Meaning of Research

The meaning of research is to investigate a particular subject and discover as much information as possible. Research is not an existing bag of techniques.

Research means purposeful investigation and it offers a structure for making decisions. There are 3 components associated with any investigation: (1) the implicit query asked. (2) the explicit solution suggested. (3)collection, analysis, and interpretation of the information leading from the problem to the solution. This 3rd part is the defense which justifies the recommendation and is considered as research. For example consider the statement “We suggest that model XYZ of washing machine be priced at 8000!”. This was the suggestion given to the marketing vice president by the marketing research manager. The implicit question asked is what should be the price tag of model XYZ? The explicit answer is Rs. 8000. The 3rd part relates to the gathering, analysis, and interpretation of the information leading from the problem to the solution of Rs. 8000.

What is the Meaning of Research ?

The term research determines a procedure by which the enterprise tries to provide the information necessary for making sound management decisions. It is not common sense. The real difference centers on words like “systematic,” “objective,” and “reproducible.” Both research and common sense rely on information; the difference between the two depends on the processes and methods used by which the information is acquired and utilized in arriving at conclusions. Research can’t address itself to the complete information on a specific topic. Thus two secondary characteristics of research specify “relevance”, and “control.”

Five Features of Good Research

A systematic strategy is crucial in good research. Each and every phase should be planned in a way that it leads to the subsequent phase. It is almost always tough to turn back and fix the errors of the prior phase; sometimes it is impossible. Even if it is feasible, it will involve loss in money and time. Experts have divided research in to a number of steps. Both the number of steps and the names are some what arbitrary, but the identification of a sequence is essential. Planning and organisation are part of this organized technique with a lot of importance directed at the interdependence of the different steps.

While planning, one of the very common mistakes that is made is the separation of data collection and data analysis. Considerable thought needs to be given at the planning stage itself in regards to what type of analysis will likely be needed for the project which will fulfill the requirements of the decision maker.

Objectivity warrants an approach that is independent of the researcher’s personal views and thoughts with respect to the answer to the problem being investigated. It is possible to have honest differences with regards to the proper definition or collection procedure, but the one chosen should not be selected in order to validate a prior position.

A high percentage of buyers in store M have a positive opinion of store M. Shoppers in store X could have a completely diverse opinion of store M. Purchase behaviour can vary with price discounts. It is always possible to prove a point if one desires, by cautiously choosing the participants, time, and place. True research tries to discover an unbiased answer to the decision making problem.

A reproducible research process is one which an equally qualified researcher could replicate and from it get roughly the same results. To have reproducibility, all procedures should be explained unambiguously. Precise wording of questions, way of sampling, collection method, interviewer instructions, and all other points must be clearly mentioned.

Relevancy achieves two crucial tasks. Initially it avoids the collection of needless data along with the associated cost. In the second place it forces the comparison of the data collected with the decision maker’s requirements.

Control raises very challenging problems in a live environment. Many factors may influence the results. The risk is that the researcher may attribute changes to one variable when the uncontrolled variables are the causes. Control must consider two factors. (1) Those variables which are genuinely with in your control must be varied in line with the character of your investigation. (2) Those variables beyond your control must be noted.

In this article, we have discussed about the meaning of research and the five features of good research. It is crucial that any kind of enterprise in the existing environment requires systematic flow of information along with tools of analysis to make sound judgements that entail minimal risk. It is in this context that the research performs a very crucial part.