Research Methodology characteristics and research planning

Research Characteristics 

• Originates with a question or problem.
• Requires clear articulation of a goal.
• Follows a specific plan or procedure.
• Often divides main problem into sub problems.
• Guided by specific problem, question, or hypothesis.
• Accepts certain critical assumptions.
• Requires collection and interpretation of data.
• Cyclical (helical) in nature.

Research Planning

In detail, the planning of a research can be conveniently thought of in terms of the following logical sequence: 

Statement of the problem

Literature review  

Choice of research method  

Design of study 

Data collection 

Analysis of data 

Publication of findings 

Research Category  

analysis:  

case study: 

comparison:  

correlation-prediction:  

evolution:  

design-demonstration :  

survey-questionnaire 

status: 

theory construction:  

trend analysis: 

High-Quality Research 

Good research requires:

– The scope and limitations of the work to be clearly defined.

– The process to be clearly explained so that it can be reproduced and verified by other researchers. 

– A thoroughly planned design that is as objective as possible. 

– Highly ethical standards be applied. – All limitations be documented. 

– Data be adequately analyzed and explained. 

– All findings be presented unambiguously and all conclusions be justified by sufficient evidence evidence.

Sources of Research Problems

• Observation.
• Literature reviews.
• Professional conferences.
• Experts.
• State State-of of-the the-art Research Center
• Research Council
• R&D groups
• Scientific Council
• Staff support, Rich Library
• R&D Planning and business development
• Opportunities and flexibility

Conceptualization of research Problem

Concept Mapping:

concept mapping is a structured process, focused on a topic or construct of interest, involving input from one or more participants, that produces an interpret able pictorial view (concept map) of their ideas and concepts and how these are interrelated

Steps in a concept mapping

Preparation Step
Generation Step
Structuring Step
Representation Step
Interpretation Step
Utilization Step

Stating the Research Problem

• Once you've identified a research problem:
• State that problem clearly and completely.
• Determine the feasibility of the research.

Identify sub problems:

•       Completely re searchable units.
•       Small in number.
•       Add up to the total problem.
•       Must be clearly tied to the interpretation of the data.

Literature Review

A literature review is a necessity.

Without this step, you won’t know if your problem has been solved or what related research is already underway.

When performing the review:

• Start searching professional journals.
• Begin with the most recent articles you can find.
• Keep track of relevant articles in a bibliography.
• Don’t be discouraged if work on the topic is already underway.

Be very careful to check your sources when doing your literature review.

• Many trade magazines are not peer reviewed.
• Professional conferences and journals often have each article reviewed by multiple people before it is even recommended for publication.
• The ieee and ACM digital libraries are good places to start looking for legitimate research.
• The Internet can be a good source of information. It is also full of pseudo pseudo-science and poor research.
• Make sure you verify the claims of any documentation that has not been peer reviewed by other professionals in the computing industry.