ECC 563

TOPIC 2
Understanding the Research
Process
SUB TOPICS
• Part A: Research process for experimental research
(any model)
1. Steps in planning an experimental research study
2. Steps in conducting an experimental research study

• Part B: Research process for social science

(An eight-step model/any other models)
1. Steps in planning a social science research study
2. Steps in conducting a social science study
PART A: Research process for experimental research
(Any model)
Steps in planning an experimental research study
Step 1: Formulating a research problem
Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design
Step 3: Constructing instrumentation, experimental set-up,
testing procedures and data collection
Step 4: Writing a research proposal

Steps in conducting an experimental research study

Step 5: Collecting experimental results/observation
Step 6: Processing data
Step 7: Writing a research report
 PLANNING
Identification types of
Literature review
materials/ equipment/
procedure

(EXPERIMENTAL STUDY)

Material Preparation Examination

properties of samples of properties

OR
Construction of
Examination of
DATA COLLECTION

Seismic test specimens,

Structural test setup performance
performance

OR
(ANALYTICAL STUDY)

(Finite Element Modelling Fragility

Analysis) specimen in FEM Assessment
software

Analysis data /
processing data

Documentation / writing
research report

Figure 1: Flowchart on Experimental Research

Figure 2: Flowchart on Experimental Research
 PART B: Research process for social science
(An eight-step model/any other models)
Steps in planning a social science research study
Step 1: formulating a research problem
Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design
Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data collection
Step 4: Selecting a sample
Step 5: Writing a research proposal

Steps in conducting a social science study

Step 6: Collecting data
Step 7: Processing data
Step 8: Writing a research report
 START

STEP 1 Output 1. Awareness

Literature review 2. Factor
Establish research direction 3. Driver
Establish research methodology 4. Challenges
Initiation Stage 5. Competitive Strategy

STEP 2
Population/sampling frame
Determine the respondents
Input

Purposive sample STEP 3

35 experts consists Develop questionnaire
of 5 academicians, 2
CIDB officers, 28
Malaysian No: α < 0.6
contractors Van et al.
(2000)
STEP 4
Pilot study analysis via Rasch
Data Collection Model

Yes: α ≥ 0.6 Van et al. (2000)

Framework based on

1. Awareness STEP 5 Purposive sample

2. Factor Data collection via questionnaire survey 112 international
3. Driver Malaysian
4. Challenges Output contractors
5. Competitive STEP 6
Strategy Data analysis via Rasch Model

STEP 7
Develop framework via PLS-SEM

STEP 8
Validate framework

Purposive sample
5 of local
Reporting Stage international
contractors involved
STEP 9 in expert focus group
Report thesis interview

FINISH

Figure 3: Flowchart on Social Science Research