RESEARCH METHODOLOGY SPECIAL STATISTICS

• Research:                                                                                                   

 a) Meaning,

b) Definition,

c) Methodology,

d) Research process, Criterion of good research 

·         Types of Research:

a)      Fundamental or Basic

b)      Applied

c)      Historical, Descriptive

d)     Analytical quantitative

e)      Qualitative

f)       Conceptual   Experimental

g)      Case study

·         Research Design

a)      Meaning

b)      Concepts, need

c)      Designs for different types of research; library

d)     Laboratory and field research; Advantages of Designing Research

·         Research Problem and Developing Research proposal:

a)         Selection of research area and topic

b)         statement of the research problem, its scope

c)         Steps involved in defining the problem.

·         Literature Search:

a)         Reviewing related literature

b)         Referencing, abstracting

c)         Computer search

d)        Bibliography

e)         Evaluation of the problem

·         Defining concepts:

a)         Objectives

b)         Basic assumptions

c)         Delimitations and limitations of the problem

Statement of Hypothesis

• Variables:      

1. Independent and dependent variables
2. Qualitative and quantitative variables
3. Discrete and continuous variables
4. Confounding variables
5. Methods of controlling variables
6. Measurement of variables.

• Sampling:

1. Meaning
2. Characteristics of a good sample design
3. Steps in sampling design
4. Types
5. Advantages

• Techniques of Data Collection:         

1. Primary data; Questionnaire
2. Schedules
3. Interview observation & other methods
4. Secondary data
5. Reliability
6. Suitability & Adequacy of data.

• Processing and Analysis of Data:

1. Processing Operations
2. Editing
3. Coding,
4. Classification and tabulation of data
5. Elements of Data Analysis Role of statistics in Data Analysis
6. Statistical Tables

• Report writing:

1.  Types
2. Format of writing the report

• Probability:

1. Probability
2. Basic Aspects
3. Probability of combination of events
4. Probability of random variables
5. Distribution of random variable
6.  

• Statistical Methods:

1. Measures of Central tendency- Mean,
2. Median, Mode
3. Arithmetic
4. Geometric and Harmonic mean. 

• Common Distribution functions:

1.  Binomial probability distribution
2. Poisson distribution and normal distribution curve.

• Measures of Dispersion: 

1. Range
2. Mean Deviation
3. Variance
4. Standard Deviation
5. Coefficient of variation

• Regression and Correlation:

1. Least square method of fitting a regression line
2. Curvilinear regression
3. Correlation methods
4. Correlation coefficient.

• Sampling Distribution and Standard Error:

a)       Elements of Testing a Statistical Hypothesis

b)       Formulation of the problem, Types of errors

c)      Level of significance

d)     Large sample tests for proportions

e)      Single mean and difference in two means.

• Small sample tests:

a)      Application of t- test for testing the significance of single mean & difference in two means (independent and paired-t).

• Chi-square test for testing normal population variance:

a)      Test for goodness of fit

b)      Independence of attributes using 2x2 and rx c contingency tables.

·         Definitions of F test

Application of F test for testing of equality of two variances.

 Experimental design:

1. Completer random design
2. Random Block Design
3. Latin square design

• Analysis of Variance:

1. Concept
2. Assumptions
3. Basic idea of one way and two way classification with simple questions.