Vocabulary 1

Research Process

Research Process

• 1. Problem definition: the purpose of the study should be taken into account; the relevant background info; what info is needed, and how will it be used for decision making

• it involves discussion with decision makers, interviews with experts, analysis of secondary data, and perhaps some qualitative research

• 2. Development of an approach to the problem: includes formulating of an objective or a theoretical framework; preparing analytical models, research questions, and hypotheses; and identifying characteristics or factors that can influence the research design

• guided by discussions, interviews, ql.res., and pragmatic considerations

• 3. Research design formulation: a design is a framework or ’blueprint’ for conducting a research project; it details the necessary procedures for obtaining the info, and its purpose is to design a study that tests the hypothesis, determine possible answers to research questions, and provide the info needed for decision making

• 3. Research design formulation: • secondary data analysis • qualitative research • methods of collecting quantitative data • definition of the information needed • measurement and scaling procedures • questionnaire design • sampling process and sample size • plan of data analysis Source: Malhotra, Naresh K (1996: 22).

• 4. Data collection: selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of the field force to minimize data collection errors;

• the field force operates either in the field, or from an office;

• personal interviewing, by telephone, or through mail

• 5. Data preparation and analysis: each questionnaire or observation form is inspected or edited and, if necessary, corrected; data from forms are inputted in a computer; verification ensures that the data from original forms have been accurately transcribed;

• 5. Data preparation and analysis: • univariate techniques are used for

analysing data when there is single measurement of each element / …there are several measurements, and each variable is analyzed in isolation;

• multivariate techniques are used when two or more measurements of an element are analyzed simultaneously

• 6. Report preparation: the entire project should be documented in a written report; approach, design, data collection, and data analysis; results and major findings;

• the findings should be presented so that they can be used in decision making;

• an oral presentation enhances clarity and impact

Coming themes:

• characteristics of qualitative research

• characteristics of quantitative research

• presentation of results and findings of the Oulu research project, and