Research Formulation and Design

Foundation of any scientific or academic investigation · determines what, why, and how

1. Motivation and Objectives of Research

Motivation of Research

Main motivations:

• Desire to obtain a research degree – e.g. PhD, M.Phil., Master's dissertation.
• Desire to solve unsolved problems – e.g. renewable energy solutions.
• Intellectual curiosity – to discover new knowledge.
• Desire to serve society – e.g. research on disease prevention.
• Career advancement – publication and professional growth.
• Recognition and prestige – building academic reputation.
• Government or industrial requirements – sponsored research projects.

Objectives of Research

Major objectives: gain familiarity with a phenomenon; verify existing theories; discover relationships among variables; generate new knowledge; solve practical problems; predict future outcomes.

2. Research Methods vs Methodology

Research Methods	Research Methodology
Techniques used to collect data	Science of studying methods
Practical implementation	Theoretical framework
Focuses on “How”	Focuses on “Why”
Example: Survey, interview	Example: Justification for choosing survey

3. Types of Research

A. Descriptive vs Analytical Research

Descriptive Research	Analytical Research
Describes characteristics of existing situations. Purpose: Answer What, Where, When Methods: Survey, observation, case studies. Example: Surveying customer satisfaction. Features: No variable manipulation, fact collection.	Uses existing information to evaluate and analyze. Purpose: Answer Why and How Example: Studying reasons for customer dissatisfaction. Features: Critical thinking, interpretation of data.

B. Applied vs Fundamental Research

Applied Research	Fundamental (Basic) Research
Conducted to solve real-world problems. Goal: Immediate practical application. Example: Developing improved crop fertilizers. Characteristics: Problem-oriented, industry-oriented.	Conducted to increase knowledge. Goal: Theory development. Example: Studying molecular structure. Characteristics: Long-term benefits, expands understanding.

Concept of Applied and Basic Research Process

• Applied Research Process: Problem → Data Collection → Analysis → Practical Solution. Example: Traffic congestion → Data → Analysis → New traffic model.
• Basic Research Process: Observation → Theory → Experiment → Knowledge. Example: Study atoms → Develop theory.

C. Quantitative vs Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research	Qualitative Research
Deals with numerical data. Methods: Statistical analysis, surveys. Example: Measuring exam scores. Characteristics: Objective, large sample.	Deals with opinions and experiences. Methods: Interviews, observation. Example: Understanding student emotions. Characteristics: Subjective, small sample.

D. Conceptual vs Empirical Research

Conceptual Research	Empirical Research
Based on ideas and theories. Example: Developing economic theories. Characteristics: No experiments, abstract thinking.	Based on observation and experiments. Example: Testing a drug clinically. Characteristics: Data-driven, evidence-based.

4. Criteria of Good Research

• Clearly Defined Purpose – objective precise.
• Systematic Process – steps follow sequence.
• Valid Data Collection – reliable instruments.
• Accuracy – results correct.
• Objectivity – avoid personal bias.
• Replicability – others obtain similar results.
• Ethical Standards – no plagiarism or manipulation.
• Logical Conclusions – derived from evidence.

5. Defining and Formulating the Research Problem

Research Problem – a specific issue selected for investigation.
Example: Poor academic performance among students.

Steps in Problem Formulation

1. Identify broad area – e.g. Education
2. Narrow topic – e.g. Student performance
3. Define variables – Independent: social media use; Dependent: academic performance
4. Form research questions
5. Develop objectives

6. Selecting the Research Problem

Factors to consider:

• Interest – researcher should be interested.
• Feasibility – time and resources available.
• Availability of Data – data accessible.
• Social Relevance – useful to society.
• Originality – avoid duplication.

7. Necessity of Defining the Problem

• Gives research direction
• Saves time and cost
• Avoids unnecessary data
• Improves accuracy
• Helps formulate hypothesis

8. Importance of Literature Review in Defining a Problem

Literature Review – systematic study of previous work.

• Understand existing knowledge
• Avoid duplication
• Discover research gaps
• Improve methodology
• Refine objectives

9. Literature Review – Sources

10. Reviews, Monograph, Patents

• Review Article – summarizes existing studies (e.g. review of cancer treatments). Types: narrative review, systematic review, meta-analysis.
• Monograph – detailed publication on a single subject (e.g. entire book on nanotechnology). Characteristics: in-depth analysis, scholarly work.
• Patent – legal protection for inventions. Purpose: protect innovation, prevent copying. Components: Title, Abstract, Claims, Drawings.

11. Research Databases

Examples: Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink.

12. Web as a Source of Literature

Advantages: fast access, global information. Limitations: reliability concerns, information overload.

13. Searching the Web for Research

• Use Keywords – e.g. “machine learning healthcare applications”
• Boolean Operators – AND, OR, NOT (e.g. Education AND Technology)
• Exact Phrase Search – use quotes: "Artificial Intelligence"
• Use Filters – year, author, publication type

14. Critical Literature Review

Critical review means evaluating literature, not only summarizing.

Steps:

1. Read thoroughly
2. Compare studies
3. Identify strengths
4. Identify limitations
5. Analyze methodology
6. Draw conclusions

Questions: What was studied? How was it studied? What were limitations?

15. Identifying Gap Areas from Literature and Research Database

Research Gap – area that previous research has not fully addressed.

Types: knowledge gap, methodological gap, population gap, theoretical gap.

Process: Collect studies → Compare findings → Identify limitations → Find unanswered questions.

16. Development of Working Hypothesis

Hypothesis – tentative assumption to be tested.

Characteristics of Good Hypothesis

• Clear
• Specific
• Testable
• Logical
• Measurable

Steps to Develop Hypothesis

1. Define problem
2. Review literature
3. Identify variables
4. Build assumptions
5. Form testable statement

Types of Hypothesis

• Null Hypothesis (H₀) – no relationship exists. Example: Social media has no effect.
• Alternative Hypothesis (H₁) – relationship exists. Example: Social media affects performance.

Summary Flow of Research Formulation

This entire sequence forms the Research Formulation and Research Design process.

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