WEAK 1. Introdcution to Research Methods

Zulfiqar Ali, Ph.D

Assistant Professor of Statistics, CSS, University of the Punjab, Lahore

September 3 & 5, 2023

Introduction

Research is a term often used in various contexts, but it carries a distinctive and profound meaning within the realms of academia and scientific inquiry. In this weak, we will explore the multifaceted dimensions of research, from its fundamental definition to its significance in advancing knowledge and human understanding.

Definition of Research:

Research is a systematic process of gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating information to gain a deeper understanding of a subject, solve a problem, or answer a specific question.

Research is a methodical and organized approach to uncover new knowledge, validate existing theories, or test hypotheses. Research is not limited to any one field;

Research is a universal tool used in science, social sciences, humanities, business, and countless other domains.

Defining Research in various perspective:

Common Understanding: In everyday language, research is often seen as a search for knowledge. It is the chasing of answers to questions, the search for information, or the exploration of the unknown.

A Scientific and Systematic Endeavor: Research, in its essence, is a scientific and systematic search for chasing information on a specific topic. It uses careful methods to collect and understand data..

A Careful Investigation: The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English defines research as “a careful investigation or inquiry, especially through the search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”

The Art of Scientific Investigation: Research can be viewed as the art of scientific investigation, where curiosity, methodological correctness, and systematic analysis converge to uncover new insights and facts.

Research as a Voyage of Discovery:

** Movement from Known to Unknown**: Some liken research to a journey, a movement from the known to the unknown.

The Academic Nature of Research:

Research as an Academic Activity: Research is firmly rooted in the academic world. It embodies a systematic and scholarly approach to acquiring knowledge.

Clifford Woody’s Framework: Clifford Woody defines research as a comprehensive process that includes defining and redefining problems, formulating hypotheses, collecting and evaluating data, making deductions, reaching conclusions, and testing those conclusions against the initial hypotheses.

D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson’s Perspective: According to D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson, research involves manipulating things, concepts, or symbols to extend, correct, or verify knowledge, whether for the advancement of theory or practical applications.

Advancing Knowledge and Contributing to Theory:

An Original Contribution: Research is a valuable contribution to the existing pool of knowledge. It seeks to advance human understanding by adding new information, insights, and perspectives.

The Pursuit of Truth: Research is a noble pursuit of truth. It relies on methods such as study, observation, comparison, and experimentation to uncover facts and enhance comprehension.

Systematic Generalization and Theory Formulation: The systematic approach of research involves generalization and theory formulation. It strives to create structured frameworks that explain and predict phenomena.

OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or formulative research studies);

To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group (studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies);

To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else (studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research studies);

To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies)

The Scope of Research:

Advancement of Knowledge: Research contributes to the expansion of human knowledge, adding to our understanding of the world around us.

Problem Solving: It helps in finding solutions to real-world problems, from medical breakthroughs to environmental issues.

Decision-Making: Research provides data and evidence that inform decision-making processes in business, government, and everyday life.

Validation: It allows us to validate existing theories and hypotheses, ensuring the reliability of our knowledge.

MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH

1. Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;

2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical problems initiates research

3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;

4. Desire to be of service to society;

5. Desire to get respectability.

Many more factors such as directives of government, employment conditions, curiosity about new things, desire to understand causal relationships, social thinking and awakening, and the like may as well motivate (or at times compel) people to perform research operations.