HSC CAFS research methodology - Amazon Web Services

research

H S C C A F S

methodology

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01 Planning for research

02Conducting research

03 Interpreting research

research process

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PLANNINGFOR RESEARCH

Formulating a Research Proposal The proposal outlines the topic and purpose of the research along with a question or hypothesis. It can help to approach the

proposal using six focal points: what, why, who, where, when and how.

Choosing a research topic can be difficult, so this part of the process may take some time.

Brainstorming ideas using mind mapping techniques or group discussion can help researchers explore potential subjects. Aligning the research topic with vocational paths or areas of interest may also help.

Another important consideration for researchers is the availability of resources and subjects.

In addition to the research question or hypothesis, the research proposal should also include general details about which research methods the researcher intends to use, the size of the sample group and a timeline or plan of objectives and goals.


Developing a Timeline Time management and organisation are important skills for a researcher to cultivate. Developing a timeline can help researchers

breakdown the project into a series of tasks, each one with a specific deadline.

Designing, conducting, collating and interpreting research takes time and can’t be rushed or completed at the last minute. A plan with clearly defined tasks and goals can encourage researchers to keep a regular and steady schedule.

A timeline should include both short and long term, actionable goals. The dates set should be realistic.


Managing Resources Resources can include a variety of elements including time, money and materials. Managing and monitoring the resources used

during the course of a research project can save time and ensure that researchers are able to keep track of their progress. Having a record of the all research materials is also useful when citing and referencing as it can be difficult to remember where

data was sourced from.

The most effective way to manage resources is to keep a research diary. Researchers can use the journal to log general ideas and information, experiments, data collection, any research conducted, costs and personal reflections.

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Accessing Sources of Data Before any research can be conducted researchers must know where and how to access reliable data. Information can be stored and retrieved in a variety of formats and platforms. For example, print and digital resources can be accessed online, in libraries, archives and from other organisations.

Search engines are a good place to start as they provide access to data and resources from all over the world. However, it is important to remember information found online is not always reliable and should be carefully assessed.

People are also an excellent source of information. Depending on the topic, researchers may want to approach individuals, groups or organisations for advice, guidance and data. A majority of information sourced at this stage will be secondary, but primary data can also be retrieved from the academic databases. Many schools, universities and libraries subscribe to online databases and staff are usually more than happy to help researchers navigate the catalogues and shelves.

CONDUCTING RESEARCH

Collecting and Recording Data To ensure that the research findings are balanced and unbiased researchers must gather, or collect, both primary and secondary resources.

It can help to keep a record of all the secondary resources collected, along with a brief summary of the content and an assessment of how useful the material is to the overall project. This is an efficient way to organise and evaluate data. It also makes the process of citing and referencing the materials much simpler.

Because secondary resources can only tell a researcher what is already known about a subject, the core information of any research project will come from the primary data collected.

The processes used to collect and record primary data will vary depending on the methodologies used. For example, if using a questionnaire or interview researchers will want to: Draft questions Run a test session Refine the questions Arrange a time to interview or question subjects Organise equipment or print and distribute forms Conduct research Collect and analyse the results and Record and present findings

However, researchers using an observational method will take a different approach: Contacting the subject group Organising observational times and sessions Observation and note taking Review of notes and Record and present findings

Regardless of what of the methodology used it is essential that researchers keep detailed and well organised notes so that they can easily find, interpret and compare data after it has been recorded. It may help to keep a digital journal on a phone or tablet, or use an application like evernote or dropbox to store data so that it is easy to read and search through the information gathered.

CONDUCTING RESEARCH

Documenting Actions and Issues It is also important for researchers to keep detailed records of any actions or issues and carefully store any signed consent forms. Keeping this information organised makes it easy for the researcher to review what has and hasn’t occurred while also providing protection. If any issues or complaints arise the researcher can refer to their records to confirm they acted appropriately and with permission.

Best practice is to keep digital copies of any handwritten notes and print forms. It is also advisable to keep backups of digital information. These can be stored on usb drives or cloud servers like Dropbox and iCloud.

CONDUCTING RESEARCH

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INTERPRETING RESEACH

After a balance of primary and secondary data has been gathered and collected it must be carefully studied. Raw data is only useful after it has been sense of and given meaning.

Research findings can be presented in a variety of ways including graphically in tables, charts and graphs or textually, in reports or other written documents. The objective is to display the research data in a way that can be easily understood and evaluated.

Tables are a useful and simple way to display data for analysis and comparison in rows and columns. However, they are not visually compelling and it can be difficult to interpret large amounts of textual data.

Some examples of graphs that can be used are:

Column graphs are used to vertically display categories of data.

Bar graphs are used to horizontally display categories of data.

A line graph is used to show data over time or across categories. The scale and scope of the raw data will affect how effective this type of graph is for displaying data.

And a pie chart is a simple, circular chart which divides the results into sections of visual data.


Analysing Research Results Recorded data must be analysed before it can be effectively presented and understood.

The most suitable method for breaking down the raw information will depend on the type of research methodology used.

Quantitative results are relatively easy to interpret as the responses are standardised and usually measurable. Researchers simply need to collate, count and compare the data.

Interpreting qualitative data is more complex as the responses and information may vary greatly in detail and depth. The researcher must carefully study the data to identify any recurring themes or patterns.


Drawing Conclusions from Research In a research report, the process is summarised from the development of a research question to the analysis and presentation of the data. The final objective is to demonstrate good research practices and objective evaluation, before drawing logical conclusions using the data gathered.

Reports have a clear structure with correct citations and should include: • Introduction • Hypothesis/Research question • Summary of methodology • Description of research • Presentation of findings • Conclusion • Bibliography (reference list) • Appendix

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HSC CAFS research methodology - Amazon Web Services