Research Methodology

EPH 7112

LECTURE 4: ANALYSIS PHASE

Contents

Analysis phaseObjectiveDescribe problemSet performance criteriaInvestigate related workIdentifying the objectives of the studyAssignment: Critical Review

Analysis phase

Stems from the Greek wordAnaluein – to undoAna – throughoutLuein – to loosen

Analysis phase

Implies fundamental process of analysis

To disassemble something Into its component parts

Analysis phase objective

Gain thorough understanding

of the components of the problem

leading to a specific objective

for the task

Analysis phase steps

Describe problem Set performance criteria Investigate related work State objective

Car breaks down

Study the symptoms Read the manuals Call your friend Call AAM Sldnflsn Sdnfks slndflnd

Step 1: Describe problem

What seems to be the problem?

“I have a sore throat” “What is this rash on my

arm?” “Please find out what’s

causing these terrible headache”

Describe problem

“I have a sore throat” - Complaint “What is this rash on my arm?” -

Question “Please find out what’s causing these

terrible headache” - Requirement

Describe problem

Doctor will diagnose illness Explore background Objective: run test to diagnose illness Hypotheses determine what test Synthesis carry out test Validation: conclusion Research Task – acquire

knowledge

Describe problem

“Please treat my tonsillitis” Doctor will provide medication Development task

Apply existing knowledge to create an effect

Problem statement

Expressed as an interrogative sentencedeclarative sentenceimperative sentence

that summarizes a question, complaint or requirement

Problem statement

Background to problem required Minimize initial conditions To allow innovation

Step 2: Set Performance Criteria Requirements any solution to problem

must fulfill Clearly defined Explained and justified

Set performance criteria

Avoid performance criteria that are: Excessively precise Conflicting

Hard rules vs. Soft rules Limitations limit innovation

Set performance criteria

Development projects constrained byMarket demandApplication domain

Set performance criteria

Aerospace new plane to carry 450 passengers maximum range > 10,000 km

Result of market survey Profitable routes

Set performance criteria

Microchip manufacturer

run 3 times faster than closest competitor heat dissipation and power requirement

suitable for laptop

Step 3: Investigate related work

Investigate what has been done before

To avoid reinventing the wheel

Investigate related work

The objective may have been achieved in the past

Results can be acquired and applied Especially if industrial research Purchase the solution! Buy vs. Make

Investigate related work

Postgraduate – academic research Need original and significant contribution No news is good news Secure publication fast

Investigate related work

How to investigate? Typically from literature searches Printed version Online version

Investigate related work

Printed version

Investigate related work

Online version

Investigate related work

Library resourcesOnline databasesOnline JournalsThesis collectionBooksE-booksSerial collection

Investigate related work

Books Monographs Technical reports Internet Newspaper Magazine Manufacturer technical specification

Investigate related work

Easily accessible Often overlooked

discussion with colleaguesnetworking at conferences and

meetingstechnical seminarsVendors and suppliers

Investigate related work

Critical review Scrutinize ideas & findings

Step 4: State objective

To express what to achieve Single objective Highly specific Realistic expectation

State objective

S. M. A. R. T. S – specific M – measurable A – attainable R – realistic T – time frame

Conclusion

Analysis phase is fundamental to the Scientific Method

To seek understanding of the problem Carried out iteratively and recursively