Research Methodology: ZZ6002E

Dr. Nishant Mukund Pawar

Assistant Professor
Transportation
Engineering
Civil Engineering
 Introduction
The term Research consists of two words:

Re means again and again and Search means to find out something

The research is a process of which a person observes the phenomena

again and again and collects the data and on the basis of data he draws
some conclusions.
The fundamental assumption is that invariant relationship exists between
certain antecedents and certain consequents so that under a specific set
of conditions a certain consequents can be expected to follow the
introduction of a given antecedent.
 Definition of Research
According to W.S. Monroe
“Research may be defined as a method of studying problems whose
solutions are to be derived partly or wholly from facts. The facts dealt with
in research may be statements of opinion, historical facts, those contained
in records and reports, the results of tests, answers to questionnaires,
experimental data of any sort, and so forth. The final purpose of research
is to ascertain principles and develop procedures for use therefore, it
should conclude by formulating principles or procedures. The mere
collection and tabulation of facts is not research, though it may be
preliminary to it on eve a part thereof.”
 Definition of Research
According to R.M. Hutchins
“Research in the sense of the development, elaboration, and refinement of
principles, together with the collection and use of empirical materials to aid
in these processes, is one of the highest activities of a university and one
in which all its professors should be engaged.”

According to J.H. McGrath and D.E. Watson

“Research is a process which has utility to the extent that class of inquiry
employed as the research activity vehicle is capable of adding knowledge,
of stimulating progress and helping society and man relate more efficiently
and effectively to the problems that society and man perpetuate and
create.”
 Functions of Research
The main function of research is to improve research procedures through
the refinement and extension of knowledge.
• Research corrects perceptions as well as expands them
• Research gathers information of which we have little knowledge
• Research develops and evaluates methods that test concepts, practices
and theories
• Research provides hard facts which serve as bases for planning,
decision making, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation
 Specific Characteristics of Research
1. Research requires expertise
2. Research is based on insight and imagination
3. Research requires an inter-disciplinary approach
4. Research is directed towards the solutions of a problem
5. Research should come out of a desire to do things better
6. Research emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles or theories
that will be helpful in predicting future occurrence
7. Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence
8. Research demands accurate observation and description
9. Research activity at times may be somewhat random and unsystematic, it is more
often characterized by carefully designed procedures that apply rigorous analysis
10. Research is based on inter dependence of causes and effect
11. Research cannot be a mechanical process
 Objectives of Research
The research has the following three objectives:
1. Theoretical objective
2. Factual objective
3. Application objective
 Objectives of Research
1. Theoretical Objective: Those researches whose objectives are theoretical
formulate the new theories, principles or laws. Such type of research is
explanatory because it explains the relationships of certain variables. These
researches contribute some basic knowledge to the human knowledge. The
researches in different disciplines i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics etc.
have the theoretical objective.
2. Factual Objective: Those researches whose objective is factual find out new
facts. This objective is by nature descriptive. These researches describe
facts or events which happened previously. Such type of research is done in
history.
3. Application Objective: The research having application objective does not
contribute a new knowledge in the fund of human knowledge but suggests
new applications. By application we mean improvement and modification in
practice. For example if anyone gives a new application of electricity then
such type of research has application objective.
 Motives for Doing Research
1. Excitement of discovery: Many want to become scientists or researchers
enthused by the chance of adding something new to the existing knowledge
base. The excitement of discovery or invention is a strong motive to take up
research. In fact, most of the breakthroughs happened in science were due to
this quality of a few enthusiasts.
2. Pursuit of prestige: Scientists, who pursue a career in research, usually
commands respect in society. The theories, principles, and other findings they
make increase the status of scientists and may bring fame and glory to the
researchers.
3. In depth knowledge on a subject: The person who undertakes research on a
subject gets an opportunity to study that subject in depth.
4. Service to society: The society derives many benefits out of research. By
using appropriate research techniques, the causes and remedies for many
problems currently affecting the society such as food security and climate
change can be found out.
 Motives for Doing Research
5. Need for publications: For a successful career in an academic or research
institution, publications are necessary especially to get promotions. In fact,
many institutions rate their scientists based on the number and quality of
publications made out of research.
6. Obtaining a higher degree: Students in agriculture or fields such as medicine
and engineering need to submit a thesis or dissertation to get Master’s degree.
However, for a doctorate degree in any discipline, research and consequent
report in the form of a thesis is mandatory.
7. Better management: Most managers use appropriate research techniques for
routine as well as strategic long-term management.
8. A tool in defence: Research is used as a tool in defence for chalking out better
strategies.
9. Research in everyday life: In everyday life, even no-scientists such as
journalists, lawyers, police officers, scriptwriters, and novelists make use of
research to solve and settle issues related to their profession.
 Deductive VS Inductive Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning
Deductive reasoning, also known as deduction, is a basic form of reasoning that
uses a general principle or premise as grounds to draw specific conclusions

Major premise: All mammals have backbones

Minor premise: Humans are mammals
Conclusion: Humans have backbones
 Inductive Reasoning
Inductive reasoning uses specific and limited observations to draw general
conclusions that can be applied more widely

Data: Every dog I meet is friendly

Hypothesis: Most dogs are usually friendly
 Philosophy of Research
A research philosophy is a belief about the way in which data about a
phenomenon should be gathered, analysed and used.
Research philosophy is associated with assumption, knowledge and
nature of the study.
It deals with the specific way of developing knowledge.
This matter needs to be addressed because researchers may have
different assumptions about the nature of truth and knowledge and
philosophy helps us to understand their assumptions.
 Philosophy of Research
• Discussion of research philosophy in your scientific communications
should include the following:
1.You need to specify the research philosophy of your study. Your
research philosophy can be pragmatism, positivism, realism or
interpretivism.
2.The reasons behind philosophical classifications of the study need to be
provided.
3.You need to discuss the implications of your research philosophy on the
research strategy in general and the choice of primary data collection
methods in particular.
 Four Main Research Philosophies
1.Positivism: Research is based on facts
2.Interpretivism: Based on individuals experience
3.Pragmatism
4.Realism
 Positivism
• Positivism adheres to the view that only “factual” knowledge gained
through observation (the senses), including measurement, is trustworthy.
• Positivism is rooted in the belief that knowledge can be obtained through
objective observations and measurements.
• In other words, the positivist philosophy assumes that answers can be found
by carefully measuring and analyzing data, particularly numerical data.
• Positivism typically manifests in methodologies that make use of quantitative
data, and oftentimes (but not always) adopt experimental or quasi-
experimental research designs.
• Quite often, the focus is on causal relationships – in other words,
understanding which variables affect other variables, in what way and to
what extent.
• As a result, studies with a positivist research philosophy typically aim
for objectivity, generalisability and replicability of findings.
 Principles of Positivism
1.The research should aim to explain and predict.
2.Research should be empirically observable via human senses. Inductive
reasoning should be used to develop statements (hypotheses) to be
tested during the research process.
3.Science is not the same as the common sense. The common sense
should not be allowed to bias the research findings.
4.Science must be value-free and it should be judged only by logic.
 Interpretivism Research Philosophy
• Interpretivism, also known as interpretivist involves researchers to
interpret elements of the study, thus interpretivism integrates human
interest into a study.
• Accordingly, “interpretive researchers assume that access to reality
(given or socially constructed) is only through social constructions such
as language, consciousness, shared meanings, and instruments”.
• Development of interpretivist philosophy is based on the critique
of positivism in social sciences. Accordingly, this philosophy emphasizes
qualitative analysis over quantitative analysis.
 Interpretivism Research Philosophy
• Interpretivism is “associated with the philosophical position of idealism,
and is used to group together diverse approaches, including
social constructivism, phenomenology and hermeneutics; approaches
that reject the objectivist view that meaning resides within the world
independently of consciousness”.
• According to interpretivist approach, it is important for the researcher as
a social actor to appreciate differences between people.
• Moreover, interpretivism studies usually focus on meaning and may
employ multiple methods in order to reflect different aspects of the issue.
 Pragmatism
• Pragmatism research philosophy accepts concepts to be relevant only if they
support action.
• Pragmatics “recognise that there are many different ways of interpreting the
world and undertaking research, that no single point of view can ever give the
entire picture and that there may be multiple realities”
• According to pragmatism research philosophy, research question is the most
important determinant of the research philosophy.
• Pragmatics can combine both, positivist and interpretivism positions within the
scope of a single research according to the nature of the research question.
• Pragmatism research philosophy can integrate more than one research
approaches and research strategies within the same study.
• Moreover, studies with pragmatism research philosophy can integrate the use
of multiple research methods such as qualitative, quantitative and action
research methods.
 Realism Research Philosophy
• Realism research philosophy relies on the idea of independence of
reality from the human mind. This philosophy is based on the
assumption of a scientific approach to the development of knowledge.
Realism can be divided into two groups: direct and critical.
• Direct realism, also known as naive realism, can be described as “what
you see is what you get”. In other words, direct realism portrays the
world through personal human senses.
• Critical realism, on the other hand, argues that humans do experience
the sensations and images of the real world. According to critical realism,
sensations and images of the real world can be deceptive and they
usually do not portray the real world
Essence of Research Philosophy