RESEARCH METHODS

Meaning and purpose of research:  meaning, purpose, sources of knowledge and purpose-based classification of research; Research strategies: quantitative strategy and qualitative strategy; Research Designs: experimental design, survey design, case study design, comparative study design and longitudinal design; Research process - problem identification and setting, literature review, methodology devising, data collection, data analysis and report writing; Research planning –determinant factors, scheduling and budgeting; Research proposal and final report writing – introduction, literature review, methodology, data analysis and results, conclusions and recommendations, references and appendix. Computer applications in research: internet, data analysis programs and processes, networking and dissemination of findings