1 Research Methods Research Topic Selection and Literature Dr Frantz Clermont (Daryl Essam) Phone:

2 The Research Process: A generic prescription Generic Steps : 1) Choose a Topic  Idea-Generating Phase 2) Research Question  Narrowing-Down Phase 3) Design the Study 4) Collect Data 5) Analyse Data 6) Interpret Data 7) Inform Others

3 Topic/Question Search: An Iterative Process Activity: Make a list of topics of interest/relevance/importance Consider one or two topics about which you know something Carry out exploratory/skeletal review of literature relevant to broad area Consult with supervisor & others => perspectives on worthiness & feasibility

4 Topic/Question Search: Literature Review-1 (exploratory)  Aims:  to assess importance/worthiness of topic(s) of interest  to clarify and justify a specific topic  Involves:  Reading seminal papers, recent review/tutorial papers  Learning about state-of-the-art from papers’ introductions  Learning of “ways forward” from papers’ conclusions  Paying attention to titles, keywords and recurrent citations  Annotating a preliminary bibliography

5 Research Topic/Question Search: In a nutshell!  Initial seed(s):  Supervisor and/or Others  Personal Background, Experiences, Intuition  Literature Review-1: exploratory/skeletal  Consultation with Supervisor and Others  An Iterative Process  An Incessant Search for Originality!

6 Research Topic Formulation: Literature Review-1  Aims:  to assess importance/worthiness of topic(s) of interest  to clarify and justify a specific topic  Involves:  Reading seminal papers, recent review/tutorial papers  Learning about state-of-the-art from papers’ introductions  Learning of “ways forward” from papers’ conclusions  Paying attention to titles, keywords and recurrent citations  Annotating a preliminary bibliography

7 Basic Research Strategies: Ways to Acquire Knowledge 1) Tenacity: “it has always been that way” 2) Authority: “the boss says it is true” 3) Intuition: “it feels true” 4) Rationalism: “it makes sense logically” 5) Empiricism: “I observed it to be true” Research Process : [(4) + (5)] + (3)

8 Formulating the Research Question/Problem: Some Guidelines Some Crucial, Initial Determinants  Your interest in the subject area  Manageability of research study within your constraints Suggested Steps (assuming you already have a specific topic)  Raise research questions you would like to answer  Formulate objectives (main & sub-) for your study  Assess objectives (feasibility, resources & technical expertise)  Double check

9 On Formulating Main Objective & Sub- Objectives re: Research Question/Problem  {Objective+Sub-Objectives} = {Goals to be Attained}  Main Objective = The Main Goal  Thrust of Study  Main Connections/Associations to be Discovered/Established  Ex.: To find out the effects of alcoholism on the family  Sub-Objectives = Specific Goals  Ex.-1: To find out the effects of alcoholism on the financial institution of the family  Ex.-2: To determine the ways in which alcoholism affects different aspects of children’s lives  Wording  Research Orientation/Type  Clarity  Completeness  Specificity

10 Why?  (1) Bring Clarity & Focus The daunting paradox: – Effective literature search  research problem – Literature review  shape research problem Expected (inevitable?) Benefits: – Better (& deeper) understanding of subject/problem area – Conceptualisation of a viable, research problem Clarity Conciseness

11 Why?  (2) Improve Your Methodology Contra others’ procedures and methods – Similarity – Effectiveness – Limitations Expected Benefits – Procedures/methods appropriate to research problem – Defensible choices

12 Why?  (3) Broaden Your Knowledge Base Ensemble of perspectives – Currency of similar and/or related problems – Types of theories & their explanatory strengths – Trends in methodologies & their effectiveness – Argumentations & interpretations – {… Gaps …}!

13 Why?  Purpose (in a nutshell)  Generic requirements:  Learn from others and formulate new ideas  Show prior research direction  Integrate and summarise what is known  Demonstrate strong familiarity with a body of knowledge  Research degree requirements  Evidence of: {your problem area}  {high level of expertise}  Evidence of: {your study}  {existing body of knowledge}

14 Why?  Benefits (in a nutshell)  Expert knowledge of  The topic finally selected and other related topics  The theories relevant to a range of topics  Range of viable and/or plausible hypotheses  Research designs & methodologies applicable to topic area  Sound knowledge of  Leading Perspectives  Leading Scholars  A way of thinking!  Second nature!

15 What?  Goal-1: Familiarity w/ Body of knowledge  Common to all reviews  Provides necessary foundation/framework  Expertise  Credibility!  Scholarship  A way of thinking! Not the only Goal: Generally Definitely  Thesis Context

16 What?  Goal-2: Prior Research Paths Essential Goal!  Unfold links within relevant body of knowledge  Research (sub-) objectives  A gradual build up to research question  Extension of a line of thought  Conflicting views  Unanswered question(s)

17 What?  Goal-3: Integrate and Summarise Essential Goal!  What is (or appears to be) known  Contrasts amongst Theories/Methodologies  Unifying perspectives on Theories/Methodologies  What is (or appears to be) unknown  Recall range of plausible research hypotheses/questions  Recall YOUR research question  its relevance!  Recall YOUR research question  its significance!

18 What?  Literature = {???}  Primary Sources  Academic Journals (serials)  Electronic Journals  Conference Proceedings  Dissertations and Theses  Abstract and Keyword Services  Secondary Sources  Book Chapters  Monographs  Other Sources  Government Publications  Industry Reports

19 How?: Primary Sources Primary sources publish the details of specific research projects Journal articles – Thousands of journals covering every topic imaginable – Abstract services makes it easy to find relevant journal articles Dissertations – Available through interlibrary loan or Web

20 How?: Secondary Sources Secondary sources provide reviews of broad areas of research Review articles in journals or books – Provide integrative reviews of a research area – Some journals specialize in these kinds of integrative reviews Books and edited books – Provide extensive reviews without the typical space constraints of journal reviews

21 How?: Search Strategies Many ways to find the information that you are after – Search by topic – Search by author using authors who you know specialize in the area – Check out the references in relevant articles – Use citation indexes to find articles that cite classic articles in a field

22 How?: Search by Topic The most common search strategy Abstract and keyword indexes are structured for topic searches – Most are now computerized – Easy to do sophisticated searches in computerized databases using Boolean operators (OR & AND) Identify all the work of authors you find who have done a lot of work in the field

23 How?: Searching Backwards Relevant research will likely reference other relevant research Identify some recent relevant studies and then look through their reference sections Not a substitute for a thorough topic search, but is a good supplementary strategy

24 How?: Searching Forward In most areas, there will be one or more articles that are SO critical that they will be referenced by every related study Citation indexes can be used to find the studies that reference these classic studies Again, not a substitute for a thorough topic search, but a good supplementary strategy

25 How?: Literature Reading ( A suggested procedure ) Step-1: Skim article/chapter: title, abstract, (sub-) headings & conclusion Step-2: Reflect for a moment  Formulate questions YOU expect to be answered Step-3: Read article/chapter quickly Step-4: Read article/chapter while taking notes & highlighting items Step-5: Reflect on article/chapter  Formulate questions  Your potential research Step-6: Integrate all YOUR thoughts

26 Literature Review In Sum It involves a paradox in the first instance A continuous process  A way of thinking! searching for existing literature reviewing the selected literature using it to develop the antecedents to your problem using it to develop the framework for your investigations all materials presented must have a purpose