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Research methodology is regarded as revolution in social science in 20th century. it is rightly so, because it empowers social scientist to acquire new knowledge and facts with reasonable confidence. Words of Caution:
Research findings depend upon multiple of factors; which introduce some element of error in results. Research findings can never be deemed to be absolute truth. They are only satisfactory understanding of phenomena. Thus, a researcher should never be rigid. He/She should be of questioning, flexible and open mind. He/She can only say that in the given circumstances, with given data and tools of study, the results have been obtained and they are subject to change and modification in future. He should be prepared to accept or not to accept any thing. Rigidity is an enemy of research attitude. Anekāntavāda (अनेकांतवाद) and Syadvada (स्याद्वाद)
Syādavāda and Anekāntavāda are two important pillars of Jaina philosophy. Syādvāda is a way to express the things relatively. Any thing or statement may be correct from one stand point and may be wrong from another stand point. Hence, from the limited power of our senses (f-su) we can't say a thing correct from all points of view. Anekāntavāda believes that every entity, however insignificant or small it might be, has infinite dimensions suggesting thereby that full exploration of any entity using material means is difficult if not impossible. Hence there is no conformity and exploration continues. Anekāntavāda and Syādvāda are true research attitudes. Statistical Packages: Curse or Boon?
Some times researchers decide in advance that they would use a particular research technique. They assert that they would use regression, correlation, hypotheses testing etc. with the belief that the research technique would increase quality of research. Sometimes, the problem doesn't require any technique; simple logic or averages produce high quality results. So, one should not use a technique to impress fellow researchers only.
Let the situation demand the use of a particular technique rather than unnecessarily imposing any technique on situation. A good doctor prescribes medicine only when it is needed, he does not prescribe the medicine just because he knows and has it. This applies to a good researcher also.
User-friendly statistical packages have made the job of data analysis easy and fast. Researchers have developed the tendency of using them even when they are not demanded or required by the situation . A word of caution is necessary here also. Donot tailor-make your problem to suit a particular research technique, let the technique be developed to suit the problem, similarly, donot apply a statistical package only because it is available-let it be required by the data and problem being researched. If the above care is not taken immediately, database research in social sciences will turnout to be a formality Arhat Vacana, 19 (3), 2007
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