Problem Definition
A problem well defined is the problem half solved. The research process begins with the problem discovery and identifying the problem which is the first step towards its solution. The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution. The problem statement contains the hidden need for the research project. The problem is usually represented by a management question; which is followed by a more detailed set of objectives. For example, a problem can be to study the role of community organisations in the process of rural development. Once the main problem is defined, the researcher should state the sub problems and assumptions.
Research Design
Research Design is a master-plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the needed information. It provides the framework to be used as a guide in collecting and analyzing data. Research can be Exploratory, Descriptive or of Casual type. It is a systematic plan to study a problem and also includes research objectives, hypothesis, variables, and statistical analysis plan if applicable.
Objectives: The objectives of the research should align with the problem identified. The questionnaire should contain questions such that after analysing them over a sample; they fulfill the objectives. For example if the main objective is ‘to find whether community organisations play any role in rural development’; apparent objective would be ‘to find the extent to which community organisations play role in the process of rural development’. Question: Do community organisations play role in the process of rural development? (a) Yes (b) No
Hypothesis: It is the assumption of the researcher prior to taking up the study. Before taking up the study, the researcher might have an opinion that community organisations do not play any role or they play a very high degree of role. The hypothesis would be ‘community organisations play a significant degree of role in the process of rural development’. Question: The extent of role played by community organisations in the process of rural development is? (a) Very High (b) High (c) Moderate (d) Low (e) Very Low
Sampling
One of the important steps in planning the design is to identify the target population and select the sample if the census is not desired for some reason. Here, the researcher determines who and how many people to survey, what and how many events to observe, or what and how many records to inspect. A sample is a part of the target population, carefully selected to represent that population. Sampling studies are undertaken in order to establish one or more population values and/or testing one or more statistical hypotheses.
Data Collection
The data can be classified in to primary and secondary data. The data which is collected from the field under the control and supervision of the investigator is known as primary data while the data collected from books, journals, magazines, government publications, annual reports of companies etc. is known as secondary data.
Data Analysis
It is the process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making. The data collected should be analysed using suitable statistical techniques and data analysis software like MS-EXCEL, SAS or SPSS.
Formulating Conclusions
Conclusion is the inference drawn from the findings while recommendation is the proposal on the part of the researcher. The findings should talk about interpretations in terms of numbers and percentages while the conclusion should be an essay of researchers experience along with the interpretation of the identified problem, objectives and hypothesis.
Report Writing
A report aims to inform, as clearly and succinctly as possible. It has a formal style, introduction, body and conclusion. Writing a report requires analytical thinking and careful proof-reading along with neat presentation. A report should have sections as follows; letter of transmittal, title page, table of contents, list of figures/maps, executive summary, introduction, body, conclusion, recommendations, bibliography and appendices. It should be easy to read, and professional in its presentation.
