RESEARCH METHODS Ways of developing and accessing knowledge:

1. Observation
Lecture 1 – Research Overview - the most fundamental way of obtaining information
from a source,
Research
- takes different forms from something like
- refers to a careful, well-defined (or redefined), measurements in a laboratory to a survey among a
objective, and systematic method of search for group of subjects to the time it takes for a firmware
knowledge, or formulation of a theory that is driven routine to run.
by inquisitiveness for that which is unknown and
useful on a particular aspect so as to make an original Observational data
contribution to expand the existing knowledge base.
- often needs to be processed in some form and this
- involves formulation of hypothesis or proposition of leads to the second category of knowledge, the model.
solutions, data analysis, and deductions; and
ascertaining whether the conclusions fit the hypothesis. 2. Model

- a process of creating, or formulating knowledge that - are approximated, often simplified ways of
does not yet exist. describing sometimes very complex interactions in
the form of a statistical relationship, a figure, or a set
- it is not just about reading a lot of books and of mathematical equations.
finding a lot of, gathering a lot of existing information.
It is instead adding, maybe small and specific, yet 3. The final category is a way of arranging or doing
original, contribution to that existing body of things through processes, algorithms, procedures,
knowledge. arrangements, or reference designs, to get a certain
desired result.
- it is about how one poses a question which has
relevance to the world that we are living in, and The categories of knowledge
while looking for that answer one has to be as
systematic as one can be.

Good Research
- involves systematic collection and analysis of
information and is followed by an attempt to infer a
little bit beyond the already known information in a
way that is a significant value addition.

Good Research Questions

- is develop throughout the project actually and one
can even keep modifying them.

Research cycle starts with basically a practical

problem: Engineering Research

- one must be clear what the problem being - a journey that traverses from a research area
attempted to solve is and why it is important. (example: Control Systems), to the topic (example:
Control of Microbial Fuel Cells) and finally onto the
The research flow diagram problem (example: Adaptive Control of Single
Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells) (Area → Topic →
Problem). Getting a good problem to solve is more
than half the work done.
- is the process of developing the perspectives and
seeking improvements in knowledge and skills to
enable the recognition, planning, design, and execution
of research in a wide range of forms relevant for
engineering and technology investigations and
development
Objectives of Engineering Research Applied versus Fundamental
- to solve new and important problems, and since the Applied Research Fundamental Research
conclusion at the end of one’s research outcome has to seeks to solve an concerned with
be new, but when one starts, the conclusion is immediate problem generalizations and
unknown. facing the organization formulation of a theory.
social or economic concerning natural
- to apply scientific approaches to seek answers to trends, or those that find phenomena or relating to
open questions, and although each research study is out whether certain pure mathematics
particularly suited for a certain approach. communications
to determine a solution aimed at seeking
- to develop new theoretical or applied knowledge for compelling problems information which could
and not necessarily limited to obtaining abilities to in actual practice have a broad base of
obtain the desired result. applications in the
medium to long term.
Different types of research studies: Research can either be applied research or
 exploratory or formulative fundamental (basic or pure) research.
 descriptive Quantitative versus Qualitative
 diagnostic
 hypothesis-testing Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
uses statistical rely on a few
Motivation in Engineering Research observations of a non-representative cases
sufficiently large or verbal narrative in
- Studies have shown that intrinsic motivations like number of representative behavioral studies
INTEREST, CHALLENGE, LEARNING, cases to draw
MEANING, PURPOSE, are linked to strong any conclusions
creative performance
- Extrinsic motivating factors like REWARDS FOR DEFINING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
GOOD WORK include money, fame, awards,
praise, and status are very strong motivators, but What is a research problem?
may block creativity.
- statement about an area of concern, a difficulty
- Influences from others like COMPETITION, that needs to be eliminated, or a disturbing question
COLLABORATION, COMMITMENT, AND from a literature, theory or practice.
ENCOURAGEMENT are also motivating factors in
- a situation with no ready-made solution (RS
research.
Woodworth)
- PERSONAL MOTIVATION in solving unsolved
- a disturbing situation which needs a solution.
problems, intellectual joy, service to community, and
respectability are all driving factors. Conditions in determining a researchable
problem
Types of Engineering Research
 Interesting, relevant, novel
Descriptive versus Analytical
 Most important questions in the discipline
Descriptive Research Analytical Research  Should lead to greater understanding
comparative and  Can fill a gap in knowledge
correlational methods,  If it is a replicate, there must be improvement
and fact-finding and refinement
inquiries
 Cutting edge/ innovative
researcher holds no already available facts
control over the for analysis and critical  Based on “why” or “how”
variables evaluation are utilized  Built on a felt need
attempts to determine  Non-hypothetical, factual
causes even though the  Relevant and manageable
variables cannot be
controlled
research studies can be both descriptive and
analytical
Characteristics of a well formulated research
problem
 Interesting
 Manageable
 Scientific
 Clear and well defined
 Along the expertise of the researcher/s
 Relevant

Key strategies in finding a research problem

 Researcher knowledge
 Personal exploration
 Article reading – Evidence that answer isn’t
already known – Your work may be of interest
to its readers – Published papers calibrate your
knowledge
 Ask the experts, speak to fellow students, and
attend talks and workshops
 Immerse yourself in a research environment!

The recommended steps to solve a research

problem are:
 Understand the problem, restate it as if it’s
your own, visualize the problem by drawing
figures, and determine if something more is
needed.
 One must start somewhere and systematically
explore possible strategies to solve the
problem or a simpler version of it while
looking for patterns.
 Execute the plan to see if it works, and if it
does not then start over with another approach.
Having delved into the problem and returned
to it multiple times, one might have a flash of
insight or a new idea to solve the problem.
 Looking back and reflecting helps in
understanding and assimilating the strategy,
and is a sort of investment into the future.

Remember....

“The purpose of a problem

statement is to introduce the
reader to the importance of the
topic being studied.”