Meaning of Research

1. Meaning of Research 1) Research refers to a search for knowledge. It is a movement ,a movement from known to unknown. 2) Research is a voyage of discovery research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. 3) In fact research is an art of scientific investigation.

2. In brief Research is the process of Systematic and In-depth study or search for any particular topic, subject or area of Investigation, backed by the collection , compilation, presentation and interpretation of relevant details or data. Research being a fact-finding process, influences business decisions.

3. Definition: • Clifford woody “Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting, organizing and evaluating data ;making deductions and reaching conclusions; and last carefully testing conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. • D.Slesinger and M.Stephenson in the Encyclopedia of Social Science 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 contribution of theory or in the practice of an art.

4. 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 characteristic 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.(diagnostic research) • To test a hypothesis of a casual relation ship between variables. (such studies are known as Hypothesis-testing research studies)

5. Motivation of Research • 1)Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits. • 2)Desire to face the challenges in solving the unsolved problems,i.e. concern over practical problem 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

6. Significance of Research. • Research inculcates scientific inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organization. • The role of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or to the economy as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times. • Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our system. • Research has its special significance in solving various operational and planning problems of business & industry. • Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and in seeking answers to various social problem

7. In addition to what has been stated above, the significance of research can also be understood keeping in view the following points. • 1) To those who are to write a master or PhD thesis, research may mean careerism or a way to attain a high position in social structure. • 2) To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of livelihood. • 3) To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and insights. • 4) To literary men and women research may mean the development of new styles and creative work. • 5) To analyst and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new theories.

8. Qualities Of Good Research • Good Research is systematic. • Good Research is logical. • Good Research is empirical. • Good Research is replicable.