Planning and designing research

1. Planning and designing research JN602 Week 03 Veal Chapter 3

2. Lecture Outline The research process Research questions Defining research questions Defining research objectives The research proposal

3. The Research Process (Figure 3.1) Desire to do research Select the topic: formulating and clarifying Review the literature Develop a conceptual framework Determine research questions List information needs and operationalise Choose a research strategy Conduct research: Collecting data Analysing data Report the findings (write-up)

4. The Research Process

5. Selecting a research topic Sources of ideas: Personal interest The literature Policy or management Social Popular issues

6. 1. Selecting a research topic

7. Examples of research topics Understanding the contemporary student: integrating work, family, socialising and study The use and value of flexible working arrangements in regional organisations Sources of volunteer motivation Understanding the value of volunteer contributions in regional Australia

8. Checklist of attributes of a good research topic (Collis and Hussey, 2003, Box 2.1) Does the topic fit the specifications and meet the standards set by the examining institution? Is the topic something with which you are really fascinated? Does your research topic contain issues that have a clear link to theory? Do you have, or can you develop within the project time frame, the necessary research skills to undertake the topic? Is the research topic achievable within the available time? Is the research topic achievable within the financial resources that are likely to be available?

9. Are you reasonably certain of being able to gain access to data you are likely to require for this topic? Are you able to state your research question(s) and objectives clearly? Will your proposed research be able to provide fresh insights into this topic? Does your research topic relate clearly to the idea you have been given (perhaps by an organisation)? Are the findings for this research topic likely to be symmetrical: that is, of similar value whatever the outcome? Does the research topic match your career goals?

10. Developing the research topic Information gathering Theoretical issues Relevant concepts Previous explanations Initial problem formulation Identifying a question to be answered or issue to be examined

11. Methods for generating ideas(Collis and Hussey, 2003, Box 2.2) Rational thinking Examining your own strengths and interests Looking at past project titles Discussion Searching the literature Creative thinking Keeping a notebook of ideas Exploring personal preferences using past projects Relevance trees Brainstorming

12. Specific information required Types of questions to consider: How do we know that the issue exists? When was it first noticed? Who is affected by the issue? What is the perceived impact of the issue or problem? What are the causes? USEFUL FOR THE RESEARCH BACKGROUND

13. Contextual information Organisational history and structure Environment changes Industry and economic factors Social change Employee concerns and attitudes Customer and supplier perceptions

14. 2. Reviewing the literature Roles of the literature in research: The entire basis of the research A source of ideas on topics for research A source of information on research already done by others A source of methodological or theoretical ideas A source of comparison between your research and that of others A source of information that is an integral or supportive part of the research (for example, data on a local market) MORE ON THIS NEXT WEEK!!

15. 3. Devising a conceptual framework What are concepts? General representations of the phenomena to be studied � �building blocks� What is a conceptual framework? Verbal and/or diagrammatic representation of the possible relationships between concepts In academic contexts may be �theoretical framework� or a �model�

16. Concepts � examples (a)

17. Concepts � examples (b)

18. The process of devising a conceptual framework

19. Concept mapping - A

20. Concept mapping - B

21. Concept mapping - C

22. Writing research questions Identify a problem or issue to be solved Issues to consider Clarity Too simple or too difficult No contrbution to make

23. From idea to question Understanding the contemporary student: integrating work, family, socialising and study The use and value of flexible working arrangements in regional organisations Sources of volunteer motivation Understanding the value of volunteer contributions in regional Australia How do students balance their work, family, socialising and study activities? What forms of flexible working arrangements are used in regionally-based organisations? Why do people choose to volunteer? What roles do volunteers undertake in regional non-profit organisations?

24. 4. Deciding Research Questions Alternative formats: Research question � eg. What is the relationship between advertising expenditure and revenue? Research objective � eg. The aim of the study is to discover the relationship between advertising expenditure and revenue. Hypothesis � eg. There is a positive relationship between advertising expenditure and revenue (True or false?)

25. Deciding research questions cont�d Research questions relate to relationships indicated in the concept map � see Case Study Example 3.1 Suggestion: Start with one general focus research objective Then within this general problem, develop specific research questions or hypotheses Research objectives are �� more generally acceptable to the research community as evidence of the researcher�s clear sense of purpose and direction� (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2004, p.25)

26. From question to objective How do students integrate their work, family, socialising and study activities? What use is made of flexible working in regional organisations? Why do people choose to volunteer? What roles do volunteers undertake in regional organisations? To identify the activities that students are involved in To determine the factors influencing how students allocate their time between activities To describe the range and use of flexible working arrangements in regional organisations in Australia To identify the different types of motivations that people have for volunteering To identify the forms of activity volunteers undertake in regional organisations

27. 5. Listing information needs & operationalisation

28. Listing information needs & operationalisation Contd

29. 6. Developing a research strategy Decide information-gathering methods See Chs. 5-11 Decide data analysis methods See Chs. 12-15 Budget and timetable See Chapter 3 Section II

30. 7. Conducting the research See Chapters 4-15

31. II Research Proposals Self-generated � eg. theses, academic research Responsive � eg. consultancy � response to briefs and tenders Content: What is to be done Why it is to be done (Self-generated) How it is to be done When it will be done What it will cost Who will do it

32. Self-generated proposal (1-5) Background and justification for selection of topic. (Preliminary) review of the literature. Conceptual/theoretical framework. Statement of research problems, questions or hypotheses. Outline of data requirements and overall research strategy. Division of project into elements, stages and tasks.

33. Self-generated proposal (6) Details of information collection methods: types of information collection sample or subject selection methods - measures to ensure data quality justification of sample size (where appropriate) data and information to be generated by each method outline of any ethical issues and how they will be addressed

34. Self-generated proposal (7-9) Details of data analysis methods. Timetable (NB some tasks will be concurrent): Fig. 3.9 preparatory work ethics approval if required fieldwork - data collection tasks Analysis draft report or thesis feedback on draft final report or thesis presentation. Budget, where applicable - costing of each element, stage and task: project staff costs (n days at $x per day) permissible overheads fieldwork or data collection costs additional items - travel, printing, telephone, postage, &c.

35. NOT REQUIRED FOR THE GROUP PROPOSAL: Report or thesis chapter outline or indication of no. & type of publications. Resources, skills and experience available (necessary when seeking funds): researchers' curricula vitae, especially experience relevant to the proposed project availability of computers, equipment, library resources, &c. Self-generated proposal (10-11)

36. Responsive proposal Brief summary of key aspects of the proposal, including any unique approach and particular skills or experience of the consultants. Re-statement of the key aspects of the brief. Interpretation of key concepts in the brief. Overall 'approach' to the problem. Division of project into elements, stages and tasks - related to structure of brief. Information collection methods Timetable (NB some tasks will be concurrent) Budget: Costing of each element, stage and task. Chapter outline of report and, if appropriate, details of other proposed reporting formats- interim reports, working papers, articles. Resources available

37. Proposals � presenting program/timetable

38. Proposals � presenting program/timetable

39. The purpose of the research proposal Organising your ideas Convincing your audience Contracting with your client Because it is part of your assessment? ?

40. Evaluating a research proposal The extent to which the components of the proposal �fit together� The viability of the proposal The absence of pre-conceived ideas You don�t �already know the answer�!!

41. Next Week Literature reviews Literature searching Writing the lit review There have been problems with Blackboard thus far For this reason, lecture notes will be posted on the web: http://uob-community.ballarat.edu.au/ ~smceachern/jn602/jn602main.html