Research methodology can be defined as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information or facts on the specific topic.
In fact, it is an art of scientific information. Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge.
You can undertake research within most professions, more than a set of skills, it is a way of thinking, examining more critically the various aspects of your professional work.
When you say you are undertaking a research study to find answers to a question, you are implying that the process is being undertaken within a framework of a set of philosophies, uses procedures, methods, and techniques.
The word research is composed of two syllables, re and search.
Re is a prefix meaning again, a new & over again. Search is a verb, which means examine closely and carefully.
Together they describe a careful, systematic study and investigation in some field of knowledge undertaken to establish facts and principles.
It is an academic activity which can be also used in technical sense. The meaning of research is, “a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge”.
Definitions of Research
- According to Redman and Mory – A systematized effort to gain new knowledge.
- According to Clifford Woody – Research compromises defining and redefining problems, formulating a hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions.
- According to D.Slesinger – The manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art.
We can say that research is used to collect information & data for the purpose of making business decisions.
The research methodology may include publication research, interviews, surveys & other research techniques & could include both present & historical information.
In short, research refers to the systematic method of describing the problem clearly and precisely, formulating a hypothesis, collecting data and analyzing it and then reach a certain conclusion of a problem.
Characteristics of Research
Research is a process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information to answers. But to complete the process it must have certain characteristics, which are as follows:
Controlled
It means exploring casualty in the relation of two factors. In simpler words, it can be stated that one must set his study in such a way that minimizes the other factors affecting the relationship.
Rigorous
You must be careful in ensuring the procedures used to find the answers to the questions are relevant, justified & appropriate. The degree of rigor varies between physical and social science.
Systematic
The procedure adopted to take an investigation should follow a certain logical sequence. Some procedure must follow others.
Valid & verifiable
Whatever you conclude on the basis of your findings is correct and can be verified by you and others.
Empirical
Any conclusion drawn should be based on the data gathered from information based on life experiences or observations.
Critical
The process of investigation must be foolproof and free from drawbacks. The process adopted and the procedures used must be able to withstand critical scrutiny.
For a process to be called research, it is imperative that it has the above characteristics.
It is a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and create new knowledge that is generally applicable.
Scientific methods consist of systematic observation, classification, and interpretation of data.