Research Methodology Made Easy

On 7th August 2025, the School of Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, organized an engaging and insightful session on research methodology, led by Prof. Naived George Eapen, Lead Trainer at CHRIST Infotech and Assistant Professor of Computer Science at . The session aimed to demystify the research process for postgraduate students, offering both conceptual clarity and practical guidance.

Prof. Eapen began by addressing a common misconception — that research must always involve discovering something entirely new. He clarified that impactful research can also emerge from revisiting established topics with a fresh perspective, identifying gaps in existing work, or presenting familiar ideas in innovative ways. This approach, he explained, makes research more accessible and encourages students to see it as an evolving and inclusive process.

He emphasized the essential role that universities play in fostering higher education and supporting research. While institutions provide valuable resources, expert guidance and collaborative opportunities, the true driving force is the researcher’s own curiosity and passion. To sustain motivation throughout the process, he advised choosing topics that are simple yet genuinely interesting to the researcher.

Prof. Eapen emphasized the importance of consistently asking “Why?” at every phase of the research process. This practice encourages researchers to critically evaluate their choices—from topic selection to methodology—leading to a more thorough understanding and uncovering valuable insights that strengthen the overall validity of their work. He also advised keeping research titles and abstracts simple and clear, avoiding overly complex language to make the research more accessible and impactful to a wider audience.

Prof. Eapen provided actionable strategies for literature review, including effective use of online academic tools. He demonstrated how to access restricted research papers using Sci-Hub with a paper’s DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and explained methods to verify a DOI’s authenticity. He also outlined ways to evaluate the quality of a paper, such as checking the journal’s ranking, its citation count, and its inclusion in reputed databases. For identifying emerging research areas, he recommended tools like Google Trends and Gartner’s Hype Cycle, which help researchers understand topic relevance over time. He encouraged prioritizing literature from Q1 and Q2 Scopus-indexed journals over generic search results from platforms like Google Scholar.

Regarding research publication, Prof. Eapen advised beginners to target lower-ranked Scopus journals initially to gain experience, before progressing to higher-tier publications. He cautioned against simultaneous submissions to multiple journals, stressing the importance of verifying a journal’s authenticity through its ISSN (International Standard Serial Number). He also highlighted the value of conferences for networking and knowledge exchange, mentioning Microsoft CMT and EasyChair as common submission platforms.

The session was highly interactive, with students posing questions throughout, leading to deeper discussions on practical challenges in research. Prof. Eapen’s approachable style, combined with his wealth of experience, ensured the session was both informative and motivating.

In conclusion, the workshop not only enhanced students’ understanding of the research process but also equipped them with practical tools, ethical considerations, and strategic approaches to produce impactful scholarly work.