MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1: Meaning of Research, Objectives of Engineering

Research, and Motivation in Engineering Research, Types of
Engineering Research, Finding and Solving a Worthwhile
Problem.

Chapter 2: Ethics In Engineering Research, Ethics In

Engineering Research Practice, Types Of Research Misconduct,
Ethical Issues Related To Authorship.
MEANING OF RESEARCH
 Research refers to a careful, well-defined (or redefined), objective, and systematic
method of search for knowledge, or formulation of a theory that is driven by
inquisitiveness for that which is unknown and useful on a particular aspect so as to
make an original contribution to expand the existing knowledge base.
 Research involves formulation of hypothesis or proposition of solutions, data
analysis, and deductions; and ascertaining whether the conclusions fit the
hypothesis.
 Research is a process of creating, or formulating knowledge that does not yet exist.
Thus research is an art of scientific investigation
THE OBJECTIVE OF ENGINEERING RESEARCH IS
o To solve new and important problems, and since the conclusion at the end of
one‘s research outcome has to be new, but when one starts, the conclusion is
unknown
o Research objectives can sometimes be convoluted and difficult to follow.
Knowing where and how to find different types of information helps one
solve engineering problems, in both academic and professional careers.
o Lack of investigation into engineering guidelines, standards, and best
practices results in failures with severe repercussions. As an engineer, the
ability to conduct thorough and accurate research while communicating the
results is extremely important in decision-making.
o The main aim of the research is to apply scientific approaches
to seek answers to open questions, and although each
research study is particularly suited for a certain approach
o The objectives of engineering research should be to develop
new theoretical or applied knowledge and not necessarily
limited to obtaining abilities to obtain the desired result.
o The objectives should be framed such that in the event of not
being able to achieve the desired result that is being sought,
one can fall back to understanding why it is not possible
because that is also a contribution toward ongoing research in
solving that problem.
Types of Engineering
Research
1. Descriptive vs Analytical research
o Descriptive research
comparative and correlational methods, fact-finding investigation, and No control over the variables rather
than focusing on reports.
o Analytical research
Facts are available for analysis, critical evaluation, better control over variables, and focus on the outcomes.

2. Applied vs fundamental research

o Applied research
Focuses on the organization’s immediate problems and research related to socio-economic trends.
o Fundamental research
Pure or basic research, formulation of theory, and generalizations. E.g. Mathematical researches.

3. Quantitative vs Qualitative research

o Quantitative research:
Uses statistical observations, and large data.
o Qualitative research:
Less volume of data, focus on few non-representative cases
Finding & solving a worthwhile
A researcher may start with the research problems stated
problem by the Supervisor or posed by others that are yet to be
solved. Alternately, it may involve rethinking a basic
theory or need to be formulated or put together from the
information provided in a group of papers suggested by
the Supervisor
George Pólya (1887–1985) suggested a 4-step procedure for mathematical problem-
solving
 Chapter 2: Ethics In Engineering Research, Ethics In Engineering
Research Practice, Types Of Research Misconduct, Ethical Issues
Related
ETHICS IN To Authorship. RESEARCH
ENGINEERING
Government bodies, and universities worldwide have adopted certain codes for research ethics.
Research ethics and the responsible conduct of research are often erroneously used interchangeably.
Research ethics examines the appropriate application of research outcomes, while responsible
conduct of research deals with the way the work is undertaken
 Ethics in Engineering Research
• Engineering researchers must make ethical decisions and be responsible for the
Practice
impact of their research. Information used in engineering research is important
because it affects people.
• Some practices may be acceptable to some people in some circumstances, and
the reasons for their acceptance may not be entirely valid. Today we have
unprecedented access to data, unprecedented options for data analysis, and the
emergence of engineering studies involving data. Engineering ethics provides us
with a rulebook; and teaches us how to decide what is allowed and what is not.
Scientists make various choices regarding ethics and the impact of technology in
various ways:
• (i) By setting ethical standards up front, engineering scientists can influence the
full benefits of advancing technology.
 (ii) Researchers can also tap into the power of design—the process of
transforming needs into designs designed to meet those needs.
Ethical decisions should be made to determine the importance and importance of
the requirements while creating the process.
(iii) Third, engineering scientists must choose different options to complete
similar tasks.

Research findings often have negative side effects. It is the primary

responsibility of scientists to ensure that the hazards/risks associated with the
technology they develop are minimized and to evaluate safer alternatives. The
design should have centralized security where possible, or have security features
and a variety of independent security measures to avoid danger, or, if Yes, a control
system in case the main system fails.
 TYPES OF RESEARCH MISCONDUCT
There are different types of research misconduct or scientific misconduct and unethical research
practices. The most serious ethical infractions are fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism in research.
Some of the most common types of research misconduct have been detailed below.
• There may be different types of research misconduct, which can be summarized as follows:
•(i) Fabrication (Illegitimate creation of data): Fabrication is the act of conjuring data or experiments
with a belief of knowledge about what the conclusion of the analysis or experiments would be, but cannot
wait for the results possibly due to the timeline pressures from supervisor or customers. OR
This refers to the practice of making up data without having done the required research. Research
misconduct covers not only the act of fabrication, but also the sharing, discussing, or publishing of this
fabricated data or results
•(ii) Falsification (Inappropriate alteration of data): Falsification is the misrepresentation or
misinterpretation, or illegitimate alteration of data or experiments, even if partly, to support a desired
hypothesis even when the actual data received from experiments suggest otherwise. OR
Falsification: This type of scientific misconduct involves the willful manipulation of data, materials,
processes, or equipment to arrive at a predefined conclusion. One such example would be selectively
omitting or changing data, which results in the erroneous representation of research results.
continue
o Authorship: This type of scientific misconduct in research includes attempts to
assign false authorships without adequate contribution to research, mentioning
authors without their consent, or failing to include authors who are original
contributors. Naming authors in the wrong order or incorrectly is also considered
unethical.
o Conflicts of interest: This can be classified under general scientific misconduct
and involves lapses by researchers in declaring any conflict of interest in their
research work. These conflicts of interest may be financial, personal, and
professional and need to be reported appropriately to avoid any ethical issues.
o Approvals: One of the most important aspects of research that involves human
or animal subjects is adhering to all the ethical approvals and legal guidelines.
Non-compliance with this ethical mandate is considered a serious type of
research misconduct.
 ETHICAL ISSUES RELATED TO
AUTHORSHIP
o Academic writing includes communicating the learning work, criticizing its findings,
and promoting the reputation of peers, as well as the role of accepting
responsibility for work details. It forms the basis of performance appraisal,
promotion, and other accolades.
o Research scores in published research are achieved through three main methods:
writing, writing, and written verification. Authorship creates responsibility and builds
credibility. An individual is listed as an author only if they have made significant
contributions to the design, interpretation, or writing of the data.
o Sometimes participants give consent because there is no conflict of interest in the
organization. Some co-authorships may be called ghost co-authoring. It is
important to disclose all people involved in the research so that the assessment
can be based on research results and whether there are conflicting issues.
o In another form of ambiguous writing, some scholars write alone, collaboratively, as a
co-author, with no real collaboration other than less reading and editing, and no real
review of previous work. This effort is only through recognition. So readers cannot
explain the lack of "write" confirmation. All registered authors are solely responsible for
the entire content of the research article, so they should be aware of what the author is
sending to the journal.
o Their consent must be sought for content and they agree to post it. In cases of abuse,
such as a typo, where the perpetrator is easy to find, the necessity of authors'
responsibility is not always clear. It's interesting to be able to analyze revenue to be
sure and determine each author's level of responsibility.
o Double posting is an important ethical issue regarding posting and joining two forums
at the same time. The motivation is to increase the ability to advertise and reduce the
time spent on advertising. Prestigious journals are expected to publish originals, i.e.
material that has not been published elsewhere and that negatively impacts
submissions.