THE RESEARCH PROCESS AND RESEARCH DESIGN
PRIMARY DATA includes the data gathered from original sources by using various techniques like observations, surveys and experiments.
SECONDARY DATA includes previously published data. It may be obtained from a firm’s internal or external sources. The internal sources contain sales reports, invoices, executive summaries, etc and the external sources contain data obtained from magazines, journals, bulletins, government reports, statistics etc.
SAMPLING PLAN. A sampling unit or a sample is a unit of population, which includes the subjects of the research, for instance college students, a group of professional, household ladies, etc. Their minimum number of the student population or size is determined. Finally the procedure is decided whether a probability method or non-probability method to be used. In a probability method, every member of the population has a chance of selection on random basis. In contrast, in the non-probability method, the researcher decides the suitability of samples on the basis of his judgment, convenience or quota.
ELEMENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
It describes title of study, prepared for, and by whom.
2.LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION & /OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
It acknowledges the authority that provided or funded the research opportunity and a brief purpose and scope of study.
3.TABLE OF CONTENTS.
It enlists the titles of chapters along with their respective page numbers.
4. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY /SYNOPSIS.
It contains a brief statement of the major points in each section.
5. INTRODUCTION.
It contains a brief statement of the problem or its history, objectives, research ethics, research methodology, time and resources limitations, budget and schedule.
6.FINDINGS.
It contains an elaboration of the procedures and findings of data collection methods and research approach(as) or instruments. For example, the way formal and informal interviews were conducted, questionnaires were formed and filled, observations, experiments, or mechanical instruments were practiced and their detailed analysis is presented by using analytical techniques and graphical representation.
7.CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
It contains the bottom lines about the entire study and subsequent recommendations to solve the research problem or exploit the opportunity.
8.APPENDIX AND BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The appendix contains presentation of statistical methods, models, charts and tables, while the bibliography section contains references collected from different sources of information like books, magazines, journals, internet, etc. It is essential to note that the 1st four parts of the report are termed as prefatory pages, the parts from no. 5 to 7 are termed as the body of the report, and the last section of the report is termed as the appended section(s).
POTENTIAL SOURCES OF ERRORS IN RESEARCH INFORMATION
1. RESEARCHER BIAS.
bias, or prejudice, or jealousy is a misperception or wrong beliefs that the researcher forms about certain people or events, etc, which influence his/ her decisions and actions. Suppose, the researcher believes that black Americans are criminals and misinterpret their views during interviews. A research bias should be controlled to avoid possible errors.
2.SAMPLING ERROR.
There can be errors in the sample selection i.e. selecting the target population, the size of the sample may be too small or sampling procedure may be wrong.
3.MEASUREMENT ERROR.
Immense care should be taken to avoid statistical methods errors or any other errors in measurement.
4. SURROGATE INFORMATION ERRORS
These are the errors about variations between the information required to solve the problem and the information sought by the researcher.
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