The Research Road Map

10 steps in the research process

Step 1: Identify a research topic, i.e. the broad subject area to be investigated.

Step 2: Identity a problem within the broad topic area, which is worth finding a solution (people problem / technical problem).

Step 3: Formulate a research question, the answer to which will hopefully solve the problem

Step 4: Conduct literature survey to find out if anyone else has ever done anything to solve the same or similar problems. Find out what others have done? What was their approach/methodology? What were their findings? After literature survey, if you still think that you have a better idea to solve the problem more adequately or in a more economical or ecological way, go to step 4; otherwise go back to step 1.

Step 5: Formulate hypotheses to solve the problem or to get answer to the research question

Step 6: Identify data required to accept or reject the hypotheses

Step 7: Formulate a strategy to gather, organize, analyze and interpret the required data

Step 8: Obtain the identified data through experiments, surveys, historical records etc. to accept or reject the hypothesis

Step 9: Organize, analyze and interpret the data to accept or reject the hypotheses

Step 10: Draw conclusions

Difference between basic and applied research

Basic research	Applied Research
· Main motivation is to expand man’s knowledge or understanding about a phenomenon, not to create or invent something or to solve a practical problem · There are usually no commercial applications in mind · Examples: · How was the earth created? · Why some roses are red and some are pink?	· Main motivation is to solve a practical problem, develop a new product or process, or improve an existing product or process, and not just to acquire knowledge for knowledge’s sake. · There are usually a commercial applications in mind · Examples: · How can we develop more energy efficient dyeing processes? · How can we avoid catalytic damage of cotton fabric during bleaching?

What is 'research'?

According to http://www.etymonline.com, the word “research” comes from “recerche” (1539) of the Middle French (the French language as written and spoken c.1400-c.1600) or “recercher” from the Old French (the French language as written and spoken c. 900-1400.), meaning "to seek out, or search closely” (from re-, intensive prefix, + cercher "to seek for").

According to http://www.experiment-resources.com, the scientific definition of ‘research’ is:

“A methodical study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific question”.

According to http://linguistics.byu.edu, ‘research’ is:

“An organized and systematic way of finding answers to important questions”

Every research is focused on answering an important question. In scientific research, the process of finding the answer is well thought-out, well-planned, well-structured and well-organized comprising definite sets of procedures and steps.

What is 'quality education'?

Quality of life of citizens of any nation cannot be better than the quality of their education. Education is not just about memorizing some facts without any context and perspective. It is about bringing a positive cognitive and behavioural change in students, and helping them out in identifying, preserving and actualizing their potentials. It is not only enabling them to solve technical problems in their professional life but also making them adept in successfully handling social situations in life by equipping them with universal values of integrity, honesty, trust, tolerance, fairness, equity and justice. Learning outcomes of any educational program must carry a balance between the ‘professional competence’ and a good ‘moral character’. Against this backdrop, we can define ‘Quality Education’ as the one which ensures ‘professional competence’ along with good ‘moral character’ in students through a positive cognitive and behavioural change.

Desire, Reason and Revelation

Reason (or intellect) guides us to the ways and means for the fulfillment of our desires.

Revelation (i.e. Allah's Guidance) guides us on which desires are right and which are wrong.

Revelation also guides us on which ways and means, of fulfillment of our desires, are right and which are wrong.

Can Absolute Truth be Found through Sensory Perception?

We can find only RELATIVE truth through sensory perception.

Here is why I think so:

Give 10 master pieces of art to 10 different assessors and ask them to rank these in the descending order of beauty. Since, all assessors have RELATIVE perception of beauty, the ranking lists will vary in order from person to person.

Similarly, give 10 different melodies, 10 different foods, 10 different perfumes and 10 different pieces of fabrics to be ranked in the descending order of melodiousness, taste, smell and handle. You will find out that the order of preference will vary from man to man. Doesn't it mean that our sensory perceptions are RELATIVE? How can we find Absolute Truth through sensory perception which is so relative.

What is Thinking?

Sensing: Receiving data through senses.

Perceiving: Interpreting the data received through senses.

Thinking: Knowing the implications of the interpreted data.

What is Truth?

When you are at the receiving end,

Truth is 'agreement between your PERCEPTION and the REALITY', i.e. if you have perceived something as it REALLY is, you have found the TRUTH.

When you are at the giving end,

Truth is 'agreement between your words and your thoughts', i.e. if you speak with your tongue what is in your heart, you are telling the TRUTH. If you are telling something different than which is in your heart, you are not telling the truth.

Do Science & Religion have different realms?

Isn't it so that science is mainly concerned with "what or how it is?"

And religion is mainly concerned with "What or how it ought to be?"