AE4010 – Research Methodology

Research Methods

2. Research Design in MSc

Dr. Ir. G.N. Saunders-Smits

2. Research Methods 1
Key ideas for this week

• How do I design my research

• How do I formulate Research Objectives & Research Questions?

• What type of research are there?

• How do I select appropriate research methods?

• Is the research method I pick feasible and ethical?

2. Research Methods 2
This Week’s Learning Objectives

At the end of today you will be able to:

• Have an idea about the structure of a research plan

• Formulate research objective & research questions
• Have knowledge of types of research methods and ability to
acquire more methodologies on their own
• Understand the importance of strategy, material and planning
• Select appropriate (taking into account ethics and feasibility)
research methods to gain this data

2. Research Methods 3
MSC thesis – what’s academic about it?
MSc project deliverables

Deliverables
1. Starting point can be
a problem originating
from industry or Answer
previous research
Solve
Problem To
problem
Problem
4a. Apply model to
assignment
& recommendations
solve problem
N.B. Academic approach
gives confidence to answer

2. Use academic literature 4b. Use problem 5. Reflect on the

and frameworks to to validate the quality of the model
analyse problem model and adjust accordingly
Improved
Analysis Model validated
model &
recommendations

academia
3. Use results from academic
analysis to develop model

project
By Frank van der Zwan & Gillian Saunders-Smits
24 April 2012, version 1.4

2. Research Methods 4
Strategic Framework for Research

2. Research Methods 5
 Strategic framework for research
design Research Objective

Research Framework
Conceptual Research Questions
design conceptual model
Definitions and
Research Operationalisation
design

Research Strategy
Technical
Research Material
Design

[Source: designing a research project Research Planning

Verschuren & Doorewaard]

2. Research Methods 6
Conceptual Research design

• The modeling of the content of the research

• Determines what, why and how much is going to be studied

• 4 phases:
• Objective of the research
• Research framework
• Research Question/Conceptual model
• Definition & Operalisation

2. Research Methods 7
Technical Research Design

• Set of activities needed to realize the objectives set out in the

conceptual design phase

• Concerns decisions on how, where and when

• 3 phases:
• Research Strategy
• Research Material
• Research Planning

2. Research Methods 8