t02 research topic

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TOPIC 02

RESEARCH TOPICLECTURER: THANG NGUYEN @ FSB HANOI

BASED ON: SAUNDERS ET AL(2012)

RESEARCH METHODS FOR BIZ STUDENTS

Dissertation


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OUTLINE

Attributes of a good research topic

Generate research ideas

Refine research ideas

From ideas to research projects

Research proposal


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A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC

STARTING POINT

What do you want to do?

First, formulate & clarify research topic

Then choose research strategy, data collection,

and analysis techniques

Steps

1) Generate & refine ideas

2) Research questions & objectives

3) Research proposal


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SAMPLE RESEARCH

Topic: aging & health in Taiwan

Variables: shopping freq. & health

Sample: longitudinal, 1841 individuals (>65)

Data: age, socioeconomic status, health,

physical & cognitive wellbeing, shopping

behaviors, life expectancy

Daily shopping => 27% lower death risk

Men: 28% lower risk; Women: 23% lower riskReasons: exercise, social contact, pleasure

Shop till you drop


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ATTRIBUTES OF A GOOD

RESEARCH TOPIC

Meet the program requirements

Have your genuine interest in

Suit your capability: skills & access

Have feasibility: financial & time resources

Be linked to academic theory (literature)

Have clear questions & objectives

Symmetry of potential outcomes (values)

Suit your future aspirations


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CHECKLIST

FEASIBLE?

1 Fascinated

2 Skills developed

3 Topic achievable

4 Topic current

5 Enough finance

Worthwhile?

1 Requirements

2 Link to theory

3 Clear Q. & Obj.

4 Fresh insights

5 Symmetrical

6 Org. Req.7 Career goals


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GENERATE IDEAS

GENERATING RESEARCH IDEAS

Rational thinking

Creative thinking

Use both rational & creative techniques


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GENERATE IDEAS

Rational thinking Creative thinking

Your strengths & interests

Staff research interests

Past project titles

Discussion

Searching literature: review

Scanning media

Notebook of ideas

Preferences from projects

Biz relevance from literature

Relevant trees

Brainstorming


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GENERATE IDEAS

BRAIN STORMING

Define the problem

Ask for suggestions

Record suggestions

Review suggestions

Analyze suggestions


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REFINE IDEAS

DELPHI GROUP TECHNIQUE

6-step group activity: briefing; clarifying;

generating 3; collecting ideas; commenting &

revising; reaching a consensus

PRELIMINARY INQUIRYResearch idea => research question

Literature review, discussions

INTEGRATING IDEAS

Working up and narrowing down


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FROM IDEAS TO RESEARCH PROJECTS

WRITING RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Descriptive: what, when, where, who, how

Explanatory: why

Evaluative: how

Avoid: too simple, too difficult, too big, too small

Goldilocks test: time, researcher, setting

Russian doll principle: find the essence


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WRITING RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Detailed investigative questions/objectives

Objectives: purpose and direction

CRITERIA OF USEFUL RESEARCH

OBJECTIVES

Transparency

Specificity

Relevancy

Interconnectivity

Answerability

Measurability


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THEORY IN WRITING QUESTIONS

& OBJECTIVES

Theory: critical for research design

Theory: also important for Q & Obj

What is theory?

Why is theory important?

How is theory developed?

What types of theoretical contribution might be

made?


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HOW IS THEORY DEVELOPED?

Deductive approach: theory driven

Take a theoretical position

Collect data to test theory

Inductive approach: data driven

Collect and analyse data

Develop some theory


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TYPES OF THEORETICAL

CONTRIBUTION?

Grand theories: universal

Middle range theories

Substantive theories: contextual


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RESEARCH PROPOSAL

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Structured plan of your intended research

A proposal requires broad knowledge

Literature/theory

Research philosophy/approach

Research design: methods, strategy, timing

Access and ethical issues

Sample selection

Data collection

Data analysis


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RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Proposal checklist

What going to do?Why doing this?

Why worth doing?

Position in literature?

Relevant theory?

Research Q & Obj?

How conducting?

Research design?

Necessary data?

Intended participants?

How to gain access?

How to select sample?How to collect data?

How to analyze data?

How to develop theory?

Data quality issues?

How to overcome?

Ethical issues?

How to overcome?


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RESEARCH PROPOSAL

PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT

Coherence & lucidity

Fit for purpose & can direct your research

Ethical clearance

Human participants, privacy, data storage

Feasibility

Timing, data, finance, skills


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RESEARCH PROPOSAL

PROPOSAL STRUCTURE

Title: concise summary of research question

Background: issues, worthwhile, literature

Research questions & objectives: statements

Method: design, data, sample, analysis, ethics

Timescale: deadlines, stages in Gantt chart

Resources

References

Example: Box 2.15 p56

t02 research topic

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