RESEARCH MEYHODOLOGY & STATISTICS

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

d)        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:

a)        Probability

b)       Basic Aspects

c)        Probability of combination of events

d)       Probability of random variables

e)        Distribution of random variable

·          Statistical Methods:

a)        Measures of Central tendency- Mean,

b)       Median, Mode

c)        Arithmetic

d)       Geometric and Harmonic mean. 

·          Common Distribution functions:

a)      Binomial probability distribution

b)       Poisson distribution and normal distribution curve.

·          Measures of Dispersion: 

a)     Range

b)     Mean Deviation

c)     Variance

d)     Standard Deviation

e)     Coefficient of variation

• Regression and Correlation:

a)     Least square method of fitting a regression line

b)     Curvilinear regression

c)     Correlation methods

d)     Correlation coefficient.

• Sampling Distribution and Standard Error:

1.  Elements of Testing a Statistical Hypothesis
2.  Formulation of the problem, Types of errors
3. Level of significance
4. Large sample tests for proportions
5. Single mean and difference in two means.

• Small sample tests:

1. 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:

1. Test for goodness of fit
2. Independence of attributes using 2x2 and rx c contingency tables.

• Definitions of F test

1. 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.