Course Name: Introduction to Research
Course Coordinator: Mr Akshith Kumar
Department: B.Com
Mode of teaching: Online
Course Objectives:
• To identify and discuss the role and importance of research in the social sciences.
• To familiarize participants with basic of research and the research process.
• To discuss the complex issues inherent in selecting a research problem, selecting
an appropriate research design, and implementing a research project.
• To impart knowledge for enabling participants to develop data analytics skills and
meaningful interpretation to the data sets so as to solve the business/Research
problem.
• To enable the participants in conducting research work and formulating research
synopsis and report.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Develop understanding on various kinds of research, objectives of doing
research, research process and research designs.
• Perform literature reviews using print and online databases
• Have basic awareness of data analysis-and hypothesis testing procedures
• Have adequate knowledge on measurement & scaling techniques
• Identify, explain, compare, and prepare the key elements of a research
proposal/report;
Pedagogy: Online sessions, seminars, assignments, case studies, field survey,
projects, workshops, dissecting research papers.
Syllabus:
UNIT I –Introduction:
Research- Meaning, Need, Motivation and objectives; Research methods vs.
Methodology. Types of research – Descriptive vs. Analytical, Applied vs. Fundamental,
Quantitative vs. Qualitative, Conceptual vs. Empirical, Basic research process, criteria
of a good research, Research as a Scientific Method,
Unit 2: Formulating Research problem and Review of Literature
Selection and Definition of Problem, Identifying Research Problem, Review of
Literature – meaning and need for literature review, sources of literature review,
Organising and presenting Literature Review, Identifying gap areas from literature and
research database, development of working hypothesis.
Unit 3: Sampling:
Sampling and Sample Design – Stepsinvolved in developing sampling design, Sampling
and Non- sampling errors; Sampling techniques – Different types of probability
sampling and non-probability sampling-merits and demerits of various methods;
Census versus Sample Survey.
Unit 4: Data Collection and Analysis
Selecting an appropriate method of Data collection, Types- primary data- Observation
method, Interview method, Questionnaire method, Schedule method, secondary dataSources of Secondary Data; Phases of Designing a questionnaire.
Unit 5: Interpretation and Report Writing
Measurements in research-nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio; Analysis and interpretation
of Data –precautions in interpretation, Thesis writing /Report writing – Planning and
organizing research report, format of research report, different steps in writing reports,
precautions for writing research reports, format of reference writing and bibliography
writing.
REFERENCES
• Cooper R Donald, Schindler S Pamela. Business Research Methods, Tata
McGraw Hill Publications Ltd, New Delhi
• Garg, B.L., Karadia, R., Agarwal, F. and Agarwal, U.K., 2002. An introduction
to Research Methodology, RBSA Publishers.
• Kothari C R. Research methodology: Research & Techniques. New Age
International Publishers, New Delhi
• Leedy P D. Practical Research: Planning & Design. Washington: Mc Millan
Publishing Co., INC
• Ramamurthy G C, Research Methodology. Dreamtech Press, New Delhi.
• Singh Y K. Fundamentals of Research Methodology and Statistics. New
International (P) Ltd., New Delhi.
• Sinha, S.C. and Dhiman, A.K., 2002. Research Methodology, Ess Ess
Publications. 2 volumes.
• Trochim, W.M.K., 2005. Research Methods: the concise knowledge base,
Atomic Dog Publishing. 270p.
• Wallinman N. Your Research Project: A Step by Step Guide for the first time
Researcher. Sage Publications, London