1. My Research Experience
Presented by: Dr Ansar Ahmad Qidwai
Previous Posts: Prof. & Chairman,
Dept. of Physics, University of
Karachi
Provost, Int. Hostels,
Incharge Semester Examination
Degrees: M.Sc. (Nuclear Physics)
M.Phil. (Magnetic Materials)
Ph.D. (Optoelectronics)
Dept. of Applied Physics and Electronics University Of Durham (England)

2. Fields of Interest
Solar Energy
Optoelectronics
Materials Science

3. Research Publications
More than 32
International

4. Memberships National Center for Physics NTS (National Testing Service)
New York Academy of Sciences
Crystal Growth (Holland)
Karachi University Senate

5. Conferences Abdus Salam Center for Physics, Trieste(Italy)
IIT Kanpur(India)
Solar World Forum (Brighton-England)
Solar Cell Technology (Newcastle UponTyne, England)
Attended more than 30 conferences.

6. Scientific Methodology
Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning.

7. Scientific Methodology (Contd.)
Scientific methodology has been practiced in some form for at least one thousand years. There are difficulties in a formulaic statement of method, however. As William Whewell ( ) noted in his “History of Inductive Science(1840), ‘invention, genius’ are required at every step in scientific method”. It is not enough to base scientific method on experience alone, multiple steps are needed in scientific method, ranging from our experience to our imagination, back and forth.

8. Scientific Methodology (Contd.)
In 20th century, a hypothetic-deductive model for scientific method was formulated: 1. Use your experience: Consider the problem and try to make sense of it. Look for previous explanations. If this is a new problem to you, then move to step Form a conjecture: When nothing else is yet known, try to state an explanation, to someone else, or to your notebook.

9. Scientific Methodology (Contd.)
3. Deduce a prediction from that explanation: If you assume step-2 is true, what consequences follow? 4. Tests: Observations and Experiences. One thousand years ago, Alhazen (Abu Ali Al-Hassan ibn al Hasan ibn al-Haytham) (Arabic and in Persian) in Latin Alhazen born in Basra 955, Optics, Book: Kitab-Al-Manazir (Book on Optics) demonstrated the importance of step-1 and 4. Galileo 1638 also showed the importance of step-4 (also called experiment).

10. Assignments, CP and SDP
Assignments, course projects and senior design projects (SDPs) are part of research activities and also the start of research for higher studies. The word research is derived from the French recherche to search closely or to look for or to investigate.

11. Assignments, CP and SDP (Contd.)
Generally, research is understood to follow a certain structural process. Though step order may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher, the following steps are usually part of most formal research, both basic and applied: 1. Observations and Formation of the topic. 2. Hypothesis 3. Conceptual definitions 4. Operational definitions 5. Gathering of data 6. Analysis of data 7. Test, revising of hypothesis 8. Conclusion, iteration if necessary.

12. Assignments, CP and SDP (Contd.)
Research must be systematic and follow a series of steps and a rigid standard protocol.
Scientific research must be organized and undergo planning, including performing literature reviews of past research and evaluating what questions need to be answered.

13. Proposals: Assignments for students in each semester .
Course project should start from semester III.
No course project in semester I & II.
Senior design project (SDP) will be compulsory for all final year students, and without completing it, no degree will be awarded. But SDP must be conditional. The students can offer SDP when they have cleared all their courses up to semester VI.