CHAPTER ONE

Concepts of Scientific Research

1.1. The Concept of Research
The word “science” is derived from the Latin word “scientia” meaning knowledge. Science refers to a
systematic and organized body of knowledge in any area of inquiry that is acquired using “the scientific
method”. Science can be grouped into two broad categories: natural science and social science.
Scientific Research
Given that theories and observations are the two pillars of science, scientific research also operates
at two levels: a theoretical level and an empirical level. The theoretical level is concerned with
developing abstract concepts about a natural or social phenomenon and relationships between those
concepts (i.e., build “theories”), while the empirical level is concerned with testing the theoretical
concepts and relationships to see how well they match with our observations of reality, with the goal of
ultimately building better theories. Over time, a theory becomes more and more refined (i.e., fits the
observed reality better), and the science gains maturity. Scientific research involves continually moves back
and forth between theory and observations. Both theory and observations are essential components of
scientific research; for instance, relying solely on observations for making inferences and ignoring theory is
not considered acceptable scientific research.
What is Research?
Re ---------------- Search
• Re means (once more, afresh, anew) OR (back; with return to a previous state)
• Search means (look thorough or go over thoroughly to look something) OR (examine to find anything
concealed)
 Research is an Organized and Systematic way of Finding Answers to Questions.
SYSTEMATIC:- because there is a definite set of procedures and steps which you will follow. There
are certain things in the research process which are always done in order to get the most accurate results.
ORGANIZED:- in that there is a structure or method in going about doing research. It is a planned
procedure, not a spontaneous one. It is focused and limited to a specific scope.
FINDING ANSWERS:- is the end of all research. Whether it is the answer to a hypothesis or even a simple
question, research is successful when we find answers. Sometimes the answer is no, but it is still an answer.
QUESTIONS:- are central to research. If there is no question, then the answer is of no use. Research is
focused on relevant, useful, and important questions. Without a question, research has no focus, drive, or
purpose.
Defining Research:-
A collection of methods and methodologies that researchers apply systematically to produce
scientifically based knowledge about the social world. (Neuman)
Methodology:- Methodology & methods, two terms are often treated as synonyms. Methodology is
broader and envelops methods. It is understanding the social-organizational context, philosophical
assumptions, ethical principles and political issues of the enterprise of researchers who use methods.
Methods:- Methods are set of specific techniques for selecting cases, measuring and observing aspects
of social life, gathering and refining data, analyzing data and reporting on results.
 Research must be systematic and follow a series of steps and a rigid standard protocol. These
rules are broadly similar but may vary slightly between the different fields of science.
 Research is used as Basis of knowledge.
Alternative to Research
• Authority
• Tradition
• Common sense
• Media myths
• Personal experience
1). Authority:- When you accept something as true just because someone in a position of authority says
it is true or it is an authoritative publication, you are using authority as basis of knowledge.
Parents, Teachers, Books.
2). Tradition:- Tradition is a special case of authority-the authority of the past. It means you accept
something as being true because “it’s the way things have always been.
3). Common Sense:- You rely on what everyone knows and what “just makes sense”. It is about ordinary
reasoning. It can originate from tradition.
4). Media Myths:- Media tends to perpetuate the myths of a culture.
5). Personal Experience:- If something happens to you, if you personally experience it or see it, you
accept it as true.
1.1.2. Factors stimulating research:-
The external factors stimulating research are;
 Money
 Fame
 Deadlines
 Commitments
 Status
 Threats etc.
1.1.3. Purpose of Studying Research methods:-
 Find out truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered yet
 Gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it
 Portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group
 Determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with
something else
 Test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables
1.1.4. Importance of research:-
 Research corrects perceptions as well as expands them.
 Research gathers information on subjects or phenomena we lack or have little knowledge about.
 Research develops and evaluates concepts, practices and theories.
 Research also develops and evaluates methods that test concepts, practices and theories.
 Research obtains knowledge for practical purposes like solving problems on population explosion,
drug addiction, juvenile delinquency and the like.
 Research provides hard facts which serve as bases for planning, decision-making, project
implementation and evaluation.
1.1.5. Motivation for research:-
 Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits (academic research).
 Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e. concern over practical problems.
 Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
 Desire to be in service to society
 Desire to get respectability
  Directives of governments
 Employment conditions (employed as a researcher)
 Curiosity about new things, etc.
1.1.6. Managerial value of research:-
We have argued that research facilitates effective management. “Research is fundamental to everything we
do.” Managers in other functional areas have similar beliefs about research in their specialties. The prime
managerial value of business research is that it reduces uncertainty by providing information that improves
the decision making process. The decision making process associated with the development and
implementation of a strategy involves three interrelated stages.
1. Identifying problems or opportunities
2. Selecting and implementing a course of action
3. Evaluating the course of action
Business research, by supplying managers with pertinent information, may play an important role by
reducing managerial uncertainty in each of these stages.
1.1.7. Characteristics of good research:-
1) Controlled:- The research problem should not be affected or influenced by external factors
(i.e. variables other than the participating facts).
2) Rigorous:- The procedures followed to find answers to questions should be relevant, appropriate &
justified. But the degree of rigorous may vary from one problem to another problem.
3) Systematic:- The investigation should follow a certain logical sequence (Not in a haphazard
manner)
4) Valid & Verifiable:- The findings should be valid & can be verified by you or others at any time.
6) Empirical:- The conclusions drawn should be based on hard evidence, gathered from real life
experiences or observations.
7) Critical:- The process of investigation must be fool proof and free from drawbacks. The process
adapted and the procedures used must be able to withstand any critical scrutiny.
1.2. Types of Research:-
Research can be classified from the deferent view point or perspectives.
1) From the view point of application, research can be;
a. Pure Research or
b. Applied Research
2) From the view point of objective, research can be;
a. Descriptive
b. Correlative
c. Exploratory
d. Explanatory
3) From the view point of Inquiry mode, research can be;
a. Quantitative Research
b. Qualitative Research
1) Pure Research: (Basic or Fundamental Research)
Gathering, knowledge is termed as ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research. Just to gather knowledge in order to formulate
or generalize theories or policies.
Eg) Research on mathematics.
This type of research adds knowledge to the already existing organized body.
2) Applied Research: To find an immediate solution for a pressing practical problem.
Eg: Social, Economic and political trends prevailing in a country.