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See Also: An Overview of Methods |
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See Also: Research Design |
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1. Selecting a Topic: Finding the topic is the first step in research design |
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2. Formulate the Thesis |
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3. Choose the Types of Analyses |
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4. Research & Write a Literature Review & Refine the Thesis |
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5. The Formulation of Research Objectives
( ROs ) from the Types of Analysis ( TOA ) is accomplished
by utilizating the TOAs to formulate Research Questions, or Hypotheses |
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ROs are essentially research questions that are asked based on the TOAs established in the Thesis |
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While almost any Instrument/ Research Method is very flexible,
the formulation of Research Objectives must precede the choice of Research Method |
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ROs & Research Questions are very similar |
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Begin w/ asking, given the Thesis & the TOAs, "What do I need to know, & why do I need to know it?" |
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Start w/ general questions, & then narrow & focus the questions of what you need to know |
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Then, justify ( review ) the questions to ensure that they do ask what you need to know |
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At the end of the research design process, the researcher must return
to the Objectives
to see that the Instrument/ Research Method achieves the Objectives |
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In this way, the research design process is iterative |
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The Research Objectives should be guided
by the Literature
& thus the Literature Review should conclude w/ a statement about the Research Objectives |
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See Also: The Literature Review |
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Researcher needs to immerse themself as deeply as possible in existing literature related to the topic |
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Deductive research must reflect prior conceptualizations of the topic as found in the literature |
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Inductive research does not begin data collection w/ concepts,
variables, definitions or theories
that are identical to those found in the literature |
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But both methods should examine the literature to avoid repetition of research already accomplished |
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While determining the Research Objectives,
you must review the existing literature to determine
what has been answered already in the existing literature |
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Such literature may have under-anlyzed data
which you can add to your own data set or analyze it independently |
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This research will help you clarify your own research objectives |
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Questions about the literature help formulate the Research Objectives |
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1. Is the author trying to prove something? What? ( thesis ) |
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2. Are there any gaps or inconsistencies in the argument? ( critique ) |
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3. What other studies analyze the same or related phenomena? ( comparison ) |
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4. Which of the ways of
looking at your topic appeals to you the most?
Why? ( May related to a given paradigm, theory, methodology, etc. ) |
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6. Conceptualization of the topic |
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7. Choose the methodology / the Research Instrument |
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8. Operationalization |
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9. Choose a Strategy for Data Collection |
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10. Obtain HIC Approval |
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11. Perform a Pilot Study: the Senior Project is a Pilot Study & so no addition study will be required |
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12. Collect Data utilizing efficient, effective & ethical methodological practices |
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13. Prepare the Data for processing & analysis |
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14. Process & Analyze Data |
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15. Interpret & make Inferences about Data |
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16. Write the Final Report |
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17. Write Final HIC Report |
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