1. Research Methods

2. Outline Research methods Research process Identifying the problem
Selection the problem

3. Research methods
Research methods refer to the methods/ techniques/tools that researchers use in performing/conducting research operations. The roles of research methods are data collection, establishing the relationship between the data and the unknowns and also evaluating the reliability, validity and accuracy of the results obtained.

4. Research Process
All research endeavors share a common goal of furthering our understanding of the problem and thus all shares certain basic stages forming a process called research process. Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps.

5. Steps of research process
The seven main steps/ stages of research are as follows:
Identifying the problem
Reviewing literature
Formulating the objectives and Hypothesis
Research design
Sample design
Data collection
Processing and analyzing data
Formulating conclusion and Report writing

6. Flowchart of research process

7. Identifying the Problem
The first and foremost task in the entire process of scientific research is to identify a problem.. We have countless number of problems but all are not qualify as research problems and thus these do not need to be researched.

8. Non research problem
Non research problem is one that does not require any research to arrive at a solution. The answer to any question raised in a non-research setting is almost always obvious.

9. Examples
Outbreak of cholera following a severe flood is common phenomenon in many countries.
Reasons for sudden rise in prices of many essential commodities following the announcement of budget by the finance minister need no investigation.

10. Research problem
A research problem is one which requires a researcher to find out the best solution for the given problems.
Or A research problem is a perceived of difficulty, a feeling of discomfort or a discrepancy between the common believe and the reality.

11. According to fisher et al
According to fisher et al.(1993), a problem will qualify as a potential research problem when the following three conditions exist:
There should be a perceived discrepancy between “what it is” and “what it should be”. This implies that there should be a difference between what “actually exists” and the “ideal or planned situation”.
A question about why the discrepancy exists.
There should be at least two possible answers or solutions to the questions or problem.

12. Examples
It is found that in a locality the prevalence of Diarrhea disease increased from 15% to 45%.
Now if we do not know the reason exactly, then that is a research problem. But if it is known that, it happened due to last flood, then it id a non-research problem.

13. Selecting of research problem
The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected. The following points may be observed by a researcher in selecting a research problem or a subject for research:
Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a difficult task to throw any new light in such a case.
Controversial subject should not be come the choice of an average researcher.

14. Selecting of research problem
Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible, so that the related research materials are within one’s reach.
The importance of the subject, the qualification and training of a researcher should be considered.

15. Reviewing of Literature
A review of previous documents to similar or related phenomena is essential even for beginning researchers. If the researcher is aware of earlier studies of his topic or related topics, he will be in much better position to asses the significance of his own work.

16. Reviewing of Literature
Importance / Necessity:
It prevents researcher from duplicating work that has done before.
It prevents blind search.
It helps to find out what others have learned and reported on the problem.

17. Reviewing of Literature
Importance / Necessity:
It should provide with convincing argument for why the particular research topic is needed.
It helps researcher to become familiar with the various type of methodology that followed by others.