1. Research Methodology EPH 7112 LECTURE 3: RESEARCH PROCESS

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

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

4. Scientific Method History Scientific Revolution Peer Review

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

6. Scientific Method Analysis HypothesisSynthesis Validation

7. Research Process Modern Scientific Method

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

9. Analysis State Objective Investigate Related Work Set Performance Criteria Describe Problem

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

11. Hypothesis Solution can be new or existing Hybrid solution

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

13. Synthesis Even theoretical work require experimentation Burden of proof

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

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

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

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

18. 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

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

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