Getting Started: Research and Literature Reviews An Introduction

Objectives  To explain the concept of research  To outline the main differences between primary and secondary sources of data  To identify some of the secondary sources that you may find useful  To describe how to carry out a literature review  To warn against the moral dangers of plagiarism

Research Defined Systematic investigation into a problem or situation, where the intention is to identify facts and/or opinions that will assist in solving the problem or dealing with the situation

To contribute to the general body of knowledge in a particular area of interest (basic/fundamental research)  Imagine yourself as a detective who needs to investigate a mystery and find answers to questions you are wondering about.  Why do students keep on making the same spelling mistakes?  How can the instructor who investigated the problem deal with it (suggest solutions)?

The Hallmarks of Good Research  Serves a purpose and is relevant  Clearly focused and scoped  Scientific (following academic methods)  Uses appropriate techniques & methods of data collection  Findings are presented as objectively as possible  Conclusions are based on the findings  Sources of information and ideas are clearly attributed

Research and Data Collection  Research and data collection are not synonymous. Data collection is: Part of the research PROCESS Provides answers to some of the questions addressed by the research TOPIC Helps us to draw conclusions about the research QUESTION(S) we have investigated

Primary and Secondary Data Sources  Primary (human factor) Questionnaires Interviews Observation Participant observation Informal conversations Structured group discussions Secondary(document s) Textbooks Specialist books Journal papers Conference papers Magazine articles Government & industry reports Web pages Acts of Parliament Company reports

Ways to select a topic  Personal experience  Curiosity based on something in the media  The state of knowledge in a field  Social life  Personal values

Literature Reviews  Find out what is known about the subject  Find out whether the research has been done before  Build a case for carrying out research (to study uncovered areas)  Show your expertise in the subject

Literature Reviews 1:  Read a chapter of a well known textbook  Note references  Formulate some questions  Use questions to direct further reading  Jot down answers to questions  Use answers to build an argument

Literature Reviews 2:  Read general textbook to identify key concepts, authorities in the field  Search for authors/subjects in the field  Read a number of books, papers and synthesise key points  Write up what you have found out and explain how it relates to YOUR project

Surveys  A means of data collection, usually in the form of a questionnaire or interview, that enables a large amount of data to be gathered about a particular subject

When to Use Surveys  To explore a topic about which relatively little is known  To test/extend findings of a piece of research  To collect large amounts of data so that statistical analysis can be carried out  To make generalisations based on quantifiable findings

Case Studies )A way of conducting research) “ A strategy for doing research which involves an empirical investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon within its real life context using multiple sources of evidence ” (Robson, 1993, p.52) (1)

Case Study (2)  A case study can be conducted at any level of analysis An individual Pairs, groups Sections, departments, divisions within a company An entire company or several companies in the same or different sectors Different industrial sectors Entire nations

Case Studies (3)  Use multiple methods of data collection Observation Questionnaires Interviews Document Analysis Diary Method

Action Research A research method that involves researcher(s) and practitioner(s) collaborating to engender a change/improve a particular situation

Plagiarism – Just Don ’ t Do IT!  Plagiarism involves: Intentionally copying someone else ’ s ideas or words and not attributing them Colluding(conspiring) with other students on work when prohibited from doing so. Cutting and pasting text from the Internet and passing it off as your own. Purchasing someone else ’ s work and describing it as your own

Intro to the Research