This document is the introduction chapter of a book on research methods for engineers. It discusses sources of knowledge, defining research, and the types and steps of research. Specifically, it covers unscientific sources like tenacity, authority and commonsense versus the scientific method. It defines research as a systematic process of discovering and revising facts. The chapter outlines the characteristics of research as being empirical, methodological, analytical and communicable. Finally, it discusses the main types of research and the typical steps in the scientific research method.

1. Research Methods for
Engineers
Ashenafi Dabesa
Faculty of Water Resources Engineering, ASTU
Chapter One:-Introduction 1

2. Contents
Chapter One:-
Introduction
Chapter Two:- Planning a
Research
Chapter Three:-
Research Proposal
Writing
Chapter Four:- Organization &
Description of Data
Chapter Five:- Review
of Basic Statistical
Concepts in
Experimentation
Chapter Six:- Experimental Designs &
Analysis of Experiments
Chapter One:-Introduction 2

3. Chapter Objectives
• Identify sources of knowledge
• Define research
• Identify the types of research
• Steps in scientific research
Introduction
Chapter One:-Introduction 3

4. Sources of Knowledge
• It is human nature to quest for knowledge.
• Research emanates from this natural interest.
• Two major approaches to acquire knowledge:
1. Unscientific knowledge
2. Scientific knowledge
Chapter One:-Introduction 4

5. Types of unscientific Sources of knowledge
The method of tenacity - Automatic acceptance of beliefs without
exploring them.
E.g., 1. Black injera has high Fe content.
2. The sun rises in the east.
3. Ethiopians have burned faces.
Problems:
- Knowledge by familiarity alone – no proof of its truth
- No means for correcting ideas that are proved to be not true.
Chapter One:-Introduction 5

6. Cont’d …
• The method of Authority - Accepting information we
have been told by authority figure.
E.g. 1. Smoking affects our health
Problem:
- It is only useful and beneficial if the authority
figure is knowledgeable in the area.
Chapter One:-Introduction 6

7. Cont’d …
• A prior method/deductive reasoning - Reason and logic are the basic tools for a priori method.
E.g.,1. Ayele’s family are tall.
Alemitu is in Ayele’s family
Therefore, Alemitu is tall. _False
Conclusion from false premises.
E.g., 2. Human being is mortal
Alemu is a human being.
Therefore, Alemu is mortal. _True
E.g., 2. Runoff is a function of catchment area
Gumara and Ribb cathments do have the
same area.
Therefore, Both catchments produce the same volume of runoff. True or False?
Chapter One:-Introduction 7

8. Cont’d …
• Commonsense - Knowledge acquired from past experience or from our
perceptions of the world.
It is good for routines aspects of daily life but hinders to widen our
knowledge.
E.g., 1 The price of teff increases if the rainy season fails
E.g., 2 Since birr is devaluated, the Ethiopian economy is in
danger.
Chapter One:-Introduction 8

9. Scientific Method as a Source of Knowledge
• Knowledge acquired systematically. i.e., evaluate observation by
measuring devices.
• It is sometimes seen as a controlled extension of commonsense
knowledge.
• Therefore, science relies on information that is verifiable, unlike
commonsense.
• Science differs from commonsense:
✓ uses conceptual schemes and theoretical structures.
✓ Has the notion of control
✓ gives explanations or reasoning for different observed phenomena.
Cont’d …

10. Chapter One:-Introduction 10
Definition of research

11. Chapter One:-Introduction 11
Cont’d …

12. Chapter One:-Introduction 12
Research Characteristics

13. Chapter One:-Introduction 13
Cont’d …

14. Chapter One:-Introduction 14
Cont’d …

15. Chapter One:-Introduction 15
Cont’d …

16. Chapter One:-Introduction 16
Types of Research

17. 17
Steps in Scientific Research Method
Chapter One:-Introduction

18. Chapter One:-Introduction 18
Cont’d …

19. Chapter One:-Introduction 19
Cont’d …

20. Chapter One:-Introduction 20
Cont’d …

21. Chapter One:-Introduction 21
Cont’d …

22. Chapter One:-Introduction 22
Cont’d …