1 – Research Preparation ChE 314 – Methods of Research Topic 1 – Week 2 ChE 314 - Methods of Research 1 - Research Preparation 1 Topic outline • Definitions • The Research Process • The Scientific Method • The Scientific Literature Review ChE 314 - Methods of Research 1 - Research Preparation 2 Research Definitions ChE 314 - Methods of Research 1 - Research Preparation 3 Research • A scientific process of critical selection of data for investigation and analysis in order to gain new knowledge or complement existing ones Types of research • Applied research • An original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge directed primarily towards a specific aim or objective • Basic research • An experimental or theoretical framework undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular or specific applications or use in view. • Developmental research • A systematic work, drawing on existing knowledge gained from research and/or practical experience that is directed to producing new materials, products or service, installing new processes, systems and services, and improving substantially those already produced or installed. Choosing a research topic • Sources of research topic • The “felt need” to address an identified problem or question • The existing literature of the subject field • The deeper knowledge of a field held by research supervisors • The thrust of institutional research in a particular university or college • Commissioned or sponsored research Choosing a research topic • Identifying a mentor • Competent in the chosen topic • Has available time for consultation Reporting research outcomes • A research is not carried out, not worth carrying out unless someone else can learn from it • Purpose • To communicate not only the outcomes of the research but also information about the purpose, methods and techniques underpinning the research • Forms • Student research reports (thesis/dissertation) • Research journal • Research abstracts • Research indexes Research Process Research problem formulation Research design Data collection Data analysis/interpretation Conclusion The Scientific Method ChE 314 - Methods of Research 1 - Research Preparation 10 Scientific method The Scientific Literature Review ChE 314 - Methods of Research 1 - Research Preparation 12 Scientific Literature Review • ELEMENTS OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE • • • • • • • • • (1) Title (short, specific, clear ) (2) Abstract overview of article to stimulate reader interest (3) Introduction WHY did you start this research? (4) Literature Review WHAT information already exists on this subject? (5) Materials & Methods HOW was the research carried out? (design, target population, treatment, analytical methods) (6) Results WHAT did you find? (7) Discussion WHAT do the results mean? (8) References/Bibliography (9) Appendices To do an effective literature review: • locate all current (within the last 2-3 years) pertinent publications • summarize and record the content of each • perform a critical review of the major works to identify the merits and weaknesses of each element • theoretical perspective, definitions, research designs, methods, instruments, data analysis, and conclusions Locating Publications • The most rapid access to current journals is obtained by a computer search of the literature. • Books and articles are categorized as either primary or secondary sources Primary vs Secondary Sources • Primary sources • First hand account of events • Diaries, professional journals, letters, autobiographies, research reports, etc • Secondary sources • Second-hand accounts • Histories, biographies, textbooks, materials that give secondary analysis of data found in primary records For information from a research paper, record: • 1) problem statement • 2) definition of concepts • 3) hypotheses • 4) theories and assumptions • 5) data collection instruments • 6) research design • 7) methods and findings of data analysis • 8) interpretation of data – did it support or reject hypothesis? • 11) recommendations for further research • 12) also, note missing data and limitations of research Critical review • *qualification of the author to undertake the research • *the structure of the research report • *the extent to which the introduction informs the reader of what the author has studied • the problem, definition of concepts, objectives, hypothesis, variables, • operational definitions, assumptions, and theoretical perspectives • *Is it a primary or secondary source? • *Is the research design appropriate for the study? • *Does the method of sampling allow the author to generalize findings? • *Was the method of data collection ethical and proper? Critical review • Did the author completely discuss the data, tested hypotheses, present data in tables and graphs, use consultants where necessary, and explain how missing data was handled? • *How did the author compare the findings to those of others in the literature? • *How did the author generalize the findings to target populations? • *Did the author examine their own strengths and weaknesses, report limitations, and make recommendations for further research? • * Were all works cited included in the bibliography? • *Was the abstract clear and concise? • *Was the writing style organized and objective? Quiz/Homework 1 • Look for a scientific journal in the internet, and do a critical review on it. • Use excel file: Review of References.xlsx attached. Activity 1 (Finding a Research Topic) • Think of a research topic that you want to conduct for your thesis. • Read journals and literatures related to your topic • Create a title for your research topic and present a Background of the Study and Review of Related Literature • Deadline and Presentation: August 31, 2023. ChE 314 - Methods of Research 1 - Research Preparation 21 Activity 2 (Conducting a Literature Review) • Read journals and literatures related to your chosen topic. • List them down and note their important contents. Use form 314-1 attached. • Deadline and Presentation: August 31, 2022. ChE 314 - Methods of Research 1 - Research Preparation 22 References • Manual of Operations for Research and Development, BU Research and Development Center • Allison, B. and Race, P. 2004. The Student’s Guide to Preparing Dissertations and Thesis 2nd ed. Routledge Falmer, London.
