CHAPTER-1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF RESEARCH 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.

1 INTRODUCTION: The pre-occupation with methodology is largely peculiar to any discipline of research, particularly in humanity and social science research in India. The first staging post in the life of a young academician is to produce some evidence of creativity. Not only can the route to this be taught, but also attempts to do so take away from the spirit of independent research. On the other hand, the young researchers need to be fitted out with the basic tools of analysis. Before analyzing the definitions of research, it is worthwhile to discuss some basic concepts related to decision-making. 1.2 CONCEPT OF DECISION-MAKING: For a common man, decision-making problem requires a choice among alternative course of action so as to achieve the objective(s). The word problem, in a general meaning, reflects that something has gone wrong. The elements of decision making process may be: The decision maker himself/herself Identification of the decision problem Identification of the source or the environment in which the problem exists and need solution Selecting some alternative courses of action among the feasible alternatives and The final selection of the choice of the alternatives Introduction Problems of decision-making Steps of decision-making process What is a research? Objectives of research Features of research Factors required for a scientific/good research Types of research Scopes of research Conclusion

1.3 STEPS OF DECISION-MAKING: Decision-making? Analyzing the Objectives Defining the Problem Identifying Possible Alternative Solutions Evaluating Alternative Course of Action Validation of the Results 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 Analyzing the Objectives: Defining the Problem: Identifying Possible Alternative Solutions:

1.3.4. Evaluating Alternative Course of Action: 1.3.5. Validation of the Results: 1.4 WHAT IS A RESEARCH? Research is a diligent enquiry and careful investigation for new knowledge through systematic, scientific and analytical approach in any branch of knowledge. Constant search and research are the guiding factors of research which helps to discover new facts (Kumar, 2002). The search for new knowledge also helps to accept or reject or modify existing fact or knowledge that is already available in the existing literature. M. H. Gopal opines as it is essentially a systematic inquiry seeking facts through objective verifiable methods in order to discover the relationship among them and to discover from them broad principles or laws. There exists large numbers of definitions in research literature defining the term research methodology. All the definitions are defined differently by different experts based on their need and requirements of their study. Few properties can be summarized from the existing definitions below:

(1) (2) (3)

Research is a scientific process. It leads towards the solution of an existing problem. It directs towards the development of new principles of theories or

modifies the existing literatures that will be helpful in predicting future occurrences. (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) It is based upon observable experiences or empirical evidence. The process of search for new knowledge demands accurate observations It involves gathering new data for new purposes. It is characterized by patience and unhurried activities. It is carefully recorded and reported. It is the task of experts or specialists in the related discipline of the study.

and descriptions of the fact(s).

(10) It is an intellectual task. 1.5 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH: Like that of every discussion, research is also having some basic objectives. The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the applications of scientific procedures. 1.6 FEATURES OF RESEARCH: Every research has its specific features or characteristics. Some important features are categrized below: 1. Research gathers or collects new knowledge or data from either primary or first hand sources and secondary or already existing sources. 2. The process of research is systematic and accurate. 3. Research secures experts or skilled personnels for any investigation. 1.7 FACTORS REQUIRE FOR A SCIENTIFIC/ GOOD RESEARCH: A good research follows the standards of the scientific methods. Hence, a research team while executing any research work should consider following factors carefully. 1.8 TYPES OF RESEARCH: Researches are of various types. It is basically categorized on the nature of work. Professor R. Panneerselvam has classified some important types of research. The summaries are as follows:

TYPES OF RESEARCH Exploratory Research Survey of Literature Experience Survey Study of Case Conclusive Research Descriptive Research Experimental Research Modeling Research Symbolic Model Mathematical Model Applied Research Fundamental Research

1.9 SCOPES OF RESEARCH: All human knowledge is the knowledge of men themselves, which are experienced from natural environment. Hence, the scope of research is to explore the hidden truth of human behaviour which can be classified into three major fields: 1.9.1 Natural Sciences or Physical Science Research 1.9.2 Social Science Research and 1.9.3 Management Research Barriers of Social Science Research: Balakrishnan (2008) argued that, in some ways, social science researchers in India have achieved a great deal. They have relatively little institutional responsibility, as many of the institutions have very little teaching to be done or nothing to be done at all. To him, as compared to social 4

scientists and management researchers in the IITs and IIMs, there is next to no administrative responsibility found any where. This frees up a great deal of research times, a luxury that researchers in the university system do not have. In this connection, researchers have to fix their research agenda and procedure by themselves. 1.9.3 Business Research: The overall goal in selecting basic business research is to get the most useful information to key decision makers in the most cost-effective and realistic fashion. The objective with which a business concern is established and run depends upon many factors. a. Marketing Research: Marketing has assumed such a great significance now a days that most corporate managements consider customers satisfaction as the only source of profitable operations. b. Research in Financial Management: Finance is the life blood of a business. Financial management is one of the most crucial functional areas of management, as the effectiveness of business enterprise significantly depends on the efficient utilization of its available financial resources. c. Research in Personnel Management: The human relations movement became popular in 1940s and early 1950s, when much attention began to be paid to workers needs and in realizing the importance of human beings in total productivity. d. Research in Production Management: The field of production management has since long been characterized the development of techniques and methods. It is only during the last twenty seven years that the personals involved in production management have witnessed development of the principles of systematic production planning and control. Presently, the experts are standing at the threshold of a break through on the development of production management as an applied science in the management literature. e. Research in Information Technology: Research in the areas of information technology is now concerned with the topics like Artificial Intelligence, DBMS, MIS, application of C-Programming, the competitive model for industrial structure analysis, business competitive environment, effective e-business strategy, corporate strategy, architecture and infrastructure management, International business, information

resources and technology management, planning and implementation of change management, etc. f. Research in Rural Management: Research in rural management is mainly concerned with the topics like analysis of rural economy, analysis of agricultural and non-agricultural sub sector, measures and determinants of rural management, strategies for sustainable management, policy instruments of rural management, equity and growth oriented programmes, rural marketing strategy, poverty and employment eradication management, natural resources and infrastructural management, financing rural management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation management etc. 1.10 CONCLUSIONS: This chapter analyses some important and basic concept of research, points out its objectives and importance in different fields of human behaviour. It also incorporates detailed analysis on various scopes of research in the field of natural sciences, social sciences and management sciences. Similarly, it also analyses some important principles of good research. SUMMARY: 1. The society and the organization always operate under some degree of uncertainty. This uncertainty cannot be eliminated completely, although it can be minimized with the help of research methodology. 2. The researcher while going for decision-making always gets confused thinking from where to start in order to identify the alternative. Systematic inquiry of the problem is a common and fundamental threat. The process of systematic inquiry requires careful planning of an orderly investigation. 3. Research in common context refers to a search for knowledge. It can also be defined as a scientific and systematic search for gaining information and knowledge on a specific topic or phenomena. 4. Research methodology in business and social sciences implies a detailed and systematic procedure of studying something related to business, trade and social aspects of human life i.e., solving the existing problem that has arisen in the society and economic environment for effective decision-making.

5. The scope of research is to explore the hidden truth of human behaviour which can be classified into three major fields: Natural Sciences or Physical science research; Social Science Research and Management Research. 6. The role of research has greatly increased in the field of business and society as a whole. The study of research methods provides us with the knowledge and skills that are needs to solve the problems and meet the challenges of todays modern pace of development.