RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Subject Code: 18MTP15

Presented by
Ganesha T
Assistant professor
Department of mechanical Engineering
M.Tech programme Thermal power Engineering
VTU, PG- Centre Mysuru
 MODULE 1:

Meaning, Objectives and Characteristics of research - Research

methods Vs Methodology, Types of research, Descriptive Vs.
Analytical, Applied Vs. Fundamental, Quantitative Vs.
Qualitative, Conceptual Vs. Empirical - Research process -
Criteria of good research Developing a research plan.
 MEANING OF RESEARCH
Research is a derivative of the French word;
‘Researche’ means quest, search, pursuit and search for truth. The term ‘Research’
consists of two words. Research = Re + Search. ‘Re’ means again and again and
‘Search’ means to find out something.

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge.
The Dictionary meaning of research is “a careful investigation or inquiry especially
through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”
Research can also be defined as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation.

Research can also be defined as a scientific and systematic search for relevant
information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation.
 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH

 To discover the new facts.

 To verify and test the important facts.
 To analyses an event or process or phenomenon to identify the cause and effect
relationship.
 To develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories to solve and understand
scientific and nonscientific problems.
 To find solutions to scientific, nonscientific and social problems.
 To overcome or solve the problems occurring in our everyday life.
 MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH:
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 initiate the research.
 Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work.
 Desire to be of service to society.
 Desire to get respectability.
 Curiosity about unknown
 Desire to understand the cause and effect of wide spread social problems
 Appearance of novel and unanticipated situations
 Desire to discover new and test old scientific procedure as an efficient way to gain useful
and fundamental knowledge.
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
 It gathers new knowledge
 It places emphasis upon the discovery of general principles.
 It is an exact systematic and accurate investigation.
 It uses certain valid data gathering devices.
 It is logical and objective.
 The researcher resists the temptation to seek only the data that support his hypotheses.
 The researcher eliminates personal feelings and preferences.
 It endeavors to organize data in quantitative terms.
 Research is patient and unhurried activity.
 The researcher is willing to follow his procedures to the conclusions that may be
unpopular and bring social disapproval.
 Research is carefully recorded and reported.
 Conclusions and generalizations are arrived at carefully and cautiously
 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH

To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research may mean
careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure.
To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of livelihood.
To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and insights.
To literary men and women, research may mean the development of new styles and
creative work.
To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new theories.
 RESEARCH METHODS AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Type Methods Techniques/Methodology

Library Research Analysis of historical Recording of notes, Content

analysis, Tape and Film
listening and Research
records analysis.

Analysis of documents Statistical compilations and

manipulations, reference and
abstract guides, contents
analysis.
Laboratory Research Small group study of random Use of audio-visual
behavior, play and role recording devices, use of
analysis observers, etc.
 Research Methods
 Research methods are the various
procedures, schemes and algorithms used in
research. All the methods used by a
researcher during a research study are termed
as research methods.
 They are essentially planned, scientific and
value-neutral.
 They include theoretical procedures,
experimental studies, numerical schemes,
statistical approaches, etc.
 Research methods help us collect samples,
data and find a solution to a problem.
Particularly, scientific research methods call
for explanations based on collected facts,
measurements and observations and not on
reasoning alone.
 They accept only those explanations which
can be verified by experiments.
Research Methodology
 Research methodology is a systematic way
to solve a problem. The research
methodology has many dimensions and
research methods. So, the research method
constitutes a part of the research
methodology. The scope of research
methodology is wider than that of research
methods.
 It is a science of studying how research is
to be carried out. Essentially, the
procedures by which researchers go about
their work of describing, explaining and
predicting phenomena are called research
methodology.
 It is also defined as the study of methods by
which knowledge is gained. Its aim is to
give the work plan of research.
 TYPES OF
RESEARCH

Some Other
Descriptive v/s.
(i) Applied v/s. Quantitative v/s.
(i) Conceptual v/s.
Types of
Analytical Fundamental Qualitative Empirical
Research
RESEARCH PROCESS/ VARIOUS STAGES OF A RESEARCH
1 Formulating the research problem.

2 Extensive literature survey.

3 Developing the hypothesis

4 Preparing the research design.

5 Determining sample design.

6 Collecting the data.

7 Execution of the project.

8 Analysis of data.

9 Hypothesis testing.

10 Generalizations and interpretation.

11 Preparation of the report or presentation of the results

 CRITERIA OF GOOD RESEARCH
 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. 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.
 DEVELOPING A RESEARCH PLAN
Step 1: Defining of our Research Project
 What is our purpose in doing the research?
 What do we need to find out - and why?
 How much time do we have to do the research?
Step 2: Making a List of Specific Questions
These are the questions that we should answer in doing our
research.

Step 3: Developing of Research Plan

 Thinking about our resources broadly - include people and libraries.
 If we are doing research with a group, we should assign research questions so that we are not duplicating efforts.

Step 4: Research
Keeping our priorities in mind. If we are having a hard time finding an answer to a particular question, we should ask
our self how important it is to answer - before we spend lots of time researching

Step 5: Review of Findings

 Have you answered your questions?
 How will we use the information we have found?
 Did our research raise additional questions?
 MODULE-2

Defining the research problem - Selecting the problem, Necessity of defining the
problem, Techniques involved in defining the problem, Importance of literature
review in defining a problem, Survey of literature, Primary and secondary
sources, Reviews, treatise, monographs patents , web as a source, searching the
web, Identifying gap areas from literature review, Development of working
hypothesis.
 DEFINING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
 The selection and properly defining a research problem is the first and foremost crucial step in research process.

 A researcher must find the problem and formulate it so that it becomes susceptible to research.

 It is the foundation of any research method and experimental design, from true experiment to case study.

Defining a problem means “To pin-point the problem or defining a problem to reach the core of the problem i.e. threadbare analysis.”

Need of defining a problem

Precautions are to be taken in identifying the problem

Steps in defining a problem

Ways to Define the Problem

 SELECTING THE PROBLEM
 A research problem cannot be borrowed;

 The problem should be novel, significant and useful to practitioners;

 Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.

 The selection of superficial and obvious problems as well as overdone and controversial subjects should be avoided.

 Problems should suit our interest, competence and ability.

 A lot of time writing and note taking to understand the problem should be taken.

 Identifying gaps through literature surveys throw up new problems.

 Writing should be started at the very beginning in order to encourage critical thinking, to understand sources better and
to draft more effectively.

 Interactions should be made with experts and practitioners.

 The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of a researcher, the costs involved, and the time factor
are also be considered in selecting a problem.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD TOPICS

1. Interesting – keeps the researcher interested in it throughout the research process.

2. Researchable – can be investigated through the collection and analysis of data.

3. Significant – contributes to the improvement and understanding of educational theory and practice.

4. Manageable – fits the level of researcher’s level of research skills, needed resources, and time restrictions.

5. Ethical – does not embarrass or harm participants

 NECESSITY OF DEFINING THE PROBLEM

“Quite often we all hear that a problem clearly stated is a problem half solved”. This statement signifies the need for
defining a research problem. The problem to be investigated must be defined unambiguously to discriminate relevant data
from the irrelevant ones. A proper definition of research problem helps the researcher to be on the track. An ill-defined
problem may create hurdles.

Some questions crop up in the mind of the researcher.

 What data are to be collected?

 What characteristics of data are relevant and need to be studied?
 What relations are to be explored?
 What techniques are to be used for the purpose?
 TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM

Defining a research problem properly and clearly is a crucial part of a research study. The
technique for the purpose involves the undertaking of the following steps generally one after
the other:
 Statement of the problem in a general way
 Understanding the nature of the problem
 Surveying the available literature
 Developing the ideas through discussions
 Rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition
 IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE REVIEW IN DEFINING A PROBLEM

A new research is depends on the past knowledge, and not includes a part of knowledge. A literature review is an account
of what has been published in books, journals and internet on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers.
In general, the literature review should:

 Literature review is most important to identify the problem of the study. It can be solved by collection of data. It is
very important to know that the work is doing by researcher in a research should not be repeated again (or if it is
repeated, that it is marked as a "replication study").

 It also helps to avoid the mistakes, which already done by another one.

 A new research is depends on the past knowledge, and not includes a part of knowledge.

 It verifies that it has not been already done (outline gaps in previous research).

 Literature review is important to judge research question and to provide latest research material for the readers.

 Help refine, refocus or even change the topic

 SURVEY OF LITERATURE
After defining a problem, the researcher has to do literature survey connected with the problem. Literature
survey is a collection of research publications, books and other documents related to the defined problem. It is very
essential to know whether the defined problem has already been solved, status of the problem, techniques that are
useful to investigate the problem and other related details. One can survey

 The journals which publish abstracts of papers published in various journals,

 Review articles related to the topic chosen
 Journals which publish research articles
 Advanced level books on the chosen topic,
 Proceedings of conferences, workshops, etc.,
 Reprint/preprint collections available with the supervisor and nearby experts working on the topic chosen and
 Internet.
 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES

 A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence  A secondary source is second-hand information.
about an event, object, person, or work of art.
 Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret,
 Primary sources include historical and legal documents, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and
eyewitness accounts, and results of experiments, process primary sources.
statistical data, pieces of creative writing, audio and  Secondary source materials can be articles in
video recordings, speeches, and art objects. newspapers or popular magazines, book or movie
 Interviews, surveys, fieldwork, and Internet reviews, Web pages or articles found in scholarly
communications via email, blogs, listservs, and journals that discuss or evaluate someone else's
newsgroups are also primary sources. original research.
 The results of empirical studies are typically found in
scholarly articles or papers delivered at conferences.
 WEB AS A SOURCE - SEARCHING THE WEB

 From past one decade or so the internet became an important source of knowledge and an
effective medium for research. For researchers, it is providing a range of new opportunities for
collecting information, networking, conducting research, collecting data and disseminating
research results.

 Electronic mail, e-journal, on-line submission of articles to journals, online focus groups,
online video conferencing and online questionaries’ are some of the latest tools opened- up by the
internet. We note that thousands of books and other print publications have been made available
online. Otherwise, that would be extremely difficult to locate, including out- of- print books,
classic literature and textbooks.
 IDENTIFYING A GAP IN THE LITERATURE

Once we have found a promising research area of interest, we must identify research questions that are not
only unresolved but whose exploration can meaningfully contribute to existing theory and/or practice.

 Learn to identify such promising research questions by avoiding common beginner's mistakes.
 Understanding how to identify a "gap" in the scholarly literature.
 Making sure it is worthwhile to try to fill the gap.

What is a gap in the literature?

A gap in the literature is a research question relevant to a given domain that has not been answered adequately or at all
in existing peer-reviewed scholarship.

Why does it matter?

Even if a legitimate gap in the literature exists, it does not necessarily mean that the research question(s) merits pursuit.
To justify to yourself and others the investment of time and energy into designing and conducting research, you must
ensure the research will likely have valuable practical and/or theoretical implications.
 DEVELOPMENT OF WORKING HYPOTHESES

Researchers do not carry out work without any aim or expectation. Research is not of doing something
and presenting what is done. Every research problem is undertaken aiming at certain outcomes. That is,
before starting actual work such as performing an experiment or theoretical calculation or numerical
analysis, we expect certain outcomes from the study. The expectations form the hypothesis.
 After extensive literature survey, researcher should state in clear terms the working hypothesis or
hypotheses. It is the focal point for research
 The development of working hypothesis plays an important role.

 Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand because it has to be
tested. The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of research and to keep
him on the right track.

 It sharpens his thinking and focuses attention on the more important facets of the problem.