Why Research?

Its long I have been hounded by this question by variety of people. The spectrum is wide - from graduates to Post Docs. The first type of questioners are my parents. Like every parents, they dreamt their son to earn in lakhs, marry a drop - dead gorgeous girl and support the family. Hence when I decided on a career of research, initially I found my father researching the options left before me and how I can fulfil his dreams. But unlike every parents, mine were different. No impositions, no arguments, but a hug from him - a silent but firm gesture - showed his faith on me. Whatever may be the outcome of this endeavour, it is a tribute to them, and their faith on an individual who loves to give them surprises, many times nasty and sometimes pleasant. The second type of questioners are my school friends. Few of them are married and almost all of them are employed. Their reaction to my this endeavour was a mixture of shock and disbelief. I was labelled as "insane", "maverick" and what not. Few of them send me their wives' photographs wishing to poke my hormones and the "bright future that I happen to miss". Good luck to you guys ! The third category are the peer group I am in. However each of them ask that question to get my future career plans. It always happens that I get advised be many over various "options" before me. An answer follows a comment and ultimately ends in proving the superiority of certain departments and disciplines over others.

Today I thought seriously to clear the air why I am in research. This is not to answer the questioners, but to reaffirm my faith in myself. I view research as an act of evolvement with involvement. You get involved with yourself, discover the assumptions you normally take for granted and question the origin of those assumptions. Research according to me is an act of refinement of mind and through that the being. You present a slice of truth to the waiting mankind, who try to find soccur and solace in it for sometime. You are in the business of solving a puzzle - a puzzle to reconstruct the truth and you dont do it for money... for it cannot be done for money! Research is done for seer joy of doing it.

Research is not the act of proving but contributing. What can you find that does not exist ! What can you prove that is not proved ! You just throw light, you direct attention and offer a view point. The euphoria is in giving another alternative to mankind. Its like the universal spiritual principle of God being one and religions being the paths to the same. So the joy lies in exposing a buried phenomenon. It is a sort of intellectual excavation, where repeated reinforcements have solidified some ideas to permanency. Research loosens it up and makes you mobile. It makes you accept and respect the viewpoints of others. It makes you simple yet effective.

The product of 4-5 years in a research program is not a few papers or a thesis. It is you - a changed being who is impartial and unbiased. The process should make you approachable and one should be able to view things objectively. Hence all the arguments about disciplines and departments being superior should subside. For a true researcher appreciates every organ of the body, missing of any one however small makes the body look ugly. Imagine your hand without the little finger, you will know what I mean !

Let me conclude by stating that all our theories are nothing but generalizations of an observed phenomenon over a wide range of contexts. But somewhere the applicability of the same comes to an end. So why the fights and egoes between researchers? Not proving others wrong but reaffirming ones' rightness is the goal. Let it not happen that your learning loses its value in the absence of an audience. Learn for yourself, for the aim is evolvement !

FPM FAQs

• What is FPM?
  Fellow Program in Management is a doctoral (PhD) level course at IIMs. Post Graduate level course of IIMs is known as PGP, which you know as MBA.
  FPM is a four year program, and is actually integrated MBA-PhD course. First two years students go through the PGP course along with some additional advanced courses in their respective areas. Next two years are for pursuing research work. Four year is the official duration of the program - but as per the requirements, the duration may be extended beyond four years, depending upon the particular IIM. During third year, students may also avail internship opportunities in companies to work upon live research projects. More details about program structure is provided at the institutes’ websites. For more details about the course at IIM Lucknow you may visit
  http://www.iiml.ac.in/academics/fpm


• How to get admission into FPM?
  A separate form has to be filled for each IIM. The area of specialization must be mentioned at the time of application. You may use CAT/GATE/GMAT/ JRF scores for qualifying exam. If you are applying through CAT, you have to select the option “FPM” in sections of respective IIMs in the CAT form.
  After screening of your FPM form, you will be shortlisted for the interview. For more details, you may refer FPM admission notice in newspapers or on web http://www.iiml.ac.in/academics/fpm/common_ad.pdf http://www.iiml.ac.in/academics/fpm/announcement.html


• What is the CAT cut-off for FPM?
  There is no fixed cutoff for FPM.
  Selection criteria may differ from IIM to IIM; and from area to area i.e. specialization. What matters more for FPM is - your previous background, and its relevance with the area you have applied for. Weightage is also given to the answers you have written in FPM form.
  If your background doesn’t suit that area, or your answers in the FPM form are not satisfactory - in terms of reflecting your interest into FPM and your respective specialization - you may not get a call even if you have good percentile. Hence, it may happen that students get a call at say 90, but not at 95. Sectional cut-off may also matter depending upon the area of specialization. For example, quant based areas like decision sciences, operations or finance etc, your quant-section cut-off may be considered.


• Is FPM suitable for niche background likes BioTech, Pharma, Law etc?
  Yes, it is. And they can capitalize upon it.
  For example - Pharma is an evergreen domain, and is a process industry like chemicals, paints and cement. It is very much relevant to operations management and decision sciences. Also Pharma and BioTech involves IPR issues etc, which have relevance into Strategy. Similarly, people from Law background may be suitable for strategy, HR, or PMIR areas etc.
  These are just explanatory examples. Many niche backgrounds have some special features associated with them which make them special. It is on you - how you can capitalize upon that.


• How to write answers?
  SOP is to know your career objectives, and how FPM would help you in achieving those.
  Research Proposal is to know how much aware you are about your field of interest and scope of research into it. You may provide an overview of the possible research options in that area or sub-domain of the area. This is obvious that as a beginner you may not be able to zero in a specific research problem but if you can give examples, this will add value to your answers.
  
  Suggestion: First make a list of - what strengths your background has offered you, and then find out what FPM program demands. Also, do the vice versa.
  See what are your career plans, and your expectations from the program; and what FPM can offer you. If you find a match between these things - pick the pen, write downs the ideas. This will help you in answering questions in the Form, and at the time of interview also. It will also add thrust and confidence into your answers as these are not the crafted ideas; these are drafted ideas - and that too by yourself, not by guidance of someone else. Similar exercise can also be done for deciding upon what area you should apply for.


• What is generally asked in interview?
  FPM interview mainly revolves around your academic soundness, work experience, if any, and research aptitude. You are also checked for your perseverance, determination and focus - because FPM is a four year program, and is demanding in terms of your commitment towards the course requirements. You may also be asked to justify your answers written in FPM form.
  For FPM program - at every stage - what matters more than anything is the relevance of professional background, attitude and research acumen and how you can use your professional and personal skills for pursuing management research. If it is reflected apparently or subtly that - there is a proper match between your background and requirements of FPM program, your candidacy gets strengthened. Your answers should reflect your keenness for the domain and also, that your background and skill will help you in adding value to your learning and contribution into the domain.


• How much workex is required for FPM?
  There is no fix rule. Workex definitely gets good weightage but some IIMs also consider freshers for particular areas. Some areas require good understanding of company practices and therefore workex may be more important but – some areas may not emphasize much on workex, and freshers might also get a chance. But again, I should say there is no fix rule. For eligibility criteria regarding workex - you may check institute websites.


• What are the career options after FPM and how it is different from that of PGP?
  FPM is meant for training people for research and academics.
  In academics, fellows find jobs into premier academic institutes like IIMs, MDI, XLRI etc.
  In Industry, they can join research wings of companies. Now a days, almost all companies are concerned about research - to develop better solutions and methods to get competitive advantage. Thus many companies have started their own research wings, like IBM, Deloitte, GE etc. Apart from that there are so many consultancies which require domain experts for consulting projects. Today is the time for Mass-customization which draws the path for multiple-niche. For such environments, experts are required to handle nitty-gritty of that particular area. This has increased requirements of Management PhDs in the industry. Because, there is scarcity of PhDs in India - as a temporary solution, companies are making alliances with premier management institutes to involve their FPM students or Faculties in their projects. Number of Mgmt Institutes is also increasing due to the demand of MBAs, but there is a dearth of management faculties in India. Demand - Supply imbalance exists and it reflects a lot of scope for Mgmt PhDs in the industry and in academics.
  The type of jobs in industry you get after FPM may differ from what MBAs get. First thing - in consultancy, generally, it is at senior level if you have rich and relevant prior workex. Second, FPMs work as domain experts in analytics and research wings of the companies - who can study and understand problems deeply and closely to find suitable solutions.


• Difference between FPM and PGP.
  Level of Education: PGP(MBA) is PG level, FPM is PhD level.
  Duration: PGP 2 yrs, FPM at least 4 yrs and max duration allowed may differ in other IIMs.
  Specialization: multiple and generic in nature in PGP; In FPM, single-in depth domain expertise is offered.
  Orientation: Managerial applications in PGP; learning methodologies, pursuing research and development as well as application for real-life business problems is the focus in FPM.
  Career Options: Managerial, consultancy, analytics etc for PGP; consultancy, analytics, modeling, research, academics for FPM.