ITEC0700/ NETE0501/ ISEC0502 Research Methodology#2 Suronapee Phoomvuthisarn, Ph.D.

Getting Started Suronapee Phoomvuthisarn, Ph.D.

Outline Learn what is a thesis? Choosing a topic What to do if you can’t think of a topic Focusing Finding and choosing your supervisor Individual and group research Researching in your workplace Keeping your research daily Exercises Summary

Before and after completing a thesis

Thesis “The thesis must be a substantial original contribution to the knowledge or understanding of any field of study and demonstrate the capacity of the candidate to conceive, design and carry to completion independent research.” [Hong, 2006] In particular, the thesis should demonstrate that the candidate has: A.surveyed literature relevant to the thesis; B.skills in the gathering and analysis of information and report presentation; C.demonstrated a critical, perceptive and constructive analysis of the subject; D.carried out original and significant research in the field.”

Thesis statement A thesis statement is a single sentence that is used to define the purpose of your paper. Thesis statements inform readers as to the purpose of your paper. After reading your thesis statement, anyone reviewing your paper should be able to determine what your paper is going to prove or argue. A defense presents evidence for a thesis

Choosing your topic Some points you might bear in mind in making that choice. ◦ How much choice you have ◦ Your motivation ◦ Your subject or field of study ◦ Previous examples of research projects ◦ The size of your topic ◦ resource/time/ cost ◦ Method of researching

Talking to experts –(e.g.., researcher, supervisor, etc.) Looking at research literature Develop some of your previous research, or your practice at work What to do if you can’t think of a topic

Producing a spider diagram! Spider diagram - a standard technique for drawing i possible interconnections of particular interests and/or questions. It may help you to identify or isolate particular areas for research and suggest how these are related to your general subject area.

Example of spider diagram

Be prepared to change direction Change can be positive. It’s OK to change. Lots of people change their research project or focus. You always end up at a different place from where you thought you were going anyway.

Focusing Identifying your research questions or hypotheses ◦ loosely at first and then more precisely ◦ You will need to focus your project to ensure that it is relevant to your needs ◦ Research questions right should suggest not just the field for study but also the methods for carrying out the research and the kind of analysis required.  If they don’t, they are probably pitched at too general a level ◦ The time available for the research, say 70–80 per cent, will usually be devoted to the specific research question or questions, a substantial chunk, 20–30 per cent, would be spent on the contextual issues.

Focusing (2) - Sketching a research proposal

Suggestions Trying it out on a non-specialist: explaining your topic in simple language Informal piloting

Finding and choosing supervisor ‘Supervisor’ is the term most commonly used within universities and colleges for academics who have personal responsibility for overseeing the progress of individual students’ research projects. Supervisor should have ◦ some knowledge of the specialist areas in which their students are researching ◦ a general understanding of the research process and the various strategies possible. ◦ an inside knowledge of the rules and regulations, both written and unwritten, affecting your research project. ◦ some skill in conducting the kind of in-depth, but partial and discontinuous, relationships required for successful supervision. ◦ help to keep you focused on your research.

Finding and choosing supervisor (2)

Finding and choosing supervisor (3)

Individual and group research

Researching in your workspace Advantage ◦ Facilities ◦ Contacts and connections ◦ Feedback ◦ You may be able to do some research in work time ◦ Help you a positive look from your supervisor ◦ Soft skills – communication, working in group, discipline!!!

Researching in your workspace (2)

Keeping your research daily Managing your research project – time, milestone, schedule regular meetings with your supervisor Be disciplined!!! Prepare for negative comments from your supervisors Always have good attitude Keep motivating yourself

Keeping your research daily (2)

Summary be better able to choose a research topic which is feasible and motivates you; have an understanding of how you may focus your original ideas into something more achievable; be aware of the issues involved in choosing a supervisor; have a clearer idea of the advantages and disadvantages of group research, and of researching in your own workspace; be ready to get on with the actual research work!

Exercises Write down up to four key questions which your research project seeks to address. Begin each one with a questioning word such as how, who, what, when or why. Which of these questions is the most important or central to your research?

Exercise (2) Note down the prospective contents of your planned thesis. You can do this chapter by chapter, or section by section, but include subheadings and details. Try to set yourself realistic word limits for the various chapters or sections.

Exercise (3) Identify and list the qualities you are looking for in your supervisor(s). Once you have done this, arrange them in order of priority.

Exercise (4) Reasons for undertaking research. List your reasons for your current or anticipated involvement in research. List as many as you can think of.

References Chapter 2 of L. Blaxter, C. Hughes, and M. Tight, How to Research, 4 th Edition, Open University Press, Hong, L. Y. (2006). RESEARCH METHODS IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE

Questions What ‘s next? ◦ Research approach