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Unit 1 Concepts of Research

Unit

1 Concepts of Research

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, learners will be able to:

◆ comprehend the basic concept of research

◆ identify the objectives of research
◆ analyse various types of research
◆ examine the significance of research in social science

Background

Inquisitiveness is one of the basic instincts of a human being. People are always
curious about the happenings around their surroundings. This curiosity leads to enquiry.
Therefore, people enquire about a particular subject they are interested in seeking
clarification. When you conduct an enquiry in a systematic way based on scientific
evidence, it is called Research. Research is an essential and powerful tool to lead man
towards progress

The field of research is no longer confined to scientific laboratory for the creation
of vaccines and the discovery of the molecular structure of DNA. The manufactures,
agriculturists,historians,archaeologists, sociologists,educationalists and economists
carry out research in their respective fields. This unit gives a basic understanding about
research in the field of social science-a branch of research devoted to the study of
societies and the relationships among individuals.

Keywords

Basic research, Descriptive research, Diagnostic research, Action research, Experimental
research, Inductive approach, Deductive approach

2 SGOU - SLM -MCom Research Methodology