Concept of Research – In its most common sense, methodology is the study of research methods. However, the term can also refer to the methods themselves or to the philosophical discussion of associated background assumptions. A method is a structured procedure for bringing about a certain goal, like acquiring knowledge or verifying knowledge claims. This normally involves various steps, like choosing a sample, collecting data from this sample, and interpreting the data. The study of methods concerns a detailed description and analysis of these processes. It includes evaluative aspects by comparing different methods.
In this way, their benefits and drawbacks are evaluated, as well as the research goals for which they may be used. These descriptions and evaluations are predicated on philosophical background assumptions; examples include how to conceptualize the phenomena under study and what constitutes evidence in favor of or against them. In its broadest sense, methodology encompasses the discussion of these more abstract issues.
Concept of Research
Research is a process to discover new knowledge. It is a careful and detailed study into a specific problem, concern, or issue using the scientific method.The word “research “comes from the French word “rechercher” that means search again. The word structured refers to the facts that a number of research techniques can be used as long as the techniques are considered acceptable by scholars in the field. Thus, research is concerned with problem solving, which than may lead to new knowledge.
The primary purposes of research are –
- Documentation,
- Discovery,
- Interpretation, or the research and development (R&D) of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge
There are several forms of research:
- Scientific,
- Humanities,
- Artistic,
- Economic,
- Social,
- Business,
- Marketing,
- Practitioner research,
- Technological, etc.
Definition of Research
According to Chris Jordan
“Research is defined as the search for knowledge or any systemic investigation to establish facts”.
According to Horton
“Research means search for facts or ideas and to answer the questions in order to find a solution to the problem”.
According to Waltz
“Research is a systemic, formal, rigorous and precise process employed to gain solution to problems and/or to discover and interpret new facts and relationships”.
According to payton
“Research is the process of looking for a specific answer to a specific question in an organized objective reliable way.
According to Kerlinger
‘Research is a systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical proposition about the presumed relations among natural phenomena”
According to Charles
“Research is a careful inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles, a diligent investigation to ascertain something”
It can be also be expressed as follow:
- R-Rational way of thinking
- E- Expect and exhaustive treatment
- S- Search for solution
- E-Exactness
- A-Analytical analysis of adequate data
- R-Relationship of facts
- C-Careful recording and critical observation
- H-Honesty and hard work
“Research is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to answer a certain question or solve a problem”.
(Ref by-Seenidurai Paulraj /Introduction to Nursing Research/1″/3)
Objectives/Purposes of Research
- The purpose of research is to either or test a theory, Research is the instrument used to test whether a theory is good or not. It is the process by which data is gathered to generate a theory or used to test a theory
- Study various aspect of problem care
- It unravels the mysteries of life
- It aims to analyze inter- relationship between variable and to derive casual explanation
- Compare two or more methods of care.
- Evaluate the theory of nursing.
- Find out certain conclusion.
- Achieve new trend in the phenomenon.
- It aids planning and helps in national development
- It aims at finding solutions to problem
- To prepare oneself to be diligent practitioner of research.
- It helps in the development of general laws
- It aims at developing new tools, concept, and theories for a better study of unknown phenomena
- It extends knowledge of human beings regarding social life and environment
(Ref by-Seenidurai Paulraj/Introduction to Nursing Research/1″/5 and handout)
Characteristics of Research
- Research attempts to solve a problem
- Research should be clearly defined and common concept to be used.
- Research should be logical
- Research involves gathering new data form primary or first-hand sources or using
- existing data for a new purpose Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence
- Research demands accurate observation and descriptions don
- Research generally employs carefully designed procedures and rigorous analysis.
- Research emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles or theories that will help in understanding, prediction and control
- Research requires expertise familiarity with the filed competence in methodology technical skill in collecting and analyzing the data
- Research attempt to find an objective, unbiased solution to the problem and takes great pain to validate the procedures employed.
- Research is deliberate and unhurried activity which is directional but often refines the problem or questions as the research progress
- Research in carefully recorded and reported to other persons interested in the problems
- Research requires courage
- Research should be replicable
- Research should be systematic
- Research analysis should be sufficient
- Research procedure should be described in a sufficient way
- Research conclusion should be confined to justify the data of the research.
Classification of Research
Research can be classified based on the:
1. Application of the research findings
2. Purposes/objectives of the research study
3. Mode of inquiry employed/Information Sought.
A. On the basis Application of research findings:
a) Basic/ Pure research: It is also known as theoretical, pure or fundarpental research. It is concerned with development of knowledge in order to add to the existing body of knowledge of research methods. It concerned establishing new knowledge, development and refinement of theories, e.g. developing and instrument to assess the stress level among working women.
b) Applied Research: Applied research is also known as action or practical or empirical research. It focus on finding solution to existing problem.
B. On the basis of Purpose/ objects:
- Descriptive research
- Correlational research
- Explanatory research
- Exploratory research
- Evaluation research.
a) Descriptive research: It describes systematically a situation problem or phenomenon, service or program or describes an issues as it naturally occurs. The main purpose of such cases is to describe what is prevalent or know about an issue or problem under study.
b) Correlation research: It ascertains, discovers or establishes the existence of relationship, an association or interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation. E.g. study to find out the relationship between stress and heart attack.
c) Explanatory research: It explain or clarifies why the relationship is formed and why a relationship, association or interdependence exists. It also clarifies why a particular events occur e. g. why does smoking leads lung cancer.
d) Exploratory research: It explore an area when only little is known or the possibility of undertaking a research on a particular subject. It is conducted to develop, refine and to test measurement tools and procedures.
e) Evaluation research: It evaluates the performance of the program that has already been implemented and it also assess the impact of such programs. The evaluation is carried out with respect to the objectives of the program.
C. On the basis of Mode of Inquiry Employed/types of information sought:
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
a) Qualitative or unstructured Approach: It is also known as post- positive, interpretive, constructivist and naturalistic research. It makes use of unstructured, flexible or open methodology. It determines the nature of phenomenon, situation or issue as it naturally occurs.
b) Quantitative or structured Approach: Quantitative research is also termed as positivist, experimental or empiricist approach to research. It employs more structured, rigid, or pre-determined methodology. Qualitative research specify the nature of any intervention, comparisons to be made, methods to control extraneous variables, data collections timing, the study setting and the information to be given to the participants, all before the data is collected.
(Ref by- Nirmala V/ Research Methodology in Nursing/1″/10)
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