Thomas C.G. Research Methodology And Scientific Writing

New York: Springer, 2021. — 620 p.This book presents a guide for research methodology and scientific writing covering various elements such as finding research problems, writing research proposals, obtaining funds for research, selecting research designs, searching the literature and review, collection of data and analysis, preparation of thesis, writing research papers for journals, citation and listing of references, preparation of visual materials, oral and poster presentation in conferences, and ethical issues in research . Besides introducing library and its various features in a lucid style, the latest on the use of information technology in retrieving and managing information through various means are also discussed in this book. The book is useful for students, young researchers, and professionals.Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First EditionAbout the Author
Research: The Search for Knowledge
Acquiring Knowledge
Science and Technology
What is Research?
Qualities of a Researcher
History of Research
Induction and Deduction in Research
Hypothesis, Theory, Law, Fact, and Others
The Scientific Method
The Research Process
Academic ResearchPhilosophy and Science
Epistemology
Empiricism
Rationalism
Skepticism
Falsifiability
The Principle of Parsimony
Pseudoscience
Reductionism
Paradigm and Paradigm Shift
Post-modernismApproaches to Research
Intuition in Research
Unconventional Ways to Intuition
Variables in Research
Formal Approaches to ResearchNatural Observation
Historical Research
Ethnographic Research
Cross-Sectional Study
Longitudinal Study
Cohort Study
Case Study
Model Building
Action Research
Participatory Learning and Action
PLA Tools
Some Special Research MethodsExperimental Research
Cause and Effect Relationships
Hypothesis in Experiments
Validity of Experiments
Principles of Experimentation
‘Control’ in Experiments
Classification of Experiments
Experimental Design
Field Experiments
Field Experiments in Agriculture: Some Practical Considerations
Randomized Controlled Trial
Paired Design
Quasi-experiments
Ex Post Facto Experiments
Requirements of a Good ExperimentSampling
Scales of Measurement
Collection of Data
Observation
Surveys
Possible Errors in Research
Descriptive Statistics
Inferential Statistics
Some Common Statistical Tests
Popular Statistical Packages
Monitoring ResearchPlanning and Writing a Research Proposal
Research Projects
Finding a Research Problem
Analysis of Research Ideas
Planning a Proposal: Some General Considerations
Proposal Outline
Presentation and Evaluation of Proposals
Students’ Outline of Research Work
Major Funding Agencies
AnnexureRole of Libraries in Information Retrieval
Laws of Library Science
Classification and Arrangement of Publications
Tools for Identifying Literature
Types of Publications
Microfiche
Digital LibrariesAcademic Databases
Bibliographic Databases
General Search Engines
Metasearch Engines
Academic Search Engines
Citation Indexes
Citation Analysis
Online Searching Methods
The Indian Academy of Sciences
National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR)
ICAR Initiatives for Knowledge ManagementImportance of the Literature Review
Planning a Literature Search
Locating Relevant Literature
Managing Information
Reliability of a Source
Writing a ReviewPreparation of Research Papers and Other Articles
The IMRAD Structure for Research Reporting
Research Papers
Selecting a Journal
The Structure of a Research Paper
Other Considerations in the Preparation of Research Papers
Review and Peer Review
Review Papers
Conference Papers
Electronic Publications
Short Notes and Other Forms of Reports
Copyediting and ProofreadingThesis or Dissertation?
Parts of a Thesis
Preliminary s of a Thesis
The Subject Proper
Formatting Requirements of a Thesis
Paper and Text Spacing
Thesis EditingMaking of a Table
Arrangement of Data in Tables
Illustrations
Bar Diagrams
The Line Graph
Line DrawingsSome Logical Terms
Evidences
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Fallacious Reasoning
Formal and Informal Fallacies
Common FallaciesReferences: How to Cite and List Correctly
Importance of Referencing in Documents
Citation and Listing Systems of References
Common Documentation Styles
CSE Style: The Name-Year System
Citation of Sources in the Text
Examples of in-Text References
Listing References in the “References” Section
Examples of Writing References
Websites and Other Online Sources
Reference Management Software
AnnexureUse Plain English
Use Paragraphs Properly
Avoid Gender Specific or Discriminatory LanguageVerbs: Care with Tenses
The Active or Passive Voice Dilemma
Be Definite About the Use of the ‘Articles’
Prepositions
Relative Pronouns: Use the Most Appropriate
Transitional Words and PhrasesEconomy in Words
Singular and Plural Words
Commonly Confused Words
Avoid Using More Words Instead of a Single Word
Avoid Unnecessary Qualification of Words
Remove Unnecessary Phrases
Avoid ClichésPeriods
Comma
Semicolon
Colon
Quotation Marks
Apostrophe
Parentheses
Dashes
Italics
Capitals
Abbreviation, Initialism, and Acronym
Annexure: Abbreviations Commonly Used in WritingUnits and Dimensions
A Brief History of the Units
The SI System
SI Unit Rules and Style Conventions
Non SI Units Accepted for Use
Care with Numerals
Roman and Arabic NumeralsScientific Meetings
General Features of a Scientific Conference
Planning and Delivering a Presentation
Preparing Good Presentation Slides
Poster Presentation in Meetings
Students’ Seminar
Group and Panel DiscussionGuidelines for Successful Lecturing
Qualities of a Good Lecturer
Planning for Lecture
The Process of Lecturing
Use Visual Aids Effectively
Sustain the Interest of Students
Improve Motivation of Students
Plan and Prepare for Group Work
Conduct of ExaminationsNote Taking, Note Making, and Assignments
The Issue of Forgetting and Recall
Note Taking
Note Taking Systems
Listening and Note Taking
Note Making
Note Making from Text Books
Assignments as a Part of Learning
Essay Assignments
Writing StyleEthics and Related Issues in Research
Some Concepts in Ethics
Intellectual Property Rights
Fraud and Misconduct in Science
Unscientific Practices in Thesis Work
Ethics in Science Practicals
Whistle BlowingPlagiarism: Prevention and Cure
What is Plagiarism?
Acknowledge Sources Appropriately
Paraphrasing
Direct and Indirect Quotations
Summarizing
Evaluation of Text
Plagiarism Checking