RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

UNIT -1
1.Briefly describe the different steps involved in a research process.
2. What do you mean by research? Explain its significance in modern times.
3. Distinguish between Research methods and Research methodology.
4. Describe the different types of research, clearly pointing out the difference between an
experiment and asurvey.
5. Write short notes on:
(1) Design of the research project;
(2) Ex post facto research;
(3) Motivation in research;
(4) Objectives of research;
(5) Criteria of good research;
(7) Research and scientific method.
6. Empirical research in India in particular creates so many problems for the researchers. State
the problems that are usually faced by such researchers.
7. A research scholar has to work as a judge and derive the truth and not as a pleader who is
only eager to prove his case in favour of his plaintiff. Discuss the statement pointing out the
objectives of research.
8. Creative management, whether in public administration or private industry, depends on
methods of inquiry that maintain objectivity, clarity, accuracy and consistency. Discuss this
statement and examine the significance of research.
9. Research is much concerned with proper fact finding, analysis and evaluation. Do you agree
with this statement? Give reasons in support of your answer.
10. It is often said that there is not a proper link between some of the activities under way in the
world of academics and in most business in our country. Account for this state of affairs and give
suggestions for improvement.
11. Describe fully the techniques of defining a research problem.
12. What is research problem? Define the main issues which should receive the attention of the
researcher in formulating the research problem. Give suitable examples to elucidate your points.

UNIT -2
1. Explain the meaning and significance of a Research design.
2. Explain the meaning of the following in context of Research design.
(a) Extraneous variables;
(b) Confounded relationship;
(c) Research hypothesis;
(d) Experimental and Control groups;
(e) Treatments.
3. Describe some of the important research designs used in experimental hypothesis-testing
research study.
4. Research design in exploratory studies must be flexible but in descriptive studies, it must
minimise biasand maximise reliability. Discuss.
5. Give your understanding of a good research design. Is single research design suitable in all
research studies? If not, why?
6. Explain and illustrate the following research designs:
(a) Two group simple randomized design;
(b) Latin square design;
(c) Random replications design;
(d) Simple factorial design;
(e) Informal experimental designs.
7. Write a short note on Experience Survey explaining fully its utility in exploratory research
studies.
8. What is research design? Discuss the basis of stratification to be employed in sampling public
opinion on inflation.

UNIT -3
1. What do you mean by Sample Design? What points should be taken into consideration by a
researcher in developing a sample design for this research project.
2. How would you differentiate between simple random sampling and complex random sampling
designs? Explain clearly giving examples.
3. Why probability sampling is generally preferred in comparison to non-probability sampling?
Explain the procedure of selecting a simple random sample.
4. Under what circumstances stratified random sampling design is considered appropriate? How
would you select such sample? Explain by means of an example.
5. Distinguish between:
(a) Restricted and unrestricted sampling;
(b) Convenience and purposive sampling;
(c) Systematic and stratified sampling;
(d) Cluster and area sampling.
6. Under what circumstances would you recommend:
(a) A probability sample?
(b) A non-probability sample?
(c) A stratified sample?
(d) A cluster sample?
6. Enumerate the different methods of collecting data. Which one is the most suitable for
conducting enquiry regarding family welfare programme in India? Explain its merits and
demerits.
7. It is never safe to take published statistics at their face value without knowing their meaning
and limitations. Elucidate this statement by enumerating and explaining the various points
which you would consider before using any published data. Illustrate your answer by examples
wherever possible.
8. Examine the merits and limitations of the observation method in collecting material. Illustrate
your answer with suitable examples.

9. Describe some of the major projective techniques and evaluate their significance as tools of
scientific social research.
10. How does the case study method differ from the survey method? Analyse the merits and
limitations of case study method in sociological research.
11. Clearly explain the difference between collection of data through questionnaires and
schedules.
12. Discuss interview as a technique of data collection.
13. Write short notes on:
(a) Depth interviews;
(b) Important aspects of a questionnaire;
(c) Pantry and store audits;
(d) Thematic Apperception Test;
(e) Holtzman Inkbolt Test.
14. What are the guiding considerations in the construction of questionnaire? Explain.

UNIT -4
1. Processing of data implies editing, coding, classification and tabulation. Describe in brief
these four operations pointing out the significance of each in context of research study.
2. Classification according to class intervals involves three main problems viz., how many
classes should be there? How to choose class limits? How to determine class frequency? State
how these problems should be tackled by a researcher.
3. Why tabulation is considered essential in a research study? Narrate the characteristics of a
good table.
4. (a) How the problem of DK responses should be dealt with by a researcher? Explain.
(b) What points one should observe while using percentages in research studies?
5. Write a brief note on different types of analysis of data pointing out the significance of each.
6. What do you mean by multivariate analysis? Explain how it differs from bivariate analysis.
7. How will you differentiate between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics? Describe the
important statistical measures often used to summarise the survey/research data.
8. What does a measure of central tendency indicate? Describe the important measures of central
tendency pointing out the situation when one measure is considered relatively appropriate in
comparison to other measures.
9. Describe the various measures of relationships often used in context of research studies.
Explain the meaning of the following correlation coefficients:
(i) ryx, (ii) ryx1 x2 , (iii) Ry x1x2
10. Write short notes on the following:
(i) Cross tabulation;
(ii) Discriminant analysis;

UNIT -5
1. Write a brief note on the task of interpretation in the context of research methodology.
2. Interpretation is a fundamental component of research process, Explain. Why so?
3. Describe the precautions that the researcher should take while interpreting his findings.
4. Interpretation is an art of drawing inferences, depending upon the skill of the researcher.
Elucidate the given statement explaining the technique of interpretation.
5. It is only through interpretation the researcher can expose the relations and processes that
underlie his findings. Explain, giving examples.
6. Explain the significance of a research report and narrate the various steps involved in writing
such a report.
7. Describe, in brief, the layout of a research report, covering all relevant points.
8. Write a short note on Documentation in the context of a research report.
9. Mention the different types of report, particularly pointing out the difference between a
technical report and a popular report.
10. Explain the technique and importance of oral presentation of research findings. Is only oral
presentation sufficient? If not, why?
11. (a) What points will you keep in mind while preparing a research report? Explain.
(b)What are the different forms in which a research work may be reported. Describe.
12. We can teach methods of analysis, yet any extensive research... requires something equally
important: an organisation or synthesis which provides the essential structure into which the
pieces of analysis fit. Examine this statement and show how a good research report may be
prepared.
13. Write short notes on the following:
(a) The techniques of writing report;
(b) Characteristics of a good research report;
(c) Bibliography and its importance in context of research report;
(d) Rewriting and polishing of report.
14. Report writing is more an art that hinges upon practice and experience. Discuss.