|
Lecture note
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
by V K Vaidyan
|
|
Benefits of research |
Ø A critical/ scientific attitude is
developed Ø Chance to study a subject in depth Ø Learning to assess the scientific
literature critically Ø Developments of special interests
and skills Ø Obtaining a higher degree |
|
Classification of discoveries |
Ø By blind luck, which can provide an opportunity to any one motivated to do research. [e.g., unexpected arrival of a patient with rare decease] Ø Luck and action [e.g., Mössbauer effect] Ø Chance presents a faint clue, but it will be overlooked except by that one person equipped to grasp its significance. [e.g., Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by serendipity in 1929, but only in 1939 Florey and Chain working at Oxford revealed its practical importance.] Ø To intercept the problem at an odd angle. [e.g., Matter waves, Special theory of relativity] |
|
Types of discoveries |
Ø Basic research – fundamental
to most of the major advances made [e.g., theory of electromagnetic (EM) induction] Ø Applied research [e.g., theory of
EM induction applied to design a dynamo] Ø Developmental [e.g., development of
electric generator] |
|
Planning research |
Research
starts with an idea. Then, we ask the following questions: Ø Is the idea viable? Ø Is it practical? Ø Has it been done before? Ø What result is expected? Ø What
will I do? |
|
Application for research grant |
Points to be considered by the applicant: Ø the need Ø the plan Ø the method Ø the resources |
|
Project evaluation |
Project
evaluation by experts: Ø Is the idea important?Ø Can it be done? Ø Is the applicant competent to do
the work? Ø Can it be done with the specified
time? Ø Are the costs realistic? |
|
Reasons |
Ø Scientific merit of the idea is not
worth Ø Project planning needs improvement Ø More reliance on others to do the
work Ø Too much money asked for the project |
|
Searching literature
|
||
Journals |
Journals are
the principal vehicle of communication of scientific information and have the following
advantages: Ø More recent information than found
in books Ø Main channel of communication among
scientists |
|
Indexing and abstracting journals |
Ø Indexing journal [e.g.,
Current Contents] lists in a
convenient way the contents of a number of journals Ø Abstracting journal [e.g., Physics Abstracts] performs the same function with an
abstract of the papers indexed |
|
Searching |
Ø Select the subject headings of interest Ø Find the papers/ articles of
interest from the recent issue Ø Note the review papers in
particular Ø Review papers together with
relevant monographs give basic information Ø Begin with an article read in a current journal proceed to papers giving more specific information |
|
Keeping |
Current Contents can be used in three ways: Ø By looking through the author index
for names of authors you know to working in your field of interest Ø By looking through the content page
of journals of interest Ø By looking through the subject
index |
|
Conclusion |
Ø Literature searching is an
essential primary step, though it is time consuming and laborious Ø In this context, computer retrieval
services are particularly valuable Ø The purpose is to make sure that
you are doing something new to carry out your planned research project and to publish the
results |
|
Speaking at meetings
|
||
William J Mayo |
“Begin with an arresting sentence; close with a strong summary; in between speak simply, clearly and always to the point; and above all be brief.” |
|
Speaking |
Ø A speech should be looser in texture, and less detailed than an article Ø In listening, continuous attention
is needed; there is no time pause to linger over difficult passages, or to study an
illustration again Ø No one wants to hear a speaker
“talking like a book”. |
|
Style |
Ø Simple pattern – beginning,
middle and end – should be followed Ø Three essentials for good
communication are preparation, pruning, rehearsal |
|
Warning |
When young inexperienced research
workers come to give a talk to the members of a learned society, they are warned: ‘Remember you are addressing a
most distinguished assembly of scientists. Therefore, you should speak to them as though
they are children of four years age’. |
|
Sustaining interest |
Ø Rhetoric: One can improve his
diction by apt choice of words Ø Examples: Example aids
understanding Ø Humour: Humour revives interest and
gives relief Ø Setting problems: Listeners can
take part in finding solutions Ø Provocation: Audience may be
provoked to create interest Ø Mentioning contemporary problems: Ø Allowing interruptions Ø Using visual aids |
|
Illustrating talks |
‘One
picture is worth more than ten thousand words’ -Ancient Chinese Proverb |
|
Slide content |
Ø Text Ø Data as tables, charts or as
diagrams Ø Drawings Ø Picture |
|
Data |
Data should
stimulate the interest of the audience, which can be presented as: Ø Tables Ø Bar charts (to illustrate
comparison) Ø Pie charts (to illustrate division
into parts) Ø Line graphs Ø Scatter diagrams Ø Flow charts (to show successive
stages) |
|
Pictures |
Ø Pictures must be clear and not
overcrowded with information Ø An amusing or illustrated picture
can also be inserted |
|
Preparation |
Ø Write the script Ø Define the content of each slide Ø Prepare the slide Ø Construct graphics, tables, figures Ø Photograph/ scan the art work Ø Do the rehearsals |
|
Writing original paper
|
||
Assessment |
Ø What is the message? Ø Why is the paper worth writing? Ø Who will read the paper? Ø Who will the authors be? Ø Which journal? |
|
Manuscript preparation |
Before
writing the article, the author should have an idea to whom he is writing: Ø to a small group of fellow experts Ø to a wider scientific community Ø Journal’s instructions to
authors should be read before writing the paper |
|
Article structure |
Ø Title is what catches the
readers’ eye and deserves careful thought Ø Introduction – Why did you
start? Ø Methods – What did you do? Ø Results – What did you find?Ø Discussion – What do the
results mean? Ø References – provided to
indicate the sources from which you have obtained information. |
|
Abstract |
Ø It must contain the essence of
introduction, the methods, the main findings and main conclusions Ø The style can be impersonal and
condensed Ø It should not contain material that
is not in the article |
|
Reasons for rejection |
Ø Logic or validity of results
doubtful Ø The matter is not original Ø Unsuitable for the journal Ø The article is too long for
information that it contains Ø The article is written badly |
|
Editing |
Ø Journals will check grammar,
spelling and punctuation, lay out of tables and figures, and check the paper for internal
consistency Ø Check for units of measurements,
which should be in SI Ø Check for references and
nomenclature |
|
Go to: resources |
||