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1
Research Methods
Research Topic Selection and Literature
Dr Frantz Clermont (Daryl Essam)
Email: [email protected] Phone: 6268 8167
2
The Research Process: A generic prescription
Generic Steps:
1) Choose a Topic Idea-Generating Phase
2) Research Question Narrowing-Down Phase
3) Design the Study4) Collect Data5) Analyse Data6) Interpret Data7) Inform Others
3
Topic/Question Search: An Iterative Process
Activity: Make a list of topics of interest/relevance/importance
Consider one or two topics about which you know
something Carry out exploratory/skeletal review of literature
relevant to broad area Consult with supervisor & others => perspectives on
worthiness & feasibility
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Topic/Question Search: Literature Review-1 (exploratory)
Aims: to assess importance/worthiness of topic(s) of
interest to clarify and justify a specific topic
Involves: Reading seminal papers, recent review/tutorial
papers Learning about state-of-the-art from papers’
introductions Learning of “ways forward” from papers’
conclusions Paying attention to titles, keywords and recurrent
citations Annotating a preliminary bibliography
5
Research Topic/Question Search: In a nutshell!
Initial seed(s): Supervisor and/or Others Personal Background, Experiences,
Intuition Literature Review-1:
exploratory/skeletal Consultation with Supervisor and
Others
An Iterative Process An Incessant Search for Originality!
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Research Topic Formulation: Literature Review-1
Aims: to assess importance/worthiness of topic(s) of
interest to clarify and justify a specific topic
Involves: Reading seminal papers, recent review/tutorial
papers Learning about state-of-the-art from papers’
introductions Learning of “ways forward” from papers’
conclusions Paying attention to titles, keywords and recurrent
citations Annotating a preliminary bibliography
7
Basic Research Strategies: Ways to Acquire Knowledge
1) Tenacity: “it has always been that way”
2) Authority: “the boss says it is true”3) Intuition: “it feels true”4) Rationalism: “it makes sense
logically”5) Empiricism: “I observed it to be true”
Research Process : [(4) + (5)] + (3)
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Formulating the Research Question/Problem:Some Guidelines
Some Crucial, Initial Determinants Your interest in the subject area Manageability of research study within your
constraints
Suggested Steps (assuming you already have a specific topic) Raise research questions you would like to
answer Formulate objectives (main & sub-) for your
study Assess objectives (feasibility, resources &
technical expertise) Double check
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On Formulating Main Objective & Sub-Objectives
re: Research Question/Problem
{Objective+Sub-Objectives} = {Goals to be Attained}
Main Objective = The Main Goal Thrust of Study Main Connections/Associations to be
Discovered/Established Ex.: To find out the effects of alcoholism on the family
Sub-Objectives = Specific Goals Ex.-1: To find out the effects of alcoholism on the financial
institution of the family Ex.-2: To determine the ways in which alcoholism affects different
aspects of children’s lives Wording Research Orientation/Type
Clarity Completeness Specificity
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Why? (1) Bring Clarity & Focus
The daunting paradox:– Effective literature search research problem– Literature review shape research problem
Expected (inevitable?) Benefits:– Better (& deeper) understanding of subject/problem
area– Conceptualisation of a viable, research problem
Clarity Conciseness
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Why? (2) Improve Your Methodology
Contra others’ procedures and methods– Similarity– Effectiveness– Limitations
Expected Benefits– Procedures/methods appropriate to research
problem– Defensible choices
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Why? (3) Broaden Your Knowledge Base
Ensemble of perspectives– Currency of similar and/or related problems– Types of theories & their explanatory
strengths– Trends in methodologies & their
effectiveness– Argumentations & interpretations– {… Gaps …}!
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Why? Purpose (in a nutshell)
Generic requirements: Learn from others and formulate new ideas Show prior research direction Integrate and summarise what is known Demonstrate strong familiarity with a body of
knowledge
Research degree requirements Evidence of: {your problem area} {high level of
expertise} Evidence of: {your study} {existing body of
knowledge}
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Why? Benefits (in a nutshell)
Expert knowledge of The topic finally selected and other related topics The theories relevant to a range of topics Range of viable and/or plausible hypotheses Research designs & methodologies applicable to
topic area Sound knowledge of
Leading Perspectives Leading Scholars
A way of thinking! Second nature!
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What? Goal-1: Familiarity w/ Body of knowledge
Common to all reviews Provides necessary
foundation/framework Expertise Credibility! Scholarship A way of thinking!
Not the only Goal: Generally Definitely Thesis Context
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What? Goal-2: Prior Research Paths
Essential Goal!
Unfold links within relevant body of knowledge
Research (sub-) objectives
A gradual build up to research question
Extension of a line of thought Conflicting views Unanswered question(s)
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What? Goal-3: Integrate and Summarise
Essential Goal!
What is (or appears to be) known Contrasts amongst Theories/Methodologies Unifying perspectives on Theories/Methodologies
What is (or appears to be) unknown Recall range of plausible research
hypotheses/questions Recall YOUR research question its relevance! Recall YOUR research question its significance!
18
What? Literature = {???}
Primary Sources Academic Journals (serials) Electronic Journals Conference Proceedings Dissertations and Theses Abstract and Keyword Services
Secondary Sources Book Chapters Monographs
Other Sources Government Publications Industry Reports
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How?: Primary Sources
Primary sources publish the details of specific research projects
Journal articles– Thousands of journals covering every topic
imaginable– Abstract services makes it easy to find
relevant journal articles
Dissertations– Available through interlibrary loan or Web
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How?: Secondary Sources
Secondary sources provide reviews of broad areas of research
Review articles in journals or books– Provide integrative reviews of a
research area– Some journals specialize in these
kinds of integrative reviews Books and edited books
– Provide extensive reviews without the typical space constraints of journal reviews
21
How?: Search Strategies
Many ways to find the information that you are after– Search by topic– Search by author using authors who
you know specialize in the area– Check out the references in relevant
articles– Use citation indexes to find articles
that cite classic articles in a field
22
How?: Search by Topic
The most common search strategy Abstract and keyword indexes are
structured for topic searches– Most are now computerized– Easy to do sophisticated searches in
computerized databases using Boolean operators (OR & AND)
Identify all the work of authors you find who have done a lot of work in the field
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How?: Searching Backwards
Relevant research will likely reference other relevant research
Identify some recent relevant studies and then look through their reference sections
Not a substitute for a thorough topic search, but is a good supplementary strategy
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How?: Searching Forward
In most areas, there will be one or more articles that are SO critical that they will be referenced by every related study
Citation indexes can be used to find the studies that reference these classic studies
Again, not a substitute for a thorough topic search, but a good supplementary strategy
25
How?: Literature Reading (A
suggested procedure)
Step-1: Skim article/chapter: title, abstract, (sub-) headings &
conclusion Step-2: Reflect for a moment
Formulate questions YOU expect to be answered
Step-3: Read article/chapter quickly Step-4: Read article/chapter while taking
notes & highlighting items Step-5: Reflect on article/chapter Formulate questions Your
potential research Step-6: Integrate all YOUR thoughts
26
Literature Review In Sum
It involves a paradox in the first instance
A continuous process A way of thinking! searching for existing literature reviewing the selected literature using it to develop the antecedents to your
problem using it to develop the framework for your
investigations all materials presented must have a
purpose