Research Methods (IM 612) Introduction to Research methods PDF

College of Computer and Information Sciences Department of Information Technology Research Methods (IM 612) Introduction to Research methods 1  Research Vs search On the daily basis we look up for information Se...

College of Computer and Information Sciences Department of Information Technology Research Methods (IM 612) Introduction to Research methods 1  Research Vs search On the daily basis we look up for information Search is a random process of trying to identify something in a non- systematic manner. 2 What is Research? General definition is….. Research is systematic investigative process employed to increase or revise current knowledge by discovering new facts. “finding answers to questions in an organized, logical and systematic fashion” Research is an original contribution to knowledge 3 Some ways in which the term “research” is used wrongly Just collecting facts or information with no clear purpose. Reassembling and reordering facts or information without interpretation. As a term to get your product or ideas noticed and respected. 4 What is science? Science (from the Latin Scientia, meaning "knowledge"). It is a systematic knowledge-base that is capable of resulting in a prediction or predictable type of outcome. In this sense, science may refer to a highly skilled technique or practice. 5 What is Logic and why do we need that? Science is all about seeking knowledge through logic. In other words, without logic there is no science. It is the foundation of understanding things. Common sense and logic are human tools for perceiving the universe and understanding day to day life. 6 IT Department  What is Research? In simplest term the Research is : Searching for and gathering information. Usually the answer for the particular question or problem. Unlike the data to search for information to buy a phone etc.… Academic/Scientific research is a systematic and organized process. It is based on empirical data and its goal is to verify or generate theories. 7 IT Department  Research is… Searching for explanation of events, phenomena, relationships and causes – What, how and why things occur – Are there interactions? A process – Planned and managed – to make the information generated credible – The process is creative – It is circular – always leads to more questions 8 IT Department 9 Empiricism Method of acquiring knowledge that relies on experience and observation. This approach emphasizes the importance of sensory experience as the basis for knowledge acquisition. Empiricists believe that knowledge is acquired through the scientific method, which involves the formulation of hypotheses based on observations, the testing of those hypotheses through experiments, and the refinement of those hypotheses based on the experimental findings. 10 Rationalism Philosophical approach that emphasizes the use of reason and logic to acquire knowledge. This method involves using logical deductions to arrive at sound conclusions. Rationalists believe that knowledge can be gained through reason alone, without relying on experience or observation. 11 Intuition way of acquiring knowledge without relying on reason or inference. It is often described as a gut feeling or a hunch. Intuition involves the use of our unconscious mind, and it is often difficult to explain why we feel a certain way or why we have a certain idea. Intuition is a natural ability that we all possess, but some people are more in tune with their intuition than others. 12 Authority Acquiring knowledge from a source that is considered an expert or authoritative figure in a particular field. This method relies on the belief that the information provided by an expert is accurate and reliable. In other words, the information is accepted as true because it comes from a trusted source. 13 Empiricism and rationalism are the key cornerstones of the scientific method. Scientists use reasoning to provide a theoretical and empirical rationale for the research, to develop hypotheses, and to determine the validity of the results. And they make empirical observations under controlled conditions and provide systematic documentation to reduce biases. This provides objectivity to validate or refute the hypotheses. Thus, the modern science stands tall on the two main pillars: rationalism and empiricism. 14  Scientific Method Galileo Galilei Born: 15 February 1564 Died: 8 January 1642 Born in Pisa, Italy. Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. improvements to the telescope. pioneered the scientific method. Applied empirical approach to obtaining and analyzing data. Developed a number of new sciences using a combination of mathematics and experimentation. Galileo designed his own telescope and used it to make new observations. 15 IT Department 3 Stages of Academic/Scientific Research 16 IT Department Why do we need research skills? Presents and explores the processes of scientific research: – Forming a research hypothesis / Questions. – Carrying out a literature review. – Planning an investigation. – Analyzing the results. – Reporting the findings. 17 IT Department Basic research Vs Applied research Basic research helps expand existing knowledge. Applied research, which provides a solution to an existing problem. 18  Basic research This type of research, also known as pure or fundamental research, is a type of scientific research that broadens established scientific theories to expand knowledge of natural and other phenomena. Basic research is driven by a scientist's 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. 19  Example of basic research A study searching for the causative factors of cancer. A study seeing what areas of Saudi Arabia have the most rain. A study examining whether a vegetarian diet is healthier than one with meat. A study on the various types of dates grown in Al-Ahsa Governorate. A study on the growth process of palm trees. A study looking at how alcohol consumption impacts the brain 20  Applied research The main objective of applied research is to solve practical problems or improve existing products, processes, or systems. It is often carried out in industry, government, and other organizations that seek to develop new technologies, products, or services. 21  Example of applied research A study on how to improve illiteracy in teenagers. A study looking for ways to market products for women in Riyadh. A study trying to decrease fraud on social media platforms. A study searching for ways to encourage high school graduates to attend college. A study to find ways to make car tires last longer. A study exploring ways to cook gluten-free meals with a limited budget. A study on how to treat patients with HIV. A study looking for ways to improve patient services at a dentist's office 22 Research topic selection Based on an idea. Based on your experience. Based on your reading. 23 IT Department Selecting a Topic When deciding on a topic, there are a few things that you will need to do: Choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the literature. Ensure that the topic is manageable, and that material is available. Make a list of key words. Be flexible. Define your topic as a focused research question. Research and read more about your topic. Brainstorm for ideas. 24 IT Department  Characteristics of a Good Topic Original or with good reason to repeat study Sufficient scientific merit and interest Appropriate depth of study to satisfy degree An outcome is assured whether + or - Research Problem has viable proposed solution ✓ Not too difficult or impossible. ✓ Within capabilities. ✓ Appropriate to researcher skills and understanding. Task to be done ✓ Can be completed in allocated time. ✓ With reasonable chance of success. ✓ Not too complex but sufficiently detailed. 25 IT Department Originality – what is it and how do we create it? 26 IT Department  The importance of originality Originality is a "must" in PhD research. You will need to develop the necessary skills to recognize "what is original?" and implement it into your work. It may take a considerable time to develop originality in your research. You also need to appreciate the scope and potential of originality. 27 IT Department Originality can be demonstrated in numerous ways: Originality in tools, techniques and procedures. Originality in exploring the unknown/unexplored. Originality in data. Originality in transfer of mode or place of use. Originality in the experience. Originality as ‘potentially publishable. Protecting the ownership of original work. 28 IT Department Making a significant contribution… Characterizing your contribution means answering 'So what?', which means articulating: The importance of the question (Why is it worth asking?) The significance of the findings (Why should anyone care? Why do they matter?) Their implications for theory The limitations to generalization Making a 'significant contribution' means 'adding to knowledge’, which means providing evidence to substantiate a conclusion that's worth making. 29 IT Department Where to look for Topics? Scientific Literature: Gaps. Inconsistencies. Alternative explanations. Questions. Unexpected findings. 30 IT Department 31 Definition of research gaps 32 33 Stages in Scientific Research Process: 1. Formulating the Research Problem 2. Extensive Literature Survey 3. Development of Working 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 11. Preparation of the Report 34 1. Formulating the Research Problem There are two types of research problems, those which relate to states of nature and those which relate to relationships between variables. Researcher must decide the general area of interest. Ambiguities relating to the problem should be resolved. Possibility of a particular solution has to be considered before a working formulation of the problem can be set up. The formulation of a general topic into a specific research problem constitutes the first step in a scientific research. 35 1. Formulating the Research Problem - cont. Way of understanding the problem: ▪ Discuss it with colleagues or experts. ▪ Examine all available literature concerning the concepts and theories, and similar such studies. After this, the researcher rephrases the problem into analytical or operational terms i.e., to put the problem in as specific terms as possible. This task of formulating a research problem is a step of greatest importance in the entire research process. The problem to be investigated must be defined clearly for that will help discriminating relevant data from irrelevant ones. Once the problem is formulated, a brief summary of it should be written down. 36 2. Extensive Literature Survey 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. One source leads to another. The earlier studies, if any, which are similar to the study in hand should be carefully studied. A good library will be a great help to the researcher at this stage. By using Google, Google Scholar and SDL; articles and reference books can be searched. 37  3. Development of Working Hypothesis Working hypothesis is initial assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. Hypothesis provides the focal point for research. Hypothesis should be very specific and limited to the piece of research in hand 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. It also indicates the type of data required and the type of methods of data analysis to be used. 38 How to develop working hypothesis? 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. Thus, working hypothesis arise as a result of a-priori thinking about the subject, examination of the available data and material including related studies and the counsel of experts and interested parties. 39 4. Preparing the Research Design Action plan to complete your research. Research design is how you will find answers to your research questions. The function of research design is to provide relevant evidence with minimum expenditure of effort, time and money. There are several research designs, such as, experimental and non-experimental hypothesis testing. Four categories: Exploration, Description, Diagnosis and Experimentation 40  5. Determining Sample Design All the items under consideration in any field of inquiry constitute a ‘universe’ or ‘population’. Highest accuracy will be obtained if all the items are covered in the inquiry. But practically it may not be possible to cover all items. For instance, blood testing is done only on sample basis. Hence, quite often we select only a few items from the universe for our study purposes. The items so selected constitute what is technically called a sample. The researcher must decide the way of selecting a sample or what is known as the sample design. 41 6. Collecting the Data To solve any real life problem, it is necessary to collect data that are appropriate. Primary data can be collected either through experiment or through survey. If the researcher conducts an experiment, he observes some quantitative measurements, or the data, with the help of which he examines the truth contained in his hypothesis. In the case of a survey, data can be collected by personal interview, telephone interviews or questionnaires. 42 7. Execution of the research If the execution of the research proceeds on correct lines, the data to be collected would be adequate and dependable. The researcher should see that the project is executed in a systematic manner and in time. If the survey is to be conducted by means of structured questionnaires, data can be readily machine-processed. If the data are to be collected through interviewers, arrangements should be made for proper selection and training of the interviewers. This means that steps should be taken to ensure that the survey is under statistical control so that the collected information is in accordance with the pre-defined standard of accuracy. 43  8. Analysis of Data The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations such as establishment of categories, the application of these categories to raw data through coding or tabulation, and then drawing statistical inferences. Coding operation is usually done at this stage through which the categories of data are transformed into symbols that may be tabulated and counted. Computers not only save time but also make it possible to study large number of variables affecting a problem simultaneously. Data analysis is done with the help of statistical formulae. In brief, the researcher can analyze the collected data with the help of various statistical measures. 44 9. Hypothesis Testing After analyzing the data, the researcher is in a position to test the hypothesis, if any, he had formulated earlier. Do the facts support the hypothesis, or they happen to be contrary? Various tests, such as Chi square test, t-test, F-test, have been developed by statisticians for the purpose. The hypothesis 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. 45 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 lead to new questions which in turn may lead to further researches. 46  11. Preparation of the Report Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by him. Writing of report must be done with great care. Report should be written in an objective style in simple language avoiding vague expressions. Charts and illustrations in the main report should be used only if they present the information more clearly. 47  Thanks Any question? 48