DAMBI DOLLO UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
(INDUSTRIAL CONTROL STREAM)
Research Methodology Assignment
Name of members Id
1. Habtamu Shule ………………….2484/21
2. Miratu Genene………………….
3. Sena Alemayo ………………….
4. Dagim Biranu ………………….
5. Yoseph Tariku………………….
6. Nagasa
7. Dereje Jombola…………………

Submitted to: Dr Kiran

1. Write the difference between research & scientific method?
(atleast 10 points)
 comparison of research and the scientific method
Definition:
Research: A systematic process of inquiry that seeks to answer questions, explore
topics, and generate new knowledge. It can be qualitative or quantitative.
Scientific Method: A specific process used in scientific research to collect and analyze
data in a controlled, systematic, and objective way.
2. Scope:
Research: Broader in scope; can encompass various methods such as surveys,
literature reviews, experiments, and case studies.
Scientific Method: Narrower in scope, specifically focused on experiments and
observation within the natural sciences to test hypotheses.
3.Purpose:
Research: The purpose is to generate new knowledge, answer questions, or solve
problems. It can address a wide range of topics, from social sciences to humanities.
Scientific Method: The purpose is to test hypotheses and theories about how the
natural world works by making observations, conducting experiments, and analyzing
results.
4.Approach:
Research: Can be exploratory, descriptive, analytical, or applied. It may involve both
qualitative and quantitative data.
Scientific Method: Follows a strict, step-by-step process of observing, hypothesizing,
experimenting, analyzing, and concluding.
5.Flexibility:
Research: Flexible, can adapt its approach based on the topic, objectives, and nature
of the problem being studied.
Scientific Method: Less flexible, as it follows a predefined set of steps that must be
adhered to for the experiment to be valid.
6. Process:
Research: Involves various stages such as identifying a problem, reviewing literature,
collecting data, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.
Scientific Method: Involves specific steps: observation, hypothesis formation,
experimentation, data collection, analysis, and conclusion.
7. Type of Knowledge:
Research: Can produce both theoretical and applied knowledge across many
disciplines.
Scientific Method: Produces empirical knowledge based on observable, measurable
phenomena in the natural world.
8.Data Collection:
Research: Data collection methods vary widely depending on the research design
(e.g., interviews, surveys, experiments).
Scientific Method: Data is typically collected through controlled experiments and
observations to test a hypothesis.
9. Outcome:
Research: The outcome could be new theories, models, or a solution to a problem,
often with broader implications
Scientific Method: The outcome is often a confirmation or rejection of the hypothesis
based on experimental data.
10.Application:
Research: Can be used in various fields like sociology, psychology, business,
education, and medicine.
Scientific Method: Primarily applied in natural sciences such as biology, chemistry,
physics, and astronomy.
11. Hypothesis Testing:
Research: Not all types of research require hypotheses to be tested. For example,
exploratory research may not involve a hypothesis.
Scientific Method: Always involves the testing of a hypothesis through
experimentation.
12. Objectivity:
Research: Aims to be objective but can incorporate subjectivity, especially in
qualitative studies, where interpretation plays a role.
Scientific Method: Strong emphasis on objectivity; the process is designed to
minimize biases and subjectivity in observations and experiments.
13. Outcome Verification:
Research: The verification or replication of findings depends on the type of research
and methodology used.
Scientific Method: Emphasizes repeatability and falsifiability. Experiments must be
repeatable by others to verify findings.
In summary, research is a broad process that can be applied in various fields, while
the scientific method is a systematic and structured approach used to validate theories
and hypotheses within the scientific realm.
2. How to use information technology in data collection? (atleast 10
points)
Information technology (IT) can be leveraged in data collection through various
methods, including online surveys, mobile apps, and data logging systems. These
tools can automate data entry, enhance efficiency, and improve data quality. Here are
10 specific ways to utilize IT in data collection:
1. Online Surveys:
Create and distribute surveys through platforms like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey,
or Qualtrics, enabling efficient data collection from a wide audience.
2. Mobile Apps:
Develop mobile applications for data collection, allowing users to record information
on their devices, such as surveys or observations, according to Simplilearn.com.
3. Data Logging Systems:
Implement data logging systems for real-time data collection, such as IoT sensors,
which automatically record information from various sources, says Steer.
4. Social Media Data Analysis:
Analyze social media data for trends, sentiments, and other insights by utilizing tools
that parse and organize data from social platforms.
5. Web Scraping:
Use web scraping techniques to collect public data from websites, such as product
prices, reviews, or news articles.
6. Remote Data Collection:
Conduct interviews or focus groups remotely through platforms like Zoom, Google
Meet, or Skype.
7. Automated Data Entry:
Utilize software to automate the process of entering data from paper forms or other
sources into digital databases.
8. GIS Software:
Employ Geographic Information System (GIS) software to collect and manage
geospatial data, such as mapping, and analyzing spatial patterns.
9. Barcode and QR Code Scanners:
Use barcode and QR code scanners for data collection, particularly in inventory
management or tracking systems.
10. Cloud-Based Data Storage:
Store and manage collected data securely and efficiently using cloud-based platforms
like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.
3. What is the difference between qualitative & quantitative
research? Include in your answers mention of advantages &
disadvantages , possible differences in purpose, method, data sources
& data analysis.
Qualitative and quantitative research differ in their approach, purpose, methods, data
sources, and analysis. Qualitative research explores subjective experiences, seeks
meaning, and uses non-numerical data like interviews and observations. Quantitative
research focuses on objective measurements, statistical analysis, and numerical data
like surveys and experiments.
Purpose:
Qualitative: To understand the "why" and "how" behind phenomena, explore
concepts, and generate new theorie
Quantitative: To test hypotheses, measure relationships, and generalize findings to
larger populations.
Methods:
Qualitative: Focus groups, interviews, observations, case studies.
Quantitative: Surveys, experiments, statistical analysis.
Data Sources:
Qualitative: Personal accounts, texts, transcripts, observations.
Quantitative: Numerical data, test scores, website traffic.
Data Analysis:
Qualitative: Thematic analysis, coding, categorization.
Quantitative: Statistical software, regression analysis.
Advantages:
Qualitative: In-depth insights, flexible, adaptable.
Quantitative: Objective, generalizable, statistically robust.
Disadvantages:
Qualitative: Time-consuming, may not be generalizable, subjectivity.
Quantitative: Limited depth, may not capture nuances, risk of bias.
4. Explain overall research methods and presentation step by step
process with an example?
Research involves a systematic process, from initial idea to final presentation. The
methods used can range from surveys to experiments, and the presentation needs to be
clear and concise. A typical research process includes defining the problem, literature
review, developing a research design, collecting data, analyzing results, and
presenting findings.
Research Methods:
Define the Problem: Clearly articulate the research question or problem you aim to
address.
Literature Review: Conduct thorough research to understand existing knowledge on
the topic.
Research Design: Choose the appropriate research approach (e.g., quantitative,
qualitative, or mixed methods).
Data Collection: Gather data using methods like surveys, interviews, experiments, or
observation.
Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data using statistical or qualitative methods.
Interpretation and Conclusion: Interpret the results and draw conclusions based on the
findings.
Presentation Process:
1. Introduction:
Provide context, state the research question, and briefly explain the methods used.
2. Body:
Present the findings in a structured manner, including tables, graphs, and charts to
support your claims.
3. Conclusion:
Summarize the main findings, discuss implications, and suggest future research
directions.
4. Discussion:
Engage with the audience, answer questions, and clarify any doubts.
Example:
Let's say you want to investigate the effect of social media usage on the sleep patterns
of college students.
1. Research Question:
Does increased social media usage lead to poorer sleep quality in college students?
2. Literature Review:
Review existing research on the relationship between social media and sleep.
3. Research Design:
A quantitative study using a survey to collect data on social media usage and sleep
patterns from a sample of college students.
4. Data Collection:
Distribute a survey to a sample of college students, collecting data on social media
usage (e.g., hours per day, types of platforms used) and sleep patterns (e.g., sleep
duration, sleep quality).
5. Data Analysis:
Analyze the survey data using statistical methods to determine if there is a correlation
between social media usage and sleep quality.
6. Presentation:
Present the findings in a research presentation, including tables and graphs to
illustrate the correlation between social media usage and sleep quality. For example, a
scatter plot showing the relationship between hours spent on social media and sleep
quality scores.
This example demonstrates how to apply the research methods and presentation steps
to investigate a specific research question, according to the principles outlined by
Scribbr and VirtualSpeech.