Lec1 2016

Research
Methodology
MCT-500
LECTURE 1
(04-02-2016)
Dr. Ummul Baneen
Course Contents
• Introduction Suggested text:
• Research Design • Research Methodology, by Dr. C.
Rajendra Kumar, APH Publishing
• Framing a research proposal
Corporation, New Delhi, 2008
• Literature reviews and online resources • Research Methodology: An Introduction
• Using databases for literature reviews (2nd Edition) by Wayne Gooddard,
Stuart Melville, Juta and CO. Ltd,
• Theoretical approaches 2007
• Quantitative & Qualitative methods • Research Methodology, by Chris
• Analysing primary and secondary data Welman, Fanie Kruger, Bruce
Mitchell, Oxford University Press,
• Data coding and analysis 2005
• Research ethics • Relevant research papers
Grading Policy
• You are expected to write a proper research paper by

the end of this course.
• You will be marked on the basis of the quality of

your research paper; critical writing, proper literature
review, and assignments during the whole course
period.
What you are required to do?
• You need to bring your laptop or/and a notebook in

every class.
• We will do a lot of group activities so be prepared and

always participate to get maximum benefit from this
course.
• You are also encouraged to make suggestions to improve

the ways of doing research.
What is Research?
• The systematic investigation into and study of

materials and sources in order to establish facts and
reach new conclusions. (google)
• Research is searching for and gathering information,

usually to answer a particular question or problem.
(College of San Mateo Library)
Your Experiences
• What problems did you encounter with, while doing

your projects (undergraduate/graduate or job related)?
• What problems do you think, you might have when

you will start your research?
• Any idea of publishing your work?

To Begin With...
• How to start your research?

• How to present your work?
• Where to publish your work?
• How to do Literature review?
• Article Critique
• Critical Reading
How to Start?
• Find your Topic
• Never wait for the ‘Great Idea’
• Don’t expect the idea to come readily from your advisors / supervisors
• Don’t try to solve the broad questions
• Do children sent to day care or preschool start kindergarten with more developed skills?
• Do children sent to day care or preschool start kindergarten with more highly developed
language skills?
• Can the topic be researched?
• Does Mcdonald’s or Burger King make a better burger?
• Is there a link between hours of television viewing and violent behaviour in children aged 8-
14?
• The title of your research should tell both the topic and your purpose in doing/writing it
- helps you stay focused.
• Non-contact gas turbine blade vibration monitoring using internal pressure and casing response measurements.
• Diagnostics, prognostics and fault simulation for rolling element bearings
• Make a list of specific questions you want to answer in your research work.
 Does the question deal with a topic or issue that interests me
enough to spark my own thoughts and opinions?
 Is the question easily and fully researchable?
 What type of information do I need to answer the research question?
 Is the scope of this information reasonable? – time limit
 Given the type and scope of the information that I need, is my
question too broad, too narrow or okay?
 What sources will be able to provide the information I need to answer
my research question?
 Can I access these sources?
 Given my answers to the above questions, do I have a good-quality
research question that I actually will be able to answer by doing
research?
How to Start?
• Read, think & work, note it down, read, think &

work, present, read, think & work, note it down ...
• On getting reliable results, you write up the paper

How to Start?
• To narrow your search parameters

• What kind of information are you looking for?
• Facts, opinions? News reports? Research studies? Analyses?
History? Etc
• Where would be a likely place to look?
• Libraries, internet, newspapers, government records.
• How much information do you need?
(e.g., last 5-10 yrs)
How to Start?
• Determine a good reason why this research needs to be done
• Clarify who it will help
• Define the problem or question at hand
• Consider your objective
• You should have an idea what you would like to use your research for
• Make / Submit a research proposal
• State the problem
• Include the types of research you would like to conduct, including
reading, surveys, gathering statistics.
• The timeline for the research to take place
Class Activity
• In groups briefly share the following:

• What is your project title?
• What are the aims of your research?
• You should have one main aim – what you want to achieve
and the other aims may be considered objectives – things
needed to be achieved in order to meet the overall aim
• Why is your work important?
• What approach will you take?
Framing a Research Proposal
‘Thinking About It’ Stage *
• Be inclusive with your thinking – don’t try to eliminate

ideas too quickly
• Write down your ideas – help revisit an idea, modify /
change an idea
• Try not to be overly influenced at this time by what
you feel others expect from you.
• Be realistic about the time that you are willing to
commit to your research project.
*writing and presenting your thesis or dissertation
Are you ready to write a research
proposal??
Answer these questions
• Am I familiar with other research that has been conducted in
areas related to my research project?
• Have I a clear understanding of the steps that could be used
in conducting my research?
• Have I the ability to get through each of the steps necessary to
complete my research project?
• Am I motivated and do I have the drive to get through all of
the steps in the research project?
• If Yes…PREPARE THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Preparing the Research Proposal
• Read through someone else’s research proposal
• Make sure your proposal has a comprehensive review of
the literature
• Good proposal must have
• Statement of the problem / background information
• Literature review
• Conclude with defining of the research methodology
• Focus your research very specifically
• Include a title on your proposal
• Purpose of a research proposal is to ensure that*
• The candidates have done sufficient preliminary reading/research in
the area of their interest.
• They have thought about the issues involved and are able to provide
more than a broad description of the topic which they are planning to
research.
• Your challenge is to convince members of the scientific
community that you
• Have identified a scientific problem
• Have a theoretical background and a methodical approach to solve
the problem within a realistic time frame and at reasonable expenses.
*www.studygs.net 18
• Title page:
• Personal data (name, contact information etc)
• Title of research report
• Abstract:
• One page summary focusing on the research topic, its new, current and
relevant aspects.
• Literature review:
• A short and precise overview about the current state of research that is
immediately connected with your research project.
• Your preparation:
• Summarize the most important impact of your own work on the topic.
• Objective of the research project:
• Give a concise and clear outline of the academic objectives that you want to achieve
through your project.
• Your proposal needs to show why the intended research is important and justifies the
search effort.
• Outline the significance or relevance of the topic.
• Outline the project:
• Detail your research procedure within the given time.
• List sources and quality of evidence you will consult, the analytical technique you will
employ, and the timetable you will follow.
• Describe the intended methods of data gathering, the statistical methods to be used, type
of literature or documentary analysis to be followed.
• Time table:
• Divide your research into phases and allocate estimated time for each phase.
For the Next Class
• Write a research overview coversheet
• Name
• Supervisor
• Project title – no more than 20 words – should be descriptive rather than generic
• Aims – between 2 and 4 – as specific as possible
• Justification – context of work and why your work is important
• Methodology – approach you will be taking, why it is relevant and achievable,
what methods will not be used and why etc
Each student should bring at least 05 relevant research papers

(relevant to the area of their choice)

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Research

• You are expected to write a proper research paper by

• You will be marked on the basis of the quality of

• You need to bring your laptop or/and a notebook in

• We will do a lot of group activities so be prepared and

• You are also encouraged to make suggestions to improve

• The systematic investigation into and study of

• Research is searching for and gathering information,

• What problems did you encounter with, while doing

• What problems do you think, you might have when

• Any idea of publishing your work?

• How to start your research?

• Read, think & work, note it down, read, think &

• On getting reliable results, you write up the paper

• To narrow your search parameters

• In groups briefly share the following:

• Be inclusive with your thinking – don’t try to eliminate

Each student should bring at least 05 relevant research papers

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