Research

Methodology
Course Facilitator

Dr. N G Shinde
(2023-24)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Vision
To achieve excellence in Mechanical engineering education with
strong ethical values for serving the stakeholders. .

Mission
1. To provide state-of-the-art facilities to Achieve Excellence in
Education.
2. To take up various value added courses to enhance Placement
Potential.
3. To use a creative teaching learning process to develop Research
About Course-
About Course-
About Course-
Course
Content
Reference Books
Evaluation Scheme
 Unit-I:
Basic Research
Concepts
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Meaning of research:
Research is:
• A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any
branch of knowledge. (The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English)

• A systematized effort to gain new knowledge. (Redman and Mory)

• Defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested

solutions; collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and
reaching conclusions; and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine
whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. (Clifford Woody)

• The manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing

to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in
construction of theory or in the practice of an art. (D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson)
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Meaning of research:
Research is:
• A scientific and systematic search for relevant information on a specific topic
• An original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its
advancement
• The pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment
• An art of scientific investigation
• A movement from the known to the unknown
• A journey of discovery

Research is the search for knowledge through objective and systematic

method of finding solution to a problem.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Objectives of research:
To discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures.
To find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
• To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it
(exploratory or formulative research)
• To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or
a group (descriptive research)
• To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else
(diagnostic research studies)
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
(hypothesis-testing research)
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Significance of Research:
• Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking, it promotes the
development of logical habits of thinking and organization
• Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our economic
system
(Budgets, decision-making, working conditions, trade union activities, the problems of
distribution, size and nature of defence)
• Research solves various operational and planning problems of business and
industry
(Operational problems- mathematical, logical and analytical techniques for cost
minimization or of profit maximization, Planning problems- policies for purchasing,
production and sales)
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Significance of Research:
The additional significance of research:
• To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research may
mean a careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure;
• To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of
livelihood;
• To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and
insights;
• To literary men and women, research may mean the development of new
styles and creative work;
• To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new
theories.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research: Other Types
Important Types • One-time research
• Descriptive research • Longitudinal research
• Analytical research • Field-setting research
• Applied research • Laboratory research
• Fundamental research • Simulation research

• Quantitative research • Clinical research

• Qualitative research • Exploratory research

• Conceptual research • Formalized research

• Historical research
• Empirical research
• Conclusion–oriented research
• Decision–oriented research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Descriptive research
• It describes a population, situation, or phenomenon that is being
studied.
• It focuses on answering the how, what, when, and where questions of
a research problem, rather than the why.
• It includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds.
• The researchers has no control over the variables but can attempt to
discover causes even when they cannot control the variables
• The methods utilized are survey methods of all kinds, including
comparative and correlational methods
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Descriptive research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Analytical research
• It involves critical thinking skills and the evaluation of relevant facts and
information
• Related with carrying analysis on certain phenomenon with the help of
analytical tools.
• Use of already available facts and information; analyze them to make critical
evaluation.
• The researcher has complete control over all causes / inputs / independent
variables
• Students, doctors and psychologists use it to find the most relevant
information.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Analytical research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Applied research
• It refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical
problems
• It is used to find solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, and develop
innovative technologies, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's
sake
• Research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem been faced by
a society or an industrial/business organization
• Research aimed at certain conclusions/solution on a concrete problem
• Research to identify social, economic or political trends that may affect a
particular institution or the marketing research or evaluation research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Applied research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Fundamental research
• Fundamental research is driven by curiosity or interest in a scientific
question.
• The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent
something.
• There is no obvious commercial value to the discoveries that result from
basic research.
• Research mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of
a theory.
• Research concerning some natural phenomenon or relating to pure
mathematics
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Fundamental research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Quantitative research
• Research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount.
• It is applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity
• It refers to the systematic investigation of any phenomena via statistical,
mathematical or computational techniques.
• The objective is to develop and employ mathematical models and theories
Methods can include:
• The generation of models, theories and hypotheses
• The development of instruments and methods for measurement
• Experimental control and manipulation of variables
• Modelling and analysis of data and Evaluation of results
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Quantitative research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Qualitative research
• Research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e. relating to or involving
quality or kind
• It deals with phenomena that are difficult or impossible to quantify mathematically,
such as beliefs, meanings, attributes, and symbols.
• Researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and its
reasons.
• It investigates the why and how, not just what, where, when.
• Research is specially important in the behavioral sciences where the aim is to
discover the underlying motives of human behavior, using in depth interviews
• Relatively a difficult job and therefore, while doing such research, one should seek
guidance from experimental psychologists
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Qualitative research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Conceptual research
• Conceptual research is defined as a methodology wherein research is
conducted by observing and analyzing already present information on a
given topic.
• Conceptual research doesn’t involve conducting any practical experiments.
• Pen and paper kind of research related to abstract idea, concepts and
theories
• Philosophers used it to develop new theories or interpret existing theories in
a different light.
• It is generally used to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
• e.g. Aristotle’s concept
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Conceptual research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Empirical research
• This type of research relies solely on evidence obtained through observation or
scientific data. Does not rely on theories / concepts only.
• Research relies on experience or observation alone, often without a system and
theory.
• It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of being
verified by observation or experiment.
• The researcher first provide himself with a working hypothesis or guess as to the
probable results. He then works to get enough facts (data) to prove or disprove
his hypothesis. He then sets up experimental designs which he thinks will
manipulate the persons or the materials concerned so as to bring forth the
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Empirical research
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
One-time research
The research is confined to a single time-period. e.g. Population Researches
Longitudinal research
The research is carried on over several time-periods. e.g. Trend Studies
Field-setting research, Laboratory research, Simulation research
Depending upon the environment in which the research is to be carried out
e.g. Climate Study, Lab. Experimentation, Virtual Study
Clinical diagnostic research
Research follow case-study methods or in-depth approaches e.g. Medical Study
Exploratory research
The objective is the development of hypotheses rather than their testing.
e.g. Mobile Phone Usage Patterns among Indian consumer
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Types of research:
Formalized research
The research studies are those with substantial structure and with specific hypotheses
to be tested
e.g. Phone survey during election cycle
Historical research
Research utilizes historical sources like documents, remains, etc. to study events or
ideas of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at any remote point
of time
e.g. German Aircraft Design during the Third Reich
Conclusion–oriented research
Researcher is free to pick up a problem, redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is
prepared to conceptualize as he wishes e.g. The Dynamics of Gold Prices
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Approaches:
Basic approaches to research: Quantitative approach and Qualitative approach
Quantitative approach
• Involves the generation of data in quantitative form which can be subjected
to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid fashion.
• Further sub-classified into inferential, experimental and simulation
approaches.
Inferential approach- to form a data base from which to infer
characteristics or relationships of population
Experimental approach- some variables are manipulated to observe their
effect on other variables
Simulation approach- involves the construction of an artificial
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Approaches:
Basic approaches to research: Quantitative approach and Qualitative
approach
Qualitative approach
• Research is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions and
behavior
• Research in such a situation is a function of researcher’s insights and
impressions.
• Generates results either in non-quantitative form or in the form which are
not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis
• The techniques of focus group interviews, projective techniques and depth
interviews are used
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
Research process consists of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out
research and the desired sequencing of these steps.
The chart shown in figure illustrates a research process.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
Various steps in the research process are:
1. Formulating the research problem;
2. Extensive literature survey;
3. Developing the hypothesis;
4. Preparing the research design;
5. Determining sample design;
6. Collecting the data;
7. Execution of the project;
8. Analysis of data;
9. Hypothesis testing;
10.Generalizations and interpretation, and
11.Preparation of the report or presentation of the results (formal write-up of
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
1. Formulating the research problem:
• Types of research problems- states of nature and relationships between variables
• The researcher must single out the problem to study (area of interest or aspect of a
subject)
• The formulation of a general topic into a specific research problem
• Two steps are involved in formulating the research problem:
Understanding the problem thoroughly- discussion with colleagues, guide, administrative
agencies
Review of two types of literature-the conceptual literature (concepts and theories), and
the empirical literature (similar studies made earlier)
Rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from an analytical point of view- The most
important in the entire research process. The problem to be investigated must be
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
2. Extensive literature survey:
• Once the problem is formulated, a brief summary of it should be written down.
• It is compulsory for a research worker writing a thesis for a Ph.D. degree to write a
synopsis of the topic and submit it to the necessary Committee or the Research Board
for approval.
• Here the researcher should undertake extensive literature survey connected with the
problem.
• For this purpose, the abstracting and indexing journals and published or unpublished
bibliographies are the first place to go to.
• Academic journals, conference proceedings, government reports, books etc., must be
tapped depending on the nature of the problem.
• In this process, it should be remembered that one source will lead to another.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
3. Development of working hypotheses:
• After literature survey, researcher should clearly state the working hypothesis or
hypotheses.
• Working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its
logical or empirical consequences.
• The manner in which research hypotheses are developed is important since they
provide the focal point for research.
• Hypothesis should be very specific and limited because it has to be tested.
• The role of the hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of research
and to keep him on the right track.
• It sharpens his thinking and focuses attention on the more important facets of the
problem.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
3. Development of working hypotheses:
How does the hypotheses are developed?
• Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin and the
objectives in seeking a solution;
• Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for possible
trends peculiarities and other clues;
• Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems; and
• Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews on a
limited scale with interested parties and individuals with a view to secure greater
insight into the practical aspects of the problem
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
4. Preparing the research design:
• To state the conceptual structure within which research would be conducted.
• The function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant evidence
with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money.
• Categories of Research purposes- (i) Exploration, (ii) Description, (iii) Diagnosis, and
(iv) Experimentation.
Exploration- consideration of many different aspects of a problem
Description - minimises bias and maximises the reliability of the data
Diagnosis- identify the causes of any phenomenon
Experimentation- gathering information and data through observation in controlled
settings
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
4. Preparing the research design:
It involves
• the means of obtaining the information;
• the availability and skills of the researcher and his staff (if any);
• explanation of the way in which selected means of obtaining information will be
organised and the reasoning leading to the selection;
• the time available for research; and
• the cost factor relating to research, i.e., the finance available for the purpose.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
5. Determining sample design:
• All the items under consideration in any field of inquiry constitute a ‘universe’ or
‘population’.
• This involves a great deal of time, money and energy, not possible in practice
• We select only a few items from the universe for our study purposes called a
sample.
• A sample design is a definite plan determined before any data are actually collected
for obtaining a sample from a given population.
• Samples can be either probability samples or non-probability samples.
• Probability samples- each element has a known probability of being included in the
sample but the non-probability samples do not allow the researcher to determine
this probability.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
5. Determining sample design:
Non-probability sampling:
• Convenience sampling- When population elements are selected for inclusion in the
sample based on the ease of access
• Judgement sampling- researcher’s judgement is used for selecting items which he
considers as representative of the population
• Quota sampling- interviewers are simply given quota to be filled from different
strata,
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
5. Determining sample design:
Probability sampling:
• Simple random sampling- Each and every item in the population has an equal
chance of inclusion in the sample and each one of the possible samples
• Systematic sampling- In some instances the most practical way of sampling is to
select every 15th name on a list, every 10th house on one side of a street and so on
• Stratified sampling- the population is stratified into a number of nonoverlapping
subpopulations or strata and sample items are selected from each stratum.
• Cluster sampling and area sampling- Cluster sampling involves grouping the
population and then selecting the groups or the clusters rather than individual
elements for inclusion in the sample and Area sampling we first divide the total area
into a number of smaller non-overlapping areas, generally called geographical
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
6. Collecting the data:
The data collection is depend on type of research.
Qualitative data collection:
• It refers to non-numerical, gathers information on concepts, thoughts or
experiences.
• It is common in humanities and may use more personal methods of data collection.
• Some examples of qualitative data collection and research include:
Observations- examining things and collecting data avoiding direct interactions
Surveys- gathering written or multiple choice answers with little to no interaction
Focus groups- focus on gathering information directly from users
Interviews- more personal and involve face-to-face discussions
Miscellaneous- Design Thinking, Testing etc.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
6. Collecting the data:
Quantitative data collection:
• Collections numerical or statistical information
• It is typically common in financial or scientific areas of study
Primary data collection- researchers obtain information directly from the original
sources
• These primary sources of data collection can vary depending on research subjects.
• Sources of primary data can also include market or academic research.
Secondary data collection- information gathered from previous research
• Sources of secondary data can include: Scholarly journals and research papers,
Thesis, Books, Reports, Newspapers, Websites, Podcasts etc.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
7. Execution of the project:
• If the execution of the project proceeds on correct lines, the data would be adequate
and dependable.
• The researcher should see that the project is executed in a systematic manner and
in time.
• Survey - structured questionnaires, data can be readily machine-processed.
• Interviews- proper selection and training of the interviewers
• Occasional field checks are necessary
• Tackle with unanticipated factors
• Resolve non-response problem if any
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
8. Analysis of data:
• The analysis of data requires categorization, coding, tabulation and inferencing
• The unwieldy data should necessarily be condensed into a few manageable groups
and tables for further analysis. Thus, researcher should classify the raw data into
some purposeful and usable categories.
• Coding operation is usually done at this stage through which the categories of data
are transformed into symbols that may be tabulated and counted. Editing is the
procedure that improves the quality of the data for coding.
• Tabulation is a part of the technical procedure wherein the classified data are put in
the form of tables.
• Analysis work after tabulation is generally based on the computation of various
percentages, coefficients, etc., by applying various well defined statistical formulae.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
9. Hypothesis-testing:
• After analyzing the data as stated above, the researcher is in a position to test the
hypotheses, if any, he had formulated earlier.
• Do the facts support the hypotheses or they happen to be contrary? This is the usual
question which should be answered while testing hypotheses.
• Various tests, such as Chi square test, t-test, F-test, have been developed by
statisticians for the purpose.
• The hypotheses may be tested through the use of one or more of such tests,
depending upon the nature and object of research inquiry.
• Hypothesis-testing will result in either accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it.
• If the researcher had no hypotheses to start with, generalizations established on the
basis of data may be stated as hypotheses to be tested by subsequent researches in
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
10. Generalizations and interpretation:
• If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, it may be possible for the
researcher to arrive at generalization, i.e., to build a theory.
• As a matter of fact, the real value of research lies in its ability to arrive at certain
generalizations.
• If the researcher had no hypothesis to start with, he might seek to explain his
findings on the basis of some theory. It is known as interpretation.
• The process of interpretation may quite often trigger off new questions which in turn
may lead to further researches.
Unit-I: Basic Research Concepts
Research Process:
11. Preparation of the report or the thesis:
• Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by him.
• The layout of the report: (i) the preliminary pages; (ii) the main text, and (iii) the
end matter.
• Preliminary pages carry title, acknowledgements, table of contents, list of tables and
list of figures. The main text of the report should have the following parts:
(a)Introduction: a clear statement of the objective, explanation of the methodology
adopted, the scope of the study along with various limitations
(b)Summary of findings: a statement of findings and recommendations. If the
findings are extensive, they should be summarized.
(c)Main report: should be in logical sequence and broken-down into identifiable
sections.