INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

Research MethodologyResearch Methodology (UNP0010) (UNP0010) Semester 2 – 2012/2013Semester 2 – 2012/2013

Lecturer: Dr. Nor Zairah Lecturer: Dr. Nor Zairah Ab.RahimAb.Rahim

• Designed for:Designed for:

– Master by CourseMaster by Course

• Runs like thisRuns like this - all students - all students : :

– Attend all 3 meetings; 4 hours in each meetingAttend all 3 meetings; 4 hours in each meeting

1.Meeting 1: Get to know the research topic and interest, 1.Meeting 1: Get to know the research topic and interest, lectures on several key area of research methodology Part lectures on several key area of research methodology Part 1, Discussion.1, Discussion.

2. Meeting 2: Library Search, Quiz about topic in Meeting 1, 2. Meeting 2: Library Search, Quiz about topic in Meeting 1, continue with lectures on several key area of research continue with lectures on several key area of research methodology Part 2.methodology Part 2.

3. Meeting 3: Presentation of Proposal (First 3 Chapters of 3. Meeting 3: Presentation of Proposal (First 3 Chapters of Thesis)Thesis)

• Assessment: i. tasks in the subject outline, ii. quizzes, iii. Assessment: i. tasks in the subject outline, ii. quizzes, iii. Presentation, iv. Written Proposal, v. Overall Participation Presentation, iv. Written Proposal, v. Overall Participation

END PRODUCT?

• Presentation of Proposal – PPT Slide– Hardcopy Proposal

• Corrected Proposal– 15 Pages – PPT Slides

Submit Online to me. Dateline: 15th March 2013 by 4 PM

For Writing Guidelines, refer to:

1.http://www.ais.utm.my/zuraini/category/documents-sharing/

2. http://sps.utm.my/sps/images/academicresources/UTM%20Thesis%20Manual%202007.pdf

http://www.ais.utm.my/zuraini/category/documents-sharing/

http://www.ais.utm.my/zuraini/category/documents-sharing/

http://sps.utm.my/sps/images/academicresources/UTM%20Thesis%20Manual%202007.pdf



Research

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Research

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Research

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Research Task Everyday thinking

Identify a problem What to cook for lunch?

Gather data Look what is in the fridge

Analyse the data Is it enough for everybody in the house?Everybody’s favourite food?

Interpret the data Need more ingredient

Gather more data Where can I get the ingredient?Simple to cook? Enough time?

Analyse the data The cheapest shop? Fresh ingredients? Buy readymade meals?

Interpret the data Pak Ali’s shop sell fresh chicken. Everyone in the house loves chicken rendang. But preparing rendang will take a lot of time, tiring, too many ingredients

Draw conclusion Go to the stall & buy readymade rendang

Research

• Creation of new knowledge, using an appropriate process to the satisfaction of the users of the research– learn how to cook rendang, learn the best stall that sell cheap & tasty rendang

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Everyday thinking Good academic research

• Poor data• Incomplete data• Hasty thinking

• Sufficient data sources• Appropriate data sources• Accurately recorded• Properly analysed • No hidden assumption• Conclusion well-founded• Properly presented

As judged by the users of the research

What is Research?

Research is a human activity based on intellectual investigation and aimed at discovering, interpreting, and revising human knowledge on different aspects of the world.

Research is the method used to accumulate scientific knowledge.

Roscoe, J.T. (1975)

INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS8

What is Research?

Research is any conscious premeditated (planned/ intended/ studied) inquiry – any investigation which seeks to increase one’s knowledge of a given situation.

Goldhor, H. (1972)


Research Definitions

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Differences between undergraduate project/research vs Masters and Ph.D thesis (research)

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Activities in a Research


Research Problem Research Design

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Findings & Future works

Observation

Literature

Existing Problems

Research Process

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Types of Research

In social science

Basic research – aimed at generating fundamental knowledge and theoretical understanding about basic human and other natural processes

Applied research – focuses on answering practical questions to provide relatively immediate solutions

Action research – on solving practitioners’ local problems


More Specific

Computing Discipline

The Computing Discipline

Hardware – Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering.

Software – Computer Science, Software engineering.

Organizational – Information Systems Information Technology


Categories of Research in CS

Application-Based Research How knowledge areas of CS can contribute to other

fields eg Bioinformatics, Healthcare, tsunami detection system, earthquake prediction system

Theory-Based Research How knowledge of Cs can be enhanced, improved,

formulated eg Fuzzy Set Theory, Pattern recognition.

Industry-based Research Practical usage eg CAD, QC Dept, Human resource

dept.


Reasons for doing research

• To add to the body of knowledge• To solve a problem• To find out what happen• To find evidence to inform practice• To develop a greater understanding of people or their world• To predict, plan and control• To contribute to other people’s well-being • To contribute to personal needs• To test or disprove a theory• To come out with a better way• To understand another person’s point of view• To create more interest in the researcher

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The outcome of the research

• A new or improved product• A new theory• A re-interpretation of an existing theory• New or improved research tool or technique• A new or improved model or perspective• An in-depth study of a particular situation• An exploration of a topic, area or field• A critical analysis• Unanticipated outcomes

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Sources of research ideas

• Suggestions from people• Past research students’ work• Recent conference & journal paper

(www.scholar.google.com)• Call for papers• Current issues• Clients needs• To support or refute certain statements

e.g: - Green computing is the future

- Social networking is the future communication

- Baby dumping is the result of new year events19

Never stop writing…

• Keep notes of:– Possible research questions– Anything that came across your mind in relation to

the research; thoughts problems, insights, plans, emerging analysis, interpretation

• Helps to clarify your ideas – esp when you meet your SV

• Exercise for your proposal/thesis writing

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What Research is NOT?

• Research is not information gathering– Gathering information from resources such as

books or magazines.– No contribution to new knowledge

• Research is not the transformation of facts– No contribution to new knowledge although this

might make knowledge more accessible.


Who is a Researcher?

• Matured• Ability to focus and concentrate• Disciplined• Independent• Hardworking• Innovative & Creative• Critical Thinking• Available (time)


Research Skills

• To prepare effective proposal

• To generate results

• To communicate results : presentation & publication


Think Like A Researcher

• An investigation (an inquiry) to find something out.

• Controlled inquiry concerning certain events.• Problem solving.• Application of the scientific approach to study

a problem• Systematic , controlled, empirical and critical

investigation guided by theory and hypothesis.



• Encounter problems• State problems• Propose hypotheses• Deduce outcomes• Formulate rival hypotheses• Devise and conduct empirical tests• Draw conclusions

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• Concepts: Accepted collection of meanings or characteristics associated with certain events, objects, conditions, situations and behaviors. An Idea expressed as symbol or in words (e.g: s=d/t; s=speed, d=distance, t=time)

• Constructs: A definition specially invented to represent an abstract phenomenon for a given research project.

• Operational Definitions: Stated in terms of specific criteria for testing or measurement. E.g: if the concept is "weight", an operational definition could be "the weight of an object as measured on a scale".

• Theory: A set of systematically interrelated concepts, definitions and propositions that are advanced to explain and predict phenomenon.


Examples of constructs

Ideas

People

Organisations

Events

Objects/Things

Ageism, sexism, racism, self-esteem, poverty, social capital, trust, philanthropy, affluence, morality, tolerance, air pollution, genetic engineering, euthanasia, marriage, taboosAge, gender, ethnicity, height, obesity, morbidity, energy, muscle soreness, fatigueFinancial performance, corporate social responsibility, firm survival, organisational culture, service quality, corporate governance, outsourcing, alliancesArmageddon, famine, urban regeneration, Jihad, secularismSun, hurricanes, tsunamis, trees, flowers, amino acids, stem cells

ULP0010: Research Methodology 27

Research is NOT a SIMPLE Linear Activity

• Never more in a straight line.• Always loops back & forth.• Manage the parts in order to manage the

whole.• Searching for something you won’t know until

you find it.• Nobody can solve the world’s great problems

in a tiny project.


Research Paradigm

• Positivist Paradigm– Attempts to test hypothesis, precise quantitative

data by using experiments, surveys and statistical analysis. Independent variables & dependent variables, cause & effect.

• Interpretive Paradigm– To understand phenomenon

• Critical Paradigm– To help subjects to change & improve current

conditions eg creating strategies, empowering & initiating actions.

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Researchers’ Language

Variables

Models/Framework

Models/Framework

TheoryTheory

Terms usedin research

Terms usedin research

Constructs

Operationaldefinitions

Operationaldefinitions

Propositions/Hypotheses

Propositions/Hypotheses

Conceptualschemes

ConceptualschemesConceptsConcepts

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Theoretical Framework

• Is a conceptual model of how one theorizes or makes logical sense of the relationships among the several factors that have been identified as important to the problem.

• LR identifies the variables that might be important as determined by previous research findings.

• From TF then testable hypothesis can be developed to examine whether the theory formulated valid or not.


Variables

• A variable is an entity that can take on different values. Anything that can vary can be considered a variable.


References

• Oates, B.J (2006) Researching Information Systems and Computing. Sage Publication. London

• "Academy of Management Review"; What Constitutes a Theoretical Contribution?; David A. Whetton; 1989

• "Human Resource Management"; HRM: A Map, Model or Theory?; Mike Noon; 1999

• SPS Research Methodology Slides (Prof Dr. Muhd Rashid Rajuddin, Prof Dr. Noor Azlan Ahmad Zanzali, etc.)

• Slides from previous semester (Prof. Dr. Bob Colomb, Dr. Noorminshah I.Ahad, PM Dr. Zuraini Ismail)

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INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

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