lecture 1 overview of scientific research

CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Overview of

Scientific Research


1. Meaning of research

2. Significance of research

3. Motivation in Research

4. Objectives of research

5. Types of research

Topic Outline


Meaning of Research

an art of scientific investigation a systematized effort to gain knowledge a scientific and systematic search for pertinent

information on a specific topic the search for knowledge through objective and

systematic method of finding solution to a problem

TOPIC OUTLINE

the systematic method consisting of enunciating the problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solution(s) towards the concerned problem or in certain generalizations for some theoretical formulation.


Significance of Research

Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organization.

Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system.

Research has its special significance in solving various operational and planning problems of business and industry.

Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and in seeking answers to various social problems.

The overall importance of research includes:


Significance of Research

Specific significance of research by profession:

Graduate students: a careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure

Professionals in research methodology: a source of livelihood

Philosophers and thinkers: the outlet for new ideas and insights

Literary men and women: the development of new styles and creative work

Analysts and intellectuals: the generalizations of new theories

TOPIC OUTLINE


Motivation in Research

Possible motives for doing research may be:

Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits

Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e. concern over practical problems initiates research

Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work

Desire to be of service to society Desire to get respectability

TOPIC OUTLINE


To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it

To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or group

To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else

To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables

Research objectives could fall into a number of broad groupings:

Objectives of Research

TOPIC OUTLINE


Descriptive vs. Analytical

Applied vs. Fundamental

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Conceptual vs. Empirical

Other types (variations of one or more of the

above, based on either the purpose, the time required to accomplish, the environment in which it is done, or on the basis of some similar factor)

Types of Research


Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds.

Analytical researches use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

Types of Research

Descriptive vs. Analytical


Types of Research

Applied vs. Fundamental

Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake.

Fundamental research is directed towards finding information that has broad base of application and adds to the existing organized body of scientific knowledge. Fundamental research lays down the foundation for the applied science that follows.


Types of Research

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Quantitative research is based on measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.

Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e. phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.


Types of Research

Conceptual vs. Empirical

Conceptual research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used to develop new concepts or to interpret existing ones.

Empirical research is a data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being verified by observation or experiment.


Types of Research

Some other types of research

One-time research or longitudinal research

Field-setting research or laboratory research or simulation research

Clinical or diagnostic

Exploratory or formalized

Historical research

Conclusion-oriented or decision-oriented

TOPIC OUTLINE


End

lecture 1 overview of scientific research

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