Research Methodology and IPR Module 1

MODULE 1
Introduction to Research & Ethics in Engineering Research

1.1 Meaning of Research

It can be defined in several ways
• Research can be defined as the scientific and systematic search for
information for a specific task.
• Research is a process of creating or formulating knowledge that does
not yet exist.
• Research is a systematic and organized process of inquiry that involves
the investigation of a specific topic, problem, or question through the
collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and information.
• Research refers to a careful, well-defined objective, and systematic
method of search for knowledge, or formulation of a theory.
• Research involves formulation of a hypothesis or proposition of
solutions and data analysis.
• The primary goal of research is to generate new knowledge,
enhance understanding, or contribute to developing theories and
applications in a particular field.

Research flow cycle: The research cycle flow diagram is

shown in Fig 1.1. The flow starts with a practical problem. One
must be clear about what the problem being attempted to
solve is and why it is important.

Figure 1.1: The research flow diagram

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The research process (or research cycle) basically begins with a practical
problem or an existing gap in knowledge or practice. This could be a practical
challenge, an unanswered question, or an area that needs improvement.
Once the problem is identified, researchers formulate a clear and
concise problem statement. From the formulated problem statement,
researchers then develop specific research questions. Building on the
research questions, researchers set clear objectives for the study. Objectives
outline what the research aims to achieve and contribute to solving the
identified problem. They serve as a roadmap for the research project.
Based on the research questions and objectives, researchers design a
methodology to gather relevant data and conduct the investigation. This may
involve selecting research methods, data collection techniques, and analytical
tools suitable for addressing the research questions. Researchers collect data
according to the defined methodology.
This data is then analyzed to derive meaningful insights and results or
answers to the research questions. The results of the analysis are interpreted
in the context of the research questions and objectives. The final step involves
translating research findings into practical implications. This helps to solve
the practical problem that one started with in the first place, as shown in the
following figure

Ways of Developing Knowledge:

The ways of developing and accessing knowledge come in three, somewhat
overlapping, broad categories. They are observation (seeing things), models
(simplified descriptions or equations), and processes (methods or designs).

Figure: The categories of knowledge in research

(i) Observation: Observation is described as the most fundamental

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way to gather information. It becomes particularly important when

the subject being observed is unusual, exciting, or challenging to
study. Observation can take various forms, ranging from traditional
measurements in a laboratory setting to conducting surveys among
a group of subjects.
(ii) Models: After making observations, the collected data often needs to
undergo some form of processing, which leads to the second category
of knowledge, which is the “model”. Models are described as
approximated and simplified representations in the form of a
statistical relationship, a figure, or a set of mathematical equations.
Models help us understand and interpret observed phenomena more
abstractly, providing a way to analyze and make sense of the data.
(iii) Processes and Algorithms: The final category involves methods for
organizing and doing things to achieve a specific result. This
category includes processes, algorithms, procedures, arrangements,
or reference designs.

Good research involves systematic collection and analysis of information

and is followed by an attempt to infer a little bit beyond the already known
information in a way that is a significant value addition. Usually,
engineering research is a journey that traverses from a research area
(example: Control Systems), to the topic (example: Control of Microbial
Fuel Cells) and finally onto the problem (example: Adaptive Control of
Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells) (Area → Topic → Problem). Getting a
good problem to solve is more than half the work done. However,
sometimes he journeys can be reverse, for example, the traversal from
(Problem → Topic → Area). This can happen when one is led to a problem
through a connection to another problem whose top structure is different.
Engineering research is the process of developing the perspectives and
seeking improvements in knowledge and skills to enable the recognition,
planning, design, and execution of research in a wide range of forms
relevant for engineering and technology investigations and developments.
We can start off by describing some problem in the world that exists that
is bugging or worrying us and that we should be addressing. It could be
that there is something we would like to do or accomplish but currently
cannot because we lack the knowledge to do so. It could be that there is
something that already works, but we do not know why and we would like
to understand it better. It could be that we want to do something to see
what will happen.

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1.2. Objectives of Engineering Research

• To solve new and important problems, and since the conclusion at the
end of one ‘s research outcome has to be new, but when one starts, the
conclusion is unknown.

• Research objectives can sometimes be convoluted and difficult to follow.

Knowing where and how to find different types of information helps one
solve engineering problems, in both academic and professional career.
• Lack of investigation into engineering guidelines, standards, and best
practices result in failures with severe repercussions. As an engineer,
the ability to conduct thorough and accurate research while clearly
communicating the results is extremely important in decision making.

• The main aim of the research is to apply scientific approaches to seek

answers to open questions, and although each research study is
particularly suited for a certain approach.
• The objectives of engineering research should be to develop new
theoretical or applied knowledge and not necessarily limited to
obtaining abilities to obtain the desired result.

• The objectives should be framed such that in the event of not being
able to achieve the desired result that is being sought, one can fall back
to understanding why it is not possible, because that is also a
contribution toward ongoing research in solving that problem.

1.3. Motivation in Engineering Research

The possible motives may be the result of one or more of the following
desires:
(i) Studies have shown that intrinsic motivations like interest,
challenge, learning, meaning, purpose, are linked to strong creative
performance
(ii) Extrinsic motivating factors like rewards for good work include
money, fame, awards, praise, and status are very strong motivators,
but may block creativity. For example: Research outcome may
enable obtaining a patent which is a good way to become rich and
famous.
(iii) Influences from others like competition, collaboration, commitment,
and encouragement are also motivating factors in research. For
example: my friends are all doing research and so should I, or, a
person that I dislike is doing well and I want to do better.
(iv) Personal motivation in solving unsolved problems, intellectual joy,
service to community, and respectability are all driving factors.

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The following factors would be a mix of extrinsic and intrinsic aspects:

• Wanting to do better than what has been achieved in the world

• Improve the state of the art in technology
• Contribute to the improvement of society
• Fulfilment of the historical legacy in the immediate sociocultural
context.

Several other factors like government directives, funding opportunities

in certain areas, and terms of employment, can motivate people to get
involved in engineering research.

1.4 Types of Engineering Research

The different types of research are
(i) Descriptive versus Analytical:
Descriptive research:
• It is fact-finding research.
• It uses surveys and fact-finding enquiries.
• It adopts comparative and correlational methods.
• It effectively describes the present state of the art.
• The researcher holds no control over the variables; rather can
only report what has happened and what is happening.
Analytical research:
• Has to use facts/information that is already available.
• -Analysis of these to make a critical evaluation of the materials.

(ii) Applied versus Fundamental: Research can either be applied

research or fundamental (basic or pure) research.
Applied research:
• Finding a solution for an immediate problem and for facing a
practical problem.
• Research to identify society/ industrial / marketing problems are
examples of applied research. - Aimed at certain conclusions.

Fundamental research (Basic research):

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• It is concerned with generalizations and formulation of a theory.

• Research concerning natural phenomena or relating to pure
mathematics are examples of fundamental research.
• It is aimed at seeking information that could have a broad base of
applications in the medium to long term.

(iii) Quantitative versus Qualitative:

Quantitative research:
• It uses statistical observations of a sufficiently large number of
representative cases to draw any conclusions.
• Based on measurement of quantity or amount.
• Expressed in terms of quantity.

Qualitative research:
• It rely on a few nonrepresentative cases or verbal narrative in
behavioural studies.

1.5 Finding and Solving Worthwhile Problem

The recommended steps to solve a research problem are
i. Understand the problem, restate it as if it's your own, and
visualize the problem by drawing figures, and determining if
something more is needed.
ii. One must start somewhere and systematically explore possible
strategies to solve the problem or a simpler version of it while
looking for patterns.
iii. Execute the plan to see if it works, and if it does not then start
over with another approach.
iv. Looking back and reflecting helps in understanding and
assimilating the strategy, and is a sort of investment into the
future.

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1.6 Ethics in Engineering Research

• Ethics refers to a set of rules distinguishing acceptable and
unacceptable conduct.
• It also deals with the principles of morality and the concept of right and
wrong conduct.
• Ethics provides a framework for individuals and groups to make
decisions, evaluate actions, and navigate moral dilemmas.
• Although ethics are not laws, laws often follow ethics because ethics are
our shared values.
• Government bodies, and universities worldwide have adopted certain
codes for research ethics.
• Research ethics and the responsible conduct of research are often
erroneously used interchangeably.
• Research ethics examines the appropriate application of research
outcomes, while responsible conduct of research deals with the way the
work is undertaken.

1.7 Ethics in Engineering Research Practice

• Ethics in engineering is the ability as well as the responsibility of an
engineer to judge his decisions from the context of the general well-
being of society.
• It is the study of moral issues that confront engineers and engineering
organizations when some crucial decisions are taken.
• Engineering research and practice requires that the task being
performed considers all the pros and cons of a certain action and its
implementation.
• Engineering researchers need to make ethical decisions and are
answerable for the repercussions borne out of their research as
outcomes.
• The reason that ethics matter in data used in engineering research is
usually that there is impact on humans.
• Engineering research does not work in isolation from the technological
development taking place.
Researchers make many choices that matter from an ethical perspective and
influence the effects of technology in many ways:
i. By setting the ethically right requirements at the very outset,

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engineering researchers can ultimately influence the effects of the

developed technology.
ii. Influence may also be applied by researchers through design (a
process that translates the requirements into a blueprint to fulfil
those requirements). During the design process, decision is to be
made about the priority in importance of the requirements taking
ethical aspects into consideration.
iii. Thirdly, engineering researchers must choose between different
alternatives fulfilling similar functions.

1.8 Types of Research Misconduct

There may be different types of research misconduct, which can be
summarized as follows:
i) Fabrication
ii) Falsification
iii) Plagiarism
iv) Other Aspects of Research Misconduct

i) Fabrication (Illegitimate creation of data)

• Fabrication refers to the act of making up or falsifying data or
results.
• Creating a data set for an experiment that was never actually
conducted.
• Adding fictitious data to a real data set collected during an
actual experiment to provide additional statistical validity.
• Fabrication is the intentional misrepresentation of research
results. This is due to the researcher cannot wait for the results
possibly due to timeline pressures from supervisors or
customers.
• It is a serious ethical violation and is considered research
misconduct.

ii) Falsification (Inappropriate alteration of data)

• Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or

processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the
research is not accurately represented in the research record.

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• It is a misrepresentation, or misinterpretation, or illegitimate

alteration of data or experiments.
• Misleading data can also crop up due to poor design of
experiments or incorrect measurement practices.

iii) Plagiarism (Taking other’s work sans attribution)

• Plagiarism takes place when someone uses or reuses the work

(including portions) of others (text, data, tables, figures,
illustrations or concepts) as if it were his/her own without explicit
acknowledgement.
• Copying or reusing one’s own published work is termed self-
plagiarism and is also an unacceptable practice in scientific
literature.
• The increasing availability of scientific content on the internet
seems to encourage plagiarism in certain cases but also enables
detection of such practices through automated software
packages.

How are supervisors, reviewers or editors alerted to plagiarism?

i. Original author comes to know and informs everyone concerned.
ii. Sometimes a reviewer finds out about it during the review
process.
iii. Or, readers who come across the article or book, while doing
research.
Although there are many free tools and also paid tools available that
one can procure institutional license, one cannot conclusively identify
plagiarism. These tools provide a score of the amount of similarity between
already published content and the unpublished content under scrutiny.
A researcher should practice writing in such a way that the reader can
recognize the difference between the ideas or results of the authors and those
that are from other sources. Such a practice enables one to judge whether
one is disproportionately using or relying on content from existing literature.

iv) Other Aspects of Research Misconduct

• Simultaneous submission of the same article to two different

journals also violates publication policies.

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• When mistakes are found in any published content, they are

generally not reported for public access.
• Research misconduct includes serious deviations from accepted
conduct and fraud is the result of deception and damage.
• Fraudulent activities in research can have severe consequences,
not only for the individuals involved but also for the broader
scientific community

1.9 Ethical Issues Related to Authorship

Credit for research contributions is attributed in THREE major ways in
research publications:
1. Authorship (of the intended publication)
2. Citation (of previously published or formally presented work)
3. Acknowledgment (of some inputs to the present research)

• Authorship establishes both accountability and gives due credit.

• A person is expected to be listed as an author only when associated as
a significant contributor to research design, data interpretation, or
writing of the paper.
• Authorship in academic and research publications is a critical aspect
that comes with various ethical considerations.

Some of the key ethical issues related to authorship include:

1. Gift Authorship:

• This occurs when someone is listed as an author without having made

a significant contribution to the research.
• Gift authorship can be an ethical issue, as it misrepresents the
individual's involvement and dilutes the accountability of true
contributors.
2. Ghost Authorship:
• In contrast to gift authorship, ghost authorship involves individuals
who make significant contributions but are not named as authors.
• This is due to a nondisclosed conflict of interest within the organization.
• This can be an ethical concern as it fails to give credit to those who
deserve it and may involve conflicts of interest.
3. Career-boost authorship:

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• On occasion, senior authors may grant coauthorship to junior faculty

or students for questionable reasons.
• Coauthorship of a junior faculty or a student to boost their chances of
employment or promotion.

4. Career-preservation authorship:

• Refers to a situation in academic and scientific publishing where HOD,

Dean, provost or other administrators are added as Coauthors on a
research paper primarily to protect their careers, reputation, or
relationships rather than based on substantial contributions to the
research itself.

5. Redundant and Duplicate Publication:

• Submitting the same research to multiple journals or publishing the

same findings more than once without proper disclosure is considered
unethical.
• It can mislead readers and waste valuable resources.

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