workshop research methodology

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Workshop on Research MethodologyStep-by-Step

by

G.PadmanabhanDepartment of Civil Engineering

or a o a a e n vers y

Saturday, October 28, 2006ECE 125, Electrical Engineering Building, NDSU

Funded by ND EPSCoR Tribal College Liaison Project


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Reference

Research MethodologyA step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Second Edition

yDr. Ranjit Kumar

University of Western Australia

Sage Publications Inc.

2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, California 91320


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What is Research ?Some Simple Definitions

A careful systematic study and

investigation in some field of knowledge,undertaken to establish facts or principles

acceptable scientific methodology to solveproblems and creates new knowledge that

is generally applicable


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What is Research ?Some Simple Definitions (Contd.)

A systematic investigation to find answers to a

problem A systematic process of inquiryin order to

discover, interpret or revise facts, events,

, ,applications with the help of such facts, laws ortheories

The term "research" is also used to describe the

collection of informationabout a particularsubject, and is usually associated with the outputof science and the scientific method.


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Research as a Way of Thinking

It is a habit

of questioning what you do

of systematically examining observedinformation to find answers

of using methods tested for validity andreliability


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Research as a ProcessResearch is one of the ways to find answers to

your questions. However, the process has tosatisfy the following:

h l wi hin fr m w rk f f

principles of one of the approaches of research Must use procedures, methods and techniques

which have been tested for their validity andreliability

Must be designed to be unbiased and objective


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Types of ResearchThree View Points

Application

Pure

Objectives

Descriptive Exploratory

Correlative Explanatory

Inquiry Mode Quantitative Qualitative


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Characteristics of Research Controlled

Establishing causality

Rigorous Methods and procedures used need to be relevant, appropriate and

justified

Systematic . .

Valid and Verifiable Results are correct and repeatable

Empirical Conclusions drawn are based on hard evidence

Critical Scrutiny Methods, procedures and results must withstand critical scrutiny by

others


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Research Process (Methodology)Eight Step Model

Formulating a research problem (Deciding) Conceptualizing the research design

Constructing an instrument for data

co ec on ann ng Selecting a sample

Writing a research proposal

Collecting data Processing Data (Doing)

Writing a research report


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Formulating a research problem(Deciding)

about?

Reviewing the literature

Identifying variablesconstructing hypotheses


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Conceptualizing the Research DesignResearch Designstudy design

measurementSelecting a study Design

Experimental or non-experimental

Before and after studyStatus StudyTrend study


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Constructing an instrument for data collection

Selecting a method of data collection

Observation

Interview

Questionnaire

Secondary SourcesPublications

Earlier Research

Mass Media


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Constructing an instrument for datacollection

Open ended and closed endedquestions


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your research instrument

Types of validity

Based on statistical proceduresHow good an indicator it is

By comparison


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your research instrument

Reliability

Ability of the instrument toproduce consistent measurement

Test and re-test


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Selecting a sampleA trade off between accuracy andresources

Probability and statistics conceptTrue value Vs estimate

Sample size

Inference


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Content and format

Operational plan to obtain answers to

research questions


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Collecting Data

ProceduresLocationSampling interval

Ethical issues


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Processing and Displaying Data

Coding

Framework and methods of analysis of data

Statistics and computers

Output formats, types of graphs, tables etc.


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Writing a research report

, ,

peers etc.ReferencingBibliographyIntroductionMethodology or Methods

Results and DiscussionConclusions


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Why learn Research Methodology?

To become better researchers ourselves

Need disciplinary knowledgeCan get involved in competitive researchprojects

To help students to initiate research way ofthinking and to acquire research skills

Improves motivation of students

Improves retentionFaculty can engage students better


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Involving Students in Research

In order to do this, first instructors have to

become familiar with sound researchmethodology

researchers overnight

The intent is rather to teach students

research way of thinking and skills


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How to help students develop research Skills?

There are two alternatives:

1. Involving the students directly in a real

researc pro ect t at t e acu ty sconducting. Here the student will bedirectly involved in a discovery or applied

research or parts of it and learn researchskills


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How to help students develop research Skills?

(Contd.)

There are two alternatives (Contd.):

2. Construct (develop) an instructional project forthe students so that they will have the

r ni hr h ll r m f h

steps involved in research methodology. Hereit is not a real discovery or applied research;but students will still go through the researchexperience. Remember the faculty needs to

put in lot of time in developing a project of thistype beforehand. The faculty knows theanswers.

workshop research methodology

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