shortened version of writing proposal-masters and phd students

8/6/2019 Shortened Version of Writing Proposal-Masters and PhD Students

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Writing a proposalWriting a proposalWhat is research?What is research?

Basic research processBasic research process

Formulating research questionsFormulating research questions

Good research questionsGood research questionsCharacteristics of good researchCharacteristics of good research

Proposal outlineProposal outline

DiscussionDiscussion

11Victoria University of WellingonVictoria University of Wellingon--New ZealandNew Zealand


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What is research?What is research?

an ORGANISED and SYSTEMATIC wayan ORGANISED and SYSTEMATIC wayof FINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS.of FINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS.

-- OrganisedOrganised: there is a structure or method: there is a structure or method

in going about doing research. It is ain going about doing research. It is a

planned procedure, not a spontaneous one.planned procedure, not a spontaneous one.It is focused and limited to a specificIt is focused and limited to a specific

scope.scope.

-- SystematicSystematic: definite set of procedures: definite set of procedures

and steps which you will follow. There areand steps which you will follow. There are

certain things in the research process whichcertain things in the research process which

are always done in order to get the mostare always done in order to get the most

accurate results.accurate results.22Victoria University of WellingonVictoria University of Wellingon--

New ZealandNew Zealand


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What is research?What is research?

-- Finding AnswersFinding Answers: the end of all research.: the end of all research.Whether it is the answer to a hypothesis orWhether it is the answer to a hypothesis or

even a simple question, research iseven a simple question, research is

successful when we find answers.successful when we find answers.

Sometimes the answer is no, but it is stillSometimes the answer is no, but it is still

an answer.an answer.

-- QuestionsQuestions: central to research. If there is: central to research. If there is

no question, then the answer is of no use.no question, then the answer is of no use.Research is focused on relevant, useful,Research is focused on relevant, useful,

and important questions. Without aand important questions. Without a

question, research has no focus, drive, orquestion, research has no focus, drive, or

purpose.purpose. 33Victoria University of WellingonVictoria University of Wellingon--New ZealandNew Zealand


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Basic research processBasic research process

-- Ask a questionAsk a question-- Form a hypothesisForm a hypothesis

-- Look for evidence to test theLook for evidence to test the

hypothesishypothesis-- Evaluate hypothesisEvaluate hypothesis



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Phase 1: General questionPhase 1: General questionEveryday experience (e.g., diaries)Everyday experience (e.g., diaries)

Research in other fields (e.g., education,Research in other fields (e.g., education,

literacy, anthropology, psychology)literacy, anthropology, psychology)

Overall, most questions come fromOverall, most questions come from

observation and curiosityobservation and curiosity



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Phase two: moving from a generalPhase two: moving from a generalquestion to a focused question.question to a focused question.

This is done based on:This is done based on:

Previous literaturePrevious literature

ImportanceImportanceFeasibilityFeasibility

ApproachApproach



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Good research questionsGood research questions1. Are interesting to the researcher1. Are interesting to the researcher

2. Promise to yield new information or2. Promise to yield new information or

confirm old information in new waysconfirm old information in new ways

3. Have defined scope3. Have defined scope

4. Have a definable terms4. Have a definable terms



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Good research questionsGood research questionsTheoretical definitionsTheoretical definitionsabstract theoreticalabstract theoretical

constructs that we may understand but cannotconstructs that we may understand but cannot

define precisely (e.g.,define precisely (e.g., bilingualbilingualconsider: howconsider: how

many ways is the term 'bilingual' used?)many ways is the term 'bilingual' used?)

Operational definitionsOperational definitionsprecise definitions ofprecise definitions of

how you will use the term in your research (e.g.,how you will use the term in your research (e.g.,For this research, 'bilingual' =For this research, 'bilingual' = Children whoChildren who

completed years 1completed years 1--5 in French immersion schools5 in French immersion schools

in Torontoin Toronto))



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Characteristics of Good ResearchCharacteristics of Good Research

InterestInterest-- TimelyTimelybased on current ideas orbased on current ideas or

theories, not outdatedtheories, not outdated

PersonalPersonalresearcher has personalresearcher has personalinterest in itinterest in it

PayoffPayoffwhat is the benefit of thewhat is the benefit of the

researchresearch

why is it important that wewhy is it important that weknow?know?



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OriginalityOriginality

A new questionA new question

A new contextA new context

A more complete view of data (e.g., data fromA more complete view of data (e.g., data fromnew sources)new sources)

A new analysis of old data (looking at it from aA new analysis of old data (looking at it from a

new perspective)new perspective)

Even replication = establish generalizabilityEven replication = establish generalizability



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SpecificitySpecificity

Precise description (and delineation) of whatPrecise description (and delineation) of what

youre studyingyoure studying



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DisseminationDissemination

While presenting or publishing is oftenWhile presenting or publishing is often

seen as the last step in research, it is alsoseen as the last step in research, it is also

part of the process.part of the process.

Putting research in public forums allowsPutting research in public forums allows

for critique and questioning, bringing infor critique and questioning, bringing in

other perspectivesother perspectives



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SensitivitySensitivity

E.g., discriminatory power of testsE.g., discriminatory power of tests

E.g., appropriateness of dataE.g., appropriateness of dataelicitation techniqueselicitation techniques

E.g., insider, participantE.g., insider, participant

information and perspectivesinformation and perspectives



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ObjectivityObjectivity

Focus is on research/data, not onFocus is on research/data, not on

researchers ideas, personality, etc.researchers ideas, personality, etc.

Avoiding experimenter biasAvoiding experimenter biase.g.,e.g.,

biasing participants due to researcher orbiasing participants due to researcher or

teacher preferencesteacher preferences



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ValidityValidity

Internal Validity/Credibility:Internal Validity/Credibility:

how closely do the data reflect reality?how closely do the data reflect reality?

how closely does the interpretation reflect reality?how closely does the interpretation reflect reality?

External Validity/Generalizability:External Validity/Generalizability:

Are the results true for the population, or due toAre the results true for the population, or due to

particular characteristics of the articipants/setting?particular characteristics of the articipants/setting?



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Reliability/DependabilityReliability/Dependability

How confident are you in your measurementsHow confident are you in your measurements

How dependable are the dataHow dependable are the data



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FalsifiabilityFalsifiability

There needs to be a way to show that theThere needs to be a way to show that the

theory is wrong. If something cannot betheory is wrong. If something cannot be

disproved, it cant be proved eitherdisproved, it cant be proved either

Hypotheses (and conclusions) should notHypotheses (and conclusions) should not

be circularbe circular

Hypotheses must be stated preciselyHypotheses must be stated preciselyenough that evidence can be gathered forenough that evidence can be gathered for

or against themor against them

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Victoria University of WellingonVictoria University of Wellingon--New ZealandNew Zealand


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ReplicabilityReplicability

Is it clearly reported enough thatIs it clearly reported enough that

you could do the same thing?you could do the same thing?

If you do the same study, will youIf you do the same study, will you

get the same answers?get the same answers?



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GeneralizabilityGeneralizability

What does the research tell us about theWhat does the research tell us about the

larger phenomenonlarger phenomenon

How local is the applicability ?How local is the applicability ?



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UtilityUtility

Can the findings be used? Are theyCan the findings be used? Are they

relevant to a realrelevant to a real--world context?world context?

Applications are rarely directApplications are rarely directitsits

important to note the tentativeimportant to note the tentative

relationship between mostrelationship between most

research and realresearch and real--world contextsworld contexts



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EthicsEthics

Ethical approval from an independent bodyEthical approval from an independent body

Participants protected (e.g., confidentialityParticipants protected (e.g., confidentiality

respected)respected)

Data is the property of the participants (they canData is the property of the participants (they can

back out at any time)back out at any time)

Participants freely consent to participate and toParticipants freely consent to participate and to

uses of datauses of data Researchers are realistic/responsible in theResearchers are realistic/responsible in the

interpretation/application of their findingsinterpretation/application of their findings



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Pure and Applied ResearchPure and Applied Research

Pure: Research just to understandPure: Research just to understand

Applied: Research to do somethingApplied: Research to do something

Application of research results to SLApplication of research results to SL

teachingteaching

Applying research processesApplying research processes

Body of knowledge/theoryBody of knowledge/theory--building onbuilding on

applied mattersapplied matters



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Descriptive and ExperimentalDescriptive and Experimental

DescriptiveDescriptive

Concerned with documenting how thingsConcerned with documenting how things

occur in the real worldoccur in the real world

ExperimentalExperimental

Concerned with findings relationshipsConcerned with findings relationships

among variablesamong variables



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Quantitative ResearchQuantitative Research

Description by numbersDescription by numbers

Measurement of traits, skillsMeasurement of traits, skills

Counting of phenomenaCounting of phenomena Multiple measurements allow forMultiple measurements allow for

description of the populationdescription of the population



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Significance in terms of probabilitySignificance in terms of probability

Significance = likelihood that it couldSignificance = likelihood that it could

have been produced by chancehave been produced by chance

Statistical testing allows us to determineStatistical testing allows us to determinethis likelihood over a populationthis likelihood over a population

Remember, significant is not the same asRemember, significant is not the same as

meaningfulmeaningfulresearch is only meaningfulresearch is only meaningful

when the questions are of interest and thewhen the questions are of interest and the

study is wellstudy is well--designeddesigned

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Use of experimental/quasiUse of experimental/quasi--

experimental designsexperimental designs

Designs attempt to identify independentDesigns attempt to identify independent

and dependent variablesand dependent variables Designs control for confoundingDesigns control for confounding

variablesvariables

Independent variables are manipulated toIndependent variables are manipulated to

determine whether they effect thedetermine whether they effect the

dependent variablesdependent variables




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Generalization from sample toGeneralization from sample topopulationpopulation

No research studies an entire population but aNo research studies an entire population but a

sample drawn from that populationsample drawn from that population

Findings are generalized across the populationFindings are generalized across the population

But to what limitsBut to what limits

What factors might limit generalisability?What factors might limit generalisability?




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The search for a causeThe search for a cause The point of quantitative research isThe point of quantitative research is

to determine whether one variableto determine whether one variable

causes change in anothercauses change in another Usually, multiple factors combine toUsually, multiple factors combine to

produce an effectproduce an effect

Good quantitative research needs toGood quantitative research needs to

account for thataccount for that




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Qualitative ResearchQualitative Research

EthnographyEthnography Emic perspective: considers the rules,Emic perspective: considers the rules,

beliefs, meanings of participants themselvesbeliefs, meanings of participants themselves

Holistic: seek to understand aHolistic: seek to understand a

phenomenon completelyphenomenon completelygather as muchgather as much

data as possibledata as possible

not abstractednot abstractedconsider contextconsider context

Grounded: research decisions arise fromGrounded: research decisions arise fromthe datathe data




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Participant researchParticipant research

Researcher is a member of theResearcher is a member of thecommunitycommunity

Researcher takes a role in theResearcher takes a role in the

communitycommunity




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Local and nonLocal and non--local organisationlocal organisation

What do actions mean to participantsWhat do actions mean to participants(local meaning)(local meaning)

How do actions compare in otherHow do actions compare in other

populations (nonpopulations (non--local meaning)local meaning)




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Plausible interpretationsPlausible interpretations

Adequate amount of evidence forAdequate amount of evidence for

interpretationsinterpretations

Variety of data typesVariety of data types

Disconfirming evidence should be soughtDisconfirming evidence should be sought Discrepant cases should be carefullyDiscrepant cases should be carefully

analysedanalysed

Data should be analysed withoutData should be analysed without

prejudiceprejudicebecause qualitative analysis isbecause qualitative analysis is

interpretation, researchers should takeinterpretation, researchers should take

care to form hypothesis that arise fromcare to form hypothesis that arise from

the data, NOT seek to interpret data in athe data, NOT seek to interpret data in a

way that confirms their hypothesisway that confirms their hypothesis3232Victoria University of WellingonVictoria University of Wellingon--



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ReferencesReferences

Books from other fieldsBooks from other fields

Research JournalsResearch Journals




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proposalproposalPurpose: Why are you engaging in the research?Purpose: Why are you engaging in the research?

Topic: What are you going to investigate?Topic: What are you going to investigate?

Focus: What is the precise questions you areFocus: What is the precise questions you are

going to ask yourself within that area?going to ask yourself within that area?

Product: What is the likely outcome of theProduct: What is the likely outcome of the

research as you intend it?research as you intend it? Mode: How are you going to conduct theMode: How are you going to conduct the

research?research?

Timing: How long will it take you to completeTiming: How long will it take you to complete

the research?the research? Resources: What are the resources both humanResources: What are the resources both human

and materials you can call upon to help youand materials you can call upon to help you

compete the research?compete the research?




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VUW Research statementVUW Research statementA statement of no more than three pagesA statement of no more than three pages

(500(5001500 words) based on the following1500 words) based on the followingquestions:questions:

Why do you want to do PhD research?Why do you want to do PhD research?

What are you interested in?What are you interested in?

Why are you interested in it?Why are you interested in it?

In answering tell us what you already knowIn answering tell us what you already know

about your area of interest, referring to anyabout your area of interest, referring to any

literature you think it appropriate.literature you think it appropriate.Find another topic of your interest andFind another topic of your interest and

develop a similar statement . This helps finddevelop a similar statement . This helps find

your supervisors more quickly.your supervisors more quickly.3535Victoria University of WellingonVictoria University of Wellingon--



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Sample Research Proposals (VUWSample Research Proposals (VUW

standard)standard)Sample research proposal1Sample research proposal1

Sample research proposal 2Sample research proposal 2




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Questions?Questions?



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