Research Methodology

Rabi MahapatraTexas A&M University

(Taken from IUCEE slides of PM)

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Agenda

Research Definition

Types of Research

How to Read a Paper?

Research approaches

Conference and Journal publications

Writing Technical Papers

Conclusion

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What is Research?

Art of investigation of new and innovative idea in any branch of studies

Search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem.

Formulate hypothesis, analyzing data, deriving, experimenting, suggest solutions, deducting new conclusions.

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Research Needs

A culture that continually quests for innovation

An attitude of dedication, perseverance and hard work

Motivation to stay active without following any schedule or time sensing approaches

Should not be pursued for glorification.

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Motivation

To attain higher level of understanding on fundamental concepts on the field of your studies

To enjoy challenges of solving unsolved problems,

Provide long-lasting contributions towards the advancement of mankind and society

Intellectual satisfaction for one’s creative work

Financial benefits and respect

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Disclaimer!

Research can not be taught

There is no “one size fits all” model

Research dictates its own pace and direction and not to be imposed upon.

Continuous nourishment is essential

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Types of Research

Descriptive: Surveys, comparative and correlation method

Analytical: to make critical evaluation of information

Applied: address practical problems and solutions for near-term benefits

Fundamental: theory for generalization

Quantitative: numerical results to validate any claim

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Types of research Contd.

Qualitative: comparative development of enhancing the usage of patterns and experiences

Conceptual: Abstract ideas or theories

Empirical: Relies in experience and observations

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How to Read a paper?

Quick Review/Scan

To determine if you need to read this paper further

Read with Care

To grasp the contents and summarize the main thrust

Detailed Reading

Fully understand the paper

Helps in identifying ideas for further work

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Quick Scan

Read title and introduction

Skim the sections/subsections/headings

Read conclusion

Glance over the references

Try to answer the following:

context,

contributions and

clarity

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Detailed Reading

Read the whole paper but with non-uniform emphasis

Identify relevance to your topic

Think and ask questions

Scribble important points, thoughts

Identify papers from reference list for further reading list

Learn good presentation and reading list

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Important Task!

Defining and scoping out the research problem

Identify:

What is specific goal of your problem?

Why you want to pursue (motivation)?

How do you intend to do it?

How does it fit into your overall research goal?

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Basic Steps

Research Steps: Problem formulation – Solution Efforts – Dissemination

Efforts on problem formulations may guide to solutions

Also, opens avenues for other avenues

Dissemination (presentation in writing) of research is vital for recognition and further use by the community

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Discomfort Zone

Comfort zone inhibits innovations and creativity

Step out from comfort zone and walk into discomfort zone

Learn to build bridges and avenues between various comfort and discomfort zones

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Low-hanging and high-hanging

Forest and Trees!

Low-hanging: Easy efforts and typically found in new areas

High-hanging: Hard to work, usually seen late in to well investigated topics/areas.

Would be very rewarding.

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Critical Suggestions

Methods are tools

Use them; don't let them use you.

Think on a clean slate

To think outside of the box, you need to step outside the box too

Question yourself

About why you are doing, what you are doing

Motivate your problems and evaluate your solutions

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More Suggestions

Could start with incremental efforts left undone in prior studies; follow through until completion

Explore the abstractions of simple problems that hinders or impacts usage of technology

Applications could be the drivers of your thoughts

Can you make the current state better?

It is always rewarding to scope out new problem definitions – try hard!

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Basic Approach

Abstraction of the thoughts provides a guided approach

Simplicity should be always the quest

Start with the simplest approach and tune it as you dive deeper; complexities added as and when needed

Keep enriching and exploring new concepts

Write in parallel with your work

Every now and then, check if you are not getting lost in the forest

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Cross-area approaches

Can the concepts and methods used in one area be adopted to solve a problem in a completely different area?

Ant colonies

Biological evolutions

Game theories

Social networks

Putting things together from multiple areas

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Faculty-Faculty Work Environment

Work with colleagues with complimentary expertise

Realize that the workload does not have to be shared evenly

Share the credits and be upfront about the contributions and respective credits

Different level of engagements and contribution can be played in multiple efforts

Senior faculty should provide valuable mentorship to junior faculty

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Conferences and Journals

Publishers

Reputations

Professional Societies

Stay away from private self‐serving one

Quality and Metrics – Impact factors– Citations – Accessibility to researchers

Electronic Versions / Web‐based

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Publishing a Paper

Focus on quality rather than quantity

Impact of your research

Do not wait till the completion of your work to start writing

Choose appropriate venue

Quality of writing is important

Research presentations are excellent opportunities

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Writing Research Paper

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General comments

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Types of Paper Types:

Survey papers

Original Research and Contributions

Survey papers

Do not cut‐shake‐paste

Have a theme and carry on that

Focused on motivations, issues, and challenges

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Research Paper Details

Statement of the problem

Be precise, provide motivation, significance, and applications

Proposed solutions

Algorithm

System design and development

Evaluation (performance, reliability, security, etc)

Theory

Results and inferences

Sufficient details for validation

Novel aspects, Significance, limitations, and impact

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Paper Organization I

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Organization: Introduction

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Organization III

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Organization: Final words

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Preparing your slides

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Conclusion

Enjoy the fun part of research

Struggle and unsuccessful are part of research

Satisfaction, flexibility and thinking beyond normal ideas are very rewarding