Basics of Research Methodology

Introduction:

    Research plays a vital role in human progress. It's like a tool we use to find out the truth about things. It's not just searching for answers, but a deep and focused search. Research helps us find solutions by using the scientific method, which is a key part of every field of study. It's how we investigate and learn new things.

    Ranganathan elaborates and elucidates the meaning of research as a “critical and exhaustive investigation to discover new facts, to interpret them in the light of the known ideas – laws and theories – to revise the current laws and theories in the light of the newly discovered facts and to apply the conclusions to some practical purpose”.

    "Research" is a purposeful intellectual activity aimed at exploring a phenomenon to expand existing knowledge. It involves systematically collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data to solve societal problems. This becomes scientific when specific methods are used to gather, record, measure, and analyze data in a research cycle – from problem selection to final report writing. In essence, it's a systematic thinking process and scientific method for studying problems and finding solutions. However, research design, application, and outcome may differ across subjects.

Important Steps in Research Process

STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS

The process of research invariably consists of three stages – the primary stage,

secondary stage and final stage. Each of these stages consist of several steps and

thus the any research process comprises the following steps:

i) Identifying and Formulating the Research Problem

ii) Defining the objectives

iii) Formulation of Hypotheses

iv) Literature Review

v) Research Design

vi) Sample Design

vii) Data Collection

viii) Analysis and Interpretation of Data

ix) Writing Research Report

x) Conclusions

PERT and CPM

 PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) was created in 1958 by the United States Navy and Booz-Allen & Hamilton. It's a statistical tool for project management that analyzes tasks in a project. PERT is used for time management, system analysis, and is an evolution of the Gantt chart. It consists of planning, scheduling, and controlling phases and provides estimates for optimistic, pessimistic, and likely timeframes.

CPM (Critical Path Method) stands for Critical Path Method and was developed in 1950 by Morgan R. Walker at Du Pont Company and James E. Kelley at Remington Rand. CPM is an algorithm used to schedule project activities, often paired with PERT. It visualizes the flow and sequence of activities and is valuable for scheduling in libraries and publication operations. PERT/CPM networks have two main components: activities (representing actions and resource consumption) depicted by arrows, and events (beginning and end points) represented by circles.

CONCEPTS AND SCHOOLS OF MANAGEMENT THOUGHT

 Management encompasses various definitions and applications, adapting to different contexts. It draws from verbs like organizing, controlling, handling, and executing for specific purposes. Its scope includes:

1. Occupational Group: A collective term for people engaged in managerial tasks and functions. This can refer to the entire group or individuals within it.

2. Individual Management Role: Pertains to an individual performing managerial functions or being part of a management-focused group.

3. Academic Discipline: An area of specialization that imparts knowledge and skills in management.

4. Process of Activities: Management involves a series of specific activities or functions, serving as a science and an art.

   

Management is a blend of science and art. Effective managers employ a scientific approach, establishing philosophies, principles, and practices for application. While it shares commonalities with social sciences like psychology and sociology, it's distinct. As an art, management is about executing organizational functions through people.

An ancient practice, management is essential wherever organized human activities exist. It is crucial for both goods-producing and service-performing tasks, across diverse private and public organizations, regardless of size. Management helps achieve organizational and personal goals, balancing conflicting objectives, and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

In broad terms, management involves collaborating with people to define, interpret, and attain organizational goals. This is achieved through functions like planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling. It encompasses processes such as decision-making, problem-solving, and action-planning, all of which involve managing resources like human, financial, material, and time.

It's important to differentiate between management and administration. Management encompasses planning, initiating actions, and monitoring, serving as a policy-making and policy-control process. In contrast, administration centers on implementing policies, procedures, rules, and regulations set by management.

CONCEPT, DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF LIBRARY MANAGEMENT

     Management involves systematic functions for organizing and overseeing activities and staff within an organization, including libraries. Management techniques in libraries started around the mid-1950s and have grown as libraries expanded in size, resources, finances, and staff.

Efficient management improves effectiveness, quality, cost-efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction. Chief Librarians, especially in large academic or public libraries, require strong management skills. Specialized libraries with diverse document formats also apply scientific management principles.

Today, librarians face challenges due to competition and evolving technology. Therefore, effective management is crucial for libraries of all types and sizes, regardless of location.