RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Syllabus (24MNP3S3L)

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M.Tech (Mineral Processing) Third Semester

Objective:

1. The objectives of this course are to identify the problem statement, review the literature, and analyze the data.

UNIT-I (9 Hours)

• Nature and importance of research
• Aims, Objectives, and Principles
• Fundamental research vs. applied research with examples
• Qualitative vs. Quantitative research
• Theoretical research vs. experimental research with examples
• Selection of a research problem and Sources of literature
• Journals, Conferences, Books
• Types of sources: Literature Survey engines - Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, NCBI, Scihub, etc.
• Science citation index: Citations, h-index, i10 index, impact factor

UNIT-II (9 Hours)

• Data Collection Methods
• Framing a hypothesis
• Designing controlled experiments
• Choosing the sample size
• Sampling bias
• Importance of independent replicates
• Conducting an experiment
• Maintaining a lab notebook to record observations
• Identifying experimental errors
• Case studies on well-designed experiments vs. poorly designed experiments
• Fundamentals of MINITAB
• Designing experiments and analysis using MINITAB

UNIT-III (9 Hours)

• Data Presentation and Writing
• Technical presentation
• Technical writing
• Formatting citations
• MS Excel for plotting the data (pie chart, plots, bar charts)
• Analysis using software tools
• Descriptive Statistics: Mean, standard deviation, variance, plotting data, and understanding error bars
• Curve Fitting: Correlation and Regression
• Distributions: Normal Distribution, Gaussian distribution, skewed distributions
• Inferential Statistics: Hypothesis testing and understanding p-value
• Parametric tests: t-test, ANOVA
• Tests to analyze categorical data: Chi-square test

Course Outcomes:

1. Disseminate the knowledge by reading research articles
2. Able to draft the research objectives and set the scope of the work
3. Discuss the research reports

References (Indicative):

1. C.R. Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, II Ed. New Age International Publishers, (2009).
2. Shanthibhushan Mishra, Shashi Alok, Handbook of Research Methodology, I Ed, 2017, Educreation Publishers.
3. Basic Statistical Tools in Research and Data Analysis (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037948/).

Course Title: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Course Code: 24MNP3S3L
Total Contact Hours: 27
Course Credits: 02
Formative Assessment Marks: 20
Duration of ESA/Exam: 1
Summative Assessment Marks: 30

Research Methodology MCQ 2

MCQs 2 

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1. Research methodology is best described as:
   A. A system for collecting data
   B. A way to systematically solve a research problem
   C. A list of research tools
   D. A method for hypothesis testing
   Key: B. A way to systematically solve a research problem

2. The primary goal of exploratory research is to:
   A. Test a hypothesis
   B. Develop hypotheses or insights
   C. Prove existing theories
   D. Analyze experimental data
   Key: B. Develop hypotheses or insights

3. In research, a dependent variable is:
   A. A variable that is manipulated
   B. A variable that changes due to manipulation
   C. A constant factor
   D. An unrelated factor
   Key: B. A variable that changes due to manipulation

4. The term "scientific method" emphasizes:
   A. Intuition-based decision-making
   B. Subjective thinking
   C. Systematic and logical approaches
   D. Historical research only
   Key: C. Systematic and logical approaches

5. A good hypothesis should be:
   A. Vague and flexible
   B. Specific and testable
   C. Based on assumptions
   D. Complex and broad
   Key: B. Specific and testable

6. Which of these is NOT a characteristic of qualitative research?
   A. Focus on understanding behaviors
   B. Use of small sample sizes
   C. Emphasis on statistical analysis
   D. Exploration of motivations and opinions
   Key: C. Emphasis on statistical analysis

7. The primary purpose of a pilot study is to:
   A. Finalize the research report
   B. Identify flaws in the study design
   C. Test the main hypothesis
   D. Conduct full-scale research
   Key: B. Identify flaws in the study design

8. What does "sampling frame" mean?
   A. A subset of the population
   B. A list of all population elements
   C. A method for data collection
   D. A statistical tool for analysis
   Key: B. A list of all population elements

9. The term "statistical significance" means:
   A. The results are due to random chance
   B. The results are unlikely to be due to chance
   C. Data collection is complete
   D. The hypothesis is invalid
   Key: B. The results are unlikely to be due to chance

10. The purpose of random sampling is to:
    A. Eliminate errors
    B. Ensure every population member has an equal chance of selection
    C. Reduce the sample size
    D. Increase research complexity
    Key: B. Ensure every population member has an equal chance of selection

11. Which of the following is a primary data collection method?
    A. Literature review
    B. Case studies
    C. Experiments
    D. Internet databases
    Key: C. Experiments

12. Which is an example of secondary data?
    A. Data collected through interviews
    B. Data from published reports
    C. Data obtained through lab experiments
    D. Observations recorded in real-time
    Key: B. Data from published reports

13. What is the key purpose of a control group in experiments?
    A. To ensure faster results
    B. To compare with the experimental group
    C. To eliminate errors
    D. To represent the whole population
    Key: B. To compare with the experimental group

14. The mean is best described as:
    A. The most frequent value in a dataset
    B. The middle value in an ordered dataset
    C. The average value of a dataset
    D. The range of a dataset
    Key: C. The average value of a dataset

15. What does a histogram represent?
    A. Trends over time
    B. Frequency distribution of a dataset
    C. Correlation between variables
    D. Proportions within a sample
    Key: B. Frequency distribution of a dataset

16. Which of the following tests is used for hypothesis testing of means?
    A. t-test
    B. Chi-square test
    C. Regression analysis
    D. ANOVA
    Key: A. t-test

17. What does "confidence interval" indicate?
    A. The exact value of a parameter
    B. The range within which the true parameter lies with a certain probability
    C. The sampling error
    D. The mean of the dataset
    Key: B. The range within which the true parameter lies with a certain probability

18. In a negatively skewed distribution:
    A. The mean is greater than the median
    B. The median is greater than the mean
    C. The mean equals the median
    D. The mode is greater than the mean
    Key: B. The median is greater than the mean

19. What is the purpose of inferential statistics?
    A. To summarize and describe data
    B. To make predictions or generalizations from data
    C. To test experimental methods
    D. To compare data sources
    Key: B. To make predictions or generalizations from data

20. What does the term "null hypothesis" represent?
    A. The main hypothesis of the study
    B. A statement of no effect or relationship
    C. A summary of research objectives
    D. A proven scientific fact
    Key: B. A statement of no effect or relationship

21. MS Excel is commonly used for:
    A. Writing literature reviews
    B. Creating visual data representations
    C. Statistical tests
    D. Conducting surveys
    Key: B. Creating visual data representations

22. What is a pie chart best used for?
    A. Showing frequency distribution
    B. Displaying proportions of categories
    C. Comparing trends over time
    D. Showing error distributions
    Key: B. Displaying proportions of categories

23. Which of these is an example of inferential statistics?
    A. Calculating mean
    B. Conducting ANOVA
    C. Generating a histogram
    D. Tabulating raw data
    Key: B. Conducting ANOVA

24. A research report typically begins with:
    A. Analysis
    B. Conclusions
    C. Objectives and scope
    D. Statistical methods
    Key: C. Objectives and scope

25. The main limitation of qualitative research is:
    A. It is expensive
    B. It is time-consuming
    C. Its results are harder to generalize
    D. It requires large samples
    Key: C. Its results are harder to generalize

26. In a controlled experiment, the independent variable is:
    A. Constant
    B. Manipulated
    C. Measured for changes
    D. Unrelated to the dependent variable
    Key: B. Manipulated

27. A scatter plot is best for:
    A. Displaying frequencies
    B. Showing correlations between two variables
    C. Representing distributions
    D. Comparing proportions
    Key: B. Showing correlations between two variables

28. Which of these is a key feature of parametric tests?
    A. They rely on ranked data
    B. They assume normal distribution
    C. They do not require large sample sizes
    D. They analyze categorical data
    Key: B. They assume normal distribution

29. What does "standard deviation" measure?
    A. Central tendency
    B. Data spread around the mean
    C. The range of data
    D. The median value
    Key: B. Data spread around the mean

30. Why are error bars used in plots?
    A. To represent mean values
    B. To show variations or uncertainties in data
    C. To label axes
    D. To display frequencies
    Key: B. To show variations or uncertainties in data

Research Methodology MCQ 1

1. What is the main purpose of research?
   A. To confirm existing knowledge
   B. To solve problems and discover new knowledge
   C. To summarize existing theories
   D. To collect data only
   Key: B. To solve problems and discover new knowledge

2. Fundamental research is primarily focused on:
   A. Solving practical problems
   B. Generating new theories or concepts
   C. Developing new technologies
   D. Market analysis
   Key: B. Generating new theories or concepts

3. Which of the following is an example of applied research?
   A. Studying the human brain's structure
   B. Designing a flotation cell for better mineral recovery
   C. Developing a mathematical theory
   D. Exploring philosophical concepts
   Key: B. Designing a flotation cell for better mineral recovery

4. What is a literature survey used for?
   A. Writing a research paper
   B. Reviewing existing knowledge to identify gaps
   C. Collecting primary data
   D. Performing experiments
   Key: B. Reviewing existing knowledge to identify gaps

5. Which of these is NOT a source of literature?
   A. Books
   B. Social media blogs
   C. Journals
   D. Conference proceedings
   Key: B. Social media blogs

6. Scopus and Web of Science are used for:
   A. Designing experiments
   B. Citation tracking and literature indexing
   C. Data collection
   D. Sampling techniques
   Key: B. Citation tracking and literature indexing

7. What is the h-index used for?
   A. Measuring journal impact
   B. Measuring author productivity and impact
   C. Analyzing sample variance
   D. Plotting regression data
   Key: B. Measuring author productivity and impact

8. A hypothesis is:
   A. A proven fact
   B. An assumption to be tested
   C. A method of data collection
   D. A type of literature source
   Key: B. An assumption to be tested

9. Which method involves observing without interference?
   A. Personal interviews
   B. Questionnaire
   C. Controlled experiment
   D. Observation method
   Key: D. Observation method

10. What is the primary purpose of sampling?
    A. To increase data complexity
    B. To represent a population using a subset
    C. To eliminate data errors
    D. To reduce research duration
    Key: B. To represent a population using a subset

11. The term "independent replicates" in experiments refers to:
    A. Repeated trials of the same variable
    B. Unrelated experiments
    C. Repeated samples to ensure reliability
    D. Multiple hypotheses tested together
    Key: C. Repeated samples to ensure reliability

12. MINITAB is primarily used for:
    A. Statistical data analysis
    B. Data collection
    C. Sampling design
    D. Literature review
    Key: A. Statistical data analysis

13. What is the key difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
    A. Data sources
    B. Focus on numbers vs. understanding behaviors
    C. Experimentation requirements
    D. Sample size
    Key: B. Focus on numbers vs. understanding behaviors

14. What does ANOVA analyze?
    A. Relationships between two variables
    B. Variance among multiple groups
    C. Regression between variables
    D. Experimental errors
    Key: B. Variance among multiple groups

15. A chi-square test is primarily used to:
    A. Test hypothesis for population mean
    B. Analyze categorical data
    C. Assess regression strength
    D. Design experiments
    Key: B. Analyze categorical data

16. Which tool is best suited for plotting bar charts?
    A. MS Word
    B. MS Excel
    C. Scopus
    D. Google Scholar
    Key: B. MS Excel

17. What does a p-value indicate in hypothesis testing?
    A. Probability of null hypothesis being true
    B. Sample size accuracy
    C. Mean variance
    D. Standard deviation significance
    Key: A. Probability of null hypothesis being true

18. Gaussian distribution is also known as:
    A. Normal distribution
    B. Skewed distribution
    C. Exponential distribution
    D. Linear distribution
    Key: A. Normal distribution

19. A good research design must:
    A. Save time and money
    B. Ensure unbiased data collection
    C. Provide maximum relevant information
    D. All of the above
    Key: D. All of the above

20. The primary focus of descriptive statistics is:
    A. Testing hypotheses
    B. Summarizing and analyzing data
    C. Predicting outcomes
    D. Designing experiments
    Key: B. Summarizing and analyzing data

21. Which of these is NOT a parametric test?
    A. t-test
    B. F-test
    C. ANOVA
    D. Chi-square test
    Key: D. Chi-square test

22. The i10 index indicates:
    A. Articles cited at least 10 times
    B. Journals with 10 years of data
    C. Experimental error tolerance
    D. Impact of journals
    Key: A. Articles cited at least 10 times

23. A histogram is primarily used for:
    A. Showing frequency distribution
    B. Displaying linear relationships
    C. Comparing categorical data
    D. Testing hypotheses
    Key: A. Showing frequency distribution

24. A well-written research report should start with:
    A. Analysis section
    B. Conclusions
    C. Introduction
    D. Bibliography
    Key: C. Introduction

25. Which citation style is commonly used in research?
    A. MLA
    B. APA
    C. Chicago
    D. IEEE
    Key: B. APA

26. Skewness in data refers to:
    A. Symmetrical data distribution
    B. Asymmetrical data distribution
    C. Error-free data
    D. Unprocessed data
    Key: B. Asymmetrical data distribution

27. In research, a null hypothesis states:
    A. No relationship exists between variables
    B. A strong relationship exists between variables
    C. Data collection is incomplete
    D. Literature review is invalid
    Key: A. No relationship exists between variables

28. Sampling bias occurs when:
    A. A sample accurately represents the population
    B. Certain groups are over or under-represented
    C. Random sampling is applied
    D. Experiments are conducted incorrectly
    Key: B. Certain groups are over or under-represented

29. Regression analysis is used to:
    A. Measure central tendency
    B. Predict the relationship between variables
    C. Calculate standard deviation
    D. Test statistical significance
    Key: B. Predict the relationship between variables

30. The final step in the research process is:
    A. Hypothesis testing
    B. Data collection
    C. Report writing
    D. Literature review
    Key: C. Report writing