Research Methodology

Dr. Arunkumar Bongale

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department.
2
What is Research

Search
For
3 A Few Definitions
 A scientific and systematic search for pertinent information
on a specific topic
 It is an art of scientific investigation
 A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search
for new facts in any branch of knowledge 1
 Systematized effort to gain new knowledge 2
 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 3

1 The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, Oxford, 1952, p. 1069.

2 L.V. Redman and A.V.H. Mory, The Romance of Research, 1923, p.10.
3 The Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences, Vol. IX, MacMillan, 1930.
4 Research -

Refers to the systematic method consisting of

enunciating the problem, formulating a hypothesis,
collecting the facts or data, analysing the facts and
reaching certain conclusions either in the form of
solutions(s) towards the concerned problem or in
certain generalisations for some theoretical
formulation.
5 Purpose of Research (Objectives)
 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights
into it
 Studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or
formulative research studies
 To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group
 Studies with this object in view are known as descriptive research
studies
 To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with
which it is associated with something else
 Studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research
studies
 To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
 Such studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies
6 Why to Research?

 Desire to get a research degree along with its

consequential benefits
 Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved
problems, i.e., concern over practical problems initiates
research
 Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
 Desire to be of service to society
 Desire to get respectability
7 Types of Research

 Descriptive vs. Analytical

 Applied vs. Fundamental

 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

 Conceptual vs. Empirical

8 Descriptive vs. Analytical
 Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries
of different kinds
 The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the
state of affairs as it exists at present
 The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has
no control over the variables; he can only report what has
happened or what is happening
 Ex: Market study (Demographic Survey) to analyze the
purchasing pattern of the customers - to answer the question
“What” rather than “Why”
 In analytical research the researcher has to use facts or
information already available, and analyze these to make a
critical evaluation of the material.
9 Applied vs. Fundamental

 Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate

problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation
 Ex: Solution/Conclusion oriented research, engineering
problems, political study etc
 Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalisations
and with the formulation of a theory
 Ex: Research related to some natural phenomenon, human
behaviors, pure mathematics etc
10 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

 Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity

or amount
 It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of
quantity
 Ex: Experimental studies, mathematical studies etc.
 Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon,
i.e., phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind
 This type of research aims at discovering the underlying motives
and desires, using in depth interviews for the purpose
 Ex: Human behavior, opinion research etc.
11 Conceptual vs. Empirical

 Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or

theory
 To develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones
 Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone,
often without due regard for system and theory
 It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are
capable of being verified by observation or experiment
 It can also be called as Experimental Research
 It requires the proposal of Hypotheses and than proving the
same with the evidences
12 Other Research Types

 One-time research and longitudinal research

 Field-setting research, laboratory research and
simulation research
 Exploratory and formalized research
 Historical research
 Conclusion-oriented and decision-oriented
13 Research Approach

 Quantitative Approach
 Inferential – (Knowledge Based, surveys, large
database)
 Experimental (Control over the variables)
 Simulation (Construction of Artificial Environment)
 Qualitative Approach
 Used for subjective assessment assessment of
attitudes, opinions and behaviour
 Ex: Focus group interviews, projective techniques and
depth interviews
14 Research Method (Technique)
 Research methods are all those methods/techniques that are
used for conduction of research

 All those methods which are used by the researcher during the
course of studying his research problem are termed as research
methods falling under the following groups:

 Group 1: Methods which are concerned with the collection of data.

These methods will be used where the data already available are not
sufficient to arrive at the required solution

 Group 2: Statistical techniques which are used for establishing

relationships between the data and the unknowns

 Group 3: Methods which are used to evaluate the accuracy of the

results obtained
15 Research Method (Technique)
16 Research Methodology

 Research methodology is a way to systematically

solve the research problem

 It involves the study the various steps that are

generally adopted by a researcher in studying his
research problem along with the logic behind
them
17 Research Methods &
Methodology
Research methodology involves research methods
and also consider the logic behind the methods to
be used in the context the research study and
explains why to use a particular method or
technique and why not to use others so that
research results are capable of being evaluated
either by the researcher himself or by others.
18 Research Process
Need Analysis

Define Research
Problem
Review of
literature
Formulate
Hypotheses
Design
Research

Collect Data

Analyze Data

Interpret Data
19 Hypothesis / Hypotheses
 Working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to
draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences
 They also affect the manner in which tests must be conducted in
the analysis of data and indirectly the quality of data which is
required for the analysis
 Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of
research in hand because it has to be tested.
 The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by
delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track
 It sharpens researchers thinking and focuses attention on the
more important facets of the problem
 It also indicates the type of data required and the type of
methods of data analysis to be used.
20 Development of working
hypotheses
 Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its
origin and the objectives in seeking a solution
 Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the
problem for possible trends, peculiarities and other clues
 Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar
problems;
 Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field
interviews on a limited scale with interested parties and
individuals with a view to secure greater insight into the practical
aspects of the problem
21 Types of Hypotheses

 Simple Hypothesis
 Complex Hypothesis
 Null Hypothesis (Denoted by "HO")
 Alternative Hypothesis (Denoted by "H1")
 Logical Hypothesis
 Empirical Hypothesis
 Statistical Hypothesis
22 Types of Hypotheses
 A simple hypothesis is a prediction of the relationship between
two variables: the independent variable and the dependent
variable.
 Increase in consumption of fossil fuels would increase the air
pollution
 Higher the unemployment, higher would be the crime in the society
 Lower the use of fertilizers, lower would be agricultural productivity

 A complex hypothesis examines the relationship between two or

more independent variables and two or more dependent
variables.
 Increase in consumption of fossil fuels and increased number of
automobiles would increase the air pollution
 Higher the unemployment and illiteracy higher would be the crime
rate and poverty in the society
23 Types of Hypotheses
 A null hypothesis (H0) exists when a researcher believes there is
no relationship between the two variables, or there is a lack of
information to state a scientific hypothesis. This is something to
attempt to disprove or discredit.

 There is no significant change in my health during the times when I

drink green tea only or lemon juice only.

 This is where the alternative hypothesis (H1) enters the scene. In

an attempt to disprove a null hypothesis, researchers will seek to
discover an alternative hypothesis.

 My health improves during the times when I drink green tea only, as
opposed to lime juice only.
24 Types of Hypotheses
 A logical hypothesis is a proposed explanation possessing limited
evidence. Generally, you want to turn a logical hypothesis into an
empirical hypothesis, putting your theories or postulations to the
test.
 The growth rate of plants in Mars would have been better than earth if
there was availability of water in the Mars
 An empirical hypothesis, or working hypothesis, comes to life when
a theory is being put to the test, using observation and experiment.
It's no longer just an idea or notion. It's actually going through some
trial and error, and perhaps changing around those independent
variables.
 Roses watered with liquid Vitamin B grow faster than roses watered with
liquid Vitamin E. (Here, trial and error is leading to a series of findings.)
 A statistical hypothesis is an examination of a portion of a
population.
 Study of Exit Polls to predict the results of the election - Usually
conducted on a portion of population
25 Research Design
26 Collection of Data

 Quantitative data collection through Experimentation,

observation, surveys etc.
 Qualitative data collection:
 By observation
 Through personal interview
 Through telephone interviews
 By mailing of questionnaires
 Through schedules
 Focused Group Discussions, etc.
27 Criteria of Good Research
 The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common
concepts be used
 The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to
permit another researcher to repeat the research for further
advancement, keeping the continuity of what has already been attained
 The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield
results that are as objective as possible
 The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural
design and estimate their effects upon the findings
 The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its
significance and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The
validity and reliability of the data should be checked carefully
 Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the
research and limited to those for which the data provide an adequate
basis
 Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is
experienced, has a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity
28 Qualities of a good research

Good research is systematic

Good research is logical

Good research is empirical

Good research is replicable

29
Dr. Arunkumar Bongale
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, SIT.
arun.bongale@sitpune.edu.in, +91 9448132505