1. Business Project Nicos Rodosthenous PhD 08/10/2013 1
Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

2. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
1.Introduction
How to formulate and clarify your research topic and your research question.
Before you start you need at least some idea of what you want to do.
You will be able to choose the appropriate research strategy and data collection and analysis techniques.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

3. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
2. Attributes of good research topic
Meets the examining body’s standards and requirements
It is at the correct level with issues link to theory.
Choose your own topic with care, something you are really fascinated.
i.e. Universities usually ask students:
a) to collect their own data as part of their research project or
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

4. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
b) to allow them to base their project on data that already been collected.
Develop within the project frame the necessary research skills
Is the research topic achievable within the available time?
Is the research topic achievable within the financial resources?
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

5. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
Able to gain access to data you require for the topic
State your research questions and objectives clearly.
Be able to provide fresh insights into this topic
The findings of the research to be symmetrical i.e. the results will be of similar value whatever you find out.
Does the research topic match your career goals?
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

6. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
3. Generating and refining research ideas
More frequently used techniques for generating and refining research ideas are:
a) Rational thinking
Examining your own strengths and interests
Looking at past project titles
Discussion
Searching the literature: articles in academic and professional journals, reports and books.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

7. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
b) Creative thinking
Keeping a notebook of ideas
Exploring personal preferences using past projects
Relevance trees
Brainstorming:
1) Define your problem
2) Ask for suggestions relating to the problem
3) Record all suggestions
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

8. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
4) Review all suggestions and explore what is meant by each.
5) Analyse the list of suggestions.
Discuss example of Brainstorming
c) Refining research ideas: the Delphi technique
Using a group of people who either involved or interested in the research idea, you need:
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

9. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
1.Brief the members of the group about the research idea.
2. Encourage group members to seek clarification and more information
3. Ask each member to generate independently up to 3 specific research ideas
4. Collect the research ideas and distribute them to all members of the group.
5. Take comments on the research ideas and revise them in the light of what others said.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

10. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
4. Turning research ideas into research projects
4.1 Writing research questions:
Avoid asking questions that are too difficult
Avoid asking questions that will not generate new insights
Consult your project tutor to avoid the pitfalls of too easy or too difficult questions
Your initial questions may flow from the relevant literature
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

11. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
4.2 Writing research objectives
Begin with a general focus research question.
That will generate more detailed research questions for the basis to write a set of research objectives.
4.3 The importance of theory in writing research questions and objectives
Theory is defined as “ a formulation regarding the cause and effect relationships between two or more variables, which may or may not have been tested”
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

12. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
Theory has a specific meaning. i.e. Marketing Manager believes that the introduction of loyalty cards by an airline will lead customers being less likely to travel with a competitor airline.
The purpose of examining relationships between two or more variables is to explain and predict these relationships. By doing A, B will happen, from theory to practice.
08/10/2013
Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

13. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
There is a difference between research and what is called intelligence gathering.
The latter is the gathering of facts, a part of a research, which is not enough.
Requirement for most assessed research projects is to:
Explain and compare phenomena
Analyse relationships
Predict outcomes
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

14. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
5. Writing your research proposal
A plan usually includes:
1. the learning objectives,
2. the content,
3.the assessment strategy and
4.the recommended reading.
Writing a research proposal is a crucial part of the research process.
Either for research funding or for academic research, a great deal of time is needed.
08/10/2013
Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

15. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
5.1 The purpose of the research proposal
1. Organizing your ideas:
Writing can be the best way of clarifying our thoughts and organize ideas into a coherent statement.
2. Convincing your audience:
Ensure that the proposal your are planning to do is possible.
If not , then you will have saved yourself a great deal of time and frustration.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

16. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
3. Contracting with your “client”
Acceptance of your proposal by a commercial client or your own organization is part of the contract .
It also implies that your proposal is satisfactory.
6. The content of the research proposal:
1.Title: it may change as your work progresses.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

17. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
2. Background:
This is an important part of the proposal.
It demonstrates your knowledge of the relevant literature
It shows the clear link between the previous work done and the content of the proposal.
3. Research questions and objectives:
Will indicate what is precisely the research seeks to achieve.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

18. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
The objectives should precisely written and lead to the observable outcomes
Do not state general research aims
4. Method:
This with background sections will detail exactly how you intend to achieve your research objectives.
It will also justify your choice of method to be used for those objectives
08/10/2013
Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

19. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
The method can be divided into two parts:
1)research design and 2) data collection.
In the research design you will explain where you intend to carry out the research.
Explain the identity of your research population (i.e. managers, trade officials) and why you chose this population.
This section will also include the way in which you intend to carry out the research.
08/10/2013
Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

20. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
Based on a survey, interviews, examination of secondary data or combination of methods
i.e. by using a survey you should specify the sample size and clarify how the questionnaires will be distributed.
Include statement for ethical guidelines (e.g. National Health Service)
5. Timescale:
It will be useful to divide your research plan into stages
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

21. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
This will show what is possible in the timescale.
6. Resources:
Assess whether what you are proposing can be resourced (e.g. finance, data access, statistics, and equipment)
Conducting research costs money (e.g. for travel, data analysis, distribution and collection of questionnaires)
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

22. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
Assessors need to be convinced that you have access to the data you need for your research.
It is also important to have access to the necessary computer hardware and software to analyse your data.
7. References:
Avoid to impress your proposal reader with enormous list of references.
The literature sources which have been referred in the background section are considered enough.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

23. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
7. Criteria for evaluating research proposals:
Research should include a study of the previous published research.
Can this research be made within the timeframe and with available resources?
Your research should be an exciting trip into the unknown
8. Case study: A student from Thailand returned home from the UK to complete his MA dissertation.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

24. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
9. Summary:
The process of formulating and clarifying your research topic is the most important part
Attributes of a research topic do not vary and shall meet the requirements of the examining body
Generating and refining ideas makes use of a variety of techniques, like rational thinking and creative thinking.
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Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

25. Formulating and clarifying the research topic
Clear questions based on the relevant literature will act as a focus for the research
Research can be distinguished from intelligence gathering.
Writing a research proposal helps you to organise your ideas .
The content of the research should tell the reader what you want to do, why you want to do it, what you are trying to achieve and how do you plan to achieve it.
08/10/2013
Dr Nicos Rodosthenous