How to Carry Out Research & Write it Up: An Introduction (b) Dr Dimitris Evripidou

Objectives of the Session.  Understand how research is carried out.  Familiar yourselves with the research process.  How to choose your research method/research approach.  Familiar yourselves with the practical steps of a research. Session Overview

Based on the article(s) you have read.  What is the general research area of the article(s)?  What was the goal of the research?  Why was it thought of as important? Task 1: Introduction

Based on the article(s) you have read.  Is the literature directly relevant to the topic?  Does the literature refer to language theories directly related to the topic?  Is the literature related to previous studies of similar interest?  Is the literature review up to date? Task 2: Literature Review

 Identify the research questions in the journal articles given.  Discuss whether the author has chosen the best Research Family and Research Approach (see the following slide).  What are the variables given for each of the studies/articles? Why were those variables chosen? Task 3: Research Questions, Research Structure & Variables (a)

Quantitative Qualitative Deskwork Fieldwork Case Studies, Action Research, Ethnography, Experiments. Questionnaires, Interviews Observation Research Diaries Research Structure: Methodology Research Family Data Analysis Research Approach Research Techniques

 Take a topic that you would like to study, and having in mind the Research Family and Approach (see the previous slide), explain each step in as much detail as you can.  What would be your study’s research questions and variables? Why? Task 3: Research Questions, Research Structure & Variables (b)

 Is it clear how the data were collected in the articles (focus groups, experiments, interviews, etc.).  Have the techniques used been justified?  Were the methods made explicit (e.g. for interviews: is there an indication of how the interviews were conducted?).  Is credibility discussed? (triangulation, etc). Task 4: Research Technique

 Have the researcher(s) explained how the participants were selected?  Have they explained why the participants selected were the most appropriate to provide access to the type of knowledge sought by the study?  What kind of participants would you select for your study? Task 5: Participants

 Are there sufficient details of how the research was explained to participants for the readers to assess whether ethical standards were maintained?  If the researcher has discussed ethical issues raised by the study (e.g. issues around informed consent or confidentiality or how they have handled the effects of the study on the participants during and after the study).  Has the researcher critically examined their own role, potential bias and influence during analysis and selection of data? Task 6: Ethics

 Is there an in-depth description of the analysis process?  If thematic analysis is used: is it clear how the categories/themes were derived from the data?  Are sufficient data presented to support the findings? Task 7: Data Analysis

 Are the findings explicit?  Is there adequate discussion of the evidence both for and against the researchers’ arguments?  Are the findings discussed in relation to the existing literature?  Are the findings discussed in relation to the research questions presented? Task 8: Findings & Discussion

 Has the researcher discussed what contribution the study makes to existing knowledge/literature?  Are the findings considered in relation to current practices or policies?  Has the researcher identified new areas where research is necessary?  Has the researcher discussed whether the findings can be transferred to other populations or considered other ways the research may be used? Task 8: Conclusions and Contributions

Ta!