Research process eng 2013 - is5232

Research Process

J J G Arachchige

• Introduction to research process
• prepare the research proposal
• Writing the research report

Beginning of scientific inquiry
• The curiosity of the human nature
leads them for investigations
• Dogma
• Logical thinking

• Scientific enquiry began with the
curiosity of human nature and logical
thinking towards the natural existence
of the universe and against the teaching
of religious Dogmas.

Deductive reasoning
The first systematic approach to reasoning
e.g. Major premise – All men are mortal
Miner premise- I am a man
Conclusion- I am mortal

Inductive reasoning

Specific premises 1 - Nimal, Wikki, John and Piyal attended class regularly
Specific premises 2 - Nimal, Wikki, John and Piyal received high score of marks
Conclusion
- Attending class regularly results in high score of marks

Deductive-Inductive reasoning
– Deductive-Inductive reasoning process involves the integration
of both above to find a solution to the problem.

• Problem
• hypothesis
• Collection, organization and analysis of data
• conclusions
• Verification, rejection or modification of hypothesis
Scientific approach

What is Research
• Research is all about addressing an issue or asking
and answering a question or solving a problem.
• We do problem solving in our day-to-day life
informally.
• Yet, to be a research it should follow scientific
method which is more formal, systematic and
carefully analyzed.

• Research is a structured enquiry that
utilizes acceptable scientific methodology
to solve problems and create new
knowledge that is generally applicable.

Types of Research – mode of application

• Fundamental or Basic research
• Applied research
• Action Research

Fundamental research
• Fundamental research is usually carried on in a
laboratory or other sterile environment, some times
with animals.
• This type of research which has no immediate or
planned application may later result in further
research of applied nature.
• In behavioral science, Fundamental research may be
concerned with the development and testing of
theories of behavior.

Applied research
• Applied research has most of the characteristics of
fundamental research.
• The purpose is to improve the product or process testing theoretical concepts in actual problem
situations.

Action research
• Action research is focused on immediate application,
not on the development of a theory or on general
application. Its findings are to be evaluated in local
applicability.
• Solution of problems in a particular setting

Types of research - objectives
Research can be

– descriptive,
– corelational,
– explanatory,
– Exploratory
according to the nature of the research conducted.

• Inquiry mode

Quantitative
Qualitative

Research Process
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Identification of the problem
Definition the problem
Formulation of hypothesis
Design the research
Collection, organization and analysis of data
Formulation of conclusions
Verification, rejection or modification of hypothesis
by the test of its consequences in a specific situation.

Identification of the problem
Problems are all around us. Research problems can
be identified through:

– Observation.
– Literature reviews.
– Professional conferences.
– Contacting experts.

1. The problem

Source: http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4611846901663595&pid=15.1&H=120&W=160

2. Selecting a topic
• Select a broad topic in your interested area
• Derive a researchable problem from the broad
topic by narrowing the scope
• Raise research questions
• Formulate objectives
• Determine its importance and feasibility

Researchable Problem
• Sleeping in class rooms
• Sleeping of undergraduate students during lectures
• Factors affecting on sleepiness of undergraduates
during lectures
• Factors affecting on sleepiness of Science
undergraduates during IL lectures

Activity 1
• Narrow down your broad topic to form a
researchable topic.
Problem :There are road accidents much more
than ever. There are various reasons for
increasing of road accidents. One may be the
use of alcohol by drivers during driving. It
should be researched to find out whether there
is an effect of alcohol use on accidents.
• Time - 5 minutes

3. Research Questions

Why do Science undergraduates sleep
during IL lectures?

Activity 2
• Formulate a research question on your topic
Time - 2 minutes

Effect of alcohol use by drivers on
road accidents

Formulation of hypothesis
• Hypotheses are tentative, intelligent
guesses as to the solution of the
problem.
• A tentative explanation of the
relationship between two or more
variables

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The hypothesis should be reasonable
Be Consistent with known fact or theories
Possible to be tested. True or false
Should be stated in the simple possible terms

• Simple, specific and conceptully clear

• Hypotheses have two or more variables
• Independent variable - cause
• Dependent variable - Outcome/effect
• Extraneous variable – other factors affecting

Variables to form the Hypothesis
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Sleepiness during lectures – (dependent variable)
Boring teaching method- (independent variables)
Time of the lecturing
Heavy diet
Psychological issue
Physical fitness
Mental problems
Behavioural patterns

Hypothesis 1
• Science undergraduate students sleep during
IL lectures because of conventional method of
teaching
• Hypothesis 2
• Sleepiness during lectures can be avoided with a
self management of behaviour.

Activity 3
• Construct hypotheses on your research problem

Research design/Experimental design
• Research design is the conceptual structure in
which the investigation can be conducted.
• Research design explains how, where, when and
with whom the research is conducted.

• Experimental
• Non experimental
• Quasi or semi experimental

Methodology
• Subject:
– Details of the population from which the researcher plan
to select the sample

• Procedures:
– Research plan, What will be done. How it will be done.
What data will be needed. Data gathering devices

• Data analysis:
– Details of how to analyze data

Methodology Comparison
Quantitative

• Explanation,
prediction
• Test theories
• Known variables
• Large sample
• Standardized
instruments
• Deductive

Qualitative

• Explanation,
description
• Build theories
• Unknown variables
• Small sample
• Observations, interviews
• Inductive

Collection of data
• Population – Undergraduates of science faculties
• Subjects – selected Science undergraduates form IL
course

• Sampling – Randomly select
A sample is a small portion of a population selected for
observation and analyses.

Tools of data collection
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Tests
Observations
Questionnaire
Interviews

Experimental design
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4 groups
Control group
Experimental group
Treatment
Measure
Change the variable and measure
Record the number of sleeping and frequency

Activity 5
• Design a method/experiment

Organization and analysis of data
• grouping and tabulating
• analyzing process

• qualitative methods
• quantitative methods.

Content analysis
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Identify the main themes
Assign codes to main themes
Classify responses
Integrate themes and responses

• Quantitative method is mostly used to analyze data
in large well designed surveys
• ‘SPSS’

Interpretation
• Interpretation involves the explaining of findings
to arrive at a conclusion.
• Here, the researcher explains whether the
hypothesis is proved or not.
• Researcher can verify the hypothesis, reject it or
modify it and do the research again if necessary.

Attributes of Research
• Research is directed towards a solution of a
problem
• Research emphasizes the development of
generalization
• Research is based upon observable experiences or
empirical evidence
• Research demands accurate observation and
description

• Research involves gathering new data from primary
or firsthand sources or using existing data for a new
purposes
• It is often characterized by carefully designed
procedures
• Research requires expertise
• Research strives to be objective and logical
• Research involves the quest for answers to unsolved
problems
• Research is characterized by patient and unhurried
activity

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Research is carefully recorded and reported
Research sometimes requires courage
Originates with a question or problem.
Requires clear articulation of a goal.
Follows a specific plan or procedure.
Often divides main problem into sub problems.
Guided by specific problem, question, or hypothesis.
Accepts certain critical assumptions.
Requires collection and interpretation of data.
Cyclical (helical) in nature.

Research proposal
• Preparation of a research proposal is an important
step in the research process.
• It Is a basis for evaluation of the project
• Systematic plan or procedure to follow
• Structure of the proposal depends on the nature of
the research
• Seven parts proposal is typical not compulsory

Writing a research proposal
• Statement of the problem
• Significance of the problem
• Definitions, Assumptions, Limitations, and
Delimitations
• Review of related literature
• Hypotheses/objectives/research questions
• Methodology
• Time schedule

• The statement of the problem may be derivative
statement but may be in a question form
• Gives direction to the research
• Problems can be derived from a theory
• Can be a prior research results
• Personal observations
• Experiences
Eg.Effect of ‘Kuppi Classes’ for the improvement of
performance level of engineering undergraduates .

Significance of the problem
• Researcher points out how the solution to the
problem can influence the society.
• Justify the worthiness of the study
• Background information may be useful here

• The findings of the study will be beneficial to
undergraduates, librarians, and administration of
the university.
If the Kuppi is effective, librarians can facilitate the
students with study places and essential resources.
If it is not effective academics and librarians can
launch programmes to convince and encourage
students to follow effective methods of learning.

Definitions, Assumptions,
Limitations, and Delimitations
• Define the terms that could be misinterpreted
• Assumption are statements what the believes to be
fact but cannot verify.
• Limitations are those conditions beyond control of
the researcher.
• Delimitations are the boundaries of the study.

Definitions
• Kuppi
Kuppi is a type of studying techniques used by
college students. Similar term used for cramming
in universities.
• Performance level
the term Performance level here refers to the score
of marks in semester examinations.

Assumptions
• Some group discussions among students were
similar to Kuppi. Sometimes it is difficult to
distinguish kuppi from group studies.

Limitations
• Group discussions among students were not
considered as Kuppi in this study because group
discussion is one of accepted effective study
techniques.

Delimitations
• This study involves the Kuppi activities of
engineering students of UR only.
• Only first year and final students were selected.

Review of related literature
• Summary of previous research
• What is already known and what is still unknown and
untested
• Provides a background for the study
• Make the reader aware of status of the issue
Literature review is a valuable guide to defining the
problem, recognizing its significance, suggesting
data gathering devices, appropriate study
design, and formulating hypothesis.

Hypothesis
H1
Kuppi classes among undergraduate students can make a
significant effect on MCQ papers than essay type papers.
H2
Systematic learning is more significant in earning higher GPA than
Kuppi learning among engineering undergraduates.

• The main purpose of this study is to investigate
whether ‘Kuppi’ classes can make a significant
effect on the achievement of higher score in
examinations.
• Supportive objectives:
• Explore who engage in Kuppi classes
• Explore the contents of Kuppi classes
• Calculate the score of marks in exams who engage
in Kuppi classes
• Compare and contrast the score of Kuppi- engaged
students and non Kuppi- engaged students.

Methodologies
Experimental design
• Sample will be selected from first year and final
year students from the faculty of engineering of
UR.
• Sample is divided into 2 categories : First year and final
• Each category will be divided into two groups: control and
experimental
Control group
Experimental
group
First year

First year

Final year

Final year

• Pre-test
All four groups will be given two question papers
MCQ and essay type relevant to their level of
subject coverage.
• Treatment
Control groups will be exposed to systematic and
activity based learning process
Experimental groups will be exposed to Kuppi
learning process
• Post-test
All four groups will be tested with a MCQ paper and
essay type paper relevant to their level of subjects.

Specially funding agencies require a well planed
research proposal before granting the fund.
There are several parts in a typical research
proposal although not compulsory.
The proposal should be well planed so that the
funding agency can be convinced the importance
of the project

Submitting a research proposal for
funding
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The title page
Abstract
Table of contents
Introduction
Research Methodology
Institutional resources
Budget
Anticipated results
Limitations of the study
Back matters

Preparation of the Research
report
• After you conducting the research you have to
communicate your finding with the relevant
community.
• Writing the research report is the last and (for many
people) the most difficult step in the research process.
The purpose of the research report is to inform the
world about what you have done, how you have done
it, and what you have discovered.

• Following factors are important to
consider when you write the research
report:
– Value of the content
– Organization of the content
– Structure of presenting ideas
– Language and style

your research report is based on
following questions.
• What was the research problem?
• Why is this problem important?
• How does your project relate to the context of
other research?
• How did you investigate the research problem?
• What are your findings?
• What do these findings tell you?
• What do you conclude?

Front matter

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Title page
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures

Body of the report

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Introduction
Literature review
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusions

End matter

– Reference list/bibliography /Endnotes
– Appendices

Title page
• The title of your report should be concise and
informative.
• It should not be vague and general but should
encapsulate the essence of the research.
• The title is generally given on a separate page
together with your name, course and instructor
details

Acknowledgement
• To thank anyone whose support has been
important for your work.
• The supervisor generally receives the first
vote of thanks.
• Don’t forget your participants (Though
remember confidentiality)
• This section is the least bound by convention.
• You may speak from the heart.

Abstract
• The abstract is a precise summary of the whole report.
– Non technical summary
– A brief overview of the whole report
– What did you do and why (problem and why it is
important)
– How you did (Methodology)
– What you found out (Major results)
– What was the significations
(conclusion/recommendations)

Table of Contents
• Lists all major divisions and subdivisions marked
by numbers and indicates which page they are
on.
• The titles and subtitles of sections should appear
in a style and size consistent with their position
in the hierarchy (see style manuals for help in
selecting your system). Numbering hierarchy:
–1
• 1.1
• 1.1.1
• 1.1.1.1

Lists of Tables / Figures / Illustrations
/ Appendices
• Lists all of the above if available and the page
No.s on which they appear.
• A separate section is used for each of these
categories
• It is often handy to number such items using the
chapter number first: eg, Fig 1.1, Fig. 2.1,
Fig.2.2, Table 1.2 etc.

Introduction
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Provide contextual information to the problem
Introduce the objectives
Identify specific research questions
Discuss the topic and illustrate the theoretical
points
• Outline your general arguments
• You can indicate the structure of the rest of
the report

Literature review
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A discussion of findings of other researchers
Critical appraisal of other theories
You can compare and asses other’s results
Provide external context for your research
Justify your project
Should be structured thematically
May have a number of sub-sections
Highlight similarities and differences

Methodology
• Details of methods and procedures
• Discuss the reasons for choosing the particular methods
and procedures
• Explore the scope and limitations of the method
• Hypotheses
• Study area
• How the population was selected
• Explain how data was collected/generated
• Explain how data was analyzed
• Explain methodological problems if any

Results
• you may indicate the data and findings which were
analyzed and ordered according to your methodology.
• Tables and figures can be used to further describe the
results.
• it provides the reader with a factual account of your
findings

Discussion
– interpret and explain your results;
– examine whether and how the questions raised in
the introduction section have been answered
– Show how your results relate to the literature
– Qualify and explore the theoretical
importance/significance of your results
– Outline any new research questions or areas for
future research that your results have suggested.
– develop a logical argument about what your results
mean
– compare with results of previous research
– discuss the shortcomings of the
research/methodology

Conclusion
• Restatement of the research problem/question
• Return to the objectives and describe whether
they have achieved
• Indicate what has been learnt from the study
• How findings can be applied
• Future possibilities
• Suggestions

Reference list/bibliography /Endnotes
•The reference list should be arranged in
alphabetical order and should use a referencing
system which ensures the consistency of
elements.
• Should not include works you found of no use

Research process eng 2013 - is5232

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Research process eng 2013 - is5232