Academic Writing and Research Skills 1 RESEARCH PLANNING AND RESEARCH PROCESS Research Planning and Research Process 2 Research planning Research process Further readings, keywords, references Research Planning and Process Learning Objectives 3 Understand . . . The main steps in conducting research Research is decision- and dilemma- centered The clarified research question is the result of careful exploration and analysis and sets the direction for the research project What is included in research design, data collection, and data analysis Research process problems to avoid Research Planning 4 Research planning involves the following steps: Selecting a topic The purpose of the study Hypothesis, objectives, and research question Working title and project outline Timing Supervision Write as you go Research Planning Selecting a topic 5 Do not select a topic before doing ground work. Select a topic of interest, hopefully with practical applications. Why we do research: We need to do research to know more and to act better than we did before (add to the sum of knowledge). Whatever the size of the study (undergraduate project or a Ph.D. thesis), you are required to analyze and evaluate the collected information and suggest desirable changes. Research Planning Selecting a topic 6 You may be given a topic to research or select from a list of topics or select a topic yourself. Write down available ideas. Think about each topic: What it might involve? Will it be likely to maintain my interest? If you get bored, the time will go and the research will lack the quality. Talk to colleagues about the topics, they may be aware of sensitive aspects about the topics which could cause difficulties. They may direct you to people who have done something similar. Research Planning Selecting a topic 7 Bring the list down to two or three. Write ideas, questions and doubts about your first choice and what you can do. Word ordering is not important at this stage. This will give clues whether this topic is too complex to complete within the timescale or you need access to confidential or unavailable data. Do the same for other ideas. Refine the summary with improved ideas, remove overlapping, and state research questions. Research Planning Purpose of study 8 Decide why you want to carry out this research. Has any research been done in this area? Need to obtain any permissions? Study the literature to see what has been done in this topic. This is the what stage. What you are doing? Research Planning Purpose of study 9 The value of research may be judged in terms of the difference between the result of decisions made with the information and the result that would be made without it. Option analysis: Analysis of each alternative research project in terms of estimated costs and associated benefits. Decision theory: Assess the outcomes of each action. Choose the action that meets or exceeds whatever criteria are established. Prior (interim) evaluation: Doing a study in stages. Costs are then reviewed at each stage. Ex post facto evaluation: This form occurs after the research is conducted but can be useful in guiding future decisions. Research Planning Hypothesis, Objectives, and Research Question 10 Hypothesis is a proposition that needs to be verified through subsequent investigation. Hypothesis provide guide to the researcher on how the original ideas may be tested. The results of the research will either support or not support the hypothesis. Large projects require statistical testing. A precise list of objectives and research questions is needed. This list may be modified later. Research Planning Working title and project outline 11 Select a temporary, meaningful working title. Produce the project outline. Think more about; Purpose of the study Focus (Scope) of the study Identify your sample and required permissions. What information I need to answer my questions? How to get such information The submission date and timing of your project Discuss the project outline with your supervisor. Research Planning Timing 12 You need to complete within a specified time. There is a high probability of falling behind the schedule. Check your progress periodically. Reading is one of the reasons of falling behind. At some stage, you have to stop reading and start writing. Consult your supervisor before falling much behind. Project plan is modifiable. Research Planning Supervision 13 It is extremely important to have a good relation with your supervisor. Alone you can rarely produce a quality research. We need a supervisor in whom we have confidence, we can share thinking, willing to advise and give honest view. A balance is needed to accommodate the supervisor's other commitments. A code of practice for supervision is adopted in many universities. Sometimes change of supervisor is the solution. Keep a record of research meetings. A form is adopted in many universities. Date, discussed issues, goals, summary and next meeting. Research Planning Write as you go 14 Writing should be ongoing. Summarize your references. Remember you need to avoid plagiarism. Remember ways of doing so. Research Process 15 Research process involves the following stages: Stage 1: Clarifying the research question Stage 2: Proposing research Stage 3: Designing the research Stage 4: Data collection and preparation Stage 5: Data analysis and interpretation Stage 6: Reporting the results Problems to Avoid Research Process 16 Stage 1: Clarifying the research question Stage 2: Proposing research Stage 3: Designing the research Stage 4: Data collection and preparation Stage 5: Data analysis and interpretation Stage 6: Reporting the results (Source: Cooper & Schindler, 2013, Exhibit 1-4, p. 14) Research Process Stage 1: Clarifying the Research Question 17 (Source: Cooper & Schindler, 2013, Exhibit 1-4, p. 14) Research Process Stage 2: Proposing Research 18 (Source: Cooper & Schindler, 2013, Exhibit A-1, p. 587) Research Process Stage 2: Proposing Research Elements of a Research Proposal 19 Purpose Legally-binding contract Obligations Methods Written proposals establish Extent Timing Delivery Budgets Research Process Stage 3: Designing the Research 20 (Source: Cooper & Schindler, 2013, Exhibit 1-4, p. 14) Research Process Stage 3: Designing the Research Components of the Research Design 21 Components to research design stage: 1. Research design: blueprint for fulfilling objectives and providing the insight to answer the management dilemma. There are many methods, techniques, procedures, and protocols possible. 2. Sample Design: Identify the target population and determine whether a sample or census is desired. A census is a count of all elements in a population. A sample is a group of cases, participants, events, or records that constitute a portion of the target population. The researcher must determine whether to choose a probability or nonprobability sample. 3. Pilot testing: is conducted to test weaknesses in the research methodology and the data collection instrument and to provide proxy data for selection of a probability sample. Research Process Stage 4: Data Collection and Preparation 22 Data may be characterized by their abstractness, verifiability, elusiveness, and closeness to the phenomenon. As abstractions, data are more metaphorical than real (e.g. the growth in GDP cannot be readily observed). Second, data are processed by our senses. When sensory experiences consistently produce the same result, our data are said to be trustworthy. Capturing data is elusive. Secondary data are originally collected to address a problem other than the one which require the manager's attention at the moment. Primary data are data the researcher collects to address the specific problem at hand. Research Process Stage 5: Data Analysis and Interpretation 23 Steps: 1. Reduce data to manageable size 2. Develop summaries 3. Look for patterns 4. Apply statistical techniques Research Process Stage 6: Reporting the Results 24 In reporting the results, the researcher should strive to provide insightful information adapted to the client's needs and to choose words carefully when crafting interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations. The research report should include the following parts: 1. 2. 3. 4. Executive summary: consists of a synopsis of the problem, findings, and recommendations. Research overview: explains the background, exploratory findings from secondary data, the research design and procedures, and the conclusions. Implementation strategies: expands on recommendations. Technical appendix: contains all the materials necessary to replicate the project. Research Process Stage 6: Reporting the Results 25 Components of research report overview: 1. Problem's background 2. Summary of exploratory findings 3. Research design and procedures 4. Conclusions Research Process Problems to Avoid 26 Researchers must remain objective. Some common problems in the research process. 1. Unresearchable questions: Not all questions are researchable and not all research questions are answerable. 2. ill-defined problem: is one that addresses complex issues and cannot be expressed easily or completely. 3. Politically-Motivated Research: Sometimes a research study is intended to win approval for a pet idea or to protect a decision maker. In these cases, it may be more difficult to get support for the most appropriate research design. Research Process Problems to Avoid (con't.) 27 4. The favored-technique syndrome occurs when researchers are method-bound. They recast research questions so that it is amenable to their favorite method. 5. Company database strip-mining managers may feel that they do not want to collect more data until they have thoroughly evaluated all existing data. While data mining can be a good starting point, it will rarely address all questions related to a specific management dilemma. Research Ethics Further Reading 28 Planning the project checklist (pp. 40-42) Research Ethics Key Terms 29 Census Management question Data Management-research Primary data Secondary data Data analysis Decision rule exploration Investigative questions Management dilemma question hierarchy Pilot test Research design Research process Research questions Sample Target population References 30 Bell, J. (2010). Planning the project. In Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science. (pp. 27-43). Maidenhead, Berkshire; UK: Open University Press. Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2013). The research process: An overview. In Business research methods (pp. 74-91). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill