HPH410: RESEARCH METHODS

(IN PHYSICS)/HCT416: RESEARCH

METHODS (IN COMPUTER SCIENCE)

PROF EMMANUEL MASHONJOWA

emash@science.uz.ac.zw
emashonjowa@gmail.com
0772 416 497

Module 1: Introduction and Basic Research Concepts

 Course Objectives.....
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
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1) Explain the purpose of research

2) Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts in
research (constructs, relationship, indicators, research
model, theory, etc)
3) Demonstrate an understanding of research as a scientific
method to acquire knowledge
4) Acquire skill to formulate researchable research
problems
5) Identify major research problems in Physics and
Computer science
6) Explain the different research approaches and methods
(Quantitative, qualitative and design science)
 Course Objectives.....
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
3

7) Prepare research proposal

8) Demonstrate skill to design data collection
instruments
9) Able to collect data relevant to the research problem
10) Able to interpret data into meaningful information
11) Write a research report and thesis
12) Organize and conduct research in a more
appropriate manner
13) Contribute new knowledge to your discipline
 How This Course Will Be Conducted.....
4

q Comprehensive introduction to Research and Research

Methodologies (in Physics and Computer Science)
q Knowledge acquisition and application of subject matter to
real-life situations
q Reference to case studies when appropriate
q Research seminars (individual or group)
q Encouragement of questions, comments and constructive
criticism from students
q Analytical and critical thinking, inquisitiveness as well as
common sense from students is expected
 The DO‘s and DONT‘s Catalogue for YOU
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ü Be inquisitive, analytical and
critical in your approach to
learning research methodology
ü Mention if you don‘t understand
something and seek clarification
ü Read the prescribed course
literature. It is the basic
requirement for comprehending
research methodology and
succeeding in this course
ü Start reading from the
beginning of the course and
NOT towards the end!
Underestimate this course.....
Use mobile phones or send
SMS messages in class
Plagiarize. There is zero
tolerance for this in all classes
taught at UZ!
Feel afraid to bring up any
relevant point for discussion
Hesitate to visit me at my
office or contact me,
individually or as a group, if
you have a course-related
problems
 Central Issues...
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 What is Science?
 What is research?

 Key concepts and issues

 Types of research

 Why are we interested in

research?
 Introduction to Scientific Method
7 Unit 1
Concepts, Objectives and Overview of
research
 What is Science?
8

 Science…
a body of established knowledge
 the observation, identification, investigation, and
theoretical explanation of natural phenomenon

usually the ultimate goal is theory

generation and verification
 “Science is a way of
acquiring testable
knowledge”
9
 What is Science?
10

 Theory…
a set of inter-related constructs and propositions
that specify relations among variables to explain
and predict phenomena

 should be simple, consistent with observed

relationships, tentative and verifiable
Which of these can be classified as research?
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[1] Eric Samanyika prepared a paper on “computer usage in secondary

schools” after reviewing literature on the subject available in his
university library and called it a piece of research.
[2] Dr Zoba says that he has researched and completed a document
which gives information about the age of his students, their test
results, their parents’ income and distance of their schools from their
homes.
[3] Grace participated in a workshop on curriculum development and
prepared what she calls, a research report on the curriculum for
Physicists. She did this through a literature survey on the subject and
by discussing with the participants of the workshop.
 Concept of Research.....
12

 None of the above examples can be classified

under the name research.

 WHY ?
 You will know why when you have understood the
concept of ‘research’.
 Concept of Research.....
13

 Gathering information from resources such as

books or magazines is not a research.
 Research is not just transporting facts:

 Merely transporting facts from one resource to

another does not constitute research.
 It only makes existing knowledge more
accessible.
 No contribution to new knowledge
 Consider the following case which is an
example of research:
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 A general manager of a car producing company was concerned with

the complaints received from the car users that the car they produce
have some problems with rattling sound at the dash board and the
rear passenger seat after few thousand kilometres of driving.
 He obtained information from the company workers to identify the
various factors influencing the problem.
 He then formulated the problem and generated guesses
(hypotheses).
 He constructed a checklist and obtained requisite information from a
representative sample of cars.
 He analyzed the data thus collected, interpreted the results in the
light of his hypotheses and reached conclusions.
 Concept of Research.....
15

 You will notice in the example above that the researcher

went through a sequence of steps which were in order
and thus systematic.
 Secondly, the researcher did not just jump at the
conclusions, but used a method of inquiry in reaching at
conclusions.
 The two important characteristics of research are:
1. it is systematic
2. it follows a scientific method of enquiry.
 What is (Scientific) Research?
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Definitions….
 “The systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled
observations that may lead to the developments of generalizations,
principles or theories, resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate
control of events.”
 “A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new
facts in any branch of knowledge (or science)” - Advanced Learner’s
Dictionary of Current English
 “A systematic effort to gain new knowledge”
 “A systematic and objective attempt to provide answers to certain
questions.”
 Organized scientific investigation to solve problems, test hypotheses,
develop or invent new products
 Features of Research…
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 Always directed towards solution of the problem.

 Involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems.
 Based on empirical evidence – decisions are based on
data (observation).
 Systematic, objective, controlled and logical.
 Deductive – establish general relationships from data
 Replicable – actions are recorded
 A never ending process.
 Types of Research
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 Trochim’s Classification…
 descriptive
 e.g., percentage of population using modern
technologies (e.g. internet)
 relational
 e.g., link between age and use of modern
technologies
 causal
 e.g., effect of government intervention on
technological advancement of a country
 Types of Research
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 Other Common Classifications…

 basic vs. applied vs. evaluation

 experimental vs. non-experimental

 analytical vs. descriptive vs. experimental (quantitative)

vs. qualitative
 Types of Research: Basic Research
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 Its main purpose is the disclosure of fundamental truths

or principles
 Focuses on the testing and development of theory
 To extend existing human understanding
 Has no immediate application to real world problems
 Example:-
 Physicsis interested in understanding basic elements that
make up matter
 Systems theory
 Seeks to explain & develop hypotheses around characteristics that
arise within complex systems.
 Types of Research: Applied Research
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 To solve existing societal problems

 Examples:
 Product development:-
 Developing a smart power generation monitoring device
 An artificial intelligence and IoT based automated irrigation
system
 Software development:-
 Developing a SW that converts word files into database
format
 payroll processing by a computer

 developing e-learning package to enhance student learning

 Types of Research
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Types of Research

Analytical Research Experimental Research

Descriptive Research Pre-experiment

Reviews
Quasi-experiment
Philosophical Case Study Survey

Historical True-experiment
Cross-Sectional
Meta-Analyses
Longitudinal
Statistical-
Correlational inference
 Analytical Research
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 Reviews
 A critical account of present understanding
 A meta-analysis is a quantitative method of review

 Historical Research
 Accessing both primary (e.g. witnesses) or secondary
(e.g. literature) sources to document past events
 Philosophical Research
 Organising existing evidence into a comprehensive
theoretical model
 Descriptive Research
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 Case Study
 Accrual of detailed information from an individual
Refutable?
 Survey
 Cross-sectional: Status of a various groups at a given
point in time
 Longitudinal: Status of a given group at various points
in time
 Correlational: Relationships between variables
 Correlational Evidence
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 When variable X increases, variable Y also increases

 So, does X increase Y?
 or does Y increase X?
 Alternatively, does Z increase both X and Y?

Correlations do not infer Causality

(and vice versa?)
See inapt use of language: Brown et al (2013)
i.e. always Read Primary Lit (inc. actual data)!
 Correlation r=0.87

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Correlation r=0.81
 Correlation r=0.-83

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Correlation r=-0.98
 Experimental Research
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 Experimental research involves a direct

assessment of how one variable
influences another
 This allows the establishment of causality

 All other variables must be held constant

while a single variable is manipulated and
the effect measured
 Experimental Research
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Definition of variables:
 Independent Variable
 can be manipulated or allowed to vary
 also known as the predictor variable

 Dependent Variable
 thisvariable is the ‘effect’
 should only vary in response to the IV

 also known as the criterion variable

 Law of the single variable:

 there will always be uncontrollable influences
 Why must we undertake research?
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 To provide solutions to complex problems

 To investigate laws of nature
 To make new discoveries
 To develop new products
 To save costs
 To improve our life
 To help make informed decisions......
 pure research: enhance understanding of phenomena
 instrumentalist research: a problem needs a solution

 applied research: a solution needs application fields

 What It Takes?
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Unfortunately………
 Creativity
 Curiosity
 Patience
 Persistence
 Positive Attitude
 Discipline & focus
 Open mind (think
outside the box)
 Research Ethics and Integrity
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 Ethics:
A set of moral principles or values
The discipline of dealing with what is good and bad,
with moral duty and obligation
The principle of conduct governing an individual or
group
 Integrity
Honesty
Truthfulness
Uprightness
 Why Talk About Research Integrity?
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 Increase understanding and judgment

 Follow best practices
 Promote public trust
 Integrity in Science
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 “For a scientist, integrity embodies above all

the individual’s commitment to intellectual
honesty and personal responsibility...”
 Trust and honesty are the cornerstones
Research Ethics Covers Many Areas
 Use of human subjects in research
 Informed consent
 Use of animals in research
 Appropriate care/use
 Moral debates
 Stem cell research, impact of technology (nuclear
weapons, genetic screening), etc.
 Professional issues (today's topic)
 Authorship, IP rights, confidentiality, etc.
Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas

1. Know the rules.

 How are researchers supposed to behave?
 Who says so?

2. Know your rights & responsibilities.

 Co-authorship
 Ownership of intellectual property
 Conflicts of interest
 Etc.
Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas

3. Learn to recognize the most common ethical

mistakes.
 Misappropriation of text or ideas.
 Deceptive reporting of research results.
 Breach of confidentiality.
4. Take steps now to avoid conflicts in your
research group.
 Or resolve them quickly with minimal discomfort.
5. Learn from others' mistakes.
 Research misconduct
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(1) fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or other

serious deviation from accepted practices in
proposing, carrying out, or reporting results from
research or other scholarly activities; or
(2) material failure to comply with applicable federal
requirements for protection of researchers,
human subjects, or the public, or for ensuring the
welfare of laboratory animals;
 Research misconduct
39
 Research misconduct
40

(4)Failure to disclose real or perceived significant

financial business interests
(5) failure to comply with other applicable legal
requirements governing research or other
scholarly activities.
It does not include:
 honest error
 differences in interpretations or judgments of data