Introduction to Faculty

Bijay Lal Pradhan

Bijay Lal Pradhan

Ph.D. : Pacific Academy of Higher Education & Research University, Udaipur, India with  Fellowship of UGC Nepal

FDPM : Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India, 2009

M.Sc. : Tribhuvan University, Central Campus, major Statistics with optional Agricultural Statistics and Econometrics, Kirtipur, 1996

B.Sc. : Tribhuvan University, Trichandra Campus, major Statistics, Physics and Mahematics, Kathmandu, 1994

I. Music : Allahabad Sangeet Kendara, Allahabad

Bijay Lal Pradhan

16 Books on Statistics, Research, Operation Management, Quality Management

40+ Journal articles published in National and International Journals

Trainings on Data analysis using Excel, SPSS, R, Python, Genstat, Gretel, Jamovi

President: NQPCN; General Secretary: ORSN; Secretary: NeSS, NPF

Chief editor: IJSIRT; MJRIS editor: ARJ; BICJM

35+ keynote speaker, conference papers

Project: EFRG-01 (TU) / FRG-01

Overview of Course

The course “Research Design and Biological Data Analysis” offers a comprehensive exploration of data analysis techniques within the context of biological science. Throughout the course, students will learn how to apply statistical and computational methods to analyze biological data, with a particular focus on biological datasets. The course is structured to equip students with the necessary skills to effectively collect, manage, visualize, and interpret data, enabling them to make evidence-based conclusions in various biological research contexts. Microsoft Excel and R software will be used for analysis purpose and students will encouraged to bring own laptop for lab classes.

Topic Covered - I

Unit 1: Research Design and Hypothesis Testing Research

• design: Introduction, types of research design

• Populations, samples and observations, types of variables - Scale and measurement

• Designing experiments: types of experiments, replications, controls, randomization, independence

• Hypothesis testing: biological and statistical hypothesis, deductive and inductive reasoning, the hypothetico-deductive method

• Research ethics, risk and safety measures

Topic Covered - II

Unit 2: Biological data analysis - an introduction

• Variations and statistical inference, managing and curating data, overview of the approaches in biological data analysis: descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, univariate and multivariate analysis

• Descriptive analysis: introduction, measure of central tendency, frequency tables and histograms, stem and leaf plots, measures of dispersion, box-plots and outlier.

• Inferential statistical analysis: hypothesis testing and inferential statistics, sampling and inferential statistics, parametric and non-parametric statistics, testing basic assumptions of parametric tests, data transformation methods.

Materials

Classroom Link: https://bit.ly/ascol-msc1
Classroom Code: pbidgo
Website: https://bijaylalpradhan.com.np
Data Link: https://github.com/BijayLalPradhan/MSC
R-material Link: https://rpubs.com/bijayprad/

Books:

Khatiwada, R.P., Pradhan, B.L., & Poudyal, N., Research Methodology. 2nd Edition. KEC Publication. Kathmandu. 2019.

Stayal, V.R., Pradhan, B.L., Poudyal, N., & Amatya, P.B., Applied Statistics. KEC Publication. Kathmandu. 2014. 

Gorard, S., Research Design:Ceating Robust Approaches for the Social Sciences. SAGE Publications Ltd. 2013. 


Fowler J., Cohen L., & Jarvis P., Practical Statistics for Field Biology. John Wiley and Sons. 2013. 

Plant R.E., Spatial Data Analysis in Ecology and Agriculture Using R}. 2nd Edition. CRC Press 2018. 

Any required journal articles and book chapters will be provided on my website. 

Research Process

Step 1: Define research problem

Step 2: Review of literature

Step 3: Formulation of hypothesis

Step 4: Preparing the research design

Step 5: Data collection

Step 6: Data analysis

Step 7: Interpretation and report writing

Research: Conceptual Phase

Define Research Problem: At the first process, the researcher must point out the problem he wants to study. Initially the problem may be stated in a broad general way and then the ambiguities, if any, may be resolved, the feasibility of the solution may be considered. Then the general topic is formulated into specific research problem. This entailed two steps, first understanding the problem thoroughly and rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from an analytical point of view.

Research: Conceptual Phase

Literature Review: Once the problem is formulated, the researcher should carefully study the earlier studies, if any, which are similar to the study. For this purpose one can use abstract & index of journals and published and unpublished bibliographies etc. The articles related with the problems must be studied from different Academic journals, Conference Proceedings, Government reports, Books.

Research: Conceptual Phase

Formulating Hypothesis: After the literature survey, the researcher has to form a tentative answer to the research question from the literature review, which provides the direction for the research.  This step is called formulation of hypothesis. The hypothesis setup should be very specific.  It sharpens the researcher thinking and focuses his attention on more important facets of the problem and also indicates the type of data required and method of data analysis.

Research: Empirical Phase

Research Design: The researcher will then be required to prepare a blueprint that enables the research to come p with solution to the problems and guides him or her in the remaining stages of the research. The research design is a conceptual structure with which the research would be conducted in order with minimal effort, time and money. The design should be appropriate, flexible, efficient, economic with minimum bias and maximum reliability.

Research: Empirical Phase

Sample Design: The study of all items of the research population in all condition is not feasible so researcher has to select a small portion of the population under study. The researcher must set a definite plan called sampling design before collecting the data. Samples can be probability or non probability samples depending upon the nature and need of the research problem.

Research: Empirical Phase

Collection of Data: There are several ways of collecting the appropriate data which differ considerably in the context of money, cost, time and other resources. The appropriate tools and technique should be adopt for this purpose. Primary data can be collected through experiment or survey where as secondary data can be adopt from the different reliable resources.

Research: Analytic Phase

Data Analysis: The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operation such as establishment of categories, the application of these categories to the raw data through coding, tabulation and then drawing statistical inferences. Analysis after tabulation is generally based on the computation of various percentages along with descriptive and inferential statistics.

Research: Analytic Phase

Generalization & Interpretation: The result obtained in data analysis and testing of hypothesis will be used to interpret to draw conclusions then deduce some generalization. The research may build a theory even or he may develop some interpretation of his findings.

Research: Analytic Phase

Report Preparation: The result of the whole research work should be presented through written reports, articles, papers and conferences, both in print and electronic copy. Writing a report is a special and professional work which is bound by standard format, rules and regulations.

Designing of Research Work

The term ‘design’ means ‘drawing an outline’ or planning or arranging details. A research design is a total plan of a given study. It outlines how the stuy will be executed with the minimum of complications.

Designing a research work is a task of making an outline of research work that can be performed systematically within frame.

Research design is a mapping strategy which essentially includes objectives, sampling method, research strategey, research strategy, tools and techniques for collecting the evidences, analyzing the data and reporting the findings.

Research design is

Plan, Structure and Strategy for investigation to obtain answer to research question & to control variances - F. N. Kerlinger

The plan is overall scheme or program of the research. It includes an outline of what the investigator will do from selecting the research questions, writing down the objectives and hypothesis, selecting sample and designing observations and their operational implications to the final analysis of the data.

The structure is the outline, the scheme, the model of the operation of variables.

the strategy is the methods to be used to gather data, mode of use of control and experimental groups and analysis of data. It deals with how research objectives will be met and how the problems encountered in the conduct of the study will be tackled.

Research design is

• the work before getting the project underway.

• the overall plan for connecting the conceptual research problem to empirical research.

• specific outline dealing how the chosen method will be applied to answer research question.

More generally we can understand the research design as a planning stage of research which usually made logically visualizing its practicability.

Research design includes

Research method or research strategy

Sampling design

Choice of method of data gathering

Choice of statistical techniques

Forms of report presenting

Principles of Designing a Research

Defining the nature & scope of the problem

Specifying the related variables

Excluding the variables not relevant to the studies

Formulation of logical hypothesis

Purposes of Research Design

To provide answers as precisely as possible to the research question

To control the variances

Concern of Research Design

Concern of Research Design

Sector of research design

Sampling Design Observational Design Statistical Design Operational Design Design of Experiment

Sampling Design

It is the designing of the process of selection of samples which we have to study during the research. Where the researcher has to define the population and sample units, then to find the desired errors. If the population size is large then the researcher has to fix the different stages of sampling and different techniques of sampling in different stages of sampling and size of sample in each stage.

Observational Design

It includes the observational methods used in collection of information. It also encompasses conditions under which the observations to be made. There are different methods of observing the data.

Statistical Design

It includes the method of information analysis. It includes the tools and techniques used to analysis of the data. The data analysis may be in the form of descriptive and inferential methods.

Operational Design

It is overall design that describes all other designs includes in the research project. It is the layout of the procedure of implementing the stated designs. It is related to the plan that describes how sample design, statistical design and observational design can be carried out the interpreted successfully.

Design of Experiment (DOE)

Design of experiments (DOE) is a systematic approach for planning, conducting, analyzing, and interpreting controlled tests to efficiently uncover relationships and optimize outcomes within a given system or process.

Types of research design

• Inductive research design

• Deductive research design

• Descriptive research design

• Empirical research design

• Analytically research design

• Survey research design

• Subject specific research design

Inductive research design

Inductive research design involves gathering and analyzing data to formulate generalization theories or patterns from specific observations, allowing for the generation of hypotheses based on observed patterns.

Deductive research design

Deductive research design starts with a hypothesis or theory and then tests its validity through the collection and analysis of empirical data, aiming to confirm the initial hypothesis through structured experimentation or observation.

Descriptive research design

Descriptive research design focuses on describing and interpreting phenomena or characteristics of interest within a given population or sample, providing insights into the current state or prevalence of a particular phenomenon.

Empirical research design

Empirical research design relies on direct observation or experimentation to gather data, emphasizing evidence-based inquiry to validate hypotheses and contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.

Analytic research design

Analytic research design involves the systematic examination and interpretation of existing data or literature to gain insights, identify patterns, or evaluate relationships between variables, often using statistical or computational methods.

Survey research design

Survey research design employs structured questionnaires or interviews to collect data from a sample of individuals, aiming to gather information on attitudes, opinions, behaviors, or characteristics within a population. ## Subject specific research design

Subject-specific research design

Subject-specific research design tailors methodologies and approaches to address the unique characteristics or requirements of a particular subject area or discipline, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in exploring specific research questions or phenomena. For eg

• Policy research

• Managerial research

• Action research

• Evaluation research

• Exploratory research