ASSIGNMENT

Unit 2: Research process

1. Differentiate between Applied research and Fundamental research.

Answer.

1. Differences in purpose. Purpose of applied studies is closely associated with the solution
of Specific problems, while the purpose of fundamental studies relate to creation of new
knowledge or expansion of the current knowledge without any concerns to applicability.
2. Differences in context. In applied studies, research objectives are set by clients or
sponsors as a solution to specific problems they are facing. Fundamental studies, on the
other hand, are usually self-initiated in order to expand the levels of knowledge in certain
areas.
3. Differences in methods. Research validity represents an important point to be addressed
in all types of studies. Nevertheless, applied studies are usually more concerned with external
validity, whereas internal validity can be specified as the main point of concern for
fundamental researchers.

Difference between Applied and Fundamental Research

S.no Applied Research Fundamental Research
Applied research is the research
Fundamental research is the research
which is generally conducted to
1. which is generally conducted to
solve the problem of the
develop some new theories.
organization setting.
Fundamental research is concerned
Applied research is more concerned
with the development, examination,
with knowledge that has immediate
verification and refinement of research
2. application and would be useful in
methods, procedures ,techniques and
making decisions and formulating
tools that form the body of research
policies.
methodology.
Applied research is deductive in
Fundamental research is inductive in
nature that means it keeps some
3. nature that means it comes with new
theories as its base while
theory discoveries.
conducting research.
Applied research is also called Fundamental research is also called
4.
action research. basic research or pure research.
 2. Explain the nature and types of Hypothesis.

Answer:
Definition: A hypothesis is an assumption that is made based on some evidence. This is the initial point of
any investigation that translates the research questions into predictions. It includes components like
variables, population and the relation between the variables. A research hypothesis is a hypothesis that is
used to test the relationship between two or more variables.

Nature of Hypothesis: The following are the main features of a Hypothesis

1. Its conceptual in nature.
2. It is a verbal statement in a declarative form.
3. It has the empirical referent.
4. It Indicates the tentative relationship between two or more variables.
5. It is a powerful tool of advancement of knowledge, consistent with existing knowledge and conducive to
further enquiry.
6. It Can be tested, verifiable or falsifiable.
7. It is not moral or ethical questions.
8. It is neither too specific nor to general.
9. It is a prediction of consequences.
10. It is considered valuable even if proven false.
Types of Hypothesis: There are six forms of hypothesis and they are
Simple Hypothesis
It shows a relationship between one dependent variable and a single independent variable. For example –
If you eat more vegetables, you will lose weight faster. Here, eating more vegetables is an independent
variable, while losing weight is the dependent variable.
Complex Hypothesis
It shows the relationship between two or more dependent variables and two or more independent
variables. Eating more vegetables and fruits leads to weight loss, glowing skin, and reduces the risk of
many diseases such as heart disease.
Directional Hypothesis
It shows how a researcher is intellectual and committed to a particular outcome. The relationship between
the variables can also predict its nature. For example- children aged four years eating proper food over a
five-year period are having higher IQ levels than children not having a proper meal. This shows the effect
and direction of the effect.
Non-directional Hypothesis
It is used when there is no theory involved. It is a statement that a relationship exists between two
variables, without predicting the exact nature (direction) of the relationship.
Null Hypothesis
It provides a statement which is contrary to the hypothesis. It’s a negative statement, and there is no
relationship between independent and dependent variables. The symbol is denoted by “HO”.
 3. Define Research design and explain the essential elements of Research design.

Answer: Define Research design

A research design is the plan or framework used to conduct a research study. It involves
outlining the overall approach and methods that will be used to collect and analyze data in
order to answer research questions or test hypotheses. A well-designed research study should
have a clear and well-defined research question, a detailed plan for collecting data, and a
method for analyzing and interpreting the results. A well-thought-out research
design addresses all these features.

Research design elements include the following:

 Clear purpose: (Accurate purpose statement)The research question or hypothesis must
be clearly defined and focused.
 Sampling: (Techniques to be implemented for collecting and analyzing research)
This includes decisions about sample size, sampling method, and criteria for inclusion or
exclusion. The approach varies for different research design types.
 Data collection: This research design element involves the process of gathering data or
information from the study participants or sources. It includes decisions about what data to
collect, how to collect it, and the tools or instruments that will be used.
 Data analysis: (The method applied for analyzing collected details)
All research design types require analysis and interpretation of the data collected.
This research design element includes decisions about the statistical tests or methods that
will be used to analyze the data, as well as any potential confounding variables or biases
that may need to be addressed.
 Type of research methodology: This includes decisions about the overall approach for the
study.
 Time frame: (Timeline) An important research design element is the time frame, which
includes decisions about the duration of the study, the timeline for data collection and
analysis, and follow-up periods.
 Ethical considerations: (Probable objections for research) The research design must
include decisions about ethical considerations such as informed consent, confidentiality, and
participant protection.
 Resources: (Settings for the research study) A good research design takes into account
decisions about the budget, staffing, and other resources needed to carry out the study.

The elements of research design should be carefully planned and executed to ensure the
validity and reliability of the study findings. Let’s go deeper into the concepts of research
design.
4. Explain Methods of Scaling in detail.

Answer:Definition: Scaling technique is a method of placing respondents in continuation

of gradual change in the pre-assigned values, symbols or numbers based on the features
of a particular object as per the defined rules. All the scaling techniques are based on four
pillars, i.e., order, description, distance and origin.

Types of Scaling Techniques

The researchers have identified many scaling techniques; today, we will discuss some of the most
common scales used by business organizations, researchers, economists, experts, etc.
These techniques can be classified as primary scaling techniques and other scaling techniques.
Let us now study each of these methods in-depth below:

Primary Scaling Techniques

The major four scales used in statistics for market research consist of the following:

Nominal Scale
Nominal scales are adopted for non-quantitative (containing no numerical implication) labelling
variables which are unique and different from one another.
Types of Nominal Scales:
1. Dichotomous: A nominal scale that has only two labels is called ‘dichotomous’; for
example, Yes/No.
2. Nominal with Order: The labels on a nominal scale arranged in an ascending or
descending order is termed as ‘nominal with order’; for example, Excellent, Good, Average,
Poor, Worst.
3. Nominal without Order: Such nominal scale which has no sequence, is called ‘nominal
without order’; for example, Black, White.

Ordinal Scale
The ordinal scale functions on the concept of the relative position of the objects or labels based on
the individual’s choice or preference.
For example, At Amazon.in, every product has a customer review section where the buyers rate the
listed product according to their buying experience, product features, quality, usage, etc.
The ratings so provided are as follows:
 5 Star – Excellent
 4 Star – Good
 3 Star – Average
 2 Star – Poor
 1 Star – Worst

Interval Scale
An interval scale is also called a cardinal scale which is the numerical labelling with the same
difference among the consecutive measurement units. With the help of this scaling technique,
researchers can obtain a better comparison between the objects.
For example; A survey conducted by an automobile company to know the number of vehicles
owned by the people living in a particular area who can be its prospective customers in future. It
adopted the interval scaling technique for the purpose and provided the units as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 to
select from.
In the scale mentioned above, every unit has the same difference, i.e., 1, whether it is between 2
and 3 or between 4 and 5.

Ratio Scale
One of the most superior measurement technique is the ratio scale. Similar to an interval scale, a
ratio scale is an abstract number system. It allows measurement at proper intervals, order,
categorization and distance, with an added property of originating from a fixed zero point. Here, the
comparison can be made in terms of the acquired ratio.
For example, A health product manufacturing company surveyed to identify the level of obesity in a
particular locality. It released the following survey questionnaire:
Select a category to which your weight belongs to:
Less than 40 kilograms
 40-59 Kilograms
 60-79 Kilograms
 80-99 Kilograms
 100-119 Kilograms
 120 Kilograms and more

Other Scaling Techniques

Scaling of objects can be used for a comparative study between more than one objects (products,
services, brands, events, etc.). Or can be individually carried out to understand the consumer’s
behaviour and response towards a particular object.
5. Discuss the difference between Lab Experiment and Field Experiment.

Answer:

Comparing lab and field experiments

Similarities Differences

 Both are types of experiment,  Laboratory experiments are conducted in an

therefore can have high control over artificial setting, and therefore have low
confounding variables, and thus may ecological validity (e.g. Loftus et al). Field
have high internal validity. experiments on the other hand are high in
ecological validity as they are conducted in a
 Due to the potential amount of high natural setting (e.g. Fisher et al).
control, experiments are the only way
in which causality can accurately be  Conducting an experiment in a natural setting
produced. So, both laboratory and compromises some elements of control (see,
field experiments allow for cause and for example, Piliavin et al - the researchers
effect to be found, which makes them could not be sure if the participants had been
both useful. involved more than once, which would
introduce demand characteristics and
 Both involve the manipulation of an suspicion) which means field experiments
independent variable to measure the may have more confounding variables and be
effect on the dependent variable. This less internally valid.
gives them some shared advantages,
such as the aforementioned causality,  Field experiments tend to be used in
and control, but also some situational approaches, such as in the social
disadvantages, such as limiting the approach (Piliavin et al) whereas laboratory
number of areas you can research (as experiments are used more in dispositional
some things practically cannot be approaches such as the biological approach
manipulated, such as psychological (Dement and Kleitman, Raine et al), as
illness), and raising ethical issues into dispositional approaches do not think the
some areas of research (such as in environment affects behaviour.
the Stanford Prison Experiment,
which caused psychological and  It is considerably easier to use a repeated
physical unnecessary harm to its measures or matched pairs design in a
participants). laboratory experiment than in a field
experiment, meaning it is easier to control for
participant variables in a lab experiment as
you are likely to know more about your
participants.