Chapter 1

Research Methods

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 1.1 Necessity, types and levels of researches


Humans have vital
instinct of questioning

man employs for obtaining attain fuller

the knowledge of whatever understanding of
the unknown/ research the unknown

This questioning is the utilize the knowledge

mother of all knowledge acquired to improve
and the method their quality of life.
Humans
 need much more knowledge and understanding to overcome
existing and emerging challenging problems in society,
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 Continued …………….
 Research

 one effective way of solving scientific problems.

 systematic investigation into existing or new
knowledge.
 process of arriving as dependable solution to a
problem through the planned and systematic
collection, analysis and interpretation of data.
Research is the most important process
for advancing knowledge and promoting progress
to enable humans effectively to his environment to
accomplish his purpose and to resolve his conflicts.

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 Continued …………….
Term Research
Research = ‘Re’ + ‘Search’
again and to find out
again something
research :- to observe the phenomena again and again
from different dimensions

General Flow of Research

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 Definitions of Research

 Research is used to
 establish or confirm facts,
 reaffirm the results of previous work
 solve new or existing problems
 support theorems
 develop new theories.
 Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
 “careful investigation through search for new facts in

any branch of knowledge.”

• Magraz
 “an instrument or means used to enrich knowledge,

accelerate development, and enable individuals and

society solve problems in a coordinated manner. 5
 Continued………….
 Hemstater :
 “a structured and coordinated exploration/testing
used to obtain new findings the exploration methods
of which are sufficiently acceptable to experts in the
profession.”
 D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson

 “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the

purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify
knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction
of theory or in the practice of an art.” 6
 Continued………….
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
 "a studious inquiry or examination; especially:
investigation or experimentation aimed at
 discovery and interpretation of facts,
 revision of accepted theories or laws in the
light of new facts, or
 practical application of such new or revised
theories or laws“

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 Continued………….
 P.M. Cook:
 “a honest exhaustive, intelligent searching for facts and their
meanings or implications with reference to a given problem.
 characteristics of research in his definition:
 honest and exhaustive process.
 facts are studied with understanding.
 facts are discovered in the light of problem.
 problem-centered.
 findings are valid and verifiable.
 should contribute new knowledge in that field.
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 General characteristics of Research

places emphasis upon the discovery of general

principles.
an exact systematic and accurate investigation.
uses certain valid data gathering devices.
logical and objective.
patient and unhurried activity.
carefully recorded and reported.
Conclusions and generalizations are arrived at
carefully and cautiously.
requires an inter-disciplinary approach:
cannot be a mechanical process:

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 Objectives Of Research

General objective of R&D activity is

 to improve the quality of life of humans at affordable cost
while at the same time restore, maintain and improve our
global environment.
Major objectives of research :
1. Theoretical objective
 theoretically formulate new theories, principles
or laws.
 explanatory / contribute some basic knowledge
to human/.

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 Continued………….

2. Factual objective
factual find out new facts.
descriptive / describe facts or events which happened
previously/.
3. Application objective
does not contribute a new knowledge in the fund of
human knowledge but suggests new applications.
By application we mean improvement and
modification in practice.

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 TYPES OF RESEARCHES

Research can be classified in terms

of:
◦ Major objectives of the research
◦ Goal of research
◦ Approaches of research
◦ Element of the Research to be studied
◦ Type of data used in research
◦ Fields of study

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 Classification of Research based on the major objectives of the research

1. Exploratory/ formulative research

 used to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new
insights into it.

 Example: Space journey to the planet Mercury.

2. Descriptive research
 used to portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
entity (individual, situation or a group) 13
 Continued ……………….

3. Diagnostic research studies

 used to determine the frequency with which
something occurs or with which it is associated with
something else

4. Hypothesis-testing (experimental) research

 used to test a hypothesis of a causal relationship
between variables.

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 Classification of Research based on the Goal of the research

 Primary goal of a research is problem solving.

 nature of the problem that the research attempts to
solve
◦ theoretical or practical
◦ building a theory or solving immediate practical
problems.
Based on these goals, two broad classifications of
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 Continued ……………………
1. pure/ basic research
 discovery, interpretation, documentation of theoretical and
scientific laws of nature for the advancement of human
knowledge.
 researches done in physics, biology, chemistry

2. Applied research
 aims at finding an immediate solution to identify problems
and/or their sources and the means to obtain solutions on such
practical areas
 engineering, health, education, socio economics, agriculture, etc.
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 Classification of Research based on the Approach of the research

1. Quantitative research
based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in

terms of quantity.

2. Qualitative research
concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e.,

phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

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 Classification of Research based on the element of the Research to be studied

1. Analytic research
the system is given/ known but the problem may be to
determine/ understand
I.Either the outputs given a set of inputs or
II.possible inputs for a specified set of given outputs.
2. Synthetic research
set of inputs and a specified set of outputs are known. The
problem is to determine/model the system itself.
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 Classification of Research based on the data
types of the Research

1. Primary research
Involves new/ noble ideas or methods in finding
solutions to problems.
Example: archeological research.
2. Secondary research
Bases itself on primary research in posing problems
for which it then seeks improved or new solutions.
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 Steps of Action Research
researchprocess is similar to undertaking a journey.
important decisions to make under a research journey
-
1) What you want to find out about
what research questions (problems) you want to find
answers to;
2) How to go about finding their answers.
practical steps through which you must pass
research methodology for finding answers to your
research questions.
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 steps of research
1. Selection of a research topic
2. Selection and formulation of the research problem
3. Literature survey and reference collection
4. Assessment of current status of the topic chosen
5. Formulation of hypotheses
6. Design of research
7. Collection of data
8. Analysis of data
9. Formulation of conclusions
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 Characteristics of a researcher
sensitive in his nature.
problem-minded.

have a scientific outlook about the area.

have tolerance and patience.
interested in the field studied.
honest and devotee to his work.
full understanding about the functions and activities
of his job.
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 Continued…………………..

curiosity to find out something new or to answer some

questions.
creative and imaginative.
scientific attitude for studying and observing things.
objectivity in his thinking.
democratic.

open mind so that he can discuss his problems with his

colleagues and experts.
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 Information sources and means for Research
works
the first and most crucial step of research process.
 Identification of a research problem
identification of a problem is not selecting a topic of a

research or statement of the problem.

 they are inclusive.
 topic or title or statement of the problem is the
verbal statement of the problem.
 topic is the definition of the problem which
delimits or pin points the task of a researcher.

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Continued…………………..
usual practice of the researchers
they select the topic of the study.
They construct the problem on the basis of the
topic.
It results that the researcher has no involvement in
his research activities.
identifying the exact nature and dimensions of a
problem is of major importance in research work
 investigator should learn how to recognize and
define a problem.
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 Sources of Problems
Personal experiences of the investigator / daily
problems
extensive study of available literature-research
abstracts, journals, hand-books of research
international abstracts
his field of investigation
recent trends, new innovations and technological
changes
consulting supervisors, experts of the field and most 26
 Steps in defining a problem
1. Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you
2. Dissect the broad area into sub areas
3. Select what is of most interest to you / delimiting the
elements of the problem.
4. Review the researches’ conducted in area to know the
recent trend and studies in the area
5. Raise research questions
6. Formulate objectives
7. Assess your objectives
8. Double check

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 Criteria for Selection of the
Problem
Novelty and avoidance of unnecessary duplications.
Interest, intellectual curiosity, and drive
Magnitude
Measurement of concepts
Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of data and method
Ethical issues
Special equipment and working conditions.

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Continued …………….
Hildreth Hoke McAshan proposed an objective guide
for judging the merits of a problem. The following
questions may be raised for this purpose.
Is the problem really important?
Is the problem interesting to others?
Is the chosen problem a real problem?
Does the problem display originality and
creativeness?
Am I really concerned with finding the solution?
Am I able to state hypotheses from the problem in a
testable form?

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 Statement of Problem
After selecting a problem, it should be stated carefully
State the problem in questionnaire form or in an
equivalent form.
Specify the problem in detail and in precise terms
List the assumptions made
Remove the ambiguities, if any, in the statement of
the problem
Examine the feasibility of a particular solution

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Continued …………….
Kerlinger has identified three criteria of good
Problem Statements.

1. A problem should be concerned with relation

between two or more variables.

2.It should be stated “clearly and unambiguously in

question form.”

3.It should be amenable to empirical testing.

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 Precautions that are to be taken in identifying the
problem

words used for defining a problem should have a

single meaning.
statement of the problem must be brief but
comprehensive.
problem should have practical importance.
statement of the problem should have certain rationale.

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 Assumptions about the Problem
makes the research work feasible.
delimits the scope of the problem.
establishes the proper frame of reference.
aids in the development of testable hypotheses.

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End of chapter
1

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 Group Quiz # 1/for Computer and
Power Eng. Students/
1. define the term research.
2. According to your understanding define
research.
3. what are the major objectives of
research? Explain them in detail.

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 Group Quiz #1/for Control Eng. Students/
Max. Marks :- 5

1. define the term research and explain about

the general flow of research.
2. Differentiate between research goal and
research objective.
3. what is the difference between Qualitative
research and Quantitative Research?

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