The Department of Building and Real Estate “A Guide To Successful Research” Prof. Andrew N Baldwin

1. The Department of Building and Real Estate “A Guide To Successful Research” Prof. Andrew N Baldwin Head of Department ”A Guide to Successful Research”

2. ”A Guide to Successful Research”

3. What is research? ‘A systematic investigation and study of materials, sources etc. in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions’‘ an endeavour to discover new or collate old facts etc. by the scientific study of a subject or by a course of critical investigation’(Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1995) ”A Guide to Successful Research”

4. ”A Guide to Successful Research”

5. ‘The scientist is not a person who knows a lot but rather a person who is not prepared to give up the search for the truth’ Popper(1989) ”A Guide to Successful Research”

6. Construction and the Built Environment ”A Guide to Successful Research”

7. What is “successful” research? ”A Guide to Successful Research”

8. What is successful research? • Research that makes a contribution to knowledge • Research that meets the aims and objectives of the study within the allocated budget • Research that achieves a PhD • Research that enables the student to gain their degree • Research that enables managers to make a decision • Research that meets the needs of the University • Research that meets the needs of government • Research that meets the needs of industry • Research that meets the needs of the community • Research that makes an impact • Research that contributes to teaching • Research that produces new products or technologies • Research that keeps the ‘funding body’ happy • Research that is ‘enjoyable’ ”A Guide to Successful Research”

9. What is successful research? • Research that makes a contribution to knowledge • Research that meets the aims and objectives of the study within the allocated budget • Research that meets the needs of the University • Research that meets the needs of government • Research that meets the needs of industry • Research that meets the needs of the community • Research that makes an impact • Research that contributes to teaching • Research that produces new products or technologies ”A Guide to Successful Research”

10. How do we ensure successful research? ”A Guide to Successful Research”

11. A model for successful research? ”A Guide to Successful Research”

12. A model for successful research? • Produce a proposal • Execute the research • Report the results • Do it again ”A Guide to Successful Research”

13. Producing a Proposal • Stating the context in which the research applies • Selection of a topic and title • Identifying the aims and objectives • Identifying a methodology • Assessing the resources required • Stating the ‘deliverables’ • Assessing the risk • Writing the proposal • Submitting the proposal ”A Guide to Successful Research”

14. Executing the Research • The Literature Review • Data collection • Data analysis ”A Guide to Successful Research”

15. Report the results • Producing the report • Achieving publications in academic journals • Disseminating the findings • Gaining impact ”A Guide to Successful Research”

16. Managing the project ”A Guide to Successful Research”

17. The Undergraduate Dissertation ”A Guide to Successful Research”

18. A model for successful research? ”A Guide to Successful Research”

19. Producing a Proposal • Selection of a topic and title • Identifying the aims and objectives • Identifying a methodology • Assessing the resources required • Stating the ‘deliverables’ • Assessing the risk • Writing the proposal • Submitting the proposal ”A Guide to Successful Research”

20. The ‘methodology’ “A system of methods and principles…” ”A Guide to Successful Research”

21. Executing the Research • The Literature Review • Data collection • Data analysis ”A Guide to Successful Research”

22. Reporting the results • Producing the report ”A Guide to Successful Research”

23. Things to do • Read the notes provided by the subject leader • Keep to the deadlines • Talk to your supervisor • Start writing early • Collect the data • Remember you will be assessed on what you write about what you have done • You should present a clear discussion or ‘argument’ • You must supply adequate evidence • Remember its different from the rest of your studies, it isn’t easy! ”A Guide to Successful Research”

24. References and Data • For the dissertation: • Minimum 50 references • 100 items of bibliography • Minimum 50 (35-40%)postal questionnaires OR • 10 Interviews OR • 1 case study ”A Guide to Successful Research”

25. DISSERTATIONS – TOP 12 COMMON FAULTS • Lack of evidence (eg., references, data, analysis) • Overambitous statements (eg., “all project managers …”) • Prescriptions (eg., “should”, “must”, “it is essential”) • Incomplete (analysis, discussion, implications, no revisions/redrafts) • Irrelevancies (eg., unfocussed, padding) • Insulting statements (eg., “stupid”, “nonsense” and “rubbish”) • Lack of clarity • Neglect (eg., of productive time, reading, reflection, imagination, criticality, supervisor, other stakeholders/supporters) • Lack of structure (eg., logical sequencing, ‘hanging together’) • Lack of drive/commitment/stamina/toughness/ resilience • Background (eg., lack of technical knowledge, thinking/writing skills, confidence/humility/sensitivity) • Non-compliance with university rules (eg., format, deadlines) ”A Guide to Successful Research”

26. ”A Guide to Successful Research”