Prof Sameh Saad

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Understanding of the five Ws
What?
What is your research?
Need to be answered as specifically as possible.
Why?
Why do you want to do the research?
You are interested in the topic.
You have identified a gap in the literature.
Youre conducting the research for a university dissertation or project. Will your research
generate enough material to write a dissertation of required length?
Who?
Who are my research participant?
People involved, participants in the interviews, questionnaire.
Where?
Where are you going to conduct your research?
Think about the resources.
When?
When am I going to do the research?
Think about the time scale.

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How to decide upon a methodology?
Or
How youre going to do your research?
You need to think about your
Research Methodology:
It is the philosophy or general principle which guides the research
overall approach to studying your topic and includes issues you need
to think about such as the constraints, dilemmas and ethical choices
within your research.
Research Method:
It is the tool(s) you use to represent the problem to gather
results/data such as mathematical modelling, simulation modelling,
questionnaires or interviews.

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Example

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How to choose your research
methods
It depends on the type of research you are undertaking:
Descriptive research
Analytical research
Applied/action research
Basic/fundamental research
Conceptual research
Quantitative research
Qualitative research

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Descriptive research
Survey & fact finding enquiries of different kinds
Purpose is description of the state of relationships as it
exists at present.
Researcher has no control over the variables; he/she can
only report what has happened or what is happing.
Such as:
Survey research
The case study
Job analysis
Observation research
Correlation study
Comparative study

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Analytical research
Involves in-depth study and evaluation of available
information in an attempt to explain complex
phenomenon.
The researcher has to use facts or information already
available and analyse them to make a critical evaluation of
the materials.
Such as:
Historical research
Philosophical research
Review
Research synthesis (meta analysis i.e. Analysis the review that
already published as first step)
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Basic/Pure/Fundamental research
Generalisation and with the formulation of theory.
Natural phenomenon and mathematics are the
examples.
Finding information in broad base.

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Applied/Action research
Finding an immediate solution for a problem
Such as:
Marketing research
Evaluation research

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Conceptual/Experimental research
Attempt to establish cause and effect relationship.

System

Experiment with the actual

Experiment with a model of the system
system

Mathematical model Physical model

Analytical solution Simulation

Mathematical programming Static or dynamic

Queuing theory deterministic or stochastic
Heuristics Continuous or discrete or combined
Algorithms

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Recognising Qualitative and
Quantitative Research
You need to think about the differences between
qualitative and quantitative research
Qualitative research
Explores attitudes, behaviour and experiences through
such methods as interviews or focus group. It attempts
to get an in-depth opinion from participants
Quantitative research
Generates statistics through the use of large scale survey
research using methods such as questionnaires or
structured interviews or generate results through
mathematical/simulation modelling methods.

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Qualitative research
Based on opinion of individuals, group discussions
interviews
questionnaires
case studies
Focus groups

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Quantitative research
Based on measurement of quantity or amount.
Weighing, measuring are examples of quantitative
research.
Mathematics
Heuristics
Algorithms
Simulation
Experimentations

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How do I choose a research
methods?
Did you enjoy mathematics? (statistical software, data
analysis).
Would you find it interesting to conduct simulation
study?
Would you find it interesting to conduct interviews?
Would you find it interesting to design and conduct
questionnaires?
Etc.

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What skills and experience do I
have which help me in my research
Good literature search skills
Organisation and time management skills
Think about your knowledge and experience to help in
addressing the problem you have identified.

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Matching methodology with topic
1) decide which is the best methodology for your research
Qualitative or Quantitative research
Words like how many, test, verify, how often, how satisfied,
these suggest a leaning towards quantitative research.
Words like discover, motivation, experiences, behaviour,
these suggest a leaning towards qualitative research.
You may have written combination of these words, which
could means:
You might need to think about combining both qualitative and
qualitative research.
It could mean that your ideas are still unclear and that you need to
focus a little more.

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Scientific method of problem
solving/research process
Formulation of research problem
Review of literature
Developing hypothesis
Preparing research and sample design
Collecting data
Execution of project
Analysis of data
Hypothesis testing
Discussion
Preparation of report or thesis
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How can I remain interested in my
research?
Choose a topic which interests you.
Be creative and think about something which will
fascinate you.
If the topic was chosen for you, try to choose a research
method which interests you.

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Contribution and Assessment Mode
Contribution
Programme: MSc and MBA
Credits: 60 (15% of the marks towards a Research
Methods Component)
Research Methods Final Mark
Final Project
(15%) (100%)
(85%)
within the first month 60 credits

Contribution to overall mark of your degree: 33%

Assessment Mode:
100% continuous assessment
Number of Hours: 600 (contact hours and directed
learning)
Types of Projects
Two types of projects:
Design and implement projects
Industry oriented projects, realistic exercise, promote an
awareness of the practical issues facing engineers in industry,
and provide excellent experience.
Investigative projects
Associated with the research work of members of staff, a joint
author of a publication, good for your CV, raises the national
profile of the Faculty, bring your knowledge to the state of the
art.

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Projects examples (2011-2014)
Hugo Boos (Italy): Reconfiguration of Shoe Factory: Fractal design approach.
Volvo (Sweden): A study on improvement of the procurement performance at VOLVO
Lastvagnar AB, Sweden.
Research-based Project: Supplier selection Criteria in Fractal Supply Chain.
Corus (Sheffield): Sales and Operations Planning at Corus.
Boots (Nottingham): Development of Inventory Control System for specialised lines at
Boots.
Boots (Nottingham): Lean implementation in supply chain at Boots.
Boots (Nottingham): Modelling and analysis of lean implementation in Boots' supply
chain.
Embrace. A Sheffield Childrens Hospital funded charity used to transport sick babies
around the region. Outcome: may decide to purchase a helicopter.
Gripple. Assessing risk within the supply-chain. A KTP student at PMSDiecasting,
(Gripples casting supplier).
Gunstones bakery:
Optimum Resource Allocation and Eliminating Waste In Gunstones Bakery Wrapping Section.
Lean Techniques; Possibilities for the Food Industry.
Process Improvements Through Implementation of Lean in a Manufacturing Environment.