What do you understand about The Bibliography in Research ?

concept of bibliography

The bibliography should give a clear, complete description of the sources that were

used while preparing the report.

It is an alphabetical list as per the author’s surname.

1. For a Book

Surname of author, name or two initials, Title taken from titlepage-underlined or in

italics, Edition (if more than one), volume if more than one, place of publication,

publishers, date on title page or copyright date.

e.g. Kothari, C.R., Research Methods-Methods and Techniques,1989,New Delhi

:Wiley Eastern Limited,4835/24 Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 006.

Step 3 The formulation of objectives:

-Objectives are the goals you set out to attain in your study.

-They inform a reader what you want to attain through the study.

-It is extremely important to word them clearly and specifically.

Objectives should be listed under two headings:

a) main objectives ( aims);

b) sub-objectives.

• The main objective is an overall statement of the thrust of your study.

It is also a statement of the main associations and discover or establish.

relationships that you seek to• The sub-objectives are the specific aspects of the topic that you want to investigate

within the main framework of your study.

-They should be numerically listed.

-Wording should clearly, completely and specifically

Communicate to your readers your intention.

-Each objective should contain only one aspect of the Study.

-Use action oriented words or verbs when writing objectives.

The objectives should start with words such as

‘to determine’,

‘to find out’,

‘to ascertain’,

‘to measure’,

‘to explore’ etc.

The wording of objectives determines the type of research (descriptive, correlational

and experimental) and the type of research design you need to adopt to achieve them.

e.g.

Descriptive studies:

-To describe the types of incentives provides by Hotel XYZ to employees in Mumbai.

-To find out the opinion of the employees about the medical facilities provided by five

star hotels in Mumbai.

Correlatinal studies:

-To ascertain the impact of training on employee retention.

-To compare the effectivenesss of different loyalty programmes on repeat clientele.

Hypothesis –testing studies:

-To ascertain if an increase in working hours will increase the incidence of

drug/alchohol abuse.

-To demonstrate that the provision of company accommodation to employees in

Mumbai hotels will reduce staff turnover.

Clear +Complete +Specific + CHARACTERISTICS OF OBJECTIVES

Identify main + Identify the

variables to direction of

be correlated relationship

I……Descriptive Studies…………I

I..Correlational Studies (experimental and non-experimental)….I

I…………Hypothesis testing studies……………………………IIdentifying Variables:

In a research study it is important that the concepts used should be operationalised in

measurable terms so that the extent of variations in respondents’ understanding is

reduced if not eliminated.

Techniques about how to operationalise concepts, and knowledge about variables, play

an important role in reducing this variability.

Their knowledge, therefore is important in ‘fine tuning’ your research problem.

For example:

-‘Jet Airways’ is a perfect example of quality cabin service.

– Food in this restaurant is excellent.

– The middle class in India is getting more prosperous.

When people express these feelings or preferences, they do so on the basis of certain

criteria in their minds. Their judgement is based upon indicators that lead them to

conclude and express that opinion.

These are judgements that require a sound basis on which to proclaim. This warrants the

use of a measuring mechanism and it is in the process of measurement that knowledge

about variables plays an important role.

The definition of a variable:

An image, perception or concept that can be measured – hence capable of taking on

different values– is called a variable.

The difference between a concept and a variable:

Concepts are mental images or perceptions and therefore their meaning varies markedly

from individual to individual.

A concept cannot be measured whereas a variable can be subjected to measurement by

crude/refined or subjective/objective units of measurement.

It is therefore important for the concept to be converted into variables .

Concept Variable

-Subjective impression – Measurable though the

-No uniformity as to its degree of precision varies

Understanding among from scale to scale and

Different people variable to variable.-As such cannot be measured.

e.g. e.g.

• Excellent – gender (male/female)

• High achiever -age (x years y months)

• Rich -weight ( –kg)

• Satisfaction – height ( — cms)

• Domestic violence – religion (Catholic, Hindu)

-Income ( Rs —per year)

Concepts, indicators and variables:

If you are using a concept in your study, you need to consider its

operationalisation- that is, how it will be measured.

For this, you need to identify indicators– a set of criteria reflective of the concept–

which can then be converted into variables.

The choice of indicators for a concept might vary with researchers, but those

selected must have a logical link with the concept.

Concepts___>Indicators_____>Variables

Concepts Indicators Variables Working definition

Rich Effectiveness 1. Income 2. Assets _______________________________________________________

1. Income 2.Total value of home,car,

investments.

1.If>Rs100000

2.If>Rs250000

1.No. of guests 1.No.of guests served in Month/year

diff. in before

and after levels

2.Changes in Ratings a ) extent of

b) pattern of

2.No. of excellent per 100 feedback

– do –

_______________________________________________________