Research Methodology

Unit I

Introduction to Research: Nature and Scope, Problem Formulation and Statement of Research Objectives. Research Process & Research Designs - Exploratory, Descriptive and Causal Research Designs, Quantitative and Qualitative Research, Characteristics of Good Research. Brief Introduction to Business Research Process.

Unit-II

Steps in Business Research Process - I:

1.       Problem Identification / Problem Statement

2.       Review of Literature (Including Citation and Bibliography / References).

3.       Research Questions & Research Objectives

4.       Hypothesis Formulation

5.       Research Design

Exploratory Research Design:

Qualitative Research: Observation, Focus Group, Depth Interview, Projective Techniques.

Unit-III

Conclusive Research Design:

Quantitative Research:

Descriptive Research – Survey, Survey Methods. Causal Research – Experimentation – Labs v/s Field Experiments, With and Without Control, Before and After.

Steps in Business Research Process - II:

6.       Sampling Design – Probabilistic and Non-probabilistic Sampling.

7.       Sources of Data – Primary and Secondary Measurement and Scaling. Validity and Reliability. Questionnaire Designing.

Unit-IV

Steps in Business Research Process - III:

8.       Data Preparation – Preliminary Questionnaire Screening, Editing, Coding and Data Entry (Using Statistical Software).

9.       Research Writing: - Research Proposal Synopsis, Research Report

Unit-V

Practical:

A group of two students (Maximum) has to work on a Minor Research Project on the topic selected from the beginning of the semester in line with all the steps of Research Design starting from Identification of Research Problem to Findings & Conclusion and has to submit a Report to the concerned faculty member.