This document outlines program outcomes (POs) for a research methods and design course. It includes 11 POs that cover topics like engineering knowledge, problem analysis, design and development of solutions, conducting investigations, using modern tools, considering societal and environmental impacts, ethics, teamwork, communication, project management, and lifelong learning. It also lists course outcomes related to using software like Excel, MATLAB and Origin for data analysis and presentation. Several online resources are provided for data analysis topics and methods.
3. Program Outcomes (POs)
PO-1 Engineering knowledge::Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals, and an engineering
specialization to the solution of complex engineering problems.
PO-2 Problem analysis::Identify, formulate, research literature, and analyze complex engineering problems reaching
substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences.
PO-3 Design/development of solutions::Design solutions for complex engineering problems and design system components
or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate consideration for the public health and safety, and the
cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.
PO-4 Conduct investigations of complex problems::Use research-based knowledge and research methods including design of
experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
PO-5 Modern tool usage::Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools
including prediction and modeling to complex engineering activities with an understanding of the limitations
PO-6 The engineer and society::Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal
and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to the professional engineering practice.
PO-7 Environment and sustainability::Understand the impact of the professional engineering solutions in societal and
environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for sustainable development.
PO-8 Ethics::Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of the engineering
practice.
PO-9 Individual and team work::Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams, and in
multidisciplinary settings.
PO-10 Communication::Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with
society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective
presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
PO-11 Project management and finance::Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the engineering, management
principles and apply the same to ones own work, as a member or a leader in a team, manage projects efficiently in
respective disciplines and multidisciplinary environments after consideration of economic and financial factors.
PO-12 Life-long learning::Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in independent and life-long
6. Course Outcomes:
CO1 :: discuss the concepts of MS Excel, MATLAB and Origin for data analysis.
CO2 :: develop skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and
presentation.
CO3 :: demonstrate the ability to choose methods appropriate to research aims
and objectives.
CO4 :: employ the research analysis methods for qualitative and quantitative
data analysis.
14. Research defined and described as
.
systematic approach to obtaining and confirming new
and reliable knowledge
Systematic and orderly (following a series of steps)
Purpose is new knowledge, which must be reliable
This is a general definition which applies to all disciplines
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15. 10
Research is a process of steps used to collect and
analyze information to increase our understanding of
a topic or issue". It consists of three steps: Pose a
question, collect data to answer the question, and
present an answer to the question.
16. Research is not
Accidental discovery :
1. Accidental discovery may occur in structured research process
2. Usually takes the form of a phenomenon not previously noticed
3. May lead to a structured research process to verify or
understand the observation
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17. Research is not cont.
Data Collection
an intermediate step to gain reliable knowledge
collecting reliable data is part of the research process
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18. Research is not cont.
Searching out published research results in libraries (or
the internet)
This is an important early step of research
The research process always includes synthesis and
analysis
But, just reviewing of literature is not research (except
if it is systematic and structured).
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19. Research
is of events, phenomena,
1. Searching for explanation
relationships and causes
What, how and why things occur
Are there interactions?
2. A process
Planned and managed to make the information generated
credible
The process is creative
It is circular always leads to more questions
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20. All well designed and conducted research has potential
application.
Failure to see applications can be due to:
Users not trained or experienced in the specialized methods of
research and reasoning
Researchers often do not provide adequate interpretations and
guidance on applications of the research
Researchers are responsible to help users understand
research implications (How?)
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21. Researchers from different disciplines have their own ways
of viewing their world.
22. This world view influences the different
researcher may take to further understanding.
approaches that a
These differing perspectives will, in turn, influence the questions
that researchers would pose and the methods that they would use
in their research.
23. These perspectives would lead them to develop distinct research agendas
to further their knowledge and understanding.
Researchers from the different disciplines would then have their own
methodological approaches, or research tools, that they would employ to
answer these questions.
Different ways of viewing phenomena are often complementary. Thus, in
addressing many issues in pharmacy practice and health service research,
a range of researchers from different disciplines and backgrounds may be
involved.
24. For your own research, you may like to broaden
this to reflect on the following:
Your world view and underlying perspectives and assumptions
regarding the nature of your research topic and the type of
knowledge that will further your understanding.
How these may lead to the formulation of your research question
(identification of research priorities).
What has informed your choice of methods for your study (methodology).
25. The Process of Research
The process is initiated with a question or problem (step 1)
Next, goals and objectives are formulated to deal with the question or
problem (step 2)
Then the research design is developed to achieve the objectives (step 3)
Results are generated by conducting the research (step 4)
Interpretation and analysis of results follow (step 5)
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27. Literaturereview
literature review is conducted in a given subject area before
a research question is identified. A gap in the current
literature, as identified by a researcher, then engenders a
research question.
28. Creativity in the Research Process
Research is a creative process
research includes far more than mere logic It includes insight, genius,
groping, pondering sense The logic we can teach; the art we cannot
Research requires (or at least works best) with imagination, initiative,
intuition, and curiosity.
There are different types of creativity, characteristic of different situations
applied and theoretical most closely associate with economic
research
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29. FosteringCreativity
A. Look at things alternate ways
B. Allow curiosity to grow
C. Set problems aside and come back to them
J. Write down your thoughts
frequently I dont know what I think until I write it
K. Freedom from distraction some time to think
L. Question or challenge assumptions.
M. Search for patterns or relationships
N. Take risks
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Creativity may
provide the
difference
between
satisfactory and
outstanding
research
30. The concepts of reliability and validity are
pertinent to all studies and at different stages
of the research.
31. Reliability
Reliability refers to the extent to which procedures, measures and
data are reproducible or internally consistent.
Problems of reliability may arise in relation to repeated measures
on a piece of diagnostic equipment, uniformity between researchers
in the collection of data, adherence of interviewers to an interview
schedule, completeness in maintaining records of non-responders,
care and attentiveness when observing events, consistency of
questions in a questionnaire, agreement between researchers in the
coding of data, etc.
32. Validity
Validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study
are a true reflection of phenomena under study.
Do the instruments (e.g. questions in an interview, records maintained by an
observer) actually measure what they are designed to measure?
Potential problems in validity arise, in particular, in relation to data collection and
the development of instruments.
33. Generalisability (external validity)
The generalisability is concerned with the extent to which the findings of a
study can be applied to individuals beyond the sample. Many studies involve
samples rather than a whole population.
35. 1. What are the expectations from your side as student?
2. What is a scientific approach?
36. In your methodology you need to justify your
approach and methods in terms of their
scientific basis
37. The ultimate goal of research
The ultimate goal of research is to improve our
understanding of professional practice and medicines use, to
inform the development of services to meet health and
pharmaceutical care needs of patients and the public.