RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

BY
Dr. Amar Patnaik
Mechanical Engineering Department
Malaviya National Institute Of Technology
Jaipur (Rajasthan)-302017
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 Unit-I Introduction
Definition and objective of research, types of
research, steps in research process, research
Design, concept and types of research design,
literature review, surveying synthesis,
Interpretation, research purpose, ethics of
research, Plagiarism, Basic sources of data,
IPR, Case Studies.

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 CONTENTS

Introduction
Objective
Motivation
Types of Research
Research Approaches
Significance of Research
Research Methods versus Methodology
Research and Scientific method
Research Process
Criteria of Good Research
Problems encountered by Research in India

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INTRODUCTION
Research Methodology is defined as a highly intellectual human
activity used in investigation of nature and matter and deals
specifically with the manner in which data is collected , analyzed
and interpreted .
It consists :-
Unanswered Questions
Unsolved Questions
Concern
Query
Statement of inquiry

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• Research is the systematic
process of collecting and
analyzing information in
order to increase our
understanding of the
phenomenon about which we
are concerned or interested.

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OBJECTIVE
The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden
and which has not been discovered as yet . Though each research
study has its own specific purpose ,we may think of research
objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings:-

Exploratory research is a type of research conducted for a

problem that has not been clearly defined. Exploratory
research helps determine the best research design, data
collection method and selection of subjects.

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CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH

∆ Purpose clearly defined.

∆ Research process detailed.
∆ Research design thoroughly planned.
∆ High ethical standards applied.
∆ Adequate analysis for decision maker’s needs
∆ Conclusions justified.
∆ Researcher’s experience reflected.

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MOTIVATION
What makes people to undertake research ?
Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential
benefits.
Desire to face the challenges in solving the unsolved problems,
i.e., concern over practical problems initiates research;
Desire to get intellectual joy of done some creative work;
Desire to be of service to society;
Desire to get responsibility.

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 TYPES OF RESEARCH
The basic types of research are as follows:-
Descriptive vs. Analytical
Applied vs. Fundamental
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Conceptual vs. Empirical
Some other types of Research- On time Research
Longitudinal Research
Diagnostic Research
Exploratory Research
Experimental Research

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 Types of Research

Purpose Process Outcome

Exploratory Predictive Applied Action

Basic or
Quantitative Qualitative
pure
Descriptive Analytical
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Types of Research
Descriptive versus Analytical :
Descriptive research means describing state
of affairs – Mostly involves primary data –
ex-post research. Descriptive research
gives meaning to the quality and standing
of facts that are going on. For instance,
the information about a group of person,
a number of objects, a set of conditions, a
class of events, a system of thoughts or
any other kind of phenomenon or
experience which one may wish to study.
Analytical research means carrying out
analysis on a phenomenon – Mostly
involves secondary data – ex-ante
research- before contemplated change.
 Descriptive versus Analytical
• Descriptive research consists of surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different
types.
• The main objective of descriptive research is describing the state of affairs as
it prevails at the time of study.
• The term ‘ex post facto research’ is quite often used for descriptive research
studies in social sciences and business research.

• The most distinguishing feature of this method is that the researcher has no
control over the variables here.

• He/she has to only report what is happening or what has happened.

• Majority of the ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies
in which the researcher attempts to examine phenomena, such as the
consumers’ preferences, frequency of purchases, shopping, etc.
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 Descriptive versus Analytical
• Majority of the ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies
in which the researcher attempts to examine phenomena, such as the
consumers’ preferences, frequency of purchases, shopping, etc.
• Despite the inability of the researchers to control the variables, ex post facto
studies may also comprise attempts by them to discover the causes of the
selected problem.

• The methods of research adopted in conducting descriptive research are

survey methods of all kinds, including co-relational and comparative methods.

• Meanwhile in the Analytical research, the researcher has to use the already
available facts or information, and analyse them to make a critical evaluation
of the subject.

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 Cont.
Applied versus Fundamental
Research
• Applied research aims to find a solution
to an immediate problem facing a
country/ society/ organization etc.
• Applied research refers to scientific
study and research that seeks to solve
practical problems. Applied research is
used to find solutions to everyday
problems, cure illness, and develop
innovative technologies, rather than to
acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake
• Fundamental research is a basic
research mainly concerned with
generalizations.
 Applied versus Fundamental Research
• Research can also be applied or fundamental in nature.
• An attempt to find a solution to an immediate problem encountered by a firm, an
industry, a business organisation, or the society is known as Applied Research.
• Researchers engaged in such researches aim at drawing certain conclusions
confronting a concrete social or business problem.
• On the other hand, Fundamental Research mainly concerns generalizations and
formulation of a theory.
• In other words, “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or
‘basic’ research” (Young in Kothari, 1988).
• Researches relating to pure mathematics or concerning some natural phenomenon
are instances of Fundamental Research.
• Likewise, studies focusing on human behaviour also fall under the category of
fundamental research.
• Thus, while the principal objective of applied research is to find a solution to
some pressing practical problem, the objective of basic research is to find
information with a broad base of application and add to the already existing
organized body of scientific knowledge.
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 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
• Quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical
investigation of any phenomena via statistical, mathematical or
computational techniques. The objective of quantitative research
is to develop and employ mathematical
models, theories and/or hypotheses.
• Quantitative research is generally made using scientific methods,
which can include:
1. The generation of models, theories and hypotheses
2. The development of instruments and methods for measurement
3. Experimental control and manipulation of variables
4. Collection of empirical data
5. Modelling and analysis of data
6. Evaluation of results

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 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
• Qualitative research is research dealing with
phenomena that are difficult or impossible to
quantify mathematically, such as beliefs,
meanings, attributes, and symbols.
• Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth
understanding of human behaviour and the
reasons that govern such behaviour. The
qualitative method investigates the why and how
of decision making, not just what, where, when.

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 Cont.
• Quantitative versus
Qualitative Research
```Quantitative research is based
on the measurement of
quantity or amount
```Example CO2 emission

```Qualitative research is
concerned with subjective
attitude/ quality/ attributes /
desires / feelings/ etc
```Example : Feeling about Dhaka
city air pollution
(intolerable / Mildly intolerable
/ tolerable
 Cont..
Conceptual versus Empirical
Conceptual research is about abstract ideas or theory,
Empirical Research is data-based and subject to
verification
 Conceptual versus Empirical
• The research related to some abstract idea or theory is known as Conceptual Research.
• Generally, philosophers and thinkers use it for developing new concepts or for
reinterpreting the existing ones.
• Empirical Research, on the other hand, exclusively relies on the observation or
experience with hardly any regard for theory and system.
• Such research is data based, which often comes up with conclusions that can be verified
through experiments or observation.
• Empirical research is also known as experimental type of research, in which it is
important to first collect the facts and their sources, and actively take steps to stimulate
the production of desired information.
• In this type of research, the researcher first formulates a working hypothesis, and then
gathers sufficient facts to prove or disprove the stated hypothesis.

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 Conceptual versus Empirical
• He/she formulates the experimental design, which according to him/her would
manipulate the variables, so as to obtain the desired information.
• This type of research is thus characterized by the researcher’s control over the
variables under study.
• Empirical research is most appropriate when an attempt is made to prove that
certain variables influence the other variables in some way.

• Therefore, the results obtained by using the experimental or empirical studies

are considered to be the most powerful evidences for a given hypothesis.

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 Research Process
• Research process consists of a series of steps or actions required for effectively
conducting research. The following are the steps that provide useful procedural
guidelines regarding the conduct of research:
1. formulating the research problem
2. extensive literature survey
3. developing hypothesis
4. preparing the research design
5. determining sample design
6. collecting data
7. execution of the project
8. analysis of data
9. hypothesis testing
10. generalization and interpretation
11. preparation of the report or presentation of the results. In other words, it
involves the formal write-up of conclusions.

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CRITERIA OF GOOD RESEARCH

One expects scientific research to satisfy the

following criteria:-
The purpose of the research should be clearly
defined and common concepts be used.
The procedural design of the research should
be carefully planned to yield results that are as
objective as possible.
The researcher should report with complete
frankness, flaws in procedural design and
estimate their effects upon the findings.
The analysis of data should be sufficiently
adequate to reveal its significance and the
methods of analysis used should be
appropriate. The validity and reliability of the
data should be checked carefully.

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 Conclusion should be confined to
those justified by the data of the
research and limited to those for
which the data provide an adequate
basis.
Greater confidence in research is
warranted if the researcher is
experienced, has a good reputation in
research and is a person integrity.
In other words, we can state the
qualities of a good research as under
:-
Good research in systematic.
Good research is logical.
Good research is empirical.
Good research is replicable.

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 Significance of Research
“ Doubt is often better than
overconfidence as doubt leads to
enquiry and enquiry leads to
invention”
“ Research inculcates scientific and inductive
thinking that promotes development of logical
thinking”
RESEARCH APPROACHES

Two basic approaches

are :-
Quantitative Approach
Qualitative Approach

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SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

Research is actually an act of studying something carefully and

extensively in order to attain deep knowledge in the same. For
being successful, research should be systematic, arranged,
summarized and recorded properly.
Research is not only a process that is limited to the field of
science. It can, as well, cater to people and scholars from artistic,
historic or any other field where an individual is willing to do
extensive study to get relevant information Research can be
creative, exploring or just reassuring in nature.

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Significance of research

◆ Throws light on risks and uncertainty

◆ Identify alternative courses of action
◆ Helps in economic use of resources
◆ Helps in project identification
◆ Solves investment problems
◆ Solves pricing problems
◆ Solves allocation problems
◆ Solves various operational and planning problems of business
and industry
◆ Provides the basis for all government policies in our economic
system.
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 DIFFERENT SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH IS :-

To Gather Necessary Information

To Make Changes
Improving Standard of Living
For a Safer Life
To Know the Truth
Explore our History
Understanding Arts

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 RESEARCH METHODS VERSUS METHODOLOGY

All those methods which are used by the

researcher during the course of studying his
research problem are termed as
RESEARCH METHODS.
Research methods can be put into the following
three groups:-
In the first group we include those methods
which are concerned with the collection of data.
These methods will be used where the data
already available are not sufficient to arrive at
the required solution.
The second group consists of those statistical
techniques which are used for establishing
relationships between the data and the
unknowns.
The third group consist of those methods which
are used to evaluate the accuracy of the results
obtained.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It is a way to systematically solve
the research problem . It may be
understood as a science of studying
how research is done scientifically
.In it we study the various steps that
are generally adopted by a
researcher in studying his research
problem along with the logic behind
them.

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RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The two terms research and
scientific method, are closely
related. Research can be termed as
“an inquiry into nature of, the
reasons for, and the consequences of
recorded just as they occur”.

On the other hand Karl Pearson

writes, “ The scientific method is
one and same in the branches (of
science) and that method is the
method of all logically trained
minds….Scientific method is the
pursuit of truth as determined by
logical considerations.

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Scientific Method of Research
Four Steps:

1. 2.
Observat Hypothe
ion sis

s
si
he
ot
yp
H

False
st
Te

True
4.
3.
Predictio
Testing
ns
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY RESEARCH IN INDIA
Research in India, particularly those engaged in empirical
research, are facing several problems. Some of the problems are
as follows:-
The lack of a scientific training in the methodology of research.
There is insufficient interaction .
Research studies overlapping one another are undertaken quite
often for want of adequate information.
There does not exist a code of conduct for researchers.
Library management and functioning.
There is also the difficulty of timely availability of published
data, etc.

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 WHAT IS RESEARCH DESIGN ?
Task of defining the research problem is the
preparation of the research project, popularly
known as the “research design".
Decisions regarding what, where, when, how
much, by what means concerning an inquiry or a
research study constitute a research design.

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 Research Design
• Definition
– A framework or blueprint for conducting the marketing research
project
• Components
– Information needed
– Data collection methods
– Measurement and scaling procedures
– Sampling process and sample size
– Data analysis procedures
A Broad Classification of Marketing
Research Designs
Research Design

Exploratory Conclusive
Research Research
Design Design

Secondary Qualitative Descriptive Causal

Research Research Research Research
 Exploratory Research
What are its characteristics?

Research is flexible and unstructured

Findings tentative
Used as building block for more research
e.g. pilot surveys, secondary data, focus groups
Done on a small non-representative sample

Why is it used?

When looking for insights into the problem

To help define hypotheses and key variables
To identify alternative courses of action
When Information needs vague
For Establishing priorities for further research
 Exploratory Research Cont’d
What Methods Are Used?
secondary data
qualitative research
focus groups
case studies

When is it done?

Generally initial research conducted to clarify and define the nature of a

problem

What is it’s main limitation?

Does not provide conclusive evidence subsequent research expected

 Conclusive Research
Characteristics

inflexible, versatile
Results conclusive
Research formal and structured
Used when information needs clearly defined

Why is it Used?

to provide decision maker with the information needed to make sound

decision , Testing hypotheses and insights and examining relationships
 Descriptive Research
What is the Objective?

To describe something, e.g. Target market population characteristics

What are its characteristics?

Problem well understood

Tests specific hypotheses
Formal and structured
Large representative samples
Provides a snapshot of the market environment
 Descriptive Research
What Methods are Used?
• Surveys (primary data)
• panels
• scanner data (secondary data)

When Used?
• Often a follow-up to exploratory research
 Examples:

Market segmentation studies, i.e., describe characteristics of various groups, size of

market, buying power of consumers.

Determining perceptions of company or product characteristics

Price and promotion elasticity studies

Product usage studies that describe consumption patterns

Sale potential studies for particular geographic region or population segment,

Advertising studies that describe media consumption habits and audience profiles for
specific television programs and magazines
 Causal Research
What is the objective of causal research?

To obtain information regarding cause and effect relationships

Characteristics?

Independent variable manipulated in a relatively controlled environment

Main method is experiment
Used to understand which variables are causes (independent variables), and which
variables are the effects (dependent variables)
I keep six honest serving men,
(they taught me all I knew),
their names are what and why,
and when, and how, and where
and who”

--Rudyard Kipling

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Researching & Writing
a Literature Review

NCSU Libraries
 Expectations of graduate students
• Grad students have different backgrounds
– Not every grad student has done research
– Not everyone has experience reading the
literature

⚫ No problem.
⚫ You are learning to ask questions
⚫ Do so! No one expects you to know
everything. Your job is to learn to seek out
answers
⚫ Knowing that information is out there can be
empowering!
Talking about the literature…

– “What does the literature show us?”

– “Connect your ideas to the literature.”
– “Survey the literature on the topic.”
Talking about the
literature…

• What it IS:
– Scholarly communication
– A published record of
research
– Challenging to read and
digest
– Indexed, searchable with
research databases
Talking about the

X
literature…

• What it IS NOT:
– Common knowledge
• i.e., handily summarized in
Wikipedia
– Easy to find

X
• If you just Googled it, you
overlooked something.
– Available freely online (mostly)
• This distinction can be transparent
on campus: the “free” internet vs.
library subscriptions
Talking about the literature…

– Let’s focus on “What are lit reviews?” and

“Why?” and the conceptual approach first…

– Follow-up workshops will tackle the

“How?”
• But we’ll look at a examples as we go
 What is a Literature Review?
A literature review
⚫ Surveys scholarly sources relevant to a particular issue,
area of research, or theory
⚫ Provides a description, summary, and critical evaluation
of each work
⚫ Offers an overview of significant literature published on
a topic
⚫ Gives future research context by telling the story of
work done so far

(adapted from http://library.ucsc.edu/ref/howto/ literaturereview.html)

 Functions of Literature Reviews
❑ Establish research context

❑ Show why the question is significant

❑ Illustrate and describe previous research, including

gaps and flaws

❑ Ensure that research has not been done before

Hey, did you notice that the bullets here are

checkboxes?
 Functions of Literature Reviews
❑ Understand the structure of the problem

❑ Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

❑ Synthesize previous perspectives and develop your

own perspective

❑ Point the way to future research

Review article examples:
http://go.ncsu.edu/litrev1
http://go.ncsu.edu/litrev2
Digging Into the Literature
= Major works

C
A
Digging Into the Literature
= Major works
= Studies that rely on major works

C
A
Digging Into the Literature
= Major works = Something new!
= Studies that rely on major works

C
A
New!
Digging Into the Literature – How?
Aspect How?
Major works •Literature databases
•Colleague recommendations
•Cited work
Related works Citation searching:
•Web of Science
•Google Scholar
New information •Articles alerts/RSS feeds
•Tables of Contents

Put it all together, you have a literature review!

 Overview of the Process

Topic Research and Collect

Information

Writing RefWorks
and
revision
Work with Articles
and Brain
 Overview of the Process

Topic

▪Initial topic won’t be your final topic!

▪Choose, explore, focus
▪Refine as you go based on:
▪Availability of research – too much? too
little?
▪Discovering new ideas
▪Writing progress
 Overview of the Process

Topic Research and Collect

Information

▪Search databases
▪Find, evaluate, and select articles
 Overview of the Process

Topic Research and Collect

Information

▪Save your work in a

citation mgr. RefWorks
▪Read, analyze,
synthesize
▪Develop your Work with Articles
conceptual and Brain
framework
 Overview of the Process

Topic Research and Collect

Information

RefWorks
▪Refine topic?
▪Use your citation
manager to stay
Work with Articles
organized
and Brain
 Overview of the Process

Topic Research and Collect

Information

Writing RefWorks
and
revision
Work with Articles
and Brain
 Proceeding…(use worksheet handout)
Develop draft topic
● Discuss with advisor, colleagues

Find a literature review (or book/chapter)

● Identify key terms and concepts
● Use bibliography to find sources

Search the major disciplinary database

● Check with colleagues, a librarian
● Each will have different ideas of where to search!
● Determine scope and facets of topic
● Collect useful, current sources
 Proceeding…
Search other key databases (another
discipline?)
• Round out understanding of scope, facets, terms,
concepts
Search a Citation database
• Best ones: Web of Science, Google Scholar
– Web of Science has better tools
– Scholar can complete picture
• Identify key/seminal papers/research
• Identify key researchers, research centers, journals
• Trace citations back and forward
 Questions that come up…
– How do I know I have the “right stuff”?

– How do I know when I’m done?

– How do know what’s important?

– No set answers…for each individual to

decide.
 Housekeeping Tips
⚫ Use a citation management system
◦ Such as RefWorks, Zotero, Mendeley, etc.
◦ One word for these: invaluable. You are absolutely
doing more work in NOT learning about these.
⚫ Always get the complete citation information
◦ Article title, journal title, author, year/volume, pages,
abstract
⚫ Keep track of searches, notes, ideas, etc. (back to
the worksheets)
⚫ Fully citing sources = avoiding plagiarism
 Read Synthetically: Pull it All Together

⚫ Look at all articles to identify relationships

⚫ Classify or group papers, or paper sections, by
topic, method, theme
⚫ Compare and contrast papers addressing similar
questions
◦ Discover relationships between sources
◦ Discover critical gaps and disagreements
⚫ Fit within the generated outline, or adapt
outline
 The Synthesis Matrix
• Tool to aid in writing a document showing
synthesis
• Based on a grid
Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3 Concept 4

James, et xxxxx xxxxx

al.

Chung xxxxx xxxxx

Levy xxxx xxxxx

 Models of Paper Structures
“Stringing” Model: “Synthesis” Model:
Organization of a Simple Paper showing Synthesis of Sources and
Summary Paper Sequencing by Theme

• Introduction--Introduce context, topic,

• Introduction importance, research questions,
∙ Paragraph 1: Summary or overview
∙ Theme A: Introduce concept or theme,
description of article 1 discuss/compare the relevant parts of
∙ Paragraph 2: Summary or papers 1, 3, and 4
∙ Theme B: Introduce concept or theme,
description of article 2 discuss/compare the relevant parts of
∙ Paragraph 3: Summary or papers 2,4, and 5
∙ Theme C: Introduce concept or theme,
description of article 3 discuss/compare the relevant parts of
• …and on… papers 5 and 6
• Final paragraphs --Summarize and
• Summary and conclusions highlight conclusions, unresolved issues,
identify possible next steps in research
and/or practice.
 Some Tips for Writing
• Write as you go: don’t wait until you’ve finished
searching the literature
• Set some times to write regularly, and do it!
• Start with the easier sections (probably not the
introduction)
• Jot down notes and ideas and keep them handy
• Get feedback, and don’t take it too personally
• Aim for a style that is clear, simple, and
straightforward
 Moving forward
• Other library workshops on:

• Doing Literature Searching

– How to identify good databases
– Maximizing your use of them
• Citation management
– How to save all of this work
 THANKS FOR PATIENCE

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