1.1.1 SOME DEFINITIONS
Redman and Mory define research as a,” Systematized effort to gain new knowledge”. Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the known to the unknown.
According t Clifford woody, research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions; to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it. (exploratory or formulative research studies)
2. To describe accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group.
(descriptive research)
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else. (studies with this object known as diagnostic research)
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables. (such studies are known as hypothesis testing research)
1.3 TYPES OF RESEARCH
It is imperative that a marketer has to have a broad understanding of the various types of research, in general. There are eleven types of research depending on whether it is primarily
“fundamental” or “applied” in nature. They are as follows:
1. Applied research, also known as decisional research, use existing knowledge as an aid to the solution of some given problem or set of problems.
2. Fundamental research, frequently called basic or pure research, seeks to extend the boundaries of knowledge in a given area with no necessary immediate application to existing
UNIT I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 MEANING OF RESEARCH
Research refers to a search for knowledge. 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”. 1.1.1 SOME DEFINITIONS
Redman and Mory define research as a,” Systematized effort to gain new knowledge”. Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the known to the unknown.
According t Clifford woody, research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions; to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it. (exploratory or formulative research studies)
2. To describe accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group.
(descriptive research)
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else. (studies with this object known as diagnostic research)
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables. (such studies are known as hypothesis testing research)
1.3 TYPES OF RESEARCH
It is imperative that a marketer has to have a broad understanding of the various types of research, in general. There are eleven types of research depending on whether it is primarily
“fundamental” or “applied” in nature. They are as follows:
1. Applied research, also known as decisional research, use existing knowledge as an aid to the solution of some given problem or set of problems.
2. Fundamental research, frequently called basic or pure research, seeks to extend the boundaries of knowledge in a given area with no necessary immediate application to existing