research methodology - march 2015.pdf
TRANSCRIPT
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Engineering Research
Methodology
Assessment Plan Research Proposal - 2500 words max : 20% (week 4)
Topic and brief synopsis
Presentation #1 (brief)- 5 mins : 10% (week 5)
Progress report - 1000 words : 10% (week 7)
Presentation #2 (progress)– 10 mins : 10% (week 8)
Presentation #3 (final)- 15 mins : 20% (week 12)
Final proposal – 3000-5000 words : 25% (end of week 12)
Participation : 5%
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Content
Research concepts Writing a research proposal Defining a research question/hypothesis Methodology in research Writing a literature review Writing an abstract Ethics in research Supervision and differences in approach
Formulating Research
First step (probably the most important) It tells the supervisor/readers Be specific and clear Considerable and useful thoughts Financial? Time? Expertise? Own capability? Resources?
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Research Proposal: in general An introduction (including a brief literature review) Theoretical framework Objectives (or research questions) Hypotheses to be tested/proved Study design/setting & time frame Instruments/equipment to be used Sampling Ethical issues? Data-processing/analysis Expected/unexpected x factors? Proposed chapters Conferences/seminars? Submission?
Experimental Procedures
Research Proposal:
Typical general content Introduction Statement of objectives A list of hypothesis Proposed study design Setting Equipment, software, etc to use Info on sample size & sampling design Data processing Outline of the proposed chapters/sections Problems & limitations Timeframe (Gantt Chart)
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Gantt Chart
Research
Originality
Contribution
Significance
Technical soundness
Critical assessment of existing work
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Agenda
Research Basics
What research is and is not
Where research comes from
Research deliverables
Methodologies
Research process
Quantitative versus qualitative research
Questions
Research Basics
What research is and isn’t
Research characteristics
Research projects and pitfalls
Sources of research projects
Elements of research proposals
Literature reviews
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What Research Is Not
Research is NOT information gathering:
Gathering information from resources such books or magazines is NOT research.
No contribution to new knowledge.
Research is NOT the transportation of facts:
Merely transporting facts from one resource to another does NOT constitute research.
No contribution to new knowledge although this might make existing knowledge more accessible.
What Research Is
Research is:
“…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
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why do research?
truth about the physical world inherently interesting
new knowledge eventually yields practical benefits
important to learn from experience, especially failure
want to improve human welfare especially use of scarce resources
Research Characteristics
Originates with a question or problem.
Follows a specific plan or procedure.
Often divides main problem into subproblems.
Guided by specific problem, question, or hypothesis.
Accepts certain critical assumptions.
Requires collection and interpretation of data.
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Research Projects
Research begins with a problem.
This problem need not be Earth-shaking.
Identifying this problem can actually be the hardest part of research.
In general, good research projects should:
Address an important question.
Advance knowledge.
Research Project Pitfalls
The following kinds of projects usually do NOT make for good research:
Comparing data sets.
Correlating data sets.
Problems with yes / no answers.
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High-Quality Research(1 of 2)
Good research requires:
The scope and limitations of the work to be clearly defined.
The process to be clearly explained so that it can be reproduced and verified by other researchers.
A thoroughly planned design that is as objective as possible.
High-Quality Research(2 of 2)
Good research requires:
Highly ethical standards be applied.
All limitations be documented.
Data be adequately analyzed and explained.
All findings be presented unambiguously and all conclusions be justified by sufficient evidence.
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Research Proposals
Research proposals are documents that describe the intended research including:
Problem and subproblems.
Hypotheses.
Delimitations.
Definitions.
Assumptions.
Importance.
Literature review.
Literature Review
A literature review is a necessity. Without this step, you will NOT know if your problem
has been solved or what related research is already underway.
When performing the review: Start searching professional journals (peer reviewed).
Begin with the most recent articles you can find.
Keep track of relevant articles in a bibliography.
Don’t be discouraged if work on the topic is already underway.
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Literature Survey
• Recognizing new problems
• Important to read outside the area
• Books, journal and conference papers
• IEEE Internet Explore
Literature Review Pitfalls(1 of 2)
Be very careful to check your sources when doing your literature review.
Many trade magazines are not peer reviewed.
Professional conferences and journals often have each article reviewed by multiple people before it is even recommended for publication.
The IEEE and ACM digital libraries are good places to start looking for legitimate research.
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Literature Review Pitfalls(2 of 2)
The Internet can be a good source of information. But it is also full of pseudo-science and poor research.
Make sure you verify the claims of any documentation that has NOT been peer reviewed by other professionals in the computing industry.