How to write good research papers by Scholars

How to write good research papers by Scholars

1. Research Methodology Types of Research & Research Design Dr Puja Khare Principal Scientist

2. Organization of this lecture Research and Methodology : Research defined and described Some classifications of research Classifications of research design Define methodology Description of the research process Discuss creativity and its role in the research process

3. Research Defined and Described “Research is the systematic approach to obtaining and confirming new and reliable knowledge” Systematic and orderly (following a series of steps) Purpose is new knowledge, which must be reliable This is a general definition which applies to all disciplines

4. Notice that: “… truth was not used in the definition of research” “This concept of truth is outside of the productive realm of thinking by researchers”

5. Research is not Accidental discovery : Accidental discovery may occur in structured research process Usually takes the form of a phenomenon not previously noticed May lead to a structured research process to verify or understand the observation … cont.   Discovery of Penicillin Blood Thinner Warfarin

6. Research is not Data Collection an intermediate step to gain reliable knowledge collecting reliable data is part of the research process … cont.

7. Research is not Searching out published research results in libraries (or the internet) This is an important early step of research The research process always includes synthesis and analysis But, just reviewing of literature is not research

8. 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

9. All well designed and conducted research has potential application. Failure to see applications can be due to: Users not trained or experienced in the specialized methods and reasoning Researchers often do not provide adequate interpretations and guidance on applications of the research [Example Pesticide application, Prototype application] Researchers are responsible to help users understand research implications

10. The Process of Research The process is initiated with a question or problem ( step 1 ) Next , goals and objectives are formulated to deal with the question or problem ( step 2 ) Then the research design is developed to achieve the objectives ( step 3 ) Results are generated by conducting the research ( step 4 ) Interpretation and analysis of results follow ( step 5) Conclusion

11. Methodology Defined & Described Methodology and Method are often (incorrectly) used interchangeable Methodology – the study of the general approach to inquiry in a given field Method – the specific techniques, tools or procedures applied to achieve a given objective Research methods in economics include regression analysis, mathematical analysis, operations research, surveys, data gathering, etc.

12. Classification of Research Before classification, we must first define types of research Different criteria are used to classify research types (All of these are somewhat arbitrary and artificial)

13. Disciplinary, Subject-matter, and Problem-solving Research (Johnson, 1986)

14. Basic vs Applied Research Basic – to determine or establish fundamental facts and relationships within a discipline or field of study. How did the universe begin? What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly? How do slime molds reproduce? Applied – undertaken specifically for the purpose of obtaining information to help resolve a particular problem Improve agriculture crop production Treat or cure a specific disease Improve the energy efficiency of home, office or more of transportation The distinction between them is in the application Basic has little application to real world policy and management but could be done to guide applied research

15. designed to improve a discipline dwells on theories, fundamental relationships and analytical procedures and techniques Development of DNA extraction Kit in biology Development of chromatographic techniques in Chemistry It is synergistic and complementary with subject matter and problem-solving research Provides the foundations for applied research [ Metabolomics analysis ] Disciplinary

16. Subject-matter research Tends to follow subject-matter boundaries within a discipline Example: Extraction of Pesticide residue using QuEChERS Inherently multidisciplinary, drawing information from many disciplines Example: Synthesis of nano-material It involves direct application to contemporary issues.

17. Problem-solving research Designed to solve a specific problem for a specific decision maker Often results in recommendations on decisions or actions Problem-solving research is holistic – uses all information relevant to the specific problem Disciplinary research is generally the most “durable” (long lasting); problem-solving research the least durable

18. Descriptive vs Analytic Research Descriptive Research the attempt to determine, describe, or identify something

19. Analytic – The attempt to establish why something occurs or how it came to be Analytical research  focuses on understanding the cause-effect relationships between two or more variables Use facts or information already available and analyzed them to make critical evaluation All disciplines generally engage in both Descriptive vs Analytic Research

20. Research design A research design is the frame work or guide used for planning, implementation, and analysis of a study It is a systematic plan what is to be done, how it will be done, how the data will be analyzed Research design basically provides an outline of how the research will be carried out and method that can be used

21. Important Elements Time Frequency Setting Natural or laboratory Subject Individual who take part in study or who will be observed Variables Focus on study (cause and effects) Investigator Role In some condition un- obstuctive , data interpretation or allocate participant to different conditions Research Design

22. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Design Qualitative A study in which the researcher merely observes what is happening or what has happened in the past and tries to draw conclusion based on these observations Quantitative Research Design It is a formal, objective, systematic process in which numerical data are used to obtain information. [o bservations: recording what you have seen, heard, or encountered in detailed field notes. Interviews: personally asking people questions in one-on-one conversations. Focus groups: asking questions and generating discussion among a group of people]

23. Pre-Experimental Design A group, or various groups, are kept under observation after implementing cause and effect factors. You’ll conduct this research to understand whether further investigation is necessary for these particular groups Quasi-Experimental Design The word “Quasi” indicates similarity. A quasi-experimental design is similar to an experimental one, but it is not the same. The difference between the two is the assignment of a control group. In this research, an independent variable is manipulated, but the participants of a group are not randomly assigned. Quasi-research is used in field settings where random assignment is either irrelevant or not required. True Experimental Design It relies on  statistical analysis  to prove or disprove a hypothesis, making it the most accurate form of research. Of the types of experimental design, only true design can establish a cause-effect relationship within a group. Experimental Research Design

24. Manipulation – Control  of  independent  variable by the researcher through treatment/ intervention. Subjects are randomly assigned to different treatment levels Control  – The use of  control  group without treatments Randomization – Every subject gets equal chance being assigned to experimental Treatment Group The group in an experimental study that received the special instruction . Control Group The group that did not receive the special instruction Experiment: Will student test scores be affected by distracting sounds in the testing environment? Continue.. Characteristics of true experimental design

25.   Terminology Si mediated heavy metal tolerance in rice Independent Variable The variable in an independent study that is being manipulated by the research [Explanatory Variable] Dependent Variable The resultant variable [Outcome Variable]. Continue..

26. Disadvantages May occur in unnatural settings Subjects change their behavior when they know they are participating in a survey. Confounding Variables : A variable that influences the dependent or outcome variable but cannot be separated from the independent variable Example: Coffee drinkers have more heart disease than non-coffee drinkers may be influenced by another factor Experimental Studies Advantages Researcher can decide how to select subjects and how to assign them to different groups Researcher can manipulate the independent variable

27. Research is a creative process “…research includes far more than mere logic … It includes insight, genius, groping, pondering – ‘sense’ … The logic we can teach; the art we cannot” Research requires (or at least works best) with imagination, initiative, intuition, and curiosity. There are different types of creativity, characteristic of different situations – “applied” and “theoretical” most closely associate with economic research Creativity in the Research Process

28. Fostering Creativity … cont. Allow curiosity to grow Set problems aside … and come back to them Write down your thoughts “… frequently I don’t know what I think until I write it” Freedom from distraction … some time to think. Creativity may provide the difference between satisfactory and outstanding research.

29. It is mandatory. It is morally required. Violable is punishable. International/abroad rule are very astringent Boycott from Scientific society…………….