The objective of this book is to explain in a simple and lucid style the basic principles and methods of research methodology being followed for research in the field of social sciences. The focus is on explaining the basics so that the researcher understands what research is and how the research activity has to be planned and executed. A research project starts with the identification of a research problem and ends with the preparation of the research report. There are different processes or activities involved in the execution of the research project. The important activities are: formulation of the research problem, literature survey, identification of variables and hypotheses from the theoretical framework, preparation of the research design and the sampling design, collection of primary and secondary data using questionnaires and interview schedules with measurement scales, analysis of data using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and econometric models for time series data, hypothesis testing and finding solution to the research problem, and preparation of the research report. All these research processes are explained with suitable illustrations in the book. The book also includes separate chapters on qualitative research and research in the digital environment.

The book is expected to serve as a reference book for researchers in social sciences, including students, faculty, and professional esearchers. The book is prepared with a practical bias to guide the researchers in the execution of different research activities.