Research Diaries

1. Nominal Data / Nominal Scale: This type of dats is utilized to "label" a variable. In other words, it does not assign any "value" to that variable. The word "label" is critical in the sense that, here only "labeling" is done and not "quantification". For example, 1 = male, 2 = female or 1 = clerk, 2= manager, 3=engineer. So, we cannot say like 1<2 here. The dichotomous data is where only two choices are available. For example, what is your nationality 1=Indian, 2=NRI. 2. Ordinal Data / Ordinal Scale: The word "order" (say, some kind of sequence) is the heart of this type of data/scale. Here, we can say that there is an order in which, the data is sequenced. For example, gold medalist, silver medalist. But, we cannot "quantify" as to "how much" better is one over other in the sequence. For example, the gold medalist has performed better than the silver medalist. But, did the gold medalist score one m

1. What is Research Design?: A research design is like a blue print to your research. It answers the questions about your research like What, Where, How much etc. It is a logical and strategic plan of your proposed research work. It is a framework for your research and includes the techniques you choose to do your research. It is about setting objectives or research and how these objectives will be realized.  It includes the following things: - The main point of the study / exact research problem - The reasons for doing the study - Types of data it will need and utilize and sources of the same and how the data will be collected - Sampling procedure/design/size - Data analysis tools and techniques - The place of the study 2. Types of Research Design: 2.1 Exploratory Research Design: It seeks to explore the research questions. It does not provide any conclusion (that is why it is exploratory in nature). Sometimes, when the problem of research is not clear or properly understood, the res

1. Research Problem (Problem Statement/Problem Definition):   A research problem statement is the precise identification of what the research is proposed to be all about. It can be based on some problem that needs to be addressed, an assumption that needs to be validated, a curious observation with no explanation (the apple falling from the tree...) etc. One should generally look for some area, while writing a research problem statement, where there is some gap in research. For that, one needs to do literature review, on which, I will write a separate entry / blog.  The research problem should focus on one theme / area only and avoid trying to combine two areas.  For example, What is effect of discounts on consumer behavior and brand image? The better one would be (I am not implying this one is perfect, but compared to previous one, it is better) - What is the effect of discounts on brand image? The research problem should not have any bias towards a particular product, solution, proce

RESEARCH DIARIES: ENTRY 1: SOME BASIC TERMS  What is Research?: Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes. (1) What is Research Methodology and How is it Different from Research Methods? The scientific methods of collecting data, testing hypothesis, report writing etc. are a part of research methods. Research methodology is about which research method should be used to carryout the research properly. Both are important but the understanding of methodology is more important. It is like knowing English grammar (Research Methods) vs knowing how to apply that grammatical knowledge in real world communication. For example, Sachin plays cricket is an sentence. Active voice is used in it. Its passive will be "Cricket is