Introduction

Research Report

Hypothesis Testing

Information and Communication Technology

Conclusion

Reference

Contents

Research is genuine exploration of the unknown that leads to new

knowledge that often warrants publication. But whether or not the

results of a research project are publishable, the project should be

communicated in the form of a research report written.

Preparation of a comprehensive written research report is an

essential part of a valid research experience, and the researcher

should be aware of this requirement at the outset of the project.

Interim reports may also be required.

Sufficient time should be allowed for satisfactory completion of

reports, taking into account that initial drafts should be critiqued by

the faculty advisor and corrected by the research at each stage.

Title page

Title of reportResearcher’s name/ codeCourse/subject

Date due

Table of contents Shows the sections of the report

Acknowledgementsan expression of gratitude forassistance in creating an original work

Executive summaryor Abstract

Gives a summary of the whole reportOutlines -purpose, researchmethod,findings, main conclusions andRecommendations

Section Purpose

Section Purpose

Introduction

Outlines context, background andpurposeDefines terms and sets limits of the researchThe reader/audience can easily identify what,

how, why

MethodologyExplains how research was done and outlineshow the data was collected

Results/Findingsmay be combined

Presents findings of the researchFacts only - no interpretationUses graphic form (eg. tables & graphs)

Section Purpose

Discussion

Presents an interpretation and evaluation ofthe results.Analyses results - draws together differentaspects of the findings, findings of otherstudies and refers to literature

Conclusion Brief statement of what was found

Recommendations Suggest suitable changes/solutions

AppendixAttachments of additional information (eg.surveys, questionnaires, glossary etc)

References All references used

Logical analysis of the subject matter

Preparation of the final outline.

Preparation of the rough draft

Rewriting and polishing of the rough draft

Preparation of the final bibliography

Writing the final draft

Helps in defining the problem statement

Two main elements

- literary review : analysis of publications

- methodology

Quality control for supervisors

Two traps

- time

- narrowing down the review

Clarity of thought

Use of concepts

Careful use of terminology

Clarification of the problem

Method of presentation

Flow of language

Chapterisation of report

Inclusion of essential data

Use of foot notes

Size of report

Authenticity of report

Comprehensive report writing for academic community

Integral part of research study

Presentation of research result

Requires set of skills

Utmost care; assistance and guidance of experts if required

Hypothesis tests are procedures for making rational decisions aboutthe reality of effects.

A rational decision is characterized by the use of a procedure whichinsures the likelihood or probability that success is incorporated intothe decision-making process. The procedure must be stated in such afashion that another individual, using the same information, wouldmake the same decision.

When a change in one thing is associated with a change in another,we have an effect. The changes may be either quantitative orqualitative, with the hypothesis testing procedure selected basedupon the type of change observed.

Hypothesis testing or significance testing is a method for testing aclaim or hypothesis about a parameter in a population, using datameasured in a sample.

• CONSTRUCTION OF HYPOTHESIS

PHASE I

• COLLECTREQUIRED DATA

PHASE II• ANALYZE DATA

TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS

PHASE III

Testing of hypothesis

The first step is to formulate the alternative and null hypotheses.

The second step is to test the null hypothesis , by carrying out a

statistical test of significance to determine whether it can be

rejected, and consequently, whether there is a difference between

the groups under investigation.

In the third step, the sample statistics appropriate for the sample,

variables and hypothesis are calculated.

In the fourth step, a significance test is conducted, to see if the null

hypothesis can be rejected.

In the final step, the decision is made to reject or accept the null

hypothesis.

Simple, specific and conceptually clear: There is no place for

ambiguity as it makes the verification of hypothesis almost

impossible. Hypothesis is uni-dimensional i.e. it should test only one

relationship at a time. To develop a good hypothesis one must be

familiar with the subject area.

Capable of verification: methods and techniques must be available

for data collection and analysis. Hypothesis techniques can be

formulated during research and analysis.

Related to the existing body of knowledge: hypothesis should have

emerged from an existing body of knowledge and it adds to it. This is

an important function of research

Operationalisable: expressed in terms of that can be measured. If it

cannot be measured , it cannot be tested and hence no conclusions

can be drawn

Helps direction: a hypothesis gives a definite point to the investigation,and it guides the direction on the study.

Specify the source of data: a hypothesis specifies the sources of data,which shall be studied, and in what context they shall be studied.

Determine the data: it defines which factors are relevant and which arenot. The use of hypothesis thus prevents a blind search and indiscriminategathering of data which may later found to be irrelevant to the problemunder study.

Suggest the type of research Helps suitable technique Development of theory: It links theory and investigation. A hypothesis

can be deducted from a theory. When it is tested though studies and foundtrue, it forms a part of theory.

Possible to test theories: A social scientist develops a theory to explain aphenomenon, he doesn’t test the theory directly , but he tests thehypothesis derived from it. If the test confirms the hypothesis , the theoryis accepted.

Constructed theory: occasionally , the reverse takes place, i.e., theorymay be constructed from hypothesis.

It is with the help of hypothesis that it becomes easy to decide as to what

type of data is to be collected and what type of data is simple be ignored.

Hypothesis makes it cleat as to what is to be accepted, proved or

disproved and that what is the main focus of study.

It helps the investigator in knowing the direction in which he is to move.

Without hypothesis it will be just duping in the dark and not moving the

right direction.

A clear idea about hypothesis, means saving of time, money and energy

which otherwise will be wasted, thereby botheration of trial and error

will be saved.

It helps in concentrating only on relevant factors and dripping irrelevant

ones. Many irrelevant factors which otherwise get into the study can

easily be ignored.

A properly formulated hypothesis is always essential for drawing proper

and reasonable conclusion.

ICT is not only an extension of man’s ability to compute but

also help him in storing and retaining data for further research

Computers play an important role of logical decision on

various aspects of research.

ICT helps in big role in every sphere of research like research

in education, research in business, research in trade etc.

It can facilitate the implementation of different types of

research designs.

The internet, in its capacity as a source of information can be

useful in uncovering secondary data and also collecting

primary data needed in various researches.

Speed and accuracy: a computer is a high speed device, capable oftaking logical decisions, performing arithmetic and non arithmeticoperations for research.

Logical decisions for a research: it is capable of comparing data ofresearch project and the results are compared to take appropriateaction.

Perfect memory related to research: the computers are capable ofstoring large amount of data and recalling information stored in itsmemory.

Versatility: a modern computer is a versatile machine. It can be usedto solve the problems related to various research projects.

Diligence: computers are superior to human brains in respect ofmemory. It has high diligence and never feels tired or fatigue even ifit has to work for very long hours.

Automation: it means that once the research data and instructionsare fed to the computer, human interventions are not required.

A number of easy use packages which run on micro computers to

perform standard statistical analysis are available. Typical

capabilities of these packages are frequency distributions, cross-

tabulations, test for population means, regression analysis, non-

parametric analysis etc

Researcher has to look into the actual usage of various statistical

tools in different areas of research

A large number of advanced statistical tools are available to

arrive at valid conclusions from the data collected by the

researcher.

SPSS, SASS, SX, MYSTAT, S-PLUS, KYPLOT etc.

SPSS offers a big range of significance tests, methods of

correlation and regression and data reduction techniques.

Each module is like separate analysis tool.

The researcher has to load the data in the computer and

apply the suitable tool for a given situation.

Source of research provider

Helps in project management

Information supplier

Statistical packages

Computer maps

Sources of secondary data

Sources of govt data

Email interviews

Consistency check

Gerard Guthrie, “Basic research methods” Sage Publications,

2011.

Hans Raj, “Theory and practice in social research”, Surjeet

Publications, 1979.

Shashi K. Gupta & Praneet Rangi, “Research methodology”,

Kalyani Publishers, 2013.

Chava Frankfort- Nachmias- David Nachmias, “Research

methods in Social sciences”, Martin’s Press, 1996.

C. Murthy, “ Research Methodology”, Vrinda Publications,

2009.