Research Aptitude: UGC NET PAPER - 1

www.easynotes4u.
co
Research Aptitude: UGC NET PAPER - 1 m
RESEARCH APTITUDE
Syllabus
 Research: Meaning, characteristics and types:
 Steps in Research
 Methods of Research
 Research Ethics
 Paper, article, workshop, seminar, conference and symposium
 Thesis writing: its characteristics and format
MEANING OF RESEARCH
First, we should start from the word ‘research’. This word is made up by adding ‘Re’ as a
prefix to the word ‘search’. Search is to make known of an existent unknown thing. Therefore,
research (search of searched) means to elicit some facts out of a known thing. Research in
common parlance refers to a search for knowledge
Every letter of the word ‘research’ emphasizes a special and dignified meaning as given below.
R – Rational (way of thinking)
E – Expert/Exhaustive (Treatment)
S – Search (for solution)
E – Exactness
A – Analytical Analysis (of adequate data)
R – Relationship (of facts)
C – Careful (recording)/ critical (observation) / constructive (attitude) / condensed/and
compactly (stated Generalization)
H – Honesty/Hard work
DR. GAURAV JANGRA [email protected] Page 1

www.easynotes4u.co
Research is thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for
its advancement. It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study. observation, comparison and
experiment. In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of
finding solution to a problem in research.
We can summarize the modern meaning of research in following points-Research is
 an attitude of inquiry,
 an attempt to elicit facts
 a systematic and scholarly application of the scientific method.
 essentially a state of mind – a friendly, welcoming attitude towards change.
Definition
Research is systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical
propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomenon.
-Kerlinger
Research may be defined as the systematic method of discovering new facts or verifying old
facts, their sequences, interrelationships, casual explanations and the natural laws which govern
them.
-Young PV
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 listing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the
formulating hypothesis.
-Clifford Woody
Research is the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that
may leave to development of generalizations, principles or theories result in prediction and
possibly ultimate control of events.
-John W.Best
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
1. It is a scientific investigation. Research (re-search) means to “search again.’ It connotes
patient study and scientific investigation.
2. It develops concepts and the theories. One reason for conducting research is to develop
and evaluate concepts and the theories.

www.easynotes4u.co
3. It is solution oriented and directed towards the solution of a problem.

4. It determines the relation between two or more variables.
5. Research emphasizes to the development of theories, concept, principles and
generalization that are helpful in predicting future occurrences.
6. Research is replicable. The design, procedures and result of scientific research should be
replicable so that any person other than researcher may assess the validity of research.
7. Research requires that researchers have full knowledge of the problem under the study.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
To discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures, it’s main
aim is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Though
each research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of research objectives as falling
into a number of following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it. (Exploratory or
formulative research studies).
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group.
(Descriptive research studies).
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated
with something else. (Diagnostic research studies).
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing
research studies).
Types of Research
a) Fundamental Research/Pure Research/Basic Research:
 It is undertaken for the sake of knowledge without any intension to apply it in practice.
 This research helps in developing theories by discovering broad generalisation and
principles.
 It is organised through different procedures of research like sampling, hypothesizing
facts, etc. It can be experimented in a psychological laboratory.
 Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics, research
studies concerning human behavior carried on with a view to make generalizations about
human behaviour are examples of fundamental research.
b) Applied

www.easynotes4u.co
 Aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an

industrial/business organization.
 Solve practical problem of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for
knowledge sake.
 Marketing research is an example of applied research.
c) Exploratory Research
 It is a preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which researcher has little or no
knowledge.
 The objective of exploratory research is the development of hypothesis rather than their
testing.
d) Action Research
 Its aim is immediate application but not any development of theory.
 It is research either initiated to solve the immediate problem or if the researcher finds any
problem during the course of his field investigation and observation he applies it.
(e) Descriptive study
 Includes surveys and fact findings enquiries of different kinds.
 The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs, as it exists
at present.
 In social science and business research the term often used is ex-post fact research.
 The researcher has no control over the variables, he can only report what has happened or
what is happening.
(f) Evaluation Study
 It is a type of applied research.
 It is made for assessing and taking stock of effectiveness of social or economic
programmes.
 For example: Family planning scheme, Irrigation project.
(g) Diagnostic Study
 Similar to descriptive study but with a different focus, which is directed towards
discovering what is happening? Why is it happening and what can be done about it?
 It aims at identifying the causes of problems and possible solutions for it.

www.easynotes4u.co
Difference between Research methods and Research methodology

Sr. No. Research Methods Research Methodology
1. Tools, techniques or processes The principles that guide our research

that are used for conduction of practices.
research.
2. Aims at finding solutions to Research methodology aims at the

research problems. employment of the correct procedures
to find out solutions.
Difference between Experimental and Non- Experimental Research

Experimental Research Non- Experimental Research
1. This type of research always begins In this type of research it is not essential
with some hypothesis which the research to always have hypothesis. All
wants to test. exploratory researcher and many
descriptive researcher do not have any
hypothesis.
2. Data generated by this research are Data generated by this type of research
used to establish cause and effect are not helpful in establishing the cause
relationship between two variables. On and effect relationships between variables.
the basis of these data one can predict They can be used only to describe certain
changes in the independent variable. relationships without interdependence.
(1) Descriptive vs. Analytical

The fact finding inquiries and the field surveys are main contents of descriptive research.
The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at
present. In social science and business research we quite often use the term Ex post facto
research for descriptive research studies. The main characteristic of this method is that the
researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is
happening. Most ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the
researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of

Research Aptitude: UGC NET PAPER - 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Research Aptitude: UGC NET PAPER - 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

www.easynotes4u.

DR. GAURAV JANGRA [email protected] Page 1

DR. GAURAV JANGRA [email protected] Page 2

3. It is solution oriented and directed towards the solution of a problem.

DR. GAURAV JANGRA [email protected] Page 3

 Aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an

DR. GAURAV JANGRA [email protected] Page 4

Difference between Research methods and Research methodology

1. Tools, techniques or processes The principles that guide our research

2. Aims at finding solutions to Research methodology aims at the

Difference between Experimental and Non- Experimental Research

(1) Descriptive vs. Analytical

DR. GAURAV JANGRA [email protected] Page 5

You might also like