Research Methodologies for Beginners

This textbook introduces the general points of view of research methodology in the scientific and engineering fields of studies and presents an overview of the technical and professional communication needed for article publication in journals. It comprises several practice exercises that will give beginners the confidence to move on the communicative activities. Every chapter provides problem sets that will help readers check their understanding of each concept. The book will also help readers formulate specific research topics, research questions, and hypotheses; conduct literature reviews relevant to the research topics; develop applicable research methodologies; and write and present their research outlining the key elements of the proposed projects. It is very useful for students and researchers opting for a course on research methodology and for seminars at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Introduction Overview Impact Factor Research Criteria Format of Paper Status of Report Problems Selection of Topic Topic of the Study Basic Research Applied Research Problems Clarity of Abstract and Conclusion Abstract Conclusion Grammar Problems Introduction to Report Literature Survey and Developing a Conceptual Framework Introduction of the Problem References Problems Data Collection Methods Experiment Method Design and Construction Quantitative and Qualitative Methods Problems Data Analysis of Report Results and Discussion Problems Research Ethics Ethics Plagiarism Checker Problems Presentation Format Oral Presentation Poster Presentation Research Proposal Problems

Kitsakorn Locharoenrat is associate professor at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand. He obtained his BS in chemical engineering (1994) from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand; MS in processing technology (2000) from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand; and PhD in physical materials science (2007) from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan. His current research interests are synthesis of nanomaterials, optical microscopy and spectroscopy, and optical imaging.