Resrach Methodology & 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:      

a)         Independent and dependent variables

b)         Qualitative and quantitative variables

c)         Discrete and continuous variables

d)        Confounding variables

e)         Methods of controlling variables

f)          Measurement of variables.

• Sampling:

a)         Meaning

b)         Characteristics of a good sample design

c)         Steps in sampling design

d)        Types

e)         Advantages

• Techniques of Data Collection:         

a)         Primary data; Questionnaire

b)         Schedules

c)         Interview observation & other methods

d)        Secondary data

e)         Reliability

f)          Suitability & Adequacy of data.

• Processing and Analysis of Data:

a)         Processing Operations

b)         Editing

c)         Coding,

d)        Classification and tabulation of data

e)      Elements of Data Analysis Role of statistics in Data Analysis

f)       Statistical Tables

• Report writing:

a)       Types

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

f)           

·            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

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.