RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND IPR
LECTURE NOTES
Course Code : BCSB31
Regulations : IARE -R16
Class : M.Tech. III Semester (CE)
Prepared by
Dr. PaidiRaghavulu, Professor
Mr. B. Santhosh Kumar Asst.Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
(Autonomous)
Dundigal – 500 043, Hyderabad
1
, UNIT – I
INTRODUCTION
Meaning of research:
Research in simple terms refers to search for knowledge. It is a scientific and systematic search
for information on a particular topic or issue. It is also known as the art of scientific
investigation. Several social scientists have defined research in different ways.
In the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, D. SlesingerandM. Stephension(1930) defined
research as ―the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing
to extend, corrector verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in the construction of
theory or in the practice of anart‖.. Research is a careful and detailed study into a specific problem,
concern, or issue using the scientific method.
According to Redman and Mory (1923), research is a ―systematized effort to gain new
knowledge‖. It is an academic activity and therefore the term should be used in a technical
sense. According to Clifford Woody (kothari, 1988), research comprises ―defining and
redefining problems, formulating hypotheses or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and
evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and finally, carefully testing the
conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulated hypotheses‖.
Thus, research is an original addition to the available knowledge, which contributes to its
further advancement. It is an attempt to pursue truth through the methods of study,
observation, comparison and experiment. In sum, research is the search for knowledge,
using objective and systematic methods to find solution to aproblem.
Objectives of research:
The objective of research is to find answers to the questions by applying scientific
procedures. In other words, the main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden
and has not yet been discovered. Although every research study has its own specific
objectives, theresearch objectives may be broadly grouped asfollows:
1. To gain familiarity with new insights into a phenomenon (i.e., formulative
researchstudies);
2. To accurately portray the characteristics of a particular individual, group, or a situation
(i.e., descriptive researchstudies);
3. To analyse the frequency with which something occurs (i.e., diagnostic research studies)
4. To examine the hypothesis of a causal relationship between two variables (i.e., hypothesis-
testing researchstudies).
2
,Research Methodsversusmethodology:
Research methods include all those techniques/methods that are adopted for conducting
research. Thus, research techniques or methods arethe methods that the researchers adopt for
conducting the research studies. Onthe other hand, research methodology is the way in
which researchproblemsaresolvedsystematically.It isascienceofstudyinghow research is
conducted scientifically. Under it, the researcher acquaints himself/herself with the various
steps generally adopted to study a research problem, along with the underlying logic behind
them. Hence,it not only important for the researcher to know the research techniques/
methods, but also the scientific approach called methodology.
Research approaches:
Research approach is a plan and procedure that consists of the steps of broad assumptions to
detailed method of data collection, analysis and interpretation. It is therefore, based on the
nature of the researchproblem being addressed.
There are two main approaches to research, namely quantitative approach and qualitative
approach. The quantitative approach involves thecollection of quantitative data, which are
put to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid manner. This approach further
includes experimental, inferential, and simulation approaches to research. Meanwhile, the
qualitative approach uses the method of subjective assessment of opinions, behavior and
attitudes. Research in such a situation is a function of the researcher‘s impressions and
insights. The results generated by this type of research are either in non-quantitative form or
in the form which cannot be put to rigorous quantitative analysis.
Usually,thisapproachusestechniqueslikein depthinterviews,focusgroup interviews, and
projectivetechniques.
Types ofresearch:
There are different types of research. The basic ones are as follows.
1. Descriptive versusanalytical:
Descriptive research consists of surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different types. The
main objective of descriptive research is describing the state of affairs as it prevails at the
time of study. The term ‗ex post facto research‘ is quite often used for descriptive research
studies in social sciences and business research. The most distinguishing feature of this
method is that the researcher has no control over the variables here. He/she has to only report
what is happening or what has happened.Majority of the ex post facto research projects are
used for descriptive studies in which the researcher attempts to examine phenomena, such as
the consumers‘ preferences, frequency of purchases, shopping, etc. Despite the inability ofthe
researchers to control the variables, ex post facto studies may also comprise attempts by them
3
, to discover the causes of the selected problem. The methods of research adopted in
conducting descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including correlational and
comparative methods. Meanwhile in the Analytical research, the researcher has to use the
already available facts or information, and analyze them to make a critical evaluation of the
subject.
2. Applied versusfundamental:
Research can also be applied or fundamental in nature. An attempt to find a solution to an
immediate problem encountered by a firm, an industry, a business organization, or the society
is known as applied research. Researchers engaged in such researches aim at drawing certain
conclusions confronting a concrete social or business problem.
On the other hand, fundamental research mainly concerns generalizations and
formulation of a theory. In other words, ―Gathering knowledge for knowledge‘s sake is termed
‗pure‘ or ‗basic‘ research‖ (Young in Kothari, 1988). Researches relating to pure mathematics
or concerning some natural phenomenon are instances of Fundamental Research. Likewise,
studies focusing on human behaviouralso fall under the category of fundamental research.
Thus, while the principal objective of applied research is to find a solution to some
pressing practical problem, the objective of basic research is to find information with a broad
base of application and add to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
3. Quantitative versusqualitative:
Quantitative research relates to aspects that can be quantified or can be expressed in terms of
quantity. It involves the measurement of quantity or amount. Various available statistical and
econometric methods are adopted for analysis in such research. Which includes correlation,
regressions and time series analysisetc,.
On the other hand, Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomena, or more
specifically, the aspects related to or involving quality or kind. For example, an important
type of qualitative research is ‗Motivation Research‘, whichinvestigates into the reasonsfor
certain human behavior. The main aim of this type of research is
discoveringtheunderlyingmotivesanddesiresofin-depth interviews. The other techniques
employedin such researchare story completion tests, sentence completion tests, word
association tests, and other similar projective methods. Qualitative research is particularly
significant in the context of behavioral sciences, which aim at discovering the underlying
motives of human behaviour. Such research helps to analyze the various factors that motivate
human beings to behave in a certain manner, besides contributing to an understanding of
what makes individuals like or dislike a particular thing. However, it is worth noting that
4
LECTURE NOTES
Course Code : BCSB31
Regulations : IARE -R16
Class : M.Tech. III Semester (CE)
Prepared by
Dr. PaidiRaghavulu, Professor
Mr. B. Santhosh Kumar Asst.Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
(Autonomous)
Dundigal – 500 043, Hyderabad
1
, UNIT – I
INTRODUCTION
Meaning of research:
Research in simple terms refers to search for knowledge. It is a scientific and systematic search
for information on a particular topic or issue. It is also known as the art of scientific
investigation. Several social scientists have defined research in different ways.
In the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, D. SlesingerandM. Stephension(1930) defined
research as ―the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing
to extend, corrector verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in the construction of
theory or in the practice of anart‖.. Research is a careful and detailed study into a specific problem,
concern, or issue using the scientific method.
According to Redman and Mory (1923), research is a ―systematized effort to gain new
knowledge‖. It is an academic activity and therefore the term should be used in a technical
sense. According to Clifford Woody (kothari, 1988), research comprises ―defining and
redefining problems, formulating hypotheses or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing and
evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and finally, carefully testing the
conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulated hypotheses‖.
Thus, research is an original addition to the available knowledge, which contributes to its
further advancement. It is an attempt to pursue truth through the methods of study,
observation, comparison and experiment. In sum, research is the search for knowledge,
using objective and systematic methods to find solution to aproblem.
Objectives of research:
The objective of research is to find answers to the questions by applying scientific
procedures. In other words, the main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden
and has not yet been discovered. Although every research study has its own specific
objectives, theresearch objectives may be broadly grouped asfollows:
1. To gain familiarity with new insights into a phenomenon (i.e., formulative
researchstudies);
2. To accurately portray the characteristics of a particular individual, group, or a situation
(i.e., descriptive researchstudies);
3. To analyse the frequency with which something occurs (i.e., diagnostic research studies)
4. To examine the hypothesis of a causal relationship between two variables (i.e., hypothesis-
testing researchstudies).
2
,Research Methodsversusmethodology:
Research methods include all those techniques/methods that are adopted for conducting
research. Thus, research techniques or methods arethe methods that the researchers adopt for
conducting the research studies. Onthe other hand, research methodology is the way in
which researchproblemsaresolvedsystematically.It isascienceofstudyinghow research is
conducted scientifically. Under it, the researcher acquaints himself/herself with the various
steps generally adopted to study a research problem, along with the underlying logic behind
them. Hence,it not only important for the researcher to know the research techniques/
methods, but also the scientific approach called methodology.
Research approaches:
Research approach is a plan and procedure that consists of the steps of broad assumptions to
detailed method of data collection, analysis and interpretation. It is therefore, based on the
nature of the researchproblem being addressed.
There are two main approaches to research, namely quantitative approach and qualitative
approach. The quantitative approach involves thecollection of quantitative data, which are
put to rigorous quantitative analysis in a formal and rigid manner. This approach further
includes experimental, inferential, and simulation approaches to research. Meanwhile, the
qualitative approach uses the method of subjective assessment of opinions, behavior and
attitudes. Research in such a situation is a function of the researcher‘s impressions and
insights. The results generated by this type of research are either in non-quantitative form or
in the form which cannot be put to rigorous quantitative analysis.
Usually,thisapproachusestechniqueslikein depthinterviews,focusgroup interviews, and
projectivetechniques.
Types ofresearch:
There are different types of research. The basic ones are as follows.
1. Descriptive versusanalytical:
Descriptive research consists of surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different types. The
main objective of descriptive research is describing the state of affairs as it prevails at the
time of study. The term ‗ex post facto research‘ is quite often used for descriptive research
studies in social sciences and business research. The most distinguishing feature of this
method is that the researcher has no control over the variables here. He/she has to only report
what is happening or what has happened.Majority of the ex post facto research projects are
used for descriptive studies in which the researcher attempts to examine phenomena, such as
the consumers‘ preferences, frequency of purchases, shopping, etc. Despite the inability ofthe
researchers to control the variables, ex post facto studies may also comprise attempts by them
3
, to discover the causes of the selected problem. The methods of research adopted in
conducting descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including correlational and
comparative methods. Meanwhile in the Analytical research, the researcher has to use the
already available facts or information, and analyze them to make a critical evaluation of the
subject.
2. Applied versusfundamental:
Research can also be applied or fundamental in nature. An attempt to find a solution to an
immediate problem encountered by a firm, an industry, a business organization, or the society
is known as applied research. Researchers engaged in such researches aim at drawing certain
conclusions confronting a concrete social or business problem.
On the other hand, fundamental research mainly concerns generalizations and
formulation of a theory. In other words, ―Gathering knowledge for knowledge‘s sake is termed
‗pure‘ or ‗basic‘ research‖ (Young in Kothari, 1988). Researches relating to pure mathematics
or concerning some natural phenomenon are instances of Fundamental Research. Likewise,
studies focusing on human behaviouralso fall under the category of fundamental research.
Thus, while the principal objective of applied research is to find a solution to some
pressing practical problem, the objective of basic research is to find information with a broad
base of application and add to the already existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
3. Quantitative versusqualitative:
Quantitative research relates to aspects that can be quantified or can be expressed in terms of
quantity. It involves the measurement of quantity or amount. Various available statistical and
econometric methods are adopted for analysis in such research. Which includes correlation,
regressions and time series analysisetc,.
On the other hand, Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomena, or more
specifically, the aspects related to or involving quality or kind. For example, an important
type of qualitative research is ‗Motivation Research‘, whichinvestigates into the reasonsfor
certain human behavior. The main aim of this type of research is
discoveringtheunderlyingmotivesanddesiresofin-depth interviews. The other techniques
employedin such researchare story completion tests, sentence completion tests, word
association tests, and other similar projective methods. Qualitative research is particularly
significant in the context of behavioral sciences, which aim at discovering the underlying
motives of human behaviour. Such research helps to analyze the various factors that motivate
human beings to behave in a certain manner, besides contributing to an understanding of
what makes individuals like or dislike a particular thing. However, it is worth noting that
4
