Research Methodology
INTRODUCTION1
LECTURE NOTES (1)
SAHAR MOHAMED ELMUSTAFA
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Research Definition:
Research is a careful investigation or inquiry specifically through a search or new
facts in any branch of knowledge. It is an original contribution to the existing
stock of knowledge making for its advancement.
Research can simply be defined as task of searching from available data to modify
a certain result or theory.
Research Methodology:
Research Methodology refers to:
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A systematic study.
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Defining a problem.
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Formulating a hypothesis.
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Collecting and Analyzing data.
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Deduction and Conclusions.
Objectives of Research:
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,
the research objectives may broadly grouped as following:
 To gain familiarity or achieve a new insight towards a certain topic.
 To verify and test important facts.
 To analyze an event, process or phenomenon.
 To identify the cause and effect relationship.
 To find solutions to scientific, non-scientific and social problems.
 To determine the frequency at which something occurs.
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Research Method vs. Methodology:
Research methods include all those techniques/methods that are adopted for
conducting research. Thus research techniques or methods are methods that
researchers adopt for conducting a research studies.
On the other hand, Research Methodology is the way in which research
problems are solver systematically. It is a science of studying how research is
conducting scientifically.
Characteristics of Research
A well-organized research must possess certain characteristics features, which are
as follows:
1. Solution Oriented: The problem of research must be clearly defined and stated.
The motive of research must be mentioned in the beginning of research work.
The research should provide a solution of a business problem.
2. Logical: In a research we find out facts about a phenomenon and draw
conclusions about it. The inferences and generalizations thus made must be
logical. For example, all illiterate people in the village live longer than the
educated people in the cities leads to the conclusions that illiteracy is the cause of
longevity. This is an example of illogical research conclusion.
3. Observing true picture of a phenomenon without being affected by observers
own opinion is termed as ‘objective’. Objectivity means knowing reality. The
criterion of objectivity is that all researchers should arrive at the same
conclusion about the phenomenon on which they are pursuing research.
4. Impartiality: A dishonest research may select data items of individuals to draw
conclusions to his favor. This brings bias into research, which affects the
objective of the study. Therefore a true research must be impartial and unbiased.
5. Accuracy: A research worker needs to gain some expertise in the study he is
undertaking. This expertise results in achieving the accuracy in the solution
drawn. The accuracy of conclusions is a sensitive issue as it may affect the whole
decision-making.
6. Systematic: In a research there should be well-defined steps. Each step should
be sequentially linked with another, so that, the whole research work is an
organized
structure.
7. Verifiability: the results of a research are subjective to verifications. For
building a sound basis for decision making one verifies the research results by
replicating the study.
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8. Empirical: A research is an empirical process and involves data collection. The
results are based on observed experience or empirical evidence. Research rejects
assumptions and dogma as methods of established knowledge. It accepts only
what is verified by empirical observations.
What makes people do research?
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Desire to get research degree.
Desire to solve unsolved and challenging problems.
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing creative work.
Desire to be of service to the society.
The desire for innovation and recognition.
Types of Research:
1. Descriptive vs. Analytical:
 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.
 In the Analytical Research the researcher has to use the already available
facts or information and analyses them to make a critical evaluation of
subject.
2. Applied vs. Fundamental:
 Research can also be applied of fundamental in nature. An attempt to find a
solution to an immediate problem encountered by a firm, an industry,
business organization, or the society is known as Applied Research. The
objective of applied research is to find a solution to some pressing practical
problems.
 Fundamental Research mainly concerns generalizations and formulation of
a theory.
3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative:
 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 and
adopted for analysis in such research.
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 Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomena or more
specifically the aspects related to or involving quality or kind.
4. Conceptual vs. Empirical:
 The research related to some abstract idea or theory is known as
Conceptual Research. Generally, Philosophers and thinkers use it for
developing new concepts or for reinterpreting the existing ones.
 Empirical Research, on the other hand, exclusively relies on the
observation or experience with hardly any regard for theory and system.
Such research is data based. Which often comes up with conclusions that
can be verified through experiments or observation.
Home work1:
Write a short note on
# Role of research in Architecture
# What type of Research is more suitable for your project and
why?
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