Scientific Research Methods

This book is designed specifically for graduate students, academics, and other individuals who need to know about the key concepts of 'research' and 'research design' to perform applied research independently. The approach here is to define the concepts of 'research' and 'scientific research', to differentiate between a research 'method' and 'methodology' and to understand the basics of the 'research process/methodology' and its stages. Moreover, readers will be able to differentiate and examine the differences between research methods. However, research methods are those techniques used to conduct research on a subject or topic. In contrast, research methodology explains those methods that allow research to proceed. Research methods engage specific experiments, surveys, tests and other devices. Research methodologies include the knowledge of the techniques that are used to perform or to accomplish research as well as to conduct experiments, tests, surveys and other critical studies. Hence, research methods aim to find solutions for research problems, and research methodology seeks to use the correct methods to determine solutions. Finally, readers will understand the basic format of technical research writing and the essential skills required for writing research project reports.