ECE198 Exam Notes

Discussion 1
What is research?
by: Oxford English Dictionary
• (noun) - The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusion.
• (verb) - Carry out research into or use research to discover or verify information presented in (a book, programme, etc.)
by: Cambridge Advanced Dictionary
• (noun) A detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding.
• (verb) To study a subject thoroughly, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding.
by: Webster’s New World Dictionary
• “The primary activity in science, a combination of theory and experimentation directed towards finding scientific explanations of
phenomena. It is commonly classified into two types:
pure research, involving theories with little apparent relevance to human concerns
applied research, concerned with finding solutions to problems of social importance for instance in medicine and engineering.
The two types are linked in that theories developed from pure research may eventually be found to be great value to society.
Types of Research
• Pure Research – Theories, less human concerns
• Applied Research - Finding solutions to problems of social importance.
Synonyms of Research
• Verb – Investigate, Conduct, Investigations into, Study, Inquiry into, make inquiries into, Look into, Probe, Explore, Analyse,
Examine, Scrutinize, Inspect, Review, Assess
• Noun – Investigation, Experimentation, Exploration, Analysis, Fact finding, Examination, Testing, Groundwork
Synonyms of Investigation
1. Perusal, Sifting, Fact finding, Probe, Review, Survey, Inquest, Hearing, Inquisition, Audit evaluation, Questioning
2. Examination, Inquiry, Study, Inspection, Exploration, Consideration, Analysis, Appraisal, Research, Scrutiny, Scrutinization,
Scanning
Scientific
• Relating to or based on science. Systematic; methodological. by: Concise Oxford English Dictionary
• organized methods of science. by: Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionay
• Careful and using a system or method.
• Scientific research, scientific way
• Scientific Opposite: Unsystematic, Random
Scientific Way – Exact, Precise, Accurate, Mathematical, Regulated, Controlled, Analytical, Rational
Scientific Research - Empirical, Chemical, Biological, Medical, Technological, Technical, Research-based, Factual, Knowledge-based
Scientific Research - Doing scientific investigation or study in a systematic way to get new findings.
Scientific Research → Research → Systematic Investigation, New findings
Scientific Research → Research → Systematic

Process of Scientific Research

• Observation - Asking questions, Literature review, Problem formulation, Problem identification.
• Hypothesis - Scientific approach, based on knowledge, Based on Literature
• Prediction – Research objective, Research proposal
• Experimentation – Design research methodology, Laboratory works, Field Testing, Analysing data
• Conclusion
➢ Answer questions from → Hypothesis, Prediction
➢ Presenting scientific articles → Oral presentation, Scientific articles, Scientific report
Scientific Research Process
Characteristics of a “Good Theory”
➢ Validation – It fits the fact .
➢ Generalization – Make predictions about the future.
➢ Replication – Can be repeated with similar results.

Typical research process (for students)

Research Title and scope → Research proposal → Experiment, data analysis, etc. → Thesis/Dissertation

What is research?
• Research can be described as an interest to pursue (to find out) something useful and can contribute whether in science,
engineering, or in any field of interest.
• Research is when you want to seek knowledge; solution to problems.
• It is a way of advancing knowledge.
• Research is about a trial-and-error experiments. Try every possible scenario that could lead you to find answers and then make
a conclusion based on those experiments.
• Research is a method to solve problems. In simple words, research means “searching”.

Discussion 2
Research Methods Introduction
The Research Process: Beginning
• Five W’s to define your research project, Dawson (2019)
• What is your research about?
• Why are you conducting this research?
• Who will participate in your research project?
• Where are you going to conduct this research?
• When are you going to complete this project?

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD &THEORIES

Characteristics of Good Theories:
• Logical and consistent (it makes sense).
• Explains why something occurs or is.
• It can generate a hypothesis or research question that is testable.
What is Research: Definition
• “Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. Research involves
inductive and deductive methods.” - Earl Robert Babbie, American Sociologist
• Inductive research methods are used to analyze an observed event.
• Deductive methods are used to verify the observed event.

Research is conducted with a purpose to understand:

• What do organizations or businesses really want to find out?
• What are the processes that need to be followed to chase the idea?
• What are the arguments that need to be built around a concept?
• What is the evidence that will be required for people to believe in the idea or concept?

Characteristics of research
1. A systematic approach must be followed for accurate data.
2. Research is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive methods.
3. The data or knowledge that is derived is in real time from actual observations in natural settings.
4. There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies associated with it.
5. Research creates a path for generating new questions.
6. Research is analytical in nature.
7. Accuracy is one of the most important aspects of research.
 • For example, laboratories provide a controlled environment to collect data. Accuracy is measured in the instruments used, the
calibrations of instruments or tools, and the final result of the experiment.

What are the types of research?

• Basic research - A basic research definition is data collected to enhance knowledge. For example: an experiment to
determine a simple fact.
• Applied research - focuses on analyzing and solving real-life problems. For example: Finding a specific cure for a
disease.
• Problem oriented research - conducted to understand the exact nature of a problem to find out relevant solutions.
➢ Ex. The revenue of a car company has decreased by 12% in the last year.
➢ Probable causes:
- no optimum production
- poor quality of a product
- no advertising, or economic
- conditions.

• Qualitative research: process that is about inquiry. It helps create indepth understanding of problems or issues in their natural
settings.
✓ heavily dependent on the experience of the researchers and the questions used to probe the sample.
✓ The sample size is usually restricted to 6-10 people.
✓ Open-ended questions
Methods used for qualitative research:
• One-to-one interview
• Focus groups.
• Ethnographic research
• Content/Text Analysis
• Case study research
• More details will be discussed in methods.

• Quantitative research - is a structured way of collecting data and analyzing it to draw conclusions.
✓ uses a computational and statistical process to collect and analyze data.
✓ involves a larger population —more people mean more data.
✓ uses close-ended questions because the researchers are typically looking to gather statistical data.
Data collection: Quantitative research
• Online surveys, questionnaires, and polls are preferable data collection tools used in quantitative research.
• Online surveys allow survey creators to reach large amounts of people or smaller focus groups for different types
of research that meet different goals.
3 Purposes of Research:
1. Exploratory: conducted to explore a group of questions. The answers and analytics may not offer a final conclusion to the
perceived problem.
2. Descriptive: focuses on expanding knowledge on current issues through a process of data collection. The three main purposes of
descriptive research are describing, explaining, and validating the findings.
• For example, a study conducted to know if top-level management leaders in the 21st century possess the moral right to receive
a huge sum of money from the company profit.
3. Explanatory: is conducted to understand the impact of certain changes in existing standard procedures.
For example, a study conducted to understand the effect of rebranding on customer loyalty.

Exploratory research Descriptive research Explanatory research

Research approach used Unstructured Structured Highly structured
Research conducted through Asking research questions Asking research questions By using research hypotheses
When is it conducted? Early stages of decision Later stages of decision Later stages of decision
making making making

Research method - Research method is defined as the tools or instruments used to accomplish the goals and attributes of a study.
 Discussion 3
How To Write Research Questions
Research Methods
Engineering Research
- Based on the principles of scientific research based on the scientific method.
- Directed toward the practical application of science to products, services, and infrastructure.
❖ Observations (experiments)
❖ Theories Derived from the existing body of scientific
❖ Calculations knowledge and verified by experts peer review.
❖ models
Hypothesis Statements
1. ‘All mechanical systems can be described by damped simple harmonic motion equations.’
2. ‘The maximum efficiency of a solar cell is 28%.’
3. ‘The laws of physics apply throughout the universe.’

How Does Engineering Research Differ from Research in Science?

❖ Engineering research may require the following activities to fulfill:
The research must
• Be applied to the human system.
• Yield practical outcomes.
• Yield outcomes that benefit humanity.
• Be ethically based.
• Consider environmental outcomes.
• Based on standard industry-based testing.
Research Opportunities
Examples:
1. A new material has been proved scientifically to be a reliable replacement for asphalt and concrete for road building. The material
has excellent physical and chemical properties.
2. A new transistor technology is based on a rare earth metal which has extremely low abundance, is difficult to obtain and difficult
to recover from e waste.
Engineering Research Ideas
• The application of techniques commonly used in one field to another field;
• The modification of an existing concept or technique with improved outcomes;
• The modification of current technologies for improved efficiency, miniaturization, sustainability, or environmental outcomes.

Example of Translational Research Opportunities

1. Mechanical engineers used the finite element method for many years before the electromagnetic equations were solved
numerically using the method.
2. Image analysis techniques for face recognition and satellite-based vegetation categorization can be applied to two dimensional
and three dimensional data sets in any engineering field.
3. Inertial sensors used in the automotive industry as air bag triggering devices are now used in sports engineering for movement
analysis and in mechanical engineering for vibration analysis.

Research Question - is a question that a study or research project aims to answer.

• often addresses an issue or a problem, which, through analysis and interpretation of data, is answered in the study’s conclusion
• often grounded on research → dynamic
RQs can be phrased using one of the following questioning words:
• Why?
• What?
• How?
• When?

Importance Of the Research Question

• it narrows down a broad topic of interest into a specific area of study (Creswell, 2014)
• serve as a guiding framework for research.
 • Reveal the boundaries of the study, setting its limits, and ensuring cohesion.
• influence factors, such as the research methodology, sample size, data collection, and data analysis

Types Of Research Questions

Quantitative research questions
• These questions typically include the population to be studied, dependent and independent variables, and the research design to
be used.
• establish a link between the research question and the research design
• seek to understand particular social, familial, or educational experiences or processes that occur in a particular context and/or
location.
3 categories
• Descriptive research questions - aim to measure the responses of a study’s population to one or more variables or describe
variables that the research will measure. These questions typically begin with “what.”
• Comparative research questions - aim to discover the differences between two or more groups for an outcome variable. These
questions can be causal, as well. For instance, the researcher may compare a group where a certain variable is involved and another
group where that variable is not present.
• Relationship research questions - seek to explore and define trends and interactions between two or more variables. These
questions often include both dependent and independent variables and use words such as “association” or “trends”.
Qualitative research questions
• may concern broad areas of research or more specific areas of study.
• Similar to quantitative research questions, qualitative research questions are linked to research design. Unlike their quantitative
counterparts, though, qualitative research questions are usually adaptable, non-directional, and more flexible (Creswell, 2013).
• studies using these questions generally aim to “discover,” “explain,” or “explore’.
Categories
• Contextual RQs - seek to describe the nature of what already exists.
• Descriptive RQs - attempt to describe a phenomenon.
• Emancipatory RQs - aim to produce knowledge that allows for engagement in social action, especially for the benefit of
disadvantaged people.
• Evaluative RQs - assess the effectiveness of existing methods or paradigms.
• Explanatory RQs - seek to expound on a phenomenon or examine reasons for and associations between what exists.
• Exploratory RQs - investigate little known areas of a particular topic.
• Generative RQs - aim to provide new ideas for the development of theories and actions.
• Ideological RQs - are used in research that aims to advance specific ideologies of a position.

MIXED METHODS STUDIES

• typically require a set of both quantitative and qualitative research questions.
• Separate questions are appropriate when the mixed methods study focuses on the significance and differences in quantitative and
qualitative methods and not on the study’s integrative component
Steps to Developing a Good Research Question
1. Start with a broad topic.
• Brainstorming and Concept mapping
• Choose a topic that you are genuinely interested in
• Relevance and significant of the study is also important
• Research community interests is worth noting too (for publication).
 2. Do preliminary research to learn about topical issues.
Two goals:
a. Discover issues that are currently being discussed by scholars and fellow researchers
b. Determine existing gaps or limitations in existing knowledge of your topic

3. Narrow down your topic and determine potential research questions.

• Focus on gaps in existing (recent) literature
• “Gap spotting”(Sandberg & Alvesson, 2011)
• This method involves research questions out of identified limitations in literature and overlooked areas of study
• problematization (Sandberg & Alvesson, 2011)
• aims to challenge and scrutinize assumptions that support others’ and the researcher’s theoretical position.

4. Evaluate the soundness of your research question.

• Hulley et al. (2007) suggest using a set of criteria known as the “FINER” criteria to find out if you have a good research question.
FINER
F - Feasible
• A good research question is feasible, which means that the question is well within the researcher’s ability to investigate.
I - Interesting
• The ideal research question is interesting not only to the researcher but also to their peers and community
N - Novel
• Your research question should be developed to bring new insights to the field of study you are investigating.
E - Ethical
• Your research question and your subsequent study must be something that review boards and the appropriate authorities will
approve.
R – Relevant
• The research question should be relevant to the scientific community and people involved in your area of study. If possible, your
research question should also be relevant to the public’s interest.

5. Construct your research question properly.

✓ For clarity
Two commonly used framework:
a) PICOT framework
• P - population, patients, or problem b) PEO framework
• I - intervention or indicator being studied • P - population being studied
• C - comparison group
• O - outcome of interest • E - exposure to preexisting conditions
• T - timeframe of the study • O - outcome of interest

Examples Of Good And Bad Research Questions

• Example no. 1
• Bad: How does social media affect people’s behavior
• Good: What effect does the daily use of YouTube have on the attention span of children aged under 16?
• Example no. 2
• Bad: Has there been an increase in childhood obesity in the US in the past 10 years?
• Good: How have school intervention programs and parental education levels affected the rate of childhood obesity among 1st to
6th grade students?

Important Points to Keep in Mind in Creating A Research Question:

• The development of a research question is an iterative process that involves continuously updating one’s knowledge on the topic
and refining ideas at all stages (Maxwell, 2013).
• Remain updated on current trends, state of the art research studies, and technological advances in the field of study you are
pursuing.
• Make the research question as specific and concise as possible to ensure clarity. Avoid using words or terms that don’t add to
the meaning of the research question.
• Aside from doing a literature review, seek the input of experts in the field, mentors, and colleagues. Such inputs can prove
beneficial not only for the research question but also for creating the rest of the study.
• Finally, refrain from committing the two most common mistakes in framing research questions: posing a question as an
anticipated contribution and framing a question as a method.