Research Methodology

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Research Methodology

• EPH 7112
• LECTURE 2 CHARACTERISTICS AND TYPES OF RESEARCH

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Contents

• Characteristics of Scientific Research
• Types of Research
• Basic Research
• Applied Research
• Academic Research
• Industrial Research

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Scientific Research

• How is it different from non-scientific research?
• Focuses on solving problems and pursues a
  step-by-step logical, organized, and rigorous
  method to
• identify the problems
• collect data
• analyze and
• draw valid conclusions

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Scientific Research

• Non-scientific research based on hunches,
  experience and intuition
• Pilot study, exploratory

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Aim
• Rigor
• Testability
• Replicability
• Precision and Confidence
• Objectivity
• Generalizability
• Parsimony

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Aim
• The purpose of scientific research is clear
• eg to increase gain of EDFA
• to reduce Optical Beat Interference
• to reduce Noise Figure

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Rigorous
• Based on good theoretical base and sound
  methodology
• Careful and scrupulous
• eg all design parameters concerning the gain in
  EDFA must be considered EDF length and
  concentration, pump power, input signal power and
  wavelength.
• eg resolution of OSA, stability of current source
  for pump laser

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Testability
• Test theoretical model by simulation or
  experiment
• Analysis of performance parameter against design
  parameter
• eg EDFA theoretical model show low gain with high
  input signal power.
• Experiment to test this relationship while other
  design parameters are fixed can be carried out.
• Gain is measured against input signal power

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Replicability
• The same relationship stands repeatedly under the
  same design parameters

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Precision and Confidence
• Precision refers to closeness of the findings to
  reality
• Confidence refers to the probability that our
  estimations are correct

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Objectivity
• Conclusions drawn from the analysis of data must
  be objective
• Proven from trend in data
• Supported by theoretical model

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Generalizability
• Scope of applicability
• The wider, the better
• Eg. Rate Equation Model applicable for lasers and
  fiber amplifiers

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Characteristics of Scientific Research

• Parsimony
• Simplicity in explaining the phenomena or problem
• Assumptions are critical
• Minimize the dependant variable

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Types of Research

• Basic Research
• Applied Research
• Academic Research
• Industrial Research

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Basic Research

• Also known as pure or fundamental research
• Objective
• Advancement of knowledge
• Understanding of theoretical relationship between
  variables

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Basic Research

• Exploratory in nature
• Without any practical end in mind

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Basic Research

• Examples of questions asked in basic research
• Which aspects of genomes explain organismal
  complexity?
• Is it possible to prove or disprove Goldbach's
  conjecture? (i.e. that every even integer greater
  than 2 can be written as the sum of two (not
  necessarily distinct) primes)

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Applied Research

• Solve specific, practical questions
• Can be exploratory, but descriptive
• Involves precise measurement of the
  characteristics and describes relationships
  between variables of a studied phenomenon

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Applied Research

• Can be carried out by academic or industrial
  institutions
• Investigation directed to discovering new
  scientific knowledge that has specific commercial
  objectives with respect to products, processes or
  services

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Applied Research

• Examples of question asked in applied research
• How can Canada's wheat crops be protected from
  grasshoppers?
• What is the most efficient and effective vaccine
  against influenza?
• How can the Great Lakes be protected against the
  effects of greenhouse gas?

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Academic research

• carried out in universities and research
  institutes
• expanding the extant levels of knowledge and
  technology
• does not have any limits as it does not have any
  bounds in terms of tangible goals or outputs

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Industrial Research

• carried out in commercial organizations
• a goal or a set of outputs that apply to the
  sector or industry
• focuses on application of knowledge

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Defining MSc and PhD
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MSc, a process of

• Identifying a research area of interest
• Learning to carry out a research project
• Identifying problems
• Analyzing/ dissecting problems
• Designing/developing solutions
• Proving/Substantiating solution
• Reporting

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Outcome of MSc program

• Understand the issues of concerns within the area
  of specialization
• Update with the latest development in the area of
  specialization
• Master some of the tools (analytical,
  programming, simulation) required within the
  scope of study
• Master some of the test and measurement skills

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Outcome of MSc program

• Be able to analyze results
• Be able to report results oral and written
• Have published papers
• Know the primary references for the area of
  specialization

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Outcome of MSc program

• Know the leading researchers/research groups in
  the area of study
• Know the relevant industries/companies
• Identify his/her research strength and weaknesses
  (theoretical, experimental materials, processes,
  components/devices, system)
• Conduct research with minimal guidance
• Smile..