Lecture 2 HUM 207 Scientific Research PDF

Dr. Marian Mamdouh Faculty of Engineering Electronic and communication department The Research  Introduction “Research” has numerous meanings at different situations: Finding a piece of information, making notes, writing a documented paper. (Information gatheri...

Dr. Marian Mamdouh Faculty of Engineering Electronic and communication department The Research  Introduction “Research” has numerous meanings at different situations: Finding a piece of information, making notes, writing a documented paper. (Information gathering). It is the act of informing oneself about what does not know, by investigate through available sources or return a bit of information. (Library skills, Documentation) Discovery of revolutionary product, an existing product slightly modified to enhance its features.  Note that ✓ Research is not just an information gathering. ✓ Research is not only a transportation of facts from one location to another. ✓ Research is not to get attention.  What is a research? ▪ It is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and explanation information (data) for extracting previously useful knowledge to increase understanding of a phenomenon about which we are interested. ▪ Research is to enhance our understanding of phenomenon and expect to communicate what we discover to the larger scientific community. ▪ Research is what we do when we have a question or a problem we want to resolve. ▪ We may already think we know the answer to our question already.  What is a Research Problem? It is a problem that someone would like to investigate. It is considered a situation that needs to be changed or addressed. These problems consist of: Areas of concern Conditions to be improved Difficulties to be eliminated Questions seeking answers  Research Questions Proper research questions need collectable data to create possible answers Research questions must be based on observable evidence. This Figure demonstrates the difference between researchable and non- researchable questions Characteristics of Good Research Questions Good research questions possess four essential characteristics: – The question is feasible – The question is clear – The question is significant – The question is ethical  Characteristics of research 1. Research originates with a question or problem. 2. Research requires clear articulation of a Goal 3. Research Requires a specific plan for proceedings 4. Research usually divides the principal problem into more manageable sub problems. 5. Research accepts certain assumption 6. Research requires the collection and interpretation of data in an attempts to resolve the problem that inspired the research. 7. Research is , by its nature, open and continues. 1. Research originates with a question or problem. ✓ The world is filled with unanswered questions, Unresolved problems. ✓ It causes us to wonder, To speculate, To ask questions. ✓ There is so much that we do not know that we do not understand! ✓ Look around you, consider the unresolved situations that evoke these questions. With questions like these, research begins: ▪ Why? ▪ What’s the cause of that? ▪ What does it all mean?  2. Research requires clear articulation of a Goal A clear, unambiguous statement of the problem is critical. These statement is an exercise in intellectual honesty. Ultimate goal of research must be grammatically complete sentence that specifically answers the questions the following. What problem do you intend to solve? When you describe your objective in clear, concrete terms, you have a good idea of what you need to accomplish and can direct your efforts accordingly. 3. Research requires a specific plan for proceeding. Research is not a blind way into the unknown data. A carefully planned route you intended to take in is necessary in order to reach your final destination. ▪ Where are the data available ? ▪ Do any existing data address themselves to the research problem ? ▪ If the data are available , whether it will be accessible to your end. ▪ If data is accessible how to organize them in logical relationships? ▪ How to sets up an approach for synthesizing and refining them. ▪ How to extract meaningful information lies below the surface of data ? ▪ Facilitates to extract meaning full conclusions that lead to an expansion of knowledge. 4. Research usually divides the principal problem into more manageable sub problems. It is helpful to break a main research problems into several sub problems (small, easily solvable sub problems), when solved will resolve the main problem. Example. ✓ Suppose you want to get from your hometown to a town 50 mile away. ✓ Your principal goal is to get from one location to the other as expeditiously as possible ✓ This problem involves several sub problems ✓ Main problems. ✓ How do I get from Town A to Town B ✓ Sub Problems ✓ What is the most direct route? ✓ How far do I travel on the highway? ✓ Which exist should I take to leave the highway?  5.Research is guided by specific research problem, question 1) The bulb has burned out. 2) The lamp is not plugged into the wall outlet. 3) A late afternoon thunderstorm interrupted the electrical service. 4) The wire from the lamp to the wall outlet is defective. 5) You forgot to pay your electric bill. 6) Each of these hypothesis hints to resolve the problems. Now we will go to search an information is correct. 1. Find a new bulb, and insert the new bulb. The lamp fails to light. (Hypothesis 1 is rejected.) 1. You glance down at the wall outlet and see that the lamp is plugged into it. (Hypothesis 2 is rejected.) 3. You look at your neighbours' homes. Everyone has electrical power. (Hypothesis 3 is rejected.) 4. You go back into your home and lift the cord connecting the lamp to the wall outlet. The lamp lights briefly and then goes out. You lift the cord again. Again, the lamp lights briefly. The connecting cord is defective. (Hypothesis 4 is supported.) Fortunately, hypothesis 4 solved the problem and you can count an adequate light to study by for another month.  6. Research Accepts Certain Assumption ▪ The assumptions must be valid or else the research is meaningless. ▪ It is essential that others know what you assume to be true with respect to your project. ▪ If one is to judge the quality of your study, then the knowledge of what you assume as a basic to the existence of your study.  7. Research is , by its nature, open and continues The research process follows a cycle and begins simply. It follows logical, developmental steps as follows. ❖ A questioning mind observes a particular situation and asks, Why? What can used that ? How come? ( This is the subjective origin of research). ❖ The answer to those questions becomes formally stated as a problem. (This is the overt beginning of research.) ❖ Data are gathered that seem to bear on the problem. ❖ The data seem to point to a temporary solution of the problem. A guess is made; a hypothesis or guiding question is formed. ❖ The question for more data continues. ❖ The body of data is processed and interpreted. ❖ A discovery is made; a conclusion is reached. ❖ The temporary hypothesis is either supported by the data or is not supported; the question is partially / completely answered or not. ❖ The cycle is complete.  Some important Language points: Poor experimentation cannot be masked by brilliant writing; however, poor writing can mask brilliant experimentation. Avoid complex sentence structure. Use simple and clear English. Always keep in mind that the paragraph is the essential unit of thought. Before Starting to Write the Paper Record your readings (results). Make tables. Draw graphs. Keep file to record summaries of results and any observation however insignificant. Date the files. Revise your readings, you may need to repeat an experiment while you still have the materials. Write ideas when ever they come to you.  Essential Parts of a Scientific paper Title: Describe concisely the core contents of the paper Abstract: Summarize the major elements of the paper Introduction: provide context and rationale for the study Materials: Describe the experimental design so it is reproducible Methods: Describe the experimental procedures Results: Summarize the findings without interpretation Discussion: Interpret the findings of the study Summary: Summarize the findings Acknowledgement: Give credit to those who helped you References: List all scientific papers, books and websites that you cited  Summary ✓ What research is not like, gathering information, transformation of facts from one place to another, rummaging of information, catch word from document. ✓ A systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information (data) to increase understanding of a phenomenon about we are interested is called research ✓ The characteristic of research emphasizes the understanding of actual research. ✓ Knowledge Discovery Approach is Essential to extract knowledge from systematically collected data. ✓ Understanding other research paper helpful to understand our research effectively.