WHAT IS RESEARCH?

LECTURE OUTLINE/OBJECTIVES
Define research and its importance
Differentiate pure and applied research.
Define a thesis.
Identify important considerations in choosing
a research topic
Identify common mistakes made by beginning
researchers
LECTURE OUTLINE/OBJECTIVES

Identifyimportant considerations in choosing

a mentor (thesis adviser)
Apply the scientific method of learning
Examine the different processes of scientific
method
Familiarize and recognize the need for safety
and ethics in research.
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research - from Old French recerchier, from re-
+ cerchier, sercher , meaning to search or to
seek
- Merriam-Webster online dictionary and thesaurus
Reasons for searching/seeking:
For more explanations
For verifiable truth
To make discoveries
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
the manipulation of things, concepts, or
symbols for the purpose of generalizing; to
extend, correct, or verify knowledge whether
that knowledge aids in the construction of a
theory or in the practice of art
- Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
newly discovered facts or the practical application of
such new or revised conclusions, theories, or laws
- Websters Third New International Dictionary
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
systematic
activity that is directed toward the
development of an organized body of knowledge;

systematic objective analysis and recording of

controlled situations leading to the development of
generalizations, principles or theories;

A formal, scientific, systematic, and intensive

process of carrying on a method of analysis of
controlled data to be able to obtain information as
new knowledge
 What is research?
All researches are directed to

extension of knowledge

solution to a problem that are given in statistical forms

or in quantitative terms, and are used in the analysis
of data

Principal purpose:: preservation and improvement of the

quality of human life
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RESEARCH?

Research enriches our lives

Fast and comfortable land, sea, and air

transportation
Wonders of electricity, electronics, and
technological advances
Reduces our burden of work

Improves our judgment

Increases satisfaction in multiple ways

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 Scientific Research
Basic research involves the search for knowledge for
its own sake.

The findings of basic research can someday be

applied to a specific problem in industry or the
environment.

Some chemists work out the fine points of atomic and

molecular structure
Food technologists have identified local squash varieties
that may be used for food processing.
Some microbiologists have identified bacterial species
for use as probiotics
 Scientific Research
Applied research involves studying a specific problem and
attempting to solve that problem (may be in industry or the
environment).

Prototype of a wastewater treatment system that uses

bacteria

Improving the productivity and sustainability of rice-wheat

systems

Improving the use of RFID for security systems in

organizations
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OUTPUTS OF RESEARCH
Thesis
conducted by an undergraduate or graduate
student
partial fulfillment of the course or degree
defended before a panel of
examiners/reviewers

Research paper
does not require complete parts of a thesis
written as partial fulfillment of a course by a
graduate or undergraduate student
OUTPUTS OF RESEARCH
Special Problem
special type of research
does not require the complete elements of a thesis
Preliminaries
Text

Reference materials

a partial fulfillment usually for a masters degree

program, under care and approval of an adviser
need not be defended before a panel of
examiners/reviewers
not applicable in MCL
THESIS AT MCL:
Enrolled during 5th year, 3 semesters
Thesis 1 (1T) write & defend thesis proposal
Thesis 2 (2T) data gathering stage
Thesis 3 (3T) write results & defend thesis
Defended before a thesis committee

- thesis adviser
- 2 panel members
After the thesis proposal/final defense, there are four
options:
- approved with no revision
- approved with minor revision
- approved with major revision (w/ or w/o redefense)
- not approved
ESSENTIAL FACTORS 3M

MONEY MATERIALS

RESEARCH

MEN
PROCEDURES IN RESEARCH
Recognition for a need for research
Formulation of a specific goal
Devising a specific plan of procedure
Subdivision of problems
Formulation of hypotheses
Use of critical assumptions
Use of specific, measurable data as admissible
ACTIVITIES IN RESEARCH
Identification of a research problem

Collection of data

Analysis of data

Summarizing of results

Drawing conclusions
GETTING STARTED

Select a research topic

Define the research objectives

Determine the information requirements

Select the appropriate tools

GETTING STARTED
Select a research topic

Do your homework

Keep an open mind

Focus, focus, focus

Take things one step at a time

FINDING A GENERAL TOPIC AREA
Common sources of research topics
Personal interests and curiosities
Casual observation
Systematic observation
Practical problems or questions
Vague and fleeting thoughts
Reading reports of others
considerations
FINDING A GENERAL TOPIC AREA
Common mistakes in choosing a topic
Topic is not interesting to a student
Topic is too safe or too easy
Topic is too difficult
Topic is too broad
Sticking with the first topic that comes to
mind
Inadequate literature
RESEARCH TOPICS
Chemical engineering
PIChE (http://www.pichenet.org/)
Other sites
research areas
(http://web.mit.edu/cheme/research/areas/in
dex.html)
branches of engineering
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_chemi
cal_engineering)
CHE Research Thrust

Sustainable solutions through innovations and

technological advancements in Chemical and
Environmental Processes and Materials

Environmental Processes & Technology

Material Science & Engineering
Process Engineering & Design
Biotechnology
Bioenergy & Bioengineering
RESEARCH TOPICS
Civil engineering
PICE (http://www.pice.org.ph/console.htm)
Structural engineering

Geotechnical engineering

Transportation engineering

Water resource and hydraulics engineering

Construction management and engineering

Sub-disciplines
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_engineering)
Civil Engineering Research Thrust

Sustainable material utilization and management:

Waste Material Utilization for Development of

Light Construction Materials
Utility Design Model of Structures for Economy
& Sustainability
Wastewater treatment and Water Purification
RESEARCH TOPICS
Computer engineering
CSP (http://www.csp.org.ph/)
Other sites
computer engineering research
(http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/research/by-
discipline/computer.html)
outline of computer engineering
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_engineering)
Computer Engineering Research Thrust

Ubiquitous system solution and application

towards emerging computing trends
Physical Computing
Human Computer Interaction
Wearable Computer
Ambient Intelligence
Sensor Grid
RESEARCH TOPICS
Electronics and communications engineering
IECEP (http://www.iecep.ph/national/)
Electronics and communications engineering journal
(http://www.ietdl.org/ECEJ)
Digital signal processing

Electronics

Instrumentation and control

Microelectronics

Robotics

Telecommunications
Electronics & Communications Engineering

Innovative solutions through integration of emerging

electronic technologies
Semiconductor & Electronic Design
Electronic & Information Technologies
Smart Systems
Instrumentation & Control Systems
Automated Test Development
Automation & Robotics
Biomedical
Electrical Engineering Research Thrust

Generation and delivery of sustainable

energy for efficient utilization
Alternative/Renewable Energy
Energy Conversion
Smart Grid
Power Quality
Equipment Protection
Instrumentation
Automation & Control
RESEARCH TOPICS
Industrial engineering
PIIE (http://www.piie.org/)
Other sites
areas of concern
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_engineering)
Industrial Engineering

Continuous Quality Improvement through Development

of Industrial Systems:

Manufacturing and Production Systems

Product Innovation
Quality and Reliability Engineering
RESEARCH TOPICS
Mechanical engineering
PSME (http://www.psme1952.org/)
Other sites
fundamental subjects
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_engineering)
Mechanical Engineering

Utilization of available energy resources

Renewable Energy Technologies
Waste Heat Recovery Systems
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Systems
Biofuels
Research Proposal - SMART
Specific
Measurable

Attainable

Realistic

Time-bound

For RES101P and for your thesis during 5th year!

 Scientific Method

The scientific method involves

Identifying a problem
Making Observations
Writing a Hypothesis
Data Gathering experiments,
survey, interview, focus grp etc.
Making Conclusions or Generalizations
Proposing a Theory (not always
applicable)

Copyright 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

47
Features of the Scientific Method

Observations
Facts obtained by observing and measuring events in nature.
Hypothesis
A statement that attempts to explain the observations.
Experiments & other data gathering methods (survey, interview, etc.)
Procedures that test the hypothesis.
Theory
A model that describes how the observations occur using
experimental results.

48
The Scientific Method
in Operation

Cycle
Not rigid
Believe results
No preconceptions
No true starting place
Results must be
reproducible
Cycle is continuous
Summary of the Scientific Method

Copyright 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

50
 Summary of the Scientific
Method

Critical step: Communicate the

results

*Scientific paper
* Scientific conference/ meetings
Communication Among Scientists
Collaboration
Scientific/Technical Meetings/ Conferences

Peer reviewed Journals

Cornerstone of science
www.sciencedirect.com
www.ieee.org
 ACTIVITY 1

Propose 3 specific research topics of interest

Indicate your reason for choosing these specific topics

Consult with Maam Aurin for initial approval of topics.

Have a professor from one of your major courses sign and

approve your proposed research topics

Write on sheet of yellow paper; include your names, section,

program of study and the date of submission.

Remember that your research must be SMART!

(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound)
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