Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Lecture-1( 02/11/08)
Research:
Find out new information based on previous information is research. It would be new information about
science or literature. Information may be positive or negative.
Research is the search or find out new information based on previous information.
Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic.
Research is a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any
branch of knowledge.
Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested
solutions: collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching
conclusions; and last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the
formulating hypothesis.
New information must be collected in a research work.
Research may be positive or negative. It would be new information of Literature, Science,
History, socioeconomic condition etc.
Page | 1
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Factors affecting the data collection method: Data collection method may depend on:
Title
Problem and Time period.
Types of data collection based on aim and study: There are mainly two types of data:
1) Primary data collection:
The primary data are those which are collected afresh and for the first time, and thus happen to
be original in character. Which data are not collected by anyone earlier.
2) Secondary data collection:
The secondary data are those which have already been collected by someone else and which
have already been passed through the statistical process.
The secondary data are those which already have been published earlier in Journal or Paper or
Thesis or Books or Report , newspaper etc i.e. any form of publication.
- Type of data collection will depend on aim / title.
Types of research based on data collection technique:
Research can be divided into two categories based on data collection technique:
Page | 2
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Lecture-2: (03/11/08)
Types of Secondary data: Secondary data are mainly two categories:
Page | 3
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Internet
Website hosting
News papers
Annual reports
Meteorological department
Geological department
Department of Environment (DOE)
Department of water resource planning and management
Department of forestry
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Agricultural department
Department of Human resource development
Department of Public Health
Department of Housing and Sanitation
Local Government Officials
Non Government Organizations (NGOs)
Page | 4
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
o Field experiment
o Laboratory experiment
Field laboratory
Example: Agricultural research.
Internal laboratory
Example: Biochemical research.
Photograph / Map:
- is a source of data.
-Supporting data of above observatory and experimental data.
Research is dependent on time period.
1) Under supervised research (For academic purpose all researcher should need a guide)
2) Independent research
As we are the students of environmental science we should aware about this i.e. considers all sorts of
factor. If we have neglect any factor then we will not get a good result and that will be invalid for the
betterment of our natural environment.
PRA (Participatory rural appraisal) -group discussion
Page | 5
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Environmental science is primarily concerned with how humanity affects and in turn is
affected by other living organisms and the non-living physical environment.
Students get an exposure to varied subjects such as biodiversity, microbiology, pollution
control methods, disaster management, environment impact studies and conservation of
natural resources.
Environmental science students can research on pollution control, public health, irrigation
and agriculture, chemical industries, Industrial Toxicology, Environment Protection and
Training.
Environmental Science has become an important part of urban planning including the
construction of houses, sanitation, water management and waste disposal.
Any course of development today requires the guidance of an environmental specialist who is
basically expert in research work.
For solving or minimizing any kind of problem we need research.
Livelihood pattern are decreasing today because of increasing population. For improving the
livelihood pattern and social environment we need research. Both of this two are related to
environment.
If we can make a good social environment, we would be able to make a good natural
environment also. Good social environment is also dependent on the natural resources like
forestry, fisheries, biodiversity etc. which all are related with environment.
For sustainable use of natural resources research is very much important.
To make a good environment we do research because research provides good idea to manage
natural resource in step by step.
Research provides some methodology to collect the data.
Social conflict, political environment, educational condition, health condition, natural
resources etc. are related to each other in the environment. so For improving our
environmental condition we should do research.
If we would be able to confirm people about food, cloths, residence, recreation etc. then
political environment will also be good. We can also be able to use our natural resources in a
sustainable way.
Questions :
Discuss the relationship between research methodology and environmental science ?
Page | 6
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
lecture-3:(16/11/08)
Primary data:
-Impact of market prize on the family.
-Impact of salinity on the child health.
-Impact of water decreasing of Padma river.
-Impact of fish scarcity on the people.
Example of some experimental field of research:
Increasing the Market price of rice and its impact on livelihood pattern or Environment.
Environmental impact of salinity in livelihood pattern.
Impact of decreasing water flow during dry season in Padma floodplain.
Impact of Cyclone in chorlands.
Impact of fish scarcity in livelihood pattern of fisherman in coastal area.
Major data collection procedure:
1) Interview
2) Questionnaire survey
3) Case study
4) PRA ( Participatory Rural Appraisal )
5) FGD ( Focus Group Discussion)
1) Interview:
- Short period of time, personally / indirectly by telephone.
- Method varies from person to person. It depends on our aim and objective.
Page | 7
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
- Based on some selective question. Ask a particular person about a particular subject.
- It gives us rational information.
- We get both positive and negative data.
- We should be a trained person and also have the idea about the locality.
- Interview language also considers.
(a) Personal interviews:
o Personal interview method requires a person known as the interviewer asking
questions generally in a face-to-face contact to the other person or persons.
o It is done by based on some selected question.
o This sort of interview may be in the form of direct personal investigation or it may be
indirect oral investigation.
o This method is particularly suitable for intensive investigation.
Advantage of personal interview method:
More information and that too in greater depth can be obtained.
Interviewer by his own skill can overcome the resistance.
There is greater opportunity to restructure questions, specially for unstructured
interviews.
Observation method can applied to recording verbal answers to various questions.
Personal information can be obtained easily under this method.
Samples can be controlled more effectively as there arises no difficulty of the missing
returns.
The interviewer can usually control which persons will answer the questions.
The language of the interview can be adopted to the ability or educational level of the
person interviewed and as such misinterpretations concerning questions can be
avoided.
The interviewer can collect supplementary information about the respondent’s
personal characteristics and environment which is often of great value in interpreting
results.
Weakness of the personal interview method:
It is very expensive method, especially when large and widely spread geographical
sample is taken.
Page | 8
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
There remains the possibility of the bias of interviewer as well as that of the
respondent.
Certain types of respondents such as important officials or executives or people in
high income groups may not be easily approachable under this method and to that
extent the data may provide inadequate.
This method is relatively more time consuming, specially when the sample is large.
The response of the interviewer on the spot may over-stimulate the respondent.
Under the interview method the organization required for selecting, training and
supervising the field stuff is more complex with formidable problems.
Interviewing at times may also introduce systematic errors.
Page | 9
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
lecture-4:(17/11/08)
2) Questionnaire survey:
This method of data collection is quite popular, particularly in case of big enquiries. It is being adopted by
private individuals, research workers, private and public organizations and even by governments.
- By developing some question based on our objective step by step.
In this method a questionnaire is sent to the persons concerned with a request to answer the questions and
return the questionnaire. A questionnaire consist of number of questions printed or typed in a definite
order on a form or set of forms. The respondents have to answer the questions on their own.
The following type of questions should generally be avoided as opening questions in a questionnaire:
Questions that put too great strain on the memory or intellect of the
respondent
Question of a personal character
Question related to personal wealth, etc.
- We can collect data from large area at a very short time.
- Here we can also collect the answer of the supplying question by post method.
Page | 10
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
- When we supply question into more people, we can get more significant data.
- We can get more than 80% significant data by this method.
- Manipulation is very poor here.
- Possibility of getting correct information here more.
Advantages of questionnaire survey method:
There is Low cost.
It is free from the bias of the interviewer.
Respondents have adequate time to give well through own answers.
Large sample can be made use of and the can be made more dependable and reliable.
Demerits of questionnaire survey method:
Low rate of return of the duly filled in questionnaires.
It can be used only when respondents are educated and cooperating.
The control over questionnaire may be lost once it is sent.
It is difficult to know whether willing respondents are truly representative.
This method is likely to be slowest of all.
By post we will not get 100% feedback.
This is a difficult process, when data collector is not honest and information is
collected from illiterate person.
3) Case study:
The case study is a very popular form of qualitative analysis and involves a careful and complete
observation of a social unit, be that unit a person, a family, an institution, a cultural group or even
the entire community.
The case study places more emphasis on the full analysis of a limited number of events or
conditions and their interrelations.
This method is done particularly on affected person, family of the study area.
If we study on total life pattern of any family round the year or twelve month is case study.
Case study is essentially an intensive investigation of the particular unit under consideration.
Page | 11
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
The objective of the case study method is to locate the factors that account for the behavior-
patterns of the given unit as an integrated totality.
This is a kind of study which we are doing on a particular family on a particular issue round the
year otherwise we would not be able to get reliable information.
Page | 12
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
lecture-5:(23/11/08)
4. PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal):
- It is one kind of interview process.
- In this process we can collect all information within a very short time.
- Here we go to a village or house and call all members of that houses, then ask question.
- Here we get the common idea because we ask common question to all and after discussion we get
common information.
- To get all information’s from a particular area PRA can be used. As for example- Collect the
information from a fisherman community in Sundarban area.
- This type of study mainly done in a rural area.
- This is as like as conference.
- It also called participatory approach.
- Here we can collect real or exact information.
- This is more applicable than others.
- This type of survey is mainly done by NGOs.
- All points would be gathered by PRA by the additional information which can contain some new
information.
- This is important for any kind of socioeconomic survey.
- We can get socioeconomic culture, indigenous knowledge etc.
- All points which we like to highlights will get from here.
- This is one kind of social study, community study.
Page | 13
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Page | 14
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Page | 15
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
lecture-7:(12/01/09)
Data analysis:
1. Simple correlation or regression- between two parameters. The relation between X and
Y is simple correlation. Simple relation may be positively (+) significant or may be
negatively (-) significant.
2. Multiple correlations- more than two parameters The relation between X with X1, Y1,
Z1 is multiple correlations.
X1
Y1
Z1
Both relations may be or may not be significant relation and may be positive or may be negative relation.
Equation:
r= ............................................................... (I)
Where,
Page | 16
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Example: if the market price of rice is increased 1 taka then if the market price of other price
increased then it is positive significant relation. If the market price of other product decreases
then it is negative significant relation. If the relation may show more than 70% then it is
significant one. Raw data is not suitable for correlation.
T-test:
The relation is significant or non significant can be analyzed by T-test. It is the initiative of any
program.
ANOVA:
The full meaning of ANOVA is Analysis of Variance. By ANOVA table we can show the multiple
variance relationship between different variables. PH and CO2 show negative relationship. If any
water body contains CO2 then CO3 will not present. So there will be a negative relationship. PH
and CO3- alkalinity show positive relation.
Anoxia:
Total absent of O2 in a water body is called anoxia. BOD will be high in this water body. So the
relation will be a negative one.
If Ca increases in a water body then total hardness will be increase. So the relation will be
a positive one.
lecture-8:(18/01/09)
Page | 17
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Spot analysis: Spot will become a column heading. Parameters will be co-related with spot
headings. After a basic primary table we have to draw a secondary table which will show the
relation between different parameters.
Secondary table will base on primary data which will show the relationship. For paper
publication comparative table is needed. In thesis paper both basic table and comparative table is
needed. There is also needed statistical table. Table should always present in result and
discussion.
Result Observation
Result can be used as a tabular form of data Observation can be used for supporting
or as a graphical data form explanation of a data but can’t be used as a
data form or table form
It cannot be done for the explanation of a It can be used for the explanation of a data
data
It shows the total scenery of observation It can be used for mentioning and for
supporting
Page | 18
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
- Result is one kind of observation and observation is also one kind of result.
Graphical Presentation:
X – axis showing the name of parameter and Y – axis showing the time frame.
i) Bar graph:
Presentation of data in a bar or pillar mode is called bar graph. In a bar graph we can show more
than two parameters at a time.
100
80
60 East
West
40
North
20
Parameters Legend
0
1st Qtr 2ndQtr 3rdQtr 4thQtr
Page | 19
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
1stQtr
2ndQtr
3rdQtr
100
80
60
40 Ea
20 st
0
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Qtr Qtr Qtr Qtr
Column graph
Page | 20
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Area graph
Stock graph
Doughnut graph
Bobble graph
Radar graph
Page | 21
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
XY (Scatter)
Page | 22
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
lecture-9:(19/01/09)
Report:
Report may be different types. Such as-
1. Project report
2. project thesis
3. Thesis for M. Phil/M.S./PhD
Project report:
Project report may be different kinds. This are-
1. Small project report- time limitation is < 1 years
2. 5 years project report- time limitation is 1-5 years
3. Long time project report( > 5 yrs )
four types of report. This are-
1. Primary report- based on primary survey
2. Intermittent or interim report- after 3or 4 months report based on project proposal.
3. Draft report- before final report we have to submit these report.
4. Final report- the final presentation of a report.
SEMP- Sustainable Environmental Management Program.
Project report is a development research.
Project thesis:
It is one kind of Academic research which is done in under graduate level for the fulfillment of the
degree. Time period is less than 1 years.
Page | 23
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
1. Introduction:
Introduction should include the following things
Background or rationale of the study
Aims and objectives
Review of literature
2. Materials and Methods:
Materials and methods should include the following things
Study area description
o Map
o Scale
o Position ( latitude and longitude )
o Study area map
o Study spots map (within study area)
o North arrow direction
o Rainfall
o Forest cover
o Vegetation etc.
o Rainfall and temperature
o Geographical information
o Longitude and latitude
Page | 24
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
References
References can represent in various ways.
Two types:
1) Original reference
2) Not seen in original paper
Reference should be written in the following way:
Rahman, A. M. 1998. Impact of Environmental changes on the topdying of Sundary. Journal of
Environmental Science 16(2): 67-72.
-Writer name-Year of publication-Title-Journal name-page number.
-For example: Rahman, A. M. 1998. Impact of Environmental Changes on the Sundari tree. Journal of
Biological Science16 (2): 62-71.
-If more writer then in the following way:
Page | 25
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Academic research:
- Academic research is necessary for acquiring particular degree.
- Workshop, seminar, symposium, not necessary in academic research.
Format of a Academic Report:
Title
Dedication
Declaration
Certificate
Acknowledgement
Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Maps
List of Abbreviation
Abstract
Title
Time period
Basic findings
Basic conclusion.
Page | 26
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Page | 27
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Questions :
Discuss the procedure to write a academic thesis.
Discuss the procedure to write the references.
Discuss the necessary components for preparing a academic thesis or research report.
Discuss the procedure to write a academic thesis.
Discuss the procedure to write references.
Discuss the procedure of necessary components for preparing Academic research report or thesis.
lecture-10:(25/01/09)
Developmental research:
- This is held by NGO or Governmental organization.
- Introduction
- Materials and methods
- Findings of this thesis
- Summary
- Conclusion
- Recommendation
- In recommendation some suggestions and brief project finding are included which should follow for
solving the problem.
- Literature review is not necessary here.
- Points are included in results and discussion chapter.
- Photographs and activity chart are included in material and methods or findings.
Page | 28
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
It gives the emphasis on graphical presentation It does not gives the emphasis on graphical
presentation
It should include the following topics- It should include the following topics-Introduction,
Introduction, Materials and Methods, Findings of the Materials and Methods, Observation and results,
research, Summary, References Discussion, References
Page | 29
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Financial report and establishment report must given Financial report and establishment report is not
necessary
Preamble are necessary Preamble are not necessary
Financial report:
Financial report should include the following things-
Travel cost
Primary cost
Different expenditure cost such as printing cost
Final report
Budget can be changed before inception report. After inception report no change is made.
Page | 30
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Page | 31
Research Methodology
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline
Discuss the details on presentation of academic thesis of development project or project report.
Prepare a project proposal for any developmental research.
How can you prepare a project report?
Discuss the details procedure to prepare the final report of a project.
Research Methodology
Made By ----
Muhammad Mahadi
Environmental Science Discipline.
A Student Of Environmental Science Discipline
Khulna University.
Page | 32