RESEARCH METHODLOGY AND

SEMINAR

MENG6006/ MENG6403

Lecturer: Samson Mekbib

Chapter I (REVISION):

INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH METHODLOGY

(REVISION SLIDE)

BASIC CONCEPTS OF RESEARCH

Research is
Accidental discovery :
not
 Accidental discovery may occur in structured research process
 Usually takes the form of a phenomenon not previously noticed
 May lead to a structured research process to verify or understand the
observation
Data Collection
 an intermediate step to gain reliable knowledge
 collecting reliable data is part of the research process
Searching out published research results in libraries (or the internet)
 This is an important early step of research
 The research process always includes synthesis and analysis
Information gathering:
 Gathering information from resources such books or magazines isn’t
research.
 No contribution to new knowledge.

The transportation of facts:

 Merely transporting facts from one resource to another doesn’t constitute
research.
 No contribution to new knowledge although this might make existing
knowledge more accessible. 3
Research is…
1. Searching for explanation of events, phenomena, relationships
and causes
– What, how and why things occur

– Are there interactions?

2. A process
– Planned and managed – to make the information
generated credible
– The process is creative
– It is circular – always leads to more questions

4
Research Characteristics
 Originates with a question or problem.
 Requires clear articulation of a goal.
 Follows a specific plan or procedure.
 Often divides main problem into sub problems.
 Guided by specific problem, question, or
hypothesis (suggested solution based on
evidence).
 Accepts certain critical assumptions.
 Requires collection and interpretation of data.
 Suggests possible solutions to the problem

5
What is Science, the Scientific Method, and Research?
Science…
 a body of established knowledge
 the observation, identification, investigation, and theoretical
explanation of natural phenomenon
Scientific Method…
 involves the principles and processes regarded as characteristic of
or necessary for scientific investigation
 process or approach to generating valid and trustworthy
knowledge
Research…
 the application of the scientific method
 a systematic process of collecting and logically analyzing
information (data)
Research Methods (Methodology)…
 the ways one collects and analyzes data
 methods developed for acquiring trustworthy knowledge via
reliable and valid procedures

6
 Methods and Methodologies
• Research methods:
• All those methods/techniques that are used for conduction
of research.
• Refer to the methods the researchers use in performing
research operations.
• All methods which are used by the researcher during the
course of studying his research problem.
• Research methodology:
• Systematically solve the research problem.

• Includes the research methods and also consider the logic

behind the methods we use in the context of our research
study and explain why we are using a particular method or
technique and why we are not using others so that
research results are capable of being evaluated either by the
researcher himself or by others.

7
Scientific Method
Hypothesis
Sequence of experiments
 Randomization

 Repetition

Change one parameter/experiment

Prove/Disprove Hypothesis
Document for others to reproduce results

8
Scientific Method

9
Structure of Research
The "hourglass" notion of research
begin with broad questions
narrow down, focus in
operationalize
OBSERVE
analyze data
reach conclusions
generalize back to questions

10
The Scientific Research Method
Systematic; cyclic; series of logical steps.
 Identifying the problem

 Formulating a hypothesis

 Developing the research plan

 Collecting and analyzing the data

 Interpreting results and forming conclusions

11
Identifying the Problem
First, and arguably the most important, step
 Several sources

 Theoretical basis
 Professional practice
 Personal experience
 Shear curiosity
 Starts as a broad question that must be narrowed

 Problem statement; experimental approach to the problem; etc.

Three categories when selecting a research problem

 Those who know precisely what they want to do and have a
well conceived problem
 Those who have many interest areas and are having difficulty
deciding exactly what they want to study
 Those who do not have any idea about a worthwhile research
problem
12
Formulating a Hypothesis
Hypothesis:
 A belief or prediction of the eventual outcome of the research

 A concrete, specific statement about the relationships between

phenomena
 Based on deductive reasoning

 2 types of hypotheses:

 Null hypothesis (HO)

 All is equal; no differences exist

 Alternative (research) hypothesis (HA)

 Usually specific and opposite to the null

13
Developing the Research Plan
A strategy must be developed for gathering and analyzing the
information that is required to test the hypotheses or answer the
research question
 Four parts:

 Selection of a relevant research methodology

 Identification of subjects or participants
 Description of the data-gathering procedures
 Specification of the data analysis techniques
 Pilot studies, all must be determined in advance!

14
Collecting and Analyzing the Data

Following all the pre-determined protocols

 Time in the lab collecting data

 Analyzing the composite data

 Controlling the environment

15
Interpreting Results and Forming
Conclusions
DATA ANALYSIS IS NOT AN END IN ITSELF!
Does the evidence support or disprove the original hypotheses?
 Accept or reject the hypotheses

 Conclusions should be drawn:

 Develop new hypotheses to explain the results

 Inferences are typically made beyond the specific study

16
New Questions
Arise

Question
Identified
Results Hypotheses
Interpreted Formed
Data Research
Collected Plan
Closed-loop conceptualization of the
research process (Drew, Hardman, and
Hart, 1996) 17
Research Classifications
System #1:
 Basic research

 Applied research

System #2:
 Quantitative research

 Qualitative research

System #3:
 Experimental research

 Nonexperimental research

System #4
 Exploratory research

 Constructive research

 Empirical research
18
Basic vs. Applied Research
Applied Research

Applying the result of research finding to solve

specific problem happening in an organization. The
aim is to solve current problem

Basic Research
Enhancing the understanding of certain problem that
commonly occur in organization setting and seek
method of solving them. The aim is to generate
knowledge, understand phenomena/problem that
occur in various organization setting
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Basic vs. Applied Research
Basic Applied
 Pure, fundamental  Central purpose to
research solve an immediate
 Discovery of new
problem
 Improved products
knowledge;
theoretical in or processes
 Infers beyond the
nature
group or situation
 Takes many years
studied
for the results of  Interpretation of
basic research to results relies upon
find some practical Basic research
utility 20
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative Qualitative
 Numerical, measurable  Generally non-numerical
data data
 Traditional or positivist  Typically anthropological
approach and sociological research
 Clearly stated questions methods
 Rational hypotheses  Observations of a
 Developed research “natural” setting
procedures
 In-depth descriptions of
 Extraneous variable
controls situations
 Large samples  Interpretive and

 Traditional, statistical descriptive

analyses

21
Experimental vs. Nonexperimental
Experimental Nonexperimental
 Independent 1. Causal-

Variables (Ivs) comparative

and Dependant 2. Descriptive
Variables (DVs)
3. Correlational
 Cause-and-effect
4. Historical
 Extraneous
variable controls

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Exploratory, Constructive and Empirical
research

The goal of the research process is to produce new

knowledge.
This process takes three main forms
1. Exploratory research which structures and
identifies new problems
2. Constructive research which develops
solutions to a problem
3. Empirical research which tests the feasibility
of a solution using empirical evidence.

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The Process of Research
• The process is initiated with a question or problem
(step 1)
• Next, goals and objectives are formulated to deal with
the question or problem (step 2)
• Then the research design is developed to achieve the
objectives (step 3)
• Results are generated by conducting the research
(step 4)
• Interpretation and analysis of results follow (step 5)

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Creativity in the Research
Process
• Research is a creative process
• “…research includes far more than mere
logic … It includes insight, genius, groping,
pondering – ‘sense’ … The logic we can
teach; the art we cannot”
• Research requires (or at least works best)
with imagination, initiative, intuition,
and curiosity.

25
Research Motivation
What makes people to undertake research?
This is a question of fundamental importance. One or more
of the following:
1. Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential
benefits.
2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved
problems, i.e., concern over practical problems initiates
3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work.
4. Desire to be of service to society.
Many more factors: directives of government,
employment conditions, curiosity about new things,
desire to understand causal relationships, social
thinking and awakening, as well motivate . 26
Fostering Creativity
 Gather and use previously developed knowledge
 Exchange ideas
 Apply deductive logic
 Look at things alternate ways
 Question or challenge assumptions
 Search for patterns or relationships
 Take risks

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Scientific Research
 Provides scientific information and theories
 Follows a certain structural process though the step order
may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher
 The following steps are usually part of the most formal
research both basic and applied
 Observations and Formation of the topic
 Hypothesis
 Conceptual definitions
 Operational definition
 Gathering of data
 Analysis of data
 Test, reviving of hypothesis
 Conclusion
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Steps to Scientific Research
1. Identifying the research question or problem area
2. Initial review of literature
3. Distilling the question to a specific research problem
4. Continued review of literature
5. Formulation of hypotheses
6. Determining the basic research approach
7. Identifying the population and sample
8. Designing data collection plan
9. Selecting or developing specific data collection
instruments or procedures
10. Choosing the method of data analysis
11. Implementing the research plan
12. Preparing the research report
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Research Process (Methodology)
Initial Idea
Background Investigation
Refinement of Idea
Core Work
 Investigation and Development
 Documentation
 Prototype (if appropriate)
Evaluation
Identification of Future Work
Presentation
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Research Process – Initial Idea
Stems from critical thinking
Be on the lookout for and open to seeing problems
 Gaps in framework

 Repetitive behavior that’s slightly different (and can

be generalized)
 Manual solutions (that can be automated)

 Inelegant solutions

Ask questions
 “Is something missing here?”

 “Can this be done in a better way?”

 “Is there a need for a new approach?”

Should be an area you’re interested in, as:

 You’ll be spending a lot of time with it

 It won’t always be easy/fun to continue…

31
Research Process – Background
Investigation

Given an idea, need to determine:

 Has this work been done previously?
 What similar work has been done leading up to
this point?
 How is any previous work distinguished from what
I’m planning to do?
 What group of people will be positively impacted
by the research?
Tools
 Literature Review using library resources (e.g.
online databases such as ACM and IEEE, popular
magazines)
 Google search (Google scholar)
 Other profession based journals 32
Research Process – Core Work,
Investigation and Development
Provide yourself with infrastructure
 equipment / software
 additional knowledge (“get up to speed”)
Do the work
 Experimentation (scientific process)
 Develop opinions
 Look for better ways of solving problem
 Can you generalize?
 Can you develop a framework?
 Discuss, brainstorm
 Reevaluate as you proceed
 Look for improvements, changes to your original ideas
Process
 Work regularly

 Easier to keep going if have a commitment to a regular work time

 Helps you keep your past work in mind
 Allocate large block of time for research

 Takes time to get going/back to speed

 Make sure can do something significant each work session

33
Research Process – Core Work, Documentation
Need to document as you go
 Don’t want to lose any information
Maintain a journal for day-to-day thoughts
 Can be paper, electronic, ...
 Keep it with you at all times
 Never know when good ideas will hit
Keep an updated task list
 Focus on accomplishing something each work session
Write up your work
 Periodically, write a few pages on a subset of your work
 Summarize work, accomplishments, problems
 At end, write up a summary document
 Can be based on steps discussed here

34
Research Process – Core Work, Prototype

Need to demonstrate the merit of your ideas

If work is non-theoretical, do this through a developed system
 No need to build the entire system

 Just need to demonstrate the value of the core ideas

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Research Process - Evaluation

Perhaps the most difficult part….

 Best if can show others are already using your work
Quantitative
 Test your prototype
 What improvements exist over currently available
alternative?
 How much of an improvement do you see?
Qualitative
 What can you do now that couldn’t be done before?
 What are the benefits of your solution?

36
Research Process – Identification of Future Work

Helps you organize any future efforts

Helps others build on your work
Sources:
 What you excluded in your idea refinement

 New problems that have surfaced during your work

37
Research Process - Presentation
It’s not a contribution to the field if no one knows about it or
can use it
Presentation/Dissemination
 Conferences, Journals, Web

 e.g. National and International Research conference

 Papers, Talks, Poster Sessions

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Assignment 1
Find a full-text research article published recently on a topic
of your interest that is related to your area of specialization.
Provide a written summary 2-4 pages which could answer
the following questions:
1. What type of research is it?
2. Does the researcher follow the scientific research
process?
3. Does the research fulfil some of the characteristics of a
research?
4. What is the research problem?
5. What were some potential limitations of this study?
6. What were the initial hypotheses for this study?
7. Where the hypotheses rejected or accepted?
8. What was the overall conclusion of this paper?
9. If you were to replicate this study, describe how you
would do it
Submission date:- in One week time
Note:- don’t forget to attach the research article that you
evaluated 39
THANK YOU