See

discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/280223457

Research Methodology-Dr.Faiz- Part I

DATASET JULY 2015
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4211.0568

DOWNLOADS

VIEWS

51

124

1 AUTHOR:
Faiz Ahmed
School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
3 PUBLICATIONS 0 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE

Available from: Faiz Ahmed

Retrieved on: 26 July 2015

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY PART I
SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, VIJAYAWADA

DR. FAIZ AHMED

Lecture I
Research Methodology- What is research/Types of research/Research
questions/Objectives/literature identification and citation & reference
writing techniques.

WHAT IS RESEARCH
Any honest attempt to study a problem systematically or to
add to mans knowledge of a problem may be regarded as
research. (Theodorson and Theodorson 1969 cited in Reber
1995, p.663)

WHAT IS RESEARCH
The application of the scientific method
A systematic process of collecting and logically analyzing information
(data)

WHAT IS RESEARCH
1. Logical and systematic it should be reasonable and
understood by others.
2. Creative It leads to new solution, theory or technology.
3. Generalizable- It investigates a small sample which can be
generalized to a large population.
4. Replicable others can test the findings by repeating it.
5. Presentation It includes presentation to others
(Oral/Writing).

WHY RESEARCH
To investigate some existing situation or problem.
To provide solutions to a problem.
To explore and analyse more general issues.
To construct or create a new procedure or system.
To explain a new phenomenon.
To generate new knowledge.
A combination of two or more of any of the above.
(Hussey and Hussey 1997)

RESEARCH QUESTION
What do I want to know?
Is it answerable?
Is it researchable?
Is it significant?
Can I do it?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
What kind of work do I need to do in order to answer my
question?
What steps do I need to take?
Objectives are statements of what you intend to do to find
the answer to your research question

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Examples
To identify a problem
To develop a solution
To design and implement the solution
To assess its impact

RESEARCH METHODS
The ways one collects and analyzes data
To How to identify a problem
To How to develop a solution
To How to design and implement the solution
To How to assess its impact

TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. Exploratory research
Takes place where there is little or no prior knowledge of a phenomenon.
This type of research attempts to gain some familiarity with the
appropriate concepts and looks for patterns or ideas without any
preconceived ideas or explanation.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
2. Descriptive research
Describes a particular phenomenon, focusing upon the
issue of what is happening, or how much of it has happened, rather than
why it is happening.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
3. Explanatory research
This type of research is involved in explaining why something happens, and
assessing causal relationships between variables.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
4. Pure research
Pure research takes place to explore a particular concept, or issue, without
regard for a specific problem, and may be carried out to simply gain a
better understanding of the overall concepts.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
5. Applied research
Applied research is undertaken to solve a specific problem or provide a
solution to a practical question.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
6. Primary research
Refers to research that has involved the collection of original data specific
to that particular research project, for example through using research
methods such as questionnaires or interviews.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
7. Secondary research
Refers to research where no such original data is collected, but the research
project uses existing (or secondary) sources of data, for example census or
archive data.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
8. Theoretical research
Theoretical research generally uses the findings from existing works to
develop new ideas through analysing existing theory and explanations.
These new ideas are not tested through collecting evidence in the form of
primary data.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
9. Empirical research
Empirical research supports the development of new ideas through the
collection of data (empirical = observation or measurement rather than
theoretical reasoning).

HOW TO START??
1. Locate and read a few articles from within a field you are comfortable with.

2. Read topics that are of interest to you.

3. Read the abstract first.
4. Identify the research question and objectives.
6. What were the methods chosen to collect data?
7. What were the most important findings?
8. Do not be over-concerned with statistical analysis.
9. Be critical but objective.

CHOOSE SOME
APPROPRIATE
ARTICLES, AND BEGIN
TO READ!

LITERATURE IDENTIFICATION
1. Books
2. Research Articles
3. Conference papers
4. Magazines/Periodicals
5. Websites/Blogs
6. Newspapers
7. Interviews
8. Talks

RESEARCHER/RESEARCH
GROUP/LAB/CONFERENCE
IDENTIFICATION

LITERATURE IDENTIFICATION
Printed versions/Online versions
1. Elsevier
2. Springer
3. Taylor & Francis
4. Sage publications
5. Wiley-Blackwell
6. Locke Science

REFERENCE & CITATION

1. A way of giving credit for someone's thinking, writing or research.
2. You mark the material when you use it (a citation) and give the full
identification at the end (a reference).
3. In academic writing you are obliged to attribute every piece of material
you use to its author.

WHY REFERENCES & CITATIONS?

1. Credit sources of information & ideas
2. Reader can locate for further information if required
3. Validate arguments
4. Increase and spread knowledge
5. Show depth, breadth & quality of your reading!

REFERENCING STYLE
American Psychological Association - APA style

Article in a Journal:
Author last name, Author first name. (Year). Title of article. Title of
Journal, volume number, page number range.
Article in a Book:
Author last name, Author first name. (Year). Title of
Book. State of
Publication: Name of Publisher.

REFERENCING STYLE
Journal - Ahmed, F. C., & Sekar, S. P. (2014). Using Three-Dimensional
Volumetric Analysis in Everyday Urban Planning Processes. Applied Spatial
Analysis and Policy, DOI 10.1007/s12061-014-9122-2.
Conference - Ahmed, F. C., & Sekar, S. P. (2013). Three-dimensional (3D)
volumetric analysis as a tool for urban planning: a case study of Chennai.
WIT Transactions on Ecology and The Environment (pp. (1) 731-742).
Southampton, UK: WIT Press.
Citation - (Ahmed & Sekar, 2014)
Citation - (Ahmed & Sekar, 2013)

MENDELEY
MICROSOFT WORD

References
1. Guthrie, G. (2010). Basic research methods - An entry to Social Science research.
Los Angles : Sage.
2. 2. Linda, G. (2013). Architectural Research Methods, New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons.

3. 3. Robert K, Y. (2009). Case study research: Design & Methods. London: Sage.