Research Methodology

Lecture 3: Research Process

Subhankar Mishra

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

Research Approaches

Two basic approaches:

• Quantitative
  • Inferential
  • Experimental
  • Simulation
• Qualitative

Significance of research

• Inspires logical habits of thinking and organisation
• Augments scientific and inductive thinking
• Basis for all policies
• Solution for important problems (business, societal, engineering etc.)
• Career (PhD or Masters)

Research Methods vs Methodology

• Methods
  • Techniques used to perform research operations
• Methodology
  • Systematic way of using research methods to solve the research problem
  • Also explains why a particular method was selected

Research and scientific method

• Scientific method

  • Empirical evidence, reproducibility
  • Anything that can be proven/falsifiable through experiments - Scientific theory

• Philosophical theory

  • If it is not a scientific theory, then it is a called a philosophical theory, which have other methods to accept or reject. Such as Occam's razor.

• Example - Consider the example of "Thursdayism" - i.e. everything started on last Thursday. Check which one of the above applies to this.

Research Process

Research Process

1. Steps for forumalating a research problem

• Find the general area of research (interest)
• Form a general problem and work towards the details.
• Check the feasibility of solution
• Formulate a general topic into a specific research area

Ways to do this

• Literature review
• Talk to your colleagues or experts

Research Process

2. Extensive literature survey - After the problem is formulated

• Extensive literature survey needs to be done
• Journals, Conferences, Books, etc.

3. Formulate Hypothesis - A tentative assumption made in order to test its validity.

• By talking with experts
• Examine current literature and data
• Check if there are similar studies

Research Process

4. Research Design

• The research problem decides the research design.

5. Determining sample design
6. Collecting Data
7. Execution of the project
8. Analysis of data
9. Hypothesis testing
10. Generalisations and Interpretations

Research Process

11. Preparation of the report/thesis

• Set a layout, clear and concise, charts with interpretations, cited references
• Major sections
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review
  • Problem Description
  • Methodology
  • Experiments
  • Conclusion