Engineering Research Methods PDF

Module 1 Introduction: Meaning of Research, Objectives of Research, and Motivation in Engineering Research, Types of Engineering Research, Finding and Solving a Worthwhile Problem. Ethics in Engineering Research: Ethics in Engineering Research Practice, Types of Research Misconduct, Ethical Issues R...

Module 1 Introduction: Meaning of Research, Objectives of Research, and Motivation in Engineering Research, Types of Engineering Research, Finding and Solving a Worthwhile Problem. Ethics in Engineering Research: Ethics in Engineering Research Practice, Types of Research Misconduct, Ethical Issues Related to Authorship. Research means search for knowledge. Research refers to a careful, well-defined, objective, and systematic method of search for knowledge, formulation of a theory, formulation of hypothesis, data analysis, deductions and conclusions. Research is not just about reading a lot of books Research involves formulation of hypothesis or proposition of solutions, data analysis, and deductions; and ascertaining whether the conclusions fit the hypothesis One must be clear what the problem being attempted to solve is and why it is important Research question The question helps one, zero in onto manageable volume of information Research flow Objectives of Engineering Research: 1. Advancing Knowledge To explore uncharted territories and expand the boundaries of current knowledge 2. Problem Solving To address and solve real-world engineering problems and challenges 3. Innovation and Creativity To explore creative and unconventional approaches to engineering challenges 4. Optimizing Processes To enhance the performance of systems and structures through optimization 5. Technology Development To contribute to the development of new technologies and methodologies Motivation in Engineering Research Studies have shown that intrinsic motivations like interest, challenge, learning Extrinsic motivating factors like rewards for good work include money, fame, awards, praise, and status are very strong motivators Influences from others like competition, collaboration, commitment, and encouragement are also motivating factors in research Personal motivation in solving unsolved problems, intellectual joy, service to community, and respectability are all driving factors Types of research 1. Descriptive vs. Analytical 2. Applied vs Fundamental 3. Quantitative vs Qualitative 4. Conceptual vs Empirical 5. Some other types of research i. One time research ii. Longitudinal research iii. Lab research iv. Simulation research v. Historical research Descriptive vs. Analytical: Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. In social science and business research it is known Ex post facto research. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Most ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data. Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even when they cannot control the variables. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlational methods. Ex: National census, customer satisfaction survey, trend analysis, competitor benchmarking, market survey In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material. Ex: Data collection, experimental research, Literature review, scientific trials, case study, Dollar value Applied versus Fundamental: Fundamental scientific research seeks to expand our understanding of natural phenomena, uncover underlying principles, and advance theoretical knowledge. Fundamental research often leads to the discovery of new principles, theories, or laws that contribute to the broader body of scientific knowledge. Emphasis is on developing theories and models to explain. Study of behavior of sub-atomic particles. A study looking at how alcohol consumption impacts the brain Basic – without set purpose ex: physcology, science, correlation, Quantum, relativity Applied ex: Increasing student involvement, Improve literacy, marketing to millenials, reduce fraud, cure disease, improve agriculture, test lab equipment Quantitative versus Qualitative Quantitative research is focused on collecting and analyzing numerical data to identify patterns, relationships, and statistical significance. It involves the use of structured surveys, experiments, or observations to gather quantitative data. Typically involves larger sample sizes to ensure statistical reliability. Conducting a survey to determine the relationship between study hours and academic performance. Experimental research comparing the effectiveness of two different medications by measuring specific health outcomes numerically Qualitative research seeks to explore and understand the complexities of human behavior, experiences, and social phenomena. Involves the collection of non-numerical data, such as interviews, focus groups, observations, or open-ended surveys. Often involves smaller, purposefully selected samples to gain in-depth insights. Results are often presented in a narrative form, with detailed descriptions and quotations. Conducting in-depth interviews to explore individuals' experiences with a particular medical condition and understanding the impact on their daily lives Finding and Solving a Worthwhile Problem A researcher may start out with the research problems stated by the Supervisor or posed by others that are yet to be solved. Identifying a Worthwhile Problem Relevance Significance Gaps in Knowledge Stakeholder Involvement Defining the Problem Clarity Scope Measurability Solving the Problem Innovative Solutions Seek innovative and creative solutions Feasibility Consider the practicality of the solution Iterative Process Refine and adjust solutions based on feedback, testing Ethical Considerations Collaboration Collaborative efforts often lead to more comprehensive and robust outcomes George Polya (1887–1985) suggested a 4-step procedure for mathematical problem-solving (i) Understand the problem, restate it, visualize the problem by drawing figures, and determine if something more is needed. (ii) One must start somewhere and systematically explore possible strategies to solve the problem or a simpler version of it while looking for patterns. (iii) Execute the plan to see if it works, and if it does not then start over with another approach. Having delved into the problem and returned to it multiple times, one might have a flash of insight or a new idea to solve the problem. (iv) Looking back and reflecting helps in understanding and assimilating the strategy, and is a sort of investment into the future. Ethics in Engineering Research Ethics generally refers to a set of rules distinguishing acceptable and unacceptable conduct, distinguishing right from wrong Although ethics are , but laws often follow ethics because ethics are our shared values International norms for the ethical conduct of research have been there since the adoption of the 1. The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential 2. The experiment should be such as to yield fruitful results for the good of society 3. The experiment should be so designed and based on the results of animal experimentation and a knowledge of the natural history of the disease 4. The experiment should be so conducted as to avoid all unnecessary physical and mental suffering and injury 5. No experiment should be conducted where there is an a priori reason to believe that death or disabling injury will occur 6. The degree of risk to be taken should never exceed that determined by the humanitarian importance of the problem to be solved by the experiment 7. Proper preparations should be made and adequate facilities provided to protect the experimental subject against even remote possibilities of injury, disability, or death 8. The experiment should be conducted only by scientifically qualified persons 9. During the course of the experiment the human subject should be at liberty to bring the experiment to an end if he has reached the physical or mental state where continuation of the experiment seems to him to be impossible 10. During the course of the experiment the scientist in charge must be prepared to terminate the experiment at any stage, if he has probable cause to believe, in the exercise of the good faith, superior skill and careful judgment required of him that a continuation of the experiment is likely to result in injury, disability, or death to the experimental subject Whitbeck, raised two simple but significant questions to address the tricky issue of authorship in research Who should be included as an author?  The appropriate order of listing of authors? Authorship Criteria: Substantial Contribution, Drafting and Revising, Final Approval, Accountability Order of Authors: First Author, Last Author, Middle Authors Special Considerations: Equal Contribution, Corresponding Author, Acknowledgments Ethical principles in making decisions, conducting experiments, and disseminating results in a manner that upholds integrity, transparency, and respect for all stakeholders The reason that ethics matter in data used in engineering research is usually because there is impact on humans Privacy and Consent Fairness and Bias Transparency and Accountability Security Social and Cultural Sensitivity Researchers make many choices that matter from an ethical perspective and influence the effects of technology in many different ways By setting the ethically right requirements at the very outset, engineering researchers can ultimately influence the effects of the developed technology Human-Centric Development, Avoiding Harm, Long-Term Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability, Social Acceptance, International Collaboration, Public Trust Influence may also be applied by researchers through design Engineering researchers have to choose between different alternatives fulfilling similar functions Research outcomes often have unintended and undesirable side effects Types of Research Misconduct Research misconduct refers to from commonly accepted standards in conducting and reporting research. Research integrity encompasses dealing fairly with others, honesty about the methods and results, replicating the results wherever possible so as to avoid errors, protecting the welfare of research subjects. There are several types of research misconduct, and they generally fall into three main categories: fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism 1. Fabrication a) Making up data or results and recording or reporting them as if they were real 2. Falsification a) Changing, misrepresenting, or selectively reporting study results to make them appear more significant 3. Plagiarism a) Verbatim Plagiarism, Paraphrasing Plagiarism, Ideas Plagiarism b) Authorship Issues c) Ghost Authorship, Guest Authorship d) Simultaneous submission of the same article to two different journals also violates publication policies e) Salami Slicing (Redundant Publication) Publishing the same research findings in multiple publications without proper cross- referencing or disclosure Ethical issues related to authorship Academic authorship involves , establishing priority for their discoveries, and building peer-reputation, and comes with intrinsic burden of acceptance of the responsibility for the contents of the work Here are some ethical issues related to authorship: 1. Authorship Criteria 2. Gift Authorship 3. Ghost Authorship 4. Order of Authors 5. Failure to Acknowledge Collaborators 6. Redundant Publishing 7. Unauthorized Use of Data 8. Conflict of Interest 9. Misrepresentation by Corresponding Authors 10. Plagiarism