CENTRE FOR RESEARCH

ANNA UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI

THREE DAY INDUCTION PROGRAMME
FOR
Research Scholars of CEG, ACTech, MIT, SAP Campuses (28.03.2022 - 30.03.2022)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Dr. C.Umarani
Director
Centre for Research,
Anna University, Chennai

28.03.2022 Venue: Auditorium, Centre for Distance Education (CFR Building)

 Research
 Research is, a very powerful instrument of knowledge and
development.
 Research is a movement —a movement from ‘known’ to the
‘unknown’. The method we employ for obtaining the knowledge
of the ‘unknown’ is research.
 The word research is combination of “re” and “search,” which
means a systematic investigation to gain new knowledge from
already existing facts.
 It is basically search for truth.
 Research contributes significantly to the progress of the nation
as well as an individual with commercial, social, and
educational advantages. Research is an important parameter to
judge the development of any nation.
THREE DAY INDUCTION PROGRAMME FOR
Research Scholars of CEG, ACTech, MIT, SAP Campuses (28.03.2022 - 30.03.2022)
 Research
3

Research is as old as human civilization.

The progress from ‘Stone Age’ to the present ‘Global

Village’ is a result of one or the other kind of research
people have conducted.

STONE AGE GLOBAL VILLAGE

 IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
• Our knowledge is limited and a number of problems need to be
solved in different fields of study. Very often we identify a vacuum in
our knowledge and try to address it by asking related questions.
Research through systematic study makes available a variety of
methods which help in finding solutions.

• Research is regarded as an objective, methodical, well-

determined scientific method of investigation. Through research
a stock of the current scenario is taken and it guides for decision
making for the future.

• We carry out our mundane daily tasks on the basis of our common
sense. However, this may not be the correct approach. We will have
to find out what is the best under the current situations and
research serves this task the best.
 IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
• Another angle of research is that it helps to gather information. The
findings can be recorded and then analyzed to judge the validity of
the information

• Research is a systematic investigation into and study of materials

and sources. It helps to pursue your interests, learn something new,
hone your problem solving skills and come out with results that can
contribute to enhancement of knowledge

• Practice of research, adds depth to research papers as students are

kept abreast of the latest information. Through learning from real
world case studies and by seeking the guidance of faculty members
help students’ secure up to date information
Research

 Why Research is Necessary and Valuable in

Our Daily Lives
 It's a tool for building knowledge and
facilitating learning. It's a means to
understand issues and increase public
awareness. It helps us succeed in business. It
allows us to disprove lies and support truths.
Why Research is Necessary and Valuable in Our Daily Lives

Concrete vs. Composite

82% of the 100 tallest
buildings are either
concrete or composite.

Source: CTBUH

1930 – Emphire State Building – 205 kg/m2

1950 to 1990 – was possible to build 100 storey building
with no more than 147 kg/m2
 Tall Buildings in India
8

1 World One 2018 442 m Mumbai The first

2 Three Sixty West Tower B 2017 361 m Mumbai skyscraper
3 Palais Royale - 320 m Mumbai
built in
4 Omkar 1973 Worli Tower B 2017 320 m Mumbai
Chennai,
5 Lokhandwala Minerva 2017 307 m Mumbai 1959
6 Brys Buzz 2017 300 m Greater
Noida
7 Supernova Spira 2017 300 m Noida
8 Omkar 1973 Worli Tower A 2017 300 m Mumbai

9 Indiabulls Sky Suites 2017 291 m Mumbai

10 Indiabulls Sky Forest 2017 281 m Mumbai
Multi-storey buildings in Chennai
 Design of Tall Buildings
10

Steel Buildings
• Innovative Design Concepts (Force Based Design - Displacement Based Design -
Performance Based Design)
• Use of high-strength low-alloy steels
• Increased use of welding compared to bolting – saving 8 to 15% of steel
• Increased use of composite construction
• Application of computers for analysis & Design
• A reduction in weight of other construction materials like partition and curtain walls

Concrete Buildings
• Use of high-strength concrete
• Use of lightweight aggregate
• Use of high-strength steel reinforcement
• Use of the state-of-the-art design methods
• Increased use of mechanical couplers in reinforcement for transferring both
compression and tensile forces
• Use of welded cage for column ties, beam stirrups, etc. which reduces the amount
of steel reinforcement

Possible because of Research in material behaviour, Computer

technology Hardware & Software and Structural Analysis
 Basic Characteristics of Research
1. Research is a systematic and critical investigation.
2. It aims at certain discovery of new facts and their correct
information.
3. It can also be a revision of accepted laws or theories in the light of
discovery of new facts.
4. It can be a practical application of new or revised conclusions or
theories or laws.
5. Research is an objective inquiry with an open-mind.
6. Research is directed towards a solution to a problem.
7. It is a study of cause and effect.
8. It follows a definite (Scientific) method or procedure.
9. It is some genuine contribution to the knowledge.
10. It can be a new insight, a new relationship that may lead to a new
frame of reference.
 Thesis

A thesis is a product of research.

A thesis should not be:

 An imitation

 A repetition

 A compilation

 An emotional appeal

 A biased document, guided by patriotism, implied

propaganda etc.
 Research Degrees

Much of the research conducted in our country

is for the purpose of acquiring a degree of a
university, either M.Phil. M.S. or Ph.D.
Research is also conducted to write a research
paper or a research article.
In fact, post-doctoral research in the same
subject area is a significant contribution to the
growth of knowledge.
 Types of Research

 Broad classification is ‘Pure’ research and ‘Applied’

research. It is also called ‘Basic’ and ‘Applied’ research.
 Pure or basic research is in the form of principles, ideas
and concepts.

Mercury, if given heat can expand is a pure research; and

thermometer is its application for practical use. Here the
investigator applies the abstract principle or a theory for the
practical purpose.
 Framework for Good Academic
Research Practices
15

 Research Design
 Conduct of Research

 Research Dissemination
 Research Design
16

1. Planning
◼ Describe the research objectives and rationale
◼ Develop a project plan with milestones, roles, and responsibilities
◼ Ensure the viability of the study in view of resources expertise,
facilities, funding
◼ Keep abreast with the relevant regulatory, ethical, organizational,
and other guidelines
◼ Seek requisite licenses, approvals and permissions in advance

2. Research Questions and Documentation

◼ Formulation of the research question requires: Consultation with
experts , An understanding of relevant theories, the available
data & records, and relevant literature.
 Research Design
17

3. Literature Review
◼ It involves using the ideas in the literature to ensure an understanding of earlier research, their
methodological approach, and contributions. A literature review also serves the important
function of preventing the duplication of research and redundant publication
◼ Essential steps in a literature review involve:
◼ Framing research question in terms of the existing literature.
◼ Consulting relevant databases and texts for the search.
◼ Listing relevant keywords and phrases, as well as known key references.
◼ Ensuring search results are easily retrievable and traceable.
◼ Revising the original research question, if necessary.

4. Data, Research Methods, and Analytical Approach

◼ It is important to keep the following questions in mind:
◼ Is the choice of research techniques defensible, for instance, supported by the existing
literature?
◼ Is the selected method appropriate for the discipline and nature of data?
◼ Are the selected methods appropriate for answering the research questions?
◼ Will the results obtained by the selected methods be reproducible?
◼ Do the selected methods lead to results that can be easily and uniformly interpreted?
 Selection of
research problem
18
 Framework for Good Academic
Research Practices
19

 Research Design
 Conduct of Research

 Research Dissemination
 Conducting Research
20

 Research Execution, Documentation, and Data Storage

◼ Clear data ownership and accountability.
◼ Access restrictions with appropriate protocols to ensure safety and privacy.
◼ Data integrity by using a copy of the original data.
◼ Careful and reliable data collection, storage, and retrieval.
 Checks for Plagiarism, Falsification, Fabrication, and Misrepresentation
Plagiarism:
◼ Copying text from another author without appropriate permission or attribution and
acknowledgement.
◼ Copying someone else’s research ideas.
◼ Redoing other people’s research and representing it as one’s own without referring to the original
work.
 Collaboration and Authorship
◼ Team science often brings different and complementary perspectives, skills, and competencies to
a project
◼ One of the most contentious areas of collaborations is the attribution of credit and authorship of
the research report and subsequent research publications and presentations
 Intellectual Property
 Research at Anna University
21
 Framework for Good Academic
Research Practices
22

 Research Design
 Conduct of Research

 Research Dissemination
 Dissemination
 Selection of the Right Medium for Publication
◼ Research findings are truly impactful only when publicly shared and
communicated
◼ Peer-reviewed journals are among the key channels for research dissemination
 Choosing the Right Journal for Publication
Checklist for selecting an appropriate journal
◼ Do the aims and scope of the journal match that of the research?
◼ Has the journal published articles of similar nature?
◼ What is the journal peer review process?
◼ Does the journal reach the relevant audience?
 Translation of Research
Scientific discoveries are regularly translated into applications to benefit humanity.
Good practices to be followed in ensuring efficient transfer of academic research
findings to real-life application are:
◼ Focus on research that is aimed at real world problems.
◼ Use of experimental tools and techniques that are time-saving and inexpensive
without jeopardizing rigour or high quality.
◼ Use of widely available materials and components, feasible on a large scale, and
pose minimum hazard to life and the environment to aid manufacturing.
◼ Maintenance of complete records of all experimentation, surveys, and so on, so
that technologies can be reliably and efficiently scaled up.
 Research at Anna University
24
 Qualities of a Good Researcher

1. A Good Reader
2. Research Temperament- Research is a kind of ‘pursuit’ and without
curiosity one cannot ‘pursue’ the matter upto its logical end.
3. Capacity and Willingness for Hard Work
4. Motivation
5. Intellectual Discipline
6. Imagination
7. Sense of Relevance
8. Scientific Attitude
9. Language skills
10. Courage
 CFR-What is its Role?
26

 As a coach, CFR encourages and enables a culture

of research integrity and provides training.
 As enforcer, it monitors research activity for
potential malfeasance and acts swiftly, with fairness
and tact, when it notices or has instances of
research misconduct brought to its attention.
 Interaction with CFR
27
Students Portal

Scholar’s login and • User Friendly Query Clearance

Query Screen shots • All Q&A are recorded
• Reduces Time delay
• Reduce Phone Enquiry &
complaints
• FAQ added
• Publication details - database
 CFR TEAM
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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MEMBERS

References

1. Guidance Document, GOOD ACADEMIC RESEARCH PRACTICES,

September 2020, University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar
Marg, New Delhi 110002
2. Deshpande.H.V., Research in Literature and Language: Philosophy,
Areas and Methodology,
3. Kothari.C.R., Research Methodology, Methods & Techniques, New Age
International Publishers, New Delhi
Thanks & Best Wishes