Research Methodology in Commerce

Contents: Preface.1. Concepts and nature of research/V.K. Somasundaram. 2. Methods and techniques of research/R. Ramu. 3. Research problem/R.S. Mani. 4. Nature and formulation of hypothesis/V. Balachandran. 5. Research design/S. Sekar. 6. Source of information and collection of data/R. Elangovan. 7. Sampling and sample design/S. Mohan. 8. Scaling technique/V.S. Ganesamurthy and K. Mariappan. 9. Pilot study and Pretesting/K. Ramesh. 10. Observation method/M. Sendhilvelan and K. Karthikeyan. 11. Preparation of schedule and questionnaire/A. Panneerselvam. 12. Interview method/M. Thamaraikannan and M. Somasundaram. 13. Data processing/T. Srinivasan. 14. Analysis and interpretation of data/S. Mohan. 15. Accounting tools in business research/R. Srinivasan. 16. Estimation and tests of significance/S. Sivasankaran. 17. Test of significance for small samples/S. Sriram. 18. Non-parametric tests/M. Muthupandi. 19. Application of linear regression models in business and economics/Ramasamy Rajendran. 20. Factor analysis and multi dimensional scaling techniques/I. Francis Gnana Sekar. 21. Report writing: structure and components/S. Sethurajan. Index.

"Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. The research is an academic activity which comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.

People talk of research quite frequently these days. Several research works are undertaken every year. But in most cases very little attention is paid to the important dimension relating to research methodology. Therefore, the need for those concerned with research to pay due attention to design and adhere appropriate methodology to improve the quality of research. Considering these aspects in view, the book 'Research Methodology in Commerce' has tried to present the research methodology in a simple and coherent way. The coverage of the book is very comprehensive. In fact, this endeavor is an attempt to synthesis the essential information in unique blend. It gives clear and explicit answers to the questions that arise when the students learn the subject and the scholars do the research. Thus it is confident that the students, researchers and teachers will find the book immensely useful for their research work." (jacket)