USN: 1JS21CS039

NAME: BAZLAH ASAD

ASSIGNMENT 1
Course: Research Methodology
Course code: 21 RMI 56

Module-1

Introduc on:
Meaning of Research
Objec ves of Engineering Research
Mo va on in Engineering Research
Types of Engineering Research
Finding and Solving a Worthwhile Problem

Ques on 1 - What is meant by research ? Explain.

Research is a systema c method for seeking knowledge or formula ng theories
driven by curiosity about the unknown, with the goal of making an original
contribu on to expand the exis ng knowledge base. It involves cra ing
hypotheses, analyzing data, and verifying whether conclusions align with the
ini al hypotheses. The research process is essen ally about crea ng knowledge
that does not yet exist.

The research cycle begins with iden fying a prac cal problem, understanding its
signi cance, and formula ng a research ques on. This ques on is crucial for
avoiding informa on overload and de ning a manageable scope. It guides a
research project, a series of ac vi es that lead to results or answers. These
outcomes, in turn, contribute to solving the ini al prac cal problem, as illustrated
in Fig. 1.1.

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 Ques on 2 – What are the objec ves of engineering research. Explain.
The goal of engineering research is to address novel and signi cant problems, and
since the conclusion is ini ally unknown, the outset can be challenging. To
navigate this, researchers rely on circumstan al evidence, intui on, and
imagina on to make an educated guess about a poten al conclusion. Although
this guess may prove incorrect, it can guide the research and lead to valuable
discoveries or modi ed targets. Research objec ves in engineering can be
complex and may involve convoluted paths.

In both academic and professional contexts, understanding where and how to

access diverse informa on is crucial for solving engineering problems. Neglec ng
established guidelines, standards, and best prac ces can lead to failures with
severe consequences. As an engineer, the ability to conduct thorough research
and communicate results e ec vely is vital for decision-making.

The primary aim of research is to apply scien c approaches to address open

ques ons. While research studies may vary, common types include exploratory/
formula ve, descrip ve, diagnos c, and hypothesis-tes ng studies. The objec ves
of engineering research should focus on developing new theore cal or applied
knowledge rather than just achieving speci c outcomes. Framing objec ves to

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 allow for understanding why a desired result may not be a ainable contributes to
ongoing research in problem-solving. Even if one approach fails, it may pave the
way for others to propose alterna ve solu ons.

Ques on 3 – What are the factors that mo vate engineering research. Explain.
Possible mo ves can stem from various desires, including:

• Intrinsic mo va ons, such as interest, challenge, learning, meaning, and

purpose, are linked to strong crea ve performance.

• Extrinsic mo va ng factors like rewards (money, fame, awards, praise, status)

can be powerful mo vators but may hinder crea vity. For instance, research
outcomes leading to a patent can bring wealth and recogni on.

• In uences from others, like compe on, collabora on, commitment, and
encouragement, also play a mo va ng role in research. For example, peer
involvement or a desire to outperform someone disliked.

• Personal mo va ons, such as solving unsolved problems, intellectual joy,

community service, and seeking respectability, are signi cant drivers.

• Factors combining both extrinsic and intrinsic aspects include the desire to
surpass global achievements, advance technology, contribute to societal
improvement, and ful ll historical legacies.

• Various external factors like government direc ves, funding opportuni es, and
employment terms can also serve as mo va ons for engaging in engineering
research.

Ques on 4 – What are the Types of Engineering Research. Explain.

The main types of research are:

(i) Descrip ve vs. Analy cal: Descrip ve research involves surveys and fact-
nding inquiries, providing a current state of a airs without researcher control
over variables. Ex post facto research is o en used for descrip ve studies,
measuring items like shopping frequency or people's preferences. Analy cal
research involves analyzing exis ng facts cri cally.
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 (ii) Applied vs. Fundamental: Applied research addresses immediate societal or
organiza onal problems, while fundamental research focuses on generaliza ons
and theory formula on. Pure or basic research seeks knowledge for its own sake,
while applied research aims to solve prac cal issues.

(iii) Quan ta ve vs. Qualita ve: Quan ta ve research measures quan ty,
applicable to phenomena expressed numerically. Qualita ve research explores
qualita ve phenomena, delving into human behavior mo ves and desires.
Techniques include in-depth interviews, word associa on tests, and opinion
research.

(iv) Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research deals with abstract ideas or
theories, employed by philosophers. Empirical research relies on observa on and
experience, genera ng data-based conclusions veri ed through experiments. It
involves the experimenter's control over variables and deliberate manipula on for
desired informa on. Empirical research is crucial for proving how certain variables
a ect others.

Ques on 5 – How do you nd and solve a worthwhile problem.

A researcher may ini ally address research problems posed by a supervisor or
others or reconsider a fundamental theory. Research scholars must skillfully
iden fy an appropriate problem for their research, a task o en lacking formal
instruc on. Once a problem is loosely iden ed, the subsequent literature survey
and technical reading, detailed in the following chapter, con rm the problem's
worthiness.

An ini al spark, crucial before star ng the literature survey, may come from oral
presenta ons, ques ons, or introspec on, providing perspec ves beyond paper
reading. Developments in other subjects may yield tools or results directly
relevant to the researcher's subject, facilita ng problem iden ca on.

Recommended steps for solving a research problem include:

• Understand the research problem thoroughly.

• Restate the problem in your own terms.
• Visualize the problem through the use of gures or representa ons.
• Assess the need for addi onal informa on.
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 • Systema cally explore strategies or simpler versions of the problem to iden fy
pa erns.
• Execute the chosen plan and, if unsuccessful, try alterna ve approaches.
• Revisit the problem mul ple mes for poten al insights or new ideas.
• Re ect on the problem-solving process to enhance understanding.
• Consider re ec on as an investment in future problem-solving strategies.

Ethics in Engineering Research

Ethics in Engineering Research Prac ce
Types of Research Misconduct
Ethical Issues Related to Authorship.

Ques on 1 – Write a note on Ethics in Engineering Research Prac ce.

Technological advancements bring ethical concerns, par cularly regarding privacy
and surveillance data in engineering research. Researchers are accountable for
ethical decisions and the repercussions of their work due to its impact on humans.
The accessibility and analysis op ons for data in engineering research today are
unprecedented. Engineering ethics serves as a guide, helping researchers
determine acceptable prac ces and set boundaries.

Engineering research is intricately linked to technological development. Ethical

choices made by researchers signi cantly in uence the ethical implica ons of
technology:

• Se ng ethically sound requirements at the outset shapes the impact of

developed technology.
• During the design process, decisions priori ze requirements, considering ethical
aspects.
• Choosing between alterna ves with similar func ons involves ethical
considera ons.
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 Research outcomes o en yield unintended side e ects. It is an ethical
responsibility to minimize hazards and risks associated with developed
technologies. Designs should priori ze inherent safety, incorporate safety factors,
mul ple safety barriers, or supervisory mechanisms to take control if the primary
process fails.

Ques on 2 – What are the di erent types of Research Misconduct. Explain.

Research misconduct, as delineated in ar cles [5] and [6], encompasses a variety

of transgressions within the scien c community. These misconduct types
include:

• Fabrica on (Illegi mate data crea on): This involves the premature crea on of
data or experiments, typically driven by me constraints imposed by supervisors
or external pressures. The act of conjuring results without wai ng for actual
experimental outcomes can compromise the integrity of engineering research.
• Falsi ca on (Inappropriate data altera on): Falsi ca on entails misrepresen ng,
misinterpre ng, or illegi mately altering data or experiments to align with a
desired hypothesis. Even par al altera on to support a predetermined
conclusion can distort empirical evidence, leading to the dissemina on of
misleading informa on within the scien c literature. Falsi ca on and
fabrica on of data not only erode the credibility of individuals involved but also
incur addi onal costs, impede research progress, and cause avoidable delays in
technical advancement.
• Plagiarism (Una ributed use of others' work): Plagiarism occurs when someone
employs or repurposes the work of others, including text, data, tables, gures,
illustra ons, or concepts, without providing proper acknowledgment. This
unethical prac ce extends to self-plagiarism, wherein individuals reuse their
own previously published work without appropriate cita on. The accessibility of
scien c content on the internet has, in certain cases, facilitated plagiarism.
However, it has also enabled the development of automated so ware packages
designed to detect and counteract such prac ces.

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 Beyond these speci c types, research misconduct includes other noteworthy
aspects:

• Serious devia ons from accepted conduct: Instances of serious ethical

viola ons may be construed as research misconduct, par cularly when
decep on and damage coexist. The perpetra on of fraud is considered when
ethical standards are egregiously violated.
• Publica on policies and simultaneous submission: Viola ons of publica on
policies may occur through the simultaneous submission of the same ar cle to
two di erent journals, undermining the principles of fair and transparent
dissemina on of research ndings.
• Repor ng mistakes and rec ca on: When mistakes are iden ed in an ar cle
or any published content, they are o en not promptly reported for public
access. Rec ca on of errors becomes the responsibility of diligent researchers
aiming to build upon and provide a corrected version. However, this might not
always align with the primary objec ves of researchers.

Ques on 3 – What are the Ethical Issues Related to Authorship. Explain.

Credit for contribu ons in research publica ons is assigned through authorship,
cita on, and wri en acknowledgment. Authorship signi es both accountability
and credit, reserved for signi cant contributors to research design, data
interpreta on, or paper wri ng. Including "guest" or "gi " authors with minimal
contribu ons is ethically ques onable, dilu ng the work's true contributors and
falsely enhancing the listed authors' creden als. Unethical prac ces like "Career-
boost authorship" involve bestowing coauthorship to boost someone's
employment or promo on prospects. "Career-preserva on authorship" occurs
when administrators are added as coauthors in exchange for a favorable
rela onship, lacking actual contribu on.

Ghost coauthorship occurs when actual contributors abstain due to undisclosed

con icts of interest. Full disclosure is crucial for evalua ng ndings and poten al
in uences from con icts. Some ques onable authorship involves reciprocal
gestures without true collabora on, misrepresen ng contribu ons. Some authors
seeking sole-authored work may acknowledge others only in the acknowledgment
sec on, misleading readers about their contribu ons.

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 All listed authors share full responsibility for a research ar cle and should be
informed of journal submissions by the corresponding author. Consent is crucial
for content and submission agreement. In cases of misconduct, quan fying
contribu ons to recognize and determine accountability is essen al.

Double submission, submi ng a paper to two forums simultaneously, is an ethical

concern. Reputable journals priori ze originality and strongly discourage double
submissions to maintain publica on integrity.

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