Introduction to Research.

Research is a process by which one acquires dependable and useful information about a phenomenon or a
process. It may be broadly defined “as a systematic inquiry towards understanding a complex social
phenomenon or a process”. It follows the scientific approach to gain knowledge.
Objectives of Research
Research objectives describe what your research is trying to achieve and explain why you are pursuing it. They
summarize the approach and purpose of your project and help to focus your research.
Importance of Research Methodology in Research Study
Research methodology is, thus, an integral part of a research study. It helps ensure that you stay on track to
meet your research objectives and answer your research questions using the most appropriate data collection
and analysis tools based on your research design.
Types of Research.
There are two major approaches to research in the behavioral and social sciences—qualitative and
quantitative.
Steps in Conducting Research.
The research process involves several steps that make it easy to complete the research successfully. The steps in
the research process described below depend on each other, and the order must be kept. So, if we want to do a
research project, we should follow the research process steps.
 Step 1: Identify and Develop Your Topic. ...
 Step 2: Find Background Information. ...
 Step 3: Use Catalogs to Find Books and Media. ...
 Step 4: Use Databases to Find Journal Articles. ...
 Step 5: Find Internet Resources. ...
 Step 6: Evaluate What You Find. ...
 Step 7: Cite What You Find Using a Standard Format.

What is a research design?

A research design provides a framework for the collection and analysis of data. A choice of research design
reflects decisions about the priority being given to a range of dimensions of the research process. These include
the importance attached to:
• expressing causal connections between variables;
• generalizing to larger groups of individuals than those actually forming part of the investigation;
• understanding behavior and the meaning of that behaviour in its specific social context;
• having a temporal (i.e., over time) appreciation of social phenomena and their interconnections.
What is a research method?
A research method is simply a technique for collecting data. It can involve a specific instrument, such as
a self-completion questionnaire or a structured interview schedule, or participant observation whereby the
researcher listens to and watches others.

Selecting a research topic

Week 3
What is Literature Review?
A literature review is a piece of academic writing demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the academic
literature on a specific topic placed in context. It describes that what literature research has already been
conducted, how it informs the thesis and how the thesis fits into the research in the field.
A literature review also includes a critical evaluation of the material; this is why it is called a literature review
rather than a literature report.
Why Need for Literature Review?
The purpose of a literature review is to gain an understanding of the existing research and debates relevant to a
particular topic or area of study, and to present that knowledge in the form of a written report.
Importance of Literature Review in Research
The aim of any literature review is to summarize and synthesize the arguments and ideas of existing knowledge
in a particular field without adding any new contributions. Being built on existing knowledge they help the
researcher to even turn the wheels of the topic of research. It is possible only with profound knowledge of
what is wrong in the existing findings in detail to overpower them. For other researches, the literature
review gives the direction to be headed for its success.
Types of Literature Review.
Over the years, numerous types of literature reviews have emerged, but the four main types are

1. Traditional/narrative. This type of review critiques and summaries a body of literature and draws
conclusions about the topic in question.
2. Systematic literature review. These reviews use a rigorous and well-defined approach to reviewing the
literature in a specific subject area.
3. Meta-analysis. A form of systematic review which is largely a statistical technique. It takes findings from
several studies on the same subject and analyses them using standardized statistical procedures.
4. Meta-synthesis. A non-statistical technique used to integrate, evaluate and interpret the findings of multiple
qualitative research studies.
5. Scoping reviews aim to map the key concepts underpinning a research area and the main sources and
types of evidence available. They provide wide coverage of the literature but can vary enormously in the
degree to which they extract, analyses and represent the available evidence.
6. Rapid evidence reviews are used to summarize the available research within the constraints of a given
timetable, typically three months or less. Consequently, there are limitations on the extent of the searches
and other review activities and should be viewed as provisional appraisals rather than full systematic
reviews.
The primary purpose of a traditional or narrative literature review is to ana- lyse and summarize a body of
literature.
Systematic Literature Review Protocol
A systematic review protocol contains a comprehensive description of your systematic review, including the
rationale, hypothesis and the methods you intend to follow.
A systematic review identifies, evaluates, and synthesizes research results to create a summary of current
evidence that can contribute to evidence-based practice.

MID TERM
Q1. Discuss in Details the components of research?
Components of A Research Paper – That You Must Know

Here is the complete list of the components of a research paper that you must know:
1. Title

The title of a research paper is the first thing that readers see. It should be clear, concise, and informative. A
good title should provide the reader with an idea of what the paper is about. The title should also be
relevant to the research topic and capture the attention of the reader. The title should be centered on the
page and in bold letters.

2. Abstract

The abstract is a brief summary of the research paper. It is usually a paragraph or two that provides a
summary of the study’s purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. The abstract should be informative,
clear, and concise. It should include the research question, the methodology used, the findings, and the
conclusions drawn from the study. The abstract should be written in a way that is easy to understand for
readers who may not have a background in the field.

3. Introduction

The introduction is the first section of the research paper. It provides background information on the
research topic and establishes the context for the study. The introduction should provide an overview of the
research question, the purpose of the study, and the significance of the research. It should also include a
brief review of the literature on the topic and a statement of the hypothesis or research question.

4. Literature review

The literature review provides an overview of the existing research on the topic. It summarizes and
synthesizes the relevant literature to establish the need for the current study. The literature review should
include a critical analysis of the literature, highlighting any gaps in the research that the current study will
address. It should also provide a theoretical framework for the study.

5. Methodology

The methodology section describes the methods used in the study. It provides a detailed description of the
study design, sample selection, data collection, and data analysis procedures. The methodology should be
written in a way that is clear and concise, allowing other researchers to replicate the study.

6. Results

The results section presents the findings of the study. It should be written in a way that is clear and easy to
understand. The results should be presented in a logical and organized manner, using tables, graphs, and
charts where appropriate. The results should also be discussed in relation to the research question and the
literature review.

7. Discussion

The discussion section interprets the results and draws conclusions based on the findings. It should relate
the results to the research question and the literature review. The discussion should also highlight the
implications of the findings for future research in the field. It should be written in a way that is clear and
concise, presenting the key points of the study.

8. Conclusion

The conclusion provides a summary of the research findings and the implications of the study. It should also
provide recommendations for future research in the field. The conclusion should be written in a way that is
clear and concise, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

9. References

The references section provides a list of all the sources cited in the research paper. The references should be
formatted according to the guidelines provided by the journal or publication.

10. Appendices

The appendices section contains any additional information that is relevant to the study but not included in
the main body of the paper. This may include raw data, additional tables or graphs, or survey instruments
used in the study.

How To Effectively Write a Research Paper?

After understanding the components of a research paper, let us determine the proper way of writing a
research paper which can be a challenging task. But there are some key steps you can take to help ensure
that you write an effective paper. Here are some tips on how to write a research paper:

1. Choose a topic

Select a topic that is interesting and relevant to your field of study. Make sure that your topic is specific and
well-defined, and that there is enough research available on the topic to support your paper.

2. Conduct research

Once you have chosen a topic, conduct thorough research using a variety of sources, including books,
scholarly articles, and online databases. Make sure that you take detailed notes on the sources you consult,
including the author, title, and publication date.

3. Create an outline

Organize your research into a logical structure by creating an outline for your paper. This will help you to
ensure that your paper is well-organized and flows logically.

4. Write a strong introduction

Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on your topic. It
should also clearly state your research question or thesis statement.

5. Develop your argument

Use the body of your paper to develop your argument and provide evidence to support your thesis
statement. Make sure that you use clear and concise language and avoid jargon or overly technical terms.

6. Use proper citation

Make sure that you cite all of your sources properly using the appropriate citation style for your field of
study. This will help you to avoid plagiarism and ensure that your paper is credible and well-researched.

7. Revise and edit

Once you have completed a draft of your paper, take the time to revise and edit it thoroughly. Make sure
that your paper is well-organized, free of grammatical errors, and that your argument is clear and
compelling.

Conclusion

A research paper is a complex document that requires careful planning and attention to detail. Each
component of a research paper plays a crucial role in communicating the findings of the study to the
audience. The title, abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion,
references, and appendices are all necessary components of a research paper.

The title and abstract provide a brief summary of the research topic and the key findings of the study. The
introduction and literature review establish the context for the research and highlight the need for the
study. The methodology section provides a detailed description of the methods used in the study, and the
results section presents the findings in a clear and organized manner. The discussion section interprets the
findings and draws conclusions, while the conclusion provides a summary of the study and
recommendations for future research.

The references section and appendices provide additional information that supports the findings of the
study. Proper formatting of these components is crucial to ensure that the research paper adheres to the
guidelines provided by the journal or publication.

In summary, a well-written research paper follows a specific structure that includes several components.
Each component plays an essential role in communicating the findings of the study to the audience. By
paying careful attention to each component of the research paper, researchers can create an effective
document that contributes to the field’s knowledge and advances future research.

Q2. Discuss with the help of five examples of the research area and research topic?
In computer science, a research area refers to a broader field of study, while a research topic is a more specific
subject within that field that researchers investigate. The research area provides the context or overarching
theme, while the research topic pinpoints a particular issue or question within that context. Here are five
examples to illustrate the difference:
1. Research Area: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Research Topic: "Explainable AI for Healthcare Decision Support Systems"
In this example, the broader research area is Artificial Intelligence, and the specific research topic is focused on
making AI systems in healthcare more interpretable and understandable for medical practitioners.
2. Research Area: Cybersecurity
Research Topic: "Machine Learning Approaches for Intrusion Detection Systems"
Here, the research area is Cybersecurity, and the research topic delves into the application of machine learning
techniques to enhance the capabilities of intrusion detection systems.
3. Research Area: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
Research Topic: "User Experience Design for Augmented Reality Applications"
In this case, the research area is Human-Computer Interaction, and the research topic concentrates on
improving user experience in augmented reality applications.
4. Research Area: Data Science

Research Topic: "Predictive Analytics for Customer Churn in E-commerce"

The broader research area is Data Science, and the specific research topic involves developing predictive models
to anticipate and manage customer churn in the e-commerce industry.
5. Research Area: Distributed Systems
Research Topic: "Blockchain-Based Decentralized Identity Management"
Within the research area of Distributed Systems, the research topic explores the application of blockchain
technology for creating a decentralized and secure identity management system.
In summary, research areas in computer science encompass broad domains of study, while research topics
narrow down the focus to specific questions or problems within those domains. Researchers often choose a
research area based on their interests and expertise, and then they define a research topic that aligns with their
goals and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in that area.
Q3. Who introduced research question testing? Discuss testing of research questions in detail?
The concept of testing research questions is closely related to the scientific method, which involves formulating
hypotheses and then conducting experiments or studies to test them. The process of testing research questions
is fundamental in various scientific disciplines, including social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.
However, there isn't a single individual who can be credited with introducing the idea of testing research
questions, as it is a foundational aspect of the scientific inquiry process that has developed over centuries.
The testing of research questions generally involves the following key steps:
Formulation of Research Questions:
Researchers begin by formulating specific research questions that address a particular aspect of a broader topic.
These questions should be clear, focused, and answerable through empirical investigation.
Development of Hypotheses:
Based on the research questions, researchers may develop hypotheses. A hypothesis is a specific and testable
prediction that provides a basis for empirical testing. It serves as a tentative explanation for the phenomenon
under investigation.
Research Design:
Researchers design a study or experiment to collect data that will help answer the research questions or test
the hypotheses. The research design outlines the methods, procedures, and techniques that will be used to
gather relevant information.
Data Collection:
Researchers collect data according to the established research design. This may involve surveys, experiments,
observations, interviews, or other methods, depending on the nature of the research questions.
Data Analysis:
The collected data is then analyzed using appropriate statistical or qualitative methods. The analysis aims to
draw meaningful conclusions regarding the research questions and hypotheses.
Interpretation of Results:
Researchers interpret the results of the data analysis in the context of the original research questions. This step
involves drawing conclusions, discussing implications, and considering the broader significance of the findings.
Conclusion and Future Directions:
Based on the results, researchers may either support or reject their initial hypotheses. They then draw
conclusions about the research questions and discuss potential avenues for future research.
It's important to note that testing research questions is an iterative process. If the results do not provide a clear
answer or raise new questions, researchers may refine their hypotheses and research questions and repeat the
process.
This approach to testing research questions aligns with the scientific method, emphasizing empirical evidence
and systematic investigation to advance our understanding of various phenomena.
Q4. What are 5 W’s of research?
The acronym 5Ws stands for Who, What, Where, When, and Why; some authors sometimes include a sixth
question, How.
The 5 Ws is a method of analysis that consists of multiple steps that examine a situation’s core elements. These
straightforward inquiries offer factual information that, once obtained, enables the rendering of a universal
depiction of an event, interest, circumstance, or setting.

Because it is so straightforward (it simply requires a list of questions to remember) and provides a general
depiction of a situation, this approach is well-liked by journalists. It adheres strictly to journalistic ethics, which
attempts to give everyone access to accurate and unbiased information.
Who: Who has conducted this research, who will benefit from it and who has funded it?
What: What has happened with this research? What was done to complete it, what processes were involved,
what methods and what was the results and conclusion?
Where: Where did this research take place, at which organization/s and geographical location?
When: When did this take place, when did the project start and when did it finish?
Why: Why did this research happen? Why was there a need for it?

Reading a Research Paper

Learning how to read research papers quickly is not just about your reading speed, it is about how efficient your
reading is. To read a scientific paper efficiently means maximum productivity without wasted effort. Following
are some tips for reading scientific articles
To understand how to read research papers efficiently, go to the basics start with the Abstract, then jump
straight to the Conclusions. Reading articles can be time-consuming but if the aims and implications are clear,
then you know if an article is worth the read. This tip works because some articles may be very interesting, but
the key implications are sometimes not clearly highlighted. Hence by reading the Abstract and Conclusions, we
can avoid spending a lot of time struggling to get the main message.
Filter your literature search by prioritizing the most cited papers within your field and the most recent studies.
focus on reading research articles that have high citations. This works because these papers may likely have
been published in high-ranking journals, and also because they have great searchability, which means they have
high relevance to your topic.
Try to avoid reading older articles because these references may often become irrelevant and outdated with
rapid advances in technology.
Keywords can help to find important information but also in reading research articles. You may still find some
articles that are difficult to get through because of the wordiness or the unnecessary heavy language. For these,
use the Abstract and Conclusion to highlight the key findings, and then delve into the detail where necessary.
Using keywords to scan for key passages within the article can also help you save some time and ensure you
read and comprehend the article more effectively.

Three-Pass Approach of Reading a Research Paper

The three-pass approach to reading research papers is a methodical and efficient way to digest academic
literature effectively. This method, outlined by S. Keshav, involves three distinct passes through the paper to
gradually deepen your understanding:
First Pass: Aim: Gain a general overview of the paper.
Steps:Read the title, abstract, and introduction. Skim through section and sub-section headings. Review the
conclusions.
Duration: Approximately 5 to 10 minutes
Second Pass: Aim: Grasp the content of the paper without focusing on details.
Steps:Read the paper more carefully but ignore intricate proofs. Take notes on key points.
Mark relevant unread references for further exploration.
Duration: About an hour or less
Third Pass: Aim: Achieve an in-depth understanding of the paper.
Approach: Attempt to virtually re-implement the paper by making the same assumptions as the authors.
Benefits: Identify innovations, assumptions, and potential issues with the work
This structured approach helps researchers efficiently navigate through academic papers, ensuring a
comprehensive understanding without getting lost in unnecessary details. By following these three passes,
researchers can optimize their reading process, whether for staying current in their field or conducting a
literature survey in a new area of study.
By systematically progressing through these passes, researchers can enhance their ability to absorb and analyze
research papers effectively, making the most of their time spent on academic literature review and study
Careful selection of papers saves a lot of time
Absolutely, careful selection of papers can indeed save a significant amount of time and improve the efficiency
of your research process. Here's how:
Relevance: Choosing papers that are directly relevant to your research topic or question ensures that you're
spending time on material that is likely to contribute to your work. It helps you avoid wasting time on papers
that may not be pertinent to your research goals.
Quality: Selecting high-quality papers ensures that you're basing your research on reliable and credible sources.
High-quality papers are typically well-written, well-researched, and peer-reviewed, providing trustworthy
information and insights.
Impact: Prioritizing papers that have had a significant impact in your field helps you stay updated on key
developments and influential findings. These papers often represent seminal research or groundbreaking
discoveries that shape the direction of future studies.
Methodology: Paying attention to the methodology used in papers can help you assess the rigor and validity of
the research findings. Selecting papers with sound methodologies ensures that you're building upon a solid
foundation and avoiding potential methodological pitfalls.
Reviews and Recommendations: Seeking out reviews, recommendations, or citations from trusted sources can
help you identify papers that are highly regarded within your field. Recommendations from experts or peers can
guide you towards valuable and relevant literature.
Diverse Perspectives: It's also beneficial to select papers that offer diverse perspectives or alternative
viewpoints on your research topic. This broadens your understanding of the subject matter and allows you to
consider different interpretations or approaches.
Efficient Reading: Even after careful selection, employing efficient reading strategies, such as the three-pass
approach mentioned earlier, can further optimize your time spent on each paper. Skimming, scanning, and
focusing on key sections can help you extract relevant information more effectively.
By investing time in selecting papers thoughtfully, researchers can streamline their literature review process,
stay informed about important developments in their field, and ultimately produce higher-quality research
outcomes.
Important Elements of a Research Paper!
▪ Title
▪ Abstract
▪ Introduction
▪ Background
▪ Related Work (State of the Art)
▪ Contributions
▪ Conclusions and Future Work
▪ References (Bibliography)
LaTeX history and introduction
LaTeX, pronounced "lay-tech" or "lah-tech," is a typesetting system commonly used in academia and research
for producing high-quality documents, particularly in fields such as mathematics, computer science,
engineering, physics, and other technical disciplines. LaTeX excels at formatting complex mathematical
equations, technical documents, theses, academic papers, and presentations. Here's a short introduction and
history of LaTeX in research methodology:
Introduction:LaTeX is not a word processor like Microsoft Word; instead, it's a markup language that allows
users to focus on content creation while the system takes care of formatting and layout. Users write their
documents in plain text using LaTeX commands to specify formatting, such as font styles, section headings,
mathematical symbols, tables, and citations. LaTeX then compiles these plain text files into beautifully
formatted documents, typically in PDF format.
History: LaTeX, a typesetting system used in academia and research, was created by Leslie Lamport in the 1980s
as a set of macros built on top of Donald Knuth's TeX typesetting system. Knuth developed TeX in the late 1970s
to address typesetting challenges. LaTeX simplified TeX usage by providing predefined styles and structures,
emphasizing content over formatting. Over time, LaTeX evolved through community contributions, becoming a
popular tool for researchers due to its support for academic writing conventions, precise mathematical
typesetting, and bibliography management. Today, LaTeX is widely used in research for writing papers, theses,
reports, and presentations.
Latex vs. Word Processors
 Latex have high-quality typesetting, advanced mathematical formatting, Easy to include math formulas,
work on structured or technical documents, and are willing to invest time in learning LaTeX.
 Word Processors is easy to use, need to create general-purpose documents quickly, and collaborate
frequently within an office suite environment.
Tools ->Windows:
▪ Texmaker (as a front end) Miktex (as a backend for package information)
▪ Ghostview, Acrobat Distiller, Acrobat Reader, Scientific Workplace (not the best), the
Bibtex viewer is good. Paint Shop Pro, Latex and Emacs
UNIX based systems ▪ xdvi, ghostview, fixps, emacs with latex/bibtex support.
Latex Editors
▪ We will be using TexMaker as a front-end Editor
▪ The latest version of TexMaker can be downloaded from TexMaker
(free cross-platform latex editor) ([Link])
▪ & MikTeX for backend packages
▪ Latest version of MiKTeX is 24.1 released on January 28, 2024
▪ One can download the latest version of MikTeX from here.