Formulating and Clarifying Formulating and Clarifying Research TopicsResearch Topics

MSc. Nguyen Duc Hoa CuongMSc. Nguyen Duc Hoa Cuongcuongndh@hanu.vncuongndh@hanu.vn

Skype: Insight.VietnamSkype: Insight.VietnamCell: 0912120860Cell: 0912120860

ObjectivesObjectives

• Generate ideas that will help in the choice of a suitable research topic

• Identify the attributes of a good research topic• Turn research ideas into a research project with clear

research question(s) and objectives.

IntroductionIntroduction

• Alice asks the Cat “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to walk from here?”

• “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat

• “I don’t much care where,” said Alice• “Then it doesn’t matter which way you walk,” said the

Cat.(Alice’s Adventure in the

Wonderland)

IntroductionIntroduction

Formulating and clarifying research topics is:• A starting point of a research project• Time-consuming• Generating research ideas• Then turning them into research questions and

objectives.

Attributes of a good research topicAttributes of a good research topic

A good student graduation research:• Meet the examining body’s requirements• Linked to theory• Ensuring symmetry of potential outcomes• You are capable of undertaking• One that excites your imagination.

Generating research ideasGenerating research ideas

Rational thinking technique:• Examining your own strengths and interests• Looking at past projects• Discussion• Searching the literature.

Generating research ideasGenerating research ideas

Creative thinking technique:• Keeping a notebook of ideas• Exploring personal preferences using past projects• Relevant trees• Brainstorming.

Refining research ideasRefining research ideas

Delphi technique – using a group of people who are either involved or interested in the research idea to generate and choose a more specific research idea:

• Briefing the research idea• Encouraging group members to seek clarification or

more information• Asking each group member to generate up to 3 specific

research ideas independently• Collect the research ideas and distribute them to all

group members• A second cycle of the process• Subsequent cycle of the process until a concensus is

reached (voting if necessary).

Writing research questionsWriting research questionsBegin with one general focus research question which flows

from your research idea. Examples:

Research idea General focus research question

The sponsorship of the city football club

What benefit do commercial organizations derive from their sponsorship?

The adoption of by manufacturing companies of “flexible workforces”

Will do manufacturing companies devide their workforces into “core” and “peripheral” workers?

Openning a handicraft shop

Where does the shop locate?

Writing research questionsWriting research questionsLead to several more detailed research questions or the

definition of research objectives. Examples:

General focus research question

Detailed research question

Where does the handicraft shop locate?

Who are the target client markets? What are the main transportation flows in the city? What are shop rental prices? Etc.

Writing research objectivesWriting research objectivesGreater specificity than the research questions. Examples:

Research questions Research objectives

• Who are the target client markets? • What are the main transportation flows in the city? • What are shop rental prices?

• To justify the economic viabilty of the business idea• To determine designing of the handicrafts• To approach the walks-in• To estimate the start-up investment

Your projectYour project

• Any Question?• Starting point: research topics given by FMT faculty• Preliminary study• Brainstorming and discussions• Resources needed• Writing up the research proposal• Approval and undertaking• Defense and submission• Celebration.

Good luck!Good luck!