Research Methodology module 1RM_Module I 2.pdf

Research Methodology module 2. how to write research paper

1. Research Methodology
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2. 2
Criteria of Good Research
1. Clearly defined purpose: The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and
common concepts be used.
2. Detailed elaboration: The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail
to permit another researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the
continuity of what has already been attained.
3. Systematic design with defined objective: The procedural design of the research should be
carefully planned to yield results that are as objective as possible.
4. Completeness: The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural
design and estimate their effects upon the findings.
5. Appropriate analysis: The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its
significance and the methods of analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and
reliability of the data should be checked carefully.
6. Conclusive: Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research
and limited to those for which the data provide an adequate basis.
7. Productive: Contribute to knowledge or produce technology.

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Criteria of Good Research
The another key criteria of good research include:
1.Good research is systematic: It follows a structured approach with clearly defined steps.
2.Good research is logical: The conclusions are based on sound reasoning and follow from the
data or hypotheses.
3.Good research is empirical: It relies on observable and measurable evidence gathered
through experimentation or observation.
4.Good research is replicable: The research can be repeated by others with similar results,
ensuring its reliability.
5. Good research contribute to knowledge
- The research should add value to the field, either by solving problems, testing theories, or
providing new insights.

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Defining the Research Problem

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•Definition:
• A research problem is a specific issue, difficulty, contradiction, or gap in knowledge that a
researcher aims to address.
•It forms the foundation of research objectives and hypotheses.
What is a Research Problem?
Selecting the Research Problem:
Criteria for Selection:
•Relevance to field and current trends
•Feasibility in terms of resources and time
•Personal interest and expertise
•Availability of data
•Ethical considerations
Why Defining is Crucial:
•Ensures clarity and focus of research
•Prevents ambiguous research objectives
•Aids in proper resource allocation
•Helps in forming appropriate
methodology
Necessity of Defining the Problem

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1.Statement of the Problem: Clearly articulate the problem in one or two sentences.
2.Background Knowledge: Review of literature to understand what is already known.
3.Identify Gaps: Determine areas where knowledge is lacking.
4.Formulate Hypotheses: Tentative explanation that addresses the problem.
5.Set Objectives: Define what the research aims to achieve.
Techniques for Defining a Research Problem

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•Problem: Understanding the thermal stability of 2D materials for high-temperature
applications.
Example 1: Scientific Research Problem
•Background: Existing research highlights good electrical
properties but lacks data on high-temp stability.
•Gap: Few studies address the behavior of these
materials at higher temperatures.
•Objective: Investigate thermal stability and propose
methods to enhance it.
Ref: google image
Graphene oxide

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•Problem: Impact of social media on youth mental health.
Example 2: Social Science Research Problem
•Background: Research has shown
correlations but no concrete cause-effect
analysis.
•Gap: The effect of specific types of social
media use (e.g., passive vs. active) is not
well explored.
•Objective: Study the different impacts of
various types of social media use on
mental health.
‘Effect of Social media on
mental health’ is missing?

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•Step 1: Identify broad problem area (e.g., health effects of nanomaterials)
•Step 2: Narrow down to a specific issue (e.g., toxicity of graphene in bio-medical
applications)
•Step 3: State the problem clearly (e.g., Limited data on how graphene nanoparticles
interact with human cells)
•Step 4: Review literature (e.g., Existing studies focus on animal models, not human cells)
•Step 5: Establish research objectives (e.g., To explore how graphene nanoparticles affect
human cell viability)
Illustration of Technique: Defining a Research Problem

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Key Takeaways
•Defining the problem is the first step
towards meaningful research.
•A well-defined problem guides the research
design, methodology, and focus.
•Choosing a relevant and feasible problem
ensures the success of the project.
•Using proper techniques to define the
problem helps in setting clear objectives.

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Research Effort Research Output
ETHICS

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ETHICS
❑Ethics is the discipline dealing with what is good or bad and
with moral duty and obligation.
❑A set of moral principles or values put in place for the
betterment of all.
❑Conforming to professional standards of conduct.
“Ethics is the disciplined study or morality….and morality asks the question…what
should one’s behavior be”. Jeff Cooper Albany Medical Center, Ethical Decision
Making, 2001,
“Greek ethos ‘character’ is the systematic study of value concepts—good, bad,
right, wrong and the general principles that justify applying these concepts” Joan
E. Sieber Planning Ethically Responsible Research.

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Is ethics same as LAW?
Ethics is the responsibility of the INDIVIDUAL . It is more than
adherence to LAW. A person may indulge in an unethical practice,
but unless caught, law cannot come into force !

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✓Ethics are the set of rules that govern our expectations of our own
and others’ behavior.
✓Research ethics are the set of ethical guidelines that guides us on
how scientific research should be conducted and disseminated.
✓Research ethics govern the standards of conduct for scientific
researchers as a guideline for responsibly conducting the research.
✓Research that involves human subjects or contributors rears
distinctive and multifaceted ethical concerns.
So what does ethics have to do with research?
Research ethics

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✓Research ethics is unambiguously concerned in the examination of
ethical issues that are upraised when individuals are involved as
participants in the study.
✓Ethics is about creating a mutually respectful relationship with the
research population
✓Subjects are pleased to participate
✓Community regards the conclusions as constructive

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❖It is a reflection of respect for those who ‘take part’ in research
❖It ensures that no unreasonable, unsafe or thoughtless demands are made by
researchers
❖It ensures sufficient knowledge is shared by all concerned
❖It imposes a common standard in all the above respect
❖It has become the norm as an expectation for research activity
❖A professional requirement for practitioners in some disciplines e.g. psychology
❖A requirement to comply with external agencies to obtain funding
❖Ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the public
Why is research ethics important?

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An ethicallyinsensitive researcher
Can leave the research setting in
pandemonium including
❑the researcher
❑the institution
❑the cause that he/she seeks
to promote
Example: Lack of Informed Consent -
Conducting research on human participants
without fully informing them of the study's
risks, purposes, and potential impacts. For
example, in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
(1932-1972), African American men with
syphilis were misled and not given proper
treatment, even after penicillin became
available. This is an ethically insensitive
practice as participants were not treated
with respect

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Three important objectives of research ethics
Ø To guard/protect human participants, their dignity, rights and
welfare .
Ø To make sure that research is directed in a manner that assists
welfares of persons, groups and/or civilization as a whole.
Ø To inspect particular research events and schemes for their ethical
reliability, considering issues such as the controlling risk, protection
of privacy and the progression of informed consent.

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What Compromises Ethics or makes people ignore it?
1. Power
2. Greed
3. Fear
4. Not-in-my-back-yard (NIMBY)
5. Everybody is doing it
6. It does not hurt anybody
NIMBY Aspect: Local
communities often resist research
projects due to perceived or real
risks to their environment, health,
or lifestyle. For example, a
community may oppose a
research facility dealing with
nuclear waste, fearing radiation
exposure.