Research Methodology
Rabi Mahapatra
Texas A&M University
(Taken from IUCEE slides of PM)
Agenda
 Research Definition
 Types of Research
 How to Read a Paper?
 Research approaches
 Conference and Journal publications
 Writing Technical Papers
 Conclusion
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What is Research?
 Art of investigation of new and innovative idea in any
branch of studies
 Search for knowledge through objective and systematic
method of finding solution to a problem.
 Formulate hypothesis, analyzing data, deriving,
experimenting, suggest solutions, deducting new
conclusions.
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Research Needs
 A culture that continually quests for innovation
 An attitude of dedication, perseverance and hard work
 Motivation to stay active without following any
schedule or time sensing approaches
 Should not be pursued for glorification.
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Motivation
 To attain higher level of understanding on fundamental
concepts on the field of your studies
 To enjoy challenges of solving unsolved problems,
 Provide long-lasting contributions towards the
advancement of mankind and society
 Intellectual satisfaction for one’s creative work
 Financial benefits and respect
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Disclaimer!
 Research can not be taught
 There is no “one size fits all” model
 Research dictates its own pace and direction and not to
be imposed upon.
 Continuous nourishment is essential
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Types of Research
 Descriptive: Surveys, comparative and correlation
method
 Analytical: to make critical evaluation of information
 Applied: address practical problems and solutions for
near-term benefits
 Fundamental: theory for generalization
 Quantitative: numerical results to validate any claim
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Types of research Contd.
 Qualitative: comparative development of enhancing the
usage of patterns and experiences
 Conceptual: Abstract ideas or theories
 Empirical: Relies in experience and observations
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How to Read a paper?
 Quick Review/Scan
 To determine if you need to read this paper further
 Read with Care
 To grasp the contents and summarize the main thrust
 Detailed Reading
 Fully understand the paper
 Helps in identifying ideas for further work
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Quick Scan
 Read title and introduction
 Skim the sections/subsections/headings
 Read conclusion
 Glance over the references
 Try to answer the following:
 context,
 contributions and

clarity
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Detailed Reading
 Read the whole paper but with non-uniform emphasis
 Identify relevance to your topic
 Think and ask questions
 Scribble important points, thoughts
 Identify papers from reference list for further reading list
 Learn good presentation and reading list
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Important Task!
 Defining and scoping out the research problem
 Identify:
 What is specific goal of your problem?
 Why you want to pursue (motivation)?
 How do you intend to do it?
 How does it fit into your overall research goal?
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Basic Steps
 Research Steps: Problem formulation – Solution Efforts
– Dissemination
 Efforts on problem formulations may guide to solutions
 Also, opens avenues for other avenues
 Dissemination (presentation in writing) of research is
vital for recognition and further use by the community
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Discomfort Zone
 Comfort zone inhibits innovations and creativity
 Step out from comfort zone and walk into discomfort
zone
 Learn to build bridges and avenues between various
comfort and discomfort zones
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Low-hanging and highhanging
 Forest and Trees!
 Low-hanging: Easy efforts and typically found in new
areas
 High-hanging: Hard to work, usually seen late in to well
investigated topics/areas.
 Would be very rewarding.
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Critical Suggestions
 Methods are tools
 Use them; don't let them use you.
 Think on a clean slate
 To think outside of the box, you need to step outside the
box too
 Question yourself
 About why you are doing, what you are doing
 Motivate your problems and evaluate your solutions
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More Suggestions
 Could start with incremental efforts left undone in prior
studies; follow through until completion
 Explore the abstractions of simple problems that hinders
or impacts usage of technology
 Applications could be the drivers of your thoughts
 Can you make the current state better?
 It is always rewarding to scope out new problem
definitions – try hard!
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Basic Approach
 Abstraction of the thoughts provides a guided approach
 Simplicity should be always the quest

Start with the simplest approach and tune it as you dive
deeper; complexities added as and when needed
 Keep enriching and exploring new concepts
 Write in parallel with your work
 Every now and then, check if you are not getting lost in
the forest
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Cross-area approaches
 Can the concepts and methods used in one area be
adopted to solve a problem in a completely different
area?

Ant colonies

Biological evolutions

Game theories

Social networks
 Putting things together from multiple areas
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Faculty-Faculty Work
Environment
 Work with colleagues with complimentary expertise
 Realize that the workload does not have to be shared
evenly
 Share the credits and be upfront about the contributions
and respective credits
 Different level of engagements and contribution can be
played in multiple efforts
 Senior faculty should provide valuable mentorship to
junior faculty
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Conferences and Journals
 Publishers

Reputations

Professional Societies

Stay away from private self‐serving one
 Quality and Metrics – Impact factors– Citations –
Accessibility to researchers
 Electronic Versions / Web‐based
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Publishing a Paper
 Focus on quality rather than quantity
 Impact of your research
 Do not wait till the completion of your work to start
writing
 Choose appropriate venue
 Quality of writing is important
 Research presentations are excellent opportunities
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Writing Research Paper
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General comments
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Types of Paper
 Types:

Survey papers

Original Research and Contributions
 Survey papers

Do not cut‐shake‐paste

Have a theme and carry on that
 Focused on motivations, issues, and challenges
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Research Paper Details
 Statement of the problem


Proposed solutions





Be precise, provide motivation, significance, and applications
Algorithm
System design and development
Evaluation (performance, reliability, security, etc)
Theory
Results and inferences


Sufficient details for validation
Novel aspects, Significance, limitations, and impact
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Paper Organization I
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Organization: Introduction
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Organization III
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Organization: Final words
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Preparing your slides
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Conclusion
 Enjoy the fun part of research
 Struggle and unsuccessful are part of research
 Satisfaction, flexibility and thinking beyond normal
ideas are very rewarding
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