Lecture 2

Purpose of Research:
The purpose of Research is to discover answers to questions

through the application of scientific procedures. The main aim of
research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not
been discovered as yet.
Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we
may think of research objectives as falling into a number of
following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new
insights into it (studies with this object in view are termed as
exploratory or formulative research studies).
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group (studies with this object in view are
known as descriptive research studies).
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or
with which it is associated with something else (studies with this
object in view are known as diagnostic research studies).
4. To test a hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables
(such studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies).
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
When you say that you are undertaking a research study to
find answers to a question, you are implying that the process;
1. Is being undertaken within a framework of a set of

philosophies (approaches).
2. Uses procedures, methods and techniques that have been

tested for their validity and reliability.
3. Is designed to be unbiased and objective.
Research is also a process of collecting, analyzing and

interpreting information to answer questions.
But to qualify as research, the process must have certain
characteristics: it must, as far as possible, also be controlled,
rigorous, systematic, valid and verifiable, empirical and critical.
For a process to be called research, it is imperative that it has
the above characteristics.
Philosophies mean approaches e.g. qualitative, quantitative
and the academic discipline in which you have been trained.
Validity
Validity means that correct procedures have been applied to

find answers to a question.
Reliability
Reliability refers to the quality of a measurement procedure

that provides repeatability and accuracy.
Unbiased and objective
This means that you have taken each step in an unbiased

manner and drawn each conclusion to the best of your ability and
without introducing your own vested interest.
(Bias is a deliberate attempt to either conceal or highlight

something).
Adherence to the three criteria mentioned above enables the

process to be called ‘research’.
Controlled
In real life there are many factors that affect an outcome.
The concept of control implies that, in exploring causality in
relation to two variables (factors), you set up your study in a way
that minimizes the effects of other factors affecting their
relationship.
This can be achieved to a large extent in the physical sciences
as most of the research is done in a laboratory. However, in the
social sciences (Hospitality and Tourism) it is extremely difficult
as research is carried out on issues related to human beings living
in society, where such controls are not possible
.
Rigorous
One must be scrupulous in ensuring that the procedures
followed to find answers to questions are relevant, appropriate and
justified.
Again, the degree of rigor varies markedly between the
physical and social sciences and within the social sciences.
Systematic
This implies that the procedure adopted to undertake an
investigation follow a certain logical sequence.
The different steps cannot be taken in a haphazard way.
Some procedures must follow others.
verifiable
This concept implies that whatever you conclude on the basis
of your findings is correct and can be verified by you and others.
Empirical
This means that any conclusion drawn is based upon hard
evidence gathered from information collected from real life
experiences or observations.
Critical
Critical scrutiny of the procedures used and the methods
employed is crucial to a research enquiry.
The process of investigation must be foolproof and free from
drawbacks.
The process adopted and the procedures used must be able to
withstand critical scrutiny.
Stages of research
Research can be classified from three perspectives:
1. application of research study
2. Objectives in undertaking the research
3. Inquiry mode employed
Application
From the point of view of application, there are two broad
categories of research:
 pure research
 Applied research.
Pure research
It involves developing and testing theories and
hypotheses that are intellectually challenging to the
researcher but may or may not have practical application at
the present time or in the future.
The knowledge produced through pure research is
sought in order to add to the existing body of research
methods.
Applied research
It is done to solve specific, practical questions; for policy
formulation, administration and understanding of a phenomenon.
It can be exploratory, but is usually descriptive. It is almost
always done on the basis of basic research.
Applied research can be carried out by academic or
industrial institutions.
Often, an academic institution such as a university will have
a specific applied research program funded by an industrial partner
interested in that program.

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Purpose of Research:

The purpose of Research is to discover answers to questions

1. Is being undertaken within a framework of a set of

2. Uses procedures, methods and techniques that have been

3. Is designed to be unbiased and objective.

Research is also a process of collecting, analyzing and

Validity means that correct procedures have been applied to

Reliability refers to the quality of a measurement procedure

Unbiased and objective

This means that you have taken each step in an unbiased

(Bias is a deliberate attempt to either conceal or highlight

Adherence to the three criteria mentioned above enables the

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