Basic Research Methods in IT

Lecture1
Introduction
 Content

• Research definition
• Objective of research
• Motivation for Research
• Significance of Research
• Type of research
• Research process
• Component of a research proposal
• Writing a Research Proposal

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 What is research?

• Research is an Organized and Systematic way of Finding answers to

Questions
– Systematic: because there is a definite set of procedures and
steps which you will follow. There are certain things in the
research process which are always done in order to get the most
accurate results.
– Organized : because there is a structure or method in going about
doing research. It is a planned procedure, not a spontaneous one.
It is focused and limited to a specific scope. 3
 What is research? Cont…

– Finding Answers : is the end of all research. Whether it is the

answer to a hypothesis or even a simple question, research is
successful when we find answers. Sometimes the answer is no,
but it is still an answer.
– Questions : are central to research. If there is no question, then
the answer is of no use. Research is focused on relevant, useful,
and important questions. Without a question, research has no
focus, drive, or purpose.
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 What is research? (cont’d)
• An art of investigation of new and innovative aspect
of any branch of knowledge.
• It comprises of
– defining and redefining problems,
– formulating hypothesis,
– suggest solutions or solution approaches,
– collecting and analyzing data,
– deriving, experimenting, and
– eventually validating the hypothesis or deducing new conclusions.

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 What is research? (cont’d)
• Search for knowledge through objective and systematic
method of
– finding solution to a problem or
– developing foundational theories.
• Research is a culture
– To be practice through continual quest for innovation
• Research needs
– hard work,
– dedication,
– perseverance, and
– an appropriate attitude
 Objective of research

• To discover answers to questions through the

application of scientific procedures.
• To find out the truth which is hidden which has
not been discovered as yet.
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to
achieve new insights into it;
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 Motivation for Research
• Intellectual satisfaction of doing something innovative
and creative
• Meaningful and long-lasting contributions towards the
advancement of mankind and society
• Enjoy the challenges of solving unsolved problems
• Attain higher level of understanding of fundamental
concepts as well as practical significances
• Degrees, financial benefits, and respect comes along the
way
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 Significance of Research

• Increased amount of research make progress possible.

• Research inculcates scientific thinking and promotes the development of logical
habits of thinking and organization.
• Complexity in business and government is increasing.
• There is more information and knowledge to understand the world than before.
• Multi disciplinary professions have become common

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 Significance of Research
• Research is necessary in allocation of resources.
(eg. optimum resource allocation).
• A means of livelihood
• The outlet for new ideas and insights;
• The development of new styles and creative work;
• The generalizations of new theories;
• Fountain of knowledge;
• Important source of providing guidelines for solving
different problems; etc.

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 Requirements

Research requires resources, such as the following:

• Money;
• People;
• Time and space;
• Experimental Subjects, in some cases;

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 Type of research

Research can be classified by its purpose, its

process and its outcomes.

Purpose Process Outcome

•Quantitative •Applied
•Exploratory
•Qualitative •Basic/ Pure/ Fundamental
•Descriptive
•Action
•Explanatory
 Research Classification (cont’d)
• Exploratory studies:
– Investigating an ‘entirely’ new area of research, exploring a
situation or a problem
• Descriptive studies:
– Reviewing and evaluating existing theories, including describing
the state of the art, comparing predictions with experimental data
• Explanatory(Causal) studies:
– Explaining or clarifying some phenomena or identifying the
relationship between things
– Assessing the causal relationship between things 13
 Research Classification (cont’d)
• Applied research:
– aims at finding a solution for an
immediate problem facing by a society/
institution/ business organization etc.
• Basic research:
– Is also called fundamental research or pure
research, and is conducted primarily to
improve our understanding of general issues,
without any emphasis on its immediate
application.
 Research Classification (cont’d)

• Action research:
– Pursues action (or change) and understanding at the
same time Continuously alternates between action and
critical reflection, while refining methods, data and
interpretation in the light of the understanding
developed in the earlier cycles
– Example: Reflective teaching
 Research Classification (cont’d)

• Quantitative Research
– Is expressed in numbers and graphs.
– used to test or confirm theories and assumptions.
– can be used to establish generalizable facts about a topic.
– Surveys, experimental research, observational
research, content analysis
 Research Classification (cont’d)

• Qualitative Research
– expressed in words.
– used to understand concepts, thoughts or experiences.
– It enables you to gather in-depth insights on topics that are
not well understood.
– Interviews, focus groups, case studies, discourse analysis
 Research process

• Research process consists of series of actions or

steps necessary to effectively carry out research.
 Component of a research proposal
• The Research Topic or Title
• Introduction and background of the study
• Statement of the problem & its justification
• Objectives of the study
• Hypothesis/research Question
• Scope/delimitation of the Study
• Methodology of the study
• Significance/benefits of the study
• Budget Schedule
• Time Schedule
 Component of a research proposal

• The Research Topic or Title

– It should be explanatory of the research problem/ the
study
– Clear and understandable

• Introduction and background of the study

– Brief overview of the general area
– Introduce readers about the topic area 20
 Component of a research proposal
• Statement of the problem & its justification
– Describe the problem & Explain the severity of the
problem at hand
– Describe the problem & suggest possible solutions
– Explain opportunities behind the problem
– Justify the reasons why you study selected it
• Objectives of the study
– General- broad objective/high level
– Specific – list of objectives to achieve the general objective
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 Component of a research proposal
• Hypothesis/research Question
– Question- research focus to be answered
– Hypothesis- potential answer for the study
• Scope/delimitation of the Study
– Defining the research focus/concern
– Limiting the research boundary:
• physical & Logical boundaries
• Methodology of the study
– Defining the ways/procedures to be followed
– Research type, Data collection tools to be used, Sample design/
methods, Data collection procedure, Data analysis tools & techniques
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 Component of a research proposal
• Significance/benefits of the study
– What are importance of the study
– Potential beneficiaries at different levels
• Individual level
• Organizational level
• National level
• Budget Schedule
– Resources needed
– Money required for each activity
• Time Schedule
– Beginning time for each activity and/or study
– Ending time for each activity and/or study 23
Writing a Research Proposal and Research Report

• Research Proposal: Where you express your

intentions and plans (Future)
– It should be Written in future tenses

• Research Report: Where you present what you

have done (past).
– It should be Written in past tenses.

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 Evaluating a Research Proposal

Any proposal should

• offer a plan to fill a need, - your reader will evaluate your
plan according to how well your written presentation
answers questions about
– WHAT you are proposing,
– HOW you plan to do it,
– How long it is going to take, and
– HOW MUCH it is going to cost.

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 Points to Remember
• Research cannot be taught or improvised
– It depends on practices
• It does not follow an on-off model
– You have to live with it. It is difficult to schedule it.
• Continuous nourishment is essential
– Get what ever knowledge is necessary
• There is no one size fits all model
• Research dictates its own pace and direction
– Should not be imposed upon

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