Introduction to Research methodology

1. Department of Electrical
Engineering
QUEST, Nawabshah, Sindh,
Pakistan
Introduction to Research
Methodology
By
Dr. Javed Ahmed Laghari
Associate Professor
Ph.D, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Email: javed@quest.edu.pk

2. Material Required
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• Bring hardcopy of your research proposal in every lecture
2
• Bring a copy of Thesis or your own Master Thesis (soft/hard)
related to your Research.
3
• A copy of good and bad research paper related to your topic.
4
• Bring enough papers and stationary to work in the class.
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For this course, the following material must be collected by each
student immediately:

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Books Recommended
2

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Books Recommended
3

5. Introduction to Research Methodology
 Meaning of Research
 The word research again consists of two parts.
Research Methodology
+
 Research methodology consists of two words.
search
+
 ‘Re’ means Again and Again and search means to find out something.
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Person
Observes
Again & Again
Phenomena Conclusions
Collection
of Data
Analysis
of Data
 Research process is briefly explained as below:
Re

6. Meaning of Research
• 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.
Research Definition
• Research commonly refers to search for knowledge.
• “A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for
new facts in any branch of knowledge.” (Source:The Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, Oxford)
Research Definition
• Research is a scientific and systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic.
• Research is an art of scientific investigation.
Research Definition
• “Research is the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols
for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify
knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in the practice of an
art.” (Source: Encyclopedia of Social Science)
Research Definition
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7. Meaning of Research
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Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the
known to the unknown.
It is actually a voyage of discovery.
Inquisitiveness / Curiosity is the mother of all knowledge.
The method which man employs for obtaining the knowledge
of unknown can be termed as research.
It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation,
comparison and experiment.
The systematic method of finding solution to a problem is called
research.

8. Introduction to Research Cycle
 Figure below shows the research cycle.
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Practical
Problem
Research
Question
Research
Project
Result or
Answer
Motivates a
Defines a
Leads to
Helps to Solve

9. Research Methodology Research Methods
It is the way in which research
problems are solved
systematically.
It is the science of studying how
research is conducted
scientifically.
These are the methods that the
researcher adopts for conducting the
research studies on a subject or a
topic.
It involves the learning of the
various techniques that can be
used in conducting research.
It involve conduct of experiments,
tests, surveys etc.
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Difference Between Research Methods &
Research Methodology
It aims at finding the employment
of the correct procedures to find
out solutions.
It aim at finding solutions to research
problems.

10. Qualities of a Good Researcher
• Self-Motivated
• Self Dependent
• Self Appreciation
• Least discouragement
• Commitment (at least 8 research hours per day)
• Collaboration
• Good Communication skills
• Be Your Own Critic
• Good Management Skills (Time, Stress,Work)
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11. Be Smart –Most Important
Quality of a Researcher
Be Smart------------- Be Updated
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Updated in terms of
Latest tools and techniques,
Standard Models,
Software's.
If you are not Updated
You will be Outdated

12. Be Smart –Most Important
Quality of a Researcher
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The outdated person/researcher cannot conduct the updated/latest
research.
A best researcher is one who can
complete his/her goal ( research/PhD)
against any flood of difficulties within
mentioned time frame.
(Dr. J. A. Laghari)

13. Objectives/Purpose 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 know the old conclusion with new data / To find the new conclusion
with old data
To explain unexplained horizon of knowledge
To put forward an entirely new theory
To extend the knowledge
To put light on hidden facts or mysteries
13

14. Objectives/Purpose of Research
To gain familiarity with phenomena and achieve new insight into it
To accurately portray the characteristics of a particular individual
situation or a group
To test hypothesis of cause and effect relationship between variables
To study and resolve contradiction in the area of a study
To Generalize the Laws
To verify and tests the existing facts and theories
To find solution to problem
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Motivation in Research
Desire to be of service to society
Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
Curiosity about new things
Desire to get respectability
Desire to get a research degree along with its benefits
Directives of government, employment conditions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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Motivation in Research
Directives of government,employment conditions
Desire to get a research degree along with its benefits
Desire to get respectability
Curiosity about new things
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work
Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems
Desire to be of service to society
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6
5
4
3
2
1
In developing countries, this trend usually goes in reverse order.

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Significance of the Research
It doesn’t
matter how
many resources
you have.
If you don’t know
how to use them,
it will never be
enough.

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Significance of the Research
“All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is
often better than overconfidence, for it
leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to
invention”
 Research has its special significance in solving various issues.
Planning
Research
Economics
Research
Operation /
Market
Research
Motivation
Research
Social
Science
Research

19. Significance of the Research
• It's a Tool for Building Knowledge and Facilitate Learning.
Significance of the Research
• It's a Means to Understand Issues and Increase Public
Awareness.
Significance of the Research
• Increased amounts of research make progress possible.
Significance of the Research
• Research is necessary for the allocation of nation’s resources.
Therefore, research as an aid to economic policy, has gained added
importance, both for government and business.
Significance of the Research
• Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies
in our economic system.
• Decision-making may not be a part of research, but research
certainly facilitates the decisions of the policy maker.
Significance of the Research
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Characteristics of Good Research
1. Good
Research is
Systematic
2. Good
Research is
Logical
3. Good
Research is
Empirical
4. Good
Research is
Replicable
5. Good
Research is
Cyclical
6. Good
Research is
Critical
7. Good
Research is
Analytical

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Criteria of Good Research
• It means that research is structured with specified steps to be
taken in a specified sequence in accordance with the well
defined set of rules.
1. Good Research is Systematic
• This implies that research is guided by the rules of logical
reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction
are of great value in carrying out research.
2. Good Research is Logical

22. Example of Logical Research
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23. Criteria of Good Research
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Types of Thinking
Logical
Thinking
(Inductive
&
Deductive
Thinking)
Convergent
Thinking
Divergent
Thinking
Creative
Thinking
Critical
Thinking

25. Logical Thinking /
Reasoning
It is the cognitive
process of
looking
for reasons
for beliefs,
conclusion,
actions or
feelings.
It is the process
of drawing
conclusions
based on
evidence.
It is form of
controlled
thinking in
which the
thought process
is directed
consciously
towards the
solutions of a
problem.
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26. Types of
Logical
Thinking
Deductive
Thinking
Inductive
Thinking
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Types of Logical
Thinking

27. Types of Logical Thinking
Inductive
Thinking
/
Reasoning
Reasoning from specific to general.
It is a reasoning process where by a general rule is
inferred from specific cases using Observation
Knowledge and experience.
Example - 1: Mr. Ali always leaves for office at 7:30 a.m
and he is always on time.
– Conclusion: If he leaves at 7:00 a.m. for office today, he
will be on time.
Example - 2: Every year we get a thunderstorm in May
and present month is also May.
Conclusion:We will get a thunderstorm in this month.
Example – 3:The sun has risen in the east every morning
up until now.
– Conclusion:The sun will also rise in the east tomorrow.
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28. Types of Logical Thinking
Deductive
Thinking
/
Reasoning
Reasoning from general to specific.
It begins with the series of assumptions or premises that
are thought to be true. If assumptions are true then
conclusion must be true. However,it may be noted that
logical thinking provides probability only.
Example – 1: Every matter expands when heated and Iron
is a form of matter.
– Conclusion:Thus iron expands when heated.
Example – 2: All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human.
– Conclusion: Socrates is mortal.
Example – 3:To become eligible for appearing in
examination in QUEST University, a student must have
75% attendance. Mr. Ali has 85% attendance.
– Conclusion: Mr. Ali is eligible to appear in examination.
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Convergent & Divergent Thinking
• It is the type of thinking that focusses on coming up with single
well-established answer to a problem.
It is oriented toward deriving the single best or most often
correct answer to a question.
• Convergent thinking is cognitive processing of information
around a common point, an attempt to bring thoughts from
different directions into a union for common conclusion.
Convergent Thinking
• It is a thought process or method used to generate creative
ideas by exploring many possible solutions.
• Divergent thinking starts from a common point & moves
outward into a variety of perspectives. Eg; teachers use the
content as a vehicle to prompt diverse or unique thinking
among students rather than a common view.
Divergent Thinking

30. Convergent & Divergent Thinking
The best way to have good ideas is to
have lots of ideas – and then throw away
the bad ones.
Linus Pauling
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31. Convergent Thinking Examples
Many Facts,
One Right Answer 31

32. Convergent Thinking Examples
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33. Divergent Thinking Examples
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34. Divergent Thinking Examples
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•Kids: Mega Blocks
Design Ideas

35. Divergent Thinking Examples
•Showing the person a photo and asking
them to create a caption for the photo.
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36. Divergent Thinking Examples
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37. Creative & Critical Thinking
• It refers to the ability for original thinking, to create or discover
something new.
• Creativity implies creating new stuff by combining two or more
existing ideas.
• Creativity is typically used to refer to the act of producing new
ideas, approaches or actions.
• It is a way of looking at problems or situations from a fresh
perspective that suggests unorthodox solutions.
Creative Thinking
• The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to
form a judgement.
• Critical thinking is the analysis of facts to form a judgment.
• Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally,
understanding the logical connection between ideas.
• Critical thinking remained very much important tool in the
history as well in the modern age in analyzing the ability to
recognize fake news.
Critical Thinking
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38. Critical Versus Creative Thinking
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39. Critical Versus Creative Thinking
•When you are thinking
critically, you are making
choices.
•When you are thinking
creatively, you are generating
lists of new ideas. 39

40. Criteria of Good Research
• It means that research is structured with specified steps to be
taken in a specified sequence in accordance with the well
defined set of rules.
1. Good Research is Systematic
• This implies that research is guided by the rules of logical
reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction
are of great value in carrying out research.
2. Good Research is Logical
• Research based on observation and measurement of
phenomena, as directly experienced by the researcher.
• It implies that research is related basically to one or more
aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that
provides a basis for external validity to research results.
3. Good research is Empirical
• This characteristic allows research results to be verified by
replicating the study & building a sound basis for decisions.
4. Good research is Replicable
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41. Criteria of Good Research
• One of the characteristics of research is that it is cyclical.
• It starts with a problem and ends with another problem.
• Thus research is not expected to end when the research
questions has already been answered.
5. Good Research is Cyclical
• Research exhibits careful and precise judgement.
6. Good Research is Critical
• Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the
data (historical, descriptive, experimental or case study).
• Analytical research brings together subtle details to create
more provable assumptions.
• Thus, analytical research tells us why something is true.
7. Good research is Analytical
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