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Syllabus — Research Methods

Year I, Part I — MSNCS, IOE Pulchowk, Tribhuvan University. 4 credits.

Chapter 1 — Introduction to Research (10 marks)​

  • 1.1 Scientific Methods and Research: definitions of research, purpose, importance, steps, levels and rigor of research in engineering
  • 1.2 Basic Types of Research: Quantitative/Qualitative, Fundamental/Applied, Descriptive/Analytical, Conceptual/Empirical, Diagnostic/Hypothesis testing, Conclusion-oriented/Decision-oriented, Theoretical/Action, Longitudinal/Cross-sectional
  • 1.3 Research Question, Research Problem, Research Objective, Research Hypothesis
  • 1.4 Designing Research Work: principles of designing research, conceptual framework and its operationalisation, engineering research design

Chapter 2 — Phases and Methods of Engineering Research (8 marks)​

  • 2.1 Desktop Research
  • 2.2 Literature Study
  • 2.3 Theoretical Modelling and Conceptual Frameworks
  • 2.4 Experimental and Study Design
  • 2.5 Data Collection
  • 2.6 Evaluation, Validation and Verification
  • 2.7 Research Ethics

Chapter 3 — Data Collection (5 marks)​

  • 3.1 Collection of Primary Data
  • 3.2 Observation Method
  • 3.3 Interview Method
  • 3.4 Collection of Data through Questionnaires
  • 3.5 Collection of Data through Schedules
  • 3.6 Difference between Questionnaires and Schedules
  • 3.7 Some Other Methods of Data Collection
  • 3.8 Collection of Secondary Data
  • 3.9 Selection of Appropriate Method for Data Collection

Chapter 4 — Processing and Analysis of Data (10 marks)​

  • 4.1 Processing Operations
  • 4.2 Elements/Types of Analysis
  • 4.3 Statistics in Research
  • 4.4 Measures of Central Tendency
  • 4.5 Measures of Dispersion
  • 4.6 Measures of Asymmetry (Skewness)
  • 4.7 Measures of Relationship
  • 4.8 Simple Regression Analysis

Chapter 5 — Testing of Hypotheses (10 marks)​

  • 5.1 Definition of Hypothesis
  • 5.2 Basic Concepts Concerning Testing of Hypotheses
  • 5.3 Procedure for Hypothesis Testing
  • 5.4 Important Parametric Tests (z-test, t-test, χ² test, F-test)
  • 5.5 Hypothesis Testing of Means
  • 5.6 Hypothesis Testing for Comparing Two Related Samples
  • 5.7 Hypothesis Testing of Proportions
  • 5.8 Testing the Equality of Variances of Two Normal Populations
  • 5.9 Hypothesis Testing of Correlation Coefficients
  • 5.10 Limitations of the Tests of Hypotheses

Chapter 6 — Chi-Square Test and ANOVA (7 marks)​

  • 6.1 Chi-square as a Test for Comparing Variance
  • 6.2 Chi-square as a Non-parametric Test
  • 6.3 Conditions for the Application of χ² Test
  • 6.4 Steps Involved in Applying Chi-square Test
  • 6.5 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and ANOVA Technique
  • 6.6 Setting up Analysis of Variance Table
  • 6.7 Coding Method
  • 6.8 Two-way ANOVA

Chapter 7 — Reporting and Managing Research (10 marks)​

  • 7.1 Reporting Results
  • 7.2 Reporting in Multidisciplinary Fields
  • 7.3 Scientific Publishing
  • 7.4 Steps of Continuous Scientific Research
  • 7.5 Open Science
  • 7.6 Project Management (CPM and PERT)
  • 7.7 Gantt Charts
  • 7.8 Seminar
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