Basic Research Methods and Statistical Data Analysis

Scientific studies and research work invariably involve the use of statistical analyses to ensure rigour, avoid biases and validate the conclusions reached. Students of natural and social sciences often struggle with the selection and application of appropriate statistical tests to confirm and justify the results and inferences made from their research. Therefore, the purpose of this book is to guide students in the process of conducting their research, designing the experiment, and choosing appropriate statistical tests for analysing data. It is intended to help graduate and post-graduate students preparing to conduct research related to their thesis work by providing a brief revision of fundamental statistical concepts and elucidating the application of statistics in scientific research. Although qualitative approaches to research have been touched upon, the main emphasis is on quantitative methods and data analyses, as this is a perceived weakness in graduate academic curricula in South Asia.