CH 1. Int. To Research & Research Methodology

Introduction
Research methodology
in Engineering
Dr. Tafesse Gebresenbet
AAiT,
Mechanical Engineering Department
Mechanical Engineering Department
August 2010
Lecture notes by Dr. Tafesse Gebresenbet,
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Course Objectives
To write a critical review of the relevant literature;
To identify a research problem;
To develop and write a research proposal for their
To develop and write a research proposal for their
discipline area;
To propose and justify an appropriate research plan for
p p j y pp p p
the chosen research problem;
To choose and apply an appropriate experimental
design to a particular research problem if required;
design to a particular research problem, if required;
To understand and apply a range of standard
techniques for instrumentation and data acquisition;
To prepare a well written and concise research thesis
or report
2
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References
1. Abiy et al., Introduction to Research Methods, Graduate and
research office, AAU, 2009
2 Sirdhar, Lecture notes in Introduction to Research and
2. Si dh L t t i I t d ti t R h d
Research Methodology.
3. Kothari, Research Methodology, Methods and Techniques,
, gy, q ,
2nd edition, 2004
4. Howell Istance, Lecture notes in Research Methods,
D
Department of Computer Science, De Montfort University,
fC S i D M f U i i
2001
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Course objectives
Unit 1: Concepts of research
• Meaning and objectives of a research
• Sources of Knowledge
Sources of Knowledge
• Definition and Purposes of Research
• Philosophy of Research
Philosophy of Research
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How do you view research?
.
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• A quest for knowledge and understanding
A quest for knowledge and understanding
• An interesting and useful experience
• A course for qualification
A course for qualification
• A career
• A t l f lif
A style of life
• A way to improve quality of life
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Why study Research Methodology ?
One is ready to learn
One is ready to explore
One is ready to create
Planning and conducting rigorous research and development
projects in science and engineering is often very challenging
projects in science and engineering is often very challenging
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Definition of Research
• Merriam‐Webster Online Dictionary
(http://www.merriam‐webster.com)
– careful or diligent search
– studious inquiry or examination; especially :
i
investigation or experimentation aimed at the
ti ti i t ti i d t th
discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of
accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts,
p g ,
or practical application of such new or revised
theories or laws
– the collecting of information about a particular
h ll i fi f i b i l
subject
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What Research Is
What Research Is
Research is:
“…the systematic process of collecting

and analyzing information (data) in order
to increase our understanding of the
phenomenon about which we are
concerned or interested.
interested ”
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Definition of research (Cont’d)
• Greenfield (1996): “Research is an art aided by
skills of
skills of
– inquiry,
– experimental design,
experimental design
– data collection
– measurement and analysis
measurement and analysis
• by interpretation, and
• by presentation
by presentation”
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Development
• fundamentally more significant as a
contributor to the success of a commercial
contributor to the success of a commercial
organization
• apply scientific, engineering or technological
apply scientific engineering or technological
knowledge in a systematic manner to improve
performance
performance
• organization growth and increase shareholder
value
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Development
• Exploits technology created elsewhere
• Has a final product or process tied to it
• Has finite timescales in which to deliver
Has finite timescales in which to deliver
• Has finite costs for the end product
• I t
Is targeted at tangible benefits for the
t d t t ibl b fit f th
customer
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R&D
• Research is a process that acquires new
is a process that acquires new
knowledge
• Development is a process that applies
is a process that applies
knowledge to create new devices or effects
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R&D Problems
• Research seeks truth
• Development seeks utility
• Industry can’tt afford luxury of research
Industry can afford luxury of research
• Academics uninterested with development
• i t l
intolerant views
t i
• R&D is interdependent
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R&D Problems
• Research results cannot be reproduced
• Data collection is haphazard
• Experiment methods are chaotic
p
• Trial and error …
• Lack records
Lack records
• Reports are disorganized
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Academic Research Problems
• Very similar to R&D problems
• Research methodology is important
• In Science & Engineering, lack of emphasis on
In Science & Engineering lack of emphasis on
research methodology
• Research methodology informal training
R h th d l i f lt i i
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Conclusions
• Importance of Research Methodology
Importance of Research Methodology
• Definition:
– Research
R h
– Development
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The concept of Research
Source of Knowledge
Two sources of knowledge
Two sources of knowledge
– Common sense
– science
science
Every experience as a source of Knowledge
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The method of Tenacity
Tenacity refers to the acceptance of belief based on
the idea that “we have known it to be this way”
• Automatic acceptance of the prevailing traditional
beliefs and customs
• The two problems of tenacity towards learning about
the surrounding
1. Information gains acceptance only through familiarity
2 It offers no means to correct erroneous ideas
2. I ff id
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The method of authority
In areas where we have no knowledge we often rely
on the judgment and expertise of others.
However an authority can be incorrect and at times
can lead you to wrong direction.
Hence it is important to examine the basis of the
authority claims by raising questions
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The priori method
it is that we develop general knowledge, opinion, or
belief about the world through the aforementioned
methods or personal observations of things around
us.
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The scientific method as a source of knowledge
What is science ?
Science can be seen as systematic and controlled
extension of common sense.
In scientific method ideas are evaluated and corrected
through dispassionately observing by means of our
bodily senses or measuring devices
• Science is a reliance on information that is verifiable
through experience
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science and common sense differs in terms of
The use of conceptual schemes and theoretical
The notion of control
The explanations of different observed phenomenon
Science deals with testable ideas
Scientists systematically build theoretical structure, test
th
them for internal consistency and subject aspects of them
f i t l it d bj t t f th
to empirical tests
The scientific method of knowing is the scientific research,
The scientific method of knowing is the scientific research,
and its goal is the discovery of regularities of nature and
their representation in theories from which prediction can
be made.
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The steps in scientific method guide researchers in
planning conducting, and interpreting research studies.
Steps to conduct a scientific research
– defining the problem
– making tentative explanations
– gathering information
– testing the validity of hypothesis
– making conclusions as to whether the hypothesis
g yp
can be accepted or rejected
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Scientific method
find general rules
collect objective evidences
ll bj i id
make testable statements
adopt a skeptical attitude about all claims
adopt a skeptical attitude about all claims
are creative
are public, and
are productive
Limitations of scientific methods
it can not answer all questions
it can not answer all questions
it can not capture all
y
there is always an inherent error
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Definitions and purposes of research
Scientific research
“research is the systematic process of collecting and
analyzing information to increase our understanding
of the phenomenon under study”
of the phenomenon under study
The researcher communicate that understanding to
The researcher communicate that understanding to
others.
Research includes: observation, description, prediction
and determination of causes and explanation.
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Scientific research :
Performing a methodological study in order to prove a
hypothesis or answer a specific question.
• a systematic attempt to obtain answers to
meaningful questions
• follow a series of steps and a rigid standard
protocol, so that the experiment can be replicated
and the results verified.
• requires some kind of interpretation and opinion
i ki d f i i d i i
from the researcher.
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What Research Is Not
• Research isn’t information gathering:
– Gathering information from resources such books or
magazines isn’t research.
– No contribution to new knowledge.
• Research isn’t the transportation of facts:
– Merely transporting facts from one resource to another
d
doesn’t constitute research.
’t tit t h
– No contribution to new knowledge although this might
make existing knowledge more accessible.
g g
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What is research?
• A systematic enquiry, which is reported in a
form that allows the research methods and
form that allows the research methods and
outcomes to be accessible to others
• Concerned with seeking solutions to problems or
Concerned with seeking solutions to problems or
answers to meaningful questions
• Meaningful questions are expressed in a way that
questions are expressed in a way that
indicates what you will accept as an answer
• Non‐meaningful
Non meaningful (in research terms) questions are
(in research terms) questions are
not answerable as a result of enquiry alone (eg
judgemental or metaphysical questions)
judgemental or metaphysical questions)
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Salient feature of research distinguishing it from causal
observation :
systematic – so ordered, planned and disciplined
controlled – the researcher can have confidence in
his/her research outcomes
his/her research outcomes
empirical – putting beliefs, ideas or assumptions to test,
and
critical – many truths are tentative and are subject to
change as a result of subsequent research
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Research Characteristics
1. Originates with a question or problem.
2
2. Requires clear articulation of a goal
Requires clear articulation of a goal.
3. Follows a specific plan or procedure.
4
4. Oft di id
Often divides main problem into subproblems.
i bl i t b bl
5. Guided by specific problem, question, or
hypothesis.
hypothesis
6. Accepts certain critical assumptions.
7 Requires collection and interpretation of data.
7. R i ll ti di t t ti fd t
8. Cyclical (helical) in nature.
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Characteristics of scientific research
directed toward the solution of a problem
is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence
demands accurate observation and description
is characterized by carefully designed procedures always applying
is characterized by carefully designed procedures, always applying
rigorous analysis. However it is sometimes somewhat random and
unsystematic
requires experience
requires experience
is characterized by patient and unhurried activity
is carefully recorded and reported
sometimes requires courage
i i
emphasizes the development of generalization, principles, or
theories that will be helpful in predicting future occurrences, and
strives to be objective and logical, applying every possible test to
validate the procedures employed, the data collected and the
conclusion reached
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Goals of scientific research :
Describing phenomena – to give a pictorial account of the
phenomena studied
h t di d
Explaining phenomena – exploring the reasons/causes of the
occurrence/event
/
Predicting phenomena – to predict what will happen in the
future
controlling phenomena – to change a particular event or
condition and investigate its influence
comparing phenomena –
comparing phenomena – to compare two or more
to compare two or more
groups/cohorts in order to explore whether they behave
similarly or differently
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Research Method Vs Research Methodology
A method is a particular research technique or way to gather
evidence about phenomenon. Therefore methods are the
id b t h Th f th d th
specific research tools we use in research projects to gain
fuller understanding of the phenomena
Methodology describes “ the theory of how inquiry should
proceed” that involves analysis of the principles and
procedures in a particular field of inquiry
procedures in a particular field of inquiry.
A theory and analysis of how research does or should proceed
Note that methodology encompasses our entire approach to research
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Epistemological issues in research
Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that studies the nature
of knowledge and the process by which knowledge is acquired
of knowledge and the process by which knowledge is acquired
and validated.
These philosophers attempted to seek answers to questions as:
are the objects that the researchers study are real?
how is research knowledge different from other forms of
how is research knowledge different from other forms of
knowledge, and does it have any special authority?
what does it mean to find “laws” that enable us to predict
individual and group behavior?
individual and group behavior?
is enquire in the social sciences fundamentally different from
inquiry in the natural sciences ?
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Nature of research ‐ positivist
• with positive facts and observable phenomena
ith iti f t d b bl h
• Subscribes to the ‘scientific method’
• Primary goal is not only description but prediction and
Primary goal is not only description but prediction and
explanation
• Classification of substances and events, and
,
observation of these, provide the basis for descriptive
laws based on consistencies in patterns and properties
• Characterized by absolute or varying degree of
Ch t i db b l t i d f
generalisability
• Quantitative, as it draws on measurable evidence
Quantitative, as it draws on measurable evidence
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Postulates in Positivist Research
• postulate of natural kinds: all instances of classes
t l t f t l ki d ll i t f l
and categories of phenomena exhibit the same
properties
• postulate of constancy: all phenomena remain the
same or change only very slowly over time
same or change only very slowly over time
• postulate of determinism: there is orderliness and
regularity in nature, constancy in terms of cause and
g y , y
effect
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Nature of research ‐ phenomenalist
• Considers that each phenomena is unique and is
p q
controlled by variables such as time, location and
culture
• No two situations are identical
No two situations are identical
• No reliance on postulates of natural kinds, constancy
or determinism
• Essentially subjective, where the content of research
and the way it is pursued is indicative of researchers
intention
• Outcomes are descriptions which are expressed in
narrative and mainly in qualitative terms
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Summary
• There
There are two broad sources of knowledge: Everyday
are two broad sources of knowledge: Everyday
experience as a source of knowledge and scientific
method as a source of knowledge.
• Everyday sources of knowledge include the method of
E d fk l d i l d h h d f
tenacity, authority, a priori method and common sense.
• The scientific method as a source of knowledge
represents scientific research.
• The goal of research is problem solving. The problem
could be of an immediate and practical value or they
f p y
could be of theoretical nature.
• The specific purposes of scientific research include
description, explanation, prediction, control and
description, explanation, prediction, control and
comparison.
• Scientific research relies on the application of the
scientific method a harnessing of curiosity
scientific method, a harnessing of curiosity.
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Summary
• Research provides scientific information and theories for the
p f f f
explanation of the nature and the properties of the world
around us.
• Research is systematic, controlled, empirical and critical
R hi t ti t ll d i i l d iti l
investigation of natural, behavioral and social phenomena.
• There is difference between research method and research
ff
methodology the former represents a particular research
technique used to gather data about the phenomenon being
studied and the later describes the theory of how inquiry
studied and the later describes the theory of how inquiry
should proceed.
• Scientific research has epistemological and philosophical
roots.
• Positivism and phenomenalist (post‐positivism) are the two
philosophical perspectives discussed in this unit
philosophical perspectives discussed in this unit.
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Introduction to Research
Methodology‐
h d l Part II
Unit 2: Types of Research
Unit 2: Types of Research
• Classification of Research
• Basic and Applied Research
i d li d h
• Descriptive, Explanatory and Exploratory
Research
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research
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Types of Research
Types of research based on purpose
• Applied vs. Basic (fundamental): Research can either
be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to
basic or pure) research
• Basic (fundamental/pure) research has its primary
(f d l/ ) hh
objective the advancement of knowledge and the
theoretical understandings of the relations among
theoretical understandings of the relations among
variables.
– obtaining
obtaining and using empirical data to formulate, expand
and using empirical data to formulate, expand
or evaluate a theory, and
– discovery of knowledge solely for the sake of knowledge
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Types of Research
On the basis of purpose
Applied Scientific research
It is designed to solve practical problems rather than to
It is designed to solve practical problems rather than to
acquire knowledge for the knowledge sake. Looking after a
specific questions in order to help humanity.
It is concerned with finding out the answer to a specific
problem
– is conducted in relation to actual problems and under the
conditions in which they are found in practice
– employs methodology that is not as rigorous as that of basic
research
h
– yields findings that can be evaluated in terms of local
applicability and not in terms of universal validity
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Types of Research
On the Basis of Approach of Research
On the basis of approach of Research they are of two
types:
1. Longitudinal research: Historical research, case
study, genetic comes under longitudinal approach of
research.
2. Cross sectional research: Experimental research,
survey are the examples of cross sectional research.
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Types of Research
On the Basis of Precision in Research Findings
On the basis of precision (accuracy) the researches are:
1. Experimental research
2. Quasi‐experimental and
Q p
2. Non‐experimental research.
Experimental research is precise while non‐
Experimental research is precise while non
experimental is not
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Types of Research
Qualitative vs. Quantitative :
Qualitative research
• Qualitative research seeks to describe various aspects
Qualitative research seeks to describe various aspects
about behavior and other factors studied in the social
sciences and humanities.
• In qualitative research data are often in the form of
I lit ti hd t ft i th f f
descriptions, not numbers.
• But sometimes results of qualitative research are
subjected to relatively less rigorous quantitative
bj d l i l l i i i
treatment.
• Often the goal of qualitative research is to look for
g q
meaning
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Types of Research
Quantitative research
• Quantitative research is the systematic and scientific
investigation of quantitative properties and
investigation of quantitative properties and
phenomena and their relationships.
• The objective of quantitative research is to develop and
j q p
employ
mathematical models, theories and hypotheses
pertaining to natural phenomena
pertaining to natural phenomena.
• The process of measurement is central to quantitative
research because it provides the fundamental connection
between empirical observation and mathematical
expression of an attribute.
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Types of Research
• Quantitative researchers favor methods such as
surveys and experiments, and will attempt to test
hypotheses or statements with a view to infer from
the particular to the general.
• This approach typically concentrates on measuring
or counting and involves collecting and analyzing
ti di l ll ti d l i
numerical data and applying statistical tests.
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Types of Research
On the Basis of Nature of Findings/ In terms of specific
objectives
1 Explanatory research: Such researches explain more
1. Explanatory research: Such researches explain more
concerned theories. laws and principles.
2. Exploratory research :
p y which provides insights into and
p g
comprehension of an issue or situation, and it is
conducted b/s a problem has not been identified. It is
used to determine the best research design data
used to determine the best research design, data
collection method and selection of subjects.
3. Descriptive research: These are more concerned with
facts.
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Types of Research
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact‐finding
enquiries of different kinds.
Descriptive research involves a variety of research
methods to achieve its goal. The methods that come
under descriptive research are:
Surveys,
Correlation studies,
Observation studies,
Case studies
50
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Types of Research
Survey
Surveys gather data at a particular point in time with the
intention of describing the nature of existing conditions, or
identifying standards against which existing conditions can be
compared, or determining the relationships that exist between
specific events.
p
• gathers data on a one‐shot basis and hence is economical and
efficient;
• represents a wide target population
• generates numerical data;
• provides descriptive, inferential and explanatory information;
pro ides descripti e inferential and e planator information
• manipulates key factors and variables to derive frequencies;
p y p
and presents material which is uncluttered by specific
contextual factors
51
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Types of Research
Surveys can be distinguished as cross‐sectional and
longitudinal. Longitudinal surveys can further be classified
as trend studies cohort studies and panel studies
as trend studies, cohort studies and panel studies
Correlational studies
Correlational studies trace relationships among two or
more variables in order to gain greater situational insight.
The purpose of correlational studies is not to establish
cause‐effect
cause effect relationship among variables but to
relationship among variables but to
determine whether the variables under study have some
kind of association or not.
52
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Types of Research
Observation Studies
involve observing and recording of behavior or trait or
attribute as it occurs in its natural settings Features of
attribute as it occurs in its natural settings. Features of
observational study:
• noninterference.
• detection of invariants, or behavior patterns or other
phenomena that exist in the real world.
• useful when we know little or nothing about a certain
f l h k li l hi b i
subject.
• is basically descriptive. Though it can provide a
is basically descriptive. Though it can provide a
somewhat detailed description, it cannot explain why
the phenomenon occurred.
53
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Types of Research
Case Studies
• Case studies emphasize detailed contextual analysis
of a limited number of events or conditions and their
relationships.
• They are largely descriptive examinations, usually of
a small number of sites (factories, hospitals, small
t
towns, schools).
h l)
• Case studies can provide very engaging, rich
explorations of a project or application as it develops
explorations of a project or application as it develops
in a real‐world setting.
54
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Types of Research
• In terms of the type of data to be generated,
research can be classified as primary and secondary
research.
• Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research is
that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is
generally used by philosophers and thinkers to
ll d b hil h d thi k t
develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
Empirical research relies on experience or
Empirical research relies on experience or
observation alone, often without due regard for
system and theory
55
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Summary
• There are different ways of classifying research. As illustration,
in this module research is classified based on goal of
research, specific objectives of research, approaches of
research, designs, the type of data used in research, and
h d i th t fd t di h d
fields of study.
• In terms of goals, research is divided into basic and applied
research.
h
• In terms of specific objectives, research is divided into
descriptive, explanatory, and exploratory research.
• In terms of approach, research is divided into qualitative and
I f h h i di id d i li i d
quantitative research.
• In terms of design, research is divided into experimental,
quasi‐experimental, and non experimental research.
i i t l d i t l h
• In terms of the type of data to be generated, research can be
classified as primary and secondary research.
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Summary
• In terms of fields of study, research can be classified as
natural science, social science, health science,
engineering behavioral science etc
engineering, behavioral science, etc.
• The aim of basic research is the advancement of
knowledge and involves rigorous and structured type of
analysis.
• Applied scientific research can be about finding out the
answer to a specific problem.
answer to a specific problem.
• Descriptive research sets out to describe and to
interpret what is.
• Explanatory research, aims at establishing the cause and
effect relationship between variables.
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Summary
• Exploratory research focuses on gaining background
information and helps to better understand and clarify a
problem.
problem
• The methods that come under descriptive research are:
surveys, correlation studies, observation studies, and case
studies.
• There are two types of explanatory research: experimental
research and ex post facto research
research and ex post facto research
• Qualitative and quantitative approaches differ in terms of
the nature of reality, relationship of the researcher to the
research participants, the possibility of generalizations, the
possibility of causal linkage, and in terms of the role of
values in research
values in research.
58
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Summary
Another Classification
• Adhoc research: Adhoc research is the class of inquiry used
f
for a purpose alone and special.
l d i l
• Empirical research: Empirical research is that which depends
upon the experience or observation of phenomena and
p p p
events.
• Explained research: Explained research is that which is based
on a theory.
h
• Boarder line research: Boarder line research is that which
involves those main two branches or are as of science. For
involves those main two branches or are as of science. For
example study of public school finance
59
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Types of Research ‐ Engineering
Typical to Engineering researches
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Engineering‐The Mind‐Set
• ‘Can do’ – Make it work, somehow
• Theory‐Based; but scientific method, and even
Th B d b t i tifi th d d
method, are a constraint, not the driver
• Possibly architected first, but quite
P ibl hi d fi b i
possibly just iterative experimentation
• If it works, explain / rationalise it later
• You have to live with the consequences,
so build in controls and safety margins
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Engineering Research Techniques
g g q
• Construction of an Artefact
– C
Conception (based on a body of theory)
i (b d b d f h )
– Design / Creation / Prototyping /
D
Demonstration / ‘Proof of Concept’
t ti / ‘P f f C t’
– Metrication of Artefact Usage
• Destruction of an Artefact
– Testingg
– Application
62
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Artefact Types
• Hardware (perhaps with embedded
software)
• Systems Software
• Application Software
• A Symbolic / Mathematical Model
y /
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Types of Testing and of Test Data
• IIn Use
U
• In a Real‐Life Setting
• In a Laboratory, but by Users
• In a Laboratory, by Proxies
y, y
• In an e‐Laboratory, by Simulation
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Simulation
• Creation of a model of a real‐world system
(probably symbolic, possibly iconic)
(probably symbolic, possibly iconic)
(probably highly selective, and much‐
simplified)
• Experimentation with inputs, in order to
gain insights into the patterns of behaviour
of outputs under various circumstances
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Symbolic / Mathematical Models
• Analytically Soluble Models
– Deterministic Mathematical Models
Deterministic Mathematical Models
– Probabilistic / Statistical Models
• Numerically ‘Soluble’ Process Models
– Simulation Based on ‘Real Data’
– Simulation Based on Imagined Data
– Monte Carlo Simulation:
Monte Carlo Simulation:
• sample from input distributions
• infer distributions of outputs
66
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Simulation
Input 1
O
Output 1
Simulation
Model
Input 2
Output 2
Input 3

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Introduction

One is ready to learn

One is ready to explore

One is ready to create

“…the systematic process of collecting

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