Research Methodology

RM-898
Lecture-1

Dr. Fouzia Malik

Research Center for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS)
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
Sector H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan
 Objectives
• Understanding of the scope, principles, norms,
accountabilities and bounds of contemporary
scientific practice in the specific discipline.
• Application of systematic approaches to the
conduct and management of scientific projects.
• Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
• Effective oral and written communication in
professional domains.
• Professional use and management of
information.
 Expectations
• We will spend 15 weeks in learning a lot
about Research

• No Recipe
• We will learn about best practices and useful
advices to improve Research Quality

• We will try to inspire and motivate ourselves

• We will try to create a foundation for the quest of

knowledge and innovation.

• Participate actively and learn through practices

 Disclaimer

• No one size fits well

• No recipe for success
• No clear success or failure defined
• Not for everyone
• Nothing to be glorified
• Some advices may not fit individual needs
• It’s not for one-or-the-other
• Quest for learning may trade-off other activities
 SCOPE
1. What is research
2. Selecting a Topic for Research
3. Types of Research Efforts
4. How to read a Paper
5. Problem Formulation
6. Research approaches
7. Evaluation and Validation
8. Conference and Journal Publications
9. Writing Technical papers
10. Presenting Papers
12. Writing Research Proposal
13. Professional Ethics
14. Collaborative research
Research Methodology
RM-898
Lecture-2

Dr. Fouzia Malik

Research Center for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS)
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
Sector H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan
Evaluation
Grading Components

Quizzes (Surprise): 5%

Assignment: 5%

OHT (02): 40%

Literature Review: (20%)

Poster Presentation: (20%)

Group Discussion: 10%

End Semester Exam: 40%

Research Proposal (20%)
Research Proposal Defense (20%)
Aim of the Course

The course is primarily a

research-driven preparation
for graduate students
 Guidance & Examination Committees (GEC)

NUST Statues; Chapter VII; Para 57…..

• The GEC shall comprise at least three members holding preferably a PhD
degree in the relevant field, in addition to Research Supervisor/Advisor who
must be a PhD in a relevant field.

• At least one member of the GEC shall be an external from another reputed
national University or constituent institute of NUST or relevant organization.

• The Research Supervisor/Advisor shall chair the meeting of GEC.

• The Research Supervisors/Advisors must be given prior necessary experience

for this job by initially nominating them as members of GEC/Co-Supervisors
MS Research Flow at NUST
 Defining Research

Research is an art of investigation of new and innovative

aspects of any branch of knowledge

It comprises of defining and redefining of problems,

formulating hypothesis, suggest solutions and solution
approaches, collecting and analyzing data, deriving,
experimenting and eventually validating the hypothesis or
deducing new conclusions

Research is also defined as search for the knowledge

through objective and systematic method of finding
solutions to a problem or developing fundamental theories
 What is research
Research is a Culture. To be practice though is
Culture
continual quest for innovation

Need hard work, dedication and appropriate

Attitude attitude

Research Planning can not and should not follow

Motivation “scheduled” or “ time scaling” approaches

Not everyone has to do research and research

Dignity should not be pursued for glorification
 Research

Filling
Solve Problem
Knowledge Gap

Researchers
Positivism
Interpretive
Quantitative
Qualitative

Conceptual Model
Concept Concept
 Intellectual Meaningful and long
Satisfaction for doing lasting Contribution to
something innovative mankind and society

Attaining higher
Enjoy Solving level of
unsolved problems understanding

Degrees, Financial
benefits and respect
 Points to remember

Research can not be taught or improvised

It does not follow an on-off model

Continuous nourishment is essential

There is no “One size fits all” model

Research dictates its own pace and

directions-should not be imposed upon
 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS
Identifying
Topic
Defining
Problem

Solution

Validation

Writing

Presenting
Research Methodology
RM-898

Lecture-3

Dr. Fouzia Malik

Research Center for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS)
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
Sector H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan
 Topic Selection

• Realize your Expertise and limitations

• Focus on your breadth of Knowledge first
• Be specific about your topic, but flexible about scope
• Do not set rigid barriers regarding topic
• The topic may not be discipline specific
• Be prepared to revisit the topic selection if needed.
Expanding Knowledge

It is desirable to expand your breadth of

knowledge on selected topic

Read the fundamentals of topic to build

up foundation of research

Although not immediately evident, these

efforts may pay off in the longer run

Feel open about broadening the scope of

topic as you build up on it
Building Foundation
Have or build a very strong background
and foundation on broad area of your
topic

You need to have some idea about state

of art

Should like and enjoy your topic

New Topic versus old topic

Need to envision future perspectives

of your intended topic
 Types of Research-1

• Surveys, comparative and

Descriptive correlation methods

• Analyze and make critical evaluation

Analytical of information

• Address practical problems and solutions

Applied that can be implemented for near

• Generalization and formulation of

Fundamental theories
 Types of Research-2

• Provide numerical results to validate the

Quantitative claim

• Comparative development of enhancing

Qualitative the usage patterns and experiences

• Abstract ideas or theories (Novel

Conceptual Research)

• Relies on experiences and observations

Empirical
Other types of research
 Research is:

• A systematic process of
– Collecting
– Analyzing
– Interpreting information (data)
• Goal: increase understanding of a phenomenon
about which we are interested or concerned
 Research is not merely:
RESEARCH IS NOT MERELY:
• Gathering information

• Rummaging around for hard-to-locate

information

• Transporting facts from one location to

another
The Scientific Approach
 Tools of Research
• Specific mechanisms or strategies used to
collect, manipulate, or interpret data
– The library and its resources
– Computer technology
– Measurement
– Statistics
– Language
• Methodology dictates the tools the researcher
selects
 Library
Libraryand
and Its Resources
Its Resources
• Access to books, microforms, CDs, DVDs, online
databases
• Fast and efficient means of locating and accessing
information
• Access to library holdings around the world
Computer
ComputerTechnology
Technology isisUsed
Usedfor:
for:

• Generating and organizing ideas

• Scheduling, structuring, and coordinating projects
• Finding literature
• Networking with others
• Storing and analyzing data
• Writing, editing, formatting
• Producing graphics
• Presenting results
 Measurement

• Usually used in quantitative research

• More difficult for qualitative research
• Common instruments
– Scales
– Rulers
– Stopwatches
• Specialized instruments
– Telescope
– MRI
– CV
– Spectroscopy
• Researcher must read a LOT of papers
• Reasons
----Cultivate knowledge in your area
----Learn about recent advances
----Literature Review
• All papers do not need same level of attention
• Careful selection of papers saves a lot of time
 Deciding what to read
• Before you start reading it may be useful to
• compile a list of the main questions involved
• These questions should reflect the objectives of your research
• issues of theory,
• methodology,
• Policy,
• quantitative research

• Read with the purpose of finding out the answers to these questions.

• Don’t get sidetracked. Unless something comes up which is particularly

important, stick to this list, as it is very easy to get sidetracked, particularly on
the internet.

• Take notes: You will need to use the critical notes and comments you made
whilst doing your reading to express an academic opinion.