Methods of
Research
Code: 4056,4185,4210,4233
Mrs. Milagros S. Constantino
The main objectives of this course are to help students:
• To use information systems effectively;
• To write a critical review of the relevant literature;
• To identify a research problem;
• To develop and write a research proposal for their
discipline area;
• To propose and justify an appropriate research plan for
the chosen research problem;
• To choose and apply an appropriate experimental
design to a particular research problem, if required;
• To understand and apply a range of standard
techniques for instrumentation and data acquisition;
• To prepare a well written and concise research thesis or
report
What is Research
Research may be defined as a careful
and systematic process of inquiry to
find answers to problems of interest
To do research is to investigate the
problem systematically, carefully,
and thoroughly
What is Research (cont.)?
Research is an organized, systematic,
database, critical, scientific inquiry or
investigation into a specific problem,
undertaken with the objective of finding
answers or solution to it.
Two Important Characteristics
[Link]
Research is systematic, because it follows certain steps that are logical in order.
These steps are:
Understanding the nature of problem to be studied and identifying the
related area of knowledge.
Reviewing literature to understand how others have approached or dealt
with the problem.
Collecting data in an organized and controlled manner so as to arrive at valid
decisions.
Analyzing data appropriate to the problem.
Drawing conclusions and making generalizations.
Two Important Characteristics
Systematic characteristic of research
Problem Identification
Reviewing Information
Data Collection
Analysis
Drawing Conclusions
Two Important Characteristics (cont.)
2. Follows a scientific method
This means that it makes an integrated use of Inductive
and Deductive reasoning. This makes it very useful for
explaining and predicting phenomena.
The basic assumption of the scientific method is that
every effect has a cause.
Two Important Characteristics
Inductive reasoning
Construction of hypotheses from casual observations and
background knowledge.
From the examination of these, the researcher establishes
certain expectations.
Deductive reasoning
Reasoning out consequences or implications of hypotheses
followed by testing of the implications and confirmation or
rejection of the hypotheses.
Two Important Characteristics
The finding of investigation add new knowledge to the
existing structure of knowledge.
Further hypotheses are generated from the existing structure
and the casual observations and testing of these may add to
the new applicable knowledge.
This process continues in this manner, and therefore research
becomes cyclic and dynamic.
Two Important Characteristics
Scientific method of inquiry
Generation of
hypotheses
Casual
observation Implications of
hypotheses
Existing structure
of knowledge Operationally
specific testing
situation
The aims of research
The goal of research is to solve problems of interest.
These problems may be of a theoretical or practical in
nature
The scientific community tend to be more interested in
research that pushes the frontier of knowledge
the aims of research should be to describe,
predict, explain, interpret or translate phenomena
Research Type
There are many ways of classifying research. One way is to
classify it by function.
Basic or pure research is motivated by curiosity and aims
to advance theoretical knowledge.
Applied research is concerned with applying scientific
theory to real-life problems
Although research activities are classified according to their different natures,
they will overlap and merge from one into the other.
Research Type
Research can be divided into 5 categories:
1. Basic/pure/fundamental Research
2. Exploratory Research
3. Applied Research
4. Development Research
5. Design Research
1)Basic/Pure/Fundamental Research
Refers to original investigations for the
advancement of scientific knowledge that do
not have the specific objective of application
to practical problems.
[Lee et al. 1990]
1)Basic/Pure/Fundamental Research
It is research devoted to achieving a fuller knowledge or
understanding rather than practical application of the subject
under study.
It is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to
acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundation of
phenomena and observable facts with or without any
particular immediate application or use in view.
It is not subject to a time-restraint and it is an open-ended
2) Exploratory Research
Aimsto clarify concepts and problems. Closely allied to
underlying basic research, in which there is an objective.
Itis open-ended, looking for something which might form
the basis for a successful research project development,
eg. Research for a new drug and examining the biological
effects of a new range of chemical materials.
3) Applied Research
Researchdirected towards the practical application of
knowledge.
Itinvolves the application of basic knowledge for the
solution of a particular problem, the creation and
evaluation of a new concepts or components but not
development for operational use.
eg. Application of existing scientific knowledge to the
problems of own institution.
4) Development Research
Systematic use of scientific knowledge directed
towards the production of useful materials,
devices, systems or methods, including design
and development of prototypes and processes.
4) Development Research
Can be further classified into:
1. Product development
Refers to research regarding new products and
products new to industry or combination of product
components in a new way [Lee et al. 1990].
4) Development Research
2. Process development
Refers to research into new or improved
methods of control and control systems and
changes or improvements in manufacturing
and processes technologies.
5) Design Research
Research directed at cost/performance
improvement to existing products, processes or
systems; recombination, modification and testing of
systems using existing knowledge; or opening new
markets for existing products.
e.g. Parts and components research.
Major Stage of Work
For conducting research, a researcher / investigator
goes through 4 major stages of work:
1. Preparing research proposal
2. Organizing and conducting research
3. Writing a research report
4. Evaluating research
Preparing Research Proposal
Describes why of research
What of research
Questions about which researcher is seeking answers
Hypotheses (expected relations) he would like to test
How of research (methodology)
Organizing & Conducting Research
Researcher conducts research following
methodology / plan.
Makes small deviations, if necessary.
Writing Research Report
Researcher writes report which outlines
the findings of study and its implications.
Evaluating Research
In order to find any gaps or weakness in study.
Help in modifying the study and improving
research in future.
