Scribd
Upload
90 views

The Research Process PDF

The document discusses various aspects of developing a research methodology, including refining a research topic or idea, developing research questions and objectives, evaluating a topic's researchability, and ensuring adequate capacity, resources, justification, and support for a research project. It provides tips on narrowing or broadening a topic, conceptual frameworks, assessing over-researched vs under-researched areas, and characteristics of good research topics and questions.

Uploaded by

Gibson Mweemba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
90 views

The Research Process PDF

The document discusses various aspects of developing a research methodology, including refining a research topic or idea, developing research questions and objectives, evaluating a topic's researchability, and ensuring adequate capacity, resources, justification, and support for a research project. It provides tips on narrowing or broadening a topic, conceptual frameworks, assessing over-researched vs under-researched areas, and characteristics of good research topics and questions.

Uploaded by

Gibson Mweemba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 24

Research

methods

Dr Evangelos Tsoukatos/UNICAF

Getting started
Always bear in mind ……
Essential outcome of academic
research ….
 Generalization ………

 “Gender Role Stereotypes and Requisite Management


Characteristics”

vs.

“Gender Role Stereotypes and Requisite Management


Characteristics: The case of Greece”

or
“Gender Role Stereotypes and Requisite Management
Characteristics: The case of Agios Nikolaos”
The power of statistical analysis …

 Most analytical methods are either descriptive or


correlational (examining relations between variables).
 But …..……… statistics do not create theory.
 You should not believe data analysis results until
interpreted in relation to theory.
 Data analysis results can only be examined under the
light of theory and your research hypotheses (that are
previously theoretically documented).
Plagiarism…..
 Multidimensional and morally composite issue
 Not only unethical but also ….. Illegal!!
 “plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone
else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-
knowledge) material without acknowledging its source”
 Will be checked and will be not tolerated

http://wpacouncil.org/node/9
The research process
Research … an iterative and incremental process

Adapted from: Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2006


“Where do you get your research ideas from?”

…. work.
…. getting up and
going to work every
day.
…. reading and writing
every day.
Ideas are a consequence
of work, not its cause.
Refine that idea

 Are there any interesting issues


about this research idea that stand
out from the start?
 Has it been done? Can it be done?
Should it be done?
 Ask for advice ASAP: if the idea isn’t
feasible then move on.
Narrowing a topic

 Brainstorm what you already know


about this topic
 Sort ideas into categories and sub-
categories
 Cluster things, places, ideas, people
 Break down into timeframes, locations,
events, stages
 Discount causes, effects, opinions,
arguments
 Develop alternative questions
Broadening a topic

Consider other things, places, ideas,


people
Expand the timeframes, locations,
events, stages
Explore causes, effects, opinions,
arguments, and spins on an issue
Consider complementary keywords
Identify related topics
Refinement

Applying theory in
New data? Superior methods?
new contexts?

Re- Exploiting gaps or Exploring new links


parameterization? contradictions. between ideas.

Examining Welfare
effectiveness. implications?
Over-Researched vs. Under-Researched

Advantages Disadvantages Opportunities


Much Difficult to identify Add topicality to
theoretical literature-gaps previously researched
Over-Researched support and subjects
methodologic
al guidance.

Not much Easier to identify Publishing relatively easier


theoretical literature-gaps
Under-Researched support and
methodologic
al guidance.
The research … continuum

Business/
Business/ Economics
Basic Economics Research Applied
research Research MSc/BSc Research
PhD Level Level
Conceptual framework

 A one-sentence statement of the project’s


key concepts, the key issues, the main
elements, of the research project.
 “This project predicts a country’s success at
the Summer Olympic Games comparing
linear regression and neural network models.”
 Adapted from: Condon, E.M. et al. (1999). Predicting the
success of nations at the Summer Olympics using neural
networks. Computers & Operations Research 26: 1243-1265.
Aims and objectives
Aims Objectives
 The specific purpose of the  The steps or actions
project. undertaken in order to
 Usually presented as realise the project’s aims.
research questions.  Define how the research
 Sometimes presented in will contribute to
the form of Hypotheses to knowledge.
be tested.
Importance of research questions

They set boundaries.


They help propose a suitable
methodology.
They help produce a refined set of
results.
They allow for easier analysis.
They help draw together a reasonable
set of conclusions and make reference
to previous research.
Your research questions

 Should be consistent with expected standards

 Able to produce clear conclusions

 Matched to your skills and ability

 Not too descriptive


Characteristics of a good research
topic

 Your topic is specific.


 Your topic is relevant.
 Your topic is achievable.
 Your topic satisfies project
guidelines.
 Your topic interests you &
others.
Evaluating ‘researchability’

• Can you complete this research by the


deadline?

• Are you able to undertake this research?


• What are your further training needs?

• Can you access the necessary evidence?

• Is there an audience?
• Who would care about your findings?
Capacity

Necessary research skills?


Adequate understanding of
project?
Understanding of project
management requirements?
Necessary scholarly skills?
Resources

Primary or secondary evidence?


Access to evidence?
Costs?
How much supervision is needed?
What operational procedures must be
followed?
Research ethics
Data protection compliance
Justification

Who would want to read your research?


Would anyone be likely to fund it?
What fresh insights do you offer?
Will you meet institutional and disciplinary
standards?
What is its likely impact?
Support & guidance

Unsatisfactory outcomes normally arise


through
lack of engagement with supervisors
and tutors.
Inadequate project planning
Poor time management
Insufficient effort
Hard work + supervision = success

You might also like