Unit - I

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Prof. P. Laxminarayana
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Osmania University, Hyderabad – 500 007
Email Id: plaxou@yahoo.com
Origin of the Word “Research”

From the French word "recherche"

which means to travel through or
survey

 Re : Again,
 Search : Examine closely and carefully

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

2 Osmania University, Hyderabad
Meaning of research
 The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays
down the meaning of research as “a careful investigation or
inquiry specially through search for new facts in any
branch of knowledge”.

 Redman and Mory define research as a “systematized effort

to gain new knowledge.”Some people consider research as a
movement, a movement from the known to the unknown

 It is considered as carefully investigation or inquiry to find out

new facts in any field of knowledge.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

3 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Objectives of Research
 The purpose of research is to discover answers through the application of
scientific procedures.

 The objectives are:

• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it –
Exploratory or Formulative Research.
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation
or a group – Descriptive Research.
• To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it
is associated with something else – Diagnostic Research.
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables –
Hypothesis-Testing Research.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

4 Osmania University, Hyderabad
Motivation in Research
 What makes people to undertake research? This is a question
of fundamental importance. The possible motives for doing
research may be either one or more of the following:
• Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;
• Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e.,
concern over practical problems initiates research;
• Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;
• Desire to be of service to society;
• Desire to get respectability
• To develop new products
• To save costs
• Human desires

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

5 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Research Types
 Explorative/ Formulative

 Descriptive Vs Analytical Diagnostic

 Quantitative Vs Qualitative

 Applied/ Action Vs Fundamental/

Basic/Pure purpose Process outcome

 Conceptual Vs Empirical

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

6 Osmania University, Hyderabad
Research Approaches
The above description of the types of research brings to
light the fact that there are two basic approaches to
research, viz.,
Quantitative approach and
Qualitative approach

 Quantitative approach involves the generation of data in

quantitative form which can be subjected to rigorous quantitative
analysis in a formal and rigid fashion.
 Qualitative approach to research is concerned with subjective
assessment of attitudes, opinions and behavior

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

7 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Significance Of
 The quality of life of a citizen of a country greatly depends on overall development of
the country achieves.
 The economic development of many countries is an account of sustained and
substantial investment in Research and Development activities both by state and
private sectors among other measures.
 Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development
of logical habits of thinking and organisation.”
 Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system.
 The role of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business
or to the economy as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times.
 Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and
in seeking answers to various social problems.
 To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research may mean a
careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure;

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

8 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Research Methods versus Methodology
It seems appropriate at this juncture to explain the difference between
research methods and research methodology. Research methods may be
understood as all those methods/techniques that are used for conduction of
research.
 Research methods: the researchers use in performing research
operations into the following three groups:
1. 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;
2. The second group consists of those statistical techniques which are used for
establishing relationships between the data and the unknowns;
3. The third group consists of those methods which are used to evaluate the
accuracy of the results obtained.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

9 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Research Methods versus Methodology
Research methodology :
1. It is a way to systematically solve the research problem.
2. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically.
3. 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.

 It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the research methods/techniques but also
the methodology.
• Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain indices or tests,
• How to calculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standard deviation or chi-square,
• How to apply particular research techniques, but they also need to know which of these
methods or techniques, are relevant and which are not.
• What would they mean and indicate and why.
Example: An Architect, who designs a building, has to consciously evaluate the basis of his
decisions, i.e., he has to evaluate why and on what basis he selects particular size,
number and location of doors, windows and ventilators, uses particular materials and
not others and the like.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

10 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Research Methods versus Methodology
Research methods may be understood as all those methods /techniques that are used
for conduction of research:
Library Research
I. Analysis of historical Records,
II. Analysis of documents
Field Research
I. Non-participant direct observation
II. Participant observation
III. Mass observation
IV. Mail questionnaire
V. Group interview
VI. Telephone survey

Laboratory Research
Small group study of random behaviour, play and role analysis

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

11 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Scientific Method Contd..
• Science refers to the body of systematic and organized
knowledge which makes use of scientific method to acquire
knowledge in a particular field of enquiry.

• Scientific method is the systematic collection of data (facts)

and their theoretical treatment through proper observation,
experimentation and interpretation.

• Scientific method attempts to achieve a systematic interrelation

of facts by experimentation, observation, and logical
arguments from accepted postulates and a combination of
these three in varying proportions.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

12 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Scientific Method Contd..

Scientific method is, thus, based on certain basic postulates which can be
stated as under:
 It relies on empirical evidence;
 It utilizes relevant concepts;
 It is committed to only objective considerations;
 It presupposes ethical neutrality, i.e., it aims at nothing but making only
adequate and correct statements about population objects;
 It results into probabilistic predictions;
 Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical scrutiny are for
use in testing the conclusions through replication;
 It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be termed as scientific
theories.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

13 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 RESEARCH PROCESS
Review the FF
literature FF
Review
Concepts Analyse
Design
And Collect Data
Research Interpret
Define theories Formulate Data (Test
(Including and
Research hypothesis (Execution) Hypothesis
Problem Sample report
if any)
Review Design)
Previous F F
I Research III IV V
findings VI VII

II
F
Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg. F Feed Back
14 Osmania University, Hyderabad
FF Feed Forward
 Criteria of Good Research
Whatever may be the types of research works and studies, one thing that is important is that
they all meet on the common ground of scientific method employed by them.
• The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts be used.
• The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to permit another
researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what
has already been attained.
• 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.
• Conclusions 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 of integrity.
Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.
15 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Criteria of Good Research
we can state the qualities of a good research as under

Systematic
Logical
Empirical
Replicable
Creative

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

16 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Problems Encountered by Researchers in India
Researchers in India, particularly those engaged in empirical research, are facing
several problems. Some of the important problems are as follows:

 The lack of a scientific training in the methodology of research is a great impediment for
researchers in our country.
 There is insufficient interaction between the university research departments on one side and
business establishments, government departments and research institutions on the other side.
 The need for generating the confidence that the information/data obtained from a business unit
will not be misused.
 Research studies overlapping one another are undertaken quite often for want of adequate
information.

 Library management and functioning is not satisfactory at many places and much of the time
and energy of researchers are spent in tracing out the books, journals, reports, etc., rather than
in tracing out relevant material from them.
 There is also the problem that many of our libraries are not able to get copies of old and new
Acts/Rules, reports and other government publications in time.

There may, at times, take place the problem of conceptualization and also problems
relating to the process of data collection and related things

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

17 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Major Limitations in Conducting a Research
 Time
 Costs
 Access to resources
 Approval by authorities
 Ethical concerns
 Expertise

Benefits to the society in general

• Individuals in general and research participants in particular, gain self knowledge
which can help them improve their autonomous decision-making.
• The community gains collective self-knowledge that, once shared, can play a role
in shaping education.

• Informing policies in general creating a more efficient and it can help society find
ways to avoid injustices.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

18 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Definition of Research
 Hunting for facts or truth about a subject
 Organized scientific investigation to solve problems, test hypotheses, develop
or invent new products
What is Research?
The two important characteristics of research are : It is systematic and secondly it follows
a scientific method of enquiry.

Research is systematic, because it follows certain steps that are logical in order. These
steps are:
 Understanding the nature of problem to be studied and identifying the related area of
knowledge.
 Reviewing literature to understand how others have approached or dealt with the problem.
 Collecting data in an organized and controlled manner so as to arrive at valid decisions.
 Analyzing data appropriate to the problem.
 Drawing conclusions and making generalizations.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

19 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Consider the following case which is an example of research:
• A general manager of a car producing company was concerned with the complaints received
from the car users that the car they produce have some problems with rating sound at the dash
board and the rear passenger seat after few thousand kilometers of driving.
• He obtained information from the company workers to identify the various factors influencing
the problem.
• He then formulated the problem and generated guesses (hypotheses).
• He constructed a checklist and obtained requisite information from a representative sample of
cars.
• He analyzed the data thus collected, interpreted the results in the light of his hypotheses and
reached conclusions.
• You will notice in the example above that the researcher went through a sequence of steps
which were in order and thus systematic.
• Secondly, the researcher did not just jump at the conclusions, but used a scientific method of
inquiry in reaching at conclusions.
Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.
20 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 High Quality Research!

• It is based on the work of others.

• It can be replicated (duplicated).
• It is generalizable to other settings.
• It is based on some logical rationale and tied to theory.
• It is physically possible
• It generates new questions or is cyclical in nature.
• It is incremental.
• It is apolitical activity that should be undertaken for the betterment of
society.
Then, What is Bad Research?
• The opposites of what have been discussed.
• Looking for something when it simply is not to be found.
• Plagiarizing other people’s work.
• Falsifying data to prove a point.
• Misrepresenting information and misleading participants.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

21 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Definition of the Research Problem

What is a research problem?

 The term ‘problem’ means a question or issue to be examined.

 Research Problem refers to some difficulty /need which a researcher

experiences in the context of either theoretical or practical situation and
wants to obtain a solution for the same.

How Do We Know We Have A Research Problem?

 Customer complaints
 Conversation with company employees
 Observation of inappropriate behaviour or conditions in the firm
 Deviation from the business plan
 Success of the firm’s competitor’s
 Relevant reading of published material (trends, regulations)
 Company records and reports.
Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.
22 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 SOURCES OF PROBLEMS

 Reading
 Academic Experience
 Daily Experience
 Exposure to Field Situations
 Consultations
 Brainstorming
 Research
 Intuition

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

23 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Process Involved in Defining the Problem
 Statement of the problem in a general way.
 Understanding the nature of problem
 Surveying the available literature
 Developing ideas through discussions
 Rephrasing the research problem

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

24 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Criteria of Selection
The selection of one appropriate researchable problem out of the
identified problems requires evaluation of those alternatives
against certain criteria. They are:

 Internal / Personal criteria: Researcher’s Interest,

Researcher’s Competence, Researcher’s own Resource:
finance and time.
 External Criteria or Factors: Researchability of the problem,
Importance and Urgency, Novelty of the Problem,
Feasibility, Facilities, Usefulness and Social Relevance,
Research Personnel.
 Selecting and Defining a Problem Contd..

 A research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty which a researcher

experiences in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation and wants to
obtain a solution for the same.

 A research problem is one which requires a researcher to find out the best solution
for the given problem, i.e., to find out by which course of action the objective can be
attained optimally in the context of a given environment.

Ex: A Medical Doctor, a researcher must examine all the symptoms (presented to him or observed by him)
concerning a problem before he can diagnose correctly. To define a problem correctly, a
researcher must know: what a problem is?

 All this is not done in a vacuum.

 To achieve this, you review the literature related to the problem to know what other
researchers have done and discovered and to identify the possible methodology for
conducting the research.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

26 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Selecting the Problem Contd….
 The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected. The
task is a difficult one, although it may not appear to be so. Help may be
taken from a research guide in this connection.

 Nevertheless, every researcher must find out his own salvation for research
problems cannot be borrowed. A problem must spring from the researcher’s
mind like a plant springing from its own seed.

 A research guide can at the most only help a researcher choose a subject.

Ex: If our eyes need glasses, it is not the optician alone who decides about the number
of the lens we require. We have to see ourselves and enable him to prescribe for us
the right number by cooperating with him.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

27 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Definition / Formulation Of The Research Problem
 Formulation is the process of refining the research ideas into research
questions and objectives.
 Formulation means translating and transforming the selected research
problem/topic/idea into a scientifically researchable question. It is
concerned with specifying exactly what the research problem is.

 Problem definition or Problem statement is a clear, precise and succinct

statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of
finding an answer or solution.

 There are two ways of stating a problem:

1) Posting question / questions
2) Making declarative statement / statements
Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.
28 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Formulating the Research Problem
 There are two types of research problems
1. Those which relate to states of nature
2. Those which relate to relationships between variables

Initially the problem may be stated in a broad general way and then the
ambiguities, if any, relating to the problem be resolved.
The feasibility of a particular solution has to be considered before a working
formulation of the problem can be set up.
The formulation of a general topic into a specific research problem, and a scientific
enquiry.

 Two steps are involved in formulating the research problem

1. Understanding the problem thoroughly
2. Rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from an analytical point of
view.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

29 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Formulating the Research Problem Contd….
 The best way of understanding the problem is to discuss it with one’s own
colleagues or with those having some expertise (Researcher Guide) in the
matter.

 The guide puts forth the problem in general terms and it is up to the
researcher to narrow it down and phrase the problem in operational terms.

 The researcher must at the same time examine all available literature to
get himself acquainted with the selected problem.

Review two types of literature

1. Conceptual literature concerning the concepts and theories
2. Empirical literature consisting of studies made earlier which are similar
to the one proposed

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

30 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Formulating the research problem Contd….
 The basic outcome of this review will be the knowledge as to what data and other materials are
available for operational purposes which will enable the researcher to specify his own research
problem in a meaningful context.

 The researcher rephrases the problem into analytical or operational terms.

 This task of formulating, or defining, a research problem is a step of greatest importance in the
entire research process.

 The statement of the objective is of basic importance because it determines the data which are to
be collected, the characteristics of the data which are relevant, relations which are to be explored,
the choice of techniques to be used in these explorations and the form of the final report.

 The formulation of the problem often follows a sequential pattern where a number of
formulations are set up, each formulation more specific than the preceding one, each one phrased
in more analytical terms, and each more realistic in terms of the available data and resources.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

31 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Necessity of Defining the Problem
 A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved
 Proper definition of a research problem is an important prerequisite for any research study.
 The formulation of a problem holds more significance than its solution.
 The manner in which the problem is defined decides the direction for the entire research.
 The problem that has to be analyzed should be defined unambiguously, which will help to
discriminate between the relevant and irrelevant data.
 A careful scrutiny of the research problem will help in working out the research design.
 This will ensure smooth coordination of all the consequential steps involved in the research.
 Lots of questions may arise during the course of the research:
1. What data needs to be collected?
2. What characteristics of that data are relevant and need to be studied?
3. What relations have to be explored? What techniques have to be used for the purpose?
 The researcher can find answers to all these questions only if the problem has been properly
defined.
 A proper definition of the problem helps to improve the overall efficiency and quality of the
study.
 It is the foundation for further development of the research proposal.

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

32 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Technique involved in Defining a Problem
 The research problem should be defined in a systematic manner, giving due
weight age to all relating points.
 The technique for the purpose involves the undertaking of the following
steps:
I. Statement of the problem in a general way: First of all the problem should be stated in a
broad general way, keeping in view either some practical concern or some scientific or
intellectual interest.
II. Understanding the nature of the problem: The next step in defining the problem is to
understand its origin and nature clearly. The best way of understanding the problem is to
discuss it with those who first raised it in order to find out how the problem originally came
about and with what objectives in view.
III. Surveying the available literature: All available literature concerning the problem at hand
must necessarily be surveyed and examined before a definition of the research problem is
given.
IV. Developing the ideas through discussions: Discussion concerning a problem often produces
useful information. Various new ideas can be developed through such an exercise.
V. Rephrasing the research problem: Finally, the researcher must sit to rephrase the research
problem into a working proposition.
Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.
33 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Any
Questions..

Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.

34 Osmania University, Hyderabad
 Prof.P. Laxminarayana, Dept. of Mech. Engg.
35 Osmania University, Hyderabad