IE761 - Part I

IE761: Research Methods
Part I: Introduction
Dr. Sameer Al-Dahidi

Associate Professor, Exchange Coordinator
Mechanical and Maintenance Engineering Department
German Jordanian University
First Semester 2022/2023
IE761 Course description in the your Study Plan
• Qualitative and quantitative Research Methodologies.

• How to plan and write a research proposal.
• Practical strategies for literature review.
• APA and IEEE style guidelines.
• Presenting research results and conclusions.
IE761 Course Tree Plan
IE761
Part I Part III Part IV

Part II Part V
An Conference/Journ Writing/Presenting
How to read a Paper? Miscellaneous
Introduction al Publications Technical Papers
3
IE761

Part II Part V
• Meaning of Research
• Objectives of Research
• Motivations in Research
• Types of Research
• Research Approaches
• Research Method vs. Methodology
• Research Process
• Criteria of Good Research
4
IE761

Part II Part V
• How to read a Research Paper? (Steps to effectively read a paper)
5
IE761

Part II Part V
• Conferences and Journals Publishers and Publications

• How to Measure Research Effectiveness?
• How to Evaluate Research Impact of Journals?
• Peer Review Process
6
IE761

Part II Part V
• How to write a Technical Paper? (Technical Writing, Paper Contents, etc.)

• Practical Strategies of Literature Review
• Citations Guidelines (APA and IEEE)
• How to Present your Technical Paper?

• Presentations Evaluations
7
IE761

Part II Part V
• How to plan and write a Research Proposal? [very important]
• Professional ethics
• Collaborative Research
• Intellectual Property (IP)
• Plagiarism Student Guidance
• Engineering Statistics
8
IE761 Lectures (Time Table)
• Start on Sunday 9th October 2022 from 05.00 PM – 06.00 PM (1 teaching hour)
• Then, continue bi-weekly on Sundays starting on 16th October 2022 and ending on
15th October 2023 from 05.00 PM – 07.00 PM (2 hours/week x 8 weeks = 16
teaching hours)
• The end of the lectures is scheduled for 22nd January 2023 (Research Proposals'
Presentations)
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Expectations[1]
• We will spend the weeks in learning a lot about research;
• We will learn about best practices and useful advises;
• We will try to inspire and motivate ourselves;
• We will create a foundation for the quest of knowledge and innovations;
• Participate actively and learn through practice.
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Disclaimers[1]
• No one-size-fits-all;
• No recipe for success;
• No clear success or failures defined;
• Not for every one;
• Nothing to be glorified;
• Some advises may not fit individual needs;
• It is not one-or-the-other;
• Quest for learning may trade-off other activities.
11
IE761

Part II Part V
• Meaning of Research
• Objectives of Research
• Motivations in Research
• Types of Research
• Research Approaches
• Research Method vs. Methodology
• Research Process
• Criteria of Good Research
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Meaning of research[2]
• Research in common language refers to a search for knowledge.
• Once can also define Research as a scientific and systematic search for
relevant information on a specific topic.
• Research is an art of scientific investigation.
• Research is a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for

new facts in any branch of knowledge. (Advanced Learner’s Dictionary)
• Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge. (Redman and

Mory)
• Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the

known to the unknown.
• Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of

knowledge making for its advancement. It is the follow up of truth with the
help of study, observation, comparison and experiment.
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• Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used in

a technical sense.
• Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating

hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and
evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and
at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit
the formulating hypothesis.
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• In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic

method of finding solution to a problem is research.
• The systematic approach concerning generalization and the formulation

of a theory is also research.
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• Research is “a scientific process of inquiry and/or experimentation that

involves purposeful, systematic and rigorous collection of data. Analysis
and interpretation of the data are then made in order to gain new
knowledge or add to existing knowledge. Research has the ultimate of
developing an organized body of scientific knowledge” (Dempsey and
Dempsey, 1992, page 4).
• A systematic approach for research problem definition, data collection,

summarization, analysis, reporting & presentation.
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What is Research? [1]
Culture
• Research is a culture – to be practice through continual quest for innovation.
Attitude
• Needs hard work, dedication, perseverance, and an appropriate attitude.
Motivation
• Research planning can not and should not follow “scheduled” or “time sensing”
approaches.
Dignity
• Not everyone has to do research and it should not be pursued for glorification.
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Objectives of Research[2]
• The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the

application of scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find
out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
we may think of research objectives as falling into a number of following
broad groupings:
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into

it (studies with this object in view are termed as exploratory or
formulative research studies);
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broad groupings:

• To describe accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group (studies with this object in view are known as
descriptive research studies);
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broad groupings:

• To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with
which it is associated with something else (studies with this object in
view are known as diagnostic research studies);
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broad groupings:

• To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with
which it is associated with something else (studies with this object in
view are known as diagnostic research studies);
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such
studies are known as hypothesis-testing research studies).
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Motivations in Research[2]
• What makes people to undertake research? This is a question of

fundamental importance. The possible motives for doing research may be
either one or more of the following:
• Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;

• Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e.,
concern over practical problems initiates research;
• Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;
• Desire to be of service to society;
• Desire to get respectability.
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Motivations in Research[2,3]
• However, this is not an exhaustive list of factors motivating people to

undertake research studies. Many more factors such as:
• directives of government,
• employment conditions,
• curiosity about new things,
• desire to understand causal relationships, social thinking and
awakening, and the like may as well motivate (or at times compel)
people to perform research operations.
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Points to Remember …[1]
Research can not be taught or improvised.
It does not follow an “on-off” model.
Continuous nourishment is essential.
There is no one-size-fits-all model.
Research dictates its own pace and direction – should not be imposed upon.
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What do researchers Use? [2,3]
• The followings are considered to be the basic tools of the researcher:

• library and information resources;
• measurement techniques;
• statistics; and
• Facility with language.
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Types of Research [4]
Why do we have different and various types of Research methods?
Research Problem
Logic of Research
Type of Research Design
Research Methodology
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Types of Research [4]
Why do we have different and various types of Research methods?
There are different types of Research, they are 14 headings as follows:
1. Basic vs. Applied

2. Fixed vs. Flexible
3. Qualitative vs. Quantitative
4. Experimental vs. Non-Experimental
5. Exploratory Vs. Confirmatory
6. Explanatory or Causal research
7. Descriptive Research
8. Evaluation Research
9. Historical Research
10. Ex Post Facto Research
11. Formative Vs. Summative
12. Diagnostics Research
13. Prognostics Research
14. Action Research
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Basic Vs. Applied [4]
• Basic or Fundamental or Pure – New Knowledge – why, what, where,

how – advancement of theory – single discipline – in technical language.
• Applied – solve specific problem – solve immediate problem for

betterment – in common language.
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Fixed Vs. Flexible [4]
• Fixed – Design is fixed, theory driven, measured quantitatively.
• Flexible – more freedom for data collection – qualitative.
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Quantitative Vs. Qualitative [4]
• Quantitative – collection and analysis of data – from questionnaire,

survey (assume world to be stable so can be measured) – deductive
(logic).
• Qualitative – Non numeric – like observation, interview (since

perspective of people differs) – narrative description and field focused –
inductive.
Deduction
Theory
Patterns Hypothesis
Observations
data
Induction
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Quantitative Vs. Qualitative [5]
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Experimental Vs. Non Experimental [4]
• Experimental – cause effect relationship, control gp and experimental gp

(can include pilot study), manipulate IV, effect of changing IV on DV, start
with hypothesis, control of extraneous variable is important to control
experiment – physical, selective, statistical.
• Experimental research is primarily concerned with cause and effect;
• Researchers identify the variables of interest, and try to determine if
changes in one variable (called the independent variable, or cause)
result in changes in another (called the dependent variable, or
effect).
Example
Assume that a new pharmaceutical company is going to produce a new drug
to the market and you would like to study its affect on the ages from 5-15
years old.
• Non experimental – Use theories and reasoning, has wide scope:

• Exploratory
• Descriptive
• Historical
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Exploratory Vs. Confirmatory [4]
• Exploratory – explore possibility of doing research where due to paucity

of knowledge, hypothesis testing is difficult – has higher level of
uncertainty and ignorance of subject, easier to make new discoveries –
less tough – case study.
• It generates a posteriori hypothesis by examining a dataset and looking

for potential relations between variables.
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• A common reason for conducting exploratory research is to test product

concepts before they are put in the marketplace. In concept testing,
consumers are provided either with a written concept or a prototype for a
new, revised or repositioned product, service or strategy.
• The results of exploratory research are not usually useful for decision-
making by themselves, but they can provide significant insight into a
given situation.
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• Categories of Exploratory Research:
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• Confirmatory – test a priori hypothesis – outcome predictions that are

made before the measurement phase begins. Are usually derived from a
theory of the results of previous studies.
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Explanatory or Causal Research [4]
• Explains cause effect relationship.

• Idea is to understand does a change in X cause a change in Y?
• It can employ statistical method or experimental method.
• It is a conclusive research – determine relation between causal variable
and effect predicted.
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Descriptive research [4,6]
• Only WHY and WHAT – not deals with HOW (what are the benefits of
multimedia textbooks as composed to print textbooks not interested in
how things are working?).
• Descriptive research may be used when the object of the research is very
complex.
• More structured than exploratory
• Static – single phenomena
• Dynamic – cross sectional or longitudinal
• It includes:
• Survey studies (assess characteristics of whole population)
• Interrelationship studies (relationship among data (case studies,
causal comparative, correlational)
• Developmental studies (changes as a function of time e.g., growth,
trend, model development)
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Descriptive research [4]
• Descriptive or 'case-study' research is research in which a specific

situation is studied either to see if it gives rise to any general theories, or
to see if existing general theories are borne out by the specific situation.
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Descriptive research [5]
• Categories of Descriptive Research:
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Historical Research [4]
• Examine past events.

• It is more Qualitative
• Primary source – relic, remain, artifacts.
• Secondary source – textbook, newspaper, periodicals.
• Criticism – external (truth of source) and internal (based on accuracy and
competence of writer)
• Studies of the past to find cause-effect patterns are known as historical

research. It is often geared towards using past events to examine a
current situation and to predict future situations
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Ex Post Facto Research [4]
• Ex post facto means 'from after the fact', and this type of research
typically occurs when data are available that could not be generated by
experimental research.
• Studies what researcher cannot alter (can not make a person overweight
for studying its effect on behavior)
Example
Tsunami has been occurred and you would like to study its impact on the
people in that area.
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Correlational Research [4]
• Correlation between variables b/w variables.

• It is quantitative
• Range -1 to 0 to 1
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Diagnostics Research [4]
• Find the cause

• Emergence of problem → diagnosis and solution
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Prognostics Research [4]
• Find relation b/w variables and outcome

• Find course of action
• Early detection
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Action Research [4]
• It solves immediate problem, carried out by actors (main people)
• Led by team – participatory or practical
• It might include observation, interview, filed note, survey, or questionnaire.
• As an example, if a company had a problem with absenteeism, then the

steps in action research would be as follows:
• The researcher would gather comprehensive data about both the
specific problem (from the company) and the general topic (from a
literature study).
• The researcher and the stakeholders would agree on some
recommendations, and these would be implemented by the
company.
• After a suitable time-period, the researcher would make pre-agreed
measurements to determine the effectiveness of the changes.
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Research Design [2]
• The research design provides a conceptual framework for the study that
guides data collection and data analysis.
• “The logic that links data to be collected and the conclusions to be drawn to
the initial questions of the study.” Yin (2003a).
• “A plan for assembling, organizing and interpreting information and it results

in a specific product.” Yin (2003a).
• Questions for carrying out a successful research: what questions to study,

what data are relevant, what data to collect and how to analyze the results.
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Research Methodology [2]
• Research methodology is the method and procedural framework

within which the research is conducted, Cooper and Schindler (2003).
• It describes an approach to a problem that can be put into practice in

a research process, which could be formally defined as an operational
framework within which facts are placed so that their meaning may be
seen more clearly.
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Research Approaches [7]
• The above description of the types of research brings to light the fact that there
are two basic approaches to research:
• Observations
Qualitative • Interviews
• Focus groups
• Surveys
How, Why, What, Who, and When?
Understand the nature or quality of a phenomenon
• Interventional
• Observational
Quantitative
How Much?
Understand the magnitude of occurrences, associations, etc.
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Qualitative Research Approach [5]
• Qualitative management research provides an understanding of how or why

things are as they are.
• For example, a Management Researcher may stop a consumer who has

purchased a particular type of bread and ask him or her why that type of bread
was chosen.
• Types of qualitative market research methodologies between researcher

(moderator) and respondents (study targets) include face-to-face, one-to-one,
focus groups, online discussions, etc.
• More recently, it is being seen as a supplement to quantitative research and as a

direct result has grown in importance in the field of management research.
• Examples?
50
Quantitative Research Approach [5]
• Quantitative management research is numerically oriented, requires significant

attention to the measurement of market phenomena and often involves statistical
analysis.
• Perhaps the most common quantitative technique is the ‘market research survey’
where every respondent is asked the same series of questions.
• Quantitative market research surveys can be conducted by using post (self-

completion), face-to-face (in-street or in-home), telephone, email or web
techniques.
• For example, a bank might ask its customers to rate its overall service as
excellent, good, poor or very poor.
• Quantitative data are data which can be sorted, classified, measured in a strictly
‘objective’ way.
• Quantitative methods are much more objective than qualitative methods.
• Examples? 51
Examples [5]
• A firm wants to produce and market a new product but first wants to ascertain if
there is a potential consumer demand for this product in the market.
• How does motivation affect employee performance?
• Should Corporation X adopt a paperless office environment?
• A government agency wants to ascertain the satisfaction level of its employees,

the causes for any possible discontent, and propose a scheme for enhancing this
level.
• A financial institution wants to invest in commodities and commissions a study

to determine the past trends and forecast future returns in a portfolio of
commodities
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Comparisons [5]
53
Comparisons [5]
54
Comparisons [5]
55
Comparisons [5]
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Triangulation as an Approach [5]
• In practice, both quantitative and qualitative approaches are frequently

appropriate within a single investigation/study. It is up to the researcher to
choose specific methodologies that will permit a clear understanding of the topic
to emerge.
• Triangulation is mainly defined as “the combination of methodologies in the

study of the same phenomenon” (Denzin, 1978).
• The basic premise of triangulation is that the particular limitations of a given

method will be compensated by the counter balancing strength of another
(Brannen, 1992).
• Triangulation can improve external and internal validity as a combination of

separate research methods in one study assists to counter the trade-offs inherent
in others (Denzin, 1978).
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Research Method vs. Methodology [2]
• Research Methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that are

used for conduction of research. Research methods or techniques*, thus, refer to
the methods the researchers use in performing research operations.
• In other words, all those methods which are used by the researcher during the
course of studying his research problem are termed as research methods.
• Since the object of research, particularly the applied research, it to arrive at a
solution for a given problem, the available data and the unknown aspects of the
problem have to be related to each other to make a solution possible.
• Keeping this in view, research methods can be put into the following three
groups:
1. 1st group includes all those methods which are concerned with the
collection of data. These methods will be used where the data already
available are not sufficient to arrive at the required solution;
2. 2nd group consists of those statistical techniques which are used for
establishing relationships between the data and the unknowns;
3. 3rd group consists of those methods which are used to evaluate the accuracy
of the results obtained.
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• *At times, a distinction is also made between research techniques and research
methods. Research techniques refer to the behaviour and instruments we use in
performing research operations such as making observations, recording data,
techniques of processing data and the like. Research methods refer to the
behaviour and instruments used in selecting and constructing research technique.
• From what has been stated above, we can say that methods are more general. It is
the methods that generate techniques. However, in practice, the two terms are
taken as interchangeable and when we talk of research methods we do, by
implication, include research techniques within their compass
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• Research Methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem.
• It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically.

In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in
studying his research problem along with the logic behind them.
• It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the research

methods/techniques but also the methodology.
• Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain indices or tests, how
to calculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standard deviation or chi-
square, how to apply particular research techniques, but they also need to know
which of these methods or techniques, are relevant and which are not, and what
would they mean and indicate and why.
• Researchers also need to understand the assumptions underlying various

techniques and they need to know the criteria by which they can decide that
certain techniques and procedures will be applicable to certain problems and
others will not.
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• All this means that it is necessary for the researcher to design his methodology
for his problem as the same may differ from problem to problem.
• For example, an architect, who designs a building, has to consciously evaluate

the basis of his decisions, i.e., he has to evaluate why and on what basis he
selects particular size, number and location of doors, windows and ventilators,
uses particular materials and not others and the like. Similarly, in research the
scientist has to expose the research decisions to evaluation before they are
implemented. He has to specify very clearly and precisely what decisions he
selects and why he selects them so that they can be evaluated by others also.
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Importance of knowing how Research is done [2]
1. The knowledge of methodology provides good training specially to the new

research worker and enables him to do better research;
2. Knowledge of how to do research will develop the ability to evaluate and use
research results with reasonable confidence;
3. The knowledge of research methodology provides tools to took at things in life

objectively;
4. The knowledge of methodology helps the consumer of research results to

evaluate them and enables him to take rational decisions.
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Research Process[1]
• Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively

carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps. Generally, the
essential components of carrying out the research are:
Identifying Defining
Solution Validations Writing Presenting
Topic Problem
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Research Process[2]
• Specifically, this Figure shows the steps of carrying out a research

effectively:
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Research Process[2]
• The following order concerning various steps provides a useful procedural

guideline:
1. Formulating the research problem

2. Extensive literature survey
3. Developing the hypothesis
4. Preparing the research design
5. Collecting the data
6. Execution of the project
7. Analysis of data
8. Hypothesis testing
9. Generalizations and interpretation
10. Preparation of the report or presentation of the results
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1. Formulating the research problem [2]
• Two types of research problems, those are:

1. which relate to states of nature and those which relate to relationships
between variables;
2. the researcher must single out the problem he wants to study, i.e., he must
decide the general area of interest or aspect of a subject-matter that he
would like to inquire into.
• Initially the problem may be stated in a broad general way and then the
ambiguities, if any, relating to the problem be resolved. Then, the feasibility of a
particular solution has to be considered before a working formulation of the
problem can be set up. The formulation of a general topic into a specific
research problem, thus, constitutes the first step in a scientific enquiry.
Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the research problem:
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A. understanding the problem thoroughly, and rephrasing the same into meaningful
terms from an analytical point of view.
B. The best way of understanding the problem is to discuss it with one’s own
colleagues or with those having some expertise in the matter. In an academic
institution the researcher can seek the help from a guide who is usually an
experienced man and has several research problems in mind.
• Two types of literature:
A. the conceptual literature concerning the concepts and theories, and

B. the empirical literature consisting of studies made earlier which are similar to
the one proposed.
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Sources of Research Problems [2]
• Prior Research: Studies of previous research will often suggest useful new
research problems.
• Needs: Applied research often arises from the specific needs of industries,
institutions and even countries.
• New Opportunities: New practical and theoretical breakthroughs often open the
door to new research on how these breakthroughs can be used.
• Intellectual Curiosity: Some of the greatest research has resulted from

someone simply sitting down and asking 'Why?' or 'How?' about something.
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• After this the researcher rephrases the problem into analytical or operational
terms i.e., to put the problem in as specific terms as possible. This task of
formulating, or defining, a research problem is a step of greatest importance in
the entire research process. The problem to be investigated must be defined
unambiguously for that will help discriminating relevant data from irrelevant
ones. Care must, however, be taken to verify the objectivity and validity of the
background facts concerning the problem.
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2. Extensive literature survey [2]
• Once the problem is formulated, a brief summary of it should be written down. It

is compulsory for a research worker writing a thesis for a Ph.D. degree to write a
summary of the topic and submit it to the necessary committee or the Research
Board for approval.
• the researcher should undertake extensive literature survey connected with the
problem. For this purpose, the abstracting and indexing journals and published or
unpublished bibliographies are the first place to go to.
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3. Developing the hypothesis [2]
• After extensive literature survey, researcher should state in clear terms the
working hypothesis or hypotheses. Working hypothesis is tentative assumption
made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences.
• Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand
because it has to be tested. The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher
by delimiting the area of research and to keep him on the right track.
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3. Developing the hypothesis [2]
• How does one go about developing working hypotheses?
(a) Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin and
the objectives in seeking a solution;
(b) Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for
possible trends, peculiarities and other clues;
(c) Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems;
and
(d) Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews
on a limited scale with interested parties and individuals with a view to
secure greater insight into the practical aspects of the problem.
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4. Preparing the research design [2]
• The research problem having been formulated in clear cut terms, the researcher
will be required to prepare a research design,
• The preparation of such a design facilitates research to be as efficient as possible

yielding maximal information.
• There are several research designs as covered earlier.
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4. Preparing the research design [2]
• The preparation of the research design, appropriate for a particular research

problem, involves usually the consideration of the following:
(i) the means of obtaining the information;

(ii) the availability and skills of the researcher and his staff (if any);
(iii) explanation of the way in which selected means of obtaining information will
be organised and the reasoning leading to the selection;
(iv) the time available for research; and
(v) the cost factor relating to research, i.e., the finance available for the purpose.
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5. Collecting the data [2]
• There are several ways of collecting the appropriate data.
o Primary data can be collected either through experiment or through survey. If the
researcher conducts an experiment, he observes some quantitative measurements,
o In the case of a survey, data can be collected by any one or more of the
following ways:
❑ By observation: This method implies the collection of information by way of
investigator’s own observation, without interviewing the respondents.
❑ Through personal interview
❑ Through telephone interviews
❑ By mailing of questionnaires
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6. Execution of the project [2]
• Execution of the project is a very important step in the research process. If the
execution of the project proceeds on correct lines, the data to be collected would
be adequate and dependable. The researcher should see that the project is
executed in a systematic manner and in time.
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7. Analysis of data [2]
• The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations such as

establishment of categories, the application of these categories to raw data
through coding, tabulation and then drawing statistical inferences.
• With coding the stage is ready for tabulation. Tabulation is a part of the technical
procedure wherein the classified data are put in the form of tables. The
mechanical devices can be made use of at this juncture. A great deal of data,
specially in large inquiries, is tabulated by computers. Computers not only save
time but also make it possible to study large number of variables affecting a
problem simultaneously.
• Thus, researcher should classify the raw data into some purposeful and usable
categories. Coding operation is usually done at this stage through which the
categories of data are transformed into symbols that may be tabulated and
counted. Editing is the procedure that improves the quality of the data for coding.
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8. Hypothesis testing [2]
• After analyzing the data as stated previously, the researcher is in a position to test
the hypotheses, if any, he had formulated earlier. Do the facts support the
hypotheses or they happen to be contrary? This is the usual question which
should be answered while testing hypotheses. Various tests, such as Chi square
test, t-test, F-test, have been developed by statisticians for the purpose.
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9. Generalizations and interpretation [2]
• If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, it may be possible for the
researcher to arrive at generalization,
• The process of interpretation may quite often trigger off new questions which in
turn may lead to further researches.
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10. Preparation of the report or presentation of the results [2]
• Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by him.
Writing of report must be done with great care keeping in view the following:
• The layout of the report should be as follows: (i) the preliminary pages; (ii)
the main text, and (iii) the end matter.
• In its preliminary pages the report should carry title and date followed by
acknowledgements and foreword. Then there should be a table of contents
followed by a list of tables and list of graphs and charts, if any, given in the
report.
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• The main text of the report should have the following parts:
(a) Introduction: It should contain a clear statement of the objective of the research
and an explanation of the methodology adopted in accomplishing the research.
The scope of the study along with various limitations should as well be stated in
this part.
(b) Summary of findings: After introduction there would appear a statement of

findings and recommendations in non-technical language. If the findings are
extensive, they should be summarized.
(c) Main report: The main body of the report should be presented in logical
sequence and broken-down into readily identifiable sections.
(d) Conclusion: Towards the end of the main text, researcher should again put down
the results of his research clearly and precisely. In fact, it is the final summing
up.
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• At the end of the report, appendices should be enlisted in respect of all technical
data. Bibliography, i.e., list of books, journals, reports, etc., consulted, should
also be given in the end. Index should also be given specially in a published
research report.
• Report should be written in a concise and objective style in simple language

avoiding vague expressions such as ‘it seems,’ ‘there may be’, and the like.
• Charts and illustrations in the main report should be used only if they present the
information more clearly and forcibly.
• Calculated ‘confidence limits’ must be mentioned and the various constraints

experienced in conducting research operations may as well be stated.
82
Criteria of Good Research [2,3]
One expects scientific research to satisfy the following criteria:
1. The purpose of the research should be clear;
83

2. The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to permit
another researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the
continuity of what has already been attained.
84

3. The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield
results that are as objective as possible.
85

4. The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural
design and estimate their effects upon the findings.
86

5. The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance
and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and
reliability of the data should be checked carefully.
87

6. Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and
limited to those for which the data provide an adequate basis.
88

6. Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and
limited to those for which the data provide an adequate basis.
7. Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has
a good reputation in research and is a person of integrity.
89
we can state the qualities of a good research as under:
1. Good research is systematic: It means that research is structured with

specified steps to be taken in a specified sequence in accordance with the well
defined set of rules. Systematic characteristic of the research does not rule out
creative thinking but it certainly does reject the use of guessing and intuition in
arriving at conclusions.
90

2. Good research is logical: This implies that research is guided by the rules of
logical reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction are of great
value in carrying out research.
91

3. Good research is empirical: It implies that research is related basically to one
or more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a
basis for external validity to research results.
92

3. Good research is empirical: It implies that research is related basically to one
or more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a
basis for external validity to research results.
4. Good research is replicable: This characteristic allows research results to be
verified by replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for
decisions.
93
References
This presentation has been prepared by Dr. Sameer Al-Dahidi. It is a collection of

information adopted/adapted from the following References:
[1] C. Fugin, Research Methodology (MiniCourse). YouTube Channel. Accessed in

October 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IJscfF_irU&t=2438s
[2] C.R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. 2nd edition, New Age
International (P) Ltd.: New Delhi, 2004. (Text Book)
[3] B. Qawasmeh, Research Methodologies Course. M.Sc. Program, University of Jordan,
2019.
[4] J. Manishika, Research Methodology (Part 2 of 3): 14 Types of Research Methods -
Where to Apply?. YouTube Channel. Accessed in October 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=research+methods+and+techniques
[5] R. Alaomar, Research Methods Course. M.Sc. Program, 2019.
[6] A. Bhat, Cross-Sectional Study Vs Longitudinal Study. Webpage. Accessed in October
2019. https://www.questionpro.com/blog/cross-sectional-study-vs-longitudinal-study/
[7] G. Martin, Research Methods - Introduction. YouTube Channel. Accessed in October
2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDjS20kic54
94
Acknowledgment
Special thanks to Dr. Bashar Qawasmeh (Mechanical Engineering

Department, University of Jordan (JU)) and Dr. Raid Alaomar (Industrial
Engineering Department, German Jordanian University) for sharing their
presentations in Research Methodologies/Methods M.Sc. Courses.
95
Thank You
Dr. Sameer Al-Dahidi
Associate Professor, Exchange Coordinator
Mechanical and Maintenance Engineering Department
GJU
sameer.aldahidi@gju.edu.jo

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IE761: Research Methods

Dr. Sameer Al-Dahidi

• Qualitative and quantitative Research Methodologies.

Part I Part III Part IV

Part I Part III Part IV

Part I Part III Part IV

• How to read a Research Paper? (Steps to effectively read a paper)

Part I Part III Part IV

• Conferences and Journals Publishers and Publications

Part I Part III Part IV

• How to write a Technical Paper? (Technical Writing, Paper Contents, etc.)

• How to Present your Technical Paper?

Part I Part III Part IV

• How to plan and write a Research Proposal? [very important]

• We will spend the weeks in learning a lot about research;

• We will learn about best practices and useful advises;

• We will try to inspire and motivate ourselves;

• We will create a foundation for the quest of knowledge and innovations;

• Participate actively and learn through practice.

• No recipe for success;

• No clear success or failures defined;

• Not for every one;

• Some advises may not fit individual needs;

• Quest for learning may trade-off other activities.

Part I Part III Part IV

• Research in common language refers to a search for knowledge.

• Research is an art of scientific investigation.

• Research is a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for

• Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge. (Redman and

• Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the

• Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of

• Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be used in

• Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating

• In short, the search for knowledge through objective and systematic

• The systematic approach concerning generalization and the formulation

• Research is “a scientific process of inquiry and/or experimentation that

• A systematic approach for research problem definition, data collection,

• The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the

• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into

• The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the

• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into

• The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the

• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into

• The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the

• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into

• What makes people to undertake research? This is a question of

• Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;

• However, this is not an exhaustive list of factors motivating people to

Research can not be taught or improvised.

It does not follow an “on-off” model.

Continuous nourishment is essential.

There is no one-size-fits-all model.

• The followings are considered to be the basic tools of the researcher:

Why do we have different and various types of Research methods?

Type of Research Design

Why do we have different and various types of Research methods?

There are different types of Research, they are 14 headings as follows:

1. Basic vs. Applied

• Basic or Fundamental or Pure – New Knowledge – why, what, where,

• Applied – solve specific problem – solve immediate problem for

• Fixed – Design is fixed, theory driven, measured quantitatively.

• Flexible – more freedom for data collection – qualitative.

• Quantitative – collection and analysis of data – from questionnaire,

• Qualitative – Non numeric – like observation, interview (since