Research Methodology

By
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Karsh
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
PIET, Parul University, Vadodara
 The term research comprises of two words, namely “Re” and
“search”.

 Research (Search of searched) means to elicit some facts out

of a known thing.

 There is a general agreement that research is:

1. Is a process of inquiry and investigation

2. Systematic and methodical
3. Increase knowledge
 The process of gathering information for the purpose of
initiating, modifying or terminating a particular investment
or group of investments.

 The systematic investigation into and study of materials and

sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
Research Objectives:
1. Gain familiarity with a new phenomenon or develop new
insight into a phenomenon.

2. Review and synthesize the existing knowledge.

3. To portray accurately the characteristic of a particular

individual, situation or group.

4. Generate new knowledge

5. Explore and analysis more general issues.

Research Characteristics:
1. Objectivity: research without and bias.

2. Reliability: it means consistency

3. Validity: Stands for accuracy of procedures, research

instruments, tests etc.

4. Generalizability: degree to which research findings can be

applied to a larger population.

5. Systematic: Research should follow a definite procedure.

6. Replicable: Results of research can be verified.

Research Characteristics:
1. Objectivity: research without and bias.

2. Reliability: it means consistency

3. Validity: Stands for accuracy of procedures, research

instruments, tests etc.

4. Generalizability: degree to which research findings can be

applied to a larger population.

5. Systematic: Research should follow a definite procedure.

6. Replicable: Results of research can be verified.

Methodology
1. A way of doing something based on particular principles and
methods

2. A body of methods, rules, and postulates employed by a

discipline : a particular procedure or set of procedures

Research Methodology
1. Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques
used to identify, select, process, and analyze information about a
topic. In a research paper, the methodology section allows the
reader to critically evaluate a study's overall validity and
reliability.
 Definition: Research Problem
■ A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a
condition to be improved, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling
question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in practice
that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate
investigation.
 Research Question
■ Research questions are those that the researcher would like to answer or
address in the study.

■ Depending on the complexity and breadth of the study, there could be

more thanone research questions.

■ Identifying a research question will provide greater focus to the research.

■ clarify the direction of the search may it be a descriptive or

experimental in nature.
■ A well-written research question will also shed light on appropriate
research methods.
There are certain characteristics
of a research question.
1. Each question should be clear
and specific.
2. It should refer to the problem
or phenomenon under study.
3. It should reflect an intervention
in experimental work.
ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

■ There are five distinct elements

(components) of a research
problem.These are also denoted
by "5W’s"
i.e. Why, What, When, Where,
Who/from whom of a research
study.
1. Objective or aim of the problem to be explored
 This answers the question "Why" of a research problem.
 This means why there is a need of carrying out this study.
2.The topic or theme which needs to be investigated
■ This answers the question "What". What is to be studied?"
3. The timedimension
 The period or time of the study when the data are to
be gathered.
 This answers the question "When?" When is the
research to beperformed?
4.The area or location where the study is tobe conducted

 This answers the question "Where?"Where we need

to conduct the study?
5. Population or universe from whom the data needs to be
gathered
 This answers the question "Who?" or "from whom?"
 Who are the respondents? From whom the data to be collected?"
 These may include persons, groups of persons, wound dressings,
syringes, each activity etc.
 Factors/Criteria to be considered
while selecting a Research Problem
■ The criteria for a good research
problem or question is FINER,
Where:
 F stands for feasible,
 I for interesting,
 N for novel,
 E for ethical, and
 Rfor relevant.
■ However, there are some other factors
that should be considered while
deciding credibility of a particular
research question for a scientific
investigation.
The following are certain important factors which should be
taken into considerations while selecting a research topic.
 Guidelines for selection of Problem
• Subject which is overdone should not be chosen.
• An average researcher must not choose controversial topic.
• Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
• The chosen subject should be familiar and feasible.
• Significance and importance of subject must be given attention.
• Cost and time factor must be kept in mind.
• Experience, Qualification and Training of the researcher must be
according to the problem in hand.
There are numerous sources for generating the
appropriate engineering research problem.

However, the following are certain important

sources which could be helpful in selecting a
researchtopic.
1. Previous research

2. Personal Experience

3.Consumer feedback

4. Literature
5. EngineeringTheories

6. Databases

7.Social issues
9. Brainstorming sessions

10. Consultation with the experts

11. Social issues

Common Errors In Selection of Research
Problem
1. Failure to know the background of the topic
2. Failure to choose an interesting topic

3.Choosing of research topic that You can not be Able to acco

mplish due to time and Cost

4. Topics that are too broad or too narrow

5. Topics that lack enough information

Steps for formulation of research problem
1. Selecting a research topic area

2. Review literature

3. Delimitating the problem

4. Evaluating the research problem

5. Formulating the final statement of the problem