1. Business Research Methodology Unit-1

2. Definition, Significance, Nature and Importance of Research  Research is a logical and systematic search for new and useful information on a particular topic. In the well-known nursery rhyme  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star  How I Wonder What You Are  the use of the words how and what essentially summarizes what research is. It is an investigation of finding solutions to scientific and social problems through objective and systematic analysis.  It is a search for knowledge, that is, a discovery of hidden truths. Here knowledge means information about matters.  The information might be collected from different sources like experience, human beings, books, journals, nature, etc.  A research can lead to new contributions to the existing knowledge.

3. Definition, Significance, Nature and Importance of Research

5.  Importance of Research  Research is important both in scientific and nonscientific fields. In  (1) A research problem refers to a difficulty which a researcher or a scientific community or an industry or a government organization or a society experiences. It may be a theoretical or a practical situation. It calls for a thorough understanding and possible solution.  (2) Research on existing theories and concepts help us identify the range and applications of them.  (3) It is the fountain of knowledge and provide guidelines for solving problems.  (4) Research provides basis for many government policies. For example, research on the needs and desires of the people and on the availability of revenues to meet the needs helps a government to prepare a budget.

6. Definition, Significance, Nature and Importance of Research  (5) It is important in industry and business for higher gain and productivity and to improve the quality of products.  (6) Mathematical and logical research on business and industry optimizes the problems in them.  (7) It leads to the identification and characterization of new materials, new living things, new stars, etc.  (8) Only through research inventions can be made; for example, new and novel phenomena and processes such as superconductivity and cloning have been discovered only through research.  (9) Social research helps find answers to social problems. They explain social phenomena and seek solution to social problems.  (10) Research leads to a new style of life and makes it delightful and glorious.

7. Definition, Significance, Nature and Importance of Research

16. Criteria for Business Research  One Expects scientific research to satisfy the following criteria  1) The purpose of the research should be clear defined and common concept be used  2) The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to permit another researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what has already been attained  3) The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield the result that are as objective as possible  4) The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in the procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings  5) The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data should be checked carefully

17. Criteria for Business Research  6) Conclusion should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and limited to those for which the data provide an adequate basis.  7) Greater confidence in research is warranted it the researcher is experienced, has good reputation in research and is a person of integrity.

18. Marketing Information System

25. Research Design Types of Research Designs  Research design definition  Research design refers to the framework of market research methods and techniques that are chosen by a researcher. The design that is chosen by the researchers allow them to utilize the methods that are suitable for the study and to set up their studies successfully in the future as well.  Essential elements of research designs are highlighted below  A research design cannot be decided without an accurate purpose or problem statement.  Research designs also include various sampling methods and tools that will be used for collecting data for the research.  Research designs guide the methods used for data analysis.  Research designs include several types of research methodology.  Research designs help narrow down to a probable objective of the research.

26. Research Design Types of Research Designs  Different research designs require different settings for the conduction of a study.  Research designs also outline the general timeline it will take to conduct a study using different research methods.  Research designs help researchers to narrow down to a particular measurement of analysis.  Types Research Design  1. Exploratory research design  One common type of research design is exploratory design. The exploratory research design format is useful when you don't have a clearly defined problem to study. Often, this type of research design is less structured than other research design options, and you can use it as a guide for your initial research to uncover your research problem.

27. Research Design Types of Research Designs  Descriptive research design  Descriptive design is another type of research design. The goal of using a descriptive research design is to describe a research topic, so this type of research is useful when you need more information about your topic. Descriptive research design can also help you understand the "what," "where," "when" and "how" of your research topic. The one question that a descriptive research design does not answer is "why."  Diagnostic research design  Another type of research design is the diagnostic research design. The diagnostic research design attempts to find the underlying factors that cause events or phenomena to occur. This research type is useful to help you understand what's causing problems so you can find solutions.

28. Research Design Types of Research Designs  Causal research design  The causal research design is another type of research design that researchers commonly choose. The causal research design format attempts to identify and understand relationships between variables, which can be valuable across many industries. Causal research designs typically involve at at least two variables and explore many possible reasons for a relationship between variables.

29. Types of Research  Theoretical research  The theoretical research is conducted in order to gather information on any subject, and increase our understanding of it. The knowledge thus collected is not used for something in particular, because the important thing about this type of research is, precisely, to expand knowledge.  Theoretical research can be carried out by all kinds of professionals: from biologists, chemists, engineers, architects to philosophers, writers, sociologists, historians, etc. No matter the professional area, theoretical research is the basis that guides subsequent innovations.  It seeks to answer fundamental questions for the human being, and that is why this type of research is common to all areas of knowledge.  The researcher starts from the premise that we must understand the world around us, and for this he begins with a hypothesis and the test by designing various experiments, which will serve to develop new theories. This is what is known as the scientific method.

30. Types of Research  Theoretical research  The theoretical research is conducted in order to gather information on any subject, and increase our understanding of it. The knowledge thus collected is not used for something in particular, because the important thing about this type of research is, precisely, to expand knowledge.  Theoretical research can be carried out by all kinds of professionals: from biologists, chemists, engineers, architects to philosophers, writers, sociologists, historians, etc. No matter the professional area, theoretical research is the basis that guides subsequent innovations.  It seeks to answer fundamental questions for the human being, and that is why this type of research is common to all areas of knowledge.  There are several factors that characterize theoretical research.  Answer the questions “what?”, “Why?” or as?”  This is how you begin a theoretical investigation, to answer these seemingly simple questions.  Thus, if you want to answer “why is the earth round?”, For example, you will go to previous theories and all the accumulated knowledge on this topic to explain why the earth is round, adding the elaboration of various tests that confirm or refute what has been said.

31. Types of Research  Curiosity  Human curiosity is the primary impulse of all theoretical research. Whoever wonders is because he wants answers. And that is what theoretical research seeks.  No commercial goals  Another of its characteristics is that its objectives are not applicable, commercially or in any other way. In other words, you don’t need the app in real life.  Its purpose is not to innovate or solve  A scientific investigation does not solve practical problems or make inventions. Just give information on the subject. Plentiful, relevant and deep information, but nothing more.  It is the basis for further research  Undoubtedly, since to carry out another type of research, researchers will have to rely on previous theoretical investigations, which will provide precisely the theoretical framework for the development of their ideas.

32. Types of Research  Empirical research:  Empirical research is defined as any research where conclusions of the study is strictly drawn from concretely empirical evidence, and therefore “verifiable” evidence.  This empirical evidence can be gathered using quantitative market research and qualitative market research methods.  For example: A research is being conducted to find out if listening to happy music while working may promote creativity? An experiment is conducted by using a music website survey on a set of audience who are exposed to happy music and another set who are not listening to music at all, and the subjects are then observed. The results derived from such a research will give empirical evidence if it does promote creativity or not..

33. Types of Research  Types and methodologies of empirical research  Empirical research can be conducted and analyzed using qualitative or quantitative methods.  Quantitative research: Quantitative research methods are used to gather information through numerical data. It is used to quantify opinions, behaviors or other defined variables. These are predetermined and are in a more structured format. Some of the commonly used methods are survey, longitudinal studies, polls, etc.  Qualitative research: Qualitative research methods are used to gather non numerical data. It is used to find meanings, opinions, or the underlying reasons from its subjects. These methods are unstructured or semi structured. The sample size for such a research is usually small and it is a conversational type of method to provide more insight or in-depth information about the problem Some of the most popular forms of methods are focus groups, experiments, interviews, etc. Examples are One-on-one interview:.

34. Types of Research  Data collected from these will need to be analyzed. Empirical evidence can also be analysed either quantitatively and qualitatively. Using this, the researcher can answer empirical questions which have to be clearly defined and answerable with the findings he has got. The type of research design used will vary depending on the field in which it is going to be used. Many of them might choose to do a collective research involving quantitative and qualitative method to better answer questions which cannot be studied in a laboratory setting.  Quantitative research methods  Quantitative research methods aid in analyzing the empirical evidence gathered. By using these a researcher can find out if his hypothesis is supported or not.  Survey research: Survey research generally involves a large audience to collect a large amount of data. This is a quantitative method having a predetermined set of closed questions which are pretty easy to answer. Because of the simplicity of such a method, high responses are achieved. It is one of the most commonly used methods for all kinds of research in today’s world.  Previously, surveys were taken face to face only with maybe a recorder. However, with advancement in technology and for ease, new mediums such as emails, or social media have emerged..

35. Types of Research  Experimental research: In experimental research, an experiment is set up and a hypothesis is tested by creating a situation in which one of the variable is manipulated. This is also used to check cause and effect. It is tested to see what happens to the independent variable if the other one is removed or altered. The process for such a method is usually proposing a hypothesis, experimenting on it, analyzing the findings and reporting the findings to understand if it supports the theory or not.  For example: A particular product company is trying to find what is the reason for them to not be able to capture the market. So the organisation makes changes in each one of the processes like manufacturing, marketing, sales and operations. Through the experiment they understand that sales training directly impacts the market coverage for their product. If the person is trained well, then the product will have better coverage.  Correlational research: Correlational research is used to find relation between two set of variables. Regression is generally used to predict outcomes of such a method. It can be positive, negative or neutral correlation.  For example: Higher educated individuals will get higher paying jobs. This means higher education enables the individual to high paying job and less education will lead to lower paying jobs..

36. Types of Research  Longitudinal study: Longitudinal study is used to understand the traits or behavior of a subject under observation after repeatedly testing the subject over a period of time. Data collected from such a method can be qualitative or quantitative in nature.  For example: A research to find out benefits of exercise. The target is asked to exercise everyday for a particular period of time and the results show higher endurance, stamina, and muscle growth. This supports the fact that exercise benefits an individual body.  Cross sectional: Cross sectional study is an observational type of method, in which a set of audience is observed at a given point in time. In this type, the set of people are chosen in a fashion which depicts similarity in all the variables except the one which is being researched. This type does not enable the researcher to establish a cause and effect relationship as it is not observed for a continuous time period. It is majorly used by healthcare sector or the retail industry.  For example: A medical study to find the prevalence of under-nutrition disorders in kids of a given population. This will involve looking at a wide range of parameters like age, ethnicity, location, incomes and social backgrounds. If a significant number of kids coming from poor families show under-nutrition disorders, the researcher can further investigate into it. Usually a cross sectional study is followed by a longitudinal study to find out the exact reason..

37. Types of Research Causal-Comparative research: This method is based on comparison. It is mainly used to find out cause-effect relationship between two variables or even multiple variables.  For example: A researcher measured the productivity of employees in a company which gave breaks to the employees during work and compared that to the employees of the company which did not give breaks at all.  Qualitative research methods  Some research questions need to be analyzed qualitatively, as quantitative methods are not applicable there. In many cases, in-depth information is needed or a researcher may need to observe a target audience behavior, hence the results needed are in a descriptive form. Qualitative research results will be descriptive rather than predictive. It enables the researcher to build or support theories for future potential quantitative research. In such a situation qualitative research methods are used to derive a conclusion to support the theory or hypothesis being studied. Case study: Case study method is used to find more information through carefully analyzing existing cases. It is very often used for business research or together empirical evidence for investigation purpose. It is a method to investigate a problem within its real life context through existing cases. The researcher has to carefully analyze making sure the parameter and variables in the existing case are the same as to the case that is being investigated. Using the findings from the case study, conclusions can be drawn regarding the topic that is being studied..

38. Types of Research  For example: A report mentioning the solution provided by a company to its client. The challenges they faced during initiation and deployment, the findings of the case and solutions they offered for the problems. Such case studies are used by most companies as it forms an empirical evidence for the company to promote in order to get more business. Observational method: Observational method is a process to observe and gather data from its target. Since it is a qualitative method it is time consuming and very personal. It can be said that observational method is a part of ethnographic research which is also used to gather empirical evidence. This is usually a qualitative form of research, however in some cases it can be quantitative as well depending on what is being studied.  For example: setting up a research to observe a particular animal in the rain-forests of amazon. Such a research usually take a lot of time as observation has to be done for a set amount of time to study patterns or behavior of the subject. Another example used widely nowadays is to observe people shopping in a mall to figure out buying behavior of consumers. One-on-one interview: Such a method is purely qualitative and one of the most widely used. The reason being it enables a researcher get precise meaningful data if the right questions are asked. It is a conversational method where in-depth data can be gathered depending on where the conversation leads.  For example: A one-on-one interview with the finance minister to gather data on financial policies of the country and its implications on the public..

39. Types of Research Focus groups: Focus groups are used when a researcher wants to find answers to why, what and how questions. A small group is generally chosen for such a method and it is not necessary to interact with the group in person. A moderator is generally needed in case the group is being addressed in person. This is widely used by product companies to collect data about their brands and the product.  For example: A mobile phone manufacturer wanting to have a feedback on the dimensions of one of their models which is yet to be launched. Such studies help the company meet the demand of the customer and position their model appropriately in the market. Text analysis: Text analysis method is a little new compared to the other types. Such a method is used to analyze social life by going through images or words used by the individual. In today’s world, with social media playing a major part of everyone’s life, such a method enables the research to follow the pattern that relates to his study.  For example: A lot of companies ask for feedback from the customer in detail mentioning how satisfied are they with their customer support team. Such data enables the researcher to take appropriate decisions to make their support team better.  Sometimes a combination of the methods is also needed for some questions that cannot be answered using only one type of method especially when a researcher needs to gain a complete understanding of complex subject matter..

40. cross-sectional study  What is a cross-sectional study?  A cross-sectional study involves looking at data from a population at one specific point in time. The participants in this type of study are selected based on particular variables of interest. Cross-sectional studies are often used in developmental psychology, but this method is also used in many other areas, including social science and education..  Some of the critical characteristics of a cross-sectional study are: Researchers can conduct a cross-sectional study with the same set of variables over a set period. Similar research may look at the same variable of interest, but each study observes a new set of subjects. The cross-sectional analysis assesses topics during a single instance with a defined start and stopping point, unlike longitudinal studies, where variables can change during extensive research. Cross-sectional studies allow the researcher to look at one independent variable as the focus of the cross-sectional study and one or more dependent variables..

41. cross-sectional study  Cross-sectional study examples  The data collected in a cross-sectional study involves subjects or participants who are similar in all variables – except the one which is under review. This variable remains constant throughout the cross-sectional study. This is unlike a longitudinal study where variables can change throughout the research. Consider these examples for more clarity:  Retail: In retail, cross-sectional research can be conducted on men and women in a specific age range to reveal similarities and differences in spending trends related to gender.  Business: In business, researchers can conduct a cross-sectional study to understand how people of different socio- economic status from one geographic segment respond to one change in an offering.  Healthcare: Scientists in healthcare may use cross-sectional research to understand how children ages 2-12 across the United States are prone to calcium deficiency.  Education: A cross-sectional study in school is particularly helpful in understanding how students who scored within a particular grade range in the same preliminary courses perform with a new curriculum.  Psychology: The cross-sectional study definition in psychology is research that involves different groups of people who do not share the same variable of interest (like the variable you’re focusing on), but who do share other relevant variables. These could include age range, gender identity, socio-economic status, and so on.

42. cross-sectional study  Types of cross-sectional studies  When you conduct a cross-sectional research study, you will engage in one or both types of research: descriptive or analytical. Read their descriptions to see how they might apply to your work.  Descriptive research A cross-sectional study may be entirely descriptive. A cross-sectional descriptive survey assesses how frequently, widely, or severely the variable of interest occurs throughout a specific demographic. Please think of the retail example we mentioned above. In that cross-sectional study example, researchers make focused observations to identify spending trends. They might use those findings for developing products and services and marketing existing offerings. They aren’t necessarily looking at why these gendered trends occur in the first place.  Analytical research: Analytical cross-sectional research investigates the association between two related or unrelated parameters. This methodology isn’t entirely foolproof, though, because outside variables and outcomes are simultaneous, and their studies are, too. For example, to validate whether coal miners could develop bronchitis looks only at the variables in a mine. What it doesn’t account for is that a predisposition to bronchitis could be hereditary, or this health condition could be present in the coal workers before their employment in the mine..

43. cross-sectional study  Benefits of Cross Sectional Study  Relatively quick to conduct.  Researchers can collect all variables at one time.  Multiple outcomes can be researched at once.  Prevalence for all factors can be measured.  Suitable for descriptive analysis.  Researchers can use it as a springboard for further research..

44.  Time Series Analysis  Time series analysis is a statistical technique that deals with time series data, or trend analysis. Time series data means that data is in a series of particular time periods or intervals. The data is considered in three types:  Time series data: A set of observations on the values that a variable takes at different times.  Cross-sectional data: Data of one or more variables, collected at the same point in time.  Pooled data: A combination of time series data and cross-sectional data.  Terms and concepts:  Dependence: Dependence refers to the association of two observations with the same variable, at prior time points.  Stationarity: Shows the mean value of the series that remains constant over a time period; if past effects accumulate and the values increase toward infinity, then stationarity is not met.. Time Series Research

45.  Differencing: Used to make the series stationary, to De-trend, and to control the auto-correlations; however, some time series analyses do not require differencing and over-differenced series can produce inaccurate estimates.  Specification: May involve the testing of the linear or non-linear relationships of dependent variables by using models such as ARIMA, ARCH, GARCH, VAR, Co-integration, etc.  Exponential smoothing in time series analysis: This method predicts the one next period value based on the past and current value. It involves averaging of data such that the nonsystematic components of each individual case or observation cancel out each other. The exponential smoothing method is used to predict the short term predication. Alpha, Gamma, Phi, and Delta are the parameters that estimate the effect of the time series data.  Alpha is used when seasonality is not present in data.  Gamma is used when a series has a trend in data.  Delta is used when seasonality cycles are present in data.  A model is applied according to the pattern of the data.. Time Series Research

46.  Curve fitting in time series analysis: Curve fitting regression is used when data is in a non-linear relationship. The following equation shows the non-linear behavior: Dependent variable, where case is the sequential case number.  Curve fitting can be performed by selecting “regression” from the analysis menu and then selecting “curve estimation” from the regression option. Then select “wanted curve linear,” “power,” “quadratic,” “cubic,” “inverse,” “logistic,” “exponential,” or “other.”  ARIMA:  ARIMA stands for autoregressive integrated moving average. This method is also known as the Box-Jenkins method.  Identification of ARIMA parameters:  Autoregressive component: AR stands for autoregressive. Autoregressive parameter is denoted by p. When p =0, it means that there is no auto-correlation in the series. When p=1, it means that the series auto-correlation is till one lag.. Time Series Research

47.  Integrated: In ARIMA time series analysis, integrated is denoted by d. Integration is the inverse of differencing. When d=0, it means the series is stationary and we do not need to take the difference of it. When d=1, it means that the series is not stationary and to make it stationary, we need to take the first difference. When d=2, it means that the series has been differenced twice. Usually, more than two time difference is not reliable.  Moving average component: MA stands for moving the average, which is denoted by q. In ARIMA, moving average q=1 means that it is an error term and there is auto-correlation with one lag.  In order to test whether or not the series and their error term is auto correlated, we usually use W-D test, ACF, and PACF.  Decomposition: Refers to separating a time series into trend, seasonal effects, and remaining variability Assumptions:  Stationarity: The first assumption is that the series are stationary. Essentially, this means that the series are normally distributed and the mean and variance are constant over a long time period.. Time Series Research

48.  Uncorrelated random error: We assume that the error term is randomly distributed and the mean and variance are constant over a time period. The Durbin-Watson test is the standard test for correlated errors.  No outliers: We assume that there is no outlier in the series. Outliers may affect conclusions strongly and can be misleading.  Random shocks (a random error component): If shocks are present, they are assumed to be randomly distributed with a mean of 0 and a constant variance.  Statistics Solutions can assist with your quantitative analysis by assisting you to develop your methodology and results chapters. The services that we offer include:. Time Series Research

49.  Research Objectives are the specific components of the research problem, that you’ll be working to answer or complete, in order to answer the overall research problem.-  Characteristics of Research Objectives  Research objective is concrete statement describing what the research is trying to achieve  A well known objective will be S- Smart, M- Measurable, A- Achievable, R- Realistic, T- Time bound.  Research Objective should be RELEVANT, FEASIBLE, LOGICAL, OBSERVABLE, UNEQUIVOCAL AND MEASURABLE.  Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved with the expected timeframe and with the available resource.  Objective of research project summarizes what is to be achieved in the study. Research Objective

50.  The research objectives are the specific accomplishments, the researcher hopes to achieve by the study  The objective include obtaining answers to research questions of testing the research hypothesis  Need for Research Objectives  The formulation of research objectives will help the researcher as follows:  Focus  A Clearly defined research objective will help the researcher to focus on the study  The formulation of research objectives helps in narrowing down the study to its essentials.  It will avoid unnecessary findings, which otherwise lead to wastage of resources.. Research Objective

51.  Avoid Unnecessary Data  The formulation of research objective helps the researcher to avoid unnecessary accumulation of data that is not needed for the chosen problem.  For example when the researcher is interested in identifying the presence or absence of chosen variable but not in detailed description he can avoid collection of unwanted information.  Organization  The formulation of objectives organize the study into a clearly defined parts or phases.  Thus the objectives help organize the study results in to main parts as per the present objectives  Gives Directions  A well formulated objective will facilitate the development of research methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation, and utilization of data.. Research Objective

52.  Types of Research Objectives  General Objectives  General objective are broad goals to be achieved  The objectives of the study states what the researcher expects to achieve by the study in general terms  Eg:- “A quasi experimental study on the effects of poverty on education among selected cities in India”  Specific Objective  Specific objective are short term and narrow in focus.  General objective are broken into small logically connected parts to form specific objective.  The General objective is met through meeting the specific objectives stated.  Specific objectives clearly specify what the researcher will do in the study, where and for what purpose the study is done.. Research Objective

53.  Eg: - To identify the relationship of poverty with age or other selected demographics variables.  Methods of stating Objectives  The following guidelines must be taken into account while stating the objectives  The objective should be presented briefly and concisely  The objective should cover the different aspects of the problem and its contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence.  The objective should be clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what the researcher is going to do, where and for what purpose.  The objective are realistic considering the local conditions.  The objective use action verbs that are specified enough to evaluated. Research Objective

54.  A hypothesis is an assumption about relations between variables.  Hypothesis can be defined as a logically conjectured relationship between two or more variables expressed in the form of a testable statement.  Relationships are conjectured on the basis of the network of associations established in the theoretical framework formulated for the research study.  VARIABLES  Anything that can vary can be considered as a variable.  A variable is anything that can take on differing or varying values.  For example; Age, Production units, Absenteeism, Sex, Motivation, Income, Height, Weight etc.  Note: The values can differ at various times for the same object or person (or) at the same time for different objects or persons.. HYPOTHESIS

55.  Variable / Attribute  A variable is a characteristic that takes on two or more values whereas, an attribute is a specific value on a variable (qualitative).  For example;  The variable SEX/GENDER has 2 attributes – Male and Female.  The variable AGREEMENT has 5 attributes –Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly Disagree.  Types of Variables  Explanatory vs Extraneous Variable  The variables selected for analysis are called explanatory variables and all other variables that are not related to the purpose of the study but may affect the dependent variable are extraneous.. HYPOTHESIS

56.  Dependent vs Independent Variable  The variable that changes in relationship to changes in another variable(s) is called dependent variable.  The variable whose change results in the change in another variable is called an independent variable. OR  An independent variable is the one that influences the dependent variable in either a positive or negative way.. HYPOTHESIS

57.  Research Hypothesis is a predictive statement that relates an independent variable to a dependent variable.  Hypothesis must contain at least one independent variable and one dependent variable.  Hypothesis are tentative, intelligent guesses as to the solution of the problem.  Hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction. It describes in concrete terms what you expect to happen in the study.  Hypothesis is an assumption about the population of the study.  It delimits the area of research and keeps the researcher on the right track.. HYPOTHESIS

58. PROBLEM (VS) HYPOTHESIS  Hypothesis is an assumption, that can be tested and can be proved to be right or wrong.  A problem is a broad question which cannot be directly tested. A problem can be scientifically investigated after converting it into a form of hypothesis. CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPOTHESIS  Conceptual Clarity - It should be clear and precise.  Specificity - It should be specific and limited in scope  Consistency - It should be consistent within the objective of the study  Testability - It should be capable of being tested.  Expectancy - It should state the expected relationships between variables.. HYPOTHESIS

59. PROBLEM (VS) HYPOTHESIS  Hypothesis is an assumption, that can be tested and can be proved to be right or wrong.  A problem is a broad question which cannot be directly tested. A problem can be scientifically investigated after converting it into a form of hypothesis. CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPOTHESIS  Conceptual Clarity - It should be clear and precise.  Specificity - It should be specific and limited in scope  Consistency - It should be consistent within the objective of the study  Testability - It should be capable of being tested.  Expectancy - It should state the expected relationships between variables.. HYPOTHESIS

60.  Simplicity - It should be stated as far as possible in simple terms.  Objectivity - It should not include value judgement, relative terms or any moral preaching.  Theoretical Relevance - It should be consistent with a substantial body of established or known facts or existing theory.  Availability of Techniques – Statistical methods should be available for testing the proposed hypothesis.. HYPOTHESIS

61.  A literature review is study of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers. It is often a part of the introduction to an essay, research report, or thesis. Taylor mentioned that people writing the literature review try to convey to their readers  what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic, and what their strengths and weaknesses are argued one of main roles of the literature review is to enlarge people's knowledge about the topic. He also mentioned that conducting a literature review, an author can also gain and demonstrate skills in following two areas: information seeking: the ability to scan the literature efficiently, using manual or computerized methods, to identify a set of useful articles and books critical appraisal: the ability to apply principles of analysis to identify unbiased and valid studies.  When writing a literature review, the author shall consider these things: tightly associate the review contents and context with the research questions. Role of Literature Review in Research

62. emphasizes the relationships between research problems and the outcomes of the literature review. identify areas of controversy in the literature. list the questions that need further research. write solid and avoid abstract to show a full analysis path write directly on the topic or sub-topics. include an overall introduction and conclusion to state the scope of the research coverage. formulate the review questions and problems.. Role of Literature Review in Research

63.  Purpose of Literature Review  A literature review goes beyond the information search. It helps you identify and articulate the relationships between the literature and your field of research have summarized following basic purposes for a literature review: It provides a context for the research, It justifies the research, It ensures the research has not been done before (or that it is not just a "replication study") or there are gaps in previous researches, It shows where the research fits into the existing body of knowledge, It enables the researcher to learn from previous theory on the subject, It illustrates how the subject has been studied previously, It highlights flaws in previous research,. Role of Literature Review in Research

64. It outlines gaps in previous research, It shows that the work is adding to the understanding and knowledge of the field, and It assists on refining, refocusing or even changing the topic.  Besides these basic points, a literature review can also help the researcher to identify the research trend in this area, determine the definitions of the main terms appeared in previous researches establish the knowledge base on the subject adjust the scope of the research. Role of Literature Review in Research

65. Importance of Literature Review Role of Literature Review in Research

66. Importance of Literature Review Role of Literature Review in Research

67. Sources of Literature Review Literature can be reviewed from two sources; 1) Primary sources Literature review mostly relies on primary sources i.e. research reports, which are description of studies written by researcher who conducted them. A primary sources is written by a person who developed the theory or conducted the research, or is the description of an investigation written by the person who conducted it. Most primary sources are found in published literature For example, nursing research articles “An original qualitative on patient experience in the ICU: Hupcey, J.E (2000). Feeling safe the psychological needs of ICU patients. Journal of Nursing Scholarship 32:361-367” Role of Literature Review in Research

68. 2) Secondary sources Secondary source research documents are description of studies prepared by someone other than the original research. They are written by people other than the individuals who developed the theory or conducted the research. The secondary sources may be used when primary sources are not available or if researchers want external opinions on an issue or problem. “Consumer preferences for electric vehicles: a literature review Fanchao Liao, Eric Molin & Bert van Wee ISSN: 0144-1647 (Print) 1464- 5327 (Online) Journal” Role of Literature Review in Research

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