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“ We are dedicated to innovative knowledge”, ASTU

 Adama Science and Technology University
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture

Research methods for Engineering

By
Dr.Kabtamu G,PhD in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering),
Assistant Professor, Concrete Structures and Earthquake Analysis
ASTU, CoCEA, Civil Eng. Department
February 2025
 Research Method Components Outline (AAU-Book)
Unit 1: The Concept of Research
Lesson 1: Sources of Knowledge
Lesson 2: Definition and Purposes of Research
Lesson 3: Philosophy of Research
Unit 2: Types of Research
Lesson 1: Classification of Research
Lesson 2: Basic and Applied Research
Lesson 3: Descriptive, Explanatory and Exploratory Research
Lesson 4: Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Unit 3: Process in Research Proposal Development(Title,Problem,Variables)
Lesson 1: What is the Research Proposal?
Lesson 2: Components of Research Proposal
Unit 4: Process in Conducting Research (model,test,collect,analysis)
Lesson 1: The Research Processes
Lesson 2: The Research Processes Described
Unit 5: Research Ethics ( Plagiarism)
Lesson 1: The Basics
Lesson 2: Research Ethics Explained
Lesson 3: Codes and Policies for Research Ethics
Unit 6: Reporting Research Findings (Publish)
Lesson 1: Writing a Scientific Report
Lesson 2: Oral Presentation
 Outline of Chapter 1
 Research concept
 Definition, and importance
 Scientific Method: Research Procedures
 Types of research : Selection of types
 Research process
 Identification of Research Problem
 Setting Research Topic and Objectives
 Sources of Research Problems and Fixing Topics
 Literature and Review : Previous works and Identify gaps
 Sources of Literatures
 Formulating Research Variables for Data Collection
 Formulate Hypothesis and Choose Research Method
 What is research?
Research is an endeavour to discover answers to intellectual and
practical problems through the application of scientific method.

“Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge”.

-Redman and Mory.

Research is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information

(data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about
which we are concerned or interested.
 What research is not?
Not Mere gathering of information from Internet, Library or
else where

Not Transportation of facts from one location other location:

Example Book Donors; From USA to Ethiopia etc

Not assembly or recording information without interpretation

What research is not?
 Objectives of Research
The purpose of research is to discover answers through the application of
scientific procedures.

The objectives are:

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it –

Exploratory or Formative Research.
To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation
or a group – Descriptive Research.
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else – Diagnostic Research.
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables – Hypothesis-
Testing Research.
 Characteristics of Research

Research is directed towards the solution of a problem.

Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence.
Research demands accurate observation and description.
Research involves gathering new data from primary sources or using existing
data for a new purpose.
Research activities are characterized by carefully designed procedures.
Research requires expertise i.e., skill necessary to carryout investigation,
search the related literature and to understand and analyze the data gathered.
Research is objective and logical – applying every possible test to validate the
data collected and conclusions reached.
Research involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems.
Research requires courage.
Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity.
Research is carefully recorded and reported.
 SCIENTIFIC METHOD

 ‘Science’ refers to the body of systematic and organised

knowledge which makes use of scientific method to acquire
knowledge in a particular field of enquiry.

 Scientific method is the systematic collection of data (facts)

and their theoretical treatment through proper observation,
experimentation and interpretation.

 Scientific method attempts to achieve a systematic

interrelation of facts by experimentation, observation, and
logical arguments from accepted postulates and a combination
of these three in varying proportions.
 BASIC POSTULATES
IN SCIENTIFIC METHOD

 It relies on empirical evidence.

 It utilizes relevant concepts.
 It is committed to only objective considerations.
 It presupposes ethical neutrality.
 It results into probabilistic predictions.
 The methodology is made known.
 Aims at formulating scientific theories.
 CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH

 Purpose clearly defined.

 Research process detailed.
 Research design thoroughly planned.
 High ethical standards applied.
 Limitations frankly revealed.
 Adequate analysis for decision maker’s needs.
 Findings presented unambiguously.
 Conclusions justified.
 Researcher’s experience reflected.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD RESEARCH

 Systematic
 Logical
 Empirical
 Replicable
 Creative
 Use of multiple methods
 NEED FOR RESEARCH

 EXPLORATION
 DESCRIBE
 DIAGNOSE
 HYPOTHESIS
 INDUCTIONS AND DEDUCTIONS
Why research is so important?

SCOPE / SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

 RESEARCH FOR DECISION MAKING

 Throws light on risks and uncertainty

 Identify alternative courses of action

 Helps in economic use of resources

 Helps in project identification

Why research is so important? Cont’d
 Solves investment problems

 Solves pricing problems

 Solves allocation problems

 Solves decision making issues in HR

 Solves various operational and planning

problems of business and industry
 Why research is so important? Cont’d
 Provides the basis for all government policies in our
economic system.

 Helps social scientists in studying social relationships and

in seeking answers to various social problems.

 For students, research means a careerism or a way to

attain a high position in the social structure.

 For professionals in research, it may mean a source of

livelihood.
 Why research is so important? Cont’d

 For philosophers and thinkers, research means the

outlet for new ideas and insights.

 For literary men and women, research means

development of new styles and creative work.

 For analysts and intellectuals, research means

generalizations of new theories.
 PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH

 Not similar to science

 Uncontrollable variables
 Human tendencies
 Time and money
 Lack of computerization
 Lack of scientific training in the methodology of
research
 PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH Contd’
 Insufficient interaction between university
research departments and business
establishments

 Lack of confidence on the part of business units

to give information

 Lack of code of conduct

 Difficulty of adequate and timely secretarial

assistance
 PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH Contd’
 Poor library management and functioning

 Difficulty of timely availability of published data.

 Ignorance

 Research for the sake of research-limited practical

utility though they may use high sounding
business jargon.
ROLE OF RESEARCH IN DECISION-MAKING

 Decision-making is the process of selecting the best

alternative from the available set of alternatives.

 Management is chiefly concerned with decision-making

and its implementation.

 These decisions should be based on appropriate studies,

evaluations and observations.

 Research provides us with knowledge and skills needed

to solve the problems and to meet the challenges of a
fast paced decision-making environment.
 According to Herbert A Simon, decision-making involves three
activities:

 Intelligence Activity - scanning the environment for

identifying conditions necessary for the decision.

 Designing Activity - identifying, developing and analyzing the

alternative courses of action.

 Choice Activity - choosing the best course of action from among

the alternatives.
 FACTORS THAT AFFECT MANAGERIAL
DECISIONS

 INTERNAL FACTORS – factors present inside an

organisation such as resources, technology, trade
unions, cash flow, manpower etc.

 EXTERNAL FACTORS – factors present outside the

organisation such as government policies, political
factors, socio-economic factors, legal framework,
geographic and cultural factors etc.

 QUANTITATIVE FACTORS – factors that can be

measured in quantities such as time, resources, cost
factors etc.
 QUALITATIVE FACTORS – factors that cannot be
measured in quantities such as organizational
cohesiveness, sense of belonging of employees, risk of
technological change etc.

 UNCERTAINITY FACTORS – factors which cannot

be predicted.
 References
 Abiy Zegeye et.al (2009). Introduction to research methods,
Addis Ababa University
 Thiel, D. V. (2014). Research Methods for Engineers,
Cambridge University Press.
 Alley, Michael (2008) The craft of scientific presentation.
Critical steps to succeed and critical errors to avoid. New
York, Springer Verlag, LLC.
 Alley, Michael (2008) The craft of scientific writing, 3rd Ed.
New York, Springer
Verlag, LLC.
Thank You