Jimma University
Jimma Institute of Technology
MSc in Hydraulic Engineering
Scientific Research Methods
Code: ROIT 7119
ECTS: 4; Cr.hr: 3; LH: 2; Tut: 3; HS: 5
By: Fayera G. Tufa
August 2023
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Chapter 1: Introduction
Outline
➢ Definition of research
➢Procedures in research
➢Purpose of research
➢Characteristics of research
➢Types of research
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Definition of research
Research?
➢ Research is just finding something out
➢ investigate; study; explore; examine; inquire; seek; look into;
➢ Careful search; systematic investigation aimed at
increasing the store of knowledge.
➢ Research is a logical and systematic search for new and
useful information on a particular topic.
➢ Research is defined as 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.
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Definition of research
Scientific Research?
➢ The scientific method is a way to ask and answer
scientific questions by making observations and doing
experiments.
➢ Scientific research is a critical tool for successfully
navigating our complex world.
➢ In contrast to other methods that people use to
understand the behavior of others, such as intuition and
personal experience, the hallmark of scientific
research is that there is evidence to support a claim.
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Definition of research
What Research Is Not
➢ Research isn’t information gathering:
✓ Gathering information from resources such as books
or magazines isn’t research.
✓ No contribution to new knowledge.
➢ Research isn’t the transportation of facts:
✓ Merely transporting facts from one resource to
another doesn’t constitute research.
✓ No contribution to new knowledge although this
might make existing knowledge more accessible.
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Important Terms
✓Originality/Novelty
✓Contribution
✓Significance
✓Technical Soundness
✓ Critical Assessment of Existing Work
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Definition of research
What Research Is
• Research is the systematic process of collecting and
analyzing data in order to increase our understanding of the
phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested in.
• Research must be systematic and follow a series of steps and
a rigid standard protocol.
• Research is the systematic collection, analysis and
interpretation of data to answer a certain question or solve a
problem.
• A process of generation of new information and testing of
ideas.
• A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search
for new facts in any branch of knowledge
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Definition of research
In general, we learn from the definition:
➢ Systematic: ordered, planned and disciplined, follows
a clear procedure so that the experiment can be
replicated, and the results verified.
➢ Controlled: confidence in research outcomes
➢ Empirical: putting beliefs, ideas, or assumptions to a
test
➢ Critical: many truths are tentative and are subject to
change as a result of subsequent research.
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Procedures in research
Research work comprises the following activities
1. Plan (Proposal)
2. Work (Research)
3. Documentation (write-up)
4. Presentation and publication
Types of proposals
1. Thesis: masters degree:
➢ Answers a research problem/question based on existing
knowledge (analysis)
2. Dissertation: Doctoral degree
➢ Creates a significant new contribution to knowledge
(solution)
3. Funding grant: Research project
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Procedures in research
The steps of the scientific method are:
1. Ask a Question/Problem: You should be curious to find
out an answer.
2. Do Background Research: Looking to see what is already
known about the subject by reading around
3. Construct a Hypothesis/Collecting evidence
4. Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment/Using
your evidence to build an argument
5. Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion
6. Communicate Your Results
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Procedures in research
Where do I start?
➢ When you have to write a research, especially thesis and
dissertation, it can be hard to know where to begin.
➢ The research process often begins with a very broad idea
for a topic you’d like to know more about.
➢ You do some preliminary research to identify a problem.
➢ After refining your research questions, you can lay out
the foundations of your research design, leading to a
proposal that outlines your ideas and plans.
Step-by-step approach to starting and completing a
research 11
Procedures in research
Step 1: Choose your topic
➢ First you have to come up with some ideas.
➢ Think about the general area or field you’re interested in
➢ Do some reading to begin narrowing down your topic.
➢ Look for the top journals in your field and skim through
some recent issues.
➢ If an article interests you, check the reference list to find
other relevant sources.
➢ As you read, take notes and try to identify problems,
questions, debates, contradictions and gaps.
➢ Your aim is to narrow down from a broad area of
interest to a specific niche.
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Procedures in research
Step 1: Choose your topic
➢ Make sure to consider the practicalities: the
requirements of your programme, the amount of time
you have to complete the research, and how difficult it
will be to access sources and data on the topic.
➢ Before moving onto the next stage, it’s a good idea to
discuss the topic with your thesis supervisor/
stakeholders.
➢ The topic should be SMART enough
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Procedures in research
Step 2: Identify a problem
➢ So you’ve settled on a topic and found a niche – but
what exactly will your research investigate, and why
does it matter? To give your project focus and purpose,
you have to define a research problem.
➢ The problem might be a practical issue – for example, a
process or practice that isn’t working well, an area of
concern in an organization’s performance, or a difficulty
faced by a specific group of people in society.
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Procedures in research
Step 2: Identify a problem
➢ Alternatively, you might choose to investigate a
theoretical problem – for example, an underexplored
phenomenon or relationship, a contradiction between
different models or theories, or an unresolved debate
among scholars.
➢ To put the problem in context and set your objectives,
you can write a problem statement. This describes who
the problem affects, why research is needed, and how
your research project will contribute to solving it.
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Procedures in research
Step 3: Formulate research questions
➢ Next, based on the problem statement, you need to write
one or more research questions.
✓ These target exactly what you want to find out.
✓ They might focus on describing, comparing,
evaluating, or explaining the research problem.
➢ A strong research question should be specific enough
that you can answer it thoroughly using appropriate
qualitative or quantitative research methods.
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Procedures in research
Step 3: Formulate research questions
➢ It should also be complex enough to require in-depth
investigation, analysis, and argument.
✓ Questions that can be answered with yes/no or with
easily available facts are not complex enough for a
thesis or dissertation.
➢ In some types of research, at this stage you might also
have to develop a conceptual framework and testable
hypothesis.
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Procedures in research
Step 4: Create a research design
➢ The research design is a practical framework for
answering your research questions.
✓ It involves making decisions about the type of data
you need, the methods you’ll use to collect and
analyze it, and the location and timescale of your
research.
➢ There are often many possible paths you can take to
answering your questions.
✓ The decisions you make will partly be based on your
priorities.
✓ For example, do you want to determine causes and
effects, draw generalizable conclusions, or understand
the details of a specific context?
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Procedures in research
Step 4: Create a research design
➢ You need to decide whether you will use primary or
secondary data and qualitative or quantitative methods.
➢ You also need to determine the specific tools, procedures,
and materials you’ll use to collect and analyze your data,
as well as your criteria for selecting participants or
sources.
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Procedures in research
Step 5: Write a research proposal
➢ Finally, after completing these steps, you are ready to
complete a research proposal.
✓ The proposal outlines the context, relevance, purpose,
and plan of your research.
➢ As well as outlining the background, problem statement,
and research questions, the proposal should also include
a literature review that shows how your project will fit
into existing work on the topic.
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Procedures in research
Step 5: Write a research proposal
➢ The research design section describes your approach and
explains exactly what you will do.
➢ You might have to get the proposal approved by your
supervisor before you get started, and it will guide the
process of writing your thesis or dissertation.
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Purpose of research
The purpose of research is problem solving and
acquiring new knowledge.
• It also reduces the complexity of problems.
• In short, research is used for the purposes of:
✓Describing phenomena
✓Explaining phenomena
✓Predicting phenomena
✓Controlling phenomena
✓Comparing phenomena
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Purpose of research
Description: Pictorial account of the phenomenon being
studied.
✓It is the first step to do in scientific research.
✓It find answers to the questions “what, who and
where”.
Examples
1. Study on characteristics of turbulent flow in open
channel
2. Study on properties of expansive soil at saturation
stage
3. Study on the characteristics of orographic rainfall
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Purpose of research
Explanation: Exploring the causes of the occurrence of
certain event.
✓ It find answers to the questions “why”.
1. Why does ice have lower density than water?
2. Why sandy soils are more susceptible to erosion than
clay soils?
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Purpose of research
Prediction: Generalizing about what will happen in the
future.
Example:
➢ Precipitation of certain region will be decreasing while
the temperature will be increasing in the near future due
to climate change–generalization based on historical
data (observation).
➢ From the analysis of historical data, precipitation looks
decreasing and temperature looks increasing–prediction
from the observed data
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Purpose of research
Comparison: Explore whether two or more groups are
similar or different on a certain behavior or vice versa.
Examples:
➢ Is there gender difference in terms of level of
participation in politics
➢ Any connection between drainage and road
engineering?
➢ Which model is more efficient in estimating
sediment transport, SOBEK or MIKE 11?
The purpose of research in the field of engineering is
ultimately concerned with improving the technology
/industry
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Characteristics of research
➢ Is directed toward the solution of a problem;
➢ Is based upon observable experience or empirical
evidence;
➢ Demands accurate observation and description;
➢ Gathers information from primary or secondary sources.
➢ Follow carefully designed procedures, always applying
rigorous analysis.
➢ Requires expertise
➢ Requires patience and unhurried activity
➢ Carefully recorded and reported
➢ Sometimes requires courage
➢ Emphasizes in the development of generalizations,
principles and theories.
➢ Strives to be objective and logical. 27
Characteristics of research
1. Aim
• The purpose of scientific research is clear – problem solving.
• Examples
- least cost design of hydraulic structures
- optimum allocation of irrigation water to beneficiaries
Sources of problems: Observation, literature reviews,
professional conferences, etc.
2. Rigorous
✓Based on good theoretical base and sound methodology
✓Careful and reliable
Example:
All parameters which affect the design of the
structure must be considered
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Characteristics of research
3. Testability
✓ Test theoretical model by simulation or experiment
✓ Analysis of performance parameter against design
Parameter
4. Replicability
✓The same relationship stands repeatedly under the same
design parameters
5. 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 research
6. Objectivity
✓Conclusions drawn from the analysis of data must be
objective
✓Proven from trend in data
✓Supported by theoretical model
7. Generalizability
✓Scope of applicability
✓The wider, the better
Example: Model Equation developed which is applicable for
design of weirs and dams.
8. Parsimony
✓Simplicity in explaining the phenomena or problem
✓Assumptions are critical
✓Minimize the dependent variable 30
Types of research
Research is an attempt to achieve systematically and with the
support of data the answer to a question, the resolution to a
problem, or the greater understanding of a phenomenon.
Research may be classified:
• Based on purpose
✓ Basic and applied
• Based on source of data
✓ Primary and secondary
• Based on how it is done
✓ Exploratory, descriptive, Empirical, Qualitative
and quantitative, etc.
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Types of research
Types of research based on purpose
• Research could be undertaken to solve:
✓ Theoretical problems – basic research.
✓Practical problems – applied research.
Basic research
• Also known as pure or fundamental research
• Objective:
✓Advancement of knowledge(formulating or expanding
theory)
✓Understanding of theoretical relationship between
variables
✓Exploratory in nature (discovery of knowledge)
✓Requires rigorous and structured type of analysis
✓Usually without any practical end in mind 32
Types of research
Types of research based on purpose: Basic research
• Example:
o At what point in human history did logical thought arise?
o What is the mind-body connection?
o Is computer important in everyday life?
o Existence of life on mars
Applied research
• Solve specific, practical questions
• Can be exploratory, but descriptive and explanatory
i.e. Involves precise measurement of the characteristics and
describes relationships between variables of a studied
phenomenon
• Employs methodology that is not as rigorous as that of basic
research.
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Types of research
Types of research based on purpose: Applied research
Yields findings that can be evaluated in terms of local
applicability and not in terms of universal validity.
Example:
o Search for alternative energy sources for Ethiopia.
o How can communication among workers in large
companies be improved?
o Investigate groundwater potential in X area
o Assess irrigation water demand, etc
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Types of research
Types of research based on purpose:
• The purpose of research is testing theories and apply it to
real situations.
• Most new research questions originate from theories
• Researchers of all disciplines use theories to help them
describe facts.
•Theories are strengthened by test results
Example:
1. Discovery of electromechanical induction by Michael
Faraday leads to the invention of electric devices such as
radios and generators.
2. The discovery of radio active isotopes are now vital for
medical treatment of various diseases, and also used by
archeologists.
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Types of research
Types of research based on purpose:
Therefore,
• basic and applied research are not mutually exclusive.
• There are researches that have both theoretical and
practical implications.
• The distinctionis a matter of emphasis rather than a true
dichotomy.
Example:
Finite difference technique for subsurface flow analysis in
hydraulic structure design.
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Types of research
Types of research based on source of data
Primary and secondary research
✓Primary/field research – the collection of data that
does not already exist.
Primary Data: data collected from participants through
methods such as telephone, mail, online, and face-to-
face (quantitative), and observation studies and focus
groups (qualitative)
✓Secondary/desk research – the summary, collection
and/or synthesis of existing research
Secondary Data: accessing data through sources such as
the internet, organizations and library
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done
Exploratory research
It is most commonly unstructured, “informal” research that is
undertaken to gain background information about the general
nature of the research problem.
Exploratory research is usually conducted when the researcher
does not know much about the problem and needs:
✓ additional information or desires new or more
recent information.
✓ To define terms
✓ To clarify problems and hypotheses
✓ To establish research priorities
Example:
Assessment of structural stability of Gilgel gibe dam. 38
Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done: Exploratory research
Therefore, exploratory research:
✓provides significant insight into a given situation but
not usually useful for decision making by itself.
✓helps to determine the best research design, data
collection method and selection of subjects.
Example:
Why our sales are declining?
A variety of methods are available to conduct exploratory
research:
1. Secondary Data Analysis
2. Surveys
3. Case Analysis
4. Focus Groups
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done:
Empirical Research
✓ It finds a solution empirically (based on observation
and experience more than upon theory and
abstraction). i.e. the research bases its findings on
direct or indirect observation as its test of reality.
✓ It can be qualitative & quantitative.
✓ Statistical formulas are fundamental to forming
logical, valid conclusions.
Example:
Physical model tests in engineering - Proving the
Darcy-Weisbach equation
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done:
Experimental Research
✓ An experiment is a research situation where at least one
independent variable, called the experimental variable, is
deliberately manipulated or varied by the researcher.
✓ Explores cause and effect relationships.
✓ It is common in medical and agricultural
sciences.
• Example:
✓ Effect of different levels of fertilizer application on
the yield of maize.
✓ Eating too many bananas causes constipation
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done: Data type
What is Data?
• Data is a collection of facts, such as values or
measurements.
– It can be numbers, words, measurements, observations
or even just descriptions of things.
Data can be qualitative or quantitative.
• Qualitative data is descriptive information (it describes
something)
• Quantitative data, is numerical information (numbers).
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done:
Quantitative data can also be Discrete or Continuous:
• Discrete data can only take certain values (like whole
numbers)
• Continuous data can take any value (within a range)
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done:
Qualitative research
It is research undertaken to gain insights concerning attitudes,
beliefs, motivations and behaviors of individuals to explore a
social or human problem and include methods such as focus
groups, in-depth interviews, observation research and case
studies.
✓ observations of any behavior that occurs naturally
✓ not conducted under tight controlled conditions
✓ goal - describe what is happening & qualify the
description with language that clearly illustrates what
happened
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done: Qualitative research
✓ does not rely on a lot of numerical calculations
✓ does not manipulate independent variables
✓ does not administer a test or treatment
✓ is flexible in the way knowledge is pursued and
developed
Example:
Many studies in the field of anthropology falls here.
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done:
Quantitative research
It is research concerned with the measurement of attitudes,
behaviours and perceptions and includes interviewing
methods such as telephone, intercept and door-to-door
interviews as well as self-completion methods such as mail
outs and online surveys.
•Relies on strict experimental control
•Uses numerical information to describe behavior
•Numerical in nature
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done: Quantitative research
✓ Primary tool of collection is tests
✓ Procedures are examined for reliability,
✓ validity, and objectivity
✓ Extensive planning
Example:
Survey on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Hawassa
town
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Types of research
Types of research based on how it is done:
Correlational research-
• Makes comparisons, looking for trends or tendencies.
• Better understand the conditions and events that we
encounter (what goes with what)
• To predict future conditions and events.
• Correlations do not show cause and effect. i.e. Detects
relationships between variables but does NOT say that
one variable causes another.
Example:
Association of Watershed management and erosion rate
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Key questions in planning your research
✓ What do I want to know and who am I going to tell?
✓ What kind of evidence will answer my question? How
will I get that evidence?
✓ How will I analyse that evidence?
✓ How can I turn my analysis into publications for a
variety of audiences?
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