Research Methodology – Assignment Question: Systematic result in any field of inquiry involves three basic operations, what are these? Scientific research in any field of inquiry involves three basic operations: Data collection: Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection is a component of research in all fields of study including physical, social sciences, humanities, and business. Data analysis: Data analysis is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names, and is used in different business, science, and social science domains. Report writing: Research report is a written document containing key aspects of research project. Research report is a medium to communicate research work with relevant people. It is also a good source of preservation of research work for future reference. Question: Difference between research methodology and research method? Research Methods 1. Research methods are the techniques and tools which you conduct research into a subject or a topic. 2. It involves the tasks of conducting experiments, tests, surveys and the like utilizing the knowledge and skills learned through research methodology. 3. Research methods aim at finding solutions to research problems. Research Methodology 1. Research methodology explains and justifies the techniques and tools by you may proceed with your research. 2. It involves the learning of various techniques to conduct research and acquiring knowledge of perform tests, experiments, surveys and critical studies. 3. Research methodology aims at the employment of the correct procedures to arrive at a solution. 4. Research methods are the end of any 4. Research methodology paves the way to scientific or non- scientific research. choose appropriate research methods to be conducted properly and thus is the beginning of any scientific or non-scientific research. Question: What is of business research? The definition of business research involves acquiring information and knowledge for professional or commercial purposes such as determining opportunities and goals for a business. Business research examines all aspects of a business environment. It asks question about competitors, market structure, government regulation, technological advances and numerous other factors that make up the business environment. Page 1 of 73 Question: Compare and contrast between basic research and applied research in brief. Question: Describe the necessary steps of conducting business research. Business research passes through several steps, each step must be thoroughly reviewed to ensure that the best decision is made for the business enterprise. These include among others, a. Production analysis. b. Market analysis. c. Financial analysis. d. Competitor analysis. e. Growth analysis. Production analysis: It is the first steps in business research companies must find a product that meets the consumer demand, otherwise the product will fail in the economic market place. Market analysis: companies will conduct a market analysis to determine how much profit may be earned from current demand. A market analysis will also determine the price points at which products can be sold. Page 2 of 73 Financial analysis: A financial analysis determine the cost of each items used to produce goods and services. Management will also review the best cost application methods, ensuring that all production costs are properly applied to each product or service produced. Competitor analysis: A competitor analysis of a market is an important part of business research. Knowing which companies have the best production method or customer loyalty helps, new companies understand how they can create a competitive advantage when entering a new market. Growth analysis: It is of crucial importance in understanding the profitability of business operation. Business research usually includes forecasting the growth and direction of the current industry or market. Knowing to which direction the market is headed helps companies determine the stability of new business operation. Question: Describe the qualities of a research. Quality as good research, the process must have certain characteristics and properties: it must, as far as possible, be controlled, rigorous, systematic, valid and verifiable, empirical and critical. The main characteristics for good quality research is listed below: 1. Identifying the problem 2. Reviewing literature 3. Setting objectives and hypothesis 4. Choosing the study of design 5. Deciding on the sample design 6. Collecting data 7. Processing and analyzing data 8. Writing the report 9. Disseminating the findings A close examination of the above stages reveals that each of these stages, by and large, is dependent upon the others. Academic Research is defined as a process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information to answer questions or solve a problem. But to qualify as good research, the process must have certain characteristics and properties: it must, as far as possible, be controlled, rigorous, systematic, valid and verifiable, empirical and critical. It is based on the work of others. It can be replicated and doable .It is generalizable to other settings. It is based on some logical rationale and tied to theory. In a way that it has the potential to suggest directions for future research. It generates new questions or is cyclical in nature. It is incremental. It addresses directly or indirectly some real problem in the world. It clearly states the variables or constructs to be examined. Valid and verifiable such that whatever you conclude on the basis of your findings is correct and can be verified by you. Page 3 of 73 Question: What is historical research? Historical research is a qualitative technique. Historical research studies the meaning of past events in an attempt to interpret the facts and explain the cause of events, and their effect in the present events. Historical research involves studying, understanding and interpreting past events. The purpose of historical research is to reach insights or conclusions about past persons or occurrences. Historical research entails more than simply compiling and presenting factual information; it also requires interpretation of the information. The main emphasis in historical research is on interpretation of documents, diaries and the like. Historical data are categorized into primary or secondary sources. Primary sources include first-hand information, such as eyewitness reposts and original documents. Secondary sources include secondhand information, such as a description of an event by someone other than an eyewitness, or a textbook author’s explanation of an event or theory. Historical research involves primary and secondary documentary research about the history of a place, culture, technology, organization, families, and individuals. Primary research involves consulting public records such as deeds, plats, wills, inventories, birth and marriage records, city directories, business licenses, construction permits, maps, historic newspapers, and other documents. In some cases, private records such as diaries and letters may also be relevant to a project’s research goals. Secondary research involves review of the published literature that is relevant to the resource being investigated. This includes county histories, state histories, resource specific studies, and journal articles. Secondary sources are useful for placing site histories within a context. Internet resources may also be used to search and develop background for a project or site history. Historical research is conducted in state and local archives, county courthouses, libraries, historical societies, and at state and regional universities. Question: Explain the goals of research in an attempt to exploring, describing, predicting and causal explanation? Researchers conducting exploratory research are typically at the early stages of examining their topics. These sorts of projects are usually conducted when a researcher wants to test the feasibility of conducting a more extensive study; he or she wants to figure out the lay of the land, with respect to the particular topic. Perhaps very little prior research has been conducted on this subject. If this is the case, a researcher may wish to do some exploratory work to learn what method to use in collecting data, how best to approach research subjects, or even what sorts of questions are reasonable to ask. A researcher wanting to simply satisfy his or her own curiosity about a topic could also conduct exploratory research. In the case of the study of college students’ addictions to their electronic Page 4 of 73 gadgets, a researcher conducting exploratory research on this topic may simply wish to learn more about students’ use of these gadgets. Because these addictions seem to be a relatively new phenomenon, an exploratory study of the topic might make sense as an initial first step toward understanding it. Sometimes the goal of research is to describe or define a particular phenomenon. In this case, descriptive research would be an appropriate strategy. A descriptive study of college students’ addictions to their electronic gadgets, for example, might aim to describe patterns in how use of gadgets varies by gender or college major or which sorts of gadgets students tend to use most regularly. This study clearly defines the causal explanation of a particular phenomenon. Question: Write different biotechnological research areas that can be implemented in improving national economy. The potential contributions of modern biotechnology in the priority sectors are discussed below. Having a well-developed biotechnology sector to advance the production systems of various industries and economic sectors has a compounding effect. Biotechnology in agriculture Agricultural biotechnology ranges from traditional animal and plant breeding and selection procedures to sophisticated genetic engineering techniques. It benefits all stakeholders in the agricultural economic sector: farmers, producers and consumers. Agricultural biotechnology has the potential to (a) Produce crops that flourish in degraded lands; (b) Increase crop production per unit area so that vast acres of degraded farmlands can be left for natural and traditional rehabilitation; and (c) Produce crops that flourish in harsher meteorological conditions. A second component of agricultural biotechnology deals with husbandry, poultry and other animal-related industries. Conventional genetic techniques have produced animals capable of producing more beef, dairy, eggs, meat and/or pork. Therefore, the introduction of modern biotechnology to agriculture becomes a necessity. Biotechnology in industry/manufacturing Biotechnology leads to the development of new fields of industry and manufacturing with additional qualities that challenge the existing conventional ones to go through fundamental changes. Bioprocessing – a range of advanced manufacturing techniques that employ chemical, physical and biological processes using living organisms or their cellular components – is believed to meet the demand for new and improved commercial products. Biotechnology in health and medicine Providing better health-care system to citizens is one of the priorities of any responsible government. Similarly, access to affordable health-care system becomes one of the most fundamental issues that draw the interest of the general public. Page 5 of 73 As citizens’ need for advanced health-care system become overwhelming, paramount progress must be made in conventional drug development, diagnosis, treatment and prevention methods and techniques. Supporting future efforts of developing conventional medical / pharmaceutical industries with biomedical/biopharmaceutical methods, tools and know-how would be commendable. Biotechnology in the health care and medical sector plays a pivotal role in advancing the understanding of health and diseases, thus helping develop superior approaches of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. Biotechnology in environmental management and rehabilitation The fundamental problems with environmental management efforts are (a) A lack of comprehensive codes of management and a sustainable use of natural resources; (b) Limitations in enforcing the existing regulations and directives. These problems, coupled with global climate change, led to severe farmland degradation, erosion and loss of biological diversity (thus genetic diversity), deforestation, salinization and pollution. With these in mind, the potential of biotechnology in assisting environmental management and reclamation are underlined. Biotechnology is directly used in environmental rehabilitation/reclamation through bioremediation. Bioremediation involves the use of organisms and/or their products to degrade toxic wastes into less toxic or non-toxic products, concentrate and immobilize toxic elements and/or ions, minimize industrial wastes, and clean polluted areas. For instance, phytoremediation (such as detoxifying pollutants in the soil and absorbing and accumulating soil pollutants) is an important technique of soil reclamation. Extensive use of agrochemicals (fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides) and industrial chemicals will sooner or later pollute soils, rivers and lakes. This will demand the adoption of safer, easier and cheaper rehabilitation/remediation techniques. Developments of noble weeds by using biotechnology can be the best candidates for this purpose. Therefore, there is more reason to argue for the urgency of introducing and developing biotechnology. Other biotechnological research areas that can be implemented in improving national economy: 1. Breeding, genetic resources and Biotechnology:  Assessment of genetic diversity and establishment of molecular markers through DNA fingerprinting  Implication of gene transformation technique for variety development against abiotic stress  Introduction of GMO  In virto and cryopreservation technique for germplasm conservation 2. Agronomy:  Cultural management of different crops for sustainable agriculture  Intregrated crop production approach for hill and coastal areas Page 6 of 73  Crop diversification and intensification through multiple cropping 3. Soil science:  Micronutrient related research on specific crops and soil  Ground water pollution with heavy metal 4. Plant pathology:  Identification of pathotypes of major disease causing organisms  Integrated disease management 5. Entomology:  Identification of new insect pests  Integrated pest management and research on pesticides 6. Agricultural research:  It can be carried out both in the laboratory and the field and based on crops, environment ,livestock, and fisheries 7. Biomedical research:  Discovering the molecular structure of DNA and the genetics of disease  Cellular and molecular Biology, medical genetics, immunology, neuroscience  Vaccine development of various disease 8. Clinical research:  Safety and effectiveness of medication, devices, diagnostic product and treatment 9. Bioinformatics:  Drug design, drug discovery, protein structure alignment, prediction of gene expression, protein-protein interaction Question: What is 3-point rating scale? How a proposed research is evaluated by 3-point rating scale for execution? Each research should be evaluated to judge its merits for implementation. This evaluation can be based on a three point rating scale. A group of expert will rank the proposed topic on the basis of three point scaling. Each expert in his own judgement will assign a score from 1 through 3 for each criterion. A research topic receiving the highest score will be considered for execution. The scaling process is enumerated belowCriteria with scores:  Relevance : 1. Not relevant-01 2. Relevant -02 3. Very relevant-03  Avoidance of duplication: 1. Sufficient information already available-01 2. Some information available but major issues not covered-02 3. No sound information available to base problem solving -03  Feasibility: 1. Not feasible considering available resources-01 2. Feasible considering available resources-02 3. Very feasible considering available resource-03 Page 7 of 73  Political acceptability: 1. Not acceptable-01 2. More or less acceptable -02 3. Fully acceptable-03  Applicability: 1. No chance of recommendations being implemented-01 2. Some chance-02 3. Good chance-03  Urgency of data needed: 1. Information not urgently needed-01 2. Information could be used right away but a delay of some month would be acceptable-02 3. Data very urgentlty needed-03  Ethical acceptability: 1. Major ethical problem-01 2. Minor ethical problem -02 3. No ethical problem-03 Question: How do you make a link between health research and biotechnology research? Health research is the science and art of studying the distribution and determinants of health status of the people influenced by social, economic and physical environments, human biology, health policy and services. For example, obesity plays a role in the development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and several kinds of cancers. The biotechnology research and development pathway includes bioscience research and development as it applies to human health. Workers may study diseases to discover new treatments or invent medical devices used to directly assist patients or to improve the accuracy of diagnostic tests. There are studies into pharmacogenetics, a field which focuses on developing drugs that are adapted to each person’s genetic makeup, in the hopes of combating drug resistance and the current need for multiple drug regimens for patients. Gene therapy is another big area of research. It is being investigated as a possible cure for diseases such as cancer and HIV. As well, scientists are also working to ensure the inserted genes are not rejected by the host’s immune system. Biotechnology used in Health Research: 1. Harnessing the Social and Economic Potential of Biotechnology: Advances in Clinical Translation, Commercialization and Manufacturing 2. Biotechnology Solutions for Infectious Threats and Antimicrobial Resistance 3. Biotechnology Solutions for Non-communicable Diseases: Advances in Cell Therapy, Regenerative Medicine and Nanotechnology 4. The Revolution in Precision Medicine: Data, Diagnostics and Personalized Care. Page 8 of 73 Question: What do you mean by typology of research? Briefly write about basic, applied and evaluative research with example. The term typology refers to the study of different types. Typologies of research topics in a specific area are necessary because they enable the organization of knowledge. Basic Research: This research is conducted largely for the enhancement of knowledge and is research which does not have immediate commercial potential. The research is done for human welfare, animal welfare, and plant kingdom welfare. It is called basic, pure, fundamental research. The main motivation here is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent something. According to Travers, “Basic Research is designed to add to an organized body of scientific knowledge and does not necessarily produce results of immediate practical value.” Such research is time and cost intensive. It is used to solve a problem by adding to the field of application of discipline. Example: 1. A study looking at how caffeine consumption impacts the brain. 2. A study assessing whether men or women are more likely to suffer from depression. Applied research: Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. The goal of applied research is to improve the human condition. It focuses on analysis and solving social and real-life problems. This research is generally conducted on a large scale basis and is expensive. As such, it is often conducted with the support of some financing agency like the national government, public corporation, world bank, UNICEF, UGC, Etc. According to Hunt, “applied research is an investigation for ways of using scientific knowledge to solve practical problems” for example:- improve agriculture crop production, treat or cure a specific disease, improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, how can communication among workers in large companies be improved. This type of research can also be called Action Research. Example: 1. Studying about the kinds of motivations that will invigorate people so they can step up and take part in different kinds of charities. 2. Finding out different strategies that are best to incite the employees in the business organization or other professions. 3. Researching about different types of keyboard designs or layouts and then finding out the one that is best for both functionality and comfort. 4. Finding out the best way to approach and treat diseases like anxiety/depression/asthma etc. Evaluative research: as the name applies, is concerned with the evaluation of such occurrences as social and organizational programs or intervention. A typical design used for the evaluation may consists of one group that is exposed to the treatment and a control group that is not. Page 9 of 73 Example: Goiter is highly prevalent in many parts of Bangladesh. UNICEF, Bangladesh initiated a lipiodol injection campaign in some selected upazila in 1989. After a period of two years, the impact of this campaign was evaluated. The results were compared with another area where no such campaign was launched. Question: How do you analyses your data after collection? Data analysis usually involves reducing accumulated data to a manageable size, developing summaries, searching for patterns and applying statistical techniques for understanding and interpreting the findings in the light of the research questions. As in the case of methods of data collection, an analytical technique appropriate in one situation may not be appropriate on another. Once we have collected the data we need, it is time to analyze it. There are several methods we can use for this, for instance, data mining, data visualization, or exploratory data analysis. The exploratory data analysis is a way in which sets of information are analyzed to determine their distinct characteristics. In this way, the data can finally be used to test our original hypothesis. Descriptive statistics is another method of analyzing our information. The data is examined to find what the major features are. An attempt is made to summarize the information that has been gathered. Under descriptive statistics, analysts will use some basic tools to help them make sense of what sometimes amounts to mountains of information. The mean or average of a set of numbers can be used. This helps to determine the overall trend and is easy and quick to calculate. Sample size determination, for instance. When we measure information that has been gathered from a large workforce, for example, we may not need to use the information from every single member to get an accurate idea. Data visualization is when the information is presented in visual form, such as graphs, charts, and tables or pictures. The main reason for this is to communicate the information in an easily understandable manner. Even very complicated data can be simplified and understood by most people when represented visually. It also becomes easier to compare the data when it’s in this format. For example, if we need to see how our product is performing compared to our competitor’s product, all the information such as price, specs, how many were sold in the last year can be put into graph or picture form so that the data can be easily assessed and decisions made. Basically, any method can be used, as long as it will help the analyst to examine the information that has been collected, with the goals in mind of making some sense out of it, to look for patterns and relationships, and help answer our original questions. The data analysis part of the overall process is very labor intensive. Statistics need to be compared and contrasted, looking for similarities and differences. Different researchers prefer different methods. Some prefer to use software as the main way of analyzing the data, while others use software merely as a tool to organize and manage the information. Page 10 of 73 Question: What is qualitative research? How does it differ from quantitative research? Qualitative research is a scientific method of observation to gather non-numerical data. This type of research "refers to the meanings, concepts definitions, characteristics, symbols, and description of things" and not to their "counts or measures. This research answers how and when a certain phenomenon occurs." Qualitative research approaches are employed across many academic disciplines, focusing particularly on the human elements of the social and natural sciences; in less academic contexts, areas of application include qualitative market research, business, service demonstrations by non-profits, and journalism. The difference between qualitative and quantitative research Qualitative Research Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research. Qualitative Research is also used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the problem. Qualitative data collection methods vary using unstructured or semistructured techniques. Some common methods include focus groups (group discussions), individual interviews, and participation/observations. The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to fulfil a given quota. Quantitative Research Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into usable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables and generalize results from a larger sample population. Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research. Quantitative data collection methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection methods. Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys -online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations. Question: Describe most frequently used qualitative research approaches in social science. A popular and helpful categorization separate qualitative methods into five groups: ethnography, narrative, phenomenological, grounded theory, and case study. While the five methods generally use similar data collection techniques (observation, interviews, and reviewing text), the purpose of the study differentiates them—something similar with different types of usability tests. And like classifying different usability studies. Page 11 of 73 1. Ethnography Ethnographic research is probably the most familiar and applicable type of qualitative method to UX professionals. In ethnography, you immerse yourself in the target participants’ environment to understand the goals, cultures, challenges, motivations, and themes that emerge. Ethnography has its roots in cultural anthropology where researchers immerse themselves within a culture, often for years! Rather than relying on interviews or surveys, you experience the environment first hand, and sometimes as a “participant observer.” For example, one way of uncovering the unmet needs of customers is to “follow them home” and observe them as they interact with the product. You don’t come armed with any hypotheses to necessarily test; rather, you’re looking to find out how a product is used. 2. Narrative The narrative approach weaves together a sequence of events, usually from just one or two individuals to form a cohesive story. You conduct in-depth interviews, read documents, and look for themes; in other words, how does an individual story illustrate the larger life influences that created it. Often interviews are conducted over weeks, months, or even years, but the final narrative doesn’t need to be in chronological order. Rather it can be presented as a story (or narrative) with themes, and can reconcile conflicting stories and highlight tensions and challenges which can be opportunities for innovation. For example, a narrative approach can be an appropriate method for building a persona. While a persona should be built using a mix of methods—including segmentation analysis from surveys—in-depth interviews with individuals in an identified persona can provide the details that help describe the culture, whether it’s a person living with Multiple Sclerosis, a prospective student applying for college, or a working mom. 3. Phenomenological When you want to describe an event, activity, or phenomenon, the aptly named phenomenological study is an appropriate qualitative method. In a phenomenological study, you use a combination of methods, such as conducting interviews, reading documents, watching videos, or visiting places and events, to understand the meaning participants place on whatever’s being examined. You rely on the participants’ own perspectives to provide insight into their motivations. Like other qualitative methods, you don’t start with a well-formed hypothesis. In a phenomenological study, you often conduct a lot of interviews, usually between 5 and 25 for common themes, to build a sufficient dataset to look for emerging themes and to use other participants to validate your findings. For example, there’s been an explosion in the last 5 years in online courses and training. But how do students engage with these courses? While you can examine time spent and content accessed using log data and even assess student achievement vis-a-vis in-person courses, a phenomenological study would aim to better understand the students experience and how that may impact comprehension of the material. 4. Grounded Theory Whereas a phenomenological study looks to describe the essence of an activity or event, grounded theory looks to provide an explanation or theory behind the events. You use primarily Page 12 of 73 interviews and existing documents to build a theory based on the data. You go through a series of open and axial coding techniques to identify themes and build the theory. Sample sizes are often also larger - between 20 to 60 with these studies to better establish a theory. Grounded theory can help inform design decisions by better understanding how a community of users currently use a product or perform tasks. For example, a grounded theory study could involve understanding how software developers use portals to communicate and write code or how small retail merchants approve or decline customers for credit. 5. Case Study Made famous by the Harvard Business School, even mainly quantitative researchers can relate to the value of the case study in explaining an organization, entity, company, or event. A case study involves a deep understanding through multiple types of data sources. Case studies can be explanatory, exploratory, or describing an event. The annual CHI conference has a peerreviewed track dedicated to case studies. For example, a case study of how a large multi-national company introduced UX methods into an agile development environment would be informative to many organizations. A popular method of qualitative research is the case study, which examines in depth 'purposive samples' to better understand a phenomenon (e.g., support to families); the case study method exemplifies the qualitative researchers' preference for depth, detail, and context, often working with smaller and more focused samples, compared with the large samples of primary interest to statistical researchers seeking general laws. Question: Describe different types of research. Types of Research Methods Business research methods can be defined as “a systematic ad scientific procedure of data collection, compilation, analysis, interpretation, and implication pertaining to any business problem”. Types of research methods can be classified into several categories according to the nature and purpose of the study and other attributes. General Classification of Types of Research Methods Types of research methods can be broadly divided into two quantitative and qualitative categories. Quantitative research “describes, infers, and resolves problems using numbers. Emphasis is placed on the collection of numerical data, the summary of those data and the drawing of inferences from the data”. Qualitative research, on the other hand, is based on words, feelings, emotions, sounds and other non-numerical and unquantifiable elements. It has been noted that “information is considered qualitative in nature if it cannot be analysed by means of mathematical techniques. This characteristic may also mean that an incident does not take place often enough to allow reliable data to be collected”. Page 13 of 73 Types of Research Methods According to Nature of the Study Types of the research methods according to the nature of research can be divided into two groups: descriptive and analytical. Descriptive research usually involves surveys and studies that aim to identify the facts. In other words, descriptive research mainly deals with the “description of the state of affairs as it is at present, and there is no control over variables in descriptive research. Analytical research, on the other hand, is fundamentally different in a way that “the researcher has to use facts or information already available and analyse these in order to make a critical evaluation of the material”. Types of Research Methods According to the Purpose of the Study According to the purpose of the study, types of research methods can be divided into two categories: applied research and fundamental research. Applied research is also referred to as an action research, and the fundamental research is sometimes called basic or pure research. The table below summarizes the main differences between applied research and fundamental research. Similarities between applied and fundamental (basic) research relate to the adoption of a systematic and scientific procedure to conduct the study. Types of Research Methods according to Research Design On the basis of research design the types of research methods can be divided into two groups – exploratory and conclusive. Exploratory studies only aim to explore the research area and they do not attempt to offer final and conclusive answers to research questions. Conclusive studies, on the contrary, aim to provide final and conclusive answers to research questions. Page 14 of 73 Main differences between exploratory and conclusive research designs: Question: Describe the characteristics of a research in brief. Certain terms are very commonly used in research and the success of any research depends on these terms. These terms determine whether a research is free of biases, prejudices, and subjective errors or not. They are called the characteristics of research. 1. Reliability: Reliability is a subjective term which cannot be measured precisely, but today there are instruments which can estimate the reliability of any research. Reliability is the repeatability of any research, research instrument, tool or procedure. If any research yields similar results each time it is undertaken with similar population and with similar procedures, it is called to be a reliable research. More the results are similar; more reliability is present in the research. 2. Validity: Validity is the strength with which we can make research conclusions, assumptions or propositions true or false. Validity determines the applicability of the research. Validity of the research instrument can be defined as the suitability of the research instrument to the research problem or how accurately the instrument measures the problem. Some researchers say that validity and reliability are co-related, but the validity is much more important than reliability. Without validity, research goes in the wrong direction. To keep the research on-track define your concepts in the best possible manner so that no error occurs during the measurement. 3. Accuracy: Accuracy is also the degree to which each research process, instrument, and tool is related to each other. Accuracy also measures whether research tools have been selected in best possible manner and research procedures suits the research problem or not. For example if a research has to be conducted on the trans-gender people, several data collection tools can be used depending on the research problems but if you find that population less cooperative the best way is to observe them rather than submitting questionnaire because in questionnaire either they will give biased responses or they will not return the questionnaires at all. So choosing the best data collection tool improves the accuracy of research. Page 15 of 73 4. Credibility: Credibility comes with the use of the best source of information and best procedures in research. If you are using second-hand information in your research due to any reason your research might complete in less time but its credibility will be at stake because secondary data has been manipulated by human beings and is therefore not very valid to use in research. A certain percentage of secondary data can be used if the primary source is not available but basing a research completely on secondary data when primary data can be gathered is least credible. When researcher gives accurate references in the research the credibility of the research increases but fake references also decrease the credibility of the research. 5. Generalization: Generalization is the extent to which a research findings can be applied to larger population. When a researcher conducts a study he/she chooses a target population and from this population he takes a small sample to conduct the research. This sample is representative of the whole population so the findings should also be. If research findings can be applied to any sample from the population, the results of the research are said to be generalizable. 6. Empirical: Empirical nature of research means that the research has been conducted following rigorous scientific methods and procedures. Each step in the research has been tested for accuracy and is based on real life experiences. Quantitative research is easier to prove scientifically than qualitative research. In qualitative research biases and prejudice are easy to occur. 7. Systematic: Systematic approach is the only approach to carry on a research. No research can be conducted haphazardly. Each step must follow other. There are set of procedures that have been tested over a period of time and are thus suitable to use in research. Each research, therefore, should follow a procedure. 8. Controlled: Controlled in real life experience there are many factors that affect an outcome. A single event is often a result of several factors. When similar event is tested in research, due to the broader nature of factors that effect that event, some factors are taken as controlled factors while others are tested for a possible effect. The controlled factors or variables should have to be controlled rigorously. In pure sciences, it is very easy to control such elements because experiments are conducted in the laboratory but in social sciences it becomes difficult to control these factors because of the nature of research. Question: Write the criteria of a good research Whatever may be the types of research works and studies, one thing that is important is that they all meet on the common ground of scientific method employed by them. One expects scientific research to satisfy the following criteria1: 1. The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts be used. 2. The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to permit another researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what has already been attained. Page 16 of 73 3. The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are as objective as possible. 4. The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural design and estimate their effects upon the findings. 5. The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data should be checked carefully. 6. Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and limited to those for which the data provide an adequate basis. 7. Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity. In other words, we can state the qualities of a good research as under: 1. Good research is systematic: It means that research is structured with specified steps to be taken in a specified sequence in accordance with the well-defined set of rules. Systematic characteristic of the research does not rule out creative thinking but it certainly does reject the use of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions. 2. Good research is logical: This implies that research is guided by the rules of logical reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction are of great value in carrying out research. Induction is the process of reasoning from a part to the whole whereas deduction is the process of reasoning from some premise to a conclusion which follows from that very premise. In fact, logical reasoning makes research more meaningful in the context of decision making. 3. Good research is empirical: It implies that research is related basically to one or more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a basis for external validity to research results. 4. Good research is replicable: This characteristic allows research results to be verified by replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions Page 17 of 73 Question: Describe the principle goals of Research The goals of research are – 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. To explore a phenomena. To produce some new knowledge. To discover new invention/design. To discover some solutions to solve a particular problem. To produce some knew policies. To test certain hypothesis. The principle goals of research are - Question: What is research process? Diagrammatically show the different stages of a research process. Research process: All research endeavors share a common goal of furthering understanding of the problem and thus all share certain basic stages forming a process called research process. Or, It is the systemic manner in which a researcher approaches their area of study to produce knowledge which the community will consider to be worthwhile within the field. Different stages of a research process: An understanding of the research process is necessary to effectively carry out research and sequencing of the stages inherent in the process. These stages involved in the research process are as follow: 1. Identifying the problem 2. Reviewing literature 3. Setting objectives and hypothesis 4. Choosing the study design Page 18 of 73 5. Deciding on the sample design 6. Collecting data 7. Processing and analyzing data 8. Writting the report 9. Disseminating the findings Schematic diagram of stages of research proces Figure: Schematic diagram displaying stages of research process Question: Describe the criteria for justifying the merit of proposed research topic. Each problem that is proposed for research has to be judged for its merit in terms of a few guidelines or criteria. These are: 1. Relevance. 2. Avoidance of duplication. 3. Feasibility. 4. Political acceptability. 5. Applicability. 6. Urgency of data needed. 7. Ethical consideration. Page 19 of 73 1. Relevance: before one decides on a topic, each proposed topic should be compared with all other options. This enables the researcher to decide whether the topic so chosen is a priority problem or not. The key questions that will help are (a) how large or widespread is the problem. (b) who is affected by the problem. (c) how severe is the problem. 2. Avoidance of duplication: before it is decided to carry out the study, it is important to see whether the suggested topic has been investigated earlier in the proposed study area or in an area with the similar environment or setting. If the topic has been studied earlier, the results should be reviewed to explore whether major questions remained unanswered. 3. Feasibility: every proposed study must be considered for its execution in terms of its complexity of the problems and resources that will be required to carry out the study. Local environment in which the study is to be conducted must also be taken in to consideration. 4. Political acceptability: in general, it is desirable and at the same time advisable to choose a research topic that has the interest and support of the relevant authorities including major political opinions. This will increase the chance that the recommendations of the study will be implemented. 5. Applicability: it is the ultimate goal of any study that the study results will lead to some policy recommendation. This will depend not only on the blessings of the authorities but also on the availability of resources for implementing the recommendations. The opinion of political clients, fund providing agencies and the responsible staff will influence the implementations of the recommendations as well. 6. Urgency of data needed: in implementation of the study results, the authorities give top priority for those studies, which are urgently needed for decision making. This is an important criterion for a research problem. One should therefore decide on:  Which research should be done first and which can be done later?  How urgently the data are needed for making a decision?  Do one have easy access to these data right now? 7. Ethical consideration: in choosing a research problem, one must carefully consider it’s acceptability to those who are being studied. Careful considerations must be given to research situations when there is a possibility of such harms, explosion, invasion of privacy and loss of integrity. Ethical issues in research reflect important moral concerns about the practice of responsible behavior in society. Question: Discuss on following terms: a) Problem Identification b) Literature review c) Data collection d) Report writing Page 20 of 73 (a) Identification of Research Topic/ Problem The identification of research problem is the first and foremost step that every researcher has to undertake. At times, it becomes rather difficult for an inexperienced researcher or a novice/beginner in research to conceptualize a research problem. In general, a research problem should be understood as some difficulty, unclear situation which a researcher experiences in practical or theoretical context and wants to obtain a tangible explanation, clarification or offer solution to it. Once you have the broad area, you narrow down the area by selecting a particular topic. This should be done after going through most of the literature related to the area. The topic should further be narrowed down to a specific researchable problem. Components of a Research Problem For a research problem to exist, there are a number of core elements. There must be: 1. An individual or community or an organization/institution to whom the problem could be attributed: These occupy a certain geographical area. For instance, teacher/parental factors affecting student’s performance in private secondary schools in Embu Municipality. In this study, there are individuals (parents, teachers, students), there are institutions (private secondary schools), and there is the area of study (Embu Municipality). 2. Some Objectives for pursuing the problem: There must be some objectives pursuing the problem, otherwise it would be repugnant to reason and common understanding to undertake the research. For example: To find out teacher/parental factors affecting the student’s academic performance in private secondary schools in Embu Municipality. 3. Some lines of action to be taken: There must be at least two lines of action to be taken to attain the objective. For example, poor academic performance may be attributed to negative teacher and parental factors. Thus altering negative teacher factors and parental factors become the lines of action to be pursued. Here, the underlying question is “what is the cause of this problem – poor academic performance?” It is in answering this question that you must pursue some lines of action through stating some variables (teacher factors and parental factors). (b) Literature Review A literature review may consist of simply a summary of key sources, but in the social sciences, a literature review usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis, often within specific conceptual categories. A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that information in a way that informs how you are planning to investigate a research problem. The analytical features of a literature review might:  Give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations,  Trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates,  Depending on the situation, evaluate the sources and advise the reader on the most pertinent or relevant research, or  Usually in the conclusion of a literature review, identify where gaps exist in how a problem has been researched to date. Page 21 of 73 The purpose of a literature review is to:  Place each work in the context of its contribution to understanding the research problem being studied.  Describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration.  Identify new ways to interpret prior research.  Reveal any gaps that exist in the literature.  Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous studies.  Identify areas of prior scholarship to prevent duplication of effort.  Point the way in fulfilling a need for additional research.  Locate your own research within the context of existing literature [very important] Types of Literature Review There are many types of literature review and the following types of literature review are the most popular in business studies: Narrative literature review critiques the literature and summarizes the body of a literature. Narrative review also draws conclusions about the topic and identifies gaps or inconsistencies in a body of knowledge. Systematic literature review requires more rigorous and well-defined approach compared to most other types of literature review. Systematic literature review is comprehensive and details the timeframe within which the literature was selected. Systematic literature review can be divided into two categories: meta-analysis and meta-synthesis.  When you conduct meta-analysis you take findings from several studies on the same subject and analyze these using standardized statistical procedures. In meta-analysis patterns and relationships are detected and conclusions are drawn. Meta-analysis is associated with deductive research approach.  Meta-synthesis, on the other hand, is based on non-statistical techniques. This technique integrates, evaluates and interprets findings of multiple qualitative research studies. Meta-synthesis literature review is conducted usually when following inductive research approach. Argumentative literature review, as the name implies, examines literature selectively in order to support or refute an argument, deeply imbedded assumption, or philosophical problem already established in the literature. It should be noted that a potential for bias is a major shortcoming associated with argumentative literature review. Integrative literature review reviews, critiques, and synthesizes secondary data about research topic in an integrated way such that new frameworks and perspectives on the topic are generated. If your research does not involve primary data collection and data analysis, then using integrative literature review will be your only option. Theoretical literature review focuses on a pool of theory that has accumulated in regard to an issue, concept, theory, phenomena. Theoretical literature reviews play an instrumental role in establishing what theories already exist, the relationships between them, to what degree the existing theories have been investigated, and to develop new hypotheses to be tested. Page 22 of 73 (c) Data Collection Methods Data collection is a process of collecting information from all the relevant sources to find answers to the research problem, test the hypothesis and evaluate the outcomes. Data collection methods can be divided into two categories: secondary methods of data collection and primary methods of data collection. Secondary Data Collection Methods Secondary data is a type of data that has already been published in books, newspapers, magazines, journals, online portals etc. There is an abundance of data available in these sources about your research area in business studies, almost regardless of the nature of the research area. Therefore, application of appropriate set of criteria to select secondary data to be used in the study plays an important role in terms of increasing the levels of research validity and reliability. These criteria include, but not limited to date of publication, credential of the author, reliability of the source, quality of discussions, depth of analyses, the extent of contribution of the text to the development of the research area etc. Primary Data Collection Methods Primary data collection methods can be divided into two groups: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative data collection methods are based in mathematical calculations in various formats. Methods of quantitative data collection and analysis include questionnaires with closed-ended questions, methods of correlation and regression, mean, mode and median and others. Quantitative methods are cheaper to apply and they can be applied within shorter duration of time compared to qualitative methods. Moreover, due to a high level of standardisation of quantitative methods, it is easy to make comparisons of findings. Qualitative research methods, on the contrary, do not involve numbers or mathematical calculations. Qualitative research is closely associated with words, sounds, feeling, emotions, colours and other elements that are non-quantifiable. Qualitative studies aim to ensure greater level of depth of understanding and qualitative data collection methods include interviews, questionnaires with open-ended questions, focus groups, observation, game or role-playing, case studies etc. Your choice between quantitative or qualitative methods of data collection depends on the area of your research and the nature of research aims and objectives. (d) Research Report: Definitions: Research report is the systematic, articulate, and orderly presentation of research work in a written form. Report Format: There is no one best format for all reports. Format depends on several relevant variables. One must employ a suitable format to create desirable impression with clarity. Report must be attractive. It should be written systematically and bound carefully. A report must use the format (often called structure) that best fit the needs and wants of its readers. Normally, following format is suggested as a basic outline, which has sufficient flexibly to meet the most situations. Page 23 of 73 Research report is divided into three parts as: I. First Part (Formality Part): (i) Cover page (ii) Title page (iii) Certificate or statement (iv) Index (brief contents) (v) Table of contents (detailed index) (vi) Acknowledgement (vii) List of tables and figures used (viii) Preface/forwarding/introduction (ix) Summary report II. Main Report (Central Part of Report): (i) Statement of objectives (ii) Methodology and research design (iii) Types of data and its sources (iv) Sampling decisions (v) Data collection methods (vi) Data collection tools (vii) Fieldwork (viii) Analysis and interpretation (including tables, charts, figures, etc.) (ix) Findings (x) Limitations (xi) Conclusions and recommendations (xii) Any other relevant detail III. Appendix (Additional Details): (i) Copies of forms used (ii) Tables not included in findings (iii) A copy of questionnaire (iv) Detail of sampling and rate of response (v) Statement of expenses (vi) Bibliography – list of books, magazines, journals, and other reports (vii) Any other relevant information Key Considerations/Factors: While preparing research report, following issues must be considered: (i) Objectives (ii) Type of problem/subject (iii) Nature and type of research (iv) Audience or users of research work (v) Size of report (vi) Form of writing – handwritten, typed, or computerized. (vii) Time and cost (viii) Language (ix) Contents of report Page 24 of 73 (x) Order of contents (xi) Number of copies (xii) Format – type and size of paper; lengths width, and depth of report; and pattern of writing including paragraph, indent, numbering, font size and type, colouring, etc. (xiii) Binding (for soft, and, particularly, for hard copy) – type, quality of material, colour, etc., related issues. Question: How do you ethically acceptable your research? This is the most common way of defining " ethics in research: norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Ethics norms also serve the aims or goals of research and apply to people who conduct scientific research or other scholarly or creative activities. There is even a specialized discipline, research ethics, which studies these norms. See Glossary of Commonly Used Terms in Research Ethics. There are several reasons why it is important to adhere to ethical norms in research. First, norms promote the aims of research, such as knowledge, truth, and avoidance of error. For example, prohibitions against fabricating, falsifying, or misrepresenting research data promote the truth and minimize error. Second, since research often involves a great deal of cooperation and coordination among many different people in different disciplines and institutions, ethical standards promote the values that are essential to collaborative work, such as trust, accountability, mutual respect, and fairness. For example, many ethical norms in research, such as guidelines for authorship, copyright and patenting policies, data sharing policies, and confidentiality rules in peer review, are designed to protect intellectual property interests while encouraging collaboration. Most researchers want to receive credit for their contributions and do not want to have their ideas stolen or disclosed prematurely. Third, many of the ethical norms help to ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the public. For instance, federal policies on research misconduct, conflicts of interest, the human subjects protections, and animal care and use are necessary in order to make sure that no harm to human and animal. Fourth, ethical norms in research also help to build public support for research. People are more likely to fund a research project if they can trust the quality and integrity of research. Finally, many of the norms of research promote a variety of other important moral and social values, such as social responsibility, human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, and public health and safety. Ethical lapses in research can significantly harm human and animal subjects, students, and the public. For example, a researcher who fabricates data in a clinical trial may harm or even kill patients, and a researcher who fails to abide by regulations and guidelines relating to radiation or biological safety may jeopardize his health and safety or the health and safety of staff and students. Page 25 of 73 The following is a general summary of some ethical research proposals : 1. Honesty 2. Objectivity 3. Integrity 4. Carefulness 5. Openness 6. Respect for intellectual property 7. Confidentiality 8. Responsible publication 9. Responsible monitoring 10. Respect for colleagues 11. Social responsibility 12. Non discrimination 13. Competence 14. Legality 15. Animal care 15. Human subject protection Question: What is the concepts of research methodology? Why do we study research methodology in the field of bioscience? All research begins with a question. Intellectual curiosity is often the foundation for scholarly inquiry. Some questions are not testable. While the question might elicit profound and thoughtful revelations, it clearly cannot be tested with an empirical experiment. Prior to Descartes, this is precisely the kind of question that would engage the minds of learned men. Their answers came from within the scientific method precludes asking questions that cannot be empirically tested. If the angels cannot be observed or detected, the question is considered inappropriate for scholarly research. Exploratory research (e.g., literature reviews, talking to people, and focus groups) goes handin-hand with the goal clarification process. The literature review is especially important because it obviates the need to reinvent the wheel for every new research question. More importantly, it gives researchers the opportunity to build on each other’s work. The research question itself can be stated as a hypothesis. A hypothesis is simply the investigator's belief about a problem. Typically, a researcher formulates an opinion during the literature review process. The process of reviewing other scholar's work often clarifies the theoretical issues associated with the research question. It also can help to elucidate the significance of the issues to the research community. The hypothesis is converted into a null hypothesis in order to make it testable because the only way to test a hypothesis is to eliminate alternatives of the hypothesis. Statistical techniques will enable us to reject or fail to reject a null hypothesis, but they do not provide us with a way to accept a hypothesis. Therefore, all hypothesis testing is indirect. Page 26 of 73 There are three basic methods of research: 1) survey, 2) observation, and 3) experiment. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. The importance of research methodology in the field of bioscience is described below>>By this research methodology one will be able to: 1. Construct, test, and evaluate scientific hypotheses in bioscience 2. Design and optimize experiments for answering bioscience questions; 3. Choose and justify an appropriate analysis for a biological dataset and research question; 4. Critically evaluate bioscience findings and make inferences from analyses presented in the literature; 5. Effectively communicate the outcomes of biological programs and experiments to a range of audiences. Question: What is outcome of a research? Why outcome of a research is important – explain. Outcome of research is the end result of conducting research on a particular topic. It may be a list of statistics as one ends up with after conducting a survey or it could be a conclusion. Features of Expected Outcomes The Expected Outcomes Section contains these features: 1. An explanation of how the proposal will address the needs shown in the Statement of the Problem; 2. An explanation of the benefits that will be realized if the proposal is accepted; 3. Clear information about WHO will benefit and HOW they will benefit from the proposal; 4. Some Expected Outcomes Sections also indicate what might happen if the proposal is NOT accepted. 5. Most Expected Outcomes Sections are written in either the future tense (will) or with the conditional (would). Importance of research outcomes: Study Implications The purpose of research is to inform action. Thus, your study should seek to contextualize its findings within the larger body of research. Research must always be of high quality in order to produce knowledge that is applicable outside of the research setting. Furthermore, the results of your study may have implications for policy and future project implementation. Goals of Research Goals of research can be easily known by outcome of research. Good research utilizes methodologies that can be replicated, produces results that are examinable by peers, and creates knowledge that can be applied to real-world situations. Researchers work as a team to enhance our knowledge of how to best address the world’s problems. Page 27 of 73 The “Iterative” Process of Research Ultimately, the key to a successful research project lies in iteration: the process of returning again and again to the research questions, methods, and data, which leads to new ideas, revisions and improvements. It is easy to think of research as a step-by-step “1, 2, 3” process, but it is important to be flexible and open to change. Question: Define data collection. With example describe the data collection system and ways of presentation Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection techniques enable us to systematically collect informat: about our objects of study (people, objects, phenomena) and about the setting in which they occur. In the collection of data we have to be systematic. If data are collected haphazardly, it will be difficult to answer our research questions in conclusive way. The same measuring instrument, the same operational definition of variables, the same unit of measurement etc. must be maintained at all stages of data collection. A data collection system (DCS) is a computer application that facilitates the process of data collection, allowing specific, structured information to be gathered in a systematic fashion, subsequently enabling data analysis to be performed on the information. Question: Discuss different methods of collecting data. Which one is the most suitable for conducting survey on prospects of biopharmaceuticals in Bangladesh? Justify your choice with possible merits and demerits over other methods. Or, Mention any four methods of data collection for a qualitative research. Different methods of collecting data Overview Of Different Data Collection Techniques Technique Key Facts Example Interviews can be conducted in person or over the telephone Interviews Interviews can be done formally (structured), semistructured, or One-on-one conversation with informally Questions should be focused, parent of at-risk youth who can clear, and encourage openended help you understand the issue. responses Interviews are mainly qualitative in nature Page 28 of 73 Questionnaires and Surveys Responses can be analyzed with quantitative methods by assigning numerical values to Results of a satisfaction survey or opinion survey Likert-type scales Interactive Survey Builder Results are generally easier (than feature. qualitative techniques) to analyze Pretest/Posttest can be compared and analyzed Allows for the study of the dynamics of a situation, frequency counts of target behaviors, or other behaviors as indicated by needs of the evaluation Good source for providing additional information about a particular group, can use video to provide documentation Observations Site visits to an after-school Can produce qualitative (e.g., narrative program to document the intera data) and quantitative data (e.g., ction between youth and staff frequency counts, mean length of within the program interactions, and instructional time) A facilitated group interview Focus Groups with individuals that have something in common Gathers information about A group of parents of teenagers in an afterschool program are combined perspectives and opinions invited to informally discuss Responses are often coded into programs that might benefit and categories and analyzed thematically help their children succeed Shadowing a family while Ethnographies, Involves studying a single phenomenon recording extensive field notes to study the experience and Oral History, Examines people in their natural settings issues associated with youth and Case Uses a combination of techniques such who have a parent or guardian Studies as that has been deployed observation, interviews, and surveys Page 29 of 73 Ethnography is a more holistic approach to evaluation Researcher can become a confounding variable Consists of examining existing data in the form of databases, meeting minutes, reports, attendance logs, financial To understand the primary records, newsletters, etc. reasons students miss school, Documents and This can be an inexpensive way to gather records on student absences are Records information but may be an incomplete collected and analyzed data source Questionnaires and Surveys method is the most suitable for conducting survey on prospects of biopharmaceuticals in Bangladesh. Merits: Considerably low cost: Economy is one of the most obvious benefits of mailed questionnaire. The mail questionnaire does not require a trained staff of interviewers and supervisors; all it requires is the cost of planning. sampling, duplicating, mailing, and providing self-addressed envelopes than for other survey methods. the returns. Processing and analysis costs are usually simpler and cheaper than for other survey method. Ease in locating respondents: Except in extreme cases, locating respondents in mailed questionnaire survey is sometimes easier, especially if survey is conducted with specialized and homogeneous samples. Saving of time: Mailed questionnaire can be sent to all respondents simultaneously and most of the replies will be received within a week or longer. so. It is however, also true that final returns may take several weeks or longer. Respondent's convenience: The respondent may devote more total time on it than he or she is able to do so in an interview study. This convenience may help him or her to answer more correctly. In addition, this also gives him or her more time to deal with difficult questions. Greater anonymity: The absence of an interviewer provides the respondent greater anonymity. This makes him or her more willing to provide socially undesirable answers or answers that violate norms. Less chance of biasing error: There is no opportunity for the respondent to be biased by the presence of an interviewer. The personal characteristics of the interviewer and variability of Page 30 of 73 their skills may result in biasing effect. In a face to face interview, the respondent may mistrust the interviewer or dodge certain questions or give misleading answers. A mail questionnaire is in general free from this error. Standardized wording: Comparison of respondents' answer is facilitated of education by the fact that each respondent is exposed to exactly the same wording. However, this advantage may be waived out if the respondents vary with respect to their level of understanding due to the differences in their level of education. Ease in securing information: The mail questionnaire allows the respondent to consult his records, personal document, consult with colleagues or other people for genuine information that he wants to provide with. Greater accessibility: Finally, respondents who are widely dispersed compared to expensive travel costs for interviewers. geographically can all be reached for a price of a postal stamp, as compared to expensive travel costs for interviewers. Qualitative Data Collection Techniques The data collection techniques most appropriate for studies, whose objectives call for descriptive qualitative analysis, tend to be different from those most appropriate for quantitative mathods which are important to obtain data for making predictions, probabilities and generalizations. Most operations research studies use a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods in order to obtain the most accurate and realistic picture of a program situation. A few of the qualitative methods are: • Unstructured interviews • Focus group discussions • Observations • Document study • Content analysis Question: Define research. What do you mean by research? Research is a scientific approach of answering a research question, solving a research problem or generating a new knowledge through a systematic and orderly collection, organization and analysis of data with an ultimate goal of making the findings of research useful in decision making. Research comprises "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications." It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. It should have the potential to produce results that are scientifically relevant to increase and synthesize existing knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. Page 31 of 73 Question: Write the scope of research in brief. Environmental level 1. Technological innovations: Research is conducted to know & adapt new technological innovations, developments in machinery, method, etc. used. For e.g., to know level of use of information technology e.g. Networking, Tally, SAP, etc. in the organization. 2. Economical, Socio-Cultural, Natural, Political – Legal Environments : Research is also done to know the characteristics, complexity, dynamism of socio-Cultural, economical, political- legal, which ultimately gives the idea of the potential, feasibility, viability etc. of the market. 3. Competitors Analysis: Companies conducts research for studying the strategic patterns of competitors, their strengths & weaknesses for making better strategies for competing effectively in order to survive & thrive in the market. 4. Industry fears: Research is conducted sometimes to know the survival & growth opportunities of an industry. It may be due to the extinction of raw material/sources of raw material. E.g. Finishing stock of Petroliam, coal may cause the extinction for automobile & power industry thus research for alternative sources/solutions is conducted. For the above e.g. the solutions are electric car (automobile), CNG gas generated Automobile, Battery driven Automobiles. 5. New Market entry: Before making any entry into any new market, companies conduct research/pilot survey to know market potential, commercial feasibility, growth rate for the acceptance level of the consumers. 6. New product development: Research is mainly conducted to know needs, wants, desires, tastes, preference, problems, demography, psychography etc. of consumers. On the basis of which Organizations may develop new products & Services Organizational level 1. HRM: It is related to Efficiency, productivity, Effectiveness, performance, Satisfaction level of Employees, structure, culture etc. of the organization. 2. Finance: It may be related to any operation like financial analysis, Capital structure, Ratio analysis etc. Research is done to evaluate the performance or viability of the existing systems /procedures /approaches for the same, in order to improve the existing one or Page 32 of 73 develop new methods for the same. Ultimately the motive remains for reducing loss & increase profitability. 3. Production: Here, research is related to know and improve the efficiency, productivity, effectiveness level of workers, process planning, materials planning, layout, purchasing etc. which ultimately have objectives of cost minimization & Profit maximization. 4. Organizational Effectiveness and Success: It is related to effectiveness, efficiency, rationality, viability of general management, administration, systems, procedures, operations, policies, rules, Regulations etc. prevailing currently in the organization. Any research which can contribute to enhance the effectiveness of the organization or towards the success of the organization. Marketing level 1. Product: Research is conducted to improve quality, features, design, packaging, labeling, and differentiation etc. of the products or services. 2. Price: Research is conducted for the cost minimization, determining Pricing methods (strategies), develop new pricing strategies etc. for the product in order to attract & retain the customers. 3. Place: Research is also conducted for evaluating & improving the performance, satisfaction, effectiveness of the distribution channels (Retailers, Dealers, agents etc.) 4. Promotion: Research is also conducted to determine & develop appropriate & new approaches/methods for Advertising, Sales promotion as per the target market. 5. Sales : Research is conducted to know the sales performance (sales audit), effectiveness & efficiency of the sales force, Determination of Sales Quota, defining Sales Territory, developing innovative & effective sales training & motivating techniques. 6. Customer: current trend of shopping & Consumption patterns of consumers Scope. Question: Discuss the importance of data collection and preservation of research findings. Data collection: Data collection refers to observing, measuring and recording data or information. Data collection is getting all the possible required raw data to derive some information and lastly to extract the knowledge or the statistics required to develop the strategy. Importance: 1. Data collection is very important because we wouldn't have the result without collecting primary data. 2. Collecting data can also save money by building a database of customers for future marketing and retargeting efforts. 3. No longer need to cast a “wide net” to reach potential consumers within target audience. Data preservation: Data preservation is the act of conserving and maintaining both the safety and integrity of data. Preservation is done through formal activities that are governed by policies, regulations and strategies directed towards protecting and prolonging the existence and authenticity of data and its metadata. Importance: 1. The importance of preserving data is vast. When data is lost it is as though it never existed. It is important to realize that data is the building block of everything, it is seen on both small and large scales. Data can be lost in many different ways, whether it be natural disasters, wars, data breaches or just through negligence or decay. Page 33 of 73 2. Data can be lost on a small or independent scale whether it's personal data loss, or data loss within businesses and organizations, as well as on a larger or national or global scale which can negatively and potentially permanently affect things such as environmental protection, medical research, homeland security, public health and safety, economic development and culture. For this data must be preserved. Question: Compare and contrast between an experiment and survey. Surveys and Experiments are two important statistical techniques used in research and data collection. When the research type is experimental, experiments are considered as a major source of primary data. On the other end, surveys are performed when the research is descriptive in nature Key differences between Survey and Experiment: 1. A technique of gathering information regarding a variable under study, from the respondents of the population, is called survey. A scientific procedure wherein the factor under study is isolated to test hypothesis is called an experiment. 2. Surveys are performed when the research is of descriptive nature, whereas in the case of experiments are conducted in experimental research. 3. The survey samples are large as the response rate is low, especially when the survey is conducted through mailed questionnaire. On the other hand, samples required in the case of experiments is relatively small. 4. Surveys are considered suitable for social and behavioural science. As against this, experiments are an important characteristic of physical and natural sciences. 5. Field research refers to the research conducted outside the laboratory or workplace. Surveys are the best example of field research. On the contrary, Experiment is an example of laboratory research. A laboratory research is nothing but research carried on inside the room equipped with scientific tools and equipment. 6. In surveys, the data collection methods employed can either be observation, interview, questionnaire, or case study. As opposed to experiment, the data is obtained through several readings of the experiment. Page 34 of 73 Question: What is research hypothesis? Write the characteristics of it. Research hypothesis: A research hypothesis is a specific, clear, and testable proposition or predictive statement about the possible outcome of a scientific research study based on a particular property of a population, Characteristic of hypothesis: Hypothesis must possess the following characteristics: Page 35 of 73 1. Hypothesis should be clear and precise. If the hypothesis is not clear and precise, the inferences drawn on its basis cannot be taken as reliable. 2. Hypothesis should be capable of being tested. In a swamp of untestable hypotheses, many a time the research programmes have bogged down. Some prior study may be done by researcher in order to make hypothesis a testable one. A hypothesis “is testable if other deductions can be made from it which, in turn, can be confirmed or disproved by observation.” 3. Hypothesis should state relationship between variables, if it happens to be a relational hypothesis. 4. Hypothesis should be limited in scope and must be specific. A researcher must remember that narrower hypotheses are generally more testable and he should develop such hypotheses. 5. Hypothesis should be stated as far as possible in most simple terms so that the same is easily understandable by all concerned. But one must remember that simplicity of hypothesis has nothing to do with its significance. 6. Hypothesis should be consistent with most known facts i.e., it must be consistent with a substantial body of established facts. In other words, it should be one which judges accept as being the most likely. 7. Hypothesis should be amenable to testing within a reasonable time. One should not use even an excellent hypothesis, if the same cannot be tested in reasonable time for one cannot spend a life-time collecting data to test it. 8. Hypothesis must explain the facts that gave rise to the need for explanation. This means that by using the hypothesis plus other known and accepted generalizations, one should be able to deduce the original problem condition. Thus hypothesis must actually explain what it claims to explain; it should have empirical reference. Function of hypothesis: Hypothesis are inevitable in scientific research. They have the following functions to perform: 1. A hypothesis adequately explain all the facts connected with the hypothesis. 2. It enables to direct enquiry along right lines 3. It determines the method of verification as well as the procedure of enquiry. 4. It makes deductions possible. 5. It forms the starting point of investigation. 6. It makes observation and experiment possible. Question: Classify hypothesis with definition. • Hypothesis is considered as an intelligent guess or prediction that gives directional to the researcher to answer the research question. • Hypothesis or Hypotheses are defined as the formal statement of the tentative or expected prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more variables in a specified population Page 36 of 73 Below are some of the important types of hypothesis:1. Simple hypothesis Simple hypothesis is that one in which there exits relationship between two variables one is called independent variable or cause and the other is dependent variable or effect Ex. Smoking leads to cancer, the higher ratio of unemployment leads to crimes. 2. Complex hypothesis Complex hypothesis is that one in which as relationship among variables exists. In this type dependent and independent variables are more than two. Ex. Smoking and other drugs leads to cancer, tension, chest infections etc. The higher ration of unemployment poverty illiteracy leads to crimes like dacoit etc. 3. Empirical hypothesis Empirical which means it is based on evidence. In scientific method the word "empirical" refers to the use of working hypothesis that can be tested using observation and experiment. Empirical data is produced by experiment and observation. 4. Null hypothesis Null the hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified populations, any observed difference being due to sampling or experimental error. It is denoted by H0 5. Alternate hypothesis The alternative hypothesis, denoted by H1 or Ha. Firstly many hypotheses are selected then among them select one which is more workable and most efficient. That hypothesis is introduced latter on due to changes in the old formulated hypothesis. It is the hypothesis that sample observations are influenced by some non-random cause. 6. Statistical hypothesis A hypothesis which can be verified statistically called statistical hypothesis. The statement would be logical or illogical but if statistic verifies it, it will be statistical hypothesis. 7. Logical Hypothesis It is that type in which hypothesis is verified logically. J.S. Mill has given four cannons of these hypothesis e.g. agreement, disagreement, difference and residue. 8. Casual hypothesis Causal Hypothesis predicts a cause and effects relationship or interaction between the independent variable and dependent variable. This hypothesis predicts the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable 9. Associative hypothesis Associative Hypothesis predicts an associative relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. When there is a change in any one of the variables, changes also occurs in the other variable. Page 37 of 73 Question: What are errors usually found in testing a hypothesis. The null hypothesis H0 represents a theory that has been put forward either because it is believed to be true or because it - the B-school is used as a basis for an argument and has not been proven. For example, in a clinical trial of a new drug, the null hypothesis might be that the new drug is no better, on average, than the current drug. We would write H0: there is no difference between the two drugs on an average. Type I and Type II Errors:Type I error also known as a “false positive”. It refers to the situation when we reject the null hypothesis when it is true (H0 is wrongly rejected). - the B-school e. g H0: there is no difference between the two drugs on average. Type I error will occur if we conclude that the two drugs produce different effects when actually there isn’t a difference. Prob (Type I error) = significance level = α 2. Type II error also known as a "false negative" It refers to the situation when we accept the null hypothesis when it is false. H0: there is no difference between the two drugs on average. Type II error will occur if we conclude that the two drugs produce the same effect when actually there is a difference. Prob (Type II error) = ß Question: Define research report. Write the significance of research report writing. Research report: A research report is an outcome of a scientific investigation and its purpose is to convey information contained in the report to the reader or audience. Significance of research report writing A research report writing is the only way a researcher can communicate to the audience the new knowledge and information he or she has accumulated through his or her scientific investigation. The work of a researcher will remain incomplete unless he or she publishes a written report. Report writing is thus an inseparable part of a research study. When writing your report, keep in mind that your purpose is to inform the readers of what you investigated, why and how you conducted your investigation, what were your findings and finally what conclusions you arrived at. As the investigator and author, your job is simply to report, not to convince and usually not to advocate. You must provide enough details so that the readers can reach their own conclusions about the quality of your research and the veracity of your conclusions. Before you start drafting your report, you must be ensured that  Every scientific objective has been dealt with.  Appropriate analysis of the data has been performed with statistical rigor.  Only the relevant tables and charts have been furnished to support and specify conclusions from these devices.  The conclusions you are going to draw and the recommendations you are going to make are appropriate and relevant to the specific objectives.  Which tables will be furnished in the text of the report for comprehensive conclusion and which in the appendix? Page 38 of 73 Question: What is Experimental design? Experimental design is the process of planning a study to meet specified objectives. Or- A blueprint of the procedure that enables the researcher to test his hypothesis by reaching valid conclusions about relationship between independent & dependent variables. Question: why experimental design is crucial for successful research study? Experimental design is most scientifically sophisticated method of research. It is defined as observations under controlled conditions. Experimental research design is concerned with examination of the effect of independent variable on the dependent variable. Planning an experimental design is very important in order to ensure that the right type of data & sufficient sample size & power are available to answer the research questions of interest as clearly & efficiently as possible. It met specified objectives. It helps in identifying the problem to be addressed by using suitable method. The research problem & the hypothesis place a vital role in the research work. That's why it is crucial for successful research study. Question: Why publication of research is crucial? Publication of research is crucial for these following reasons: 1:- To tell others about one's findings. 2:- To know people about new developments in one's field of study. 3:- Data sharing encourages more connection & collaboration between researchers, which can result in important new findings within the field. 4:- It reduces monetary investment for science & research, data sharing is more efficient because it allows researchers to share resources. 5:- scientist will become recognized expert in his field to publish his work. 6:- Publication will help a researcher to improve his career. 7:- One can get Inner satisfaction to publish his research findings in a reputable scientific journal that gives confidence that indeed him have been a good researcher. Question: Research project preparation is foundation of initiation of research-justify. Research Project preparation is the process of analyzing and developing a project idea into a final project ready for implementation. The product of this process is presented in the form of a Project Document. The Project Document forms the basis of the bilateral project agreement and the contracting of external assistance for the project. It is informative and persuasive writing that helps to examine what a researcher intends to do. The goal of the student is not only to persuade the reader to do what is being requested, but also to make the reader believe that the solution is practical and appropriate. So, to initiate a good research “Research project’ should be prepared firstly. Page 39 of 73 Question: “Disseminate findings is crucial for research success.” –explain Disseminate findings is crucial for research success. It is argued that researcher have a duty to share new knowledge with a wider audience including the general public. Effective dissemination requires an active and systematic approach which is adequately resourced throughout. This dissemination have several importance that are given below – 1. To raise awareness of findings. 2. To influence policy. 3. To influence practice. 4. To stimulate discussion/database. 5. To transfer research to practice. 6. To raise the organizational profile. 7. To attract future funding. 8. To justify public funding. 9. To promote public understanding of science. 10. To satisfy contractual requirements. 11. To improvement of own communication. Question: How will you disseminate your finding? Effective dissemination is simply about getting the findings of my research to the people who can make use of them, to maximise the benefit of the research without delay. Principles of good dissemination Stakeholder engagement: Work out who is my primary audience; engage with them early and keep in touch throughout the project, ideally involving them from the planning of the study to the dissemination of findings. This should create ‘pull’ for your research. Format: Produce targeted outputs that are in an appropriate format for the user. Consider a range of tailored outputs for decision makers, patients, researchers, clinicians, and the public at national, regional, and/or local levels as appropriate. Use plain English which is accessible to all audiences. Utilize opportunities: Build partnerships with established networks; use existing conferences and events to exchange knowledge and raise awareness of my work. Context: Understand the service context of your research, and get influential opinion leaders on board to act as champions. Timing: Dissemination should not be limited to the end of a study. Consider whether any findings can be shared earlier. Strategy Page 40 of 73 Partners / Influencers - think about who I will engage with to amplify my message. Involve stakeholders in research planning from an early stage to ensure that the evidence produced is grounded, relevant, accessible and useful. Messaging - consider the main message of my research findings. Use the right language and focus on the possible impact of my research on their practice or daily life. Channels - use the most effective ways to communicate my message to my target audience(s) e.g. social media, websites, conferences, traditional media, journals. Identify and connect with influencers in my audience who can champion my finding. Potential risks and sensitivities - be aware of the relevant current cultural and political climate. Consider how my dissemination might be perceived by different groups. Think about what the risks are to my dissemination plan. Question: Briefly described the data collection procedure. Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. The data collection component of research is common to all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, business, etc. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same. Data Collection Instrument: In developing the data collection instrument, we considered its six main purposes: ● Tracking the article review process. The form collects information needed to monitor the status of screening, reviewing and summarizing of each article by multiple reviewers. ● Developing tables that summarize the body of evidence. The form captures detailed descriptive data about the intervention and evaluation; this data is used to develop summary evidence tables for each intervention. ● Classifying other key characteristics of the intervention and evaluation. Additional descriptive data is collected to construct a database that will be available as a resource for intervention planners and researchers. ● Assessing the quality of the study’s execution. Reviewers identify and document the threats to validity of each study due to faulty execution or poor measurement. This information is used as a criterion for continued inclusion of the study in the body of evidence for an intervention. ● Identifying other pertinent information. Information about the intervention’s applicability in settings and populations other than that studied by the investigators, economic data about the intervention, and other positive or negative effects of the intervention. ● Identifying additional studies that should be reviewed. To help ensure that no relevant studies are left out, reviewers read the bibliographies in each study they review and list relevant articles for potential inclusion in the review process. Page 41 of 73 Data Collection Procedures: Data is collected from each study by two independent reviewers. If the reviewers report different information for a question, the chapter development team reconciles the two reviews. Members of the chapter development team, graduates of Masters of Public Health degree programs, doctoral candidates and physicians in preventive medicine training programs serve as reviewers. Selection of reviewers is based on experience in content areas, experience in conducting evidence based reviews and expertise in research design and methodology. Training is conducted in three phases. First, background information is provided on the Guide development process and methodology; a sample study with a completed form and summary evidence table is included. Second, each applicant is asked to assess a study that has been previously reviewed by the chapter development team. This initial review is then discussed in detail with the applicant, with additional instruction for interpreting questions provided by the coordinating scientist. Third, the selected applicants review groups of papers on related interventions with continuing feedback provided by the chapter development team. Question: Why annual research review of a research institute in Bangladesh is important? Explain. Bangladesh is a developing country claimed by the government of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, the research institutes are growing day by day. At a time, there was only few institutes where research had taken place. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, National Institute of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh etc are some of the top research institutes. In this institutes, annual research review is important because – 1. Annual research review describes how the proposed research is related to prior research. 2. It shows the originality and relevance of your research problem. Specifically, your research is different from other research. 3. It justifies proposed methodology. 4. It demonstrates preparedness to complete the research. 5. It demonstrates that a new research student has read a large amount of literature and aware of the wide range of research in theory and methodology related to the proposed research topic in Bangladesh. 6. It provides proof to a Ph.D. committee that the research student has a deep understanding of the published research in the institutes related to the topic of the dissertation. 7. It helps to communicate research student’s understanding of the literature and its relationship to the proposed research. 8. It supports the originality and relevance for the Ph.D. research problem for a research student. Page 42 of 73 9. Apart from this, every year, new university students of Bangladesh can aware of research in Bangladesh and also can join research institutes to find out their way in a particular research program. So, annual research review of a research institute in Bangladesh is important. Why publication of research findings is crucial? There are five major reasons that ensures publication of research finding is crucial – 1. Publication of a research helps to arise a new and better theories. A discovery will enrich the pool of literature on a given subject. Research findings will strengthen the arguments of others while it will refute others. It will also help build theories. A theory arises from a culmination of facts documented and discussed by a lot of researchers. Thus, it is always possible that a new, better theory will arise with new tools available for research. This is only possible if we publish our research findings. 2. Publication will help us to become a recognized expert in a particular field of research. If we have published a lot of research on a specific topic or issue, we will gain credibility and become a recognized expert in that particular field. Government or non-government organizations may focus on our research if it is beneficial, then we will have an edge over others who have not published anything. 3. Research findings will help develop or improve an existing policy Research findings are very important inputs to policy making. This is referred to as sciencebased policy making. This policy making approach can save a lot of time, money, and effort. A costly hit-and-miss approach is avoided. For example, a better drug discovery against a particular disease can help to save life millions of people around the world if we publish our research finding. If we don’t publish research finding then it won’t be beneficial for anyone. Azithromycin is a better choice of some disease treatment for people who have allergic problem. If this finding have not published yet than it had not been possible to develop or improve an existing policy of choice of drugs. 4. Publications will help us advance our career The number of quality publications we have produced can prop us up the ladder of success. Universities give credit to meritorious research work that advance knowledge and bring about innovation. Publishing our work will also give us a better chance of getting a promotion. Large companies allocate a portion of their annual budget in research and development. As a result, greater income is expected from innovative products. If we have been tasked to develop such products, then that will be a good opportunity for economic gain. 5. Publication will help us to gain inner satisfaction If we are able to publish your research findings in a reputable scientific journal, that gives us an inner confidence that indeed us have been a good researcher. Surely, there are other benefits that can be derived from publishing our research findings. But the greatest benefit for all our pain will be sharing our knowledge to make this world a better place for everyone. Page 43 of 73 Question: Conclusions should be drawn based on findings and recommendation should be drawn based on conclusions. The conclusion is intended to help the reader understand why a research should matter to them after they have finished reading the paper. A conclusion is not merely a summary of the main topics covered or a re-statement of a research problem, but a synthesis of key points from research findings and, if applicable, recommendation should be given based on this findings for new areas for future research. The final stage is the researcher's recommendations based on conclusion of our research findings, depending on the field of study. This area of the research process is informed by the researcher's judgement, and will integrate previous studies. For example, we can say that “smoking is responsible for lung cancer”. This is the outcome known as our research findings and we will conclude this briefly for better understanding. Then we can recommended people to stay away from smoking to prevent lung cancer based on our conclusion. So, this is a sequential process that conclusions should be drawn based on research findings and recommendation should be drawn based on conclusions. Question: What is statistical significance of a research? What is p-value? Before understanding the statistical significance of a research, we have to understand some statistical terms. Sample size: A sample size is a part of the population chosen for a survey or experiment. Population size: Population size is the actual number of individuals in a population. In statistics, the standard deviation (SD) is a measure that is used to quantify the amount of variation or dispersion of a set of data values. p-value is the probability that, if the null hypothesis were true, sampling value would produce an estimate that is further away from the hypothesized value than our data estimate. Page 44 of 73 A null hypothesis is a type of hypothesis used in statistics that proposes that no statistical significance exists in a set of given observations and any observed difference being due to sampling or experimental error. An alternative hypothesis is a statement that directly contradicts the null hypothesis that means the value is differ from the null hypothesis. The level of significance is defined as the probability of rejecting a null hypothesis by the test when it is really true, which is denoted as α. That is, P (Type I error) = α. When perform a hypothesis test in statistics, a p-value helps to determine the significance of our results. Hypothesis tests are used to test the validity of a claim that is made about a population. This claim that’s on trial, in essence, is called the null hypothesis. The alternative hypothesis is the one that we would believe if the null hypothesis is concluded to be untrue. The evidence in the trial is your data and the statistics that go along with it. All hypothesis tests ultimately use a p-value to weigh the strength of the evidence (what the data are telling us about the population). The p-value is a number between 0 and 1 and the significance level for a study is chosen before data collection, and typically set to 5% (0.05) or much lower, depending on the field of study interpreted in the following way:   A small p-value (typically ≤ 0.05) indicates strong evidence against the null hypothesis, so we can reject the null hypothesis. A large p-value (> 0.05) indicates weak evidence against the null hypothesis, so we will fail to reject the null hypothesis. Page 45 of 73 For example, suppose someone claims that shigella is resistant to ciprofloxacin. So, we have raise a statement against the claim that shigella is not resistant to ciprofloxacin. We conduct a hypothesis test known as null hypothesis, Ho. Our alternative hypothesis, Ha, is Shigella are not resistance to ciprofloxacin. So we randomly sample some data about shigella and ciprofloxacin and then run the data through the hypothesis test, and our p-value turns out to be 0.001, which is much less than 0.05. In real terms, there is a probability of 0.001 that you will mistakenly reject the claim that shigella is resistant to ciprofloxacin. Since typically we are willing to reject the null hypothesis when this probability is less than 0.05, we conclude that the claim is wrong; Shigella is sensitive to ciprofloxacin. So, we can use the statistical significance of our research to validate our research that can be acceptable by reader and others. Question: Evaluate research report writing Research report is a medium to communicate research work with relevant people. It is also a good source of preservation of research work for the future reference. Many times, research findings are not followed because of improper presentation. Preparation of research report is not an easy task. It is an art. It requires a good deal of knowledge, imagination, experience, and expertise. It demands a considerable time and money. Research report is the systematic, articulate, and orderly presentation of research work in a written form. Research report is a research document that contains basic aspects of the research project. Research report involves relevant information on the research work carried out. It may be in form of hand-written, typed, or computerized. There is no one best format for all reports. Format depends on several relevant variables. One must employ a suitable format to create desirable impression with clarity. Report must be attractive. It should be written systematically and bound carefully. A report must use the format (often called structure) that best fit the needs and wants of its readers. Normally, following format is suggested as a basic outline, which has sufficient flexibly to meet the most situations. Research report is divided into three parts as: I. First Part (Formality Part): (i) Cover page (ii) Title page (iii) Certificate or statement Page 46 of 73 (iv) Index (brief contents) (v) Table of contents (detailed index) (vi) Acknowledgement (vii) List of tables and figures used (viii) Preface/forwarding/introduction (ix) Summary report II. Main Report (Central Part of Report): (i) Statement of objectives (ii) Methodology and research design (iii) Types of data and its sources (iv) Sampling decisions (v) Data collection methods (vi) Data collection tools (vii) Fieldwork (viii) Analysis and interpretation (including tables, charts, figures, etc.) (ix) Findings (x) Limitations (xi) Conclusions and recommendations (xii) Any other relevant detail III. Appendix (Additional Details): (i) Copies of forms used (ii) Tables not included in findings (iii) A copy of questionnaire (iv) Detail of sampling and rate of response (v) Statement of expenses (vi) Bibliography – list of books, magazines, journals, and other reports (vii) Any other relevant information Question: Write down the precautions before writing research reports. Precautions before writing research reports While preparing research report, following issues must be considered: (i) Objectives (ii) Type of problem/subject (iii) Nature and type of research (iv) Audience or users of research work (v) Size of report (vi) Form of writing – handwritten, typed, or computerized. (vii) Time and cost (viii) Language (ix) Contents of report (x) Order of contents (xi) Number of copies Page 47 of 73 (xii) Format – type and size of paper; lengths width, and depth of report; and pattern of writing including paragraph, indent, numbering, font size and type, colouring, etc. (xiii) Binding (for soft, and, particularly, for hard copy) – type, quality of material, colour, etc., related issues. Question: Write down salient features of research highlights. Salient features of research highlights  Highlights are a short collection of bullet points that convey the core findings and provide readers with a quick textual overview of the article.  These three to five bullet points describe the essence of the research (e.g. results or conclusions) and highlight what is distinctive about it.  Highlights will be displayed in online search result lists, the contents list and in the online article, but will not (yet) appear in the article PDF file or print.  Please adhere to the specifications below 1. Include 3 to 5 highlights. 2. There should be a maximum of 85 characters, including spaces, per highlight. 3. Only the core results of the paper should be covered. Question: What is the crucial part to disseminate research finding of other- explain with example. The primary purpose of dissemination strategy is to identify the most effective media channel to reach difference audience group. The dissemination maybe made through a conference, a seminar, a report & an oral presentation. Dissemination is the targeted distribution of information and intervention materials to a specific public health or clinical practice audience. Evidence dissemination has several very broad goals: 1. To increase the reach of evidence. 2. To increase people's motivation to use and apply evidence. 3. To increase people's ability to use and apply evidence. In part this depends on what purpose of dissemination is. For a wide audience it may be preferable to target a high quality journal on the field of research that has a high impact factor & leading researchers in the area publish in it. Journals usually have a long lead time so you are not likely to get quick exposure of your work. A conference may enable to get immediate feedback and exposure, as well as the chance to revise before going to a journal. A research project is not complete until the findings have been disseminated effectively. Effective dissemination means: -Achieving the project aim by reaching the crucial audiences in appropriate ways. -As and where appropriate, ensuring research participants are kept up to date. Page 48 of 73 Example: The university of South Australia is committed to promoting an environment of honesty, integrity, accuracy and responsibility in the dissemination of research findings by: *ensuring that all parties of the nature and scope of confidentiality agreements; *protecting the intellectual property rights of the institution, the researcher, research trainees, and sponsor of the research, as appropriate. So, we need to be able to share our information, resources and ideas with those who are at the forefront of learning, teaching and assessment. Dissemination is therefore about communication; and effective dissemination can be only achieve through effective communication. Question: What are the differences between technical and popular report? Differences between technical and popular report: Technical report: suitable for a target audience of researchers, research managers or other people familiar with and interested in the technicalities such as research design, sampling methods, statistical detail etc. ~summary of the results -nature of the study -methods employed -data -analysis of data and presentation of findings -conclusions -bibliography -technical appendices -index Popular report: Suitable for a more general audience, interested mainly in the research findings as it is non-technical in nature. -simplicity -attractiveness -the findings and their implications -recommendations for action -objective of the study -method employed -results -technical appendices Question: As a researcher what criteria do you consider for a research work? 3 Important Things to Consider When Selecting Your Research Topic 1. Choose something that interests you I cannot stress this point enough: research takes a long time, often much more time than you expect it will, so do not choose a topic or jump onto someone’s research project unless you are truly interested in the subject matter. Investigating something that does not excite you makes Page 49 of 73 the research process far more arduous, and you will likely regret it. In addition to being timeconsuming, research can also be frustrating as you usually run into unforeseen obstacles. Staying motivated is difficult enough when the topic is something you are really passionate about. 2. Choose a topic that is feasible There are many great topics out there, but some topics are more feasible than others. For instance, if you want to conclusively prove or disprove extraterrestrial life or uncover the top secrets of the FBI, you are probably not going to have much luck. It may sound intuitive, but you need to make sure that your topic is something that you can actuallly research. Since every researcher has different limitations or restrictions, the question of feasibility often depends on the individual researcher, but some questions you can ask yourself are: i. Do you have the budget needed to conduct this research? ii. Do you have the know-how needed to conduct this research? iii. Do you have access or can you obtain access to whatever it is you want to research? iv. Is the content robust enough to be considered completely trustworthy? v. Speaking to “choosing something that interests you,” do you have the time needed to devote to this research? 3. Choose a topic that is “research-worthy” Most people that begin research have an end goal in mind. Being an academic, my goal is to get my research published. Research is typically written for an audience, whether it be a select group of individuals or broader population, and you have to keep this audience in mind as you select your research topic. You may be very interested in a topic, but if it does not meet your intended audience’s needs, your end goal, then it is probably not a good topic to select. Moreover, it will be extremely difficult to receive funding for research that does not generate others’ interest. These 3 points should be viewed as helpful guidelines rather than roadblocks. There are so many varying interests and areas to research that it should not be too difficult to find a topic that interests you, is feasible and is also “research-worthy” in the eyes of your intended audience. Good luck, fellow researchers! Question: Each problem that is proposed for research has to be judged in terms of a few guidelines/ criteria - what are these? Describe them In brief. A research problem is a definite or clear expression [statement] about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a value question. – Alan Byrman Follow These 5 Steps to Formulate Your Research Problem 1. Specify the research objectives A clear statement defining your objectives will help you develop effective research. Page 50 of 73 It will help the decision makers evaluate the research questions your project should answer as well as the research methods your project will use to answer those questions. It’s critical that you have manageable objectives. (Two or three clear goals will help to keep your research project focused and relevant.) 2. Review the environment or context of the research problem As a marketing researcher, you must work closely with your team of researchers in defining and testing environmental variables. This will help you determine whether the findings of your project will produce enough information to be worth the cost. In order to do this, you have to identify the environmental variables that will affect the research project and begin formulating different methods to control these variables. 3. Explore the nature of the problem Research problems range from simple to complex, depending on the number of variables and the nature of their relationship. Sometimes the relationship between two variables is directly related to a problem or questions, and other times the relationship is entirely unimportant. If you understand the nature of the research problem as a researcher, you will be able to better develop a solution to the problem. To help you understand all dimensions, you might want to consider focus groups of consumers, salespeople, managers, or professionals to provide what is sometimes much-needed insight into a particular set of questions or problems. 4. Define the variable relationships Marketing plans often focus on creating a sequence of behaviors that occur over time, as in the adoption of a new package design, or the introduction of a new product. Such programs create a commitment to follow some behavioral pattern or method in the future. Studying such a process involves:  Determining which variables affect the solution to the research problem.  Determining the degree to which each variable can be controlled and used for the purposes of the company.  Determining the functional relationships between the variables and which variables are critical to the solution of the research problem. During the problem formulation stage, you will want to generate and consider as many courses of action and variable relationships as possible. 5. The consequences of alternative courses of action There are always consequences to any course of action used in one or more projects. Anticipating and communicating the possible outcomes of various courses of action is a primary responsibility in the Question: How a researcher recognizes his/her research problem? A scientist designs a research study asking some questions which are called research question. Or, Write at least 10 research questions that can help the scientist to write up a proposal. Writing a Good Research Question The following unit will discuss the basics of how to develop a good research questions and will provide examples of well-designed questions. Page 51 of 73 Learning Objectives:  Identify the process for writing meaningful research questions.  Evaluate research questions. Developing a good research question is one of the first critical steps in the research process. The research question, when appropriately written, will guide the research project and assist in the construction of a logical argument. The research question should be a clear, focused question that summarizes the issue that the researcher will investigate. How to Develop a Good Research Question:  Researchers should begin by identifying a broader subject of interest that lends itself to investigation. For example, a researcher may be interested in childhood obesity.  The next step is to do preliminary research on the general topic to find out what research has already been done and what literature already exists. How much research has been done on childhood obesity? What types of studies? Is there a unique area that yet to be investigated or is there a particular question that may be worth replicating?  Then begin to narrow the topic by asking open-ended "how" and "why" questions. For example, a researcher may want to consider the factors that are contributing to childhood obesity or the success rate of intervention programs. Create a list of potential questions for consideration and choose one that interests you and provides an opportunity for exploration.  Finally, evaluate the question by using the following list of guidelines:  Is the research question one that is of interest to the researcher and potentially to others? Is it a new issue or problem that needs to be solved or is it attempting to shed light on previously researched topic.  Is the research question researchable? Consider the available time frame and the required resources. Is the methodology to conduct the research feasible?  Is the research question measureable and will the process produce data that can be supported or contradicted?  Is the research question too broad or too narrow? Question: “A problem well-defined is problem half solved”-clarify the statement. Charles Kettering, the famed inventor and head of research for GM, said “a problem well-stated is half-solved. Design process has been appropriately defined as a problem-solving activity Charles Kettering, the famed inventor, and head of research for GM, said “a problem wellstated is half-solved”. Conversely, we may say a problem well understood, is easier to solve. Clinicians who are looking at a medical case are involved very much in a problem-solving activity. The clinical tests and medical image data help them to know about the problem in greater detail. However, there always gaps exists in identification of ambiguous data set, which later manifest as surprises during surgery. Page 52 of 73 This could lead to new exploration on an operation table, wasting precious time. Inefficient management, to stressful procedure and eventual mortality. One of the areas with high risk and complexity is Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) with an average incidence of 8 in 1000 live births. They are most common of the congenital diseases at a global average of 28%. The actual figures could go up as many births are not fully recorded and reported. Of the cases suspected, many a time their surgical correction is delayed or not done due to their unrecognizability. Question: State the questionnaires for justifying the problem. A questionnaire is defined as a research instrument that consists a set of questions or other types of prompts that aims to collect information from a respondent. These typically are a mix of close-ended questions and open-ended questions; long form questions offer the ability for the respondent to elaborate on their thoughts. Questionnaires were developed in 1838 by the Statistical Society of London. A questionnaire is a set of questions typically used for research purposes which can be both qualitative as well as quantitative in nature. A questionnaire may or may not be delivered in the form of a survey, but a survey always consists of questionnaire. Basic rules for questionnaire item construction  Use statements which are interpreted in the same way by members of different subpopulations of the population of interest.  Use statements where persons that have different opinions or traits will give different answers.  Think of having an "open" answer category after a list of possible answers.  Use only one aspect of the construct you are interested in per item.  Use positive statements and avoid negatives or double negatives.  Do not make assumptions about the respondent.  Use clear and comprehensible wording, easily understandable for all educational levels  Use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.  Avoid items that contain more than one question per item (e.g. Do you like strawberries and potatoes?).  Question should not be biased or even leading the participant towards an answer. Question: Describe the researchers problems. 1. Lack of Interaction: One will find inadequate interaction between the university research department, on one side and business establishments, government departments and research institutions, on the other. 2. Shortage of Resources: For performing a quality research sufficient funds are not provided. This discourages research of all types. Governments, institutions /organizations don’t appreciate the contributions of research findings to economic development and for that reason do not offer adequate amounts for research of all types. 3. Absence of Coordination: There exists lack of coordination among various organizations responsible for performing research. 4. Sometimes no proper opportunity for eager researches by some of their colleagues. 5. Weak or inexistent institutional accountability 6. Influence of the dominant paradigms and some delicate additional factors too. Page 53 of 73 7. Lack of enough fund and well equipped lab. 8. Lack of adequate supervision and corruption. Question: Describe the problems encountered by researchers Research Methodology is a study subject in some of the under-graduate courses and most of the Post-graduate courses. Still, there is a lack of awareness of the purpose of research and the purpose of including research methodology in the curriculum. Many students hate this subject and the hatred is increased when they see the numerical in biostatistics when it is clubbed with research methodology. There are several problems encountered by students and novice researchers. Some of them are: 1. Lack of scientific training in the methodology of research There is a paucity of competent researchers. The scenario in most cases is like a blind leading the blind. Most of the people who hold the position of research guides are themselves not through with the various methodologies. They lead the researcher/students to copy methodology of similar studies. 2. Copying of data Some researchers (as they call themselves), merely copy other international studies or studies which have been done by researchers/students of other universities. This is a crime and should not be promoted. A Researchers can reevaluate others study by considering and overcoming the limitations of previous study, but at no cost should be copied or repeated. One should learn to respect others hard work. The act itself leads to lack of awareness in research methodology. 3. Manipulation of data Every researcher tries or does one or the other kinds of manipulation of data. May be multiplying the sample size or to make the result in the way they want. The lack of confidence over the result they may get after the completion of study is the reason for manipulation of result. This never reveals the reality, as the intuition of the researcher is guided by mere theoretical knowledge. In reality sometimes theory and practice may be contradictory. Some researchers just finish off their study by simply sitting in their home; they don’t even interact with their subject or have any one. 4. Lack of availability or access to literature needed. This is a major problem faced during the literature review. The lack of availability of access to Internet, ignorance of the way to search needed articles from journals and other databases are other problems. Searching books and newspaper articles from convention all libraries consumes a lot of time and effort. These kind of libraries, especially which are situated away from the capital cities lack copies of new acts/rules published by the government. There is also timely unavailability of publishes data. 5. The outlook of the researches/research student All students before being selected by the guide interact with their senior students. They already finding difficulty with research, tells the hardships they suffer/suffered. This changes the outlook of the students. Research is the way you take it. 6. Lack of confidence to take up a new study especially explorative study. This may be due to any of the above-mentioned reasons, also the fear of the result and fear of not able to answer questions during presentations. One should be dare enough to disseminate the result of the study, as it is the truth he/she has come to know after the research process. Limitations of the study are always considered and no one is going to Page 54 of 73 blame on that, unless until the research is re-done. This leads to undertaking of overlapping studies, as there is a want of information. 7. Unavailability of permission to do research in specific centers Hospitals and business establishments usually don’t allow third party inside to conduct research. This may be due to security reasons. Or may be due to lack of confidence in keeping the confidentiality of the data or names. No establishments will a great third person to get in and find out the problems within and it being gets published. Some organizations charge heavy fee or donation (whatever it may be) from students to allow doing research within. 8. Research: a mere formality to fulfill course requirement Of course research is a part of curriculum. But most of the students find it as a mere formality to fulfill their course requirement. They just want to finish off the study. For this they search the shortcuts. But the fact is that once a study is done, it will be referred in future by other researchers. They won’t be aware if the study was sincerely done. 9. Publishing may be expensive Research study once it is completed, the further step will be the publishing of the same. Printing and binding may turn to be expensive. Also, it will be very expensive the paper has to be published in any international journals or conferences. These expenses may not be affordable by the student researchers. 10. Lack of availability of sponsors: This may be due to lot of reasons. A. Hesitation to contact sponsors. B. Not able to convince the sponsors. C. Lack of confidence of sponsors over the researcher. Question: Explain the meaning and significance of a Research design. Research design: Research design is defined as a framework of methods and techniques chosen by a researcher to combine various components of Research in a reason only logical manner so that the research problem is efficiently handled. According to kerlinger, Research design is the plan, structure and strategy of investigation conceived so as to obtain answers to Research questions and to control varience Significance of Research design: 1. It reduces inaccuracy. 2. helps to get maximum efficiency and reliability. 3. eliminates bias and marginal errors. 4. minimizes wastage of time. 5. helpful for collecting research materials. 6. gives an idea regarding the type of resources required in terms of money, manpower, time and efforts. 7. guides the research in the right direction. Question: Why is justification of a problem is important? Mention the questionnaire to justify the problem in brief. Justifying the problem: Page 55 of 73 Once problem situation has been identified and clearly stated, it is important to justify the importance of the problem. It is very important to realize that knowledge of what is to be accomplished determines the research process. Research often is expensive and time consuming. It is therefore important to know the answers of the following questions and should be reviewed, and presented in one or two paragraphs that justify the importance of the problem. 1. Why is the problem of study important? 2. Is the problem of current interest and timely one? 3. Will more information about the problem have practical applications? 4. How large and widespread is the problem? 5. How important, influential or popular is this problem? 6. Would this study substantially revise or extend existing knowledge? 7. Would this study create or improve an instrument of some utility? 8. How large is the population affected by the problem? 9. Would research findings lead to some useful change in best practice? 10 .Can others be convinced about the importance of the problem? 11. Does the problem relate to broad social, economic, business and health issue? 12. Can it be implemented given the resources and to the logistic facilities? Question: What are the principal considerations in the construction of questionnaire? Explain. Questionnaire construction refers to the design of a questionnaire to gather statistically useful information about a given topic. When properly constructed and responsibly administered, questionnaires can provide valuable data about any given subject. Five basic principal considerations for every researcher should follow to become better in constructing questionnaires are described below: 1. Should be comprehensible: A clear and comprehensible language should be used to ease the cognitive burden for the respondents. Each and every question reduces the respondent’s capability of concentration. Therefore, to keep their attention, the questions should be as comprehensible as possible. This is especially true if there are less educated people in the sample. 2. Should be clear: It sounds obvious, but questions need to be clear and unambiguous. Using vague buzz words, unfamiliar terms or everyday language can blur the results. Even though respondents may think they understand what researcher means, everyone will have something different in mind, when answering questions. But researcher should be careful! Sometimes being clear runs contrary to being comprehensible, especially if researcher try to be overly precise. 3. Should be neutral: Suggestive questions or unbalanced answering options should be avoided. The respondents may not necessarily mind or even notice, but results may then lean towards one or another answering option. Hence, researcher should always take a neutral standpoint and try to be as objective as possible when writing a questionnaire. 4. Should Operationalize: Very often, researcher will want to find out about attitudes and behaviours that can’t be evaluated directly. Researcher should try to operationalize these concepts and translate them into clear and tangible indicators. Instead of asking directly whether someone is “lifestyle oriented”, rather ask for specific products or activities, the Page 56 of 73 respondent may have had contact with during the last weeks. Not only will it be easier for the respondent to find an answer but also lead to much more accurate results. 5. Should avoid order bias: Any clues given at the beginning of the questionnaire may affect the answers to questions that follow. Or the first statements presented to a respondent may affect the respondent’s choice of an answering option. Therefore, if possible, Researchers should try to randomize the order of their questions and statements. This the way to construct a good questionnaire. Question: Outline the steps in a sample design. Decide the information required. Define the target respondents. Choose the method(s) of reaching your target respondents. Decide on question content. Develop the question wording. Put questions into a meaningful order and format. Check the length of the questionnaire. Pre-test the questionnaire. Develop the final survey form. Figure: A outline the steps in a sample design. Question: Discuss the factors that affect project implementation There are 5 key factors which must be developed and actively managed project implementation: 1. Set and Manage Realistic Expectations: The process of evaluating requirements and implenting a project is demanding. A moderate number of problems is normal and Page 57 of 73 2. 3. 4. 5. can be expected during the course of a project, but the project team should be realistic in setting the project scope, budget and schedule. Establish Common Goals Among the Team: It may be obvious, but the first and most important step to managing expectations is to establish a common understanding of the solution that is to be delivered. Normally this understanding is reached with the project team by agreeing to the project business requirements and goals. Define a Realistic Budget and Schedule: It is during this time that project team regarding the project scope, budget and schedule. Maintain Management Commitment: More than ever, project success is directly tied to effective involvement of businesses executives. Participate in Executive Level Discourse: To ensure project success, it is critical that management is given regular status reports about the progress being made and the due dates committed to. Question: Mention sources of review of literature Literature review sources can be divided into three categories. These are: 1. Primary sources of the literature Characteristics: -High level of detail -Little time needed to publish Examples: Reports, Theses, Emails, Unpublished manuscript sources, Some government publications. 2. Secondary sources of the literature Characteristics: -Medium level of detail of detail -Medium time needed to publish Examples: Journals, Books, Newspapers, Some government publications. 3. Tertiary sources of the literature Characteristics: -Low level of detail -Considerable amount of time needed to publish Examples: Indexes, Databases, Catalogues, Encyclopaedias, Dictionaries, Bibliographies, Citation indexes. Question: Would you agree a peer review journal considered as primary source of literature?-Explain Primary sources are original materials. It is authored by researchers, contains original research data, and is usually published in a peer-reviewed journal. Primary literature may also include conference papers, pre-prints, or preliminary reports. A peer review journal is best example of primary source of literature. Explain: Page 58 of 73 Scholarly peer reviewed journals (also called refereed journals) are academic publications that carry out a review process of an author’s work prior to its publication. Authors send articles to an editor, who decides whether the work should be forwarded to reviewers for the journal. In the sciences, this means research using the scientific method. Experts in the same field or discipline are tasked with providing an objective evaluation of the ‘scientific soundness’ of a work by scrutinizing the methodology used to conduct the research, and by examining how the data or information is represented, analyzed, and discussed. This helps reduce bias. Reviewers are usually well-published researchers and experts. They return the articles to the editor with remarks and recommendations-- usually publish as is (rare), publish if edited or changed in specific ways, or don't publish. Editors most often go with the recommendation of the majority of the reviewers. The purpose of the review process is to ensure the publication of high quality research articles. A submission that undergoes peer review may be accepted, accepted with revisions, or rejected for publication. It therefore follows that research articles published in a peer reviewed journal are by definition peer reviewed. Many databases provide an option in which users can ‘limit’ their search results to articles from peer reviewed journals, other databases or search engines may limit results to scholarly articles, 'including peer reviewed articles' (as a subset). Web of Science is an example of a database in which all the journals cited within this collection are peer reviewed. This all kinds of database are source of primary database.so we can easily say that a peer review journal considered as primary source of literature. Question: Define primary and secondary data. Write the merits of interview method of data collection? Primary data: primary data are original records created at the time historical events occurred or well after events in the form of memoirs and oral histories. Primary sources may include letters, manuscripts, diaries, journals, newspapers, speeches, interviews, memoirs, documents produced by government agencies such as Congress or the Office of the President, photographs, audio recordings, moving pictures or video recordings, research data, and objects or artifacts such as works of art or ancient roads, buildings, tools, and weapons. These sources serve as the raw material to interpret the past. Or In the fields commonly considered sciences, a primary source is the first report of research, published as a journal article, a research report or conference proceeding, or if extensive, a book or book chapter. They include methodology, data and results, and discussion. In social sciences, such as anthropology, ethnography, psychology, sociology. Examples of primary data sources are:  Experiment results  Statistical data  Eyewitness accounts  Surveys and interviews  Legal documents Page 59 of 73 Secondary Data: A secondary data is one that gives information about a primary source. In this source, the original information is selected, modified and arranged in a suitable format. Secondary sources involve generalization, analysis, interpretation, or evaluation of the original information. Examples include review articles (e.g., meta-analysis and systematic reviews) and reference works Another examples of secondary sources include:  Literature reviews  Opinion pieces  Documentaries  Books  Television broadcasts Data collection is an essential component to conducting a research/ an evaluation. In order to collect data, the researcher should be able to access the data that needs to be collected for the study. The nature of the data for collection determines the method to be employed in collecting this data. Towards this end, various methodologies qualitative and quantitative are available for data collection, of which interviewing is a part of. Interviews are a key qualitative data collection method for social research. There are many reasons to use interviews for collecting data and using it as a research instrument. Merits: 1) To attain highly personalized data, as well as in cases where there are opportunities for probing to get underlying factors. 2) Become a viable option where there are limited respondents and a good return rate is important, 3) To need where respondents are not fluent in the native language of a country, or where they have difficulties with written language. 4) Capability to offer a complete description and analysis of a research subject, without limiting the scope of the research and the nature of participant’s responses. 5) Useful for gaining insight and context into a topic. 6) Can provide information to which the interviewee was previously privy to, unlike other data collection methods such as questionnaires. 7) In response to the need to seek complete description and analysis of subject matter, interviews from the onset, facilitate for the accurate screening for the right interviewee. 8) An individual being interviewed is unable to provide false information during screening questions such as gender, age. 9) When conducted face to face, another key advantage of using interviews as a data collection method surfaces. This one stems from their ability to capture verbal and non-verbal question in the data collection process. 10) One is able to pay attention to body language and ethics. Question: What is literature review? Review of literature plays vital role to prepare a research proposal – justify the statement. Literature review: Review of relevant literature is an integral part in research process. It enables the researcher to formulate his problem in terms of the specific aspects of the general Page 60 of 73 area of his interest that have not been so far researched. Such review not only provides him an exposure to a larger body of knowledge, but also equips him with enhanced knowledge to efficiently Setting his objectives;  Formulating testable hypothesis;  Identifying the variables to be included ;and  Conceptualizing the theoretical framework for analyzing data with proper statistical rigor. Review of literature plays vital role to prepare a research proposal: Through a proper review of literature the researcher may develop the coherence between results of his own study and those of his own study and those of the others .A review of previous documents to similar or related phenomena is essential even for the beginning researchers. To ignore the existing literature may lead to wasted effort on the part of the researchers. If the researcher is aware of earlier studies of his topic, or related topics, he will be in a much better position to assess the significance of his own work and to convince others that it is important. A confident and expert researcher is more crucial in his questioning of the others methodology, data and the quality of the inferences drawn from the study results. In sum, we enumerate the following arguments in favor of reviewing literature:  It avoids duplication of the work that has been done in the recent past.  It helps the researcher to find out what others have learned and reported on the problem.  It helps the researcher to become familiar with the types of methodology followed by others.  It relates a study to the larger ongoing dialougue in the literature about a topic, filling in gap and extending prior studies (Cooper, 1984). Question: How would u prepare a index card by reviewing and abstructing? What is the procedure of prepare an index card by reviewing and abstructing? Indexes show the titles of the research report without any abstract. The titles are categorised and arranged alphabetically in each category so that the researcher can locate any article of interest easily. The Education Index (New York: H W Wilson Co.) is a good example of an index. As indexes do not provide detailed information they keep many a researcher dissatisfied. They can be best regarded as the supplementary source which, if combined with other sources, can yield valuable information to the researchers. Researchers should try their best to accommodate every important and relevant detail under the three common headings suggested above. Self Assessment Questions Page 61 of 73 1) Is there any limitation to the period that one must go upto in reviewing literature? ..................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................... 2) Why is the old literature important? Give examples. ..................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................... 3) When we take materials from others work, how do we acknowledge the source? Give examples. ..................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................... Procedure: After going through the different sources of the Review of the Literature, researchers prepare their own review and abstract on the index card. Usually, for the purpose, a 6" × 10" index card is recommended. In most journal articles, an abstract in about 150 words is provided. The researcher can incorporate it in the abstract being written. Where the article seems to be very important and relevant, the researcher can prepare a more detailed version. Usually, the abstract, thus prepared, is divided into three parts. i) ii) iii) The first part consists of the purpose and hypothesis of the study. The researcher should write down the purpose of the study in not more than two lines. If the hypotheses are small. They can be recorded varbatim but if they are lengthy, they should be synthesised. The second part consists of the methodology of the study in which size of the sample, nature of the population, methods for measuring or manipulation of the variables, methods of data collection, designs and statistics are shown in synthesised form. The third part consists of the findings and conclusions. In this part, the researcher should briefly take down the findings relating to each hypothesis and also concisely the conclusion drawn by the author. At the top of the index card, a full reference should be clearly written in exactly the same way in which it appears in the researcher’s own reference list. There are different types of research formats but that which is followed by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association is widely popular and has been adopted by most of the important research journals. The researcher should never trust own memory for recall of the details of any research article and therefore, all the important and relevant details should be carefully noted down in the index card. Page 62 of 73 Question: What is literature for research? Describe the importance of literature review in Biotechnological research? A literature review or narrative review is a type of review article. A literature review is a scholarly paper, which includes the current knowledge including substantive findings, as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. Literature reviews are secondary sources, and do not report new or original experimental work. Most often associated with academic-oriented literature, such reviews are found in academic journals, and are not to be confused with book reviews that may also appear in the same publication. Literature reviews are a basis for research in nearly every academic field. A narrow-scope literature review may be included as part of a peer-reviewed journal article presenting new research, serving to situate the current study within the body of the relevant literature and to provide context for the reader. In such a case, the review usually precedes the methodology and results sections of the work. Importance of literature review in Biotechnological research: 1. It Creates a Rapport with Audience : A literature review helps a Biotechnology student create a sense of rapport with an audience or readers so they can trust that a Biotechnology student have done your homework. As a result, they can give credit for diligence: a Biotechnology student have done fact-finding and factchecking mission, one of the initial steps of any research writing. As a student may not be an expert in a given field; however, by listing a thorough review in your research paper, students are telling the audience, in essence, that a student know what are talking about. As a result, the more books, articles, and other sources a student can list in the literature review, the more trustworthy your scholarship and expertise will be. Depending on the nature of research paper, each entry can be long or short. For example, if students are writing a doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, the entries can be longer than the ones in a term paper. The key is to stick to the gist of the sources as synthesize the source in the review: its thesis, research methods, findings, issues, and further discussions mentioned in the source. 2. It Helps Avoid Incidental Plagiarism on Biotechnological research: A student have written a research paper, an original paper in his or her area of specialization, without a literature review. When he or she is about to publish the paper, he or she soon learn that someone has already published a paper on a topic very similar to his or her. By knowing this fact, a student can tailor or tweak his or her own research in such a way that it is not a mere rehashing of someone else’s original or old idea. 3. It Sharpens Biotechnological Research Focus: A student will condense, evaluate, synthesize, and paraphrase the gist of outside sources in his or her own words. Through this process of winnowing, a student will be able to place the relevance of your research in the larger context of what others researchers have already done on your topic in the past. Page 63 of 73 The literature review will help a student compare and contrast what a student is doing in the historical context of the research as well as how your research is different or original from what others have done, helping you rationalize why a student needs to do this particular research. Perhaps a student is using a new or different research method which has not been available before, allowing you to collect the data more accurately or conduct an experiment that is more precise and exact thanks to many innovations of modern technology. Thus, it is essential in helping a student shapes and guide research in the direction a student may not have thought of by offering insights and different perspectives on the research topic. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Potential discovery and new scientific Biotechnological knowledge Biotechnology based Public health policy Finding pathologic condition Theoretical value on Biotechnology Identification of research problem and research question Question: Discuss the source of literature for Biotechnological research. There are three sources that one can use to prepare a bibliography: a) Books b) Journals; c) The Internet. Books: Though books are a central part of any bibliography, they have their disadvantages as well as advantages. The main advantage is that the material published in books is usually important and of good quality, and the findings are ‘integrated with other research to form a coherent body of knowledge’ The main disadvantage is that the material is not completely up to date, as it can take a few years between the completion of a work and its publication in the form of a book. The best way to search for a book is to look at your library catalogues. When librarians catalogue a book they also assign to it subject headings that are usually based on Library of Congress Subject Headings. If you are not sure, ask your librarian to help you find the best subject heading for your area. This can save a lot of time. Publications such as Book Review Index can help you to locate books of interest. Journals: A student need to go through the journals relating to research in a similar manner. Journals provide with the most up-to-date information, even though there is often a gap of two to three years between the completion of a research project and its publication in a journal. A student should select as many journals as he or she possibly can, though the number of journals available depends upon the field of study – certain fields have more journals than others. As with books, students need to prepare a list of the journals you want to examine for identifying the literature relevant to your study. This can be done in a number of ways. Page 64 of 73 A student can locate the hard copies of the journals that are appropriate to your study; look at citation or abstract indices to identify and/or read the abstracts of such articles; search electronic databases. The Internet: In almost every academic discipline and professional field, the Internet has become an important tool for finding published literature. Through an Internet search a student can identify published material in books, journals and other sources with immense ease and speed. An Internet search is carried out through search engines, of which there are many, though the most commonly used are Google and Yahoo. Searching through the Internet is very similar to the search for books and articles in a library using an electronic catalogue, as it is based on the use of keywords. An Internet search basically identifies all material in the database of a search engine that contains the keywords specify, either individually or in combination. It is important that one choose words or combinations of words that other people are likely to use.  PubMed (with MGet It links) PubMed indexes over 4,000 biomedical, nursing, dentistry and related journals, with over 27 million citations in MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE and related databases. PubMed is produced by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and provides links between article citations and relevant data in other NCBI databases, including Nucleotide, Structure, Genome, Taxonomy, and others.  Google Scholar Google's search engine for scholarly research including but not limited to content from PubMed, institutional repositories, and professional societies. Results are displayed in a ranked order with the most relevant appearing first. Google Scholar also displays cited reference counts.  Web of Science Core Collection Index to the journal literature in 150 scientific disciplines including biomedicine, biotechnology, and basic sciences. Includes citations, abstracts, and cited references, from 1900-present.  SciFinder SciFinder is a discovery tool provided by Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) for chemical structure & reaction and forward cited-reference searches. Searches are performed across select Chemical Abstracts databases and Medline which covers many disciplines such as biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, materials science, and agricultural science.  BIOSIS Previews Life sciences and biomedical research covering pre-clinical and experimental research, methods and instrumentation, animal studies, and more. Contains content from journals, meetings, patents, and books, and is available 1926-present.  ProQuest (includes Cambridge Scientific Abstracts) Includes access to 17 indexing and abstracting databases in the life sciences.  Conference Papers Index Conference Papers provides citations to papers and poster sessions presented at major scientific meetings around the world. Subject emphasis since 1995 has been in the life sciences, environmental sciences and the aquatic sciences. Information is derived from final programs, Page 65 of 73 abstracts booklets and published proceedings, as well as from questionnaire responses. Records include complete ordering information to obtain preprints, abstracts, proceedings and other publications derived from the conference, together with title and author information needed to track the specific papers.  Current Contents Connect (via ISI Web of Knowledge) Indexes the table-of-contents pages of scholarly journals, books and conference proceedings in the fields of medicine, science, engineering, the arts, social sciences, and humanities. Question: What do you understand by Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Rapid Rural System Appraisal (RRSA)? Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Rapid Rural System Appraisal(RRSA): # Consist of a series of techniques for 'quick and dirty' research that are claimed to generate results of less apparent precision, but greater evidential value, than classic quantitative survey techniques. # Emerged in the 1970s as more efficient and cost -effective way of learning by outsiders, particularly about agricultural systems, than surveys or brief rural visits by urban professionals. # Involves communities in their own needs assessment, problem identification and ranking project for implementation and community action plans. #Uses a wide range of tools, often within a focus group discussion format to elicit spatial, time related and social or institutional data. Question: Discuss on writing up the literature reviewed. Writing up literature reviewed: It not only provides a researcher an explosive to a larger body of knowledge, but also equips him enhanced knowledge to efficiently – #setting his objectives. #formulating testable hypothesis #identifying the variables to be included #conceptualizing the theoretical framework for analyzing data with proper statistical rigor. A confidant and expert researcher is more crucial in his questioning to others methodology, the choice of the data and the quality of the inferences drawn from the study results. In sum, we enumerate the following agruments in favor of reviewing literature: #it avoids duplication of the work that has been done in the recent past. #it helps to find out what others have learned and reported on the problem. #it helps the researcher to become familiar with the types of methodology followed by others. Page 66 of 73 #it relates a study to the larger ongoing dialogue in the literature about a topic, filling in gap and extending prior studies (Cooper 1984) Question: Why literature review is an integral part of research? A literature review is a summary of past research in the subject area. Sometimes this is a standalone investigation of how an idea or field of inquiry has developed over time. However, more usually it’s the part of an academic paper, thesis or dissertation that sets out the background against which a study takes place. 5 reasons for which literature review is an integral part for research are given below: Reason #1: To Demonstrate Understanding In a college paper, researcher can use a literature review to demonstrate his understanding of the subject matter. This means identifying, summarizing and critically assessing past research that is relevant to one's own work. Reason #2: To Justify Research The literature review also plays a big role in justifying study and setting research question. This is because examining past research allows the researcher to identify gaps in the literature, Reason #3: Setting a Theoretical Framework Since the rest of research work will build upon the ideas and existing research discussed therein, a crucial part of this is formulating a theoretical framework, which comprises the concepts and theories that the work is based upon and against which its success will be judged. Page 67 of 73 Reason #4: Developing a Methodology Conducting a literature review before beginning research also lets us see how similar studies have been conducted in the past. By examining the strengths and weaknesses of existing research, one can thus make sure to adopt the most appropriate methods, data sources and analytical techniques for own work. Reason #5: To Support Own Findings The significance of any results one can achieve will depend to some extent on how they compare to those reported in the existing literature. When anyone come to write up your findings, their literature review will therefore provide a crucial point of reference. Question: What are the points to write an executive summary? An effective executive summary can be broken down into five paragraphs. #Paragraph 1: Provide an overview of the business. As mentioned, one can get his readers thinking along the track as he would like them to by including a quote or statistic in the first paragraph of that executive summary. This first paragraph is also where one should provide the name and nature of the business, and relevant insights about the industry. #Paragraph 2: Discussing target market, competition, and marketing strategy. The second paragraph should include a clear and concise definition of target market, and the need or pain point that the business will aim to solve. Next, competitive landscape of the industry should be outlined and the advantage that the particular business possesses. #Paragraph 3: Provide an overview of operational highlights. The third paragraph of the executive summary should provide operational highlights such as where the company offices will be located, whether or not one will incorporate or remain a sole proprietor, or whether he will serve as a brick and mortar or online business. #Paragraph 4: Show forecasting. Here one should make sales forecasting projections for one and two years after the business plan has been implemented. The breakeven point should be calculated, and the audience should be informed of when the project to turn a profit. #Paragraph 5: Detail the investment needs. If your business requires financing, this is where one should go into detail about the investment needs of that business. The number included here should be clear, and should align with the projections from the previous paragraph. Page 68 of 73 Question: Depict the necessity of biotech research in Bangladesh Necessity of biotech research in Bangladesh: 1. Increase in farming productivity and in food production, through the direct use of plant biotechnology, complementing conventional technologies. 2. Nutrition, through improvement in farming and agro-industrial production, and techniques of fermentation in food processing. 3. A better integration of food production with the production and consumption of bioenergy at the household and small settlement levels. 4. Improvement in livestock production and in the health of domestic animals. 5. Correctness in diagnosis and prevention of diseases, as well as upon public health. 6. Commercial exchange patterns between developing and industrialized countries, as a result of differences in dynamics in the introduction of productivity improvements both in farming and agro-industrial activities; also, of the marketing of new biological products which have a tendency to displace raw materials and products from the developing countries, depriving them of an important source of revenue. 7. Income and employment. 8. The possible expansion of cash crops at the expense of food producing crops. 9. Strengthening of large farming operations, with the subsequent displacement of small farmers. 10. Possible reduction in genetic diversity as a result of the broad distribution of new crops. 11. The increasing privatization of the results of research, to which the developing countries like Bangladesh do not have easy access, being forced to paying fees for the use of seeds and plant varieties developed by the industrialized countries. Question: Briefly write down the Biotechnological research areas that can be implemented in Bangladesh? Bangladesh is one of the developing countries in the world .In this country a lot of people are suffering different problems like food, medical, enzymes etc. The biotechnology methods plays an important role to solve this problems to increasing the different sectors, if we want to improve some sectors with biotechnology methods we can recover those problem. Some sectors are given below which can be implemented in Bangladesh. Page 69 of 73 Question: Mention different dimension of a proposal? The elements of a research proposal are highlighted below: 1. Title: It should be concise and descriptive. It must be informative and catchy. An effective title not only prick’s the readers interest, but also predisposes him/her favorably towards the proposal. Often titles are stated in terms of a functional relationship, because such titles clearly indicate the independent and dependent variables.1 The title may need to be revised after completion of writing of the protocol to reflect more closely the sense of the study. 2. Abstract: It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words. It should include the main research question, the rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any) and the method. Descriptions of the method may include the design, procedures, the sample and any instruments that will be used. It should stand on its own, and not refer the reader to points in the project description. 3. Introduction: The introduction provides the readers with the background information. Its purpose is to establish a framework for the research, so that readers can understand how it relates to other research. It should answer the question of why the research needs to be done and what will be its relevance. It puts the proposal in context. 4. Objectives: Research objectives are the goals to be achieved by conducting the research. They may be stated as ‘general’ and ‘specific’. 5. Variables: During the planning stage, it is necessary to identify the key variables of the study and their method of measurement and unit of measurement must be clearly indicated. Four types of variables are important in research a. Independent variables b. Dependent variables. c. Confounding or intervening variables d. Background variables. 6. Questions and/ or hypotheses: If you as a researcher know enough to make prediction concerning what you are studying, then the hypothesis may be formulated. A hypothesis can be defined as a tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more variables. In other words, the hypothesis translates the problem statement into a precise, unambiguous prediction of expected outcomes. Hypotheses are not meant to be haphazard guesses, but should reflect the depth of knowledge, imagination and experience of the investigator. 7. Methodology: The method section is very important because it tells your research Committee how you plan to tackle your research problem. The guiding principle for writing the Methods section is that it should contain sufficient information for the reader to determine whether the methodology is sound. Some even argue that a good proposal should contain sufficient details for another qualified researcher to implement the study. This section should include: a. Research design b. Research subjects or participants Sample size: The proposal should provide information and justification (basis on which the sample size is calculated) about sample size in the methodology section. Page 70 of 73 Interventions: If an intervention is introduced, a description must be given of the drugs or devices (proprietary names, manufacturer, chemical composition, dose, frequency of administration) if they are already commercially available. Ethical issues: Ethical considerations apply to all types of health research. Before the proposal is submitted to the Ethics Committee for approval, two important documents mentioned below (where appropriate) must be appended to the proposal. In additions, there is another vital issue of Conflict of Interest, wherein the researchers should furnish a statement regarding the same. The Informed consent form (informed decision-making Ethics checklist: The proposal must describe the measures that will be undertaken to ensure that the proposed research is carried out in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical research involving Human Subjects.10 It must answer the following questions: • Is the research design adequate to provide answers to the research question • Is the method of selection of research subjects justified • Are the interventions justified, in terms of risk/benefit ratio? • For observations made, have measures been taken to ensure confidentiality? Research setting: The research setting includes all the pertinent facets of the study, such as the population to be studied (sampling frame), the place and time of study. Study instruments: Instruments are the tools by which the data are collected. Collection of data: A short description of the protocol of data collection. For example, in a study on blood pressure measurement: time of participant arrival, rest for 5p. 10 minutes, which apparatus (standard calibrated) to be used, in which room to take measurement, measurement in sitting or lying down position, how many measurements, measurement in which arm first (whether this is going to be randomized), details of cuff and its placement, who will take the measurement. This minimizes the possibility of confusion, delays and errors. Data analysis: The description should include the design of the analysis form, plans for processing and coding the data and the choice of the statistical method to be applied to each data. What will be the procedures for accounting for missing, unused or spurious data? Monitoring, supervision and quality control: Detailed statement about the all logistical issues to satisfy the requirements of Good Clinical Practices (GCP), protocol procedures, responsibilities of each member of the research team, training of study investigators, steps taken to assure quality control (laboratory procedures, equipment calibration etc) Gantt chart: A Gantt chart is an overview of tasks/proposed activities and a time frame for the same. You put weeks, days or months at one side, and the tasks at the other. You draw fat lines to indicate the period the task will be performed to give a timeline for your research study (take help of tutorial on youtube). Significance of the study: Indicate how your research will refine, revise or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation. How will it benefit the concerned stakeholders? What could be the larger implications of your research study? Dissemination of the study results: How do you propose to share the findings of your study with professional peers, practitioners, participants and the funding agency? Budget: A proposal budget with item wise/activity wise breakdown and justification for the same. Indicate how will the study be financed. Page 71 of 73 References: The proposal should end with relevant references on the subject. For web based search include the date of access for the cited website, for example: add the sentence "accessed on June 10, 2008". Appendixes: Include the appropriate appendixes in the proposal. Question: List the names of Academic and Research Institutions (public and private) of Bangladesh where biotechnology based researches are being executed. 1. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) 2. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) 3. Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), 4. Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI) 5. Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), 6. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), 7. Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), 8. Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Research (BINA) 9. International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh. (ICDDR,B) The research for biotechnology in Bangladesh started in the late 1970s. The root cause behind the initiation was the significance of agricultural sector, which had been the backbone of the national economy since the ancient times. The research first started in the department of Genetics and Plant Breeding in Bangladesh Agricultural University through Tissue culture on jute. Subsequently, within the next 10–12 years, similar research programs began to take place in Faculty of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering at MBSTU, University of Rajshahi, University of Chittagong, University of Khulna, Islamic University, Kushtia, Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission. In the late 1990s, Bangladesh became a member of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). In 1999, the National Institute of Biotechnology was established as the centre of excellence in biotechnological education. In private sector also open new era in biotechnology research. Institutes are performed a great achievement in biotechnology research. The names are given below 1. ACI - vaccine production. 2. Incepta pharmaceutical - produce vaccine and insulin. 3. Brac Biotechnology centre. 4. Square Agri-tech. Page 72 of 73 5. Aman Agro industries - produce virus free potato. 1. Lal Teer - produce livestock and seed. Question: Why annual research review of a research institute Bangladesh is important? The main purpose of research is to inform action, to prove a theory, and contribute to developing knowledge in a field or study. This article will highlight the significance of research with the following points: 1. A Tool for Building Knowledge and for Facilitating Learning 2. Means to Understand Various Issues and Increase Public Awareness 3. An Aid to Business Success 4. A Way to Prove Lies and to Support Truths 5. Means to Find, Gauge, and Seize Opportunities 6. A Seed to Love Reading, Writing, Analyzing, and Sharing Valuable Information 7. Nourishment and Exercise for the Mind Finding reasons why research is important seems like a no-brainer, but many people avoid getting involved in research. The lazy (if not mentally-drained) student is probably thinking "not again," while a disinterested academic could just be doing it to secure job tenure and/or a promotion. Yet, for those who like to learn, whether they are members of a learning institution or not, doing research is not just an imperative, but a need. Page 73 of 73