Lecture # 01 INTRODUCTION TO

RESEARCH

ADVANCED D r. Muhammad Faheem Mushtaq

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
 Contents
 Introduction to Research
 Research Process
 Project Profile
 Preparing a Research Proposal

Research Methodology Lecture – © Dr. Muhammad Faheem Mushtaq Slide 2

 Introduction to Research
 Research is defined as a process through which
new knowledge is discovered.
 Research is done based on the problem of
statement
 The expected output of research is uncertain and
the solution might not be reached

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 Which of these can be
classified as research?
• [1] Encik Samad prepared a paper on “computer usage in
secondary schools” after reviewing literature on the
subject available in his university library and called it a
piece of research.
• [2] Encik Muthu says that he has researched and completed
a document which gives information about the age of his
students, their SPM results, their parents income and
distance of their schools from the District Office.
• [3] Encik Lim participated in a workshop on
Curriculum development and prepared what he calls, a
research report on the curriculum for building technicians.
He did this through a literature survey on the subject and
by discussing with the participants of the workshop.

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 Answer
 None of the above examples can be classified
under the name research.
 WHY?

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 Consider this example:
A general manager of a car producing company was
concerned with the complaints received from the car
users that the car they produce have some problems
with rating sound at the dash board and the rear
passenger seat after few thousand kilometers of
driving. He obtained information from the company
workers to identify the various factors influencing the
problem. He then formulated the problem and
generated guesses (hypotheses). He constructed a
checklist and obtained requisite information from a
representative sample of cars. He analyzed the data
thus collected, interpreted the results in the light of his
hypotheses and reached conclusions.

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 Research
 The example shows that the researcher went
through a sequence of steps which were in order
and thus systematic.
 Secondly, the researcher did not just jump at the
conclusions, but used a scientific method of
inquiry in reaching at conclusions.
 The two important characteristics of research are
• it is systematic and
• secondly it follows a scientific method of enquiry.

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 Research
 Hunting for facts or truth about a subject
 Organized scientific investigation to solve
problems, test hypotheses, develop or invent new
products

Research Methodology Lecture – © Dr. Muhammad Faheem Mushtaq Slide 8

 What is “originality”
We used originality to solve problem by:
Recombining present knowledge and past
experience into new idea (solution)

+ =
Knowledge Experience New idea

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 What is Research
 Research is systematic, because it follows certain
steps that are logical in order. These steps are:
• Understanding the nature of problem to be studied
and identifying the related area of knowledge.
• Reviewing literature to understand how others have approached
or dealt with the problem.
• Collecting data in an organized and controlled manner so as to
arrive at valid decisions.
• Analyzing data appropriate to the problem.
• Drawing conclusions and making generalizations.

Research Methodology Lecture – © Dr. Muhammad Faheem Mushtaq Slide 10

 Contents
 Introduction to Research
 Research Process
 Project Profile
 Preparing a Research Proposal

Research Methodology Lecture – © Dr. Muhammad Faheem Mushtaq Slide 11

 Research Process
 Problem and Aim of Research have been identified
 Need to collect data to support the Aim
 Methods available to collect data
 The purpose of the Methodology:
• Others can replicate what you have done

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 Eleven Steps in a Research Process
1. Define a topic (problem)
2. Find out what is known about the topic
3. Clarify concepts and their measurement
4. Establish an appropriate data collection method
5. Operationalise concepts and design the Research
Instruments
6. Select a Sample of subjects/items to study
7. Consider the purpose, value and ethics of the study
8. Collect the data
9. Process the data
10. Analyse the data
11. Present/Write-up the results
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 Step 1: Define a topic (problem)
 Identify your aim
 Identify the existing problem
 Identify what you can do with the problem
 Propose a solution to the problem
• This will lead you to your problem statement

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 Step 1: Define a topic (problem) –
(con’t)
Example:
The evolution from object-based systems to
component-based systems is the state of the
art. With the availability of component
software in the market, an understanding of
the notions of component-based systems has
become critically important. This thesis
therefore focuses on component-based systems
and uses a formal approach to specify key
notions of such systems

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 Step 2: Find out what is known
about the topic
 Study the necessary terms and concepts
used
 Compare what other people have done
about the topic or related/similar topic
 Citation – the necessary information
(journal, book, internet)
• This will lead you to your literature review

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 Step 3: Clarify concepts and
measurements
 Aims identified
 Precise meanings must be defined
• Usability
• How to measure usability
• How to measure your expected output
• Issues of validity and reliability need to be addressed
 Measure is the assignment of numbers to
objects and events
 In certain cases this will lead you to your
research method

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 Step 4: Establish an Appropriate
Data Collection Method
 How to collect data
 From what sources
 How to analyse the data

Note: Data would be varies depending

on different disciplines
• Engineering
• Education
• IT
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 Step 5: Operationalize Concepts and
Design the Research Instruments
 Nuts and bolts
 Survey, the questionnaire,
 Use more than one indicator
• Think aloud, questionnaire, interview

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 Step 6: Sample of Subjects/Objects
 Why sample?
• Cannot involve whole population
• Next best thing: representative of the
population
 Who/what you will study
• Target users
• Target web-sites

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 Step 7: Consider the purpose, value and ethics
of the study

 Why you do your research project

 What you do with your research project
 Who is going to use your findings
 What values do you have for your findings
• Significance
• IP (Intellectual Property)
• Copyright

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 The rest of the steps
8. Collect the data
9. Process the data
10. Analyse the data
11. Present/Write-up the results

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Lecture # 02 INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH

ADVANCED D r. Muhammad Faheem Mushtaq

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
 Contents
 Introduction to Research
 Research Process
 Project Profile
 Preparing a Research Proposal

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 Project Definition
What is a project?

 A project is a documentation that contains a series of activities managed to

produce desired outputs in fixed periods of time, written out with enough
background and literature reviews as well as methodology on how to do the
activities.

 A project should also have

• Clearly identified stakeholders, including the primary target group and the final beneficiaries
• Clearly defined coordination, management and financing arrangements

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 Project profile
1 Project Title :
It should be clear and explicit. It should be concise enough to
easily capture the attention of the reader

2 Rationale :
the problem (s) to be addressed should be clearly stated, including
what has been done and why it should be addressed urgently

3 Goal:
It is an unattainable ideal that the project aims to contribute
towards; longer-term impact of the project

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 Project profile
4. Purpose:
Immediate outcome of the project: utilization by the target group of the
generated project outputs; or; what the project is expected to achieve;

5. Approach/Methodology
What approach or method are we going to use to conduct the research
and how do we ensure that the results of the project reach the intended
beneficiaries

6. Outputs
A limited set of well defined tangible or intangible products usable by
the ‘users’ and for which we are accountable to the donor. What we
said we were going to produce.

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 Project profile
7. Activities
Set of activities are defined for each output, aimed at achieving the
said outputs

8. Target group or intended beneficiaries:

Well defined group who will benefit from the implementation of the
project

9. Partners/Collaborators
Partners and/or collaborators who will be directly involved in the
planning and implementation of the project – complete CVs and past
research record

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 Project profile

10. Project management

This section describes the arrangements for the management of the
project and assigns various responsibilities

11. Work plan

A set of activities to be conducted with specific time lines and
milestones

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 Project Profile
12. Budget
The budget includes the estimated total cost of the project,
co-financing and matching funds available, and funding
being requested
13. Annexes
Any supporting documents or information as described in
the main body of the project document and/or as
requested by the donor according to their guidelines. This
may include a logframe as well.

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 Research Vs Project
 New knowledge is  Perform activities according
discovered. to project needs
 Research is done based on  Project is done based on the
the problem of statement requirements of stakeholders
 The expected output of  The expected output is very
research is uncertain and the certain and can be reached
solution might not be according to project
reached schedule.

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 Contents
 Introduction to Research
 Research Process
 Project Profile
 Preparing a Research Proposal

Research Methodology Lecture – © Dr. Muhammad Faheem Mushtaq Slide 31

  Why write a
research proposal?

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 Your ideal proposal!

Supervisor interest Your interest

Can your supervisor supervises you????

Proposal A
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 Your proposal after negotiation with
the potential supervisor?

Supervisor interest Your interest

But will you enjoy doing the research?

Proposal B
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 A choice of….What you ought to achieve

Supervisor interest Your interest

Proposal C
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 Writing A Good Research Proposal
What is the content of a good research proposal?
 Ability to:
• Collect relevant information
• Formulate a good idea for research
• Place the research within the context of what is currently happening in
the field;
• Summarize relevant prior work in the field;
• Articulate the goals;
• Describe a research plan and methodology;
• Indicate why the research is useful or important; and

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 Key Elements of a Proposal

Why, what , who, when, where and

how?

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 What can you answer to when
writing a proposal ?
Why
 Describe the problem you are addressing

• Who or what does this problem affect ?

• What is the significance of solving the problem?
 Why it is important?

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 What can you answer to when
writing a proposal ?
WHAT
 What has already been done to attempt to address or solve the
problem and what is lacking?
 What do you propose to do to address or solve the problem and what
is different from previous attempts?
 What will be the near-term outcome of the project and what will this
change?
 What approach will you use to conduct your activities in order to
achieve the purpose and goal of the project?

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 What can you answer to when
writing a proposal ?
WHO
 Who will directly benefit from the project and in what way?

 Who are the key individuals to be involved in the project,

why were they chosen, and what are their roles and
responsibilities?

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 What can you answer to when
writing a proposal ?

WHERE

 Where will the project be implemented?

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 What can you answer to when
writing a proposal ?

WHEN

 When will the project be implemented and over what

period of time?

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 What can you answer to when
writing a proposal ?
HOW
 How will the project be managed?
 How will the outcomes and results of the project be
communicated?
 How will products and outcomes be disseminated to
target groups or beneficiaries?

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 Result of Research

 Your research is
complete only
after the results
are published!!
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 Publish, don’t perish
 Publication is the principal means by which to
communicate and disseminate new ideas and
findings among researchers and which ultimately
leads to the advancement of knowledge.
 Global yardstick for gauging the reputation of
individual researcher.
 It is imperative for faculty members to publish in
order to survive and prosper.
 The publish-or-perish mantra became a household
motto for academicians.

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 Publish, don’t perish
No short-cut
to climbing
the
academic
ladder
other than
publish,
publish,
publish……

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 Publish, don’t perish
• Seeing your work in print is one of the most
rewarding outcomes of research.

• However, getting your work published is often

one of the most frustrating aspects of early
academic life.

• The pressure to publish is typically

particularly intense at this stage of a career.

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 “To accomplish
great things, we
must not only
act, but also
dream; not only
plan, but also
believe”
– Alexander Graham Bell

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