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Chapter 3: Starting out: research plans and proposals. STAGES IN PLANNING RESEARCH PROJECTS ( Fig. 3.1). 1. Select topic. 2. Review literature . 3. Devise conceptual framework. NB. Stages 1-4 may occur in any order and will probably involve iteration. 4. Decide research question(s). - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Chapter 3: Starting out:
research plans and proposals
STAGES IN PLANNING RESEARCH PROJECTS (Fig. 3.1)
5. List information needs
6. Decide research strategy
7. Obtain ethics clearance (if applicable)
8. Conduct Research
10. Store data
3. Devise conceptual framework
1. Select topic
2. Review literature
4. Decide research question(s) NB. Stages 1-4 may occur in any order and will probably involve iteration
9. Report findings
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
1. Choosing a topic: sources of ideas (Fig. 3.2)
a. Personal interestb. The literaturec. Policy/management problems/issuesd. Social concernse. Popular/media-based issuesf. Published research agendasg. Brainstorming re. topics arising from a – fh. Opportunism
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
1. Topic selection - from the literature (Fig. 3.3)
Reason for doing research
Theories/propositions/observations from the literature:
Geographical .. may have been tested only in one country or region
Social … may have been established on the basis of the experience of one social group only
Temporal … may be out of date
Contextual … may have been established in fields other than sport
Methodological … may have been tested using only one methodology
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
1. Topic selection: Purpose of research (Fig. 3.4)
Purpose/motive FeaturesPursue knowledge for its own sake Academic/scientific criteria – may combine with others below
Ideologically driven: - Conservative - Reformist - eg. social-democratic - eg. environmental - Radical/critical - eg. neo-liberal - eg. neo-Marxist - eg. radical-feminist - eg. anti-globalist
- Defence of/acceptance of the status quo
- a more egalitarian society- sustainability
- defence/extension of the market- demonstration of class conflict/exploitation- demonstration of patriarchy/women's oppression- demonstrate undesirable features of global market trends
Policy/management: - Critical
- Instrumental
- Critiques current policy/management - may reflect one or more radical/critical stances above- Accepts broad philosophy of organisational milieu being studied
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
2. Review literature: roles of the literature (Fig. 3.5)
• Can be the entire basis of the research• Source of ideas on topics for research• Source of information on research already done by
others• Source of methodological or theoretical ideas• Basis of comparison• Source of information that is an integral/ supportive
part of the research • + See Chapter 6
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
3. Devise conceptual framework
• A conceptual framework explains the main things to be studied
• can be either graphical or in narrative form,– • uses the key factors, constructs or variables – and the
presumed relationships among them.• can be rudimentary or elaborate,• theory-driven or commonsensical,• descriptive or causal. (Miles and Huberman, 1994: 18)
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Development of a conceptual framework (Fig. 3.6)
1. Explore/explain relationships
between concepts
3. Define concepts
4. Operationalise concepts
2. Identify/list concepts
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Explore relationships between concepts – narrative eg.Statements/hypotheses (concepts in red) (Fig. 3.7)
A. Participation in a sporting activity arises as a result of an individual (or household/ family) decision-making process.
B. Whether or not a person participates could depend on a variety of events and circumstances. For example:- the availability of and access to facilities may by good or bad;- advertising and promotion may vary in quantity and influence;- the cost of participation my be high or low;- a chance event, such as meeting up with a group of friends, may trigger participation.
C. Whether or not individuals participate will also depend on their characteristics, such as:- age- income- personality and- past experience in participating in that or similar experiences.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Concept map example (Fig. 3.8)
Individual
Participant
Non-participant
A
Influencing event or circumstances:
Availability/access Advertising Price Chance event
B
Individual characteristics:
Age Income Personality Experience
C
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Defining and operationalising concepts (Fig. 3.9)
• Participant – Definition: Person who engages in sport or exercise
activity during leisure time. – Operationalisation: Participation in sport or exercise
activity at le– ast once in a week.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Defining and operationalising concepts (Fig. 3.9) contd
• Chance event:– Definition: Unplanned occurrence which affects decision
to participate. – Operationalisation: Events which an individual claims
affected recent decisions to participate: eg. past experience, advice from friend/relative, item read or seen in the media.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Defining & operationalising concepts (Fig. 3.9) contd
• Individual characteristics– Definiton: Individual attributes (which influence leisure/
tourism decisions), for example:• a. Age• b. Income• c. Personality• d. Past leisure/tourism experience
– Operationalisation:– a. Age last birthday– b. Annual household income before tax– c. Results of Myer-Briggs test– d. Leisure: activities undertaken in last six months (from
checklist); Tourism: trips taken in last 5 years.A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Operationalisation of concepts: further example: racial groups and urban park use (USA) (West, 1989) (Fig. 3.10)
Concept Definition OperationalisationCity park Park within the
cityAll parks within Detroit city boundaries
Regional park
Park outside the city
All parks located in three counties surrounding Detroit city
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Urban parks, West (Fig. 3.10) contd
Concept Definition OperationalisationRace Ethnic/racial identity Subjects' response to self-identification
question with the following categories: black, Hispanic, white, other
Marginality Limitations on participation due to a. limited income or b. b. access to
transportation
Objective indicators: a. annual income and b. automobile ownershipSubjective indicators: subjects' reported perception of barriers to park use: a. 'expense', b. transportation
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Urban parks, West (Fig. 3.10) contdConcept Definition OperationalisationSubcultural preference
Unconstrained preference for use or non-use of parks
Coded responses to open-ended question on non-use of parks or reasons for not using parks more often, such as 'no interest' or 'prefer to do other things'
Inter-racial constraints
Actual or subjective feelings of racial discrimination resulting in feelings of being 'uncomfortable' or 'unwelcome' in parks
Coded responses to open-ended questions on reasons for use/non-use of parks and specific questions on experience of 'negative reactions of other people' in parks.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Conceptual framework as quantifiable model (Fig. 3.11)
Conceptual framework/theory The frequency of holiday-taking of a particular group is positively related to the group's average level of income
Concepts/variables H = average number of holiday trips per year N = annual income in £'000s
Relationship/equation H = a + bN
Example of calibrated equation(value of a and b found from survey-based research)
H = 0.1 + 0.05N
Use of the equation for prediction (assume N = £30k)
H = 0.1 + 0.05 x 30 = 0.1 + 1.5 = 1.6 trips a year
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Conceptual framework for holiday/leisure choice (Fig. 3.12)
HD/LF = Holiday destination/ Leisure facilityBased on Witt & Wright (1992)
Satisfaction with holidays/leisure
experience
Needs
Attractiveness of HD/LF attributes
Choice of holiday/ activity
Relative preference for difference
holidays/activities
Knowledge of HD/LF
characteristics
Instrumentality of holiday/activity for providing attributes
Limiting factors, eg. cost, others’ preferences,
disability access
Expectation of being able to take the holiday/use the
facility being considered
Actual characteristics
of HD/LF
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Concept map: performance monitoring (Fig. 3.13)
KPI 2
KPI 3b
KPI 1
Objectives
Measure 2
Measure 3b
Measure 1
KPI 3a
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 1
Measure 3a
Key performance indicators (Concepts
Measures (operationalisaton)
Compare/assess
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Conceptual framework: Market research study (Fig. 3.14)
Demand for new attraction:-quantitative-qualitative-present-future
Demand:-% visiting- frequency-$ spentMarket profile:- age-socio-economic group
Quality assessment
Regional population (daytrippers)
Tourists
Local population Total demand
for this type of attraction in local market areaa. currentb. b. future
Existing attractions
Specify local market area
Local demand estimates
Inventory
National surveys etc.
Local census/ tourist surveys etc. + forecasts/trends
Surveys/focus groups
Specify type of attraction
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
4. Decide research question(s)
• Questions or hypotheses?• A question requires an answer• A problem requires a solution• A hypothesis is expressed as a statement
which must be proved:– ‘true’ (consistent with data), or– ‘false’ (not consistent with data)
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Research questions vs hypotheses (Fig. 3.16)
Research question HypothesisA. Simple version1. Pose research question: Why have visitor levels declined in the last two years at site X?
1. State hypothesis: Visitor levels declined in the last two years at site X because of the attraction of newer, better value sites.
2. Conduct research. 2. Conduct research
3. Answer: Because of the attraction of newer, better value sites.
3. Result: Consistent with the evidence
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Research questions vs hypotheses (Fig. 3.16)
Research question HypothesisA. Simple version1. Pose research question: Why have visitor levels declined in the last two years at site X?
1. State hypothesis: Visitor levels declined in the last two years at site X because of the attraction of newer, better value sites.
2. Conduct research. 2. Conduct research
3. Answer: Because of the attraction of newer, better value sites.
3. Result: Consistent with the evidence
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
5. List information needs
• See Fig. 3.17 (based on Fig. 3.14)
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Demand for new attraction:-quantitative-qualitative-present-future
Demand:-% visiting- frequency-$ spentMarket profile:- age-socio-economic group
Quality assessment
Regional population (daytrippers)
Tourists
Local population Total demand
for this type of attraction in local market areaa. currentb. b. future
Existing attractions
Specify local market area
Local demand estimates
Inventory
National surveys etc.
Local census/ tourist surveys etc. + forecasts/trends Surveys/focus groups
Specify type of attraction
-Local/regional population levels and characteristics-Tourist numbers and characteristics
-Demand levels (%)-Frequency of visit- $ spent per head- Socio-economic characteristics-Age-structure
-User assessment of quality of existing attractions
6. Decide research strategy
a. Identify project elements/stagesb. Decide information gathering techniques to be usedc. Decide data analysis techniques to be usedd. Decide budgete. Draw up timetable
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Research programme diagram example (Fig. 3.19)
Collect inventory data
Design quest’re Resident surveySurvey analysis
Steering Committee meeting
Draft reportSteering C’ttee meeting
Finalise report
Review existing research/data
Define concepts etc.
Review brief
Focus groups
Week
3
4/5
6/8
1/2
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Research project timetable, example (Fig. 3.20)
Week: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Review literatureSecondary data analysisConduct surveyAnalyse surveyFocus groupsMeetings with clients ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪Write-up report
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
8. Conduct the research
• See the rest of the book/course.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
9. Communicate findings
• See chapter 18
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
10. Store data
• Numerous issues arise in relation to:– Security of data– The length of time for which it should be stored– Storage format– Protection of privacy of subjects– Access for secondary analysis
• This is discussed particularly in Chapter 4.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
The research process in the real world
• Research does not always follow the smooth path suggested in the formal flow-charts
• See Fig. 3.21 for some problems which can arise.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
5. List information needs
6. Research strategy
7. Ethics clearance
8. Conduct Research
10. Store data
3. Conceptual framework
1. Select topic
2. Literature
4. Research question(s)
9. Report findings
New literature causes modification to lit. review, etc.
Writing up process leads to re-wording of research questions
Consideration of info. needs causes refining of concept definitions
Some re-design required
Pilot survey results cause re-thinking of research questions
Disagreements with stakeholders
Cost/time factors cause modification to research questions
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Case-studies of the research design process
• See Case Studies:– 3.3: Facility use– 3.4: Evaluation public recreation services
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
RESEARCH PROPOSALS
• Self-generated:– Academics seeking funding– Student projects/theses
• Responsive– Consultants responding to research briefs
prepared by potential clients (govt, commercial, non-profit)
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Self-generated research proposals content (Fig. 3.30)
Item Fig. 3.1 Chapt
1 Background and justification for selection of topic. 1 32 (Preliminary) review of the literature. 2 33 Conceptual/theoretical framework/theoretical discussion. 3 34 Statement of research questions or hypotheses. 4 35 Outline of data/information requirements and research
strategy5, 6 3
6 Details of information collection methods: structured by the research strategy, but including:-Literature-Secondary data-Empirical work - Sampling - Sample size - Quality measures
6
67
7-12
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Self-generated research proposals content: contdItem Fig. 3.1 Chapt
7 Ethical implications. 7 4
8 Data analysis methods. (Chapters 6-9, 11-12) 6 9, 11,12, 14-17
9 Timetable or work/tasks. (Section 6e above) 6d 3
10 Budget ..costing of each element/stage/task 6 3
11 Report/thesis chapter outline ; No. & type of publications.
9 18
12 Other resources, researcher skills/experience/'track record' (necessary when seeking funds)
6d 3
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Responsive proposals: content
Item Fig. 3.1 Chapt1. Summary of key aspects of the proposal, including :-
- unique approach - particular skills/experience of the consultants.
2. Re statement of the key aspects of the brief + ‑interpretation/definition of key concepts.
3. Conceptual framework/theoretical discussion. 3 34. Research strategy - methods/tasks. 6 35. Details of information collection methods –
structured by the research strategy, but including: - Literature- Secondary data- Fieldwork – quant or qual.- Sample sizes and justification- Quality assurance
5, 6
2
67
7-121313
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Responsive proposals: content contd
Item Fig. 3.1 Chapt6. Timetable of tasks, including interim reporting/
meetings with clients/draft and final report submission
6 3
7. Budget: Costing of each element/stage/task 6 38. Chapter outline of report + other reporting
formats – eg. interim reports, working papers, articles.
9 18
9. Resources available, staff, track record 3
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge