Nature & Scope of Research

 

Nature & Scope of Research:

 

I           Every research commences after any problem faced or question arises in mind of man and if, no solution or answer is known to him. His movement or actions are stimulated towards searching of solution or to find out answer of existing question, which can be termed as his research. ‘Re’, is a Latin term which means again, afresh or repeatedly. Search means try to find out something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly. Research is the systematic study of facts with intent to seek knowledge on the basis of which certain decision can be made or valid conclusion may be drawn.

 

(ii)        Research is a general action ordinarily performed by man in day to day life. Such activities are usually performed towards problem solving. In strict term a research activity can be distinguished from non research activity on the basis of process followed there under.

 

(iii)       The research activity always follows a certain orderly process. Research process follows three major parts as- collection of data, analysis of data and interpretation of data. Various techniques and tools are used under each step for doing research.

 

Research is a process whereby any fact(s) are repeatedly, carefully and systematically investigated by the researcher to know the truth.

 

Research  is  a  process  which  includes  some  major  questions  such  as :

–     “What”, “Why ” “Where”, “When” and “How”. ‘What’ denotes ‘objectives’, ‘Why’ denotes purpose“ where” denotes circumstances, “when” denotes the ‘time’  and ‘How’ denotes methods. Object,  purpose  and  methods  are  three  major  components  of  every  research.   

 

Classification of Research:

Research  can  be  classified  on  the  basis  of  their  nature.  Specific  nature  of  research  is  designed  by  their  objectives  and  purposes.  On  the  basis  of  objectives  research  can  be classified as:

i.                    Inventive  Research:  Invention  of  novel  product  which  was  not  existed  before.  Such  invention  is  the  outcome  of  consistent  efforts  made  by  the  researcher  for  satisfying   any   necessity.   Usually,   inventive   researches   are   concern   with   the  material  things  i.e.,  articles,  instruments,  machineries  or  devices  etc.  Inventive  research  is  basically  concerned  with  pure  science. Produce of inventive research depends on the personal skills of researcher as to his knowledge and designing of the product.

 

ii.                  Exploratory research: Exploration of unknown facts which though exists, but not  known by the society. Those facts which are mysterious or difficult to interpret  are searched  and  introduced  before  the  society  by  the  research  is  called  exploratory  research.   Usually   those   areas   where   no   earlier   studies   have   made   or   no  preliminary  knowledge  exists  by  which  any  general  hypothesis  can  be  formed  to proceed ahead.

iii.                Explanatory research:  Explaining any knowledge which already exists but social

awareness   towards   such   knowledge   or   reality   is   incomplete,   misleaded   or  inconsistent.    Such  research  is  motivated  so  that  the  society  can  be  made  aware  about the real state of knowledge.  The purpose behind such research is to protect  the  society  from  suffering  caused  due  to  wrong  perception  towards  any  fact,  phenomenon, principle or theory.  If social perception can be corrected the society  can  progress  further.  Otherwise  it  may  be  static  or  degrading continually  in  any  particular field of life.

iv.                Diagnostic research:  Where  any  problem  exists,  but  their  causes  are  not known, the  exercise  towards  finding  such  causes  or  variables  responsible  for  origin, existence and subsistence of problem are diagnosed is called diagnostic research. It  is  also  known  as  causal  research.  Study of such unknown variables is known as diagnostic research.

v.                  Remedial  research: Where  the  causes  of  any  problem  have  already  identified,  but  how  to  prevent  or  control  such  problem  still  puts  a  question.  Therefore,  the  remedies  are  explored  to  control  or  eradicate  such  problem  is  called  remedial  research.

vi.                Comparative research: Where two or more groups, phenomenon, society, policy,  instruments,  principles  or  theories  are  compared  for  certain  objectives Such  comparison is made according to objectives and purposes of study. If two or more  options  are  available  for  making  any  decision  then  comparing  things  is  necessary for going with better choice.

vii.              Experimental Research: Experimental research demonstrates the cause and effect relationship by manipulating factors. It is the testing of variables in laboratory.  These researches are rarely used in legal research.  Since,  the  law  research  is  generally  focused  on  exiting  and  ideal  legal  principles,  legislations  and  policies  studied  in  real  social  condition  without  any  external  control.  Though,  the  pilot  project  schemes  are  basically  experimental  methods  used  in  social  science. 

 

viii.            Historical Research:  In historical research, past events are studied systematically and chronologically so that a clear description can be given as to the happening of events in past. In historical research scattered recorded facts are collected,