Research Methods Introduction Introduction to Research Course Content

Research Methods Introduction • Introduction to Research • Course Content • Assessment Research Methods 1

What is Research • Many forms: – Scientific – Market – …. . • Many definitions – “…the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested. ” 1 – ……. . – The Process of Creating New Knowledge 1. Leedy P. D. and Ormrod J. E. , Practical Research: Planning and Design, 7 th Edition. 2001. Research Methods 2

Types of Research: • Graduate Studies Research – Thesis for MSc students – Dissertation for Ph. D students • Research Funded Projects – Research projects funded by research funding agencies • Research Promotion Foundation of Cyprus • European Union • Industrial Research – Research projects funded by the Industry to solve specific problems – Incubators – Government • Ministry of Commerce • Life-Long Learning Foundation Research Methods 3

Research Classification – Basic vs. Applied – Theoretical vs. Empirical – Theoretical vs. Experimental – Analytical vs. Descriptive Research Methods 4

Research Phases Research Methods 5

Research Proposals: • Graduate Studies Research Proposals – MSc Students: Content of the research work must be within the boundaries of knowledge in the specific area – Ph. D Students: Content of the research work must extend the boundaries and produce new of knowledge in the specific area • Needed to convince academics (research advisor/Committee) – Proposed work is innovative and has a significant contribution – The student has the background knowledge to cope with the specific research • Verified through literature review analysis – The proposed research can be done within the specific time limits and budget. Research Methods 6

Research Work Issues • Work-packages • Tasks • Milestones • Deliverables Research Methods 7

Research Methods vs Research Methodologies • Research methods: Techniques used for conducting research: – Techniques used for the collection of data such as experiment results, questionnaires – Tools and mathematical techniques used for the statistical analysis of the collected data. – Methods used to validate the correctness of the stated hypothesis, and evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained. • Research Methodologies: The analysis and study of the methods and techniques used in research – It refers to the rationale and the philosophical assumptions • Often not clearly distinguished. Research Methods 8

Course Content • Research Proposals – – – Research contributions Literature review Proposed Methodology Validation and Evaluation methodology Infrastructure and Expertise needed Time Schedule • Publications – Technical writing styles – Articles and Papers – Reviews • Thesis and Report writing • Presentations – Research Proposal – Paper – Thesis

Assessment • Research Proposal (50%) – You are required to write and submit a formal research proposal. You may choose to work on the topic of your project or any other topic related to your program of study. • Presentation (50%) – Prepare a presentation for the project proposal Research Methods 10