CE 236 Research Method 1

Writing the Chapter 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Research Design
In your Research Design, select what type of approach you will use in the study. Specify what
type and how it relates to the variables of the study. This must have at least one (1) paragraph
which consists of 3 or more sentences. If necessary, include a table showing the design of your
study.

• Locale of the Study

The Locale of your study must discuss where the materials came from and where the study
will be conducted. It also includes why the area is suitable for the gathering of the materials and
the conduct of the study. This must be composed of 1 to 2 paragraphs. Insert the figure or map
location of the area.

• Flowchart of Research Design/Process Flowchart

This section should include a visual representation of the entire research process. The
flowchart must outline each step sequentially from the initial stage of problem identification to
the final stage of data analysis. Key elements to include are:
- Problem Definition
- Literature Review
- Material Collection
- Preparation and Mixing
- Specimen Casting
- Curing Process
- Testing Procedures
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Conclusion

The flowchart helps readers quickly understand the research process and provides a clear
roadmap of the methodology.

• Standard Specifications (if applicable)

This part should detail any industry or institutional standards that the research adhered to,
ensuring the reliability and validity of the experimental results. In civil engineering, commonly
referenced standards might include:
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards for materials and
testing methods
- ACI (American Concrete Institute) guidelines
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization) specifications

Each standard used should be described in terms of its relevance and application to the
study, ensuring that the research is aligned with accepted practices.

Page 1 of 4
 CE 236 Research Method 1

• Material Requirements/Research Materials

This section should list all materials used in the study, along with their sources and
specifications. For a civil engineering study, this might include:
- Types and grades of cement (e.g., Ordinary Portland Cement)
- Aggregates (e.g., sand, gravel) with specific properties
- Admixtures or additives (e.g., fly ash, silica fume)
- Water (quality and source)
- Any recycled or waste materials used (e.g., paper for papercrete)
Each material should be described in terms of its physical and chemical properties,
ensuring that readers understand the composition and quality of the materials used.

• Mix Design
Here, the specific mix proportions for the materials should be detailed. This could include:
- The ratio of cement to aggregates to water (e.g., 1:2:3 for cement: sand: gravel)
- Any variations or experimental mixes (e.g., incorporating paper sludge or other
additives)
- The method used for mixing (manual or mechanical)
- Justification for chosen proportions based on literature or preliminary tests
The mix design is crucial as it directly affects the properties and performance of the final
concrete or material.

• Specimen Details
This part should provide detailed descriptions of the specimens prepared for testing. It should
include:
- Dimensions and shapes of specimens (e.g., cubes, cylinders, beams)
- Number of specimens for each test condition
- Molding procedures (materials and methods used for molds)
- Curing conditions (temperature, humidity, duration)
Specimen details ensure that the preparation and testing are reproducible and adhere to
standard practices.

• Data Gathering Procedure

This section outlines the steps taken to collect data during the research. It should include:
- Methods of specimen preparation and handling
- Testing procedures (e.g., compressive strength tests, tensile tests)
- Equipment used and calibration procedures
- Specific steps taken to ensure accuracy and repeatability
Clear documentation of the data gathering procedure is essential for validating the
research findings.

Page 2 of 4
 CE 236 Research Method 1

• Data Analysis Procedure

This part should describe how the collected data was analyzed. It should include:
- Methods of data processing (e.g., normalization, averaging)
- Analytical techniques (e.g., statistical analysis, graphical representation)
- Software used for analysis (e.g., SPSS, MATLAB, Excel)
- Comparison with theoretical values or standards
The data analysis procedure helps in interpreting the results and drawing meaningful
conclusions from the data.

• Statistical Tools Used (if any)

In this section, any statistical tools or methods used to analyze the data should be described.
This might include:
- Descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation)
- Inferential statistics (t-tests, ANOVA)
- Regression analysis
- Confidence intervals
- Hypothesis testing
The use of statistical tools helps in determining the significance of the results and
supports the reliability of the conclusions drawn from the research. Each tool should be justified
in terms of its relevance and appropriateness for the data being analyzed.

Statistical tools are essential for conducting research as they help in analyzing data and
drawing meaningful conclusions. Here's some statistical tools commonly used in research, along
with their potential applications in civil engineering:

• Descriptive Statistics: Descriptive statistics are used to summarize and describe the main
features of a dataset. Measures such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and
range are often used to provide a basic understanding of the data.

• Inferential Statistics: Inferential statistics are used to make predictions or inferences

about a population based on a sample of data. Techniques such as hypothesis testing,
confidence intervals, and regression analysis fall under this category.

• Probability Distributions: Understanding different probability distributions such as

normal distribution, binomial distribution, and Poisson distribution is crucial for
modeling and analyzing random phenomena in civil engineering research, such as traffic
flow, material properties, and environmental variables.

• Correlation Analysis: Correlation analysis is used to quantify the strength and direction
of the relationship between two or more variables. It helps in identifying potential cause-

Page 3 of 4
 CE 236 Research Method 1

and-effect relationships and understanding dependencies in civil engineering data, such

as the correlation between traffic volume and pavement deterioration.
• Regression Analysis: Regression analysis is a powerful tool for modeling the
relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. It's
commonly used in civil engineering research for predicting outcomes like structural
behavior, traffic flow, or environmental impact based on input parameters.

• Experimental Design: Experimental design techniques help in planning and conducting

experiments effectively to maximize the quality and reliability of the results while
minimizing resource usage. Techniques like factorial designs, randomized controlled
trials, and Latin squares are commonly employed in civil engineering research.

• Time Series Analysis: Time series analysis is used to analyze data collected over time,
such as traffic patterns, weather trends, or structural performance data. Techniques like
autoregression, moving averages, and spectral analysis are applied to understand patterns,
detect anomalies, and make forecasts.

• Reliability Analysis: Reliability analysis assesses the probability of failure or success of

a system or structure over time. Techniques such as reliability block diagrams, fault tree
analysis, and Weibull analysis are used to evaluate and improve the reliability of civil
engineering systems.

• Spatial Analysis: Spatial analysis involves analyzing data that has a geographic or spatial
component, such as land use patterns, infrastructure planning, or environmental
monitoring. Techniques like geographic information systems (GIS), spatial
autocorrelation, and spatial interpolation are utilized to analyze and visualize spatial data.

These are just a few examples of statistical tools that can be used in research. The choice of
tools depends on the specific research question, objectives, and type of data being analyzed.

Page 4 of 4