Research Methodology

Dr. Alam KHAN

Ph.D. Microbiology
Assistant Professor Department Of Life Sciences
 research
• Research is a process to discover new knowledge to find answers to a
question.
• The word research has two parts re (again) and search (find) which denote
that we are taking up an activity to look into an aspect once again or we want
to look for some new information about something
• the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to
establish facts and reach new conclusions.
• As verb investigate systematically
• the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new
and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and
understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous
research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes.
 Research may have certain other qualities such as:
• a) It is a prearranged / structured enquiry (a formal step by step method or
sequence to take up research activity is developed to ensure correctness of data
and validity of processes). Scientific methods consist of systematic observation,
classification and interpretation of data. The degree of formality, rigorousness,
verifiability and general validity of scientific methods establish the results
obtained.
• b) It utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems (the method
used should be able to give repetitive results under similar conditions)
• c) It should create new knowledge that is generally applicable. (The outcomes
should be such that they are not specific to particular issue or a situation but
need to be generalized for application to comparable issues).
• d) It is creative process to develop better understanding of mankind, social and
cultural and economical issues.
 Research method Vs methodology
• All the methods or techniques use In research are research methods
• Qualitative vs. quantitative: Will your data take the form of words or numbers?
• Primary vs. secondary: Will you collect original data yourself, or will you use data
that has already been collected by someone else?
• Descriptive vs. experimental: Will you take measurements of something as it is, or
will you perform an experiment?
• While research methodology is the systematic way to solve research problem.
• Research methodology is a way of explaining how a researcher intends to carry out
their research. It is a logical, systematic plan to resolve a research problem. A
methodology details a researcher's approach to the research to ensure reliable, valid
results that address their aims and objectives. It encompasses what data they are
going to collect and where from, as well as how it's being collected and analyzed.
 why do need research/
Motivation for research

Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits

Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems

Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work

Desire to be of service to society

Desire to get respectability

Directives of government, employment conditions etc.

Validate intuition

Improve methods

Demands of the job

For publication/patent
 Importance / role/ significance of Research

• There are several reasons why research is important. In every aspect of our lives,
research plays a vital role. These aspects may include:
• Making informed decisions,
• Advancing technology and innovation,
• Resolving real-world issues,
• Enhancing education and learning,
• Promoting economic growth, and
• Ensuring that facts support laws and policies.
• Moreover, researchers can find new knowledge that advances our understanding
of a particular topic by performing in-depth examinations and experiments. We
may use this information to address problems in the real world and apply it to
various sectors, including social sciences and medicine.
• We can make wiser decisions regarding our health, finances, and other matters
because of the accurate and dependable knowledge we receive through research.
• 1. Acquire Knowledge Effectively
• Research is a good method of learning about a certain subject.
Researchers conduct lengthy studies and experiments to get
insightful findings and collect and analyze data. By providing us
deeper understanding and knowledge about the topic, this process
helps us make better judgments.
• Whether you are a professional, a student, or just someone
interested, research is a great way to learn new things and expand
your knowledge.
•
• 2. Helps in Problem-Solving
• Real-world problem-solving heavily relies on research. Researchers
perform studies and experiments to determine the underlying causes of a
certain problem and create methods to solve it.
• For example, social science research has assisted in addressing challenges
like poverty, injustice, and prejudice, while medical research has
contributed to discovering vaccinations and life-saving therapies.
• Research aids us in addressing some of the most difficult issues our
society is now experiencing by offering answers supported by evidence.
• 3. Provides the Latest Information
• Research gives us the most recent and accurate information about
a given subject. Researchers revise their studies to account for
changes when new revelations and data are discovered.
• This guarantees that we consistently use the most up-to-date and
trustworthy information, enabling us to make better and more
informed decisions. In order to succeed, you need to have access
to the most recent knowledge, regardless of your line of work,
whether it is business, school, or anything else.
• 4. Builds Credibility
• Building credibility in your profession via research is beneficial.
You show your knowledge and competence on a subject when you
undertake research and publish your results.
• This might offer new professional growth and development
prospects by establishing you as an authority in your sector.
Furthermore, you demonstrate your dedication to accuracy and
dependability by relying on evidence-based information,
further boosting your credibility.
• 5. Discover and Seize Opportunities
• Want to get benefits from new opportunities? Say yes to research.
• Finding and taking advantage of new opportunities is made easier
by research. Research may assist you in spotting new trends and
potential development areas, whether you are an entrepreneur, a
student, or a professional.
• Keeping up with the most recent research will enable you to spot
fresh chances for professional and personal growth, which will
help you realize your objectives.
• 6. Introduces You to New Ideas
• Another reason for the importance of research is it introduces you
to various new ideas. You learn new concepts and methods of
thinking through research.
• You can discover multiple theories, thoughts, and problem-solving
methods by reading research papers and publications. This can
deepen your comprehension of a topic and present fresh
professional and personal development opportunities.
• Let’s say you are an Instagram influencer and want new content
ideas. By thoroughly researching new trends and problems people
face nowadays, you will get multiple ideas for your content.
• 7. Helps You to Reach People
• Research makes reaching people and understanding their thoughts,
attitudes, and behaviors possible. Researchers can gather data and use it
to analyze it to acquire insights into the beliefs and attitudes of various
groups of people by researching a certain issue.
• This information helps in understanding how and why individuals make
decisions. Additionally, research can be used to identify consumer needs
and preferences, allowing businesses to create targeted marketing
campaigns.
• Overall, research is a wonderful tool for interacting with people since it
allows us to understand them better and make decisions based on their
thoughts and feedback.
 Ethics
• Ethics is the philosophical study of moral phenomena. Also
called moral philosophy, it investigates normative questions
about what people ought to do or which behavior is morally
right.
• moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the
conducting of an activity.
• ethics, the discipline concerned with what is morally good and
bad and morally right and wrong. The term is also applied to
any system or theory of moral values or principles
 Professional ethics
• Professional ethics are the principles that guide how people act in a business
setting. They help ensure that people are acting responsibly and professionally.
• Examples of professional ethics
• Confidentiality: Protecting personal information, such as health or financial details
• Accountability: Being responsible for actions, decisions, and products
• Integrity: Acting with honesty and integrity
• Objectivity: Being impartial and fair
• Professionalism: Acting in a way that is professional and maintains a high standard
• Importance of professional ethics
• Professional ethics help ensure that people are acting responsibly and professionally
• They can help promote quality work, safety, and ethical responsibility
• They can help organizations maintain integrity and professionalism
 research ethics

• Research ethics involves the application of fundamental

ethical principles to research activities which include
• the design and implementation of research,
• respect towards society and others,
• the use of resources and research outputs,
• scientific misconduct and the regulation of research
• Research ethics provides guidelines for the responsible conduct of research. In addition, it educates
and monitors scientists conducting research to ensure a high ethical standard. The following is
a general summary of some ethical principles:
• Honesty:
• Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate,
falsify, or misrepresent data.
• Objectivity:
• Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel
decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research.
• Integrity:
• Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and action.
• Carefulness:
• Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work and the work
of your peers. Keep good records of research activities.
• Openness:
• Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.
• Respect for Intellectual Property:
• Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use unpublished data,
methods, or results without permission. Give credit where credit is due. Never plagiarize.
• Confidentiality:
• Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient
records.
• Responsible Publication:
• Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.
• Responsible Mentoring:
• Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them to make their own decisions.
• Respect for Colleagues:
• Respect your colleagues and treat them fairly.
• Social Responsibility:
• Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research, public education, and advocacy.
• Non-Discrimination:
• Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to their scientific
competence and integrity.
• Competence:
• Maintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise through lifelong education and learning; take steps to promote competence
in science as a whole.
• Legality:
• Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.
• Animal Care:
• Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.
• Human Subjects Protection:
• When conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks and maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy.
Research Misconducts
What are research misconducts?

(a) Fabrication - making up data or results and

recording or reporting them.
(b) Falsification - manipulating research materials,
or changing or omitting data or results such that
the research is not accurately represented in the
research record.
(c) Plagiarism - the appropriation of another
person's ideas, processes, results, or words without
giving appropriate credit.
(d) Research misconduct does not include honest
error or differences of opinion.
 PLAGIARISM
AND
CONSEQUENCES
Destroyed Student Reputation
Plagiarism allegations can cause a student to be suspended or expelled. Many institutes
suspend students for their first violation. Students are usually expelled for further
offences.

Destroyed Professional Reputation

A professional business person, politician, or public figure may find that the damage from
plagiarism follows them for their entire career. Not only will they likely be fired or asked to
step down from their present position, but they will surely find it difficult to obtain another
respectable job.

Destroyed Academic Reputation

The consequences of plagiarism have been widely reported in the world of academia.
Once scarred with plagiarism allegations, an academic’s career can be ruined.
Publishing is an integral part of a prestigious academic career. To lose the ability to
publish most likely means the end of an academic position and a destroyed reputation.
Legal Consequences
The legal consequences of plagiarism can be quite serious. Copyright laws are absolute.
One cannot use another person’s material without citation and reference. An author has
the right to sue a plagiarist. Some plagiarism may also be deemed a criminal offense,
possibly leading to a prison sentence. As a professional writer, to plagiarize is a serious
ethical and perhaps legal issue.
Monetary Consequences
Many recent news reports and articles have exposed plagiarism by journalists, authors,
public figures, and researchers. In the case where an author sues a plagiarist, the author
may be granted monetary restitution. In the case where a journalist works for a
newspaper or other publisher, or even if a student is found plagiarizing in school, the
offending plagiarist could have to pay monetary penalties.
Plagiarized Research
Plagiarized research is an especially egregious form of plagiarism. If the research is
medical in nature, the consequences of plagiarism could mean the loss of peoples’ lives.
This kind of plagiarism is particularly heinous.