The methodology is generally guideline for solving the problems, with certain component such as phase, tasks, methods, techniques, and tools. Whereas, the word research comes from Latin that meaning “researe” (reveal or opened). So research can be defined as the pursuit of knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish new facts, solve new problems or existing, proven new ideas, or develop new theories, that usually using the scientific method. Moreover, research is a process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information to answer question.
Based on the explanation above, it can be argue that research methodology can be interpreted as a scientific way to obtain a valid data for the purpose can be found, and can be proven, a certain knowledge that in turn can be used to understand, anticipate, and to solve some problems in various field of science.
There are any difference between research methods and research methodology:
Research methods are the various procedures, schemes, algorithms, etc. used in research. All the methods used by a researcher during a research study are termed as research methods. They are essentially planned, scientific and value-neutral. They include theoretical procedures, experimental studies, numerical schemes, statistical approaches, etc. Research methods help us collect samples, data and find a solution to a problem. Particularly, scientific research methods call for explanations based on collected facts, measurements and observations and not on reasoning alone. They accept only those explanations which can be verified by experiments.
Research methodology is a systematic way to solve a problem. It is a science of studying how research is to be carried out. Essentially, the procedures by which researchers go about their work of describing, explaining and predicting phenomena are called research methodology. It is also defined as the study of methods by which knowledge is gained. Its aim is to give the work plan of research.
To qualify as research, the process must have certain characteristics there are:
· Controlled
In real life there are many factors that affect an outcome. The concept of control implies that, in exploring causality in relation to two variables (factors), you set up your study in a way that minimizes the effects of other factors affecting the relationship.
· Systematic
This implies that the procedure adopted to undertake an investigation follow a certain logical sequence. The different steps cannot be taken in a haphazard way. Some procedures must follow others.
· Valid and verifiable
This concept implies that whatever you conclude on the basis of your findings is correct and can be verified by you and others.
· Empirical
This means that any conclusions drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered from information collected from real life experiences or observations.
· Critical
Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and the methods employed is crucial to a research enquiry. The process of investigation must be foolproof and free from drawbacks. The process adopted and the procedures used must be able to withstand critical scrutiny.
The Types of Research
The research of classification types is actually relatively very diverse and depends on which aspect of the research is classified. Classifying the types of research is actually just an attempt to classify existing research that aims to make it easier for us. In this paper we will use the five classifications of research, there are:
1. Research Classification Based Its Benefit
Based on the benefits, research can be divided in two kinds of research, there are:
a. Basic Research
Called basic research as well as pure research, is searching for something because there is concern and curiosity about the outcome of an activity. Basic research is done without thought of practical ends or points applied. The result of basic research is common knowledge and insights about the nature and its laws. General knowledge is a tool to solve practical problems, although he did not give a comprehensive answer to every problem. Applied research that will answer these practical problems. This study is a research whose benefits are felt for a long time in terms of usability research results were not immediately used, but in the long run will also be used. The duration of this benefit more because these studies are usually done because the needs of researchers themselves. Basic research also includes studies conducted in an academic framework. The most obvious example is the research for the thesis, theses, and dissertations. Because basic research is more widely used in academic environments, such research has the characteristics of the use of abstract concepts. Basic research is usually conducted within the framework of science. Generally the results of basic research provides a basis for knowledge and understanding that can be used as a source of methods, theories and ideas that can be applied in future studies. Because many basics research aimed at the fulfillment of desires or needs of researchers, most researchers have the freedom to determine what issues would he researched. Therefore, basic research is not overshadowed by consideration of the use of the discovery to other people or society. His main concern is the continuity and integrity of science and philosophy. Pure research can be directed anywhere, without considering whether there is a relationship with the events that the community needed. The researchers thought process can take anywhere, without thinking about what angle and direction which will be addressed.
b. Applied Research
In applied research, the benefits of the research results can be immediately felt by many. Applied research is usually done to solve the existing problems so that research results should be immediately applicable. The result of the research is not necessary as a new discovery, but it is a new application of existing research. Examples of this type of study such forms of marketing research. The results of the study should give an overview to the company about what products are selling in the market, what products fail in the market, as well as a variety of solutions that can be used to solve all the problems that exist in the company. Because of this applied research is used to quickly resolve any problems found, the concepts used are also likely operational concepts, and not an abstract concept. Applied research is also often identified with the use traditional research sponsors. Has similar but that does not mean that any applied research is research that uses the sponsor. In general, applied research is a study requested by the other party to the researchers so that researchers no longer have the freedom to determine what issues will be studied. The focus of research devoted to the research, whether it can be used to solve existing problems or not, but not infrequently also applied research carried out precisely to discover the problems that exist at the requesting party research (sponsor). Applied research is often still further grouped into action research, is the applied research that focuses on social action as deviant or problem behavior also research on juvenile delinquency. In addition to action research, there is also a formative evaluative research; the applied research conducted to measure the success of a program is running. Then summative evaluative research; the applied research conducted to measure the success of a program that has been completed.
2. Classification Research Based Research Objectives
Base on this classification, the research can be divided into three kinds, there are:
a. Explorative Research
This study was conducted to explore a relatively new phenomenon. It could be argued that there is a phenomenon or a symptom that had never known or felt.
The most obvious example is the research on the discovery of new viruses. In the social sciences feasibility study is a type of research that explores the form of a new phenomenon. Given that the topic to be studied is a new topic, this research typically possess creative, flexible, and open to a variety of existing information. Usually this research produces new theories, the development of existing theories. With topics or new symptoms, then this research is often identified with researcher who are constantly using the question "WHAT" and "WHO" in digging for information. The purpose of the study itself is exploratory; develop basic ideas about new topics and provide a basis for further research.
The most obvious example is the research on the discovery of new viruses. In the social sciences feasibility study is a type of research that explores the form of a new phenomenon. Given that the topic to be studied is a new topic, this research typically possess creative, flexible, and open to a variety of existing information. Usually this research produces new theories, the development of existing theories. With topics or new symptoms, then this research is often identified with researcher who are constantly using the question "WHAT" and "WHO" in digging for information. The purpose of the study itself is exploratory; develop basic ideas about new topics and provide a basis for further research.
b. Descriptive Research
Descriptive study aims to describe in a systematic and accurate facts and characteristics about a population or about a specific field. This study sought to describe a situation or event. The data collected purely descriptive so it does not intend to seek an explanation, hypothesis test, make predictions, as well as studying the implications. This research could also be regarded as a continuation of research explorative. Explorative research has provided a basic idea of this study revealed that in more detail. This study identified with research that uses the question "HOW" in developing the existing information. The purpose of this study is descriptive; describe the mechanism of a process and produce a pattern of cause and effect relationship.
c. Explanative Research
This study was conducted to find an explanation of why an event or symptoms occur. The final result of this study is the description of a causal relationship. This research is often associated with research that uses the question “WHY” in developing the existing information. The purpose of this study is explanative, linking patterns are different but have a relationship and generate patterns of cause and effect.
3. Classification Research Based on the Time Dimension
Based on the dimensions of time, research can be divided into two kinds of research, there are:
a. Cross-sectional study
a. Cross-sectional study
This study is the research conducted within a certain time. This study only used within a certain time, and will not be conducted other studies in different times to compare. There is no limit to indicate a single standard of time. However, that is used is that the study has been completed. Thus, it could be a study done in January, and then because there is an urgent need, in February and March, he returned to his home. In April, he returned again to continue the data collection spaciousness. Although the researchers visited the study site twice, he still considered doing a cross-sectional study. Thus, the concept of a certain time in one research used to determine that the study was a cross-sectional study.
b. The longitudinal
This type of research conducted inter temporal. Thus, there are at least two times and topics of research with the same symptoms, but done in a different of time. But that does not mean if there are two studies conducted in different times with the same topic are always categorized into longitudinal research, but there are key words which must be held, namely the comparison between the results of research efforts.
4. Classification Research Based on Data Collection Techniques
There are many types of existing research in this classification, but can be broadly grouped into two types of research, there are study of quantitative and qualitative research.
a. Quantitative research
Quantitative research studies are studies that put more emphasis on the analysis of numerical data (numbers) are processed with statistical methods. Basically, a quantitative approach to research conducted inferential (in order of testing hypothesis) and rely on the conclusions result in a rejection error probability hypothesis nil. Within the quantitative methods will be obtained significance or the significance of group differences in relationships among variables studied. In general, quantitative research is large sample study. In the quantitative research group there are several more types of research, there are:
· Research survey; is research that uses questionnaires as research instruments. The questionnaire is a sheet that contains some of the questions with a standard structure. In the conduct of surveys, research conditions are not manipulated by the researcher.
· Research experiment; this research can be carried out in the open and closed space. In experimental studies, existing conditions manipulated by the researcher according to the needs of researchers. In these conditions have been manipulated, usually made of two groups, namely control group and the comparison group. To the control group will be given treatment or a particular stimulus in accordance with the purpose of research. The results from the reaction of both groups will be compared.
· Analysis of the contents; research is done not to the people, but rather the symbols, images, movies, and so on. In the analyzed material, for example is newspaper, counted how many times written about a particular topic appears, then calculated statistical tools.
b. Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is research that emphasizes analysis of the process of deductive and inductive inference and the analysis of the dynamics of the observed relationship between the phenomena, using scientific logic. This does not mean that qualitative research did not use quantitative data to support the emphasis is not on testing but hypothesis but on an attempt to answer the research question through formal ways of thinking and argumentative. Much qualitative research is a small sample study. In this qualitative research groups there are also other types of research, there are:
· Research field, the study could begin with the formulation of the problem is not too raw. The instruments used are also only contains about guidelines for the interview. Guidelines for discourse analysis and comparative study of history. These interview guides can be developed in accordance with existing conditions in the field.
· The analysis of discourse, this study is similar to content analysis. It's just not the display frequency of appearance of specific topics selected in the material that has been determined, but further explore the topic on the setting or conditions that occur together, or the background of the topic.
· Comparison of history, this study aims to gather data and clarify aspects of social life that occurred in the past. This research should focus on one period of history, some cultures are different, or a combination between the period of history and different cultures.
5. Classification Research Based on the Implementation
Classification of research according to the implementation, can be divided into three kinds, there are:
a. Research Laboratory
This type of research carried out in a special place to conduct scientific studies and scientific work. The purpose of laboratory research to social science is to: collect data, conduct analysis, conducting tests, and provide interpretation of some data, so that people can predict a motion trend of social phenomena within a particular society. Social science laboratory provides guidance on a number of scientists in various fields of science to conduct research cooperatively.
b. The field research
Fieldwork was conducted in the arena of real life. For example, research on the lives of the teachers, the issue of religiosity rural communities, children study a drug addict, and others. Field research is essentially a method to find specifically and realistically what is happening at some point in the community. So carrying out research on some of the actual problem that is now raging and express themselves in the form of symptoms or social process.
c. Research library
The research library aims to collect data and information with the help of all kinds of material contained in the library, for example in the form; of books, periodicals, manuscripts, records, historical records, documents, and others. In effect, the data obtained by the research library was used as the basic foundation and a primary tool for research practices in the middle of the field.
The Research Process
1. Formulating the Research Problem
It is the first and most crucial step in the research process and it have a main function is to decide what you want to find out about. The way you formulate a problem determines almost every step that follows.
Working through these steps presupposes a reasonable level of knowledge in the broad subject area within which the study is to be undertaken. Without such knowledge it is difficult to clearly and adequately ‘dissect’ a subject area. There are 7 steps in formulating the research problem:
Step 1 Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you.
Step 2 Dissect the broad area into sub areas.
Step 3 Select what is of most interest to you.
Step 4 Raise research questions.
Step 5 Formulate objectives.
Step 6 Assess your objectives.
Step 7 Double check.
2. Extensive Literature Review
Literature review is integral part of entire research process and makes valuable contribution to every operational step. Reviewing literature can be time-consuming, daunting and frustrating, but is also rewarding. Its functions are:
a. Bring clarity and focus to your research problem
The process of reviewing the literature helps you to understand the subject area better and thus helps you to conceptualize your research problem clearly and precisely. It also helps you to understand the relationship between your research problem and the body of knowledge in the area.
b. Improve your methodology
A literature review tells you if others have used procedures and methods similar to the ones that you are proposing, which procedures and methods have worked well for them, and what problems they have faced with them. Thus you will be better positioned to select a methodology that is capable of providing valid answer to your research questions.
c. Broaden your knowledge base in your research area
It ensures you to read widely around the subject area in which you intend to conduct your research study. As you are expected to be an expert in your area of study, it helps fulfill this expectation. It also helps you to understand how the findings of your study fit into the existing body of knowledge.
d. Contextualize your findings
How do answers to your research questions compare with what others have found? What contribution have you been able to make in to the existing body of knowledge? How are your findings different from those of others? For you to be able to answer these questions, you need to go back to your literature review. It is important to place your findings in the context of what is already known in your field of enquiry.
3. Developing the objectives
Objectives should be listed under two headings:
a) Main objectives ( aims)
The main objective is an overall statement of the thrust of your study. It is also a statement of the main associations and relationships that you seek to discover or establish.
b) Sub-objectives
The sub-objectives are the specific aspects of the topic that you want to investigate within the main framework of your study.
- They should be numerically listed.
- Wording should clearly, completely and specifically communicate to your readers your intention.
- Each objective should contain only one aspect of the Study.
- Use action oriented words or verbs when writing objectives.
The objectives should start with words such as
· ‘to determine’,
· ‘to find out’,
· ‘to ascertain’,
· ‘to measure’,
· ‘to explore’ etc.
The wording of objectives determines the type of research (descriptive, correlational and experimental) and the type of research design you need to adopt to achieve them e.g.
· Descriptive studies:
- To describe the types of incentives provides by Hotel XYZ to employees in Mumbai.
- To find out the opinion of the employees about the medical facilities provided by five star hotels in Mumbai.
· Correlational studies:
- To ascertain the impact of training on employee retention.
- To compare the effectiveness of different loyalty program on repeat clientele.
· Hypothesis –testing studies:
- To ascertain if an increase in working hours will increase the incidence of drug/alcohol abuse.
- To demonstrate that the provision of company accommodation to employees in Mumbai hotels will reduce staff turnover.
Identifying Variables:
In a research study it is important that the concepts used should be operationalized in measurable terms so that the extent of variations in respondents’ understanding is reduced if not eliminated.
The definition of a variable:
An image, perception or concept that can be measured – hence capable of taking on different values- is called a variable.
The difference between a concept and a variable:
Concepts are mental images or perceptions and therefore their meaning varies markedly from individual to individual. A concept cannot be measured whereas a variable can be subjected to measurement by crude/refined or subjective/objective units of measurement. It is therefore important for the concept to be converted into variables.
| Concept | Variable |
| Subjective impression | Measurable through the degree of precision varies from scale and variable to variable |
| No uniformity as to its understanding among different people. Example: excellent, high achiever, rich, satisfaction | example: gender (male/female), age, weight (--kg), height (--cm) |
Constructing hypotheses:
As a researcher you do not know about a phenomenon, but you do have a hunch to form the basis of certain assumption or guesses. You test these by collecting information that will enable you to conclude if your hunch was right. The verification process can have one of the three outcomes. Your hunch may prove to be:
· Right;
· Partially right; or
· Wrong.
Without this process of verification, you cannot conclude anything about the validity of your assumption. Hence, a hypotheses is a hunch, assumption, suspicion, assertion or an idea about a phenomenon, relationship or situation, the reality or truth of which you do not know.
A researcher calls these assumptions/ hunches hypotheses and they become the basis of an enquiry. In most studies the hypotheses will be based upon your own or someone else’s observation. Hypotheses bring clarity, specificity and focus to a research problem, but are not essential for a study. You can conduct a valid investigation without constructing formal hypotheses.
The functions of hypotheses:
· The formulation of hypothesis provides a study with focus. It tells you what specific aspects of a research problem to investigate.
· A hypothesis tells you what data to collect and what not to collect, thereby providing focus to the study.
· As it provides a focus, the construction of a hypothesis enhances objectivity in a study.
· A hypothesis may enable you to add to the formulation of a theory. It enables you to specifically conclude what is true or what is false.
4. Preparing the Research Design including Sample Design
Research design is the conceptual structure within which research would be conducted. The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant information with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money.
The preparation of research design, appropriate for a particular research problem, involves the consideration of the following:
a. Objectives of the Research Study
Objectives identified to answer the research questions have to be listed making sure that they are:
a) Numbered, and
b) Statement begins with an action verb.
b. Methods of Data Collection
There are two types of data
· Primary Data— collected for the first time
· Secondary Data—those which have already been collected and analyzed by someone else.
5. Collecting the Data
Having formulated the research problem, developed a study design, constructed a research instrument and selected a sample, you then collect the data from which you will draw inferences and conclusions for your study. Depending upon your plans, you might commence interviews, mail out a questionnaire, conduct experiments and/or make observations.
6. Analysis of Data
Processing and analyzing data involves a number of closely related operations which are performed with the purpose of summarizing the collected data and organizing these in a manner that they answer the research questions (objectives).
The Data Processing operations are:
a. Editing, a process of examining the collected raw data to detect errors and omissions and to correct these when possible.
b. Classification, a process of arranging data in groups or classes on the basis of common characteristics. Depending on the nature of phenomenon involved.
c. Tabulation, the process of summarizing raw data and displaying the same in compact form for further analysis. It is an orderly arrangement of data in columns and rows. Tabulation is essential because:
· It conserves space and reduces explanatory and descriptive statement to a minimum.
· It facilitates the process of comparison.
· It facilitates the summation of items and the detection of errors and omissions.
· It provides the basis for various statistical computations.
There are 2 data analysis method:
a. Qualitative Data Analysis
Qualitative data analysis is a very personal process with few rigid rules and procedures. For this purpose, the researcher needs to go through a process called Content Analysis. Content Analysis means analysis of the contents of an interview in order to identify the main themes that emerge from the responses given by the respondent. This process involves a number of steps:
· Step 1. Identify the main themes. The researcher needs to carefully go through the descriptive responses given by respondents to each question in order to understand the meaning they communicate. From these responses the researcher development broad themes that reflect these meanings People use different words and language to express themselves. It is important that researcher select wording of the theme in a way that accurately represents the meaning of the responses categorized under a theme. These themes become the basis for analyzing the text of unstructured interviews.
· Step 2. Assign codes to the main themes: If the researcher wants to count the number of times a theme has occurred in an interview, he/she needs to select a few responses to an open- ended question and identify the main themes. He/she continues to identify these themes from the same question till a saturation point is reached. Write these themes and assign a code to each of them, using numbers or keywords.
· Step 3. Classify responses under the main themes: Having identified the themes Next step is to go through the transcripts of all the interviews and classify the responses under the different themes.
· Step 4. Integrate themes and responses into the text of your report: Having identified responses that fall within different themes, the next step is to integrate into the text of your report. While discussing the main themes that emerged from their study, some researchers use verbatim responses to keep the feel of the response. There are others who count how frequently a theme has occurred, and then provide a sample of the responses. It entirely depends upon the way the researcher wants to communicate the findings to the readers.
b. Quantitative Data Analysis
This method is most suitable for large well designed and well administered survey using properly constructed and worded questionnaire.
Data can be analyzed either manually or with the help of a computer.
· Manual Data Analysis
This can be done if the number of respondents is ireasonably small, and there are not many variables to analyze. Manual data analysis is extremely time consuming. The easiest way to do this is to code it directly onto large graph paper in columns. Detailed headings can be used or question numbers can be written on each column to code information about the question. To manually analyze data (frequency distribution), count various codes in column and then decode them. In addition, if you want to carry out statistical tests, they have to be calculate manually. However, the use of statistics depends on your expertise and the desire/need to communicate the findings in a certain way.
· Data Analysis Using a Computer
If you want to analyze data using computer, you should be familiar with the appropriate program. In this area, knowledge of computer and statistics plays an important role. The most common software is SPSS for windows. However, data input can be long and laborious process, and if data is entered incorrectly, it will influence the final results.
7. Preparation of the Report or Presentation of Results-Formal write ups of conclusions reached.
Writing the report is the last, and for many, the most difficult step of the research process. The report informs the world what you have done, what you have discovered and what conclusions you have drawn from your findings. The report should be written in an academic style. Language should be formal and not journalistic.
REFERENCES
Dawson, Catherine. 2002. Practical Research Methods. New Delhi: UBS Publishers’ Distributors.
Kothari, C.R. 1985. Research Methodology-Methods and Techniques, New Delhi: Wiley Eastern Limited.
Kumar, Ranjit. 2005. Research Methodology-A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners, (2nd .ed). Singapore: Pearson Education.
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