Research Methodology EPH 7112 LECTURE 3: RESEARCH PROCESS

Contents Scientific Method Research Process Analysis Hypothesis Synthesis Validation Iterative vs. Recursive Execution

Scientific Method History Dark Ages Renaissance period Guttenberg & the printing press The birth of scientific method – Paracelsus Galileo

Scientific Method History Scientific Revolution Peer Review

Scientific Method What is it? Comprises of 4 sequential phrases Analysis Hypothesis Synthesis Validation Applied iteratively and recursively To achieve task objective

Scientific Method Analysis HypothesisSynthesis Validation

Research Process Modern Scientific Method

Analysis Purpose: Gain clear and comprehensive understanding Establish the constraints Formulate specific objectives

Analysis State Objective Investigate Related Work Set Performance Criteria Describe Problem

Hypothesis Specify detail and comprehensive solution Assert expected results Define factors that will be varied Measure against performance metrics

Hypothesis Solution can be new or existing Hybrid solution

Synthesis Implement the solution After rigorous experiment design considering Constraints Factors Results are composed Suitable for computation

Synthesis Even theoretical work require experimentation Burden of proof

Validation Performance is computed from results Appropriate conclusion is drawn Complete documentation Publication Peer review

Iterative Execution A single pass through the scientific method not sufficient Iterative At any step The whole process

Iterative Execution Typically iterative at Synthesis Validation Example Return to experiment design Return to modify hypothesis Return to Analysis phase to reduce performance criteria

Feasibility study Useful to carry out informal study Quick Saves time and money Important to record the details Simulation tools Mathematical Models

Feasibility study Suitable at any stage of Scientific Method Remember! Results are not conclusive Once feasibility study is positive, formal and careful planning is essential

Recursive Execution The task is not single layered Often recursive Example: Experiment design in Synthesis Require Analysis of available methods of experiment

Conclusion Scientific Method as guideline for R&D activity Planning is essential Executed iteratively and recursively