1. Advance RESEARCH METHODS
Introduction to Research
March 12, 2014
Advance Research Methods RG 701
RS and GISc, Institute of Space Technology

2. Research? Re Search Again, anew, over again
To examine closely and carefully, to test and try or to probe

3. Today we will address the following questions???
What is Research? OR
Purpose of research? Why do we do research?
Finding a Research theme/topic
Finding Research Problem/Question/objectives?
What is Research Methodology?
What is the difference between Research Methodology and Research Methods?

4. What is research? Way of thinking
Examining critically the various aspects of your day-to-day professional work
Understanding and formulating guiding principles that govern a particular procedure
Developing and testing new theories that contribute to the advancement of your practice and profession
Systematic investigation to find answers to a problem.

5. What is Research: Definitions
An organized, systematic, data-based critical scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the objective of finding answers or solutions to it
Systematic investigation into and study of materials, sources, etc., in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
An endeavour to discover new or collate old facts etc. by the scientific study of a subject or by a course of critical investigation. [Oxford Concise Dictionary]

6. Simple definition
Systematic investigation to find answers to a problem. (Burns 1972)

7. Purpose of Research Reporting: (elementary level) Descriptive Study:
provides an account or summation of data or to generate statistics;
simple when data is available;
some inference and conclusion drawing.
Descriptive Study:
Tries to discover answers to the question who, what, when, where, and, sometimes, how.

8. Purpose of Research (conti….)
Explanatory
Attempts to explain the reasons for the phenomenon that the descriptive study only observed.
The researcher uses theories or at least hypotheses to account for the forces that caused a certain phenomenon to occur.
Predictive
Is just as rooted in theory as explanation.
Control
Being able to replicate a scenario and dictate a particular outcome is the objective of control

9. Find a good theme Find your interest ! ! !
What have other people done about the topic?
literature survey
Library websites
Class discussions
Discussion with your professors and peers
What is the problem? How is it formulated?
How did they solve the problem?
Are there unexpected results? Why it happened?
What is your opinion?
Do you have any idea to improve the research?
Do you have different approach to solve the problem?

10. Research Question?
A research question is a clear, focused, concise, complex and arguable question around which you center your research. You should ask a question about an issue that you are genuinely curious about.
First formulate your question
Then figure out how you are going to answer it
How have others answered it?
How does your proposal fit in with what others have done?
How will you know when you have answered it?
Then you can present your answer
Definition reference: George Mason Writing center

11. Research Question: Some Examples
What is the relationship between two variables X and Y?
What are the demographic characteristics of the study area?
Can remote sensing data be used for identifying a specific feature X on earth?
What bands are useful in identifying a specific feature X on earth?
Does resolution of DEM used for terrain processing affect the accuracy of drainage pattern?
What are the environmental factors affecting dengue outbreaks?
Is there a direct relationship between rainfall amount and dengue cases?
Etc.

12. Research Objectives State your objectives in clear and concise manner
Objective is what do you want to achieve from your research
State your objectives in clear and concise manner

13. Research Objectives Examples:
To determine the factors affecting the change in global weather pattern.
To analyze the impacts of canal improvement work on seepage control.
To model the relationship between the dengue outbreak and environmental factors

14. Why should research objectives be developed?
To Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials);
To Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding and solving the problem we have identified; and
To Organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of our research methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of data.

15. Research Methodology Way to systematically solve the research problem
Steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying a research problem

16. Research Methodology vs. Methods
Research methodology is different from research methods
Methodology: Philosophy or the general principle which will guide your research (Overall approach)
Method: Tools
overall approach to studying your topic and includes issues you need to think about such as the constraints, dilemmas and ethical choices within your research.
tools you use to gather data, such as questionnaires or interviews.

17. Methodology vs. Methods
Reference:

18. Research Process: characteristics and requirements
To qualify as research, the process must be:
Controlled
Exploring causality in relation to two variables, in a way that minimizes the effects of other factors affecting relationship
Rigorous
Ensuring that, the procedures followed to find answers to the question are relevant, appropriate and justified
Logical
Research is based on valid procedures and principles that follow a certain logical sequence
Process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information to answer question.
Control external factors.
Systematic means some procedures must follow others.

19. Characteristics of Research (Cont..)
Valid and verifiable
Derived conclusions are correct and verifiable
Empirical
Conclusions are based upon hard evidence collected from real life experiences or observation.
Critical
Must be foolproof and free from any drawbacks.
The procedures used must be able to withstand critical scrutiny

20. All not mutually exclusive.

21. Types of Research: Application
Basic or pure Research
Research done with the intention to generate more knowledge and understanding of the phenomena that occur and to build theories based on the research results.
Applied Research
Research done with the intention of applying the results of its finding to solving specific problems currently being experienced (Real life)
Both types of research follow the same steps of systematic inquiry to arrive at solutions to problems.

22. Pure Research
Pure research is also know as basic or fundamental research. It is undertaken out of intellectual curiosity or inquisitiveness.
It may lead to either discovery of a new theory of refinement of an existing theory.
Pure research formed the basis for scientific and technological inventions like steam engine, Machines, Telecommunications, Electronic Gadgets etc.

23. Pure research offers solutions to many practical problems.
Example of Pure Research
1. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
2. Newton’s Contributions

24. Applied Research
Applied research is carried on to find solution to a real life problem requiring an action or policy decision.
It is thus problem oriented and action directed.
Applied research in the fields of …………………
Example:
Market research carried on for developing a new market.

25. Types of Research: Objectives
Descriptive research
Attempts to describe systematically a situation problem, phenomenon, service or program, or provides information about, say, living condition of a community
Correlation Research
Discovers or establishes relationship, association, interdependence between two or more aspects of a situation.

26. Explanatory Exploratory
Attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two aspects of situation or phenomenon.
Exploratory
To explore an area where little is known.
May also be conducted to develop, refine, and/or test measurement tools and procedures

27. Types of Research: Enquiry mode
Concerns the process being adopted to find answers
Approaches:
1. Structured - Quantitative
2. Unstructured - Qualitative

28. KEEP IN MIND THAT …
Quantitative research deals in numbers, logic and the objective
Qualitative research in general deals with words, images and the subjective
Quantitative research focuses on the left brain - objective, comfortable with logic, numbers, and unchanging static data and detailed, convergent reasoning rather than divergent reasoning. Qualitative research deals with the right brain - the hemisphere accountable for processing data as words, emotions, feelings, emotions, colour, and music.

29. What is Research?
Research is what we do when we have a question or a problem we want to resolve
We may think
we know the answer to our question
the answer is obvious, common sense
But
until we have subjected our problem to rigorous scientific scrutiny, our 'knowledge' remains little more than guesswork or at best, intuition.

30. Text Book
Ranjit Kumar (Research Methodology- A Step by Step guide for Beginners)