Research Design and MethodsResearch Design and Methods

Postgraduate Research Induction Postgraduate Research Induction ProgrammeProgramme

Jill PearsonJill Pearson

Your research will Your research will take you on a take you on a

journey to find out:journey to find out:

What is already knownWhat is already known What is still unknownWhat is still unknown What is worth knowingWhat is worth knowing What is knowableWhat is knowable What is the best way of designing a study in What is the best way of designing a study in

order to find answers to what is: Unknown, order to find answers to what is: Unknown, Worth knowing and KnowableWorth knowing and Knowable

Literature ReviewLiterature Review

You must recognise You must recognise the contributions of the contributions of othersothers

You must recognise that the You must recognise that the contributions of others are contributions of others are limited – that there is a gap in limited – that there is a gap in the literaturethe literature

Do you agree?Do you agree?

“…“…what you learn in university is what you learn in university is …full of generalisations, dates …full of generalisations, dates rapidly and always has to be rapidly and always has to be questioned.” (Luck 1999, p.12)questioned.” (Luck 1999, p.12)

50% of what is taught at 50% of what is taught at university is wronguniversity is wrong

How do you criticise Giants when How do you criticise Giants when you’re standing on their shoulders?you’re standing on their shoulders?

Double Entry Double Entry Note TakingNote Taking

Take out a blank piece of paperTake out a blank piece of paper

Divide the page in half by Divide the page in half by drawing a vertical line down the drawing a vertical line down the middlemiddle

Write “Paraphrase” at the top of Write “Paraphrase” at the top of the first columnthe first column

Write “React” at the top of the Write “React” at the top of the second columnsecond column

Then put down your pensThen put down your pens

Binge drinking among college students is Binge drinking among college students is significantly higher in States that have significantly higher in States that have relaxed alcohol policies and high rates relaxed alcohol policies and high rates of adult binge drinking, according to a of adult binge drinking, according to a recent study conducted by the Harvard recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS) and the Centers for Disease Study (CAS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CAS defines binge drinking as “a risky The CAS defines binge drinking as “a risky pattern of alcohol use” in which men pattern of alcohol use” in which men consume five or more drinks in a row consume five or more drinks in a row and women consume four or more.and women consume four or more.

Double Entry Note TakingDouble Entry Note Taking

Any plagiarising?Any plagiarising? Could just mean a good memory!Could just mean a good memory!

Advantages of Double Entry Note TakingAdvantages of Double Entry Note Taking– Own words – you understand itOwn words – you understand it– You’re less likely to plagiariseYou’re less likely to plagiarise– You’re getting curiousYou’re getting curious– You’re starting the dialogue with the You’re starting the dialogue with the

experts experts

         

Some Questions to ask yourself Some Questions to ask yourself during Double Entry Note Takingduring Double Entry Note Taking

• What were the most important points? • Do I understand this point? • Does this make sense? • Do I agree? • Should I read more on this particular

topic? • I wonder if this holds true in other

situations, like…• I would like to know more about this.

More questions/reactionsMore questions/reactions

·  This is a load of rubbish because…·  This can’t be true because…·  This is trivial/boring/unimportant

because…·   I’m curious about this area and would

like to know more because…·  This raises other questions/issues such

as…·  This might make a potentially

interesting research topic because…

Final Comment on Being CriticalFinal Comment on Being Critical

““Change is happening at a Change is happening at a faster pace than at any time faster pace than at any time in the past.”in the past.”

Pick your battlesPick your battles

In other words, In other words, decide on YOUR decide on YOUR contributioncontribution

Doing your chosen method “right”Doing your chosen method “right”

Guidance from research methods textsGuidance from research methods texts Guidance from journal articlesGuidance from journal articles

– Within your subject areaWithin your subject area– Outside your subject areaOutside your subject area– Specialist methodology journalsSpecialist methodology journals

Guidance from academic networksGuidance from academic networks Guidance from those whose work you’re Guidance from those whose work you’re

citingciting Guidance from the Statistical Consulting UnitGuidance from the Statistical Consulting Unit Other sources?Other sources?

Your Challenge – I Dare YouYour Challenge – I Dare You

Be creative before you finalise your Be creative before you finalise your choice of methodschoice of methods

Go to your favourite database and Go to your favourite database and type in a method AND your subject type in a method AND your subject area (e.g. finance AND experiments)area (e.g. finance AND experiments)

Open up before you close off, but…Open up before you close off, but… Once you’ve chosen, move forward Once you’ve chosen, move forward

with developing your expertise and with developing your expertise and PLANNING your researchPLANNING your research

If you want to use multiple methods If you want to use multiple methods – have a major method and a minor – have a major method and a minor methodmethod