Jimma Institute of

Technology
Faculty of Computing and Informatics
Basic Research Methods in IT

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Research Methodologies
Chapter One
Introduction

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 What is Research?
• The term ‘research’ being derived from the French compound word
“re-” + “cerchier”, or “sercher”
• Re - expressing intensive force
• Cerchier – to search
• Commonly refers to a search for knowledge

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 What is Research?(cont’d)
• A collection of information about a particular subject.
• Creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to
• increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and
society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.
• Original investigation undertaken in order to gain knowledge and
understanding

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 What is Research?(cont’d)
• An art of investigation of new and innovative aspect of any branch of
knowledge.
• It comprises of
• defining and redefining problems,
• formulating hypothesis,
• suggest solutions or solution approaches,
• collecting and analyzing data,
• deriving, experimenting, and
• eventually validating the hypothesis or deducing new conclusions.
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 What is Research?(cont’d)
• Search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of
• finding solution to a problem or
• developing foundational theories.
• Research is a culture
• To be practice through continual quest for innovation
• Research needs
• hard work, dedication,
• perseverance, and an appropriate attitude
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 What is Research?(cont’d)
• A scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a
specific topic.
• Research is supposed to add to the world’s body of knowledge and
understanding

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Topics of discussion
1. What is Knowledge?
2. Theory vs Research
3. Role of theory in research
4. Hypothesis?
5. Scientific knowledge and Scientific Research
6. Significance of research?
7. Motivation for research

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Motivation for Research

• Intellectual satisfaction of doing something innovative and creative

• Meaningful and long-lasting contributions towards the advancement of
mankind and society
• Enjoy the challenges of solving unsolved problems
• Attain higher level of understanding of fundamental concepts as well as
practical significances
• Degrees, financial benefits, and respect comes along the way
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Points to Remember

• Research cannot be taught or improvised

– It depends on practices
• It does not follow an on-off model
– You have to live with it. It is difficult to schedule it.
• Continuous nourishment is essential
– Get what ever knowledge is necessary
• Research dictates its own pace and direction
– Should not be imposed upon
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Essential Components of a research

• Identifying Topics
• Defining Problems
• Solution
• Validation
• Writing
• Presenting

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Source of Information

• What sources of information could be used to devise a research topic?

• Proposals by academic staff or departments
• Past researches
• Brainstorming
• Your own goals and learning objectives
• Reading about / working in the subject area

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Choosing a Research Title

• The research needs to be within your capabilities

• The research needs to have sufficient scope
• The research needs to interest you
• The research needs to have a serious purpose
• The research needs to have a clear outcome

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Choosing a Research Title(cont’d)

• The research needs to be related to your degree programme

• The resources required are available or can be obtained

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Suitability Tests for a Research Title

• ‘So what?’ test

– Is the topic meaningful?
– Will it be of value for anyone?
– What contribution will it make?
• Justification
– Can you explain your research topic and justify it in simple terms?
• Estimating your understanding
– Can you put a figure on what you know about your chosen subject?
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Suitability Tests for a Research Title(cont’d)

• Contacts
– Are the contacts you require for your research (including your supervisor) available,
accessible, and willing to help?

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Expanding Knowledge

• It is describable to expand your breadth of knowledge on the selected

topic
• Read the fundamentals on the topic to build up the foundation for your
research
• Although not immediately evident, these efforts pay off in the longer run
• Feel open about broadening the scope of the topic as you build up on it

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Preparing a Research Proposal
• While conducting a proposal, several questions need to be answered so that those
you hope will support your research, understand the significance and reason behind
your work.
• What are you going to do?
• How much money do you need to complete your project?
• How long will it take?
• Why do you feel the project will help or benefit the sponsors?
• Why are you the one for the job?
• What are your qualifications?
• What will you do with the results?
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Types of Proposal
• Types of proposals vary based upon several factors.
• Internal vs. External
• An internal proposal is meant for a party within your organization E.g.
proposal to management to offer a new idea for a product or service, a new
procedure or policy to improve operational efficiency, or a solution to a problem
• An external proposal is meant for an individual or organization outside your
organization. E.g. proposal to a prospective customer proposing the customer
purchase a good or service
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Types of Proposal(cont’d)
• Solicited vs. Unsolicited
• Often, when individuals or organizations must complete a project, they’ll
request that interested parties bid on the job, that is, submit a proposal.
This type of proposal is called solicited because it was requested.
• An unsolicited proposal is one the recipient has not requested.
Note: The two differ in that the recipient of an unsolicited proposal may
need convincing that the project is necessary.

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Types of Proposal(cont’d)
• Informal vs. Formal Proposals
• Informal proposal may use different formats. You may write informal proposals as an email,
memo, text message, or simply a handwritten note depending upon the complexity and
importance of the proposal.
: mostly used for internal consumption
 E.g. proposing a change of location for a company seminar or change to a minor administrative
procedure may justify a memo, while a proposal asking to change a meeting time because of a
scheduling conflict may warrant an email or text message. 
Note: the tone, organization, and formatting of the informal proposal can be, well, informal. Just
make sure that your proposal covers all the substance.
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Types of Proposal(cont’d)
• Formal proposal will be used in few different circumstances: if your
audience is external or consists high level management inside your
organization.
:If your proposal is complex with many different issues, problems,
concepts or components whether it’s for internal and external consumption.
• Your proposal will have cover letter, executive summary, table of content
etc.

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Preparing a Research Proposal: Implicit Content

• Introduction to the subject area

– Sets the context for the research
– Should motivate the relevance of the subject area
• Overview of current research in the area
– Demonstrates current activities in the subject area
– Shows your understanding of current research

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Preparing a Project Proposal: Implicit Content
(cont’d)
• Identify a gap
– Identify a need for further investigation or re-interpretation
• Identify how your work fills the gap
– Explain how your research fills the gap
• Identify risks and solutions
– Highlight the benefits that can be derived from your research
– Account for the risks to your research
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Preparing a Project Proposal: Explicit Structure

• Title
– Clear, Concise, Preferably no acronyms
• Aims and Objectives
– Aims: Broad statement(s) of intent Identify the research’s purpose
– Objectives: Identify specific, measurable achievements Quantitative
and qualitative measures by which completion of the research can be
judged

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Preparing a Project Proposal: Explicit (cont’d)

• Expected outcomes/deliverables
– Identify what will be produced/submitted in the research
• Keywords
– Identify the topic areas that the research draws on
• Introduction/Background/Overview
– Overview of the research(Identification of research questions and
hypotheses, elaboration of aims), Motivation for you conducting the
research
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Preparing a Project Proposal: Explicit (cont’d)

• Related Research
– Identifies other work and publications related to the topic
• Methods
– Identifies the research methods and research methods that will be used
(e.g. theoretical investigation, case study)
• Research Requirements
– Identifies the resources that will be needed for the research (e.g.
hardware, software, data, personnel)
Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.
 Preparing a Project Proposal: Explicit (cont’d)

• Research Plan
– More or less detailed ‘timetable’ for the research
– Deadlines for deliverables

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 Assignment 1
• Proposal writing (15%)
• Students should select topics which may be one that s/he is interested
in to work in the future. A report (4 – 6 pages) on the selected topic
should be produced. The main assessment of the reported topic is
given to the scientific writing of students.

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.

 End of Lecture One!

Lectture I: The Nature and Scope of Research By: Jale O.