Research Methodology

Cdre M Ziauddin Alamgir NGP fdc psc (rtd) BN

M Sc Eng (BUET), MDS (NU), WEAC (UK), FIEB, AANDEC (Nigeria), ABUETA

Dean
Faculty of Engineering & Technology
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh
Introduction to the Course
 Title and Credit

 Course Code: NAOE 4107

 Course Title: Research Methodology

 Credit: 1.5

 Contact Hour: 21
 Aim of the Course

To introduce the Students

with
Research Methodology
and
Research Report Writing Technique
 Learning Outcome

It is expected that on completion of the course the

students shall be able to:

 Design, implement and complete research works

 Write research proposal

 Write research report

 Defend their thesis

 Teaching Strategies

 Lecture

 Case analysis

 Group discussion

 Workshop
 Assessment Strategies
Ser Item Weightage
1 Attendance 5%
2 Observation/Participation 5%
3 Assignment 5%
4 Class Test 10%
5 Mid Term Exam 15%
6 Final Exam 60%

There will be 3 class tests. Best 2 will be counted

There will be minimum two assignments

 Class Test & Assignment

 Class Test

 4th , 7th and 9th week

 Assignment

 3rd and 10th week

 Course Contents
 Introduction to research Methodology

 Research design

 Data Source, collection, analysis & Presentation

 Research findings and analysis

 Report Writing Technique

 Thesis Defence
 Sequence of Class
 General Introduction

 Report Writing Technique

 Preliminary Pages

 Supplementary Documents

 Thesis Defence

 Oral Presentation
Introduction
Research is the spark that lights up the darkness of the
unknown…………unknown
 Concept of Research

 The word “research” has been originated from the old French
word “recerchier”

 “recerchier” means search and search again.

 It literally implies repeating a search for something

 Implicitly assumes that the earlier search was not exhaustive

and complete in the sense that there is still scope for
improvement
 Concept of Research

The systematic investigation into

and
study of materials and sources
in order to
establish facts and reach new conclusions

UNESCO defines research as systematic and creative actions

taken to increase knowledge about humans, culture, and
society and to apply it in new areas of interest.
What does Research involve?

Collection

Information

Analysis Organization
Steps of Research

Pose a
Question

Collect Data
to Answer
the Question

Present an
Answer to
the Question
 Broad Types of Research

Basic and Applied

Descriptive Exploratory
and and
Analytic Explanatory

Quantitative and
Qualitative
 Basic and Applied Research

When the solution to the research problem has no apparent

applications to any existing practical problem but only of the
scholarly interests of a community of a researcher, the research is
called basic reach. Basic research is driven by curiosity and seeks
to expand knowledge, not to solve problems or create products.

Applied research is inspired by the needs of social action and aims

at finding a practical solution for an immediate problem of the
sociality making optimal use of the available resources. Applied
research is a way of finding solutions to specific problems or
issues or achieving specific professional or commercial
objectives in the real world.
 Exploratory & Explanatory Research

Exploratory research is defined as a research used to

investigate a problem which is not clearly defined. It is
conducted to have a better understanding of the existing
problem, but will not provide conclusive results.

The explanatory research is oriented to establish the causes

that originate a certain phenomenon. It is a type of
quantitative research that discovers the why and the why of a
phenomenon.
 Qualitative & Quantitative Research
Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e.,
phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. This type of
research aims at discovering the underlying motives and desires,
using in depth interviews for the purpose.

Quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or

amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in
terms of quantity. Quantitative research is the process of collecting
and analysing numerical data.
 Descriptive and Analytic Research
Descriptive Research includes case studies, surveys and fact-
findings enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of
descriptive research is description of the state of affairs, as it exists
at present.

Analytical research is a specific type of research that involves

critical thinking skills and the evaluation of facts and information
relative to the research being conducted. In analytical research the
researcher has to use facts or information already available, and
analyse these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
 Major Fields of Research

 Social

 Scientific

 Legal

 Business
Scientific Research
 Definitions

 Scientific research is the research performed by applying

systematic and constructed scientific methods to obtain,
analyze, and interpret data.

 Scientific research is the neutral, systematic, planned, and

multiple-step process that uses previously discovered facts
to advance knowledge that does not exist in the literature.
 Classifications

Scientific Research

Data Collection
Causality Time
Technique

Observational Experimental Analytical Descriptive Prospective Retrospective

 Steps
 All scientific research starts with a specific research question and
the formulation of a hypothesis to answer this question.

 The next step is testing the hypothesis using the scientific method
to approve or disapprove it.

 The hypothesis should be clear, specific, and directly aim to

answer the research question.

 A strong and testable hypothesis is a fundamental part of the

scientific research.
 Research Plan
 The research plan should include the procedure to obtain data and
evaluate the variables.

 It should ensure that analyzable data are obtained.

 It should also include plans on the statistical analysis to be

performed.

 The number of subjects and controls needed to get valid statistical

results should be calculated, and data should be obtained in
appropriate numbers and methods.
 Research Plan

 The researcher should be continuously observing and recording all

data obtained.

 Data should be analyzed with the most appropriate statistical

methods and rearranged to make more sense.

 Multiple reevaluations of data, literature review, and results

interpretation in light of previous research are required.
 Research Plan

 A well-conducted and precisely written research should always be

open to scientific criticism.

 It should also be kept in mind that research should be in line with

ethical rules all through its stages.
Research Variables

Dependent
Variable (DV)

Independent
Variable (IV)

Control
Variable (CV)
 Dependent Variables

 The dependent variable is the variable being tested and

measured in an experiment

 It is ‘dependent’ on the independent variable.

 This variable measures the impact of introducing or altering

the independent variables.
 Dependent Variables

Resulting dependent
Independent variable: Student’s
variable: New type performance in a
of teaching test designed to
pedagogy check the content
introduced taught using the
pedagogy.
 Independent Variables
 These variables are controlled, introduced or manipulated by
the researcher.

 They are the cause’ factors to which the ‘effect’ is the

dependent variable.

 In an experiment, the researcher is looking for a possible effect

on the dependent variable that might be caused by changing
the independent variable.

 For example, the independent variable is the new teaching

pedagogy, the impact of which is being measured by the test
on content understanding.
 Control Variables

 These variables have no direct impact on the result

 Their presence may actually add biasing or otherwise negate

the impact of the independent variable

 They should be brought under control.

 It is an excellent thought to maintain a control group of

respondents in experimental studies that operate in the same
circumstances as the experimental group.
 Research Skills

 Investigation  Attention to details

 Problem-solving  Communication

 Critical thinking  Note taking

 Planning  Patience

 Time management.
Phases of the Research
 Phases of Research

Planning

Documentation Project
 Planning Phase

In this phase researcher need answer four questions:

 What will be done?

 Why is it an important thing to do?

 What are the objectives and scope of the work?

 How will it be done?

 Project Phase

 The actual work on the research is called the project phase

 It is a point where look back at what has been done and a

look forward at what remains to be done

 It is also useful to write up rough statements of what has

been done occasionally to help later in the documentation
phase
 Documentation Phase

The documentation phase or the preparation of the

research should occur continually during the project.
The proposal and progress reports written during the
project phase can form the basis for much of the final
document.
Steps in Conducting Research
Steps in Conducting Research

Selecting and Defining

Problem

Describing Methodology
of Research

Collecting Data

Analysing and
Interpreting Results
 Selecting & Defining Problem

 Identifying and stating the problem in specific

terms

 Identifying the variables in the problem situation

and defining them adequately

 Generating tentative guesses (hypotheses) about

the relation of the variables or writing explicitly the
questions (research questions) for which answers are
sought

 Evaluating the problem for its research ability.

 Selecting & Defining Problem

To achieve this, researcher reviews the literature related to the

problem to know what other researchers have done and
discovered and to identify the possible methodology for
conducting the research.
 Describing Methodology ….
 In this step, researchers need to state the purpose of the study
and define the problem clearly.

 This step guides researchers in deciding the methodology of

research which involves:

 Identifying the method of research

 Specifying the subjects of study

 Selecting an adequate representative sample of

subjects
 Describing Methodology ….

 Selecting/constructing valid and reliable instruments

for measuring the variables in the problem

 Selecting a research design

 Describing the procedure to be employed for conducting

the research study.
 Collecting Data

This step involves conducting the study as per the designed

procedure (manipulating the experimental variables in the case
of an experimental method), administering instruments for
measuring variables and/or gathering information through
observation. It also involves tabulating the data thus collected
for the purpose of analysis.
 Analysing & Interpreting Result
 The results of the study are generated at this stage.

 The data are summarized, in other words analysed to provide

information for testing the hypotheses.

 Appropriate statistical methods of analysis are used to test

the hypotheses.

 Researcher can perform the analysis manually, by using a

hand calculator or a computer as per the demands of the
problem, and the available facilities.
 Analysing & Interpreting Result
 After completing the analysis results are tied together or
summarized.

 The results are interpreted in the light of the hypotheses

and/or the research questions.

 These are then discussed in relation to: the existing body of

knowledge, consistencies and inconsistencies with the results
of other research studies.

 Then the conclusions are drawn.

 This is followed by writing the research report.

 Research Outcome

A research outcome is a particular dissemination,

publication, presentation, communication or pathway
in which research is made available to people other
than the author.
 Research Output

 Seminar Paper

 Conference Paper

 Strategic / Policy Paper

 Thesis / Dissertation Paper

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