Overview

of
Scientific Research

CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Topic Outline
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

Meaning of research
Significance of research
Motivation in Research
Objectives of research
Types of research

CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Meaning of Research

TOPIC
OUTLINE

an art of scientific investigation

a systematized effort to gain knowledge
a scientific and systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic
the search for knowledge through objective and
systematic method of finding solution to a problem
the systematic method consisting of enunciating the
problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the
facts or data, analyzing the facts and reaching
certain conclusions either in the form of solution(s)
towards the concerned problem or in certain
generalizations for some theoretical formulation.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Significance of Research
The overall importance of research includes:

Research inculcates scientific and inductive thinking

and it promotes the development of logical habits
of thinking and organization.
Research provides the basis for nearly all
government policies in our economic system.
Research has its special significance in solving
various operational and planning problems of
business and industry.
Research is equally important for social scientists in
studying social relationships and in seeking answers
to various social problems.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Significance of Research
Specific significance of research by profession:

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OUTLINE

Graduate students: a careerism or a way to attain a

high position in the social structure
Professionals in research methodology: a source of
livelihood
Philosophers and thinkers: the outlet for new ideas
and insights
Literary men and women: the development of new
styles and creative work
Analysts and intellectuals: the generalizations of
new theories
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Motivation in Research
Possible motives for doing research may be:

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Desire to get a research degree along with its

consequential benefits
Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved
problems, i.e. concern over practical problems
initiates research
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative
work
Desire to be of service to society
Desire to get respectability
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Objectives of Research
Research objectives could fall into a number of
broad groupings:

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OUTLINE

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to

achieve new insights into it
To portray accurately the characteristics of a
particular individual, situation or group
To determine the frequency with which something
occurs or with which it is associated with something
else
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship
between variables
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Types of Research

Descriptive vs. Analytical

Applied vs. Fundamental
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Conceptual vs. Empirical
Other types (variations of one or more of the

above, based on either the purpose, the time

required to accomplish, the environment in which it
is done, or on the basis of some similar factor)
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Types of Research
Descriptive vs. Analytical

Descriptive research includes surveys and

fact-finding enquiries of different kinds.

Analytical researches use facts or information

already available, and analyze these to
make a critical evaluation of the material.

CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Types of Research
Applied vs. Fundamental
Applied research is designed to solve practical
problems of the modern world, rather than
to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake.

Fundamental research is directed towards

finding information that has broad base of

application and adds to the existing
organized body of scientific knowledge.
Fundamental research lays down the
foundation for the applied science that
follows.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Types of Research
Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Quantitative research is based on

measurement of quantity or amount. It is

applicable to phenomena that can be
expressed in terms of quantity.

Qualitative research is concerned with

qualitative phenomenon, i.e. phenomena

relating to or involving quality or kind.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Types of Research
Conceptual vs. Empirical
Conceptual research is that related to some

abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used

to develop new concepts or to interpret existing
ones.

Empirical research is a data-based research,

coming up with conclusions which are capable

of being verified by observation or experiment.
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

Types of Research
Some other types of research

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One-time research or longitudinal research

Field-setting research or laboratory research
or simulation research
Clinical or diagnostic
Exploratory or formalized
Historical research
Conclusion-oriented or decision-oriented
CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods

End

CE74.9001A Research Design and Experimental Methods