RESEARCH

 RE·SEARCH :  Detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding. Cambridge Dictionaries Online, © Cambridge University Press 2003.

 Research: A systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.

 “Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing.” (Werner Von Braun) “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research. Would it ?” Albert Einstein

Research is required for :  Obtaining background information  Narrowing and focusing the study topic  Understanding the concepts, governing principles, and theories  Validating results and conclusions

PHASES IN RESEARCH PROJECT

 Obtaining background information  Narrowing and focusing the study topic  Understanding the concepts, governing principles and theories

 Survey the Literature Books Periodicals ( HEC provides facility to all researchers to access digital library and site sear. Many online journals are available for access.  Internet sources. - Search Engines

 Workout a RESEARCH DESIGN, an Overall scheme for acquiring the answer of research question  Experimental  Feasibility and Financial issues.

HYPOTHESIS  Hypotheses are tentative, intelligent guesses as to the solution of the problem.  Hypotheses can direct later research activities since they can help determine the nature of the research and methods applied.

 A question, "Does Pressure affect temperature?"  A conditional statement, “Pressure may affect Temperature."  an If, then statement, "If Pressure is related to temperature, then increasing the Pressure will decrease temperature”.

1. Chocolate may cause pimples. 2. Salt in soil may affect plant growth. 3. Plant growth may be affected by the color of the light. 4. Bacterial growth may be affected by temperature. 5. Ultra violet light may cause skin cancer. 6. Temperature may cause leaves to change color.

 All of these are examples of hypotheses because they use the tentative word "may.". However, their form is not particularly useful. Using the word may does not suggest how you would go about proving it. If these statements had not been written carefully, they may not have even been hypotheses at all. For example, if we say "Trees will change color when it gets cold." we are making a prediction. Or if we write, "Ultraviolet light causes skin cancer." could be a conclusion. One way to prevent making such easy mistakes is to formalize the form of the hypothesis.

Experimental procedure  Step by step list of things to do. - Objectives - Material & Methods - Analytical procedures  Data collection. - Statistical Analyses

 Complete detail of experiments  Record all the parameters  Record your observations

 Consult your mentor  Calculate your results  Use your data to arrive at a experimental conclusion

 CONCLUSIONS - from analysis  IMPLICATIONS - relate to what’s known  RECOMMENDATIONS  SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

 Answer your questions & relate it with the available info. & prevailing situations  Explain, If your Hypothesis is correct?

 Selection of Sources to extend/publish the Information your research has produced - Research Articles - Oral Presentations - Poster Presentations  Reporting through Media.

 Experimental Prototype  Simulation and Modeling