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FORMULATING THE RESEARCH TOPIC

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1 FORMULATING THE RESEARCH TOPIC
Lecture 5 Professional Development and Research Lecturer: R. Milyankova

2 Objectives of the session:
To generate ideas that will help in the choice of a suitable research topic To identify the attributes of a good research topic To turn research ideas into a research project that has clear research questions and objectives To draft a research proposal

3 Alice in wonderland: Alice: Will you tell me, please, which way I ought to walk from here? The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to go Alice: I don’t much care where The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t matter which way you will walk!

4 Properly formulating and defining the research topic will help:
To choose the most appropriate research strategy To choose the most appropriate data collection To choose the most appropriate analysis techniques ! Start with research ideas!

5 Business research topic:
Something you are capable of undertaking Something that excites your imagination Something that you have a genuine interest in Something that develops research skills as part of undertaking your project Something in which you will not lose interest while developing the project Something you are capable to receive data for

6 Checklist of attributes of a good research topic
Does the topic fit the specifications and meet the standards set by the examining institution (IUC; UoP)? Is the topic something with which you are really fascinated? Does your research topic contain issues that have clear link to theory? Do you have or can you develop within the project time frame, the necessary research skills to undertake the topic? Is the research topic achievable within the available time? Is the research topic achievable within the financial resources that are likely to be available

7 Checklist of attributes of a good research topic
Are you reasonably certain of being able to gain access to data you are likely to require for this topic Are you able to state your research questions and objectives clearly Will your proposed research be able to provide fresh insights into the topic Does your research topic relate clearly to the idea you have been given (organization, tutor) Are the findings for this research topic likely to be symmetrical (of similar value whatever the outcome) Consider your career goals!!!

8 Techniques for generating research ideas:
Rational thinking: Examining your own strengths and interests Looking at past project titles Discussion Searching the literature (articles, reports, books) Creative thinking: Keeping a notebook of ideas Exploring personal preferences using past projects Relevance trees (mind mapping) Brainstorming

9 Exploring personal preferences using past projects
Select six projects that you like Note down your first thoughts with response to: - What appeals to you about the project - What is good about the project - Why is the project good Select three projects that you do not like - What do you dislike about the projects - What is bad about the projects - Why is the project bad

10 Brainstorming Define your problem
Ask questions relating to the problem Record all suggestions, observing the following rules: - NO SUGGESTIONS SHOULD BE CRITICISED OR EVALUATED before all ideas have been considered - All suggestions should be recorded and considered - As many suggestions as possible should be recorded Review all suggestions and explore what is meant by each Analyze the list of suggestions and decide which appeal to you as research ideas and why

11 Refining ideas: Brainstorming The Delphy technique
The preliminary study – the feasibility Integrating ideas (accountancy – financial accounting methods - costing) Refining topics given by your tutor/employing organization

12 The Delphy Technique Brief members of the group about the research idea Encourage them to seek clarification and more information Ask them to generate independently at least three specific ideas Collect the ideas and distribute them to all members of the group Discuss the ideas in open – a second cycle Come to a consensus, following a discussion, voting or some other method

13 Turning research ideas into research projects
Writing research questions Writing research objectives Turning research questions into research objectives: The IDEA: The recruitment via the Internet The question: How effective is recruiting new staff via Internet in comparison with traditional methods? The Objective: To define the effectiveness of recruitment via Internet The connection between theory and practice (cause and effect relationship) – the expectations that if doing A, then B will happen Research = intelligence gathering (gathering of facts) - “what” and “why” questions – deductive approach (understanding theory, selecting data) and inductive approach (selecting data, defining theory)

14 Clarifying the research topic
Grand theories Middle range theories Substantive theories Increasing capacity to change the way we think about the world Increasing restrictions in terms of general applicability

15 The purposes of research proposal
Organizing your ideas = coherent statement of research intent Convincing your audience Contracting your client Content of research proposal: - Background - Research questions and objectives - Method – research design (a survey, interviews, examination of secondary data or combination of methods) and data collection (primary, secondary, tertiary), research population, ethical guidelines - Timescale - Ghannt Diagram Resources – financial, data, References

16 The purposes of research proposal
Criteria for evaluating research proposals: the extent to which the components of the proposal fit together Rationale – relevant theories in the topic area Research questions and objectives Time depends on methods selected

17 The viability/applicability of the proposal
Can this proposal be carried out satisfactory within the timescale and available resources?

18 Preconceived ideas??? Change the topic!!!


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