Research ProjectBy

Aaradhana S. Jyawali

Welcome Back to Your Final Semester!!!

Learning outcome

LO1 Understand how to formulate a research specification1.1 formulate and record possible project outline specifications1.2 identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection1.3 undertake a critical review of key references1.4 provide a research project specification1.5 provide and appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specifications.

LO2 Be able to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to specification2.1 match resources effectively to the research question or hypothesis2.2 undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with agreed specification and procedures2.3 record and collate relevant data where appropriate

Learning Outcome

• LO3 Be able to evaluate the research outcomes• 3.1 use appropriate research evaluation techniques• 3.2 interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification• 3.3 make recommendations and justify areas further consideration

• LO4 Be able to present the research outcomes.• 4.1 use appropriate research evaluation techniques

Introduction• This unit will help to develop learner’s skill of independent enquiry and critical

analysis by undertaking a sustained research investigation of direct relevance to their higher education programme and professional development

• The unit would enable learner to become confident using research techniques and methods.

• It addresses the elements that make up formal research including the proposal, a variety of research methodologies, action planning, carrying out research itself and presenting the findings.

• This unit also enable learner to understand theory that underpins formal research.

• The unit draws together a range of other areas from within the programme to form a holistic piece of work that will make a positive contribution to the learners area of interest.

Research project (20 credit)

Two documents to produce

• Research proposal

• Main Research

What is Research? An Analogy!

The Squirrel ‘vs’ The BirdWhich would make the better researcher?

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What is Research?

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What is Research?

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What is Research? An Analogy!

• Research is not just about gathering information (collecting nuts)

• It’s about contributing new knowledge on a subject (building a nest)

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Research

Something that people undertake in order to find things out in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge’.Characteristics:

• Data are collected systematically

• Data are interpreted systematically

• There is a clear purpose to find things out

Research Project• According to Jankowicz (2002), there are six attributes important for the success

of research project research topic: originality, generality, pragmatism, balance, quality of evidence used, ethical issues.

• Types of Research project

• Pure research: Research is undertaken purely to understand the process of business and management and their outcomes. This type of research is mainly based in Universities(academia) for the advancement of knowledge.( Saunder 2007)

• Applied research: The main purpose of this type of research is to gain understanding or insight of particular organisation. Outcomes of the research are important for the management decision so this types of research requires to add value to organisation or practitioner.

Activity 1: 10-15 Minutes

Using Worksheet 1, have a go at trying to identify the personal qualities, personal skills and management skills that will help you to complete your Research Project successfully.

An example is given to you.

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Activity 1: 10-15 Minutes

An example is done for you:

Personal Skills Management Skills Personal QualitiesHandling data Problem Solving Enthusiasm

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Selecting topic

20 min Task

Based on your work experiences, what problems or issues do you think should be researched to find the right solutions.

Identification of Management problem

Research problem

Research Objectives/Questions

Research Designs

SamplingData CollectionData Analysis

Information

Solution to Management problem

Research process

Research idea to topic

• Brainstorming

• Goldilocks test

• Relevance tree

• Review the literature

• What, why, how, where and when questions

Brainstorming

• When you’ve got nothing• When you’ve got too much

• Cubing• Free-writing• Listing or bulleting • Mapping

What is Goldilocks Test? too big, two small, too hot or just right. Why it is needed to think ? Because;a). Too big need significant funding b). Too small are likely to be insufficient substancec). Too hot maybe so due to sensitivities that may be

involved. d). Just right are those for investigation at this time by

this research in this setting.

Generating research ideas

Useful Techniques

Rational thinking Creative thinking

Searching the literature Scanning the media

Brainstorming Relevance Trees

Exploring past projects Discussion

Keeping an ideas notebook

Relevance Tree.

• A diagrammatic technique for analysing systems or processes in which distinct levels of complexity or hierarchy can be identified. A relevance tree enables an analyst to identify the various aspects of a problem or a proposed solution and thus arrive at a more complete understanding of something.

Relevance Tree.

Review the literature

• Books• Journals • Newspaper• Review articles

What, why, how, where and when questions • WHY did you choose the topic? What interests you about it?

Do you have an opinion about the issues involved?

• WHO are the information providers on this topic? Who might publish information about it? Who is affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic?

• WHAT are the major questions for this topic? Is there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to consider?

• WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national or international level? Are there specific places affected by the topic?

• WHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a current event or an historical issue? Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?

Task 2 : 20 minutes

• On the basis of the research idea mentioned in the task 1, review and rewrite your research topic. You should use the methods that we discussed just before this task.

Attributes of a good research topic:

• Interest

• Skills required to conduct research

• Time availability

• Achievable

• Budget

• Clarity

• Specific

• Relevant

• Access to data

• Ethical consideration

Research topic

Attributes of a good research topic

Capability: is it feasible?

• Are you fascinated by the topic?

• Do you have the necessary research skills?

• Can you complete the project in the time available?

• Will the research still be current when you finish?

• Do you have sufficient financial and other resources?

• Will you be able to gain access to data?

Attributes of a good research topic

Appropriateness: is it worthwhile?

• Will the examining institute's standards be met?• Does the topic contain issues with clear links to

theory?• Are the research questions and objectives clearly

stated?• Will the proposed research provide fresh insights into

the topic?• Are the findings likely to be symmetrical?• Does the research topic match your career goals?

Attributes of a good research topic

And - (if relevant)

Does the topic relate clearly to an idea you were given -

possibly by your organisation ?

Refining research ideas

• Using the Delphi Technique

• Conducting a preliminary study

• Continually testing out your ideas

• Integrating ideas

• Refining topics given to you by your organisation

Turning ideas into research projects

Useful techniques

• Start with a general focus question

• Use the ‘Russian Doll’ principle to reach the essence of the question

• Discuss areas of interest with your tutor

Proposal• Title page1. Introduction1.1 Objectives of the study1.2 Research Questions 1.3 Rational of the study 1.4 Limitation of the study2. Literature Review3 Research design4. Research Methodology5. Ethical consideration 6. Project planReferences

Writing research questionsWrite research questions that are

• Consistent with expected standards

• Able to produce clear conclusions

• At the right level ( not too difficult )

• Not too descriptive

• Use the ‘Goldilocks Test’ Clough and Nutbrown (2002)

Is it researchable question?

• Does McDonald's or Burger King make a better burger?

• It is not researchable as it is worded, since it has no concrete meaning. What does "better" mean? Better in terms of nutrition? Better tasting? Better value? Fewer calories? Better for making your kids happy? This question could become researchable only if you define its terms.

Task 3 Research Question Examples

• Which one is a good research question? Why?

• Question 1: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as Facebook and Twitter?

• Question 2 : Why are social networking sites harmful?

• Question 1: Are females smarter than males?

• Question 2: Do females age 18-35 score higher than adult males age 18-35 on the intelligence test?

Writing research questionsSelect what you think is the best research

question

A. What marketing strategies does the Coca-Cola company currently apply?

B. What is the Coca-Cola company's future marketing plan?

C. What marketing strategies has the Coca-Cola company used in the past?

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Writing research questionsA. Question "a" is the best research question.

Your research to answer this question may include observation of print, television, and radio advertisements as well as research into various current marketing theories and strategies. Both types of research are "do-able," and the question is focused enough to yield a fully-developed research paper.

B. Question "b" is very broad as well as being unresearchable--it's unlikely that Coca-Cola personnel will reveal their marketing plan.

C. Question "c" may be too broad as well, since "the past" covers a lot of time, especially since the Coca-Cola company was incorporated in 1919

• What are the causes of ________________?

• What are the effects of ________________?

• What are the “pro” arguments about_______________?

• What are the “con” arguments about ______________?

• What is being done about ______________?

Motivation and Work Performance:Complexities in Achieving Good PerformanceOutcomes; A Study of xyz company

• What are the reasons for either under or over performance in xyz company?

• What motivation measures are currently in place and to what extend do they motivate the staff?

• What alternative motivational measures can be identified in order to ensure improvement in workers performance in

Turning ideas into research projects

Table 2.2 Examples of research ideas and their derived focus research questions

Turning ideas into research projects

Writing clear research objectives

• Check your examining body’s preferences for stated objectives

• Use a general focus question to achieve precise objectives

Saunders et al. (2009)

Turning ideas into research projectsInclude SMART Personal objectives

S pecific

M easurable

A chievable

R ealistic

T imely

Research aim/ objectives and questions

• Research Aim: what you want to achieve.

• Research objectives: how you intend to go about this. Something that you plan to do in order to achieve research aim.

• Research questions: Interrogative statements that narrow the research objectives to specific questions that researchers seek to answer in their study.

Examples: from one of our student’s projectAim:• The main aim of the research work is to examine stress

management at fast food restaurant basically Pizza Hut, Bitterne (U.K).

Objectives:• To investigate the reasons causing work stress at highly

stressed restaurants like Pizza Hut Bitterne.

• To analyze the activities carried out by the management in stress minimization.

• To examine the challenges faced by the management in minimizing work stress.

• Any thoughts?

Motivation and Work Performance: Complexities in Achieving Good Performance Outcomes; A Study of xyz company Objectives

• To establish which motivational measures are currently in place and how

• effective are these.• To establish whether a positive relationship exists between

motivational• measures and improved performance.• To establish ways to improve the performance and

motivation of workers.

Task 4 : 30 minutes

• On the basis of the research idea mentioned in the task 2, review and rewrite your research topic and research question. You should use the criteria that we discussed just before this task.

Writing your research proposal

Purposes of the research proposal

• To organise your ideas

• To convince your audience

• To contract with your client (your tutor)

• To meet ethical requirements

Content of your research proposal

• Title - likely to change during the process

• Background - context within the literature

• Research questions and objectives - what you seek to achieve

Content of your research proposal (2)

• Method - can be in two parts: research design and data collection

• Timescale and Resources - (finance, data access, equipment)

• References - include some key literature sources

Exercise • Using above example try to rephrase a title for

identified research problem with chosen company.

Examining own strengths and interests• Having some academic knowledge• Look at those assignments for which you have received

good grade.• You may, as part of your reading, be able to focus more

precisely on the sort of ideas about which you wish to conduct your research

• There is a need to think about your future

• Formulating and clarifying a topic

• Reviewing the literature

• Designing the research

• Collecting data

• Analysing data

• Writing upBased on Figure 1.2: Saunders et al. (2009)

From ideas to proposalResearch idea

Question Question Question

Objectives1. S.M.A.R.T

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Writing the Proposal

Research Problem • Must be an issue relating to your Business Studies Course

– in any subject – marketing, HRM• Significant problem – E.g. customer satisfaction

(Marketing), motivation of employees (HRM)• Not broad topic but narrow topic• Manageable – within a time period, should be able to

complete• -------------------------------------------------------------• How do we find? Ask managers, read business news

(BBC), literature review from journals,

References

• Hulley S. B, Cummings S. R, Browner W. S, Grady D, Hearst N, Newman T. B. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2001. Getting ready to estimate sample size: Hypothesis and underlying principles In: Designing Clinical Research-An epidemiologic approach; pp. 51–63