Research

Methodology
Lesson-1

Prof. Dr. Chandima Gomes

Department of Electrical and
Electronics Engineering
Research
Methodologies
Its the rational
Professor, What sequence of
scrutinizing
is Research
materialistic
Methodology ideologies through
scrupulous and
moralistic efforts to
make socio-ethical
betterment..

Did all of you understand..?

Research Methodology ?
Is this the most
important for U?
Assessment Method

Week -5: Test-1 20%

Continuous Assessment 40% (30%
+ 10%)
Final Examination 40%
 Course Objectives

At the end of this course, you should be able to:

* Understand basic concepts of research and its
methodologies
* Identify appropriate research areas and avenues
* Select and define appropriate research problem and
parameters
* Prepare a project proposal (to undertake a project)
* Organize and conduct research in an scientific and
ethical manner
* Selection of mathematical and analytical tools
This course will not be
able to
Make you an Instant Expert in
Research Methodology

Expertise is earned
not made
Brilliance is made not
born

Genius is born- not made or earned

WHY DO WE NEED
SCIENTIFIC

RESEARCH ?
Supplementary Presentation-1
WHY DO WE NEED SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH ?

To make a better world for all

living beings !!!!

This is what you should determine and impregnate in your mind

for the rest of your life
Why do we need research?
(This is what you have to write at the exam)
To get PhDs, Masters and Bachelors etc.
To provide solutions to complex problems
To investigate laws of nature
To make new discoveries
To develop new products
To reduce cost
To improve the life-style
To fulfil human desires
 1.1: Concepts of research and its methodologies

Consider the following

[1] Miss Nurul wrote and article on The pros and cons of
genetically modified food after reviewing literature on the subject
available at the university library and called it a research paper.

[2] Mr. Chang says that he has discussed with the Head of the
Renewable Energy unit and prepared a research document which
gives information on all renewable energy plants in Malaysia; The
type of energy sources, out put capacity, capital investment, return
on investment, measures against atmospheric pollution etc.

[3] Mr Kadir participated in a Workshop on the Construction and

maintenance of of Smart Tunnels and prepared what he calls, a
research report on the available civil engineering techniques on
building modern tunnels; based on the workshop materials
presentations and discussions with the resource persons and
WHICH OF THE ABOVE IS A TRUE RESEARCH?
participants
None of them can be
classified under the name
Research

WHY ?
Consider the following case

The Technical manager of CRYPTON Car Company received a large

number of complaints of similar type, within a short period of time,
regarding a new model of vehicles they have released. After carefully
studying these complaints he came up with the following summary of
the complaints

A strange noise is emitted from somewhere in the car, when the AC

is switched on, after few thousand kilometers of usage
 He talked to his technical crew and obtained
various information related to the AC system and
other pertinent components to identify the various
factors influencing the problem.
 He then formulated the problem and generated guesses
(hypotheses):

1. The cooling fan may be degraded so the fan blade may have
changed the shape
2. There can be electromagnetic interference between the
electrical signals to the AC system controlling unit and the
sound system of the car
3. The AC pump may be degraded and the pumping mechanism
giving out noise
4. The AC coil mound may be loosened and the unit vibrates at
certain engine frequencies (resonating)
5.
6. .
7. .
8. .
9. .
 After talking to a customer he obtained a
car with the problem. Then he asked his
technical team to follow the check list to
identify the cause of the problem.
The technical team follow the checklist and
finally provided a report on their
observations on each item of the check list
Analyzing the list of Observations he
determines that the problem is
loosening of the mounds of the AC unit
with time

Then he obtains several other cars

with the problem, followed the same
procedure and verified that his
conclusion is correct
Then he prepared a detailed technical report
and forwarded to the Department of
Automobile Design:

The report includes the problem, how he built

up the hypothesis, the technical observations
and analysis, conclusions regarding the
problem and his suggestions for the
rectifications.
This is a Good Research
Work
You will notice in the example above that

First; The researcher went through a sequence of steps which

were in order and systematic.

Second; The researcher did not just jump at the conclusions,

but used a scientific method of inquiry in reaching at
conclusions.

The two important characteristics of research are : it is

systematic and secondly it follows a scientific method of enquiry.

There is NO MAGIC in research

What is Research?
Research is the organized scientific investigation to understand the nature, solve
problems, test hypotheses or develop /discover /invent new findings / products

The Research Methodology includes

Understanding the nature of problem to be studied and identifying the related

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.
* Making suggestions for future studies (Optional)
This general systematic characteristic of
research is Summarized below.

1. Problem Identification
2. Reviewing Information
3. Method and Data Collection
4. Analysis, Results and Conclusions
5. Dissemination of knowledge

4
3
2
1
 High Quality Research!

is based on the previous work.

can be replicated (duplicated).
can generalized to other settings.
is based on some logical rationale and tied to a
theory.
is doable
generates new questions or is cyclic in nature.
is incremental.
is an apolitical activity that should be undertaken
purely for the
Then, what is bad research?

The opposites of what have been discussed.

Looking for something when it simply is not to be
found.
Plagiarizing other peoples work.
Falsifying data to prove a point.
Misrepresenting information and misleading

participants.
 The basic assumption of the
scientific method is that every
effect has a cause

Therefore Science can be

(and should be) questioned !!!