IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL!

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Lecture
by
Engr. Nimra Zafar
MS Construction Management
 Introduction to Research Methodology

Research
• A voyage of discovery; A journey; An attitude; An
experience; A method of critical thinking; A careful critical
enquiry in seeking facts for principles
• An art of scientific investigation Scientific and systematic
search for pertinent information on a specific topic
• Process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems
through the planned and systematic collection, analysis
and interpretation of data
• A systematized effort to gain new knowledge; A
movement from the known to the unknown.
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 Introduction to Research Methodology

Why Research
 To get a degree
 To get respectability
 To face a challenge
 To solve a problem
 To get intellectual joy
 To serve society
• by increasing standard of living in case of S&T, and
• by showing right path to society in case of Social and
Behavioural Science
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 Introduction to Research Methodology

Research Methodology
 A science of studying how research is done scientifically
 A way to systematically solve the research problem by
logically adopting various steps
 Methodology helps to understand not only the products
of scientific inquiry but the process itself
 Aims to describe and analyze methods, throw light on
their limitations and resources, clarify their
presuppositions and consequences, relating their
potentialities to the twilight zone at the ‘frontiers of
knowledge’.
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 Introduction to Research Methodology

Types of Research

There are three major types of research

 Qualitative Research – Descriptive, non-numerical,

uses words by applying reasoning. Determined by the
respondent's opinions and feelings.
 Quantitative Research – Non-descriptive, numerical,
applies mathematics & statistics.
 Mixed Research – Combination of qualitative &
quantitative research. Mixture of images, variables and
words. 6
 How to decide research area/topic/title?

Pro Tip

Students should not

Give up on choosing a
Make a proposal by
single topic without
copy paste technique
doing keen research.
 How to decide research area/topic/title?

What to do?
1. Students should first do research on multiple topics like on
5-10 topics.
2. Analyse the feasibility of research in Pakistan and then
particularly in university in which they are going to do
research.
3. Filter the topics and reduce the number of topics.
4. Consult your supervisor, filter more and go for a single topic.
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 How to decide research area/topic/title?

What to do?

• If you find thousands of researches published on that

topic in past years like 15-20 years back, then don't go
for that topic. Its present scope is not high.
• Go for the topics on which researchers have stepped
up like 8-10 years back. They are more to come in
market.
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 How to decide research area/topic/title?

What to do?

• When you have decided your area of research, don't

copy title of other researchers.
• Make your own title by deciding keyword of your
research.
• While deciding your research area, make sure your
research is not broad enough that it has no
boundaries. It should be limited. 10
 How to decide research area/topic/title?

Authentic Research Data

• You can search for authentic data on following websites.

1. Google Scholar
2. Science Direct
3. Academia.edu

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 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 1

Problem Statement

What is the problem that the research is to be

conducted?

 Address existing issues

 Address existing gap in knowledge

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 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 1

How to write a Problem Statement?

It is written in three parts!

 Ideal - Describes a desired goal or ideal situation; explains how

things should be.
 Reality - Explains how the current situation falls short of the goal or
ideal.
 Consequences- Identifies the way you propose to improve the
current situation and move it closer to the goal or ideal.
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 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 2

Objectives of Research!

Concisely describe what the research is going to

achieve!

 Usually 3-5 objectives.

 Primary, Secondary Objectives.

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 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 2

Examples!

 Construction – To identify causes of cost overrun in

construction Projects, To improve workability of
concrete.
 Environment– To improve sustainability by
reducing carbon content.

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 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 3

Literature Review!

Outcomes of work done by other researches.

 Write about latest researches first and than about

the old ones.
 Write year of the research preferably references.

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 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 4

Methodology of Research!

Steps undertaken to carry out the research work from

start to end!

 Prefer in graphical form/Flowcharts.

 Explain graphical methodology.

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 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 4

Example!

 Literature Review
 Survey/Testing
 Analysis
 Results
 Conclusions &
recommendations
 Publication 18
 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 5

Utilization of Research!
Areas where your research can be utilized!

 For instance – This research can be used to construct

durable high rise structures.
 For instance – This research will be used as a guideline by
project managers for minimizing the critical causes of
cost overruns.

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 How to write research proposal/research Idea?

Step 6

Timeline of Research!
Describes the time required to complete each activity of
research.
No. Activity Nov-Dec Dec-Jan Jan-Feb
1- Literature Review
2- Identification of Delays & Cost
overrun factors
3- Data collection from real time
projects
4- Analysis
5- Thesis Compilation
6- Viva and Research paper 20
ANY QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU!

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