Research Methods

Lecture#1
 WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research is an investigation into a topic or idea to discover
new information.

Research is a process of seeking out knowledge, and it is

conducted by collecting and analyzing data for a specific
purpose.

For example, research can be as simple as seeking to answer a

question that already has a known answer, like reading an
article to learn why the sky is blue.
Cont.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH?

▪Research means “Search for Knowledge” and discovering

the truth.

▪It is the search for knowledge through objective and

systematic method of finding solution to problems.

▪It is carried on both for discovering new facts and

verification of old ones.

Cont.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH?

Research is a scientific approach to answering a research

question, solving a research problem, or generating new
knowledge through a systematic and orderly collection,
organization, and analysis of data to make research findings
useful in decision-making.
PURPOSE OF
RESEARCH
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
▪ Advancement of Knowledge

▪ Problem Solving

▪ Exploration and Discovery

▪ Innovation and Development

▪ Policy and Decision Making

▪ Improvement of Practices

▪ Understanding Human Behavior

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
▪ Educational Purposes

▪ Continuous Learning and Adaptation

▪ Dissemination of Knowledge

▪ Quality Assurance

▪ Long-Term Planning

▪ Environmental Conservation

▪ Validation and Verification

TYPES OF RESEARCH
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Research can be categorized into several types based on research
objectives, methods, and purpose:
Basic Research (Pure Research):
This type of research aims to expand the existing knowledge base
without any immediate or specific application in mind. Basic research
contributes to theoretical understanding and often serves as the
foundation for applied research.

Applied Research:
Applied research seeks to address specific, practical problems or
questions. The primary goal is to provide solutions or develop
practical applications. Examples include medical research,
engineering studies, and market research.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Descriptive Research:

Descriptive research is concerned with describing the characteristics

of a particular individual, group, or phenomenon. It does not involve
manipulation or control of variables. Surveys, observational
studies, and content analysis are common methods in descriptive
research.

Exploratory Research:

This type of research is conducted when the researcher has limited

prior knowledge of the subject and seeks to gain a better
understanding of it.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Explanatory (Causal) Research:

Explanatory research aims to establish cause-and-effect

relationships between variables. Researchers manipulate one or more
independent variables to observe their effects on dependent
variables. Experimental studies are a typical example of explanatory
research.

Quantitative Research:

Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of

numerical data to draw statistical inferences. It is often associated
with hypothesis testing and generalization of findings. Surveys,
experiments, and content analysis are common in quantitative
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Qualitative Research:

Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding non-

numeric data, such as words, text, images, and observations. It
often involves in-depth interviews, focus groups, content analysis, and
ethnographic studies to gain insights into the experiences and
perspectives of participants.

Longitudinal Research:

Longitudinal research involves data collection over an extended

period to study changes and developments over time. This type
of research is suitable for tracking trends, growth, and stability of
variables.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Action Research:

Action research is typically conducted within a specific organizational

or community setting. It focuses on solving practical problems and
improving processes by involving stakeholders in the research
process. The goal is to bring about positive change in the context
under study.

Case Study Research:

Case study research involves an in-depth examination of a single

subject or a few subjects within their real-life context. It is
particularly valuable for gaining detailed insights into complex or
unique phenomena.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Comparative Research:

Comparative research examines the similarities and differences

between two or more groups, settings, or cases. It can help identify
patterns, trends, and variations in different contexts.

Historical Research:

Historical research delves into past events, people, and places to gain
a better understanding of history. It often relies on historical
documents, records, and archives for data collection.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Cross-Cultural Research:

Cross-cultural research compares and contrasts cultural practices,

beliefs, and behaviors in different societies. It aims to understand
cultural diversity and its impact on human behavior.

Survey Research:

Survey research involves collecting data from a sample of

individuals through structured questionnaires or interviews. It is a
common method for gathering information on a wide range of topics.
 BASIC OPERATIONS OF RESEARCH

1. Data collection
Data collection refers to observing, measuring, and recording
data or information.

2. Data analysis
Data analysis, refers to arranging and organizing the collected
data so that we may be able to find out what their significance is
and generalize about them.
 BASIC OPERATIONS OF RESEARCH

3. Report writing
Report writing is the ultimate step of the study. Its purpose is to
convey the information contained in it to the readers or
audience.
 Research Papers

A research paper is a piece of academic writing that

provides analysis, interpretation, and argument based on
in-depth independent research.
 Types of Research Papers

Original Research Papers (Primary Research):

These papers present the results of original research studies.

They typically include sections on the introduction,
methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. The primary
goal is to report new findings and contribute to the body of
knowledge in a specific field.
 Types of Research Papers

Review Papers (Literature Reviews):

Review papers provide a comprehensive summary and

analysis of existing research on a particular topic. They
synthesize and critique the findings from multiple studies to
provide a broader perspective on the subject.
 Types of Research Papers

Meta-analysis Papers:

Meta-analysis papers involve the quantitative synthesis of

data from multiple studies. They aim to provide a more
comprehensive and statistically significant understanding of a
particular research question.
 Types of Research Papers

Empirical Research Papers:

Empirical research papers report on studies that collect and

analyze data through observation, experimentation, or
surveys. These papers aim to test hypotheses or answer
specific research questions, and they include a detailed
methodology section.
 Types of Research Papers

Theoretical Papers:

Theoretical papers present new theories, models, or

frameworks in a given field. They are based on conceptual
or mathematical reasoning rather than empirical data.
Theoretical papers contribute to theoretical understanding and
may stimulate further research.
 Types of Research Papers

Case Study Papers:

Case study papers focus on the in-depth examination of a

single case, such as an organization, individual, or event.
They provide a detailed analysis of a specific instance and
often aim to draw broader implications or lessons.
 Types of Research Papers

Experimental Papers:

Experimental papers report the results of controlled

experiments and often follow a standardized structure with
sections on the hypothesis, methods, results, and discussion.
They are common in the natural and social sciences.
 Types of Research Papers

Survey Papers:

Survey papers provide an overview of the current state of

knowledge on a particular topic based on data collected from
surveys or questionnaires. They typically include an analysis
of survey results and comparisons with previous research.
 Selecting a Title
Selecting an appropriate title for your research paper plays a significant
role in attracting readers, conveying the essence of your study, and
making your work discoverable.

Understand the Purpose Be Descriptive

Use Keywords Avoid Ambiguity

Balance Clarity and Creativity Consider the Target Audience

Keep It Concise Avoid Repetition

Consider Subtitles
 Good Titles
The Impact of Flipped Classroom Models on Student Learning Outcomes in
High School Science Education

Incorporating Technology in Early Childhood Education: Best Practices and

Challenges

Assessing the Effects of Teacher-Student Relationship Quality on Academic

Achievement

Quantum Computing: A Comprehensive Survey of Current Technologies

and Future Prospects

Economic Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Perspective

 Bad Titles
Research Paper on Diabetes

My Study on the Environment and Its Impact on Things

The Universe and Its Mysteries: An In-Depth Analysis of Everything

Some Things I Noticed When I Looked at This Stuff

An Exploration of Various Ideas and Thoughts

Survey Results and Some Other Things

 Systematic Literature Review

A systematic review answers a defined

research question by collecting and
summarizing all empirical evidence
that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria.
 Systematic Literature Review

The process of writing a systematic literature review usually

covers the following steps:
1. Define your Research question

2. Plan your approach to your research and your review

3. Search the Literature

4. Analyze the material you’ve found

5. Managing the results of your research

6. Writing your Review

Literature review Graphs
Far
+10 Future
years
Near
+5 Future
years
Immediate
Prese Future
nt 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
% % % % % % % % % %
Problem
-5
years Identification
Introduction &
-10 Background
years
Histor
y
 Literature review some useful tips
Research Ages

• >10 years is history

• 5 to 10 years (introduction and background)
• <5 years problem identifications
• 5 years in the future – latest most of your research
• 5 to 10 years near future ( preliminary stages of new domain)
• >10 years to far future ( pre-preliminary research )
PRISMA flow diagram
Thank You