Research Methodology

Lecture 2: Introduction

Subhankar Mishra

School of Computer Sciences
National Institute of Science Education and Research
Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Course Logistics

For Utkal University Students

• Midterm [Assignments] (30)
• Endterm (70)

Books

— Kothari, Chakravanti Rajagopalachari. Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International, 2004.

All the slides are made from the material of the Book.

Syllabus

1. Part I: Philosophical Underpinnings of Research
2. Part II: Measurement, Data, and Analytics
3. Part III: Elements of Theoretical Research
4. Part IV: Research Methods for Computer Science
5. Part V: Research Documentation

Research

• Search for knowledge
• Art of scientific investigation
• Reproducible

Research

a careful study of a subject, especially in order to discover new facts or information about it - Oxford Dictionary

systematized effort to gain new knowledge. - L.V. Redman and A.V.H. Mory, The Romance of Research, 1923, p.10.

the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art - Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences, 1930

Broad categories

• exploratory or formulative
• descriptive
• diagnostic
• hypothesis-testing

Why Research?

• Get a research degree (PhD and others)
• Solve a practical problem
• Intellectual joy
• Service to society
• Get respect (Doubtful !)
• YMMV

Types of Research - 1

• Descriptive
  • Surveys and fact-finding enquiries
  • Describe the current state-of-art
• Analytical
  • Use information that is already available
  • Analyze to generate new insights or do a critical evaluation

Types of Research - 2

• Applied
  • Solution towards a current problem
• Fundamental
  • Adds to the existing body of knowledge
  • Related to making generalisations and forming a theory

Types of Research - 3

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

Types of Research - 4

• Conceptual

• Empirical

Types of Research - 5

• Time
  • One time
  • Longitudnal
• Environment
  • Field
  • Laboratory
  • Simulation
• Others (Please refer book or notes)