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Research Methodology. Gopinath Ganapathy BDU. Basic Terminology. What is Research? What is Science? What is Technology? What is Methodology?. Why Methodology?. Need for methodology for Research? Science is a collection and observation of data for certain questions.
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Research Methodology Gopinath Ganapathy BDU Research Methodology: Best Practices
Basic Terminology • What is Research? • What is Science? • What is Technology? • What is Methodology? Research Methodology: Best Practices
Why Methodology? • Need for methodology for Research? • Science is a collection and observation of data for certain questions. • While to find answers to further the knowledge we need to have systematic and universal of • collecting and observing the data. If not, it is chaos. Research Methodology: Best Practices
Why Methodology - II? • If systematic methods are followed, it is easy to Predict events and behavior of the finding. • Merits and demerits of the data we are confronted with every day will be tabulated and identified easily Research Methodology: Best Practices
Types of Research • BASIC: Foundation upon which the applications are built. It is not helpful for real world. • APPLIED: Related to finding solutions to the practical problems to be used by real world. • Program Evaluation: of existing programs in areas of education, criminal justice, etc., and determine the effectiveness of these programs. DOES THE PROGRAM WORK? Research Methodology: Best Practices
Evaluation Example • For example - Does capital punishment work? • Think of all the issues surrounding this program and how hard it is to examine its effectiveness. • The most immediate issue, how do you define the purpose and "effectiveness" of capital punishment? • If the purpose is to prevent convicted criminals from ever committing that same crime or any other crime, than capital punishment is an absolute - 100% effective. • However, if the point of capital punishment is to deter would-be criminals from committing crimes, then it is a completely different story. Research Methodology: Best Practices
Research Approach • Gather data • Non Scientific • Authority Figures : by Teachers Larger Brain = Greater Intelligence • Intuition : women are romantic than men? • Scientific Approach • Testable : God exists? • Provable or Falsifiable : Easy to prove or disprove – God exists? Research Methodology: Best Practices
Scientific Methodology • Goals • 1) Description - the citing of the observable characteristics of an event, object, or individual. begin to transform it from a general concept or idea into a specific, testable construct. • 2) Prediction - here we formulate testable predictions or HYPOTHESES about behavior. For example, one may hypothesize that as alcohol consumption increases driving ability decreases. (usually based on THEORIES). • 3) Select Methodology & Design - chose the most appropriate research strategy to address hypotheses. • 4) Control - method of eliminating all unwanted factors Research Methodology: Best Practices
Scientific Methodology - II • 5) Collect Data - data collection is simply the execution and implementation of your research design. • 6) Analyze & Interpret the Data - use of statistical procedures to determine the mathematical and scientific importance ...discovery of the causes of behavior, cognition, and physiological processes. • 7) Report/Communicate the Findings - Psychology is a science that is based on sharing – Just finding answers to questions is meaningless -through publications in scientific journals, books, presentations, lectures, etc. Research Methodology: Best Practices
“How to conduct” Methodology • Observation of system • (no intervention- just natural) • Case study • investigate, examine thoroughly • Survey • questionnaire, verbal interview • Psychological Testing • provide a test and then score the answers to draw conclusions from. I.Q. tests • Experimental Research • Cause & Effect Research Methodology: Best Practices
Writing • Assignments • Essay /Term papers • Dissertation – Theses • Reports Research Methodology: Best Practices
Assignments • Not covered in the lecture • Critically important area • Search and select material • Marshal thoughts • Independent study (educational value) • Unlike Essay: Exercise for exam paper. Not for public library. • Both will have remarks (for remedial purpose) Research Methodology: Best Practices
Thesis • Higher Degree student • Unlike Essay • Culmination of REAL OWN WORK • Study about new invention • Or refine the existing solution • Scholarly Style Research Methodology: Best Practices
How thesis? • Good research – marred by bad presentation • Talks the requirements of the department • Readability and simplicity • Not pompous, ambiguous • Standard format • No personal pronouns Research Methodology: Best Practices
How Thesis? • Consistency in Language • Past tense if talks about work already done • No cramming of jargons • No sweeping statements or exaggerated claims • Wider scope Unlike assignment Research Methodology: Best Practices
Planning • Limit the scope of problem • Wheat example • Choose topic • More you know the subject, more you know the gap • Detect the problems • Does it make contribution? • Will it solve by investigation? Research Methodology: Best Practices
Planning - II • Sources: • Personal Association with institute, professors • Selection of area of research (8 points) • Is there adequate supervision? • Does it interest you? • Required time completion? • Equipment available? • Library ? • subjects available? • Is it scientific? • Is it fesible? Research Methodology: Best Practices
Planning III • Literature Review • Should continue till end • Should not replicate the old • Lead to ideally new and original • Review relevant sources • Tertiary = Book etc • Secondary = Abstracts, encyclopedia, articles • Primary = Journals, Doctoral thesis Research Methodology: Best Practices
Planning IV • What to study (review)? • Two ways • Empirical = experimental , Science • Analytical = Arts • Common elements of Study • Clear statement of problem (hypothesis) • Statement of assumptions • Statement of limitation • Clear Definition of newer terms • Appropriateness of research • Description of samples • Control of errors (laboratory experiment) • Validity Research Methodology: Best Practices
Planning - V • Chapter sample • Introduction • Problem statement • Significance of study • Limits of study • Conclusion • Recommendation • Directions of future research • Claims Research Methodology: Best Practices
CASE STUDY • Do we need Computers? Research Methodology: Best Practices
GENERAL FORMAT • The thesis format may include • Preliminaries • Title Page • Preface + acknowledgement • Table of content • List of Tables • List of Figures/Plates/Illustrations • Main Text • Introduction • Main body of thesis divided by Chapters • Conclusion • Reference • Bibliography • Appendices • Index if any Research Methodology: Best Practices