Research Methodology & Design

Research: from theory to practice PhilosophyParadigm Theoretical approach Information collection approach Information collection techniques QualitativeInterpretivismDeductive Based on opinion (subjective) Qualitative information QuantitativePositivismInductive “Scientific” (objective?) Quantitative information Pragmatism Mixture of both Both approaches Applied research Mixture of both

Continuing to develop the methodology  The methodology section is worth 25% of the grade  It is linked to the research design section (worth 15%) of the grade  This is where you start at the outside of the ‘onion’ and begin to work your way to the centre  Explain/justify your decision at each stage  End with a proposed method of primary data collection

Methodology Assignment brief  Identify an appropriate research methodology that is relevant for the topic and provide a rationale for the selection of this approach over others. Questions to ask yourself /things to think about and address   What are you trying to find out? Why?   What philosophy suits you and this project? What methodology will you be following? (all of which is descriptive)   WHY? What makes these better than the other choices?

Methodology Assignment brief  Explain how the chosen methodology is relevant to the aims and objectives of the intended research. Questions to ask yourself/things to think about and address   Link your choices explicitly into the research question (now becoming analytical)

Methodology Assignment brief  Explain (in general terms) how you intend to collect in your data (via primary and secondary data) Questions to ask yourself /things to think about and address   Secondary data = literature review which has already given you some ideas about possible answers to your question   Primary data: = confirming your suspicions by doing research yourself and asking more specific, detailed questions (again, descriptive)

Methodology Assignment brief  Demonstrate an understanding of the limitations of the chosen methodology. Questions to ask yourself /things to think about and address   Now moving past analytical towards evaluation   Comparing what information /advantages other methods have and justifying your own decisions.

Continuing to develop the methodology Methodology: marks will be gained for  Clear objectives (for the research)  Choice of methodology (including the reasons why this is the best method for your particular research in your organisation)  Critical evaluation of methodology (might there be other ways of obtaining data which would answer your questions, and if so, then why is your choice the better one? [some overlap here with the previous bullet point]  Limitations of methodology: what kinds of information would be missing? Will your choices provide all the answers to all the questions?

Research Design (15%)  You will need to indicate that you have thought of the practicalities of the primary data collection.  For every decision that you make – be sure to justify it by saying Either how good it is in relation to any other way of doing the same task Either how good it is in relation to any other way of doing the same task Or the limitation of other methods which make your choice more attractive. Or the limitation of other methods which make your choice more attractive.

Research Design Brief: Present an outline of how the data will be collected, verified and recorded Will you use questionnaires, interviews, dictaphone, video, on-line questionnaires, correspondence, note taking…etc. Will the questionnaires be sent out by post/ or hand? What will you do about non-replies? How many non-replies would make your sample too small to be valid? Will you be able to use triangulation? (a variety of data sources which back each other up) Will you type up transcripts of interviews? How will you ensure confidentiality? Will you assign index numbers or codenames to respondents? Are there any sensitive issues that you will be investigating? How will you handle this?

Research Design Brief: Explain the sources of data - your sample population Where will the respondents come from? Are they a cross section of the organisation/department? How have you chosen them? What are the characteristics which mean that they are good candidates for your research? Approximately how many people will be involved? Will this give enough information on which to form opinions? (will the research be ‘valid’?) Are there any groups who might act as a ‘control’ for your research?

Research Design Brief: Explain the process by which the data will be examined If you have quantitative data, what kinds of analysis will you use? (average/mean/median/ numbers of occurrences…..) If you have qualitative data, how will you analyse it? (software analysis/themes/similarities/ comparatives…..)

Research Design Brief: An outline of the questionnaires or interview guides that you are thinking of using The questions should be very much geared to answering your research question. (You are being asked for some indication of the kinds of questions that you will use – not for a finished questionnaire.) Organise the questions into groups where you are finding out similar types of information. There may be closed or open questions. You can have structured or unstructured or semi- structured interviews.

Research Design Brief: A timescale (Gantt chart) for the project Assume that you will start the primary data collection during the summer. Think about the time you will need to write the various parts of the dissertation. It always takes a long time to record and analyse the information. Plan a write a few drafts for discussion with your supervisor and show this on the chart. Look at the expected submission date and work backwards from there.

Research Design Brief: A list of resources needed to conduct the research. How many questionnaires/interview recording sheets? Using an Excel spreadsheet? (implies access to computer) Back ups? (memory sticks/CD/hard drive/paper copies? Video camera/dictaphones? Dedicated address? (for confidentiality?) Will you need people to help with transcribing or data entry?