The Robert Gordon UniversitySchool of Engineering

Dr. Mohamed Amish

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH & RESEARCH METHODS

MSc Handbook

• Introduction to Research

• MSc Project Components:– Thesis– Poster– Presentation

A research is a process of investigation, it is asystematic study that can help solve practicalproblems and increase knowledge.

The purpose of research is to:• Review existing knowledge;• Investigate existing situations or problems;• Provide solutions to problems;• Construct or create new procedures;• Explore and analyse other issues;• Generate new knowledge.

Introduction to Research

Research Types

• Exploratory;

• Descriptive;

• Analytical;

• Predictive.

Exploratory Research

• Used when few or no previous studies exist. The aim is to look for patterns, hypotheses or ideas that can be tested and will form the basis for further research.

• Typical research techniques would include case studies, observation and reviews of previous related studies and data.

Descriptive Research

• Used to identify and classify the elements or

characteristics of a subject.

• Quantitative techniques are most often used to collect, analyse and summarise data.

Analytical Research

• Extends the descriptive approach to suggest or explain why and how something is happening.

• An important feature of this type of research is in locating and identifying the different factors (variables) involved.

Predictive Research

The aim of predictive research is to speculate intelligently on future possibilities, based on close analysis of available evidence of cause and effect.

Research Approach

• Quantitative (deductive);• Qualitative (inductive);• Applied / Basic;• Combination of any of the above.

Quantitative Approach

Theory

Hypothesis

Research Design

Data CollectionInterpretation of Results

Comparison of Results with Theory

Conclusions & Recommendations

Qualitative ApproachIssue

Research Design

Data Collection

Analysis & Interpretation

of Results

Review of the Literature

Conclusions & Recommendations

Research ProcessResearch

Idea

Formulation of Research Problem

Research Design

Data Collection

Analysis & Interpretation of Results

Comparison of Results with Earlier Research

Conclusions & Recommendations

Literature Review

Research Idea

• It should not have been answered already by previous research;

• It must not be too broad or general (although you will focus it even more later on in the process);

• It ought to be a question that needs to be answered (i.e. the answer will be useful to people);

• It must be a question that can be answered.

Hypothesis and focused question

A hypothesis is an idea or suggestion that is based on known fact and is used as a basis for further investigation. It is based on the findings of previous research, gained from the literature review and perhaps previous work experience with the subject.

Literature Review

A good literature review comprises:• a comprehensive survey of existing relevant

work;• a detailed review of the best (most important)

contributions;• a critical comparison of these contributions;• a synthesis of new knowledge from existing

work.

Data Collection & Procedure

You should include the materials used inyour study. For example, if you undertakeexperimental study, you would describe here the details of the experiment, the materials used and what factors were held constant.

Analysing Data

Example: Statistical Analysis• Descriptive (charts, tables);• Comparative (similarities and differences);• Relationships (correlation, regression);• Multivariate (principal components, factor and

cluster analysis).

Choose a method that is in harmony with the parameters you have set and with the type of data collected.

Database Management

Using the database principles for:Research data:• A place to store the data;• A tool to manage the data;• A tool to analyse the data.Reports / papers / thesis:• A place to store our writing;• A tool to help in layout presentation;• A tool to manage and format list of references.

Interpretation of results

Finally, after presenting the results, you are in a position to evaluate and interpret their implications, especially with respect to your original hypothesis. It is useful to note how your study applies to the on going development of theory.