Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
by
K. Narasimhan
Regional Advisor (India)
The Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, UK
Aim of the Session
Key Challenges:
• What is Research?
It is Not
• It is helical.
Types of Research
Basic Commercial
Scholarly Student
Interest-driven Assigned
Primary Secondary
Individual Group
• Supervisors
• Examiners
• Others (?)
Research Methodology Hierarchy
Approach
Philosophy
Perspective
Methodology
Design
Methods
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Ontology Epistemology
Critical realism
Interpretivism
Subjectivist Constructionism
Identify Topic
Define
Literature
Conceptual
Review
Framework Questions
Project
Pilot study
report
Finalise Data collection and analysis
Framework
Analyse data
Interpret results
Describe
Report findings
A Qualitative Research Process
Identify Topic
Define
Conceptual Literature
Framework Questions Review
(CF)
Collect data
Design
Literature
Analyse data Review
Do
Revise Interpret data
CF
Questions answered Interim findings
Describe
or out of time
Design Report
• Research approach
• Methodology
– Measures
– Data analysis approach
– Samples
– Observation studies
– Correlational research
– Developmental designs
– Survey research
Methods of
Analysis : Statistical analysis
Correlational Studies
Purpose : Assess relationship between variables
Methods of
Analysis : Regression analysis
Developmental Designs
Purpose : Assess how variables change over time
Focus : Ratings assigned or frequencies of
behaviour
Methods of
Analysis : Cross-sectional or Longitudinal study
Survey Research
Methods of
Analysis : Statistical analysis
Experimental and Ex Post-facto Designs
– Phenomenological study
– Content analysis
– Historical research
Case Study
Methods of
Analysis : Clustering into meaningful groups and
interpreting based on themes;
overall synthesis and generalisation
Ethnography
Methods of
Analysis : Organising in a chronological order
Clustering into meaningful groups
Focussing on critical events
Inferring general nature of culture
Phenomenological study
Methods of
Analysis : Identifying common themes;
Grouping them into meaningful experiences
Grounded Theory Study
Purpose : To derive a theory from data collected in a
natural setting
Focus : A Process of actions and interactions
related to a topic: people based
Data used : Observations, interviews,
written documents,
audio visual material
Methods of
Analysis : Systematically coding data into
categories and identifying relationships
Continual interweaving of data collection
and data analysis
Constructing theory from categories &
interrelationships
Content analysis
Methods of
Analysis : Tabulation of frequency of each characteristic
Statistical analysis to answer questions
EX2: Group Exercise – Part 1
Objective: To study the teaching style of
academics
• Discriminant
sampling: Data sources useful for validating
theory
• Probability
sampling: Choosing a sample in such a way that
each member has an equal chance of
being selected
• Non-Probability
sampling: No way of forecasting or guaranteeing
that each element of the population will
be represented in the sample
Probability Sampling
• Cluster sampling
Sources of Bias:
– Sponsoring organisation
– Researcher
– Sampling
– Non-respondents to a survey
– Surveyor or interviewer
– Gathering of data
– Analysis and presentation of data
Researchers’ Ethical Obligations
• Admit limitations
Questionnaire Design: points to watch
• Attractive design
• Keep it short and simple (KISS)
• Logical and sequential: easy questions first
• Clear instructions and questions
• Watch out for implicit assumptions
• Avoid leading questions
• Decide how to code responses for analysis
• Ask personal questions at the end
Questionnaire Design:
• Closed-ended questions
– Dichotomous
– Multiple choice/Check lists
– Ranking questions
– Rating scales: verbal, numerical and (Behaviourally
anchored)
– Likert scale (measures the amount of agreement)
– Semantic differential scales
• Open-ended questions
– Unstructured
– Word association
– Sentence completion
Rating Scales Exercise
Give a numerical value between 1 and 10 (where
10 = greatest frequency) to indicate the
frequency suggested by the following words.
– Repeatability
– Measurement
– Control or isolating
Common Weaknesses in Proposals (1)
Not able to demonstrate the ability to:
– Think clearly and logically
• Related to Resources
– Unfavourable institutional setting
– Insufficient equipment and support staff
Evaluating a Research Proposal
• Is the research project worth it?
– Does it contribute to knowledge?
– Has an expert’s view been obtained?
– What is good about it?
– What are the drawbacks?
• What procedure will be adopted for:
– Literature review, data collection and analysis, and
interpretation
• Are the necessary research tools available?
• What do peers think about the proposal?
Conclusions