Developing

Research
Skills
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 Constructing a Research
Constructing a Research
Model
Model

1 The Purpose of a
Literature Review

3 Developing a Research By Dr Elspeth McFadzean

Model on Managing
Culturally Diverse Problem
Solving Teams

3 Step 1: Definition of Terms

3 Step 2: Background
Information

4 Step 3: Examining the

Literature

4 Exploring Problem Solving

Teams

5 Exploring Gladstein’s
Model

6 Exploring Pinsonneault &

Kraemer’s Model

7 Exploring Briggs &

Nunamaker’s Model

8 Exploring McFadzean’s
Model

9 Exploring Diverse Problem

Solving Teams

10 Developing a Structure for

the Literature Review
Chapter

12 References
 Page 2 Developing Research Skills

In order to develop a research model, the author needs to critically

evaluate the appropriate literature. The literature should help the
researcher to:

• Define relevant terms

• Provide background information about the topic including its value
and importance
A literature review should • Develop a focus for the project.
include critical
evaluation, synthesis and
creativity In order to achieve the latter, the researcher often – although not always
– develops a model, which acts as a “map” or guide for the project.
Research modules are beneficial because:

• They can provide an overview of the research

• They can stipulate the boundaries of the research
• They can present the phenomena or variables involved in the
research
• They can illustrate how the phenomena or variables relate to one
another

A research model is developed from a critical evaluation of the

literature. In other words, the researcher needs to examine the
strengths and weaknesses of the theory and/or synthesise the theory in
such a way as to develop a cogent model on the research topic.

Research models should

be relatively simple and
Research models should be
uncomplicated. Their
uncomplicated purpose is to act as a
guide for the research

To illustrate the development of a research model, the following topic

will be used:

Managing Culturally Diverse Problem Solving Teams

 Developing Research Skills Page 3

Developing a Research Model on

Managing Culturally Diverse Problem
Solving Teams

The first step is to define the terms of the research. In this case, the
following terms would need to be defined:

• Problem solving teams

• Cultural diversity

A literature review does not require an in-depth analysis of the definition

of terms. Indeed, the author can present an appropriate definition by
stating that for the purposes of this research, problem solving teams can be
defined as… It should always be referenced, though, whichever definition
is chosen. Moreover, the researcher should explain why he or she has Step 1:
chosen to define the term in this way.

In their paper on trust, Mayer, Davis and Schoorman (1995, p. 712) only
Definition of
presented half a page on their definition of this term. Moreover, the Terms
definition that they used for the paper is specific, simple and jargon free.

A literature review should also provide some background information on the

topic. This normally includes a general introduction to the subject
together with reasons why it is important to investigate it. Thus, for a
topic such as managing culturally diverse problem solving teams,
background information may include the following:

• Problem solving teams – the reasons why they are necessary in

organisations

• Cultural Diversity – the benefits of cultural diversity in teams and

the potential problems that may occur from these types of
heterogeneous groups if they are not managed correctly Step 2:
Mayer, Davis and Schoorman (1995, pp. 709-711) provide two and a half Background
pages of background information including their introduction and a section
on the need for trust.
Information
Page 4 Developing Research Skills

The next step is to examine the literature for the research’s primary topic.
In the example, the primary topic is on problem solving teams and, within
this area, the study will explore cultural diversity:

Step 3:
Examining the
Literature

Exploring Problem Solving Teams

For a simple and clear
research model, see In this section of the literature review, the researcher should examine
Mayer, Davis and some of the theoretical models on problem solving teams and from this
Schoorman (1995, p. critical evaluation, he or she will develop the first stage of his or her
715) research model.

For example, the researcher might analyse the following theoretical

models:

• Gladstein (1984)

• Pinsonneault and Kraemer (1990)

• Briggs and Nunamaker (1996)

• McFadzean (2002)

Deconstruct – explode – each

model in order to evaluate it
Developing Research Skills Page 5

Exploring Gladstein’s Model:

Gladstein, D. L. (1984), "Groups in Context: A Model of Task Group Effectiveness," Administrative
Science Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 499-517.

Answer the questions below pertaining to this model and insert

the model’s strengths and weaknesses into the table:
y Was the methodology and
research design undertaken by
the theorist appropriate?
y Does the theory include all the
relevant variables?

y Are there any gaps in the theory?

y Are there any variables that

have been included in the theory
but should not be?
y Can the theory be developed Strengths Weaknesses
further by amalgamating the
appropriate parts of more than
one model?
y How can the theory be changed
in the context of this research
project?
© Elspeth McFadzean 2007
Page 6 Developing Research Skills

Exploring Pinsonneault & Kraemer’s Model:

Pinsonneault, A. and Kraemer, K. L. (1990), "The Effects of Electronic Meetings on Group Processes and
Outcomes: An Assessment of the Empirical Research," European Journal of Operational Research, Vol.
46, No. 2, pp. 143-161.
Answer the questions below pertaining to this model and insert
the model’s strengths and weaknesses into the table:
y Was the methodology and
research design undertaken by
the theorist appropriate?
y Does the theory include all the
relevant variables?

y Are there any gaps in the theory?

y Are there any variables that

have been included in the theory
but should not be?
y Can the theory be developed Strengths Weaknesses
further by amalgamating the
appropriate parts of more than
one model?
y How can the theory be changed
in the context of this research
project?
© Elspeth McFadzean 2007
Developing Research Skills Page 7

Exploring Briggs & Nunamaker’s Model:

Briggs, R. O. and Nunamaker, J. F. (1996), "Team Theory of Group Productivity and its Application to
Development and Testing of Group Support Systems," CMI Working Paper Series, University of Arizona.

Answer the questions below pertaining to this model and insert

the model’s strengths and weaknesses into the table:
y Was the methodology and
research design undertaken by
the theorist appropriate?
y Does the theory include all the
relevant variables?

y Are there any gaps in the theory?

y Are there any variables that

have been included in the theory
but should not be?
y Can the theory be developed Strengths Weaknesses
further by amalgamating the
appropriate parts of more than
one model?
y How can the theory be changed
in the context of this research
project?
© Elspeth McFadzean 2007
Page 8 Developing Research Skills

Exploring McFadzean’s Model:

McFadzean, E. S. (2002), "Developing and Supporting Creative Problem Solving Teams Part 1: A
Conceptual Model," Management Decision, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 463-475.

Answer the questions below pertaining to this model and insert

the model’s strengths and weaknesses into the table:
y Was the methodology and
research design undertaken by
the theorist appropriate?
y Does the theory include all the
relevant variables?

y Are there any gaps in the theory?

y Are there any variables that

have been included in the theory
but should not be?
y Can the theory be developed Strengths Weaknesses
further by amalgamating the
appropriate parts of more than
one model?
y How can the theory be changed
in the context of this research
project?
© Elspeth McFadzean 2007
 Developing Research Skills Page 9

Exploring Diverse There may well be variables in these models that will help the
researcher specifically explore the topic of diversity.
Problem Solving
Teams: For example:

y Gladstein (1984) y Pinsonneault & Kraemer y Briggs and y McFadzean (2002)

presents variables (1990) provide more Nunamaker (1996) recommends the
on open detail on communication suggest that goal development of process
communication, and interpersonal congruence is a congruence, the
supportiveness,
training and characteristics such as vital element for stipulation of roles and
adequate skills clarification and co‐ effective problem responsibilities and the
operation. solving groups development of trust

All of these variables will help in the

management of diverse problem solving
teams.
© Elspeth McFadzean 2007

These variables together with other information from the literature could be
used to construct a research model. For example:
 Page 10 Developing Research Skills

Using the model, the researcher can then develop (a) the structure of his or
Mayer, Davis and
her chapter and (b) his or her research questions.
Schoorman (1995, pp.
714-730) develop their
research model by
critically evaluating
other theories on trust. Developing a Structure for the
They then add the
appropriate variables Literature Review Chapter
together in order to
construct their
The researcher can use his or her research model to develop or adjust the
framework
chapter’s structure:
 Developing Research Skills Page 11

Each section and sub-section of the

chapter is a brick which will help to
build the thesis into a coherent whole.

The structure of a
chapter or thesis will act
as a “map” and help
maintain focus
Or, in other words…

The structure illustrates the route

that he or should follow
 Page 12 Developing Research Skills

References
Briggs, R. O. and Nunamaker, J. F. (1996), "Team Theory of Group Productivity and its
Application to Development and Testing of Group Support Systems," Working Paper No.
WPS‐96‐1, CMI Working Paper Series, University of Arizona.

Gladstein, D. L. (1984), "Groups in Context: A Model of Task Group Effectiveness,"

Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 499‐517.

Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H. and Schoorman, F. D. (1995), "An Integrative Model of

Organisational Trust," Academy of Management Review, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 709‐734.

McFadzean, E. S. (2002), "Developing and Supporting Creative Problem Solving Teams Part 1:
A Conceptual Model," Management Decision, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 463‐475.

Pinsonneault, A. and Kraemer, K. L. (1990), "The Effects of Electronic Meetings on Group

Processes and Outcomes: An Assessment of the Empirical Research," European Journal of
Operational Research, Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 143‐161.