Research Methodology Notes

Types of Research

  • Fundamental Researches
    • Highly conceptual/abstract researches.
    • Focus on building knowledge.
    • Applicable to all subject areas.
    • Do not happen regularly.
    • Often lead to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries.
  • Empirical Science Researches
    • Based on experiments.
    • Mostly used in areas like Physics, Chemistry, etc.
    • Require specialized equipment.
  • Design and Innovations
    • Engineering and Technological researches.
    • Involve design, prototyping, simulations, etc.
    • Can be costly and resource-intensive.
    • Computer-based simulations are a common trend.
  • Applied Researches
    • Use available theories in a novel way.
    • Very much used in engineering and technology.
    • Motivated by current needs.
    • Typically do not lead to Nobel Prizes.
  • Survey-Based Researches
    • Studies based on readings, surveys, and feedback.
    • Applicable to many areas.
    • Use statistical techniques for drawing conclusions.
  • Observation-Based Research
    • Rather unstructured.
    • Requires living within certain communities to gather data.
    • Includes ethnographic interviews.

Approaches to Research

  • Approaches to conducting researches are called research methodologies.
  • Common approaches include:
    • Input-Process-Output (IPO)
    • Problem-Methodology-Solution (PMS)
    • Introduction-Method-Results-Discussion (IMRD)
    • Scientific Method
    • Milestones Approach
  • These approaches are comparable.

Input-Process-Output (IPO)

  • Research is viewed as a process where inputs are transformed into outputs.
  • The development of the process is the core of the research.
  • At the beginning, there should be a clear idea about the desired output to guide the process.
  • IPO is suitable for design/innovation-type research in Computing, Engineering, Technology, etc.
  • Input: Resources, requirements, and data needed to start the project.
  • Process: The transformation and actions done with the input.
  • Output: The final product, results, or solution.

Problem-Methodology-Solution (PMS)

  • Research is viewed as a transformation of a problem into a solution.
  • The methodology/theory/technology used transforms the problem into a solution.
  • The real research lies in how the methodology/theory/technology is used or invented.
  • PMS is applicable for all types of domains.
  • Problem: The issue or gap that needs to be addressed.
  • Methodology: The theories, technologies, or methods applied.
  • Solution: The outcome, result, or product that addresses the problem.

Introduction-Method-Results-Discussion (IMRD)

  • A structured approach to research reporting, particularly suitable for survey-type research.
  • Introduction: What is being studied? Why is it being studied?
  • Methods: How is the study being conducted?
  • Results: What has been found?
  • Discussion: What is the significance of the findings? What problems were encountered? What couldn’t be addressed? What are the future research directions?

Scientific Method

  • A systematic approach to research involving the following steps:
    • Observations
    • Preliminary study
    • Problem definition
    • Theoretical framework
    • Hypothesis
    • Experimental design
    • Data gathering
    • Data Analysis
    • Conclusion
Steps in Detail
  • Observation
    • The initial motivation for research.
    • Can be something felt, heard, seen, or experienced.
  • Preliminary Study
    • Investigating the observation.
    • Gathering information from reliable sources.
    • Converting the observation into a defined problem.
  • Problem Definition
    • Deriving a specific problem from the issues identified in the preliminary study.
    • Addressing the problem by identifying and manipulating variables.
    • Example: Headache as a problem with variables like stress, fever, high blood pressure, etc.
  • Theoretical Framework
    • A network of variables and their relationships.
  • Hypothesis Development
    • Formulating a testable statement that combines variables from the theoretical framework.
    • A kind of assumption that needs to be tested.
  • Experimental Design
    • Creating an environment to test the hypothesis.
    • Involves identifying variables to be measured.
    • Can be expensive, risky, or rigorous based on the nature of the research.
  • Data Collection
    • Gathering values for the variables based on the experimental design.
  • Data Analysis
    • Checking whether the hypothesis can be substantiated using the collected data.
    • Statistical testing can be used to assess the confidence of the conclusion.
  • Conclusion
    • Determining whether the hypothesis has been substantiated.

Milestones Approach

  • Breaks down a research project into distinct stages or milestones.
  • Considers others' work and the researcher's own work.
  • Comparable with the Scientific Method.
    • Others’ work identifies the problem and potential technologies.
    • Researcher's work involves problem definition and subsequent steps.
  • Modeled under subtopics like approach, design, implementation, evaluation, and conclusion.
  • These steps can align with chapters of a thesis.
  • Others’ Work (Literature Review)
    • Reveals achievements and issues in previous research.
    • Identifies key individuals/projects in the area.
    • Provides more papers for further reading.
    • Enables identification of a research problem and technologies for solving it.
  • Approach
    • Provides an overall picture of the project.
    • Includes the hypothesis, inputs, outputs, process, users, and key features.
  • Design
    • Expands on the process described in the approach.
    • Defines different modules, components, and their interconnections.
    • Explains what each component does.
    • Illustrated with a design diagram.
  • Implementation
    • Specifies how each module/component is implemented.
    • May include software, hardware, algorithms, flowcharts, etc.
  • System in Practice (Optional)
    • Provides evidence of completed work.
    • Can include screenshots, photos of system use, user feedback, etc.
    • Helps readers appreciate the work before a formal evaluation.
  • Evaluation
    • Assessment to determine if the hypothesis is supported.
    • Uses the developed software artifact.
    • Specifies the evaluation process, including participants, test design, how to conduct the test, statistical analysis, and results.
    • Presents evaluation results through tables/charts/diagrams.
  • Conclusion & Further Work
    • Interprets the evaluation results.
    • States the overall conclusion (percentage, etc.).
    • Presents objective-wise conclusions.
    • Highlights limitations and potential ways to address them.
    • Addressing limitations can be considered for future work.

Steps to Academic Research

  1. Think, Read, Search, and Identify a Problem.
  2. Communicate with a supervisor(s).
  3. Write a project proposal.
  4. Literature search and review.
  5. Make a design.
  6. Interim report.
  7. Implement your solution.
  8. Test and evaluate.
  9. Write thesis and paper(s).
  10. Present your findings.
Step 1: Identify a Problem
  • Think about a problem.
  • Read about existing solutions & technologies.
  • Search existing solutions & techniques.
  • Collect resources with references.
  • Make a summary.
  • Identify the correct problem and the solution to be solved.
Considerations for Your Problem
  • It is an actual problem.
  • It can be solved.
  • It can be solved through existing techniques or requires new technology (suitable for PG Research).
  • Resources are available.
  • Suitable for society.
  • You have a clear idea about your solution.
Step 2: Communicate with a Supervisor
  • The supervisor is an academic advisor.
  • Ideally, the supervisor:
    • Has done research in the field.
    • Has research experience.
    • Has some achievements.
  • Finding a suitable supervisor is critical.
Step 3: Write a Project Proposal
  • Before writing, consider:
    • Clearly defining the problem.
    • Understanding the background.
    • Identifying the advantages of the solution.
    • Determining how to find the solution.
    • Identifying required methods and technologies.
    • Assessing resource requirements.
    • Evaluating time availability.
  • Contents of a Project Proposal
    • Title page
    • Introduction
      • Background & Motivation
      • Solution Overview
      • Problem Brief
    • Aim and Objectives
    • Proposed Solution
    • Resource Requirements
    • Plan of Action / Schedule (based on objectives)
    • References
  • Title of the Research
    • Short and clear, indicating the problem and solution.
    • Example: Online Book Reservation system for university library.
  • Introduction
    • Includes:
      • Background
      • Motivation
      • Problem area
      • Why the solution is important
      • Solution in brief
  • Aim
    • A single sentence that describes the primary goal.
    • Example: Design and develop an Online Book Reservation system for the university library.
  • Objectives
    • Detailed steps to achieve the aim.
    • Examples:
      • Critically review the problem area.
      • Critically study relevant technologies.
      • Design a solution.
      • Implement the solution.
      • Test the solution.
      • Write a report.
      • Present the solutions.
  • Method/Design
    • Describe the solution with a simple diagram.
    • Outline the methods, technologies, inputs, outputs, and process.
    • Provide a modular/top-level diagram.
  • Resource Requirements
    • Specify minimum requirements:
      • Software resources
      • Hardware resources
      • Other resources
  • Plan of Action / Schedule
    • Timeline for completing tasks; a Gantt chart is a useful tool.
  • References
    • Include the most useful references (less than 10 in the proposal).
Step 4: Literature Search and Review
  • Why read others’ work?
    • To learn what has been done so far.
    • To identify key persons/researches in the field.
    • To see key findings/advantages of those works.
    • To identify limitations of those works.
    • To identify a research problem for your project.
    • To identify technology to solve your research problem.
    • To see how others have written.
    • To learn good writing patterns.
    • To improve your writing skills.
  • How to read?
    • Focus on abstract, introduction, and summary/conclusion.
    • Highlight key points and write notes.
    • Take a summary in your own words.
    • Use references/citations in summaries.
  • What to extract?
    • Problem, solution, conclusion.
    • Background/motivation, problem addressed.
    • Key points, conclusions.
  • Writing a Summary
    • Include:
      • Who did what.
      • Basis/theory of the research.
      • Positive points.
      • Negative points/limitations.
      • Citations and references.
  • Review
    • Ensure the problem is actual.
    • Validate your solution.
    • Confirm the technology can be used.
    • Understand the philosophy behind the project.
  • Using Zotero
    • A reference manager to organize research publications.
    • Enables writing with MS-Word.
    • Allows backing up the database to the cloud.
Step 5: Think a Design
  • Overview of the system, including input, process, output.
  • Defines modules, components, and their interconnections.
  • Illustrate with a design diagram.
  • Design Diagrams
    • ER Diagram
    • Use case diagram
    • Activity diagram
    • Class diagram
    • Algorithm description
Step 6: Interim Report
  • Complete up to the design phase.
  • Include a review of others' work.
  • Read research papers/ quality reports to get an idea about scientific writing.
  • Contents
    • Abstract
    • Chapters:
      1. Introduction
      2. Literature Review
      3. Approach
      4. Design
      5. Technologies
      6. Implementation (if something is done)
      7. Discussion
    • References
Step 7: Implementation
  • Implement each module and test.
  • Combine each module.
  • Complete the full system.
  • User Manual
    • Help document for others to use the system:
      • Installation process
      • User interfaces
      • Security aspects
      • User management
      • Report generation
Step 8: Evaluation
  • Create a test plan.
  • Collect a dataset.
  • Analyze existing data with statistical techniques.
  • Identify quantitative values of the research.
  • Generate tables and graphs to show results.
Step 9: Thesis Writing
  • A thesis is a report on completed research work.
  • Contents
    • Extend the progress report with:
      • System in Action
      • Results
      • Evaluation
      • Conclusion and Further works
    • Additional sections:
      • Title page
      • Declaration
      • Acknowledgement
      • Dedications
      • Table of Contents
      • List of Figure
      • Appendixes
  • Framework for Writing
    • Outline
    • Draft
    • Revise
    • Fine-tune
How to Write a Research Paper
  • Search for a conference to present a paper.
  • Download the paper format from the conference website.
  • Write a paper and review it multiple times to eliminate errors.
  • Give the paper to the supervisor well before the submission deadline.
  • Parts of the Research Paper
    • Title
    • Abstract
    • Introduction
    • Related works
    • Relevant technology/theory/knowledge
    • Design and Implementation
    • Conclusion and further works
    • Acknowledgement
    • References
      *Writing summaries is the first step in research
      Building blocks
    • Abstract
    • Introduction
    • Review of Others’ work/ Related Works
    • Technology/Theory
    • Approach
    • Design
    • Implementation
    • System in Practice
    • Evaluation
    • Conclusion and Further work
    • References
    • Summary