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Summary of Course Structure

1. Introduction to Research (4 hours)
MNG 709.3 2. Reviewing literature (4 hours)

Research Methods
3. Problem definition, theoretical frame work and Hypothesis Formulation (6 hours)
4. Research Design (4 hours)
5. Data types and data collection (5 hours)
6. Source of Transportation data (2 hours)
Course Convenor
7. Transport data in developing countries (6 hours)
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Shrestha 8. Data Analysis (6 hours)
Pradeep.Shrestha@gmail.com 9. Writing the Research Proposal (6 hours)
10. Writing the Research Report (6 hours)
11. Primary and Secondary data (2 hours)

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Format
Learning Outcome
• There will be 15 sessions spanning over 15 weeks including tests
• To know about social research methods
• Classes lectures, presentations from students, discussions and group
• To enable design, apply and evaluate those methods in real life works.
situations
• To understand the appropriate analysis and interpretation and • Grading: (60% internal, 40% Final)
extrapolation of the results • Out of Internal 60%
• Assignment 40 % (spanning over several classes)
• To provide skill that can apply in dissertation work • Final proposal 25 %
• Final internal test 25 %
• Attendance 10 %

• Final Exam will be in similar format as Assignment and Internal Test

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What is Research?
Ch1. Introduction to Research (4 hours)
• What is research, • When was Mr./Ms. X born?
• Types of research,  Google Mr./Ms. X’s Birthday and get answer
• Scientific research process, • New method of highway construction method
 Search the Internet for articles in newspapers and academic journals.
• Characteristics of scientific research,
• Good places to for a day visit at new place
• Ethical issues in research.
 Search Google Maps/travel directory and find a place for visit
• What are the age and sex distributions of students in TEAM?
 Get statistics information from TEAM and find out the distribution

Information gathering activities alone are not research

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Research in any field or discipline … What is Research?

• Attempts to solve a problem
• Searching the new knowledge
• Involves gathering of new data from first hand sources or use existing data
for new purpose
• Investigation of various issues
• Based on observable experiences or empirical evidence Input Problem Process Research Output Solution
• Demand accurate observation
• Find the reality and truth
• Connecting the existing situation with any situation
• Exchange the theoretical into practical way
• Get new conclusion
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What is Research? What is Research?

• The term ‘Research’ consists of two words: • The word “research” originated from the old French word “recerchier”
Research = Re + Search meaning to search and search again.

• It implies repeating a search for something and implicitly assumes that the
earlier search was not exhaustive and complete in the sense that there is still
Person Phenomena Conclusion
scope for improvement.

• Observes • Data • Therefore, Research means search for knowledge.

again & again collection & • Fact finding process
analysis
• The research is a process of which a person observes the phenomena again • Way of thinking, critically examining issues.
and again and collects the data and on the basis of data she draws some • A movement from the known to unknown.
conclusions 9 10

What is Research? Research Focuses on

• A systemic process of collecting and analyzing information on certain issues • Evolving theories, building models and refining methods about people's
and problems in order to draw conclusions based on which effective practices and organizations
decisions may be taken
• A process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our
understanding of a topic or issue. • Continued search for knowledge; building new knowledge or revising the existing
• According to Redman and Mory (1923), defined research is a "systematized knowledge
effort to gain new knowledge".
• According to P.M. Cook, “Research is an honest exhaustive, intelligent
• Looking again and again on the same phenomena with new and different
searching for facts and their meanings or implications with reference to a
given problem. The product or findings of a given piece of research should be perspectives
an authentic, verifiable and contribution to knowledge in the field studied.”
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Characteristics of a Good Research Characteristics of a Good Research

• Purposiveness
• must have a specific and clear purpose, which influence all activities of research
• Clearly stated purpose and objective leads towards desired direction
• Testability
• The findings of the research be testable by using different tools
• If hypothesis cannot be tested then it is not scientific research
• Controlled
• While exploring causality in relation to variables, set up the study such that it that
minimizes the effects of other factors affecting the relationship.
• Easy to achieve in the physical sciences, but difficult in the social sciences
• Systematic
• An investigation follow a certain logical sequence

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Characteristics of a Good Research Characteristics of a Good Research

• Replicability • Rigor
• allows other researchers to test the study’s findings • It shall have a good theory base, carefully thought-out methodology
• using similar method of data collection and analysis method need to yield similar • the systematic procedures or techniques and exact
result
• Confirm the research’s validity and credibility • Precise
• Accuracy and exactness of research
• Objectivity • Higher degree of accuracy makes the research more generalizable
• research should be impartial, free from biases.
• It should attempt to attain objectivity in research method analysis and • Generalizability
interpretation of data • wider applicability of research findings
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Classification of Research Basic Research

• On the perspective of application
• Basic research • Also called Pure or Fundamental Research
• Applied research
• On the perspective of objectives • Basic research is undertaken to extend knowledge and gain
understanding, without concern for its utility.
• Descriptive and Analytical
• Co-relational
• Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake
• Exploratory
• Explanatory
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure
• On the perspective of inquiry mode mathematics
• Qualitative
• Quantitative • Stress distribution in subgrade soils
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Applied Research Quantitative Research

• Also called action research
• Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem
facing a society or an industrial/business organization
• Research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete
social or business problem
• The central aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some
pressing practical problem
• based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
• the variables pertaining to the system or process and their
effect/outcomes are measured and expressed in numbers or
quantity.
• Deals with areas which can be expressed as the numbers
• e.g. Bitumen content and Strength of pavement, travel time
reduction due to improved pavement surface, delay reduction
due to signal optimization

• E.g. Delay reduction at intersection

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Qualitative Research Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

• Concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or Quantitative research
involving quality or kind. Focuses on testing theories and hypotheses
• theory or hypothesis
• why people think or do certain things, what are peoples motive, attitude of Statistical and mathematical analysis
people, opinion of people
Mainly expressed in numbers, graphs and
• specially important in the behavioral sciences tables
Requires many respondents
• E.g. Drivers behavior at zebra crossing, motivation in using pedestrian Closed (multiple choice) questions
crossing, opinion on new expressway Key terms: testing, measurement, objectivity,
replicability
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Qualitative Research
Focuses on exploring ideas and formulating a
Analyze by summarizing, categorizing and
interpreting
Mainly expressed in words
Requires few respondents
Open-ended questions
Key terms: understanding, context,
complexity, subjectivity

Mixed of Qualitative & Quantitative Research Descriptive Research

 Combines and integrates both quantitative and qualitative data
 Analyse both together to answer the question.
 E.g. Alcohol use by drivers and effect
• Descriptive research attempts to describe systematically a situation,
problem, phenomenon, service or program
• Case studies, surveys, observation and fact-findings inquiries of different
kinds.

• the researcher has no control over the variables; s/he can only report what
has happened or what is happening.

• e. g: research about the study of the attitude of traffic police towards

drivers

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Analytical Research Exploratory Research

• Researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze
these to make critical evaluation of the materials.
• Find cause and effect of any problem.
• Exploring relationships or/and aiming for generalizability
• what relationships are there? Why this is happening?
• E.g. Study on less usage of public transport by Females,
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• This research is conducted for not clearly defined problems.
• It helps to determine data collection method, research design and selection of
subjects, hypothesis formulation.
• It depends on reviewing of literature, information collection through informal
discussion with people.
• create hypotheses rather than test them
• focus on groups study where we ask them relevant question on subject and issue
being searched
• E.g. Understanding the emotional factors influencing travel behavior, travel pattern
of youth
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Correlational Research Explanatory Research

• The objective is to find out the interrelationship between several
phenomena
• E.g. the strength of asphalt concrete on replacing the dust by
cement, accelerating/decelerating and carbon dioxide emission,
speed and accident relation, relation between GDP and mode
choice
• Explanatory research is to explain why phenomena occur and to predict
future occurrences.
• Characterized by research hypotheses
• the goal is often to generalize the results
• Data are quantitative and require the use of a statistical test to establish
the validity of the relationships.
• E.g. factors affecting customer satisfaction, relative weight of factors
affecting mode choice, the variables that lead to pavement
deterioration,

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The research process Formulation of Research Problem

 Formulating the research Problem • A process of observing the situation or problem
 Review the existing knowledge base on the issue under study • Problem defining stage
 Hypothesis formulation • Single out problem for the further study
 Research Design • The main function of formulating a research problem is to decide
 Data collection what you want to find out about.
 Analysis and interpretation • Discussion with colleagues, experts, researcher, supervisors etc.
 Formulating theories or Generalization
 Report

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Review of Literatures Formulation of Research Hypothesis

• Researcher carefully study earlier researches • After theoretical framework, researcher develop hypothesis for.
• Researcher know how early researcher solve the problem e.g. “traffic congestion is the main factors affecting punctuality”
• What problem is still to be solved
• Tentative approximation of answer to problem
“Nakanishi (1997) proposed reliability measures in terms of on -time
performance (OTP) indicator as well as service regularity in New York City • Relationship between two or more variables are guessed
Transit (NYCT).”

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Research Design Data Collection

• Explain how you will find answers to your research questions • Discussion at this stage, researcher collects required data

• It is plan, structure and strategy for conducting research • Data can be from primary and secondary source

• It explains about possible problems during research and their • Primary source – researcher visit field/site to collect data
solution directly by interview, questionnaires

• It can also be called conceptual structure • Secondary sources are reports, books etc.

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Data Analysis and Interpretation Generalization

• Statistical analysis • Value of research lies on interpretation

• Data editing, tabulation, classification, ordering, summarizing • It takes result of data analysis to explain relation studied based
on some theories/principles and conclude about the relation
• Modeling
• Generalization is the act of giving general from to conclusion

• E.g. Drivers wearing seat belt suffers less severity, 5% fine

content gives max. strength of Asphalt concrete
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Report
• Final stage of research
• Objective is to tell about research to other
• Include all steps of research and compiled to publish or submit
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Qualities of Good Researcher
• Systematic – does not jump from one stage to another, accurately
analyzed, presented and reported
• Careful listening – more careful in listening
• Good communicator – develop proper communicative skill and the ability
to establish rapport with the respondents, friendly with respondent
• Least discouragement – should not be discouraged with difficulties such as
failure in experiment, non cooperation from respondents etc.
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Qualities of Good Researcher
• Analytical - constantly analyzing a variety of factors
• Keen Observer - a keen observer of the phenomena and should not be
satisfied with approximates.
• Truthful- belief on facts, free from false report and not guided by
sentiments
• Free from prejudice - overcomes the prejudices and biases
• Curious- eager to develop and bring in new insights, likes to learn new
things
• Critical thinker- thinks ‘outside the box’ does not hesitate to ask critical
questions .
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Research Method Vs Research Methodology
• Research methods may be understood as all those methods/techniques that
are used for conduction of research.
• All those methods which are used by the researcher during the course of
studying his research problem are research methods.
• E.g. Observation method, personal Interview.
• Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research
problem. It is steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying
his research problem along with the logic behind them.
• In research methodology, not only talk of the research methods but also
consider the logic behind.
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Ethical Issues in Research Ethical Issues in Research

• Getting ethical approval for your study
• Voluntary Participation : participants are free to opt in or out of the study at
any point in time.
• Pay special attention to vulnerable subjects (children, educationally and
economically disadvantaged)
• Consent should be explained and obtained - Participants know the
purpose, benefits, risks, and funding behind the study before they agree or
decline to join.
• Ensure anonymity – Personally identifiable data is not collected
• Ensure confidentiality of information – Keep the information hidden from
everyone else
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• Research Misconduct - Fabrication and falsification of data
• Author should have made substantial contribution
• Conflict of interest – an individual/organization has interests in the
outcome of the research that may lead to individual/organization
advantage
• Redundant Publication - occurs when two or more papers, without full
cross reference, share the same hypothesis, data, discussion points, or
conclusions
• Plagiarism - unreferenced use of others’ published and unpublished ideas
• Self Plagiarism - republish or re-submit parts of own papers or reports
without properly citing the original work
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Importance of Research Ethics Some Issue

• Promote the aims of research • Two published studies have similar characteristics such as sample size,
location, treatment etc, study share one author in common
• Support mutual respect and fairness
• While experimenting, giving less load than standard while testing
• Can held accountable for researcher’s actions
• Collecting accident fatality data without consent from family of deceased
• Ensure trust on research
• Deceiving participants
• Support important social and moral values • Disclosing names of participants
• If the results show that 50% of the drivers have reported to use alcohol
Source: Resnic, D. B. (2015) what is Ethics in Research and Why while driving, should I report them to the police?
is it important

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Completed Thesis Topics

Some Issue
• Submit the same paper in a different language?
• copied sentences from some papers and referred to them in my
reference
• publishing pieces of research more than once
• Not admitting that some data are missing
• Study of Motorcycle traffic stream characteristics in Kathmandu valley
• Effects of fines content on strength behaviour of pavement materials
• Non destructive evaluation of Asphalt concrete pavement in Airfields: A case study of Tribhuvan International Airport
• Cobble Pavement an alternative pavement option for Rural Road in Nepal
• Estimation of work trip mode choice model for public transit captive riders in Kathmandu valley
• Evaluation of existing level of service of intersection by Simulation Modeling: A case study of Putalisadak Intersection
• Modeling pedestrian behavior at pedestrian crossings: A case study in Kathmandu
• Analysis of motorcycle accident cost by willingness to pay method: A case study for Kathmandu valley
• Development of an approapriate Traffic Forecasting model in Nepal
• Development of Trip Generation Model: A case study of zones inside the ring road
• Prediction of Periodic Maintenance of Bituminous Roads

• Dropping observations or data from analysis • Financing airport projects: A PPP approach
• Suitability test of coarse aggregates for pavement construction from twenty five quarries of central region of Nepal
• Minimum traffic threshold for rural road upgradation: A case study of Terai Road
• Air travel demand modeling for Nepal
• Economic Analysis of Low Volume Road: A case study of Kalanki Ghyampedol Badvangyang Road
• Signal optimization at isolated intersection by using presignal: A case study of Keshar Mahal intersection
• Estimation of Pavement layer moduli and displacements based on optimization techniques using non destructive test data
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References Assignment
• Kothari, C. R. (2004), Research Methodology, Methods and Techniques, New Age • Find out thesis title of at least 20 Thesis titile from NEC or IOE Pulchowk
(https://civil.pcampus.edu.np/index.php/academic-programs/m-sc-in-
International, transportation-engineering/)

• Singh, Y. K. (2006). Fundamental of research methodology and statistics. New Age • Discuss among group of two and classify the type of thesis as per
classification we discussed in class and present in class
International.

• Individually, ask yourself if topic reviews is in your interest area?

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