| Nature of Research | Descriptive, Explanatory, Exploratory | Experimental, Computational, Analytical | A study on consumer behavior in e-commerce using surveys | A study on optimizing drone battery life using MATLAB simulations |
| Research Approach | Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Methods | Experimental, Theoretical, Design-based | A qualitative study on work-from-home impact on productivity | Development of an AI-based face recognition system |
| Research Design | Surveys, Case Studies, Longitudinal Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Experiments | Prototyping, Algorithm Development, System Modeling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) | A longitudinal study on job satisfaction over five years | A wind tunnel experiment to test aerodynamics of a car |
| Data Collection Methods | Primary: Surveys, Interviews, Focus Groups, Observations. Secondary: Articles, Government Reports | Experimental Data (Lab setups, Sensors), Simulation Data (Computational), Field Data (Real-world implementation) | Conducting a nationwide survey on digital banking adoption | Collecting sensor data from an IoT-enabled smart factory |
| Sampling Techniques | Random Sampling, Stratified Sampling, Snowball Sampling, Purposive Sampling | Controlled Sampling, Monte Carlo Simulations, Experimental Trials | Selecting 500 participants randomly from five different cities for a political study | Testing a new bridge design using 100 simulations with different stress conditions |
| Data Analysis Techniques | Descriptive & Inferential Statistics (SPSS, R, NVivo, AMOS), Thematic Analysis | Computational Modeling, Machine Learning, Mathematical Optimization, Numerical Simulations | Conducting multiple regression analysis to determine factors affecting consumer loyalty | Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to assess stress points in a metal structure |
| Validation Techniques | Reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha, Composite Reliability), Validity (Face, Construct, Content, Convergent, Discriminant) | Performance Metrics (Precision, Recall, RMSE), Sensitivity Analysis, Error Analysis | Testing survey reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha (α = 0.85) | Measuring algorithm accuracy with an F1-score of 92% |
| Use of Theories & Frameworks | Strong emphasis on theoretical grounding (e.g., TAM, TPB, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions) | Minimal use of theoretical models, focus on empirical testing and model development | Using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to study e-learning adoption | Developing a new encryption algorithm for secure cloud computing |
| Outcome Presentation | Tables, Bar Charts, Regression Models, Thematic Analysis, Word Clouds | Graphs, Simulation Results, Circuit Diagrams, Equations, Performance Metrics | A thematic analysis of customer reviews on Amazon products | A power consumption analysis of an IoT-based smart meter using Python |
| Replicability & Generalization | Subjective elements may vary, requiring replication with different samples | High reproducibility due to well-defined algorithms and equations | A study on social media addiction may yield different results in different cultures | A circuit design for a solar inverter can be replicated using standard components |
| Ethical Considerations | Informed Consent, Anonymity, Confidentiality, Avoiding Bias, Ethical Review Approval | Safety Standards, Compliance with IEEE, ASME, or ISO Guidelines | Ensuring participant confidentiality in a mental health survey | Compliance with IEEE safety standards while designing an electric vehicle battery |
