Research Methodology Dr Unnikrishnan P C Professor EEE

Research Methodology Dr. Unnikrishnan P. C. Professor, EEE

Dr. Unnikrishnan P. C. l l l BTech. : EEE, NSS College of Engineering, 1981 -85. MTech: Control & Instrumentation, IIT Bombay, 1990 -92. Ph. D. : EEE, Karpagam University, Coimbatore, 2010 -2016.

Dr. Unnikrishnan P. C. l l l 1986 -1996 : Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, Rajasthan Technical University, Kota, India 1996 -2016 : Assistant Professor, Academic Coordinator, Registrar, Head of Section and Head of the Department at Colleges of Technology, Ministry of Manpower, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. 2016 - Till Date : Professor, EEE, RSET

Module I q Types of Research

WHAT IS RESEARCH ? • Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. • It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experimentation

WHAT IS RESEARCH ? • 1. Research is undertaken within a framework of a set of philosophies • 2. Should use procedures, methods & techniques that have been tested for validity & reliability • 3. Research should be unbiased & objective

MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH • To get a research degree and its consequential benefits. • Desire to face the challenge to solve an unsolved problem. • Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work. • Desire to be of service to society. • Desire to get respectability. 7

The Purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedure. Research objectives are grouped as : 1. Exploratory or formulative research studies : to gain familiarity or insight with a phenomenon.

Exploratory research is an important part of any marketing or business strategy. It is most commonly used for further defining company issues, areas for potential growth, alternative courses of action, and prioritizing areas that require statistical research.

2. Descriptive research studies : to portray the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group.

Descriptive research: Someone who is studying the effects of a river on wildlife can observe the wildlife near and far from the river to come up with a few basic ideas about how the two items are connected.

3. Diagnostic research studies : to determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else. Eg. : diagnostic workup for patients suspected of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

4. Hypothesis testing research studies : to test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables.

Examples A hypothesis is put forward that children who take vitamin C are less likely to become ill during flu season than those who do not. A hypothesis test is conducted where a sample group of children is given vitamin C for three months while another group is not. As it turns out, the alternative hypothesis is confirmed. Several scientists observe that during the winter, a certain bird’s feathers become white, camouflaging these birds from predators. Hypothesis testing is conducted on a population of birds and discovers that indeed a significant number of the birds’ feathers do change color for the winter.

The basic types of research are as follows: i. Descriptive vs. Analytical : Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquires of different kinds. Its purpose is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. In analytical research , the researcher has to use facts or information already available and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

Descriptive Research: A Researcher want to know why individuals of a particular community have a higher rate of a rare form of cancer compared to others. The investigator surveyed residents about their lifestyle, noted the types of businesses that were present in the community and searched their medical records. The researcher found that the headquarters for the toxico chemical plant is located where this community lived and there is a higher rate of cigarette smoking in this community and individuals skipped annual checkups.

Analytical Research: If I wish to write an article about becoming a successful electrical engineer, thesis would introduce what is actually needed to be successful in this career such as specific skills, training etc and further support thesis with the writer’s own ideas and scholarly material from outside sources

ii Applied vs. fundamental : applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organization, fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalization and with the formulation of a theory.

Applied Research: This type of research is intended to find solutions to a problem. For example, curing a new decease, solve scientific problems or developing technology Fundamental Research: Effect of radioactivity on human beings, Disposal of nuclear waste, Safe operation of Nuclear plants etc

Fundamental Applied e. g. ØDoes Caffeine Ingestion Improve Ca 2+ binding with troponin? ØDoes Caffeine Ingestion Improve Athletic Performance? -Would this Facilitate Acto-Myosin Coupling? -Would this aid contraction?

iii. Quantitative vs. qualitative : quantitative research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount of some characteristics. Its applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity. Qualitative, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i. e. phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.

Quantitative Research: The data produced are always numerical and can be analysed using mathematical and statistical methods. Eg: How many students pass first year in all subjects in the first attempt or How many staff in Engineering colleges have more than 5 years experience

Qualitative Research: The author wish to write a biography of Mahatma Gandhi. The author takes a collection of archival documents (Interviews, speeches and other writing) and various media (pictures, audio and video footage) to present a comprehensive story of MK Gandhi

iv. Conceptual vs. empirical : conceptual research is that related to some abstract ideas or theory. Its generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones. empirical research relies on experience or observation alone. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusion which are capable of being verified by observation or experiments.

Conceptual Research: In Conceptual research the researcher puts forward his theories based on experimental observations and proposed experiments, real and thought which would test his theories. Ex: Einstein Empirical Research: In empirical research the researcher gains knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation or experience. Ex: Measuring the amount of lead found in the drinking water of a small town. Somewhat trail and error method, Edison is considered an empiricist.

v. Some other types of Research: All other types of research are variations of one or more of the above stated types. a. One-time research or Longitudinal Research b. Field-setting research 0 r Laboratory research or Simulation research c. Historical Research d. Conclusion Oriented, Decision Oriented e. ……………….

Characteristics of research To qualify as research, the process must be • Controlled - when relationship between 2 variables are studied, minimize the effect of other factors. • Rigorous - ensuring that procedures followed to find answers are relevant, appropriate and justified. • Systematic - the investigation follow some logical sequence • Valid and verifiable - whatever you conclude on the basis of our findings is correct and can be verified by you and others. • Empirical - any conclusion drawn are based upon hard evidence gathered from information collected from real life experiences or observations. • Critical - the process and procedure of investigation must be foolproof and free from drawbacks and should withstand critical scrutiny. 27

Research Method Vs Methodology • Research methods or techniques refer to the methods the researchers use in performing research operations. • Research Methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It is the science of studying how research is done scientifically.

Research process A series of steps necessary to carry out research 1. Formulating the research problem 2. Extensive literature review 3. Developing the hypothesis 4. Preparing the research design 5. Data collection/Performing the experiment 6. Data analysis and hypothesis testing 7. Interpretation of results, Preparation of report and presentation of the results 29

Research Process

Step I. Define Research Problem

Step I. Define Research Problem Steps in formulation of research problem (Pre-requisite- Reasonably good knowledge in the broad subject area within which study is undertaken. ) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Identify a broad subject area of interest. Dissect broad area into sub areas. Select what is of most interest to you. Raise research questions. Formulate objectives. Assess your objectives. 32

Steps in formulation of research problem 7. Double check. 8. Researcher can seek help from colleagues, guide etc 9. Two types of literature: the conceptual literature concerning the concepts and theories, and the empirical literature consisting of studies made earlier 33

Considerations in selecting a research problem 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Interest – to sustain the required motivation. Magnitude – narrow the topic down to something manageable, specific and clear. Measurement of concepts – have clear idea about the measurements to be taken. Level of expertise – make sure that you select topic where you have sufficient level of expertise. Relevance – ensure that the study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges current gaps and is useful in policy formulation/decision making. Availability of data – before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available/can be made available. Ethical issues – How ethical issues can affect the study population and how ethical problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined. 34

Research Process Step II. Reviewing the literature

Step II. Reviewing the literature Functions of literature review : 1. Bring clarity and focus to your research problem. 2. Improve your methodology. 3. Broaden your knowledge base in your research area. • submit it to the necessary Committee or the Research Board for approval 36

Procedure for reviewing the literature 1. Search for existing literature in your area of study in books and journals. (extensive literature survey connected with the problem should be conducted: abstracting and indexing journals and published or unpublished bibliographies, a good library, academic journals, conference proceedings etc. ) 2. Review the literature selected and make a theme wise listing. Note theories and methodologies and look for criticisms. Look for gaps and suggestions for future research. Make a write up of literature reviewed. 3. Develop a theoretical framework (until you go through the literature you cannot develop a theoretical framework and until you have developed a theoretical framework, you cannot effectively review the literature) 4. Develop a conceptual framework (when writing about your findings). -write a synopsis of the topic 37

Developing the objectives Word the objectives (goals) of your study clearly and specifically so that a reader can understand what you want to attain in your study. v The main objectives or Aims- Its an overall statement of thrust of your study. It gives the main associations and relationships you seek to discover or establish. v The sub-objectives are the specific aspects of the topic that you want to investigate within the main frame work of your study. 38

Research Process Step III. Formulate Hypothesis

Hypothesis 40

What is a Hypothesis? Hypothesis is a predictive statement, capable of being tested by scientific methods, that relates an independent variable to some dependent variables. Thus a hypothesis may be defined as a proposition or a set of proposition set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide some investigation or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.

Characteristics of hypothesis Hypothesis should be clear and precise. Hypothesis should be capable of being tested. Hypothesis should state relationship between variables. Hypothesis should be limited in scope and must be specific. Ø Hypothesis should be consistent with most known facts Ø Hypothesis should be amenable to testing within a reasonable time. Ø Hypothesis must explain the facts that gave rise to the need for explanation. Ø Ø

Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis If we are to compare method A with method B about its superiority and if we proceed on the assumption that both methods are equally good, then this assumption is termed as the null hypothesis. As against this, we may think that the method A is superior or the method B is inferior, we are then stating what is termed as alternative hypothesis. The null hypothesis is generally symbolized as Ho and the alternative hypothesis as Ha.

Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis

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III. Development of working hypotheses: • the working hypothesis or hypotheses should be stated in clear terms which is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. • arise as a result of a-priori thinking about the subject, examination of the available data and material including related studies and the counsel of experts and interested parties • stated in precise and clearly defined terms