Masters Research Projects

1. Masters Research Projects Dr Robert Mulley Patrick SK Poon Dr Sue Reed Dr Zina O’Leary

2. What is Research at UWSH?

3. What is Research? • Research involves asking a question and attempting to find an answer. • It may involve asking a similar question that has been asked in another research project. However the difference may be that the research was undertaken in another country or in another industry.

4. What is Research Creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.

5. Definition of Research RESEARCH: a careful search or enquiry after or for something: an endeavour to discuss new facts etc. by the scientific study of a subject: the course of a critical investigation (Oxford Dictionary)

6. “RESEARCHING” IS MORE THAN “RESEARCH” • IT INCLUDES THE PERSONAL PROCESS OF DOING RESEARCH • That is, how do I conduct my work?

7. SOME RELEVANT POINTS • Define your research objective • Aims and significance • Relevance - you - industry i.e. who will benefit? • Experimental design OR How will data be collected • Budget • Reporting the findings

9. Initiating the Project • Locating the gaps(s) • Formulating the aim & objectives • Formulating research questions • Designing the Research Project • Defining the key concepts • Reviewing possible methods • Developing the research proposal • Collecting the Data • Locating the data • Retrieving the data • Managing the data • Analysing the Data • Developing the core categories • Coding the data • Drawing the conclusions • Communicating the Findings • Freewriting/brainstorming • Developing the outline • Writing up The Social Research Cycle

10. FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS • Is the research required? • Is the project achievable? • Can the project be adequately resourced?

11. IN SUMMARY, RESEARCH INVOLVES: • Creating and posing a question • Determining how to go about answering the question • Planning for, and making appropriate empirical/social observations • Rationally making sense out of those observations (Graziano & Raulin, 1993)

12. How Does the Research Methods Relate to Your Research Project • Research Methods can be used to start your project • It can be used to test an idea you have to see if it is worth further research

13. Research Project Requirements • HREC application in 1 February 2003 • Process seminar in May 2003 • Final Seminar in October/November 2003 • Submission of Project project by 1 December 2003

14. HREC Requirements • Sue Reed

15. Project Supervisors • Assist in the formulation of the research project plan; • Provide guidance on use of facilities; • Be available for consultation with the student • Assist in setting goals and deadlines; • Attend presentations given student; • Provide comment on the student's progress; • Assist in the resolution of any difficulties that might arise with the project; • Comment on the draft of the Project Report; • If appropriate, contribute to any ancillary work that arise from the project;

16. Project Supervision

17. Internet Resources

18. Research project Handbook • Requirements for written research project • Guidelines of what should be in a project report

19. Remember this is your chance to explore a question or topic you have wanted to learn more about. Especially how a topic may apply in Hong Kong.

20. Have You Any Questions?

21. We Look Forward to Seeing How Your Research Progresses in 2003!