Research Process

Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps:-

A brief description of these steps is as follows-

1.Formulation

2.Review of Literature

3.Formulation of hypothesis

4.Research Design

5.Determining Sample design

6.Collection of Data

7.Execution of project

8.Analysis of Hypothesis

9.Testing of Hypothesis

10.Generations and Interpretations

11.Preparation of Research Report

1.Formulation  of research problem-

the first step in any research is to formulate a research problem

There are basically 2 steps of research problem:

1.problem which relates to state of nature.

2.problem which relates to relationship between variables

At the very beginning researcher must identity the problem be wants to study.

Essentially two steps are involve in formulation a research problem

1.Understanding the problem thoroughly and the best way of it is to discuss it with ones own colleagues or the experts in that matter.

2.Rephrasing the problem in to meaningful terms from an analytical point of view.
2.Review of Literature-

 After the problem is formulated, a brief summary of it should be written down and this summary is known as synopsis an for getting phd degree it is necessary to submit it to the committee or research board for approval. At this time the researcher should undertake extensive literature survey connected

with the problem. For this purpose journals and published / unpublished bibliographies are first place to go to. The other things that can be referred are academic journals, conference proceedings, Government reports, books, internet sites etc.

3.Formulation of Hypothesis-

 After extensive literature survey, the next step is to formulate working hypothesis. Hypothesis is a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical consequences. Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand because it has to be tested. The role of hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track. It sharpens the thinking of researcher & focuses attention on more important facts of the problem.

4.Preparation of Research Design-

The next step is to prepare a conceptual structure within which research would be conducted. The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant information and evidence with minimum expenditure of effort , time and money.

research objective / purpose may be grouped into 4 categories..

1.Exploration

2.Description 

3.Diagnosis

4.Experimental/Hypothesis

The research design should be flexible and it should provide apportunity for considering many different aspects of a problem fit is of exploratory nature.
The following points should be considered while preparing a research design:
1.The means of obtaining information.
2.The availability and skill of researcher and his staff.
3.The time available for research.
4.The cost factor relating to research i.e finance available for research . There are number of research design such as: Experiment and non Experiment research design.
5.Determining Sample Design:-
All the items under consideration in any field of enquiry or research constitute a universe or population. If all these items are included in our study then it is known as census method of enquiry.
For example
1.Random Sampling
2.Systematic Sampling
3.Stratified Sampling
Non probability samples are those in which there is some bias on the part of researcher.
6.Collection of Data:-
For carreing out any research successfully data collected should be adequate and should be based on nature of enquiry.
There are several ways of collecting data and these differ on the basis of time cost money cost and other resources at the disposal of research.
The data to be collected is of 2 types.
1.Primary data is data which is collected for the first time by researcher himself.
2.Secondary data is data which has been collected by someone else earlier and is used by research for his research.
7.Execution of Project:-
It is a very important step in research process. The data collected would be adequate and dependable if project is executed in right manner. The research should see that project is executed in a systematic manner and within prescribed time.
If data is to be collected by interviews then steps should be taken for selection of right person and proper training should be given to him. Occasional field check should be made to ensure that interviewers are doing their assigned job efficiently and sincerely.If details to be collected by means of structure questionarie then questions as well as answers should be coded so the data can be readily matching processed.
8. Analysis of data:-
Analysis of data refers to computation of certain measures along with serearching for pattrens of relationship that exist among data groups.It requires editing classification and codification of data tabulation and then drawing statistical interference out of arranged data. After tabulation of data analysis process involves calculation of various percentages coefficient etc. By applying various statical methods and tools so as to find out whether observation support theory on not . In this case our problem will be whether the two means value differ significantly or the difference  just due to fluctuations of sampling.

 9.Testing of Hypothesis:-
After data has been analysed the research is in a position to test the hypothesis formed earlier. He has to test whether the facts support the hypothesis or not? The various test such as t test z test chi sequar test f test have been designed for this purpose . Hypothesis may be tested either by using one test or one or more test depending upon the object and significance of research study.
10.Generalization and interpretations:-
When Hypothesis is tested and up held several times then it is possible for researcher to build a theory . This is known as Generalization.
If there is no hypothesis then researcher might explain his findings on the basis of some theory . This process is known as interpretation.
11.Preparation of research report:-
The last step in research process is to prepare report of what has been done or achieved by him .It is not an easy task and proper care should be kept while preparing it.
It may stood as follows .
1.Preliminary pages-
Title page
Acknowledgment
Preface
Table of contents
List of tables and charts etc.
2.Main text
Introduction
Main report
Summary of findings
Conclusion
Suggestions
3.The End matter.
Appendics
Bibliography etc.