Introduction to Research

"Research is formalized curiosity."

According to Sekaram (2000), Research is the process of finding solution to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of the situational factors. According to Singh (2006), Research is a process of which a person observes a phenomena again and again and collects the data on the basis of data he draws some conclusion. While comparing these two definitions; the best definition is by Sekaran. Hence the research is a formal, intensive and systematic process of analysis to obtain more solutions to solve a particular problem. 

In management perspective research is a study or analysis of issues involved in some research activity as they make decisions at the organization. A researcher can finally come to a decision based on the evidence collected and involves original work  in place of personal opinion. (Ariola, 2006). The Lecturer Mr. Rehan to give an idea to students  about the good / bad decisions did an activity using 3 cars where there is a danger something like a drain. And 1st car crashed as that couldn't see because of dim lights, 2nd car had lights which symbolized the danger and stopped before the danger. 3rd car got all the collect details based on the new technology as it had satellite capability. So based on the activity author understood that external factors and right technology any person can make best decision where this is known as state of nature. If the prediction is near to actual the decision is good. This emphasis Right information leads right decision statement well.  

Nature of Data to be collected

- Primary Data
According to Sekaram (2000), Primary data is collected by researcher through surveys, interviews, observations. Provides most accurate information which is up to date.

- Secondary Data

According to Sekaram (2000), Secondary data is the data that has been collected by someone else as primary data for him. Researches reuse these data for there research document productivity as its easier and less expensive to collect. 

Along with the research author finally came to a judgement which elaborates Primary data is the first hand information collected by a researcher. Where as Secondary Data refers to data already collected.

Types of research methodology

1. Pure Research:- This is known as basic or fundamental research that involves systematic or methodological knowledge without any application to increase the understanding of basic principles (Sekaram,2000). This can be used to rise curiosity . 

2. Applied Research:- This involves systematic and methodical results for knowledge with a specific application to solve practical problem (Sekaram,2000). 

3. Deductive Research:- Based on the previous research work BIT students conduct this kinds of projects. 

4. Exploratory Research:- This is conducted for a problem that hasn't clearly defined and no body hasn't done this still (Htm.uoguelph, 2012). 

Research Process

The step by step procedure of locating information for a research on a particular topic. This has a start and end with many stages in between (Edison,2012). This is the style of presenting of a research project. 

According to Edison (2012), the research includes the steps below.

Step 1: Determining Research Needs

Step 2: Defining a Research Topic

Step 3: Developing a Search Strategy

Step 4: Conducting the Search

Step 5: Evaluating Resources

Step 6: Citing Resources

Also as a summary the idea is as following.

- Where is the problem area?

- Gather Information

- Analyze data

- Determine factors that are associated with problems

- Solve it by taking necessary collective measures

To complete the research means when looking whether what you have done is correct you need to use the backward of the process.

Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research

According to Copernicusconsulting (2007), opinions of other people assist to produce hard facts and statistics regarding a problem by conducting survey, interviews and questionnaires.  As an example this may help a small organization to improve the products and services with the statistics collected and also crating graphs using excel, spss etc. The consistent results make sure that the problem is this and to set a target to achieve that in future to develop the company. The exact value is producing here.

 In relation to Simplypsychology (2008), numerical values collected are useful to make a measurement on a particular issue by calculating the rank for the respondents. These research designs can be descriptive or experimental.

According to both definitions authors opinion is that quantitative research is statistically valid it contains objective hard data with the numerical values and also these values can be interpreted using graphs. 

Qualitative Research

According to Qsrinternational(2012), Qualitative research is facts about the people’s opinions and motivations and feelings which is not in a numerical format. It is difficult and need more accurate information from the responded person.  

Face to face interviews, group discussions are the examples to get deeper information to develop new products (Copernicusconsulting, 2007).This uses unstructured and semi-structured data collection technique and there is few non representative cases as this is more subjective. 

According to both definitions authors opinion is that Qualitative research us useful for individual level examinations like case studies than quantitative research because this is subjective. This has the ability of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data by observing what people do and say. 

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Why do people research?
As alzheimer-europe(2012) states, research is designed to solve an existing problem by gathering information and finally making a decision. To conduct research time, effort,cost is needed with useful, meaningful evidence which supports to the problem. Sometimes challenge to find new things with the help of new things and also to improve knowledge. Research is not just for scientists but also to each field individuals.


Why managers should know about research?
Knowledge of research help managers to planning, decision making in the organization as well as to generate viable alternatives for effective decision making. Also to perform well in the business competition, calculate market shares and fulfill the customer needs. 

Importance of Knowing How Research is Done

 While doing a research its best to guarantee that relationship with student and supervisor to build a demand for the research conducted. Also it’s strength till the completion of the project.  Logical flow of research practices students in collecting data using suitable techiniqures and also to prepare questionnaires, interviews. 

15-11-2012 & 16-11-2012

 If a person knows to carry out a research then anytime he/she can get hands on to any area by judging the regular life experience (Kothari ,2004). This make possible for us in making decisions concerning problems facing in practical life in different angels. Also facilitate to make use of life objectively.

A person who is looking for a career in research field the best is to know about the research methodology technique to conduct the new research (Kothari ,2004). The researcher can understand the logic behind the problem.

Reference:-

Copernicusconsulting (2007) Design Research and Ethnography. [online] Available at: http://copernicusconsulting.net/qualitative-versus-quantitative-research/  [Accessed: 12 Nov 2012].

Edison (2012) Lesson 2: What is the Research Process?. [online] Available at: http://www.edison.edu/library/researchskills/Unit1/2ResearchProcess.php  [Accessed: 12 Nov 2012].

Htm.uoguelph(2012) Exploratory Research. [online] Available at: http://www.htm.uoguelph.ca/MJResearch/ResearchProcess/ExploratoryResearch.htm  [Accessed: 12 Nov 2012].

Qsrinternational (2012) What is Qualitative Research?. [online] Available at: http://www.qsrinternational.com/what-is-qualitative-research.aspx  [Accessed: 12 Nov 2012].

Sekaran, U. (2000). Research methods for business: a skill-building approach. New York: Wiley.P.1 - 57.

Simplypsychology (2008) Qualitative Quantitative. [online] Available at: http://www.simplypsychology.org/qualitative-quantitative.html  [Accessed: 12 Nov 2012].

Singh, Y. K. (2006). Fundamental of research methodology and statistics. New Delhi: New Age International. . P.2.

Ariola, M. (2006). Principles and Methods of Research. [Online] Malina: Rex Book Store Inc. p.2. Available at: http://books.google.lk/books?id=zRY6xxaeyOwC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=decision&f=false  [Accessed: 12th November 2012].

Kothari , C.R. (2004) Research methodology methods & techniques. New Delhi: New Age International Pvt. Ltd, p.10.

Alzheimer-europe (2012) Why do we need research? - Participating in research - Understanding dementia research - Research - Alzheimer Europe. [online] Available at: http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Research/Understanding-dementia-research/Participating-in-research/Why-do-we-need-research   [Accessed: 13 Nov 2012].