Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
of research, (b) descriptive type of research, and
(c) hypothesis-testing type of research.
Previously, questionnaires were sent to
respondents (experts, administrators, group of
affected people, researchers, professionals), sit-
ting at different places to express their views on a
particular subject. Thus, an experience survey
not only helps the researcher in developing the
problem but also helps in studying the feasibility
of such type of research.
Analysis of insight-stimulating examples is a
very useful method for suggesting hypothesis
and formulating problems. It is more useful in
areas where there is little experience which
serves as a guide. The essence of this method
lies in the intensive study of the selected phe-
nomenon in which the researcher is interested.
Examination of records and informal interviews
may help in the process of selecting examples. In
general, the problems of such contrast and having
striking futures in the relevant fields are consid-
ered to be relatively useful for the purpose.
Thus, the exploratory studies provide excellent
opportunities to get an insight into the subject
concerned, vis-a-vis formulation of hypothesis
and problems. Whatever may be the methods or
research designs, they must be flexible to accom-
modate the need of the hour, so as to achieve the
objective of the research program.
4.2.1 Research Design for Exploratory
Research
The purpose of an exploratory research is the
formulation of problem or the development of
hypothesis. These can also be knowledge
enhancing in nature. The major consideration of
such design is the discovery of ideas and theories
that have not been completely explored. As such,
its research design must be quite flexible in
nature, for the researcher explores with an open
mind. Nobody knows what may happen in the
next stage of exploration; everybody should
remain alert with an expectation of unexpected
outcome. Generally, there are three different
methods of research designs in the context of
exploratory research: (1) the survey of literature,
(2) the experience survey, and (3) the analysis of
insight-stimulating examples.
The survey of the concerned literature is the
most fruitful and simple method of developing a
research problem or hypothesis. This is nothing
but a process of gathering knowledge from the
past works of the concerned field of study.
Hypotheses stated or formulated by previous
workers may be reviewed and evaluated for
their usefulness on the basis for future research.
Sometimes, the creative work of previous
workers may provide ample ground for the for-
mulation of theories and hypotheses. In the pro-
cess, a lot of effort, time, money, and energy
could be saved if the researcher is well aware of
the facts of what has been done in the past with
respect to the proposed area under study.
An experience survey gives an opportunity
to the researcher to get insight into the subject
and its various facts and facets. Formal or
informal discussions with experts, researchers,
administrators, and professionals may provide
effective clues toward the formulation of the
problems. During the modern era of the Internet,
different discussion groups may be formed
and can play a vital role in sharing the knowledge
about any specific field around the world.
4.2.2 Research Design for Descriptive
Type of Research
Descriptive research studies deal with the
description of the characteristics of a group or
a particular situation. In this type of study, a
researcher should clearly mention what should
be measured and how it should be measured,
for a particular population. The research design
must be well equipped to protect the bias and to
maximize the reliability, and at the same time, it
must be rigid and should not be too flexible in
placing attention on the following points: (1)
what the study is about and why it is being
undertaken, (2) designing the methods for data
collection in the most efficient manner, (3) selec-
tion of the samples and processing and analysis
of data after examinations, and (4) interpreting
the results and drawing conclusions.
