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International Journal of Research and Reviewwww.ijrrjournal.comE-ISSN: 2349-9788; P-ISSN: 2454-2237Review ArticleExploring Research Methodology: Review ArticleMimansha Patel1, Nitin Patel212Executive QA, Department of Quality Assurance, Mylan Laboratories Ltd. Sarigam,Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Government Engineering College Valsad, IndiaCorresponding Author: Mimansha PatelABSTRACTResearch methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood asa science of studying how research is done scientifically. In it we study the various steps that aregenerally 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 themethodology. Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain indices or tests, how tocalculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standard deviation or chi-square, how to applyparticular research techniques, but they also need to know which of these methods or techniques, arerelevant and which are not, and what would they mean and indicate and why. Researchers also need tounderstand the assumptions underlying various techniques and they need to know the criteria bywhich they can decide that certain techniques and procedures will be applicable to certain problemsand others will not. All this means that it is necessary for the researcher to design his methodology forhis problem as the same may differ from problem to problem.Keywords: Research, Methodology, Research Methodology, Research Techniques, Qualitativeresearch, Quantitative ResearchINTRODUCTIONResearch in common parlance refersto a search for knowledge. Once can alsodefine research as a scientific andsystematic search for pertinent informationon a specific topic. In fact, research is an artof scientific investigation. The AdvancedLearner‟s Dictionary of Current Englishlays down the meaning of research as “acareful investigation or inquiry speciallythrough search for new facts in any branchof knowledge.” [1] Redman and Mory defineresearch as a “systematized effort to gainnew knowledge.” [2]Methodology is the systematic,theoretical analysis of the methods appliedto a field of study. It comprises thetheoretical analysis of the body of methodsand principles associated with a branch ofknowledge. Typically, it encompassesconcepts such as paradigm, theoreticalmodel, phases and quantitative or qualitativetechniques. [3]Research Methodology is science ofstudying how research is done scientifically.A way to systematically solve the researchproblem by logically adopting various steps.Methodology helps to understand not onlythe products of scientific inquiry but theprocess itself. Research Methodology aimsto describe and analyze methods, throwlight on their limitations and resources,clarify their limitations and es, relating their potentialities tothe twilight zone at the „frontiers ofknowledge‟. [4]Objectives of ResearchInternational Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com)Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 201948
Mimansha Patel et.al. Exploring Research Methodology: Review ArticleThe purpose of research is to discoveranswers to questions through the applicationof scientific procedures. The main aim ofresearch is to find out the truth which ishidden and which has not been discoveredas yet. Though each research study has itsown specific purpose, we may think ofresearch objectives as falling into a numberof following broad groupings:1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon orto achieve new insights into it (studies withthis object in view are termed as exploratoryor formulative research studies);2. To portray accurately the characteristicsof a particular individual, situation or agroup (studies with this object in view areknown as descriptive research studies);3. To determine the frequency with whichsomething occurs or with which it isassociated with something else (studies withthis object in view are known as diagnosticresearch studies);4. To test a hypothesis of a causalrelationship between variables (such studiesare known as hypothesis-testing researchstudies). [5]Types of ResearchResearch can be classified on thebasis of time, purpose, settings, place andtechnique.Someresearcheshavesimilarities and some have little variations.But all the types of research have its ownsignificance.Basic Research: It is also called as pureresearch. Research for the sake ofenhancement of knowledge is termed asBasic Research. It is done with the intentionof overpowering of the unknown facts. It isconcerned with the generalizations and alsowith the formulation of new theory. Basicresearch may not produce solutions orresults to the present problem but itcontributes something to the scientificknowledge. Though its work may have zeroimportance, but it may become useful in thefuture.Applied Research: It is also called aspractical research or „need based‟ research.The main intention is to find solutions to thecurrent problems being faced by aninstitution, society, business or ingovernment offices. Research to identifysocial, political and economic changes,which has adverse effects in differentsectors are some of the examples of appliedresearch. This type of research is mainlycarried on with the secondary data.Empirical Research: It is often referred toas experimental research. In this primarydata is collected, analyzed, interpretation isdone and subjected to hypothesis testing.Researcher should develop his experimentaldesigns and should provide workinghypothesis before the commencement of hisresearch for good output.Qualitative Research: As the name itselfsuggests, this research is concerned with thequalitative process. It generally works withthe study of human behavior. By thisresearch one can find the body language,attitude, opinions, feelings etc. from theopposite person through observation. It ismainly helpful for Psychiatrists andinterviewers. Many techniques are beingused like word association test, sentencecompletion, drawing pictures, ThematicApperception Test. It is needed in timeswhere quantitative research does not work.Hence, it is also called as „MotivationResearch‟.Quantitative Research: This research ismainly concerned with the measurement ofphenomenon in terms of quantity. Many atimes a debate is conducted betweenqualitative and quantitative terms. Anexample for the quantitative research iscarrying out senses for collectingpopulation, social, economic statistics of aparticular area. They are subjected tostatistical analysis. It relays mainly onprimary data like survey method andquestionnaire method. However, one canobserve the inter-dependence between oneanother.Descriptive Research: As the name itselfindicates, this research directly deals withdescription. It includes different datacollection like survey method and factfinding techniques. The main character ofInternational Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com)Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 201949
Mimansha Patel et.al. Exploring Research Methodology: Review Articlethis research is that, the researcher does nothave control over the variables. He shoulddescribe what has happened and what ishappening. Most Ex post facto projects usedescriptive research.Some other types of research: Apart fromthe above types of research, there are manyother classifications likeLongitudinal Research which is spreadover for a long period of time. In thischange takes place gradually.Historical Research which is concernedwith the collecting of auto biographies,letters, documents, enquiries for knowingthe past.Simulation Research deals with thecreation of an artificial environment whichis quite similar to real environment.Depending upon the need of the situationwe can create and adjust to it. [6]Significance of Research It helps in framing of policies: Researchhelps in the framing of variousgovernment policies. Nearly all thegovernment policies and budgets areplanned and executed through researchwith the help of researcher. Annualbudget, monthly budget, monetary andeconomic policies are all framed by thegovernment. The government is assistedby various organizations for framing thepolicies through research. Basic aim is to gain knowledge: It leadsto many ideas and changes old facts. It is used in business organization: Manybusiness companies hire researcher towork on various things. It is used instudying the changes taking place in themarket. It helps in capital budgeting, taxmanagement and cost saving policies. It leads to discovery and innovation ofunknown facts and unexplored theories.It leads to the growth of the society andits citizens. It gives chance to theresearcher to go deep into the subjectand to innovate it. It avoids superstitious beliefs, myths andprejudices: Many people are still notaware of the research activities and itsimportance. Many ancient beliefs and myths have been proven wrong with thehelp of research.It leads to development of social welfareand society.It is useful for PhD students to writetheir thesis.Thus, Research is a fountain of knowledge,which helps in solving all tious beliefs and helps in thedevelopment and maturity of society and itscitizens. [6]Research Process:1. Formulating the research problem:There are two types of researchproblems, viz., those which relate tostates of nature and those which relate torelationships between variables. At thevery outset the researcher must singleout the problem he wants to study, i.e.,he must decide the general area ofinterest or aspect of a subject-matter thathe would like to inquire into. Initiallythe problem may be stated in a broadgeneral way and then the ambiguities, ifany, relating to the problem be resolved.Then, the feasibility of a particularsolution has to be considered before aworking formulation of the problem canbe set up. The formulation of a generaltopic into a specific research problem,thus, constitutes the first step in ascientific enquiry. Essentially two stepsare involved in formulating the researchproblem, viz., understanding theproblem thoroughly, and rephrasing thesame into meaningful terms from ananalytical point of view.2. Extensive literature survey: Once theproblem is formulated, a brief summaryof it should be written down. It iscompulsory for a research workerwriting a thesis for a Ph.D. degree towrite a synopsis of the topic and submitit to the necessary Committee or theResearch Board for approval. At thisjuncture the researcher should undertakeextensive literature survey connectedInternational Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com)Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 201950
Mimansha Patel et.al. Exploring Research Methodology: Review Articlewith the problem. For this purpose, theabstracting and indexing journals andpublished or unpublished bibliographiesare the first place to go to. Academicjournals,conferenceproceedings,government reports, books etc., must betapped depending on the nature of theproblem. In this process, it should beremembered that one source will lead toanother. The earlier studies, if any,which are similar to the study in handshould be carefully studied. A goodlibrary will be a great help to theresearcher at this stage. [5]3. Developing a working hypothesis: Aresearch in any field of study do not giveproper results unless and until wedevelop a working hypothesis. It is atentative statement or assumptionregarding the solution to the problem ofstudy. It is an assumption which is usedto draw the logical consequences. It isthe key point of study and hence itshould be limited and should containmuch knowledge. It is helpful forresearcher for predictions and alsomaintains complete focus on the study.It should be precise and clearly defined.It gives an idea of the type of data to beused and type of method or techniquesfor the study. In some research activitieslikeexploratory orformulative,hypothesis is not used for testing. [6]4. Preparing the research design: Theresearchproblemhavingbeenformulated in clear cut terms, theresearcher will be required to prepare aresearch design, i.e., he will have tostate the conceptual structure withinwhich research would be conducted. Thepreparation of such a design facilitatesresearch to be as efficient as possibleyielding maximal information. In otherwords, the function of research design isto provide for the collection of relevantevidence with minimal expenditure ofeffort, time and money. But how allthese can be achieved depends mainlyon the research purpose. Researchpurposes may be grouped into fourcategories, viz., (i) Exploration, (ii)Description, (iii) Diagnosis, and (iv)Experimentation. A flexible researchdesign which provides opportunity forconsidering many different aspects of aproblem is considered appropriate if thepurpose of the research study is that ofexploration. But when the purposehappens to be an accurate description ofa situation or of an association betweenvariables, the suitable design will be onethat minimises bias and maximises thereliability of the data collected andanalysed. There are several researchdesigns, such as, experimental and nonexperimentalhypothesistesting.Experimental designs can be eitherinformal designs (such as before-andafter without control, after-only withcontrol, before-and-after with control) orformal designs (such as completelyrandomized design, randomized blockdesign, Latin square design, simple andcomplex factorial designs), out of whichthe researcher must select one for hisown project. The preparation of theresearch design, appropriate for aparticular research problem, involvesusually the consideration of thefollowing: (i) the means of obtaining theinformation; (ii) the availability andskills of the researcher and his staff (ifany); (iii) explanation of the way inwhich selected means of obtaininginformation will be organised and thereasoning 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: Theresearcher must decide the way ofselecting a sample or what is popularlyknown as the sample design. In otherwords, a sample design is a definite plandetermined before any data are actuallycollected for obtaining a sample from agiven population. A brief mention of theimportant sample designs is as follows: Deliberate sampling Simple random samplingInternational Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com)Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 201951
Mimansha Patel et.al. Exploring Research Methodology: Review Article 6.Systematic samplingStratified samplingQuota samplingCluster sampling and area samplingMulti-stage samplingSequential sampling [5]Collecting the data: The method ofgathering or collecting the data isplanned in data collection design. Thereare many types for collecting the data.The two types of collecting data arePrimary data and Secondary data.Some of the important methods forcollecting the Primary data are as follows:Questionnaire: The method of collectingdata in vast geographical areas is donethrough Questionnaire method. Hencequestionnaires are mailed to the researchareas and they are distributed among therespondents. It is a time saving andeconomical method but the main drawbackis that the answers given by the respondentsare not accurate.Interview: The investigators prepare a set ofquestions and ask them in a serial vise to therespondents. There are different types ofinterview like personal, group, mock andtelephone interview. It is fast procedure. Wecan get extra information which is related tothe topic. But it is costly. Some respondentsmay try to hide some answers. It savesmuch time of the investigator.Observation: This is also one type ofcollecting data primarily. In this researcherobserves the day to day process of thesociety or a single person. Sometimesresearcher has to involve in the process. Itdiscovers the human behavior of therespondent. No doubt this method is costeffective but the data collected is alsolimited. It can‟t predict the happenings ofthe future.Secondary data can be collected throughbooks, published articles, internet andsyndicate services. Syndicate services arecompanies which collect and sell data tovarious people who are in need. It is suitablefor researcher who wants to survey on largepopulation. The disadvantage of this methodis that the researcher will not enjoy extrainformation and it is very costly.7. Though the data can be collected in ashort span of time but the accuracycannot be stated. [6]Execution of the project: After preparing agood design for the process of research, theresearcher should move on to the next stepof execution. From this stage the researcherstarts executing the research design.Training should be given to the surveyorsand a working manual should be given tothem. The collection of data should becarefully handled. [6]8. Analysis of data: Soon after thecollection of data, the researcher turns tothe process of analyzing the collecteddata. The raw data will be tuned. Thereare many things used for analysis likecoding, tabulation, editing and statisticalanalysis. Data will be collected in theform of questionnaires or schedules.Hence the data collected in short formswill be elaborated through coding.Editing can be done at the time ofcollecting or collecting the data.Through editing the researcher removesall the mistakes in the project. It will bepolished. Through tabulation theresearchers do the work of preparing thetables.9. Hypothesis-testing: After analysing thedata as stated above, the researcher is ina position to test the hypotheses, if any,he had formulated earlier. Do the factssupport the hypotheses or they happen tobe contrary? This is the usual questionwhich should be answered while testinghypotheses. Various tests, such as Chisquare test, t-test, F-test, have beendeveloped by statisticians for thepurpose. The hypotheses may be testedthrough the use of one or more of suchtests, depending upon the nature andobject of research inquiry. Hypothesistesting will result in either accepting thehypothesis or in rejecting it. If theresearcher had no hypotheses to startwith, generalisations established on thebasis of data may be stated asInternational Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com)Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 201952
Mimansha Patel et.al. Exploring Research Methodology: Review Articlehypotheses to be tested by subsequentresearches in times to come.10. Generalisations and interpretation: Ifa hypothesis is tested and upheld severaltimes, it may be possible for theresearcher to arrive at generalisation,i.e., to build a theory. As a matter offact, the real value of research lies in itsabilitytoarriveatcertaingeneralisations. If the researcher had nohypothesis to start with, he might seek toexplain his findings on the basis of sometheory. It is known as interpretation. Theprocess of interpretation may quite oftentrigger off new questions which in turnmay lead to further researches.11. Preparation of the report or thethesis: Finally, the researcher has toprepare the report of what has been doneby him. Writing of report must be donewith great care keeping in view thefollowing: 1. The layout of the reportshould be as follows: (i) the preliminarypages; (ii) the main text, and (iii) the endmatter. In its preliminary pages thereport should carry title and datefollowed by acknowledgements andforeword. Then there should be a tableof contents followed by a list of tablesand list of graphs and charts, if any,given in the report. The main text of thereport should have the following parts:(a) Introduction: It should contain aclear statement of the objective of theresearch and an explanation of themethodology adopted in accomplishingthe research. The scope of the studyalong with various limitations should aswell be stated in this part. (b) Summaryof findings: After introduction therewould appear a statement of findingsand recommendations in non-technicallanguage. If the findings are extensive,they should be summarised. (c) Mainreport: The main body of the reportshould be presented in logical sequenceandbroken-downintoreadilyidentifiable sections. (d) Conclusion:Towards the end of the main text,researcher should again put down theresults of his research clearly andprecisely. In fact, it is the final summingup.Research ApproachResearch approach can be divided into threetypes:1. Deductive Research approach2. Inductive Research approach3. Abductive Research approachThe relevance of hypotheses to thestudy is the main distinctive point betweendeductive and inductive approaches.Deductive approach tests the validity ofassumptions (or theories/hypotheses) inhand,whereasinductiveapproachcontributes to the emergence of newtheories and generalizations. Abductiveresearch, on the other hand, starts with„surprising facts‟ or „puzzles‟ and theresearch process is devoted theirexplanation. [7]In Deductive Research Approach ifyou have formulated a set of hypotheses foryour dissertation that need to be confirmedor rejected during the research process youwould be following a deductive approach.Alternatively, inductive approach does notinvolve formulation of hypotheses. It startswith research questions and aims andobjectives that need to be achieved duringthe research process. In abductive approach,the research process is devoted toexplanation of „incomplete observations‟,„surprising facts‟ or „puzzles‟ specified. [7]Major Changes in Research Environment InformationTechnologiesinResearch: The continued exponentialrise in the power of information andcomputing technologies has had adramatic impact on research acrossmany disciplines. These technologieshave not only increased the speed andscope of research but have made itpossible to conduct investigations thatwere not possible before. Informationtechnology advances have enabled newforms of inquiry such as those based onnumerical simulation of physical andbiological systems and the analysis ofInternational Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com)Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 201953
Mimansha Patel et.al. Exploring Research Methodology: Review Article massive datasets to detect and assess thenature of relationships that otherwisewould go unseen.The Globalization of Research:Because knowledge passes freely acrossnational borders, scientific research hasalways been an international endeavor.But this internationalization hasintensified over the past two decades.Nations have realized that they cannotexpect to benefit from the globalresearch enterprise without nationalresearch systems that can absorb andbuild on that knowledge. As a result,they have incorporated science andtechnology into national plans and haveestablished goals for increased R&Dinvestments.Relevance of Research Results toPolicy and Political Debates: Researchalso comes into play in debates anddecisions over numerous contentiouspolicy issues. Science is not the onlyfactor in these discussions. Manyconsiderations outside of scienceinfluence policy choices, such aspersonal and political beliefs, lessonsfromexperience,trial-and-errorlearning, and reasoning by analogy. Tocontribute to public policy decisions,researchers must be able to separatetheir expertise as scientists from theirviews as advocates for particular publicpolicy positions. [8]Criteria of Good ResearchWhatever may be the types of researchworks and studies, one thing that isimportant is that they all meet on thecommon ground of scientific methodemployed by them. One expects scientificresearch to satisfy the following criteria:1. The purpose of the research should beclearly defined and common concepts beused.2. The research procedure used should bedescribed in sufficient detail to permitanother researcher to repeat the research forfurther advancement, keeping the continuityof what has already been attained.3. The procedural design of the researchshould be carefully planned to yield resultsthat are as objective as possible.4. The researcher should report withcomplete frankness, flaws in proceduraldesign and estimate their effects upon thefindings.5. The analysis of data should besufficiently adequate to reveal itssignificance and the methods of analysisused should be appropriate. The validity andreliability of the data should be checkedcarefully.6. Conclusions should be confined to thosejustified by the data of the research andlimited to those for which the data providean adequate basis.7. Greater confidence in research iswarranted if the researcher is experienced,has a good reputation in research and is aperson of integrity. [5]CONCLUSIONResearch is a voyage of discovery; ajourney; an attitude; an experience; amethod of critical thinking; an activitycaused by instinct of inquisitiveness to gainfreshinsight/findanswerstoquestion/acquire knowledge.REFERENCES1. The Advanced Learner‟s Dictionary ofCurrent English, Oxford, 1952.2. L.V. Redman and A.V.H. Mory, TheRomance of Research, 1923.3. Irny, S.I. and Rose, A.A. (2005)“Designing a Strategic InformationSystems Planning Methodology forMalaysian Institutes of Higher Learning(isp- ipta), Issues in Information System,Volume VI, No. 1, 2005.4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/39168208 Research Methodology Part 1 Introduction to Research Research Methodology.5. C.R. Kothari, Research MethodologyMethods and Techniques, ISBN (13):978-81-224-2488-1, 2004.6. Pavan G. K. and Dr. NagarekhaKulkarni, Review Article on ResearchInternational Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com)Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 201954
Mimansha Patel et.al. Exploring Research Methodology: Review ArticleMethodology, International journal ofinnovative research and development,Vol. 3 Issue 7, 2014.7. Bryman A. & Bell, E. “BusinessResearch Methods” 4th edition, OxfordUniversity Press, 2015.8. The National Academies of SciencesEngineeringMedicine,FosteringIntegrity in Research, 2017.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.******International Journal of Research & Review (www.ijrrjournal.com)Vol.6; Issue: 3; March 201955
International Journal of Researc h & 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
