Download - LECTURE 1 Overview of Scientific Research
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Overview of
Scientific Research
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
1. Meaning of research
2. Significance of research
3. Motivation in Research
4. Objectives of research
5. Types of research
Topic Outline
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Meaning of Research
an art of scientific investigation a systematized effort to gain knowledge a scientific and systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic the search for knowledge through objective and
systematic method of finding solution to a problem
TOPIC OUTLINE
the systematic method consisting of enunciating the problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solution(s) towards the concerned problem or in certain generalizations for some theoretical formulation.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Significance of Research
Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organization.
Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system.
Research has its special significance in solving various operational and planning problems of business and industry.
Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and in seeking answers to various social problems.
The overall importance of research includes:
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Significance of Research
Specific significance of research by profession:
Graduate students: a careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure
Professionals in research methodology: a source of livelihood
Philosophers and thinkers: the outlet for new ideas and insights
Literary men and women: the development of new styles and creative work
Analysts and intellectuals: the generalizations of new theories
TOPIC OUTLINE
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Motivation in Research
Possible motives for doing research may be:
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
TOPIC OUTLINE
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it
To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or group
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
Research objectives could fall into a number of broad groupings:
Objectives of Research
TOPIC OUTLINE
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Descriptive vs. Analytical
Applied vs. Fundamental
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Conceptual vs. Empirical
Other types (variations of one or more of the
above, based on either the purpose, the time required to accomplish, the environment in which it is done, or on the basis of some similar factor)
Types of Research
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds.
Analytical researches use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
Types of Research
Descriptive vs. Analytical
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Types of Research
Applied vs. Fundamental
Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake.
Fundamental research is directed towards finding information that has broad base of application and adds to the existing organized body of scientific knowledge. Fundamental research lays down the foundation for the applied science that follows.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Types of Research
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative research is based on measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.
Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e. phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Types of Research
Conceptual vs. Empirical
Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used to develop new concepts or to interpret existing ones.
Empirical research is a data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
Types of Research
Some other types of research
One-time research or longitudinal research
Field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research
Clinical or diagnostic
Exploratory or formalized
Historical research
Conclusion-oriented or decision-oriented
TOPIC OUTLINE
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods
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