RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & STATISTICAL TOOLS
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
(JNTU)
A MATERIAL FOR
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
AND
STATISTICAL TOOLS
(According to JNTU Syllabus)
Prepared by,
S. Venkata Siva Kumar;
MBA (HR/MRKTG), MSc (Statistics).
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www.jntuworld.com
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & STATISTICAL TOOLS
UNIT-1
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
An Introduction
Meaning of Research:
Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. Once can also define research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. The advanced
Learner’s Dictionary of current English lays down the meaning of research as “a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.” Redman and Mory define research as a “systematized effort to gain new knowledge.” Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the known to unknown. It is actually a voyage of discovery.
Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used in a technical sense. According to “Clifford Woody, Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the encyclopedia of Social Sciences define Research as “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art.”
Objectives of Research:
The purpose of Research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not