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Engr. Tristan L. AbandoInstructor

Definition of Research

Scientific Research

Types of Scientific Research

Research & Innovation

A planned undertaking in aparticular field of science ortechnology involving a problem;calling for creative, criticalthought and action.

An undertaking to apply certainscientific principles or ideas.

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A research activity which aimsto develop one’s ability toidentify and determine possiblesolutions to a particular

problem in one’s community orpossible explanations of aparticular phenomenon.

The systematic, rigorous

investigation of a situation or

problem in order to generate

new knowledge or validate

existing knowledge.

The systematic application of thescientific method to search for newknowledge that can provide either a

greater understanding of a natural orsocial phenomenon (know-why) or asolution to a practical problem (know-how)

Roger Posadas (2005)

an ORGANIZED and

SYSTEMATIC way of FINDING

ANSWERS to QUESTIONS

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There should be a perceived differencebetween WHAT EXISTS and WHATOUGHT TO BE.

The reason(s) for this difference shouldbe unclear

There should be more than onepossible answer to the question orsolution to the problem

Review or synthesize existing knowledge Investigate existing situations or problems Provide solutions to problems Explore and analyze more general issues Construct or create new procedures or

systems Explain new phenomenon Generate new knowledge …or a combination of any of the above!

1. Define the research problem2. Collect background information

about the problem3. Develop the research design4. Write the research proposal5. Collect the required data6. Analyze the data7. Write the research report

1. Definition and scoping of the problem2. Specification and operational definition

of variables and quantities3. Formulation of hypothesis4. Gathering of observational or

computational data5. Analysis of data6. Testing of hypothesis7. Rejection or confirmation of hypothesis8. Publication of research findings

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1. Basic vs. Applied

2. Descriptive vs. Analytical

3. Quantitative vs. Qualitative

4. Conceptual vs. Empirical

5. Other types of researches

BASIC RESEARCH

Basic (aka fundamental or pure ) research is driven by ascientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question. The main

motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or inventsomething. There is no obvious commercial value to the

discoveries that result from basic research.

For example, basic science investigations probe for answers to

questions such as:

• How did the universe begin?

• What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?

• How do slime molds reproduce?

• What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?

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The Definition of Basic Research in the OECDFrascati Manual:

Basic research is experimental ortheoretical work undertakenprimarily to acquire new knowledge

of the underlying foundations ofphenomena and observable facts,without any particular application oruse in view

The Definition of Basic Research by the U.S. National ScienceFoundation (2008):

The objective of basic research is to gain morecomprehensive knowledge or understanding ofthe subject under study without specificapplications in mind. Although basic research maynot have specific applications as its goal, it can be

directed in fields of present or potential interest.This is often the case with basic researchperformed by industry or mission-driven federalagencies

Basic research seeks to analyze properties, structures

and relationships with a view to formulating and testing

hypotheses, theories or laws.

While doing basic research, the researchers may notknow about actual applications of their research.

The results of basic research are not generally sold but

are usually published in scientific journals or circulated

to interested colleagues.

Basic research, occasionally, may be “classified” for

security reasons.

Basic research can be characterized as

Curiosity-driven motivated by a scientist’s interest in such scientific

questions as how did the universe begin?

Publication-

oriented

directed towards the publication of research findings in

reputable, refereed scientific journalsDiscipline-

centered

undertaken mainly in academic departments andpromoted by disciplinal science societies

Guild-led furthered through informal specialized net- works ofcutting-edge researchers called invisible colleges

Paradigm-driven advanced through a cycle of paradigm – normal science –revolutionary science – new paradigm

Ethos-guided guided by certain norms and values of the scientificcommunity such as universalism

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Basic research may be categorized into

Pure Basic

Research

carried out for the advancement of knowledge, withoutseeking long-term economic or social benefits or

making any effort to apply the results to practical

problems or to transfer the results to sectors responsiblefor their application

Oriented Basic

Research

carried out with the expectation that it will produce a

broad knowledge base likely to generate the solution to

current or future problems or possibilities

Examples of Oriented Basic Research Programs:

Nanotechnology research

High Temperature Superconductivity Research

Human genome research

Surface science research

APPLIED RESEARCH

 Applied research refers to scientific study and research that seeksto solve practical problems. Applied research is used to find

solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, and developinnovative technologies, rather than to acquire knowledge for

knowledge's sake.

For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to:

• Improve agricultural crop production

•  Treat or cure a specific disease

• Improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of

transportation

The Definition of Applied Research in the OECD Frascati

Manual:

“Applied research is also originalinvestigation undertaken in order to

acquire new knowledge. It is, however,

directed primarily towards a specific

practical aim or objective.”

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The Definition of Applied Research by the U.S. National

Science Foundation (2008):

“The objective of applied research is to gain

knowledge or understanding to meet a

specific, recognized need. In industry,

applied research includes investigations todiscover new scientific knowledge that has

specific commercial objectives with respect

to products, processes, or services.”

Applied research seeks to determine either possible

uses for the findings of basic research or new methods

or ways of achieving specific and predetermined

objectives. It involves considering the available know-

ledge and its extension in order to solve particular

problems.

The results of applied research are intended primarily tobe valid for a single or limited number of products,

operations, methods or systems.

The knowledge or information derived from applied

research is often patented but may be kept secret.

Applied research can be characterized as

Invention-or

solution-driven

motivated by the desire to invent a new technology or find

a solution to a practical human problem

Patent- or trade-

secret-oriented

directed towards intellectual property protection

Interdisciplinary undertaken by interdisciplinary teams

Market- or

demand-pulled

attracted to market needs

Technology-

regime-guided

following paradigmatic practices

Pure Basic

Research

(Bohr)

Use Inspired

Basic

Research

(Pasteur)

Pure Applied

Research

(Edison)

NO YES

 YES

NO

Considerations of Use

Quest for

Fundamental

Understanding

Quadrant Model of Scientific Research

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DESCRIPTIVE ANALYTICAL

• Includes surveys & fact-finding

enquiries of different kinds

• Major purpose of description of the

state of affairs as it exists at present

• Methods used are survey methods

of all kinds, including comparative

& correlational methods

• Utilization of facts or information

already available & analyze these to

make a critical evaluation of thematerial

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Qualitative research is research dealing with phenomena that aredifficult or impossible to quantify mathematically, such as beliefs,meanings, attributes, and symbols

Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth

understanding of human behaviour and the reasons that

govern such behaviour. The qualitative method investigates

the why and how of decision making, not just what, where,

when.

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QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Advantages• It enables more complex aspects of a persons experience to be studied

• Fewer restriction or assumptions are placed on the data to be collected.

• Not everything can be quantified, or quantified easily, Individuals can bestudied in more depth

• Good for exploratory research and hypothesis generation

•  The participants are able to provide data in their own words and in theirown way

Disadvantages

•It is more difficult to determine the validity and reliability of linguistic data

• there is more subjectivity involved in analysing the data.

• “Data overload” – open-ended questions can sometimes create lots of data,which can take along time to analyse!

•  Time consuming

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Quantitative research refers to the s ystematic empirical investigation of any phenomena

via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. The objective of quantitativeresearch is to develop and employ mathematical

models, theories and/or hypothesespertaining to phenomena

Quantitative research is generally made using scientific methods, which can

include:

•  The generation of models, theories and hypotheses

•  The development of instruments and methods for measurement

• Experimental control and manipulation of variables

• Collection of empirical data

• Modelling and analysis of data

• Evaluation of results

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Advantages

• Quantitative research allows the researcher to measure and

analyse data.

•  The researcher is more objective about the findings of the

research.

• Quantitative research can be used to test hypotheses in

experiments because of its ability to measure data using

statistics.Disadvantages

•  The main disadvantage of quantitative research is the

context of the study or experiment is ignored.

• Quantitative research does not study things in a natural

setting or discuss the meaning things have for different

people.

• A large sample of the population must be studied for more

accurate results

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CONCEPTUAL EMPIRICAL

• Related to some abstract

ideas or theory

• To develop new concepts

or to reinterpret existing

ones

• Relies on experience of

observation alone,

without due regard for

system & theory

• Data-based research,

coming up withconclusions which are

capable of being verified

by observation or

experiment

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Experimental research is an objective, systematic, controlled investigation forthe purpose of predicting and controlling phenomena and examining probability

and causality among selected variables.

Advantages

•

Best establishes cause-and-effect relationships

Disadvantages

• Artificiality

• Feasibility

• Unethical

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

 The simplest experimental design includes two variables and two groups ofparticipants.

The two variables(Independent versus Dependent variables).

•  The IV is the predictor variable whereas the DV is the outcome variable.

• Researchers manipulate and control the IV to study it's effect on the DV.

The two groups of participants (Control versus Experimental group).

• Before beginning the experiment, the researcher (randomly) assigns his/hersample to two different groups: the control group and the experimental

(treatment group or clinical group).

•  The control group receives no manipulation of the IV (no treatment), whereasthe experimental group receives the manipulation of the IV

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Mission-oriented research refers to large-scale multi-

institutional, interdisciplinary research undertaken

cooperatively by researchers from government,

business, and academia for the purpose of

accomplishing a government-specified mission.

Examples of mission-oriented research projects:

Manhattan Project

Apollo 11 Project

CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

Correlational research refers to the systematic investigation or statistical study ofrelationships among two or more variables, without necessarily determining cause

and effect.

It Seeks to establish a relation/association/correlation between two or more

variables that do not readily lend themselves to experimental manipulation.

For example, to test the hypothesis “ Listening to music lowers blood pressure

levels” there are 2 ways of conducting research

•Experimental – group samples and make one group listen to music and thencompare the bp levels

• Survey – ask people how they feel ? How often they listen? And thencompare

CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

 Advantages:

1) Can collect much information from many subjects at one time.

2) Can study a wide range of variables and their interrelations.3) Study variables that are not easily produced in the laboratory.

Disadvantages:

1) Correlation does not indicate causation( cause and effect).2) Problems with self-report method .

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

Exploratory research is a type of research conducted for a problem that has notbeen clearly defined. Exploratory research helps determine the

best research design, data collection method and selection of subjects.

•  The results of exploratory research are not usually useful for decision-

making by themselves, but they can provide significant insight into a given

situation

• Exploratory research is not typically generalizable to the population at

large.

• Exploratory research can be quite informal, relying onsecondary

research such as reviewing available literature and/or data,or qualitative approaches such as informal discussions with consumers,

employees, management or competitors, and more formal approaches

through in-depth interviews, focus groups, projective methods, casestudies or pilot studies.

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Research I nventi on I P Pro-tection

ESTD Techno

Transfer 

Design& Deve-

lopment

TestingRamp-up and

Launch

Incre-mental

Innov

Research & Invention Technology Commercialization

or New Product Development

Experimental Development

The Linear Science-Push Model of Technological Innovation

Research and Development (R&D)

INNOVATION = INVENTION + COMMERCIALIZATION

Systematic activity combining bothbasic & applied research, and aimedat discovering solutions to problemsor creating new goods or knowledge

May result in ownership ofintellectual property such as patents

Research I nventi on I P Pro-

tection

ESTD Techno

Transfer 

Design

& Deve-

lopment

TestingRamp-

up and

Launch

Incre-

mental

Innov

Research & Invention Technology Commercialization

or New Product Development

Experimental Development

The Linear Science-Push Model of Technological Innovation

Research and Development (R&D)

INNOVATION = INVENTION + COMMERCIALIZATION

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Basic

Research

Applied

Research

Development Production

and

Operations

Linear Model for Scientific Research

Pure Basic

Research

(Bohr)

Use Inspired

Basic

Research

(Pasteur)

Pure Applied

Research

(Edison)

NO YES

 YES

NO

Considerations of Use

Quest for

Fundamental

Understanding

Quadrant Model of Scientific Research

Pure Basic

Research

Use

Inspired

Basic

Research

Purely

Applied

R&D

Improved Understanding

Existing understanding

Improved Technology

Existing Technology

Dynamic Model for Research

Definition of Research

an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way ofFINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS

Scientific Research? The systematic application of the scientific

method to search for new knowledge that canprovide either a greater understanding of anatural or social phenomenon (know-why) or asolution to a practical problem (know-how)

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 Types of Research

Basic vs. Applied

Descriptive vs. Analytical

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Conceptual vs. Empirical

Experimental Research

Mission-Oriented Research

Correlational Research

Exploratory Research

Research & Development

Systematic activity combining both basic &

applied research, and aimed at discovering

solutions to problems or creating new goods

or knowledge

May result in ownership of intellectual

property such as patents