Chapter 1

o Observation takes different forms from something

Introduction: What Is Research? like measurements in a laboratory to a survey among
a group of subjects to the time it takes for a firmware
routine to run. The observational data often needs to
Research - refers to a careful, well-defined (or redefined), objective, and be processed in some form and this leads to the
systematic method of search for knowledge, or formulation of a theory that second category of knowledge, the model.
is driven by inquisitiveness for that which is unknown and useful on a
particular aspect so as to make an original contribution to expand the • B. Models are approximated, often simplified ways of
existing knowledge base. describing sometimes very complex interactions in the form of
a statistical relationship, a figure, or a set of mathematical
- involves formulation of hypothesis or proposition of solutions, equations. For instance, the modeling equation captures the
data analysis, and deductions; and ascertaining whether the relationship between different attributes or the behavior of the
conclusions fit the hypothesis device in an abstract form and enables us to understand the
- a process of creating, or formulating knowledge that does not observed phenomena.
yet exist.
• C. The final category is a way of arranging or doing things
Research cycle starts with basically a practical problem: one must be through processes, algorithms, procedures, arrangements, or
clear what the problem being attempted to solve is and why it is important. reference designs, to get a certain desired result.

This problem motivates a research question without which one can CATEGORIES OF KNOWLEDGE
tend to get lost in a giant swamp of information. The question helps one
zero in onto manageable volume of information, and in turn defines a
research project which is an activity or set of activities that ultimately leads
to result or answer, which in turn helps to solve the practical problem that
one started with in the first place as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Research Flow Diagram

ENGINEERING RESEARCH

- 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
◦ The building up of background for doing research includes one to acquire Control of Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells). Getting a good
the ability to connect different areas problem to solve is more than half the work done.
- (AREA → TOPIC → PROBLEM) ( ATP )
◦ The purpose is to prepare the mind for active work as opposed to
becoming a repository or an encyclopedia.
- is the process of developing the perspectives and seeking
◦ Research is not just about reading a lot of books and finding a lot of, improvements in knowledge and skills to enable the recognition,
gathering a lot of existing information. It is instead adding, maybe small planning, design, an execution of research in a wide range of
and specific, yet original, contribution to that existing body of knowledge. forms relevant for engineering and technology investigations
and developments.
◦ Research is about how one poses a question which has relevance to the
world that we are living in, and while looking for that answer one has to be OBJECTIVES OF ENGINEERING RESEARCH
as systematic as one can be.
- to solve new and important problems, and since the conclusion
◦ Good research questions develop throughout the project actually and one at the end of one’s research outcome has to be new, but when
can even keep modifying them. one starts, the conclusion is unknown.

◦ Good research involves systematic collection and analysis of information - The main aim of the research is to apply scientific
and is followed by an attempt to infer a little bit beyond the already known approaches to seek answers to open questions, and although
information in a way that is a significant value addition. each research study is particularly suited for a certain approach,
in general, the following are different types of research studies:
WAYS OF DEVELOPING AND ACCESSING KNOWLEDGE - exploratory or formulative
- descriptive, diagnostic,
• A. Observation is the most fundamental way of obtaining
- hypothesis-testing
information from a source, and it could be significant in itself if
the thing that we are trying to observe is really strange or
exciting, or is difficult to observe.
 • The objectives of engineering research should be to develop o Research concerning natural phenomena or relating
new theoretical or applied knowledge and not necessarily to pure mathematics are examples of fundamental
limited to obtaining abilities to obtain the desired result. The research.
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 (iii) Quantitative versus Qualitative:
problem. - Quantitative research uses statistical observations of a
sufficiently large number of representative cases to draw any
conclusions,

MOTIVATION IN ENGINEERING RESEARCH

- Qualitative researchers rely on a few nonrepresentative cases
The possible motives may be the result of one or more of the following or verbal narrative in behavioral studies such as clustering effect
desires: in intersections in Transportation engineering to make a
proposition.
(i) Studies have shown that intrinsic motivations like
interest, challenge, learning, meaning, purpose, are linked
to strong creative performance.
DEFINING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

(ii) Extrinsic motivating factors like rewards for good work What is a research problem?
include money, fame, awards, praise, and status are very
strong motivators, but may block creativity. For - A statement about an area of concern, a difficulty that needs to
example: Research outcome may enable obtaining a patent be eliminated, or a disturbing question from a literature, theory
which is a good way to become rich and famous. or practice.
- RS Woodworth defined it is as a situation with no ready made
(iii) Influences from others like competition, collaboration, solution.
commitment, and encouragement are also motivating - In general, a problem is a disturbing situation which needs a
factors in research. For example: my friends are all doing solution.
research and so should I, or a person that I dislike is doing
well and I want to do better. Conditions in determining a researchable problem:

• Interesting, relevant, novel

(iv) Personal motivation in solving unsolved problems,
• Most important questions in the discipline
intellectual joy, service to community, and respectability
• Should lead to greater understanding.
are all driving factors.
• Can fill a gap in knowledge ◦ If it is a replicate, there must be
TYPES OF ENGINEERING RESEARCH improvement and refinement.
• Cutting edge/ innovative
The different types of research are: • Based on “why” or “how”
• Built on a felt need.
(i) Descriptive versus Analytical:
• Non-hypothetical, factual
- Descriptive research includes comparative and correlational
• Relevant and manageable
methods, and fact-finding inquiries, to effectively describe the
present state of art.
o The researcher holds no control over the variables; Characteristics of a well formulated research problem:
rather only reports as it is.
o Descriptive research also includes attempts to • Interesting
determine causes even though the variables cannot • Manageable
be controlled. • Scientific
- Analytical research, already available facts for analysis and • Clear and well defined
critical evaluation are utilized. • Along the expertise of the researcher/s
- Some research studies can be both descriptive and analytical. • Relevant

(ii) Applied versus Fundamental: Key Strategies in Finding a Research Problem:

- Research can either be applied research or fundamental (basic
or pure) research. • Researcher knowledge
• Personal exploration
- Applied research seeks to solve an immediate problem facing • Article reading – Evidence that answer isn’t already known –
the organization. Your work may be of interest to its readers – Published papers
o Research to identify social or economic trends, or calibrate your knowledge.
those that find out whether certain communications • Ask the experts, speak to fellow students, attend talks and
will be read and understood are examples of applied workshops
research. • Immerse yourself in a research environment
o The primary objective of applied research is to •
determine a solution for compelling problems in
actual practice, while basic research is aimed at FINDING AND SOLVING A WORTHWHILE PROBLEM
seeking information which could have a broad base of
- worthwhile research problem would have one or more attributes.
applications in the medium to long term.
- It could be nonintuitive / counterintuitive
- Fundamental research is concerned with generalizations and
formulation of a theory.
 - George Pólya (1887–1985) suggested a 4-step procedure for
mathematical problem-solving.

- The recommended steps to solve a research problem are:

- (i) Understand the problem, restate it as if it’s your own, visualize

the problem by drawing figures, and determine 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. Having delved into the
problem and returned to it multiple times, one might have a flash
of insight or a new idea to solve the problem. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

- (iv) Looking back and reflecting helps in understanding and - We not only talk of the research methods but also consider the
assimilating the strategy and is a sort of investment into the logic behind the methods we use in the context of our research
future. study and explain why we are using a particular method or
technique and why we are not using others so that research
results are capable of being evaluated either by the researcher
himself or by others.
“The purpose of a problem statement is to introduce the reader to
the importance of the topic being studied.” SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Karl Pearson
- “The scientific method is one and same in the branches (of
MODULE 3: RESEARCH METHODS science) and that method is the method of all logically trained
minds … the unity of all sciences consists alone in its methods,
Research Methods not its material; the man who classifies facts of any kind
whatever, who sees their mutual relation and describes their
- those methods/techniques that are used for conduction of sequences, is applying the Scientific Method and is a man of
research. science.”
- methods the researchers adopt to carry out their research.
• pursuit of truth as determined by logical considerations. The
Research Methodology ideal of science is to achieve a systematic interrelation of facts.
• attempts to achieve “this ideal by experimentation, observation,
- way to systematically solve the research problem. logical arguments from accepted postulates and a combination
- science of studying how research is done scientifically. of these three in varying proportions.”
- Researchers not only need to know “how” to analyze but they • logic aids in formulating propositions explicitly and accurately
also need to know which/what/why. so that their possible alternatives become clear.
• logic develops the consequences of such alternatives, and when
THREE GROUPS OF RESEARCH METHODS these are compared with observable phenomena, it becomes
possible for the researcher or the scientist to state which
- In the first group we include those methods which are
alternative is most in harmony with the observed facts. All this
concerned with the collection/ acquisition of data; these
is done through experimentation and survey investigations
methods will be used where the data already available are not
which constitute the integral parts of scientific method.
sufficient to arrive at the required solution.
• identification or clarification of a problem
- The second group consists of those mathematical/statistical
• developing a hypothesis (testable theory) inductively from
techniques which are used for establishing relationships between
observations
the data and the unknowns.
• charting their implications by deduction
- The third group consists of those methods which are used to
evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained.

RESEARCH METHOD OR TECHNIQUE?

- refers to the behavior and instruments used in selecting and

constructing research technique
 • practical or theoretical testing of the hypothesis
• rejecting or refining it in the light of the results

NATURE OFSCIENTIFIC METHOD

BASIC POSTULATES OF SCIENTIFC METHOD

• It relies on empirical evidence;

• It utilizes relevant concepts;
• It is committed to only objective considerations;
• It presupposes ethical neutrality, i.e., it aims at nothing but
making only adequate and correct statements about population
objects;
• It results into probabilistic predictions;
• Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical
scrutiny are for use in testing the conclusions through
replication;
• It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be
termed as scientific theories.

ASSUMPTIONS THAT UNDERLIE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Order
o the universe is an ordered system that can be
investigated and the underlying ‘rules’ can be
exposed.
• External reality
o we all share the same reality that does not depend on
our existence. We can therefore all equally contribute
to and share knowledge that reflects this reality.
Reliability ◦ we can rely on our senses and reasoning
to produce facts that reliably interpret reality.
Parsimony ◦ the simpler the explanation the better.
Theories should be refined to the most compact
formulation Generality ◦ the ‘rules’ of reality
discovered through research can be applied in all
relevant situations regardless of time and place