Foundations of research

Introduction 

Research is undertaken in almost all fields of activities take for example in agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Banking institutions. Educational institutions. Health industries. Etcetera. Why research is conducted? Research is conducted. Either to improve the existing body of knowledge or process, or to find a solution to a problem. The advancement of Technology in every field of study is the product of research through Different ways of thinking and critical examination. As a result, Researchers are developing and testing new theories based on existing Knowledge and contributing to the advancement of existing practice and profession. 

For example. Type writers are replaced by Computers, computers are replaced by laptops mobiles. Trading and business activities are turning to ecommerce , e-shopping. Economies are turning to cashless economy. All these improvements in economic activities are due to extensive research in these fields. 

Hence , understanding research and research process is an important part of every discipline. 

Meaning: 

Research comprises of two words, “Re” and “search". Where “Re” implies a repetitive or iterative process. “Search” denotes making a thorough examination. 

So, research means testing repeatedly and looking over carefully making a thorough examination to find new facts, ideas, or  to establish new theories or to prove new theory in different areas of knowledge. 

Definition: According to John Best, “Research is a systematic activity directed towards discovery and the development of an organized body of knowledge”.  

Market research: 

Definition: 

According to the American Marketing Association, “Marketing research is the function which links the consumer, customer, and public to the marketer through information – information used to identify and define marketing opportunities and problems; generate, refine and evaluate marketing actions; monitor marketing performance; and improve our understanding of marketing as a process”. 

 

Scientific Method 

Meaning: 

Scientific method is the pursuit of truth as determined by logical considerations and is a systematic interrelation of facts which is  achieved by experimentation , observation, logical arguments from accepted postulates and a combination of these three in varying proportions. 

Accordingly, scientific method implies an objective, logical and systematic method, which is   free from personal bias or prejudice, 

 helps to ascertain demonstrable qualities of a phenomenon capable of being verified,   

is guided by the rules of logical reasoning,  investigates the proceeds in an orderly manner  suggests internal consistency 

 

Approaches for scientific method 

The 3 approaches through which scientific study can be conducted are as follows; 

Deduction method 

Induction method 

Combination of both/Scientific method/Hypothetico-deductive method. 

Induction- the empiricist's approach: 

Induction was the earliest and even the commonest popular form of scientific activity. It starts from specific observations and  sensory experiences and then develops a general conclusion from them. Example: All giraffes that I’ve seen have very long necks(Repeated observations) Therefore I conclude that all giraffes have long necks. (Conclusion) 

Deductive reasoning- the rationalist's approach 

Deductive reasoning begins with general statements(premises) and, through logical argument ,comes to a specific conclusion. 

Example: All living things will eventually die (General statement- First premise).This animal is a living thing. (Inference second premise).Therefore, this animal will eventually die. This is the simplest form of deductive argument and is call a syllogism. 

 

Hypothetico deductive reasoning or scientific method: 

The hypothetico deductive method combines inductive and deductive reasoning resulting in the to and fro process of Identification or clarification of a problem.Developing a hypothesis inductively from observations.Charting their implications by deduction. Practical or theoretical testing of the hypothesis.Rejecting or refining it in the light of the results.It is this combination of experience with deductive and inductive reasoning which is the foundation of modern scientific research, and is commonly referred to as scientific method.