4/4/2019 Dr. Nazeer A.

 Anjum MED, UET, Taxila 1

ME‐5102
Research Methodology & 
Design of Experiments
Lect. # 3
Introduction to Research , 
Deductive & Inductive Reasoning

Dr. Nazeer Ahmad Anjum
Mechanical Engineering Program
University of Engineering Taxila
 Definition of Research 3
• Hunting for facts or truth about a subject.
• Search for knowledge.
• Organized scientific investigation to solve problems,
test hypotheses, develop or invent new products.
• A scientific and systematic search for related
information on a specific topic.
• An art of scientific investigation.
• A careful investigation or inquiry specially through
search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
• Research is an academic activity
• According to Redman and Mory “Systematized effort to
gain new knowledge.” 4/4/2019

Definition of Research Cont….. 4
According to Clifford Woody research comprises
Defining or Redefining problems;
Formulating hypothesis;
Suggested solutions;
Collecting, organizing and evaluating data;
Making deductions and reaching conclusions; and
at last
Carefully testing the conclusions to determine
whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.

4/4/2019
 Definition of Research Cont….. 5

D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopedia

of Social Sciences define research as
“The manipulation of things, concepts or symbols
for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or
verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in
construction of theory or in the practice of an art.

4/4/2019

Motivation in Research 6
What makes people to undertake research? This is a
question of fundamental importance. The possible
motives for doing research may be either one or more
of the following:
1. Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential benefits;
2. Desire to face the challenge in solving the
unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical
problems initiates research;
3. Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some
creative work;
4. Desire to be of service to society;
5. Desire to get respectability.
4/4/2019
 Why Research? 7
 To get PhDs, Masters and Bachelors?
 To provide solutions to complex problems
 To investigate laws of nature
 To make new discoveries
 To develop new products
 To save costs
 To improve our life
 Human desires

4/4/2019

Concept of Research 8
Deductive Reasoning
Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the
more specific. Sometimes this is informally called a "top‐
down" approach.
We might begin with thinking up a theory about our
topic of interest. We then narrow down into more
specific hypotheses that we can test.
We narrow down even further when we collect
observations to address the hypotheses. This ultimately
leads us to be able to test the hypotheses with specific
data ‐‐ a confirmation (or not) of our original theories

4/4/2019
 Concept of Research 9
Deductive Reasoning

Theory  Top‐down" approach

Hypothesis 

Observation 

Confirmation

4/4/2019

Concept of Research 10
Inductive Reasoning
Inductive reasoning works the other way, moving from
specific observations to broader generalizations and
theories. Informally, we sometimes call this a "bottom
up" approach.
In inductive reasoning, we begin with specific
observations and measures, begin to detect patterns
and regularities, formulate some tentative hypotheses
that we can explore, and finally end up developing some
general conclusions or theories

4/4/2019
 Concept of Research 11
Inductive Reasoning
Theory  Bottom up approach

Hypothesis 

Pattern

Observation 

4/4/2019

High Quality Research 12

 It is based on the work of others.
 It can be replicated (duplicated).
 It is generalizable to other settings.
 It is based on some logical rationale and tied to
theory.
 It is doable.
 It generates new questions or is cyclical in nature.
 It is incremental.
 It is a political activity that should be undertaken
for the betterment of society.

4/4/2019
 Bad Research 13
 The opposites of what have been discussed.
 Looking for something when it simply is not to be
found.
 Plagiarizing other people’s work.
 Fabricating data to prove a point.
 Misrepresenting information and misleading
participants.

4/4/2019

Research General Systematic Characteristic 14
Problem Identification

Reviewing Information

Data Collection

Analysis

Drawing Conclusions

4/4/2019
 Characteristic  of Research Cycle  15
Generation of
Hypotheses

Casual
Observation Scientific Method
of Acquiring
Implications
Knowledge of
Existing of
Problem Solving
Structure of Hypotheses
Knowledge
Operationally
Specific Testing
Situations 4/4/2019

Where Do Research Start? 16
Asking the
Question
Asking new Identifying the
Questions important factors

Reconsidering Formulating
the theory a hypotheses

Working with Collecting Relevant

the hypotheses information

Testing the
hypotheses
4/4/2019
 What is R & D? 17

Research is a process that acquires new

knowledge.

Development is a process that applies

knowledge to create new devices or effects

4/4/2019

R & D Problems 18
 Research seeks truth.

 Development seeks utility.

 Industry can’t afford luxury of research.

 Academics uninterested with development.

 Myopic (narrow-minded) views

 R&D is interdependent
4/4/2019
 R & D Problems 19
 Research results cannot be reproduced
 Data collection is haphazard
 Experiment methods are confused
 Trial and error …
 Lack of records
 Reports are disorganized
Discuss all above mentioned in your first
assignment

4/4/2019

Assignment # 1 20
How Design for Analysis and Design for

Manufacturing is carried out for Engineering

components?

Take any real life example and write down

all its steps with evidences like figures,

equations, procedures, experimental setup,

investigation techniques etc. 4/4/2019

Design for Analysis (Failure of Engineering Materials)
Data 
No
consistence 
with  Getting Failure Parts
Hypothesis
Correlation of Micro &
Revision of Yes Macro Evidence Collecting Information
Hypothesis • Service History
• Manufacturing Standards
Final Root Cause Testing & verification of • Material Specifications
identification Hypothesis • Incident Report
• Clint Requirements
Generation of corrective & Hypothesis development
preventative measures for final Root Cause(s)
Possible Causes of Failure

Final comprehensive
report generation Primary Identification of
Root Cause(s) Testing Sample:
• Microscopic Analysis
Clint feedback • Mechanical Testing
Yes
• Compositional Analysis etc
Refinement of procedure Results 
No Conforming 
Gathering more Compilation & Evaluation of
to 
information about part, Test Results
Predicted 
clarification & revision Causes
of predicted causes

Design for Analysis (Failure Examples)
Welding Analysis Fabrication Analysis

Corrosion Analysis Forging Analysis

Casting Analysis Fatigue Analysis

Hydroforming Machining/
Analysis Manufacturing Analysis

Friction Stire Fracture Toughness

Welding Analysis Analysis

Different SPD Creep/ Bending Analysis

Techniques Analysis Material Aalysis