Roadmap to Quality Research

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Vol 13 No. 2 JUL-DEC 2014

A RESEARCH JOURNAL OF

DR. VIKHE PATIL FOUNDATION'S,

PRAVARA CENTRE FOR

MANAGEMENT RESEARCH &

DEVELOPMENT, PUNE

PRAVARA MANAGEMENT REVIEW

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PCMRD

Indexed in Indian Citation Index (ICI)

1. Bancassurance-Insurer's Delight or Customer's Plight

2. Women Empowerment through Self Help Group withSpecial Reference to Shirol Taluka

3. Status of Indian Agriculture: Empirical Insights

4. A Comparison of Haryana's Development and ItsNeighbouring States

5. Eco Friendly Products Attitude towards Pricing

6. Role of Perceived Fairness in Employee Trust Development

7. A Study of the Factors Impacting Choice of ShoppingFormats and Specific Stores in respect of specified ConsumerDurables in NOIDA

8. Roadmap to Quality Research

9. Comparison of Financial Performance of Cooperative Banksthrough Productivity and Profitability: An Analytical Study

10. Marketers shifting from the Herd to the Swarm Fizz orFizzle?

11. “Banking the unbanked” Through the collaboration ofbanks and post offices

12. A Study of Learners' Perception response to AV basedteaching method

Dr.

Pooja Chatley, Dr Liaqat Ali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Dr. V. A. Patil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

M.R. Patil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Niyati Chaudhary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Dipti Shankar Barge, Dr. Dinkar Khashaba More, Dr. SarangShankar Bhola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Savita Kulkarni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Shrirang Altekar, Dr. Anil Keskar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Dr. Sarang Shankar Bhola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Dr. Shrikrishna S. Mahajan, Gauri Bhimrao Patil . . . . . . . . . . 54

Geetika Jain, Dr. Sapna Rakesh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Rati Chandra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Dr. Sanjay Kaptan, Rajkumari Tamphasana Devi . . . . . . . . . 75

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Business standard 2004. Telcosworld leaders in profitability. July 23:1.

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Head, Department of Commerce andResearch Centre, University of PunePune

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1

Contents

PMR JUL - DEC 2014

ABOUT Pravara

Management Review (PMR)

The Philosophy:

Pravara Management Review(PMR) invites innovative andpreferably research-based articlesin any area of management.Practicing managers are welcometo submit data-based case studiesfor publication. All authors shouldaim at advancing existing thoughtand/or practices in the relevantfield and hence should endeavourto be original and insightful.Submissions should indicate anunderstanding of the relevantliterature and the contribution ofthe submissions to this body ofresearch. Empirical articles shouldhave an appropriate methodologyand be able to relate their findingsto the existing literature.Methodological articles mustattempt to show how they furtherexisting theory.

The review process: The reviewprocess followed by PMR issystematic and thorough. Articlessubmitted to the journal areinitially screened by the editor forrelevance and overall quality asjudged by the presentation ofconcepts, methodology andfindings. Inappropriate or weaksubmissions are not forwarded fora formal review. Those consideredappropriate are submitted to adouble blind review process.

Potential Contributors: Everyresearch-oriented individual andinstitution, and every researchstudent, faculty working anywherein the world is invited to explorefruitful connections with PMR.

1. Bancassurance-Insurer's Delight or Customer's Plight

2. Women Empowerment through Self Help Group with

Special Reference to Shirol Taluka

3. Status of Indian Agriculture: Empirical Insights

Dr.

4. A Comparison of Haryana's Development and Its

Neighbouring States

5. Eco Friendly Products Attitude towards Pricing

6. Role of Perceived Fairness in Employee Trust Development

7. A Study of the Factors Impacting Choice of Shopping

Formats and Specific Stores in respect of specified Consumer

Durables in NOIDA

8. Roadmap to Quality Research

9. Comparison of Financial Performance of Cooperative Banks

through Productivity and Profitability: An Analytical Study

10. Marketers shifting from the Herd to the Swarm Fizz or

Fizzle?

11. “Banking the unbanked” Through the collaboration of

banks and post offices

12. A Study of Learners' Perception response to AV based

teaching method

Pooja Chatley, Dr Liaqat Ali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Dr. V. A. Patil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

M.R. Patil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Niyati Chaudhary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Dipti Shankar Barge, Dr. Dinkar Khashaba More, Dr. SarangShankar Bhola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Savita Kulkarni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Shrirang Altekar, Dr. Anil Keskar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Dr. Sarang Shankar Bhola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Dr. Shrikrishna S. Mahajan, Gauri Bhimrao Patil . . . . . . . . . . 54

Geetika Jain, Dr. Sapna Rakesh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Rati Chandra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Dr. Sanjay Kaptan, Rajkumari Tamphasana Devi . . . . . . . . . 75

48 PMR JUL - DEC 2014 49Roadmap to Quality Research

selection of the channel. Shoppers prefer to look at alternativeoptions available before making the final choice. It isrecommended that Marketers opt for similar formats andleverage brands accordingly in store in multi brand outlets.

2. From our study we see that "Convenient location" and"Convenient hours of operation" are the most important factorsinfluencing the choice of the store. More than 27% consumersshop because of these factors. The next important factors are "Lower prices" and "Variety of brands in stock for choice" withapproximately 15% weightage. "Convenient location" ( 28 % )and "Convenient hours of operation" ( 27 % ) are the mostimportant factors influencing the choice of the store, followed byVariety of Brands ( 16 % ), Price Sensitivity ( 14 % ), Loans andCredit facilities ( 6 % ), Ambience ( 5 % ) and Friendly relations (4 % ). ( Table 3 )

Convenience and Convenient Hours of Operation are criticalfactors in the decision making process. The pressures ofmaintaining a work life balance and extended working hourswould influence the choice of consumers as far as the outlet isconcerned. Store location and extended working timings onworking days could become a key factor in ensuring “ brand inbasket “. While in-store service may not be a large determiningfactor, it could have a “hygiene” effect in influencing the endsale. It is recommended that marketers and channel partners lookinto this aspect subject to applicability of employment relatedlaws.

1. This study is restricted to NOIDA which though havingdemographic differentia would still qualify as a Metro / Tier 1geography. This can be further expanded to research into Tier IIand Tier III towns. With rural India expected to play a major rolein driving economic growth, and with rapid urbanization ofmofussil areas, this could be expanded on a zonal and laternational scale to make it an enabler for corporate strategy. Thestudy and its conclusions would thus have validity only for theDelhi NCR region which would limit the usefulness of thefindings and the conclusions to this particular region only.

2. The sample size was determined based on the fact that thestudy was based in NOIDA only. Hence the conclusions drawnon the basis of this sample may not be applicable, or may becomeless relevant if the same are sought to be applied to a largerpopulation.

This researcher would recommend factors which impact theshopper's choice pre-store and in-store as well, and whetherincome plays a determining role in the decision making asregards the same.

1. Natrajan, S. L. (1996).National Council For applied Economic

Research.

2. P.C. Tripathi, P. (2008). NewDelhi: New Delhi - Tata Mc Graw Hill.

3. Trochim, W. M. (2007). New Delhi:Biztantra.

4. Bettis, R. A. & Hitt, M. A. (1995). The New CompetitiveLandscape. , 16, 7-19.

5. Hammer, M. (1997). Beyond the end of Management. In R.Gibson (Ed.), . London: NicholasBerry Publishing.

6. Porter, M. (1980). . Free Press.

7. Sheth, J. N., Newman, B. I. & Gross, B. L. (1991). Why WeBuy and What We Buy: A Theory of Consumption Values.

, 22, 159-170.

8. Upshaw, L. B. (1995). . New York:John Willy & Sons.

9. Agarwal, S. and Sikri, S. (1996). Country image: Consumerevaluation of product category extensions. InternationalMarketing Review, 13(4), 23-39.

10. Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions. In J. Kuhl, and J.Beckman (Eds.), Action Control from Cognition toBehavior (11-39). Heidelberg: Springer.

11. Ajzen, I. and Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding attitudesand predicting social behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice Hall.

12. Ger, G., Belk, R. and Lascu, D. (1993). The development ofconsumer desire in marketing and developing economies:The cases of Romania and Turkey. Advances in ConsumerResearch, 20, 102-107.

13. Gwin, C. F. and Gwin C. R. (2003). Product attributesmodel: A tool for evaluating brand positioning. Journal ofMarketing Theory and Practice, 11(2) 30-42.

14. Kinra, N. (2006). The effect of country-of-origin on foreignbrand names in the Indian market. Marketing Intelligenceand Planning, 24(1), 15-30.

15. Bedi, R. V., and Badi, N. V. (1999). Rural Marketing.Himalya Publishing house, New Delhi.

16. Boyd, Jr., and Westfall, S. (2003). Marketing Research.Richard D. IrwinAI T B S N. Delhi.

17. Chunawala, S. A., and Kumar, K. J. Advertising Theory andPractice. Himalaya Publishing house, Delhi.

18. Davar and Davar. Salesmanship and Publicity. VikasPublishing N. Delhi.

19. Gupta, S. L. Rural Marketing Text and Cases. WisdomPublications Delhi.

20. Gopalaswamy, T. P. Rural MarketingEnvironment,Problems and Strategies. Wheeler Publishing, New Delhi.

21. Jain, P. K, and Bhatt, M. Consumer Behaviour. S Chand &Company Ltd. New Delhi.

Limitations of the Study

Scope for Further Research:

References:

Indian Market Demographics The

Consumer Classes.

Principles of Management .

Research Methods.

The Strategic Management Journal

Rethinking the Future

Competitive Strategy

Journal of Business Research

Building Brand Identity

'Those who know how to think need no teachers’

-Mahatma Gandhi

This article is descriptive in nature and mere arrangements ofguiding thoughts have been shared with number of researchassociates and scholars. The trend in research has changeddrastically and it has oriented towards quantity. Researcherfeebly made an attempt to manifest quality of their research usingintense statistical tools, unwarranted many a times and divorcingfundamentals of research.

This article is for beginner's shifts through various conceptsdepicting aspects of quality research in social sciences. It isheartening that the teaching fraternity has taken enormousinterest into research. And that was warranted since masters say'Teaching without research is sterile'. It is experienced over aperiod of time that research helps to change the attitude ofresearcher and provides entirely different dimensions to look atthe aspect. Rather this change is expected which corroboratetowards the right way of thinking. And the right thinking ofteacher helps greatly to nurture students.

The figure below depicts positioning of research scholar on theresearch platform and in subject domain on two variables i.e.quality of research and quantity of research. Owing to fewreforms in Indian scenario like API Academic PerformanceIndex, researchers are going after quantity of publications.As perthe demand and supply equation to accommodate the flood ofresearch output, number of journals has grown up opening a

gateway for easy publication. Quantity is good and warranted atthe initial stage, at least to show off as research scholar onacademic diasporas. Quantity does not lead to satisfactorypositioning due to poor quality of research. The figurecontemporary approach to research quality v/s quantity explainsthe same.

: Contemporary Approach to Research Quality v/s.Quantity.

The figure has four quadrants made up of, quality on 'x' axis andquantity on 'y' axis with positive and negative powers. The lowerleft quadrant labeled as 'Beginners' upper left 'Diffused, un-focused mentors, lower right as 'Hardcore researcher' and upperright as 'wisdom consultants'. The research scholars falling in lefttwo quadrants are more inclined towards confirmatory researchand in right two quadrants are inclined towards exploratoryresearch.

Beginners wish to have a few publications to their credit andstrive for the same, this category mainly includes students at UG

Introduction:

Research Quality v/s. Quantity:

Fig1

Roadmap to Quality Research

Dr. Sarang Shankar Bhola

* Associate Professor, Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Institute of Management Studies and Research, Varye, Satara

ABSTRACT:

This article is descriptive in nature providing information to the beginners in research, especially in social sciences and prescribesmethodology to be adopted on the magnitude of quality research. The attempt has been made to conceptualize contemporaryresearch scenario in social sciences and scientific research process is given with a few contemporary quality research indicators.The article also answers common queries raised by scholars and includes contemporary quality indicators, essential basics ofresearch and ethics in research.

Carrying quality research is not thorny but entails way of thinking and cultivates quality culture.

Keywords: Quality research, scientific research, ethics in research, Basics of research.


Figure: 02 Research Process

Aforementioned process of research is articulated with qualitycheck aspects stepwise in further discussion.

Table: Process of Research and Quality Check

Column number 2 in following table is research process everyresearcher wishes to follow. The quality check parametersnarrated in column number 3 are essential to ponder over. The in-depth thought backed up by practice of quality checks would helpresearch shift their positioning from beginners to hardcoreresearchers and to wisdom consultants.

Scientific research is a gamut of following well developed steps.

1. Problem Identification and Formulation besides several waysof problem identification and formulation, two scientific ways ofproblem formulation are inductive method and deductivemethod. Inductive method is confirmatory research anddeductive method is exploratory in nature. In inductive methodfrom the existing established theory the hypothesis is formulatedand with the help of data, observations are taken which help toconfirm the existing theory or to some extent modulate or enrichthe theory. With this kind of research problem the base ofapplication is enlarged. Second method is deductive method. Theproblem is observed in the field which has certain pattern fromwhich hypothesis is derived. Testing of hypothesis is expected todevelop altogether a new theory and add new dimensions to theexisting theory. Supplementary ways of research problemidentification includes, scope for further research written indissertation or thesis by earlier researchers, limitations and

shortfalls profoundly mentioned in research article published.

2. Hypothesis hypothesis should bear all features of goodhypothesis i.e. conceptual clarity, Specificity, Testability,Availability of techniques, Theoretical relevance andConsistency i.e. two or more propositions logically derived fromthe same theory must not be mutually contradictory. The decisionon acceptance or rejection of null hypothesis is supposed to bequalitatively discussed. Particularly in social sciences the test ofhypothesis be supplemented alternatively using parametric andnon parametric tests.

3. Review -Aliterature review discuses published information ina particular subject area and sometimes information in a

PG and research scholars. It is good to strive for a few earlypublications which may also help provide psychological warmth.Something is better than zero on scorecards. The researcher atthis stage instead of increasing quantity should strive for qualityand in-depth probing into subject to join hands with national andinternational researchers working in the same subject. Theyshould strive for positioning themselves as hardcore researchersand not the diffused and unfocussed researchers.

Diffused are good mentors who indulge into variety ofconfirmatory research subjects with their research associates.The quality of research produced is moreover based on quality ofresearch associates.

Hardcore researchers and wisdom consultants are better mentorswho take their followers and associates along with themthroughout their research voyage. Wisdom consultant is the idealpositioning in research since these people are known for theirresearch outcomes on the magnitude of its applications. A studyof leadership is not complete without reference to Bass, Yuklasimilarly a study of Quality is not complete without discussion ofDeming, Juran, Crosby and the likes.

C.K Pralhad, Amrtya Sen are known as authorities in theirspecific domains Likewise at least at certain level a researchershould be well known in his subject as an authority to talk to andconsult.

The arrows in the figure indicate repositioning directions.

The trend of academic research in India is influenced greatly bythe quality modules laid down by University Grant Commission,India (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE). The former, exercise control over mostlyundergraduate and government funded education and latercontrols the entire technical education viz. management,engineering etc. Within the decade 2000 to 2010 the saidauthorities have revised norms applicable to higher educationand technical education a couple of times.

Ph.D. is made as qualifying criterion for senior academic postslike associate professor, professor, principal and membership of afew academic bodies at university level viz. board of studies,research and review committee, managing council, dean offaculty etc. Besides this, UGC has directed common admissionprocedure for Ph.D. course to universities in India. These tworeforms have increased demand for Ph.D. course across allfaculties in India.

The number of aspirants made the scenario competitive. Sinceadmission to Ph.D. program has been channelized throughcommon admission procedure conducted by respectiveuniversity, people started taking a chance for getting admissionwhich creates a culture of focusing on getting a degree and thevery expected objective of output oriented research hasdisappeared.

To further strengthen quality initiatives in academics, one more

reform is introduced by controlling bodies. For the appointmentor promotion of a teacher for the post of Associate Professor,Professor and Principal, along with experience of teaching innumber of years, academic and research work done is consideredas qualifying criteria. To have uniformity in the determination ofacademic performance, UGC has prescribed a scale to measureacademic and research work done by individual academician,known as Academic Performance Index (API). Since API isintroduced, academicians are found to be more concerned abouttheir individualAPI score. The entire focus has shifted to increasethe API and very core of a quality and problem solving objectiveof research is lost.

Owing to API, academicians are trying desperately to getresearch papers published and presentations. To support thisscenario number of journals especially online journals havemushroomed to accommodate overnight cooked research. Payand publish culture has also developed. A few humorous reformslike, in absentia paper presentation, absence of peer review havecropped up. Merely paying processing fees at the time of articlesubmission for publication, guarantees publication of paper andpaper is not sent for revision or is rejected. The same is the casewith conferences and seminars. The quality initiatives by UGCand AICTE are defeated in their purpose by all the participantsinvolved.

In the crowd of research, quality research has its own place. Thereare few originators indulging into exploration, experimentationbut majority are copycats, busy with confirmatory research.Confirmatory research is also warranted but repetition must beavoided.

Quality research manifest through, research papers published inImpact Factor Journals (that is in journals indexed in Scopus,Thomson Reuters, or similar journals of repute viz. Sagepublication, Elsevier, Springer, journals by American marketingassociation etc.) , Monograph Publication, Case studyDevelopment, Reference Book Publications by internationallyacclaimed publisher, Policy Documents and the like. It won't besurprising if in the days to come if 'h' factor becomes thequalifying criterion for appointments, promotions, incrementsetc. of teaching fraternity in higher education in India. Merelypublication in ISSN journal do not indicate quality but thereputation of journal, number of citations received for the paper,the scholars who have cited the paper (not self citations) willdetermine the strength of the quality of the publication. Qualityresearch brings out solutions to concurrent social and managerialproblems in the form of well tested models. The model could bein a flow diagram form, structural equation model, statisticalmodels, mathematical models and the likes.

Research process is an array of interrelated and interdependentstepladder as shown in figure number 02.

Contemporary Indicators of Quality Research

Sr. Process Quality Check1 2 3

1.ProblemFormulation

Inductive MethodDeductive method

2. Hypothesis

Features of good hypothesisInductive DeductiveSupplement Hypothesis TestingParametric Non ParametricQualitative Observations

3. ReviewTypes Selection of appropriate type of reviewPresentation of review in the reportReview is the gap finding process

4.DefiningObjectives

In line with research problem and hypothesis.

5.ResearchDesign

Instrument testingReliability analysisPhysical verification of instrumentsSamplingConsideration of populationSample size calculationsSampling methodInterviewConvey the Objectivity who are you? And forwhat purpose you are doing this?Make sample relaxPersonalized questions at the end of interviewDo observe more read between the lines andnote down.

6. Pilot TestingMustRepetitive testing till nullifying errors.

7. Data Analysis

Designing data analysis schemeData feedingPut Validation CheckVariable Coding Development of Code SheetData validityOutliers pruning

8.Testing ofHypothesis

Use of appropriate toolTake into consideration conditions to use thetool.

9. Findings

Must discuss with the findings of earlierresearchSufficient discussion is expectedCorrelate with secondary - concurrent data

10. PrescriptionsAddition to the Body of KnowledgePractical Implementation of Prescriptions

Table No. 1: Process of Research and Quality Check


Figure: 02 Research Process

Aforementioned process of research is articulated with qualitycheck aspects stepwise in further discussion.

Table: Process of Research and Quality Check

Column number 2 in following table is research process everyresearcher wishes to follow. The quality check parametersnarrated in column number 3 are essential to ponder over. The in-depth thought backed up by practice of quality checks would helpresearch shift their positioning from beginners to hardcoreresearchers and to wisdom consultants.

Scientific research is a gamut of following well developed steps.

1. Problem Identification and Formulation besides several waysof problem identification and formulation, two scientific ways ofproblem formulation are inductive method and deductivemethod. Inductive method is confirmatory research anddeductive method is exploratory in nature. In inductive methodfrom the existing established theory the hypothesis is formulatedand with the help of data, observations are taken which help toconfirm the existing theory or to some extent modulate or enrichthe theory. With this kind of research problem the base ofapplication is enlarged. Second method is deductive method. Theproblem is observed in the field which has certain pattern fromwhich hypothesis is derived. Testing of hypothesis is expected todevelop altogether a new theory and add new dimensions to theexisting theory. Supplementary ways of research problemidentification includes, scope for further research written indissertation or thesis by earlier researchers, limitations and

shortfalls profoundly mentioned in research article published.

2. Hypothesis hypothesis should bear all features of goodhypothesis i.e. conceptual clarity, Specificity, Testability,Availability of techniques, Theoretical relevance andConsistency i.e. two or more propositions logically derived fromthe same theory must not be mutually contradictory. The decisionon acceptance or rejection of null hypothesis is supposed to bequalitatively discussed. Particularly in social sciences the test ofhypothesis be supplemented alternatively using parametric andnon parametric tests.

3. Review -Aliterature review discuses published information ina particular subject area and sometimes information in a

PG and research scholars. It is good to strive for a few earlypublications which may also help provide psychological warmth.Something is better than zero on scorecards. The researcher atthis stage instead of increasing quantity should strive for qualityand in-depth probing into subject to join hands with national andinternational researchers working in the same subject. Theyshould strive for positioning themselves as hardcore researchersand not the diffused and unfocussed researchers.

Diffused are good mentors who indulge into variety ofconfirmatory research subjects with their research associates.The quality of research produced is moreover based on quality ofresearch associates.

Hardcore researchers and wisdom consultants are better mentorswho take their followers and associates along with themthroughout their research voyage. Wisdom consultant is the idealpositioning in research since these people are known for theirresearch outcomes on the magnitude of its applications. A studyof leadership is not complete without reference to Bass, Yuklasimilarly a study of Quality is not complete without discussion ofDeming, Juran, Crosby and the likes.

C.K Pralhad, Amrtya Sen are known as authorities in theirspecific domains Likewise at least at certain level a researchershould be well known in his subject as an authority to talk to andconsult.

The arrows in the figure indicate repositioning directions.

The trend of academic research in India is influenced greatly bythe quality modules laid down by University Grant Commission,India (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE). The former, exercise control over mostlyundergraduate and government funded education and latercontrols the entire technical education viz. management,engineering etc. Within the decade 2000 to 2010 the saidauthorities have revised norms applicable to higher educationand technical education a couple of times.

Ph.D. is made as qualifying criterion for senior academic postslike associate professor, professor, principal and membership of afew academic bodies at university level viz. board of studies,research and review committee, managing council, dean offaculty etc. Besides this, UGC has directed common admissionprocedure for Ph.D. course to universities in India. These tworeforms have increased demand for Ph.D. course across allfaculties in India.

The number of aspirants made the scenario competitive. Sinceadmission to Ph.D. program has been channelized throughcommon admission procedure conducted by respectiveuniversity, people started taking a chance for getting admissionwhich creates a culture of focusing on getting a degree and thevery expected objective of output oriented research hasdisappeared.

To further strengthen quality initiatives in academics, one more

reform is introduced by controlling bodies. For the appointmentor promotion of a teacher for the post of Associate Professor,Professor and Principal, along with experience of teaching innumber of years, academic and research work done is consideredas qualifying criteria. To have uniformity in the determination ofacademic performance, UGC has prescribed a scale to measureacademic and research work done by individual academician,known as Academic Performance Index (API). Since API isintroduced, academicians are found to be more concerned abouttheir individualAPI score. The entire focus has shifted to increasethe API and very core of a quality and problem solving objectiveof research is lost.

Owing to API, academicians are trying desperately to getresearch papers published and presentations. To support thisscenario number of journals especially online journals havemushroomed to accommodate overnight cooked research. Payand publish culture has also developed. A few humorous reformslike, in absentia paper presentation, absence of peer review havecropped up. Merely paying processing fees at the time of articlesubmission for publication, guarantees publication of paper andpaper is not sent for revision or is rejected. The same is the casewith conferences and seminars. The quality initiatives by UGCand AICTE are defeated in their purpose by all the participantsinvolved.

In the crowd of research, quality research has its own place. Thereare few originators indulging into exploration, experimentationbut majority are copycats, busy with confirmatory research.Confirmatory research is also warranted but repetition must beavoided.

Quality research manifest through, research papers published inImpact Factor Journals (that is in journals indexed in Scopus,Thomson Reuters, or similar journals of repute viz. Sagepublication, Elsevier, Springer, journals by American marketingassociation etc.) , Monograph Publication, Case studyDevelopment, Reference Book Publications by internationallyacclaimed publisher, Policy Documents and the like. It won't besurprising if in the days to come if 'h' factor becomes thequalifying criterion for appointments, promotions, incrementsetc. of teaching fraternity in higher education in India. Merelypublication in ISSN journal do not indicate quality but thereputation of journal, number of citations received for the paper,the scholars who have cited the paper (not self citations) willdetermine the strength of the quality of the publication. Qualityresearch brings out solutions to concurrent social and managerialproblems in the form of well tested models. The model could bein a flow diagram form, structural equation model, statisticalmodels, mathematical models and the likes.

Research process is an array of interrelated and interdependentstepladder as shown in figure number 02.

Contemporary Indicators of Quality Research

Sr. Process Quality Check1 2 3

1.ProblemFormulation

Inductive MethodDeductive method

2. Hypothesis

Features of good hypothesisInductive DeductiveSupplement Hypothesis TestingParametric Non ParametricQualitative Observations

3. ReviewTypes Selection of appropriate type of reviewPresentation of review in the reportReview is the gap finding process

4.DefiningObjectives

In line with research problem and hypothesis.

5.ResearchDesign

Instrument testingReliability analysisPhysical verification of instrumentsSamplingConsideration of populationSample size calculationsSampling methodInterviewConvey the Objectivity who are you? And forwhat purpose you are doing this?Make sample relaxPersonalized questions at the end of interviewDo observe more read between the lines andnote down.

6. Pilot TestingMustRepetitive testing till nullifying errors.

7. Data Analysis

Designing data analysis schemeData feedingPut Validation CheckVariable Coding Development of Code SheetData validityOutliers pruning

8.Testing ofHypothesis

Use of appropriate toolTake into consideration conditions to use thetool.

9. Findings

Must discuss with the findings of earlierresearchSufficient discussion is expectedCorrelate with secondary - concurrent data

10. PrescriptionsAddition to the Body of KnowledgePractical Implementation of Prescriptions

Table No. 1: Process of Research and Quality Check


Quality research in India has a few hurdles. Not all people sharehonest information with researcher, even government statisticaldepartment faces challenge to collect factual data on which manysocio-economic reforms are based on. The sample source lists arenot updated for instances it is very difficult to get list of all hotelsin Mumbai or working women in Pune or number of cars sold inSatara for the last five years and the like. Such data is warrantedfor exact calculation of sample size and even randomization ofsampling. In absence of such list non probability sampling is usedin which some error may creep in.

Rules of plagiarism must be followed not only because leadingjournals scan articles through plagiarism software. Besidesstealing someone's outcome of research is immoral. Credit in theform of citations should be given to the researchers. Willingsamples are expected to share honest information hence liberty tosamples should be given for participation in research with apromise to keep their shared information confidential. Asmentioned in aforesaid discussion researcher should be unbiasedand similarly the reporting also should be unbiased.

A Few common queries are raised by scholars getting intoresearch fray.

1. What should be the topic for research or Ph.D. researcher issupposed to go by his interest area to select area of researchand topic. Over a period of time of studies a researcher findsat least one academic area of specialization alluring leadsadditional in-depth probing into the same subject area helpscrystallizing research problem. The general way is to delveinto concurrent happenings and contemporary researchoutput in the interested subject domain by referring toresearch journals. This would lead to determining gap intoresearch which can be bridged initiating new research.Researcher should select topic by what his heart goes afterrigorous readings into subject and not the topic borrowedfrom someone. The process of selecting a topic is time-consuming and does not happen overnight.

2. Topic expectation from guide expecting topic from guide isnot a bad idea but the area of research interest of guide andscholar should match. It is quite possible that candidateremains in active association with guide and over a period oftime the area of research is finalized. Generally the researchguides are equipped with alternative subjects in mind butbecause of paucity of time, guide cannot address severalresearch topics at a time. To interested and capablecandidates such topics can be extended for research. Themost scientific and even natural expectation is, researchershould have his own field of interest.

3. Is hypothesis needed?A hypothesis is a prerequisite for anyresearch. When a research question arises that isspontaneously answered by researcher on the basis of hisknowledge and experience. The answer expressed in

affirmative statement is hypothesis. The statement isskeptical in nature and put forth to test is hypothesis. Thestatement needs empirical testing for which research designis developed. The spontaneous answer to a research questionis alternative hypothesis and statistical tests applied on nullhypothesis.

4. How many hypothesis/objectives should be stated there isno numerical limit to state the hypotheses. The number ofresearch questions research has, that numbers of hypothesisthere would be. The numbers of hypotheses can be clubbedusing category characteristics instead of stating age, gender,income, family members one can say demographic profile ofsamples. Objectives are derived from hypothesis. Sinceobjectives gives direction towards data collection. The datais to be collected to test the hypothesis. When the hypothesisis set, testing of hypothesis is must.

5. How much review is adequate this quantitative questionarouses in case, formulation of research problem is followedby review of literature. This is unscientific way ofconducting research. Review of literature is a gap findingprocess help enormously to formulate research problem.Until the gap finding process reached reviews are necessary.

6. How many variables to process - The minimum number ofvariables to be processed which suffice the data forhypotheses testing and objectives.

7. Minimum Sample Size - Adequacy of sample size isdetermined statistically. Enough statistical sampledetermination techniques for finite and infinite populationare in existence.

8. Time required completing research - The queries asked areprone to quantitative aspects. No definite period ofcompleting research can be stated. The period required tocomplete research to the limit to test the hypothesis dependson number of parameters such as time required for pilottesting and data collection and the like.

9. Confidentiality in research - The results of ongoing researchshould bring before the subject community in the form ofresearch paper for discussion.

10. Size of research report - The research report that may bearticle, dissertation or thesis substantiated with researchdesign used for and supported data should be given. There isno standard page size determined for any kind of researchreport.

To conclude the discussion, on the magnitude of setting cultureof quality research, it feels essential to follow above discussion.It is tough but quality is never an accident it is outcome of hardefforts.

Ethics in Research

Common Queries … Research

particular subject area within a certain framework. Appropriatetype of review which aligns with the title of research problemshould be selected. Scholarly review is always presented insynthesis form. Review is a discussion of a series of findings sointerwoven that it leads to a definite conclusion and pave the wayto further research.

4. Defining Objectives objectives are derived from hypothesisand since hypothesis is a statement of tentative preposition drawnfrom research problem these three factors i.e. research problem,hypothesis and objectives are connected.

5. Research Design it is a blueprint of research which includes;sampling design, statistical design and operational design. Thedesign is done in the light of resources available. Nature ofpopulation is considered to decide method of sample to be used.Owing to non availability of sample list in case of finitepopulation, non probability sampling method is used errors maysneak in. The list of population in case of controllable populationcan be prepared to avoid sampling errors. Array of statisticalmethods are available to compute appropriate sample size.

Support of samples or sometimes collaboration of samples is atthe center of research in social sciences. Researcher needs to winthe confidence of sample conveying objectivity of research andthe important role sample has to play. Psychologically in arelaxed and normal mood samples share honestly and alsoextend additional information.

6. Pilot Testing it is an opportunity to interact withsamples with developed data collection instrument to test itsvalidity. It is imperative to know that samples are receivingquestions asked and are able to reply spontaneously. In case ofclose ended questions sufficient options are provided to opine onit. It is likely that few options are never marked and new optionsarise. Reliability of instrument using tools like chronbach alphaor split half method provides assurance of uniformity intosamples feedback. Physical checking of questionnaires helpsarrest pattern type of responses which are faulty in nature andrejected. Repetitive testing of schedule, questionnaire andobservational design is a demand in case of major changes duringpilot testing. Zero error in social science research is a dream but aconscious effort needs to be made to minimize errors.

7. Data Analysis Planning of data analysis envelops, variablecoding, development of code sheet, validation checks, outlierspruning and development of data analysis scheme in line with useof statistical tools.

8. Testing of Hypothesis Conditions for applying the statisticaltest are supposed to be followed. Appropriate tool whichsatisfies conditions of use should only be selected.

9. Findings Findings are drawn on data analysis and discussed insufficient length to obviate possible ambiguity in the mind ofreader. Findings are expected to be discussed in the light of earlierresearcher's findings as well as correlate with concurrentsecondary data if available from reliable sources.

10. Prescriptions These are based on findings and have practical

relevance on the scale of implementation. Concrete prescriptionplans with its intervening variables (hurdles) are desirous.

The most substantial part of research outcome is model buildingfollowed by its testing to determine its applications andgeneralization of results. Model testing paves way to furtheradvanced research which strives for new errorless model(s)which is likely to supersede existing outcomes. Since research isa continuous process, obsolescence of researchers own findingsin changing socio-cultural scenario provide wide sphere ofapplications and generalizations.

Dilemma could exist on whether; researcher is born or made?Quality research demands few essential basics, either inherent orimbibed in due course, as mentioned in following figure,classified in two categories, one is basic knowledge and anotheris personal qualities. Basic knowledge regarding scientificresearch methodology, computing skills and knowledge oflanguage in which report is to be written is absolutely essential.Personal qualities viz. patience, passion for innovation, learningattitude, analytical thinking and reading between the lines isconcurrently required.

Besides above set of essentials researcher requires threedesirable attitudes, one is asking questions to samplestakeholders on the magnitude of clear understanding of topicand research problem. Second is seeking answers for thequestions from all possible angles. The answers may be obviousor they need to be hunted. Hardcore researcher keeps onthinking over a problem until solution is reached. The entireeffort needs to be carried out in an unbiased manner. Researchernever proves but it is tested impartially and he puts forthoutcomes before researchers in the domain.

Research is a well thought out and continuous process. It is avoyage of improvised versions that never ends. Quality researchis unbiased in presenting findings and quoting the limitations ofresearch. Adequate use of statistical tools is expected. Majorchallenge before the social scientist is to control errors. Errorslike random error which is a sample selection error, randommisclassification error, occur at the time of data coding or datafeeding and confounding i.e. role of extraneous variables andbiasness of samples is not noticed. The errors need to beidentified and minimized through rigorous pilot testing ofresearch design.

Essential Basics

Additives:

Essential Basics

Basic Knowledge

• Knowledge of ResearchMethodology

• Knowledge of Basic ComputingSkills (word – Excel)

• Knowledge of Language(desirable)

Personal Qualities

• Patience

• Passion for innovation

• Learning attitude

• Analytical thinking

• Reading between the lines

Figure 3 - Essential Basics of Resarch


Quality research in India has a few hurdles. Not all people sharehonest information with researcher, even government statisticaldepartment faces challenge to collect factual data on which manysocio-economic reforms are based on. The sample source lists arenot updated for instances it is very difficult to get list of all hotelsin Mumbai or working women in Pune or number of cars sold inSatara for the last five years and the like. Such data is warrantedfor exact calculation of sample size and even randomization ofsampling. In absence of such list non probability sampling is usedin which some error may creep in.

Rules of plagiarism must be followed not only because leadingjournals scan articles through plagiarism software. Besidesstealing someone's outcome of research is immoral. Credit in theform of citations should be given to the researchers. Willingsamples are expected to share honest information hence liberty tosamples should be given for participation in research with apromise to keep their shared information confidential. Asmentioned in aforesaid discussion researcher should be unbiasedand similarly the reporting also should be unbiased.

A Few common queries are raised by scholars getting intoresearch fray.

1. What should be the topic for research or Ph.D. researcher issupposed to go by his interest area to select area of researchand topic. Over a period of time of studies a researcher findsat least one academic area of specialization alluring leadsadditional in-depth probing into the same subject area helpscrystallizing research problem. The general way is to delveinto concurrent happenings and contemporary researchoutput in the interested subject domain by referring toresearch journals. This would lead to determining gap intoresearch which can be bridged initiating new research.Researcher should select topic by what his heart goes afterrigorous readings into subject and not the topic borrowedfrom someone. The process of selecting a topic is time-consuming and does not happen overnight.

2. Topic expectation from guide expecting topic from guide isnot a bad idea but the area of research interest of guide andscholar should match. It is quite possible that candidateremains in active association with guide and over a period oftime the area of research is finalized. Generally the researchguides are equipped with alternative subjects in mind butbecause of paucity of time, guide cannot address severalresearch topics at a time. To interested and capablecandidates such topics can be extended for research. Themost scientific and even natural expectation is, researchershould have his own field of interest.

3. Is hypothesis needed?A hypothesis is a prerequisite for anyresearch. When a research question arises that isspontaneously answered by researcher on the basis of hisknowledge and experience. The answer expressed in

affirmative statement is hypothesis. The statement isskeptical in nature and put forth to test is hypothesis. Thestatement needs empirical testing for which research designis developed. The spontaneous answer to a research questionis alternative hypothesis and statistical tests applied on nullhypothesis.

4. How many hypothesis/objectives should be stated there isno numerical limit to state the hypotheses. The number ofresearch questions research has, that numbers of hypothesisthere would be. The numbers of hypotheses can be clubbedusing category characteristics instead of stating age, gender,income, family members one can say demographic profile ofsamples. Objectives are derived from hypothesis. Sinceobjectives gives direction towards data collection. The datais to be collected to test the hypothesis. When the hypothesisis set, testing of hypothesis is must.

5. How much review is adequate this quantitative questionarouses in case, formulation of research problem is followedby review of literature. This is unscientific way ofconducting research. Review of literature is a gap findingprocess help enormously to formulate research problem.Until the gap finding process reached reviews are necessary.

6. How many variables to process - The minimum number ofvariables to be processed which suffice the data forhypotheses testing and objectives.

7. Minimum Sample Size - Adequacy of sample size isdetermined statistically. Enough statistical sampledetermination techniques for finite and infinite populationare in existence.

8. Time required completing research - The queries asked areprone to quantitative aspects. No definite period ofcompleting research can be stated. The period required tocomplete research to the limit to test the hypothesis dependson number of parameters such as time required for pilottesting and data collection and the like.

9. Confidentiality in research - The results of ongoing researchshould bring before the subject community in the form ofresearch paper for discussion.

10. Size of research report - The research report that may bearticle, dissertation or thesis substantiated with researchdesign used for and supported data should be given. There isno standard page size determined for any kind of researchreport.

To conclude the discussion, on the magnitude of setting cultureof quality research, it feels essential to follow above discussion.It is tough but quality is never an accident it is outcome of hardefforts.

Ethics in Research

Common Queries … Research

particular subject area within a certain framework. Appropriatetype of review which aligns with the title of research problemshould be selected. Scholarly review is always presented insynthesis form. Review is a discussion of a series of findings sointerwoven that it leads to a definite conclusion and pave the wayto further research.

4. Defining Objectives objectives are derived from hypothesisand since hypothesis is a statement of tentative preposition drawnfrom research problem these three factors i.e. research problem,hypothesis and objectives are connected.

5. Research Design it is a blueprint of research which includes;sampling design, statistical design and operational design. Thedesign is done in the light of resources available. Nature ofpopulation is considered to decide method of sample to be used.Owing to non availability of sample list in case of finitepopulation, non probability sampling method is used errors maysneak in. The list of population in case of controllable populationcan be prepared to avoid sampling errors. Array of statisticalmethods are available to compute appropriate sample size.

Support of samples or sometimes collaboration of samples is atthe center of research in social sciences. Researcher needs to winthe confidence of sample conveying objectivity of research andthe important role sample has to play. Psychologically in arelaxed and normal mood samples share honestly and alsoextend additional information.

6. Pilot Testing it is an opportunity to interact withsamples with developed data collection instrument to test itsvalidity. It is imperative to know that samples are receivingquestions asked and are able to reply spontaneously. In case ofclose ended questions sufficient options are provided to opine onit. It is likely that few options are never marked and new optionsarise. Reliability of instrument using tools like chronbach alphaor split half method provides assurance of uniformity intosamples feedback. Physical checking of questionnaires helpsarrest pattern type of responses which are faulty in nature andrejected. Repetitive testing of schedule, questionnaire andobservational design is a demand in case of major changes duringpilot testing. Zero error in social science research is a dream but aconscious effort needs to be made to minimize errors.

7. Data Analysis Planning of data analysis envelops, variablecoding, development of code sheet, validation checks, outlierspruning and development of data analysis scheme in line with useof statistical tools.

8. Testing of Hypothesis Conditions for applying the statisticaltest are supposed to be followed. Appropriate tool whichsatisfies conditions of use should only be selected.

9. Findings Findings are drawn on data analysis and discussed insufficient length to obviate possible ambiguity in the mind ofreader. Findings are expected to be discussed in the light of earlierresearcher's findings as well as correlate with concurrentsecondary data if available from reliable sources.

10. Prescriptions These are based on findings and have practical

relevance on the scale of implementation. Concrete prescriptionplans with its intervening variables (hurdles) are desirous.

The most substantial part of research outcome is model buildingfollowed by its testing to determine its applications andgeneralization of results. Model testing paves way to furtheradvanced research which strives for new errorless model(s)which is likely to supersede existing outcomes. Since research isa continuous process, obsolescence of researchers own findingsin changing socio-cultural scenario provide wide sphere ofapplications and generalizations.

Dilemma could exist on whether; researcher is born or made?Quality research demands few essential basics, either inherent orimbibed in due course, as mentioned in following figure,classified in two categories, one is basic knowledge and anotheris personal qualities. Basic knowledge regarding scientificresearch methodology, computing skills and knowledge oflanguage in which report is to be written is absolutely essential.Personal qualities viz. patience, passion for innovation, learningattitude, analytical thinking and reading between the lines isconcurrently required.

Besides above set of essentials researcher requires threedesirable attitudes, one is asking questions to samplestakeholders on the magnitude of clear understanding of topicand research problem. Second is seeking answers for thequestions from all possible angles. The answers may be obviousor they need to be hunted. Hardcore researcher keeps onthinking over a problem until solution is reached. The entireeffort needs to be carried out in an unbiased manner. Researchernever proves but it is tested impartially and he puts forthoutcomes before researchers in the domain.

Research is a well thought out and continuous process. It is avoyage of improvised versions that never ends. Quality researchis unbiased in presenting findings and quoting the limitations ofresearch. Adequate use of statistical tools is expected. Majorchallenge before the social scientist is to control errors. Errorslike random error which is a sample selection error, randommisclassification error, occur at the time of data coding or datafeeding and confounding i.e. role of extraneous variables andbiasness of samples is not noticed. The errors need to beidentified and minimized through rigorous pilot testing ofresearch design.

Essential Basics

Additives:

Essential Basics

Basic Knowledge

• Knowledge of ResearchMethodology

• Knowledge of Basic ComputingSkills (word – Excel)

• Knowledge of Language(desirable)

Personal Qualities

• Patience

• Passion for innovation

• Learning attitude

• Analytical thinking

• Reading between the lines

Figure 3 - Essential Basics of Resarch