Research Methodology: Theory and Techniques /
Jagadish R. Raiyani
- New Delhi : New Century Publication , 2012 p.
- xx, 342 p.ill.; 23 cm
1. Meaning, Purpose and Approaches to Research • Introduction • Meaning of Social Research • Importance of Social Research • Purpose of Research • Approaches to Research -Historical Approach -Descriptive Approach -Case Study Approach -Experimental Approach • Review Questions 2. Steps Sequencing in Research Identification of Research Problem Identifying the Research Topic Extensive Literature Survey Developing the Hypothesis Need for a Hypothesis Formulation of Hypothesis -Testing Hypothesis Preparation of a Research Design Types of Research Design -Exploratory Research Design -Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Design -Experimental Research Design • Factors Affecting Research Design • Determining the Sample Design • Collecting the Data • Analysis of the Data • Preparation of Thesis • Review Questions 3. Sampling Techniques. • Introduction • Laws of Sampling • Law of Statistical Regularity • Law of Inertia of Large Numbers • Essentials of Sampling -Representativeness -Adequacy -Randomness -Homogeneity • Methods of Sampling -Types of Random/Probability Sampling -Lottery Method -Table of Random Numbers -Restricted Random Sampling -Stratified Random Sampling -Systematic Random Sampling -Multi-stage or Cluster Sampling -Non-random Sampling or Non-probability Sampling -Judgment Sampling -Convenience Sampling -Quota Sampling • Sampling and Non-Sampling Errors -Biased Errors -Faulty Process of Selection -Faulty Collection of Information -Faulty Method of Analysis • Minimizing the Sampling Errors -Unbiased Errors • Merits of Sampling • Limitations of Sampling • Review Questions 4. Data for Research • Nature of Data • Sources of Data/Information • Primary Data -Observation -Interview -Questionnaire or Schedule -Feedback Form -Sales Force Opinion -Consumer Panels -Collection through Mechanical Devices -Projective Techniques -Content Analysis -Observation Technique • Formal Definition of Observation • Types of Observation • Merits of Observation • Limitations of Observation • How to Make an Observation Successful? • Interview • Types of Interview -Direct Interview -Structured Interview -Unstructured Interview -Focused Interview -Non-Directive Interview -Telephonic Interview • Merits of Interview as a Method of Data Collection • Demerits of Interview as a Method of Data Collection • How to Make an Interview Successful? • Questionnaire Method • Pre-requisites for using Questionnaire in -|;he Process of Data Collection -Structured and Unstructured Questionnaire! • Mechanics of Questionnaire Construction • Pre-testing a Questionnaire [or] Pilot Study • Use of Schedules Merits of Questionnaire Demerits of Questionnaire Secondary Data -Books -Periodicals or Journals -Research Thesis and Dissertations -Bibliographies -Footnotes -Encyclopaedia -Statistical Data Source -Directories and Year Books Selection of Appropriate Method of Data Collection Review Questions Data Processing Processing of Datr. Editing Field Editing Centralized Editing Coding Classification Tabulation Data Analysis Quantitative Analysis Qualitative Data Review Questions 6. Methodological Approach to Action Research • Introduction • What is Action Research? -Definition Action Research Process Principles of Action Research Reflexive Critique Dialectical Critique Collaborative Resource Risk Plural Structure -Theory, Practice and Transformation When is Action Research Used? Situating Action Research in a Research Paradigm -Positivist Paradigm -Interpretive Paradigm -Paradigm of Praxis • Evolution of Action Research • Current Types of Action Research • Traditional Action Research • Contextual Action Research (Action Learning) • Radical Action Research • Educational Action Research • Action Research Tools • The Search Conference • Role of the Action Researcher • Ethical Considerations • Action Research and Information Technology • Conclusion 7. Thesis Writing • Introduction • Guidelines for Thesis Writing • Footnotes » Structure of a Ph.D. Thesis • Preliminary Section • Body of the Thesis -Introduction -Review of Literature -Methodology -Results and Discussion -Summary and Conclusions • Documentation -Bibliography -Periodicals/Journals -Books -Reports -Thesis -Use of Appendices • Review Questions 8. Report Writing • Research Report writing • Types of Research Report • Guidelines for Writing a Research Report • Layout of a Research Report • Review Questions Part II: Research Methodology: Useful Techniques 9. Statistics for Research • Central Tendency of Data • Measures of Central Tendency • Choice of a Suitable Average • Davies' Test • Characteristics of an Average • Uses of Different Averages -Arithmetic Average -Weighted Arithmetic Average -Median -Mode -Geometric Mean -Harmonic Mean -Simple Arithmetic Mean -Weighted Arithmetic Mean • Skewness -Measures of Skewness • Types of Frequency Distributions • Test of Skewness • Measures of Skewness • Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Skewness • Dispersion -Measures of Dispersion -Meaning of Dispersion • Objectives of Measuring Variations • Types of Measures of Dispersion -Absolute and Relative Measures of Dispersion Methods of Measuring Dispersion • Numerical Methods -Methods of Limits -Methods of Moments -Quartile Deviation Range Quartile Deviation or Semi-interquartile Range Mean Deviation Standard Deviation (S.D.) Relative Measures of Dispersion Co-efficient of Variation Co-efficient of Quartile Deviation Co-efficient of Mean Deviation Kurtosis Self-Assessment Questions 10. Measures of Relationship • Measures of Relationship • Correlation -Properties of the Correlation Coefficient -Factors Influencing the Size of Correlation Coefficient -Types of Correlation -Methods of Studying Correlation -Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Correlation -Calculation of Correlation -Deviation Score Method -Rank Correlation -Procedure for Assigning Ranks -Application of Correlation -Testing of Correlation -Partial Correlation -Multiple Correlation Regression Analysis Standard Error of Estimate Relationship between Correlation Coefficient and Regression Coefficient Application of Regression Analysis Multiple Regression Analysis Deviations Taken From Actual Means Reliability of Estimates Application of Multiple Regression Association of Attributes Methods of Studying Association Comparison of Observed and Expected Frequencies Method Proportion Method Yule's Coefficient of Association Coefficient of Colligation Application of Association of Attributes—Yule s Coefficient of Association • Self-assessment Questions 11. Hypothesis Testing. Definition of Hypothesis Features Basic Concepts Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis The Level of Significance Decision Rule of Test of Hypothesis Type I and Type II Errors Two-tailed and One-tailed Tests Procedure of Hypothesis Testing Making a Formal Statement Selecting a Significance Level Deciding the Distribution to Use Selecting a Random Sample and Computing an Appropriate Value Calculation of Probability Comparing the Probability Measuring the Power of a Hypothesis Test Test of Hypothesis Parametric Test -Z-test -T-test -X2-test (Chi-square) -F-test Properties of t-Distribution Application of t-Distribution Degree of Freedom Chi-Square Test Chi-square Distribution Properties of Chi-square Distribution Non-Parametric Test Advantages of Non-parametric test Disadvantages of Non-parametric test Types of Non-parametric test -Sign test -One Sample Paired Sample -One Sample Run Test Spearman's Rank Correlation Kruskal-Wallis H Test Kolmogorov-Smironov One Sample Test Limitations of Hypothesis Testing Conclusion Self-assessment Questions 12. Parametric Tests Fundamentals of Hypothesis Testing Concepts of Hypothesis Testing Level of Significance Regions of Acceptance and Rejection Standard Error Testing of Difference between Population Means Testing of Difference between Means- Large Samples Testing of Difference between Means- Small Samples Testing of Difference between Means-Paired Test Testing for Significance of Standard Deviation Testing for Difference between Standard Deviations Testing for Variance Testing for Significance of Variance Testing for Significance of Difference in Variances Testing the Significance of Correlation Coefficient-Large Samples Testing the Significance of an Observed Correlation Coefficient-Small Samples Testing the Significance of the Difference between Two Independent Correlation Coefficients Testing of Significance of Population Proportion Self-assessment Questions 13. Anova and Chi-square Test Analysis of Variance • Testing Significance of Difference between more than Two Sample Means • One Way Classifications of Data • 'Anova' Table in One Way Analysis of Variance • Two Way Classification • Yates' Correction distribution • Significance Test 14. Measurement and Scaling Techniques • Objective • Measurement • Concept of Measurement • Levels of measurement • Nominal Measurement • Ordinal Measurement • Interval Measurement • Ratio Measurement • Characteristics of Research Tools • The Importance of Selecting the Right Type of Tool -Reliability -Validity -Objectivity • Procedures for Estimating the Reliability Tests • Split and Parallel-Form Methods • Correction for Shortening • The Parallel Form Method • Test-retest Method • Kuder-Richardson Technique • Acceptable Levels of Reliability and Validity • Scales -Rating Scale -Discrete Scales -Attitude Scales -Summated Rating Scale -Equal-Appearing Interval Scale -Cumulative Scale -Semantic Differential Scale Self-assessment Questions1. Meaning, Purpose and Approaches to Research • Introduction • Meaning of Social Research • Importance of Social Research • Purpose of Research • Approaches to Research -Historical Approach -Descriptive Approach -Case Study Approach -Experimental Approach • Review Questions 2. Steps Sequencing in Research Identification of Research Problem Identifying the Research Topic Extensive Literature Survey Developing the Hypothesis Need for a Hypothesis Formulation of Hypothesis -Testing Hypothesis Preparation of a Research Design Types of Research Design -Exploratory Research Design -Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Design -Experimental Research Design • Factors Affecting Research Design • Determining the Sample Design • Collecting the Data • Analysis of the Data • Preparation of Thesis • Review Questions 3. Sampling Techniques. • Introduction • Laws of Sampling • Law of Statistical Regularity • Law of Inertia of Large Numbers • Essentials of Sampling -Representativeness -Adequacy -Randomness -Homogeneity • Methods of Sampling -Types of Random/Probability Sampling -Lottery Method -Table of Random Numbers -Restricted Random Sampling -Stratified Random Sampling -Systematic Random Sampling -Multi-stage or Cluster Sampling -Non-random Sampling or Non-probability Sampling -Judgment Sampling -Convenience Sampling -Quota Sampling • Sampling and Non-Sampling Errors -Biased Errors -Faulty Process of Selection -Faulty Collection of Information -Faulty Method of Analysis • Minimizing the Sampling Errors -Unbiased Errors • Merits of Sampling • Limitations of Sampling • Review Questions 4. Data for Research • Nature of Data • Sources of Data/Information • Primary Data -Observation -Interview -Questionnaire or Schedule -Feedback Form -Sales Force Opinion -Consumer Panels -Collection through Mechanical Devices -Projective Techniques -Content Analysis -Observation Technique • Formal Definition of Observation • Types of Observation • Merits of Observation • Limitations of Observation • How to Make an Observation Successful? • Interview • Types of Interview -Direct Interview -Structured Interview -Unstructured Interview -Focused Interview -Non-Directive Interview -Telephonic Interview • Merits of Interview as a Method of Data Collection • Demerits of Interview as a Method of Data Collection • How to Make an Interview Successful? • Questionnaire Method • Pre-requisites for using Questionnaire in -|;he Process of Data Collection -Structured and Unstructured Questionnaire! • Mechanics of Questionnaire Construction • Pre-testing a Questionnaire [or] Pilot Study • Use of Schedules Merits of Questionnaire Demerits of Questionnaire Secondary Data -Books -Periodicals or Journals -Research Thesis and Dissertations -Bibliographies -Footnotes -Encyclopaedia -Statistical Data Source -Directories and Year Books Selection of Appropriate Method of Data Collection Review Questions Data Processing Processing of Datr. Editing Field Editing Centralized Editing Coding Classification Tabulation Data Analysis Quantitative Analysis Qualitative Data Review Questions 6. Methodological Approach to Action Research • Introduction • What is Action Research? -Definition Action Research Process Principles of Action Research Reflexive Critique Dialectical Critique Collaborative Resource Risk Plural Structure -Theory, Practice and Transformation When is Action Research Used? Situating Action Research in a Research Paradigm -Positivist Paradigm -Interpretive Paradigm -Paradigm of Praxis • Evolution of Action Research • Current Types of Action Research • Traditional Action Research • Contextual Action Research (Action Learning) • Radical Action Research • Educational Action Research • Action Research Tools • The Search Conference • Role of the Action Researcher • Ethical Considerations • Action Research and Information Technology • Conclusion 7. Thesis Writing • Introduction • Guidelines for Thesis Writing • Footnotes » Structure of a Ph.D. Thesis • Preliminary Section • Body of the Thesis -Introduction -Review of Literature -Methodology -Results and Discussion -Summary and Conclusions • Documentation -Bibliography -Periodicals/Journals -Books -Reports -Thesis -Use of Appendices • Review Questions 8. Report Writing • Research Report writing • Types of Research Report • Guidelines for Writing a Research Report • Layout of a Research Report • Review Questions Part II: Research Methodology: Useful Techniques 9. Statistics for Research • Central Tendency of Data • Measures of Central Tendency • Choice of a Suitable Average • Davies' Test • Characteristics of an Average • Uses of Different Averages -Arithmetic Average -Weighted Arithmetic Average -Median -Mode -Geometric Mean -Harmonic Mean -Simple Arithmetic Mean -Weighted Arithmetic Mean • Skewness -Measures of Skewness • Types of Frequency Distributions • Test of Skewness • Measures of Skewness • Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Skewness • Dispersion -Measures of Dispersion -Meaning of Dispersion • Objectives of Measuring Variations • Types of Measures of Dispersion -Absolute and Relative Measures of Dispersion Methods of Measuring Dispersion • Numerical Methods -Methods of Limits -Methods of Moments -Quartile Deviation Range Quartile Deviation or Semi-interquartile Range Mean Deviation Standard Deviation (S.D.) Relative Measures of Dispersion Co-efficient of Variation Co-efficient of Quartile Deviation Co-efficient of Mean Deviation Kurtosis Self-Assessment Questions 10. Measures of Relationship • Measures of Relationship • Correlation -Properties of the Correlation Coefficient -Factors Influencing the Size of Correlation Coefficient -Types of Correlation -Methods of Studying Correlation -Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Correlation -Calculation of Correlation -Deviation Score Method -Rank Correlation -Procedure for Assigning Ranks -Application of Correlation -Testing of Correlation -Partial Correlation -Multiple Correlation Regression Analysis Standard Error of Estimate Relationship between Correlation Coefficient and Regression Coefficient Application of Regression Analysis Multiple Regression Analysis Deviations Taken From Actual Means Reliability of Estimates Application of Multiple Regression Association of Attributes Methods of Studying Association Comparison of Observed and Expected Frequencies Method Proportion Method Yule's Coefficient of Association Coefficient of Colligation Application of Association of Attributes—Yule s Coefficient of Association • Self-assessment Questions 11. Hypothesis Testing. Definition of Hypothesis Features Basic Concepts Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis The Level of Significance Decision Rule of Test of Hypothesis Type I and Type II Errors Two-tailed and One-tailed Tests Procedure of Hypothesis Testing Making a Formal Statement Selecting a Significance Level Deciding the Distribution to Use Selecting a Random Sample and Computing an Appropriate Value Calculation of Probability Comparing the Probability Measuring the Power of a Hypothesis Test Test of Hypothesis Parametric Test -Z-test -T-test -X2-test (Chi-square) -F-test Properties of t-Distribution Application of t-Distribution Degree of Freedom Chi-Square Test Chi-square Distribution Properties of Chi-square Distribution Non-Parametric Test Advantages of Non-parametric test Disadvantages of Non-parametric test Types of Non-parametric test -Sign test -One Sample Paired Sample -One Sample Run Test Spearman's Rank Correlation Kruskal-Wallis H Test Kolmogorov-Smironov One Sample Test Limitations of Hypothesis Testing Conclusion Self-assessment Questions 12. Parametric Tests Fundamentals of Hypothesis Testing Concepts of Hypothesis Testing Level of Significance Regions of Acceptance and Rejection Standard Error Testing of Difference between Population Means Testing of Difference between Means- Large Samples Testing of Difference between Means- Small Samples Testing of Difference between Means-Paired Test Testing for Significance of Standard Deviation Testing for Difference between Standard Deviations Testing for Variance Testing for Significance of Variance Testing for Significance of Difference in Variances Testing the Significance of Correlation Coefficient-Large Samples Testing the Significance of an Observed Correlation Coefficient-Small Samples Testing the Significance of the Difference between Two Independent Correlation Coefficients Testing of Significance of Population Proportion Self-assessment Questions 13. Anova and Chi-square Test Analysis of Variance • Testing Significance of Difference between more than Two Sample Means • One Way Classifications of Data • 'Anova' Table in One Way Analysis of Variance • Two Way Classification • Yates' Correction distribution • Significance Test 14. Measurement and Scaling Techniques • Objective • Measurement • Concept of Measurement • Levels of measurement • Nominal Measurement • Ordinal Measurement • Interval Measurement • Ratio Measurement • Characteristics of Research Tools • The Importance of Selecting the Right Type of Tool -Reliability -Validity -Objectivity • Procedures for Estimating the Reliability Tests • Split and Parallel-Form Methods • Correction for Shortening • The Parallel Form Method • Test-retest Method • Kuder-Richardson Technique • Acceptable Levels of Reliability and Validity • Scales -Rating Scale -Discrete Scales -Attitude Scales -Summated Rating Scale -Equal-Appearing Interval Scale -Cumulative Scale -Semantic Differential Scale Self-assessment Questions