Scientific Research Methods
Dr. Ishtiaq Rasool Khan
irkhan@uj.edu.sa
Department of Computer &
Engineering, University of
Jeddah, KSA
6/18/2023
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Layout
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Schedule
The Course Outline
Recommended Books
Fundamentals of research and research process
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Lecture Schedule
When
Mon, Wed: 13:00 – 14:20
Venue
NJ1
Course Outline
 Fundamentals of research and research
process
 Scientific Research in Computer Science
 Defining a research problem
 Literature Review
 Research Design
 Processing and Analysis of Data
 Interpretation
 Report Writing
Use of Latex and Endnote
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Recommended Books
 Textbook
Research
Design. Qualitative, Quantitative, and
Mixed Methods Approaches. By John W. Creswell,
Fourth Edition. SAGE Publication, 2014
 Additional References
Research
Methodology, Methods and Techniques
2nd Edition by C. R. Kothari
Lecture slides, Research articles and Web material
will also be useful references.
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Course Main Objective
 The main objectives of this course are:
To get familiarity with the complete research process
to solve a research problem and to achieve new
insights into it.
To explain difference between research methods and
research methodology and select/apply appropriate
research methodology to systematically solve the
research problem.
To develop research skills to conduct research
independently by keeping into consideration the
ethical issues.
To conduct high quality research with its social
implications at the National and International level.
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Assessments & Evaluations
Grade Distribution
Sr.#
Assessment Task
Week
Grade (%)
1
Assignment 1
4
5
2
Quiz1
5
5
3
Homework
6
5
4
Discussion Forum
3-12
5
5
Mid Term
7
25
6
Assignment 2
8
5
7
Quiz 2
9
5
8
Proposal
Writing/Presentation
13/14
15
9
Final Exam
15/16
30
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Research (what do it mean)
 There are Several ways of collecting and understanding
information and finding answers to professional
questions▬Research is one of them.
 Conducting the research to answer questions or obtain
information implies that the process being applied
is being undertaken within a framework of a set of philosophies
uses procedures, methods and techniques that have been tested for
their validity and reliability;
is designed to be unbiased and objective.
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Research (what do it mean)
 The term ‘research’ consists of two words:
Research: Re+ search
 ‘Re’ means again and again and ‘search’ means to find
out something.
 The following is the process:
Observes
Collection of data
Person---------------------->Phenomena------------------------> Conclusions
Again and again
Analysis of data
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Research (what do it mean)
 Research is a process of which a person observes the
phenomena again and again, collects data, analyze data
and then draw some conclusions.
 Research is oriented towards the discovery of
relationship that exists among phenomena of the world in
which we live.
 The fundamental assumption is that invariant relationship
exists between antecedents and certain consequents.
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Research (what do it mean)
 Research in common parlance refers to a search for
knowledge
 A scientific and systematic
information on a specific topic.
search
for
pertinent
 An art of scientific investigation
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Research (what do it mean)
 According to Clifford Woody research comprises
Defining and redefining problems
Formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions
Collecting, organizing and evaluating data
Making deductions and reaching conclusions
Carefully
testing the conclusions to determine whether
they fit the formulating hypothesis.
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Research (what do it mean)
 According to Rusk
Research is a point of a view, an attitude of inquiry or a frame
of mind.
It asks questions which have hitherto not been asked, and it
seeks to answer them by following a fairly definite procedure.
It is not a mere theorizing, but rather an attempt to elicit facts
and to face them once they have been assembled.
When successful, research adds to the scientific knowledge of
the subject”.
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Research (what do it mean)
 According to P.M. Cook
Research is an honest and exhaustive process.
The facts are studied with understanding.
Research is problem- centred.
The findings are valid and verifiable.
contribute new knowledge in that field
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Objectives of Research
 Generally research objectives fall into a number of following
broad groupings.
To
gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights
into it (exploratory or formulative research studies)
To
portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group (descriptive research studies);
To
determine the frequency with which something occurs or with
which it is associated with something else (diagnostic research
studies
To
test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
(hypothesis-testing research studies).
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Classification of Research Objectives
 Theoretical Objectives
Those researches whose objectives are theoretical aim to formulate
new theories, principles, or laws.
Such
type of research is exploratory because it explains the
relationships of certain variables.
The
researches contribute some basic knowledge to the human
knowledge.
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Classification of Research Objectives
 Factual Objectives
Aim to find out new facts.
Descriptive in nature
Describe facts or events which happened previously.
Such type of research is done in history.
 Application Objectives
Does not contribute a
new knowledge in the field of human
knowledge but suggests new applications.
By application, we mean improvement and modification.
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Types of Research
 Types of research can be looked at from three
different perspectives
Applications of the findings of the research study
Objectives of the study
Mode of enquiry used in conducting the study
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Types of Reseach
 Types of research can
be looked at from three
different perspectives
Application
 Applications
of
findings
of
research study
 Objectives
Types of Research
of
Enquiry mode
the
the
Pure
Research
Applied
Research
Quantitative
Research
the
Qualitative
Research
study
Objectives
 Mode of enquiry used
in conducting
study
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Descriptive
Research
Correlational
Research
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Exploratory
Research
Explanatory
Research
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Types of Research (Application perspective)
 Pure Research
Involves
developing and testing theories and hypotheses that are
intellectually challenging to the researcher but may or may not have
practical application at the present time or in the future.
Concerned
with the development, examination, verification and
refinement of research methods, procedures, techniques and tools
that form the body of research methodology.
Examples include
 developing a methodology to assess the validity of a procedure
 Developing an instrument, say, to measure the stress level in people
 Finding the best way of measuring people’s attitudes
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Types of Research (Application perspective)
 Applied Research
Most of the research in the social sciences is applied.
Research techniques, procedures and methods that form the body
of research methodology are applied to the collection of information
about various aspects of a situation, issue, problem or
phenomenon.
Information
gathered can be used for policy formulation,
administration and the enhancement of understanding of a
phenomenon.
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Types of Research (objectives perspective)
 Descriptive Research
Attempts
to describe systematically a situation, problem,
phenomenon, service or programme, or provides information about,
say, the living conditions of a community, or describes attitudes
towards an issue.
Main purpose of such studies is to describe what is prevalent with
respect to the issue/problem under study
For example, it may attempt to describe
 Types of service provided by an organization
 Administrative structure of an organization
 Living conditions of Aboriginal people in the outback needs of a community
 What it means to go through a divorce
 How a child feels living in a house with domestic violence,
 Attitudes of employees toward management.
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Types of Research (objectives perspective)
 Correlational Research
Discover
or establish the existence of a relationship/
association/interdependence between two or more aspects of a
situation.
Examples include
 What is the impact of an advertising campaign on the sale of a product?
 What is the relationship between stressful living and the incidence of heart
attack?
 What is relationship between fertility and mortality?
 What is the relationship between technology and unemployment?
 What is the effect of a health service on the control of a disease?
 What is the effect of the home environment on educational achievement?
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Types of Research (objectives perspective)
 Explanatory Research
Attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two
aspects of a situation or phenomenon.
For Example, this type of research attempts to explain
 Why stressful living results in heart attacks?
 Why a decline in mortality is followed by a fertility decline?
 How the home environment affects children’s level of academic achievement?
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Types of Research (objectives perspective)
 Exploratory Research
This research is undertaken either to explore an area where little is known
or to investigate the possibilities of undertaking a particular research study.
When
a study is carried out to determine its feasibility it is also called a
feasibility study or a pilot study.
It
is usually carried out when a researcher wants to explore areas about
which s/he has little or no knowledge.
A
small-scale study is undertaken to decide if it is worth carrying out a
detailed investigation.
On
the basis of the assessment made during the exploratory study, a full
study may eventuate.
Exploratory
studies are also conducted to develop, refine and/or test
measurement tools and procedures.
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Types of Research (mode of enquiry
perspective)
 This perspective of research is concerned with the process one adopts to find
answers of research questions.
 Aim of enquiry is exploration, confirmation or quantification.
 Findings are used for – policy formulation or process understanding.
 Broadly, there are two approaches to enquiry
 Structured approach:
 Unstructured approach
 In structured approach, everything that forms the research process such as
objectives, design, sample, and the questions are predetermined, whereas,
unstructured approach, by contrast, allows flexibility in all these aspects of the
process.
 The structured approach is more appropriate to determine the extent of a
problem, issue or phenomenon, whereas the unstructured approach is
predominantly used to explore its nature.
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Types of Research (mode of enquiry
perspective)
 Quantitative Research
Based on the structured approach.
Used to quantify the variation
in a phenomenon, situation, problem or
issue; if
 information is gathered using predominantly quantitative variables;
 the analysis is geared to ascertain the magnitude of the variation. Examples of
Examples of quantitative aspects of a research study are
 How many people have a particular problem?
 How many people hold a particular attitude?
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Types of Research (mode of enquiry
perspective)
 Qualitative Research
Based on the unstructured approach.
The research is classified qualitative,
 if it is primarily to describe a situation, phenomenon, problem or event
 If the information is gathered through the use of variables measured on nominal or
ordinal scales (qualitative measurement scales)
 If the analysis is done to establish the variation in the situation, phenomenon or
problem without quantifying it.
Examples of Qualitative research include
 The description of an observed situation
 Historical enumeration of events
 an account of the different opinions people have about an issue
 Description of the living conditions of a community.
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Research Journey
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Research Journey
The eight-step model for carrying out research:
 Phase A: DECIDING what to research
Step 1: Formulating a research problem
 Phase B: PLANNING a research study
Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design
Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data collection
Step 4: Selecting a sample
Step 5: Writing a research proposal
 Phase C: CUNDUCTING a research study
Step 6: Collecting data
Step 7: Processing and displaying data
Step 8: Writing a research report.
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Research Process
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Phase A: DECIDING what to do
Step 1: Formulating a research problem
 Most important step, because the following steps are
influenced by the research problem
 What do you want to find out about?
Have you got sufficient funds to do the research?
Have you got the time available to conduct the study?
Have you got knowledge of relevant disciplines?
Do you have sufficient knowledge of skills needed?
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Phase B: PLANNING a research study
Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design
What you find depends on how it was found
 Select an appropriate research design:
Quantitative
Qualitative
Mixed methods
 The design has to be
Valid
Workable
Manageable
Be aware of its strengths and weaknesses
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Phase B: PLANNING a research study
Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data collection
How will you collect your data?
 Construct a research instrument or research tool to collect
data (interview schedules, questionnaires, notes on
observations, diaries, interview guides, etc.)
 Or use secondary data (information already collected for
other purposes)
 Do a pre-testing of your research tool (pilot study)
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Phase B: PLANNING a research study
Step 4: Step IV: Selecting a sample
Who will take part in your research?
 Select appropriate sample/participants to represent the
study population
 Avoid bias
 Random / probability samples
 Non-random / nonprobability samples
 Be aware of strengths and weaknesses of different
sampling methods
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Phase C: CONDUCTING a research study
Step 6: Step VI: Collecting data
Doing the data gathering using one or more data collection
method, such as:




Conducting interviews
Mailing out questionnaires
Conducting nominal/focus groups discussions
Making an observation
Be aware of ethical issues!
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Phase C: CONDUCTING a research study
Step 7: Processing and displaying data
What did you find how?
 Analyzing the data depends on the type of information and
how to communicate the findings
 Distinguish between
Descriptive
Quantitative (statistical procedures)
Qualitative (narrative, content analysis)
Attitudinal
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Phase C: CONDUCTING a research study
Step 8: Step VIII: Writing a research report
What have you done? What conclusions have you drawn
from the findings?
 Different format for quantitative and qualitative research
 Structure using main themes of study
 Use academic conventions
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